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Morelli Family #5
Resisting Mateo
If you dance with the devil, don't be surprised when all Hell breaks loose.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A STANDALONE. YOU WILL NOT ENJOY THIS IF YOU ARE NOT INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS. DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DIDN'T READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS. Must be read in order! Or a unicorn dies. (Seriously, you do not want to start with this book. It'll be kookydooks.)
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A STANDALONE. YOU WILL NOT ENJOY THIS IF YOU ARE NOT INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS. DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DIDN'T READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS. Must be read in order! Or a unicorn dies. (Seriously, you do not want to start with this book. It'll be kookydooks.)
268 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2017
369 people are currently reading
1060 people want to read
About the author
Sam Mariano
44 books4,871 followersFollow Sam Mariano on Facebook, Instagram (@sammarianobooks), or check out her Blog! If you need to email her, she can be reached at sammarianoauthor@gmail.com (but she is sometimes tardy about checking email. Mateo is very demanding).
Sign up for Sam's mailing list (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on Amazon! (And don't forget to follow Sam's Amazon Author page to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Goodreads, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
Sign up for Sam's mailing list (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on Amazon! (And don't forget to follow Sam's Amazon Author page to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Goodreads, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
June 16, 2018
O.M.G. The emotions this book made me feel were insane! It was so fucking intense!! I think Sam is trying to kill us all. There is no other explanation! 😂 This is some damn good writing, y'all. I can't wait to pick up the next one. Full review to come.
November 7, 2017
3/5 These chicks have lost it, stars.
After looking at other reviews it's clear to me, I'm reading this book wrong.
Everyone else sees Mateo this way:
I see Mateo this way:
Mateo is sick and twisted. I'm no psychology major, but there is something seriously wrong and diagnosable about the way he tests people's loyalty. Maybe he got torture tips from the guy from Saw?
Of course, the women are just as culpable for putting up with it. It's like a version of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel from the bible. Jacob loves Rachel more, but she has no kids. Leah is unloved but gets all the babies, while Mia *literally* gets all the meat. Maybe Meg is an opportunist who is fine as long as she can enjoy the Mafioso lifestyle. But what good are nice things when you're basically a prisoner?
Mia is another story. She has a special type of Stockholm Syndrome. No spoilers, but at the end, her reaction is crazy. After all he put her through she's like:
She's grateful??? She hopes she's worth it??? Nothing he could do could ever stop her from loving him??? From me he would have gotten a knuckle sandwich and this:
I have to give the author credit, though. She has written an engaging story and at this point I'm too far in. I have to see what kind of kooky, wacky things Mateo pulls in the next book and how far Mia and Meg will debase themselves for him.
After looking at other reviews it's clear to me, I'm reading this book wrong.
Everyone else sees Mateo this way:
I see Mateo this way:
Mateo is sick and twisted. I'm no psychology major, but there is something seriously wrong and diagnosable about the way he tests people's loyalty. Maybe he got torture tips from the guy from Saw?
Of course, the women are just as culpable for putting up with it. It's like a version of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel from the bible. Jacob loves Rachel more, but she has no kids. Leah is unloved but gets all the babies, while Mia *literally* gets all the meat. Maybe Meg is an opportunist who is fine as long as she can enjoy the Mafioso lifestyle. But what good are nice things when you're basically a prisoner?
Mia is another story. She has a special type of Stockholm Syndrome. No spoilers, but at the end, her reaction is crazy. After all he put her through she's like:
She's grateful??? She hopes she's worth it??? Nothing he could do could ever stop her from loving him??? From me he would have gotten a knuckle sandwich and this:
I have to give the author credit, though. She has written an engaging story and at this point I'm too far in. I have to see what kind of kooky, wacky things Mateo pulls in the next book and how far Mia and Meg will debase themselves for him.
October 18, 2021
I f@cking HATED this book! I honestly cannot put into words how much this book bothered me. Mateo is the biggest a$$hole in the world and the fact that Meg and Mia put up with it so willingly baffles my mind!!! I was literally shaking with anger while reading this. NOT the book for me!
June 8, 2018
Horrible
I’m sorry, but polygamy in a book that has no warning is not my thing. I seriously could not see how such a strong character, Meg, would so easily be okay with sharing, Mateo. I skipped through 90% of this book because it sucked. Loved the first two. Third one kind of lost me. This one ruined them all for me. Will not read the rest. So disappointed. Absolutely horrible. Ugh
I’m sorry, but polygamy in a book that has no warning is not my thing. I seriously could not see how such a strong character, Meg, would so easily be okay with sharing, Mateo. I skipped through 90% of this book because it sucked. Loved the first two. Third one kind of lost me. This one ruined them all for me. Will not read the rest. So disappointed. Absolutely horrible. Ugh
July 22, 2017
We all know the events that led to this pivotal moment. If you’ve read the other books in the series then you know what I’m talking about. The no turning back danger zone, it’s climactic…..epic and completely unforgettable!
During the read, I had the author, god bless her heart on instant message. She was getting first hand reactions as they were happening. I laughed, cried, cussed my computer screen out making any sailor proud.
The only analogy I can give you that best sums up Resisting Mateo is this. As you're listening to your stereo, completely stopped at a railroad crossing. Foolish Games by Jewel feat. Kelly Clarkson - is playing loudly in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IbNH...
What you don’t expect to hear over the crackle of the speakers is a blaring whistle, or screeching and grinding of metal on metal, practically roaring. Metallic sparks scatters, raining down in a fiery hot trail sideways, igniting everything it touches. Explosions of shattering glass hits a crescendo.
Unable to look away you stare with horrifying fascination, morbid curiosity refusing to blink for even a single second…..and then utter silence. The only sounds that can be heard is the looping song. That’s what Sam Mariano brings to the table and I’m that voyeur who couldn’t turn away.
During the read, I had the author, god bless her heart on instant message. She was getting first hand reactions as they were happening. I laughed, cried, cussed my computer screen out making any sailor proud.
The only analogy I can give you that best sums up Resisting Mateo is this. As you're listening to your stereo, completely stopped at a railroad crossing. Foolish Games by Jewel feat. Kelly Clarkson - is playing loudly in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IbNH...
What you don’t expect to hear over the crackle of the speakers is a blaring whistle, or screeching and grinding of metal on metal, practically roaring. Metallic sparks scatters, raining down in a fiery hot trail sideways, igniting everything it touches. Explosions of shattering glass hits a crescendo.
Unable to look away you stare with horrifying fascination, morbid curiosity refusing to blink for even a single second…..and then utter silence. The only sounds that can be heard is the looping song. That’s what Sam Mariano brings to the table and I’m that voyeur who couldn’t turn away.
September 21, 2018
Awful
It's well written. But the book seriously annoyed me. I struggled with book 1, but loved book 2.
I won't read anymore after this book as it's so heart breaking.
Just a story about two God awful people who have no respect for anyone.
Spoilers down below be warned
Mateo basically gets his own way with have Mia in their relationship. Lies to meg about sharing himself between them. Meg no longer has Mateo, he's always with Mia. Ignoring megs one request about not getting Mia pregnant. Book 2 was a waste of paper.
Mia and Mateo are God awful people. Meg deserves better
It's well written. But the book seriously annoyed me. I struggled with book 1, but loved book 2.
I won't read anymore after this book as it's so heart breaking.
Just a story about two God awful people who have no respect for anyone.
Spoilers down below be warned
Mateo basically gets his own way with have Mia in their relationship. Lies to meg about sharing himself between them. Meg no longer has Mateo, he's always with Mia. Ignoring megs one request about not getting Mia pregnant. Book 2 was a waste of paper.
Mia and Mateo are God awful people. Meg deserves better
August 13, 2020
Awful. I really hated this book. Not only did I hate the concept, I hated the repetitive plot. The plot was nonexistent. The only part I did enjoy was Mia feeling suicidal because I hate her. Meg was an absolute pansy even though she came across as a strong, female lead in book 2, and they're all absolute fucking idiots. This was a genuinely painful read and I didn't enjoy it. I was reading it just so that I could finish the goddamn series, but I don't think it deserves that much. I got much more pleasure just reading the spoliers.
I really don't understand why Mateo likes Mia and vice versa. It feels really forced. In Adrian's book, the author really pushes this narrative of Mia liking Mateo but I kinda doubted it? And it's pushed even more in Francesca's. I feel like the author didn't stay true to Mia's character. Dumb as she is, I didn't think she was this dumb. I disliked Mia from the start but goddamn, do I really hate her. She was incredibly stupid from the beginning and it only gets worse.
Maybe there will never be a book as perfect of a dark romance as Untouchable. I don't even understand the massive gap in quality between this series and that standalone book.
I really don't understand why Mateo likes Mia and vice versa. It feels really forced. In Adrian's book, the author really pushes this narrative of Mia liking Mateo but I kinda doubted it? And it's pushed even more in Francesca's. I feel like the author didn't stay true to Mia's character. Dumb as she is, I didn't think she was this dumb. I disliked Mia from the start but goddamn, do I really hate her. She was incredibly stupid from the beginning and it only gets worse.
Maybe there will never be a book as perfect of a dark romance as Untouchable. I don't even understand the massive gap in quality between this series and that standalone book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2017
I hated that the relationships that were established in the earlier books were wrecked in this one. Yes, Mia had history with Mateo, but Meg is engaged to him and pregnant with his child. Mia betrays Meg repeatedly by knowingly having unprotected sex with Mateo when she know Meg does not want to give on this point at that time. Mateo spends most of his nights with Mia "comforting" her...knowing all along Vince is not dead...so he ignores Meg for his own twisted reasons. The sick finish is the ending where we find our Meg is having a girl, so perhaps Mia can be the one to give Mateo a male heir after all. I read the warning that this book might not be for everyone and the whole time I kept thinking...why am I reading this? I guess I was hoping for more affection and attention for Meg. It was an upsetting read for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2023
5 Stars to Resisting Mateo (Morelli Family, #5)
Series must be read in order.
Honestly, Sam Mariano was trying to kill me with this book. I just know it.
The whole "sister wives" kink was cool and all (somehow I hated it but enjoyed it at the same time) but that's not what I wanted for Mia and Mateo, not for their HEA. Meg needed to be gone. Luckily, the author stopped playing with my emotions, took pity, and decided to make it all better in books 6 and 7. THANK GOD.
This has a HFN ending but it's definitely NOT the end. You must read on to get Mia and Mateo's HEA.
Series must be read in order.
Honestly, Sam Mariano was trying to kill me with this book. I just know it.
The whole "sister wives" kink was cool and all (somehow I hated it but enjoyed it at the same time) but that's not what I wanted for Mia and Mateo, not for their HEA. Meg needed to be gone. Luckily, the author stopped playing with my emotions, took pity, and decided to make it all better in books 6 and 7. THANK GOD.
This has a HFN ending but it's definitely NOT the end. You must read on to get Mia and Mateo's HEA.
July 21, 2017
You think you know.
You don't know.
You DO NOT KNOW what you're in for.
And you don't want to - trust me on that. Just pull up a chair at the Morelli table and watch the show. And early reviews must take on the responsibility of not BLABBING ABOUT EVERY SINGLE UNBELIEVABLE THING that happens sooo...
Here is my reaction to Resisting Mateo as told in GIF form. I'm telling you, this is the ONLY way to do it without spoilers.
~
~~~
Can I just pause here and say that Sam Mariano's Warning to Readers should be: YOU CAN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I *DARE* YOU TO TRY THOUGH.
And then Happily Ever... um, Happy End of the THIS book!
Whew! Now I'm patiently waiting for the next one.
You don't know.
You DO NOT KNOW what you're in for.
And you don't want to - trust me on that. Just pull up a chair at the Morelli table and watch the show. And early reviews must take on the responsibility of not BLABBING ABOUT EVERY SINGLE UNBELIEVABLE THING that happens sooo...
Here is my reaction to Resisting Mateo as told in GIF form. I'm telling you, this is the ONLY way to do it without spoilers.
~
~~~
Can I just pause here and say that Sam Mariano's Warning to Readers should be: YOU CAN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I *DARE* YOU TO TRY THOUGH.
And then Happily Ever... um, Happy End of the THIS book!
Whew! Now I'm patiently waiting for the next one.
Read
July 28, 2017My prediction:
January 5, 2018
HOLY FUCKING SHIT.
Cuddle the kindle
Glare at the kindle
Try hard to not THROW the kindle.
Drool on the kindle.
Repeat.
Cuddle the kindle
Glare at the kindle
Try hard to not THROW the kindle.
Drool on the kindle.
Repeat.
January 7, 2019
I hate Mia
May 18, 2024
I’m running off a few hours of sleep and this series to blame
April 10, 2023
3/5 ★★★☆☆
To say that I'm pissed at the turn this series has taken would be a 𝘣𝘪𝘨 understatement.
"𝘽𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧!" is a statement that's echoing inside my bewildered mind right after finishing this book.
For days now, I just kept hoping to see Mateo and Mia together. I didn't mind what it might cost Vince or Meg or how even this possibility might change them. I didn't care about anything except seeing my favorite two characters paired up, 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺.
Of course, I forgot one key aspect. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘰'𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵 --𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭.
And what goes on in Mateo's mind?
I'd never know. No one (not even Adrian) could ever hope to guess.
It's fact that Mateo cares the most about Mia. It's fact. It is.
And he totally loses his charming, laid back attitude if Mia's place in his life is ever threatened.
So WHY was this turn of events needed Sam Mariano?!?!? Why would you do this to your loyal readers who just want Mia and Mateo? Together the way they should be since the colossal failed ending of Book 1!!!!
This is Book 5!!! And still 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 is what you decided to give your readers???
NO!
Not good enough!
It's like when you've been waiting for a couple to get together since, I don't know, 1500+ pages ago and you're cheated out of that by some 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 slash sister wives harem bullshit!!!
𝙉𝙤!
Just 𝙉𝙊! I do not accept that shit, not today, not in a million years.
The sweet taste of seeing everyone's favorite villain (Mateo) finally together with Mia was totally soured by Meg's presence.
Even if it was made clear that she held next to no sway when it came to Mateo's heart.
Even then.
𝘌𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 then!
Because 𝙬𝙝𝙮 would Mateo put Mia through that? On that note, why would he put 𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 through that?
I refuse to believe he found joy in Meg's presence. I refuse.
This is too hard.
I loved that I got to see so much of Mateo and Mia together finally after all this time but it s̶o̶u̶r̶e̶d̶ l̶i̶k̶e̶ c̶u̶r̶d̶l̶e̶d̶ m̶i̶l̶k̶ a̶n̶d̶ a̶l̶l̶ t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶s̶ g̶r̶o̶s̶s̶ a̶n̶d̶ s̶h̶i̶t̶t̶y̶ got ruined by Meg's very presence.
Every. Single. Time. she was in a scene, my blood boiled to alarming levels.
That shit was bad on my health. Seriously.
I can't believe I'm rating a book focussed solely on Mateo-Mia relationship a measly 3★ but 𝙄'𝙢. 𝙋𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙.
If I could stop myself I wouldn't even read the next book. But naive me still hopes that this mess will be cleaned up and sorted in the next book.
Is that too much to ask?
At the grand reveal in the end, I kind of hoped Mateo would just come out and say "𝘚𝘰, 𝘔𝘪𝘢, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵? 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵? 𝘠𝘦𝘴 𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦! 𝘈𝘯𝘥, 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘦𝘨, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩! 𝘖𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦. 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶! 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨! 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘰, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸! 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘐𝘛 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯."
But did I get that? Noooooo.......
I got half of it, yes. Not the half that really mattered but whatever. Agh.
On to the next book now, hoping what's coming is a little less of a car crash.
Knowing what I do of Mateo though? Doubtful.
To say that I'm pissed at the turn this series has taken would be a 𝘣𝘪𝘨 understatement.
"𝘽𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧!" is a statement that's echoing inside my bewildered mind right after finishing this book.
For days now, I just kept hoping to see Mateo and Mia together. I didn't mind what it might cost Vince or Meg or how even this possibility might change them. I didn't care about anything except seeing my favorite two characters paired up, 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺.
Of course, I forgot one key aspect. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘰'𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵 --𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭.
And what goes on in Mateo's mind?
I'd never know. No one (not even Adrian) could ever hope to guess.
It's fact that Mateo cares the most about Mia. It's fact. It is.
And he totally loses his charming, laid back attitude if Mia's place in his life is ever threatened.
So WHY was this turn of events needed Sam Mariano?!?!? Why would you do this to your loyal readers who just want Mia and Mateo? Together the way they should be since the colossal failed ending of Book 1!!!!
This is Book 5!!! And still 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 is what you decided to give your readers???
NO!
Not good enough!
It's like when you've been waiting for a couple to get together since, I don't know, 1500+ pages ago and you're cheated out of that by some 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 slash sister wives harem bullshit!!!
𝙉𝙤!
Just 𝙉𝙊! I do not accept that shit, not today, not in a million years.
The sweet taste of seeing everyone's favorite villain (Mateo) finally together with Mia was totally soured by Meg's presence.
Even if it was made clear that she held next to no sway when it came to Mateo's heart.
Even then.
𝘌𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 then!
Because 𝙬𝙝𝙮 would Mateo put Mia through that? On that note, why would he put 𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 through that?
I refuse to believe he found joy in Meg's presence. I refuse.
This is too hard.
I loved that I got to see so much of Mateo and Mia together finally after all this time but it s̶o̶u̶r̶e̶d̶ l̶i̶k̶e̶ c̶u̶r̶d̶l̶e̶d̶ m̶i̶l̶k̶ a̶n̶d̶ a̶l̶l̶ t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶s̶ g̶r̶o̶s̶s̶ a̶n̶d̶ s̶h̶i̶t̶t̶y̶ got ruined by Meg's very presence.
Every. Single. Time. she was in a scene, my blood boiled to alarming levels.
That shit was bad on my health. Seriously.
I can't believe I'm rating a book focussed solely on Mateo-Mia relationship a measly 3★ but 𝙄'𝙢. 𝙋𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙.
If I could stop myself I wouldn't even read the next book. But naive me still hopes that this mess will be cleaned up and sorted in the next book.
Is that too much to ask?
At the grand reveal in the end, I kind of hoped Mateo would just come out and say "𝘚𝘰, 𝘔𝘪𝘢, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵? 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵? 𝘠𝘦𝘴 𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦! 𝘈𝘯𝘥, 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘦𝘨, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩! 𝘖𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦. 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶! 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨! 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘰, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸! 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘐𝘛 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯."
But did I get that? Noooooo.......
I got half of it, yes. Not the half that really mattered but whatever. Agh.
On to the next book now, hoping what's coming is a little less of a car crash.
Knowing what I do of Mateo though? Doubtful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
July 4, 2021Started to power skim around 50% and then finally gave up around 80%. Literally nothing happens. For me, dark romance is so binary: boring AF or super interesting. There is literally no middle ground.
Also, I cannot tell you how over the top ridiculous this "I can't give a description bc I'll spoil it" blurb it. FFS, it's a romance novel in KU, not a top-secret CIA mission. A little paternalism for the readers to go along with what's in the book, I guess.
Also, I cannot tell you how over the top ridiculous this "I can't give a description bc I'll spoil it" blurb it. FFS, it's a romance novel in KU, not a top-secret CIA mission. A little paternalism for the readers to go along with what's in the book, I guess.
August 14, 2020
Actually, I skipped book 4. Actually, I haven't finished this one yet. And actually, I decided to drop the whole series after reading first two chapters of book 5. You may ask why I gave the book 4 stars. Well, I'll tell you, 4 stars is for the storyline (from the beginning until this one), for Vince and for Meg. Yup, you hear me right, I don't give a damn about Mateo or Mia. The truth is, I've hated Mateo since book 1 (What a tragedy!), and the annoying feelings I have for Mia increase with every book. Call me weirdo, crazy or anything you want but that's the truth, I HATE MATEO MORELLI AND MIA! So sad, they're the main characters, so sad, they're the author's favorites, so I think it's best for me to drop the series (though it's too late now, I kinda know the ending already). I just hope Ms Sam Mariano won't be sad if she ever reads this review of mine; I like her writing but I can't stomach her characters. Let's just put aside Adrian/Elise and Salvatore/Francessca, I want to talk about the rectangle things between Vince/Mia/Mateo/Meg.
About Vince, I don't hate him, but I don't exactly like him either. His childhood was bad, and he had to live under Mateo's wings, had to endure all the pressures he didn't want to endure and had to do all the things he didn't want to do. I don't think Vince could stand a chance with Mateo, an 18 years old boy could never compete with an experienced mob boss like Mateo. For God's sake, he was just a teenager, what can we expect??? You expected him to fight fiercely for Mia? I don't think so. I know he loved Mia, truly loved her, but he wasn't strong and smart enough to keep that love alive. And I'm so sure, part of the reasons Vince and Mia broke up is Mateo. Believe it or not, Mateo was the one that ruined his brother's relationship. I don't care about Mateo's purposes, all I know is Mateo was wrong, so wrong. That's the reason why I couldn't fall for Mateo from the start. Vince wasn't all good, but he deserved to be listened and respected.
Next is Meg. I like her! I don't care if you call her selfish or bitchy, I like her! She was an interesting woman with a heart of gold. Yup, a heart of gold, and then suddenly, she was pushed aside like she was nothing. She's human, just a little human, she had the right to feel jealous, to make mistakes, to be all the stupid things you may call her, but at least, she's human. She chose to love Mateo, to stay with him, to carry his child, she even accepted to share him with Mia just to be with him. Don't you see it? I feel sorry for her. Though she made mistakes (by fucked with Mia), I still feel she's tolerable. When you love a man with everything you have and he asks you to be his fiancé, will you be happy if in his heart is another woman? Mateo proposed to her, gave her a ring and promises, but he didn't give her his trust, he even divided his love for her. Is it fair? No way. He is so callous to her. If Mateo couldn't love her whole-heartedly, he should have let her go, not drawing her in, not giving her hopes and then showed her he couldn't give her what she wanted. That's cruel! I rather Sam didn't create Meg from the start, I felt so sick with the way Mateo treated her.
Mia. I hate Mia! I don't know why people see her as loyal and noble. She said she loved Vince, but that was a lie. She said she would fight for their love, and that was a lie, too. If she was a loyal one, she wouldn't do what she did to Vince. And don't tell me how irresistable Mateo can be, I don't care! If you're consistent enough for your love and your guy, nothing can pull you away. I know Sam created her as a girl who can see the good in people, but that can't be an excuse for her behaviors. Vince did warn her about Mateo, Vince did try to fight as best as he could, and what did she do??? Follow Mateo around, let him raped her and then fell for him like crazy. The worst mistake Mia had made in book 1 was having a pity fuck (turns out, it wasn't pity at all) with Mateo, that was the final nail on the coffin of her and Vince's relationship. She annoyed me to no end. And to me, Mia is just a selfish bitch. Cause if she had a heart, she would have known how hurtful Vince was.
Finally, Mateo, the biggest pain in the ass. OMG, I should have loved him like all of others do but no, I hate him! I loathe him! I don't know if he really considered Vince as his brother, if he had any love for his little brother, cause if he had, he wouldn't do that to Vince, he wouldn't sabotage Vince's relationship, he wouldn't try to lure Mia in everytime he had the chance. Mateo is smart, strong, sexy, arrogant... and a mob boss, but that doesn't give him the right to steal from people. Even if Vince and Mia was meant to an end, Mateo shouldn't interfere in their relationship. I don't think the world created Mia for Mateo (like he said), I think the author tried too hard to make them the favorite couple of the series, the star-crossed lovers with a heart-wrenched love story. Sorry, I don't think so, I think this is forceful, I feel forceful! The "star-crossed" part isn't true, all the tragedies were created by Mateo and Mia's own hand, nobody forced them to do anything, they did it on their own. Once again, this is the very first time in my life I hate the leading male and female this much. They're so HORRIBLE AND CRUEL to the people around them!
You know, there are many ways to write a dark, heart-breaking, heavy romance, but I don't think this is a good way. I used to read many dark romance novels, used to cry for the main characters, but never, ever I hate them like I hate Mateo and Mia. When I read their story, I felt like I WAS FORCED TO LOVE THEM, like I HAD TO LOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE THE STARS OF THE SERIES! No, that's not how love works, if it's forceful, it's not love, it's pretence. I had a sleepless night just because I was so pissed with Mateo and Mia and the way they acted. Dropping the series might be a right decision, cause when you feel like you're forced to love the horrible characters like Mateo and Mia, well, reading is not relaxed and entertaining anymore.
P/S 1: The author may gave Vince and Meg their own happy endings, but it's still unacceptable to me. Maybe I'm the only one that doesn't want to be one of Mateo's Sweethearts. *LOL*
P/S 2: Probably the longest review I've ever written. Haha!!!
About Vince, I don't hate him, but I don't exactly like him either. His childhood was bad, and he had to live under Mateo's wings, had to endure all the pressures he didn't want to endure and had to do all the things he didn't want to do. I don't think Vince could stand a chance with Mateo, an 18 years old boy could never compete with an experienced mob boss like Mateo. For God's sake, he was just a teenager, what can we expect??? You expected him to fight fiercely for Mia? I don't think so. I know he loved Mia, truly loved her, but he wasn't strong and smart enough to keep that love alive. And I'm so sure, part of the reasons Vince and Mia broke up is Mateo. Believe it or not, Mateo was the one that ruined his brother's relationship. I don't care about Mateo's purposes, all I know is Mateo was wrong, so wrong. That's the reason why I couldn't fall for Mateo from the start. Vince wasn't all good, but he deserved to be listened and respected.
Next is Meg. I like her! I don't care if you call her selfish or bitchy, I like her! She was an interesting woman with a heart of gold. Yup, a heart of gold, and then suddenly, she was pushed aside like she was nothing. She's human, just a little human, she had the right to feel jealous, to make mistakes, to be all the stupid things you may call her, but at least, she's human. She chose to love Mateo, to stay with him, to carry his child, she even accepted to share him with Mia just to be with him. Don't you see it? I feel sorry for her. Though she made mistakes (by fucked with Mia), I still feel she's tolerable. When you love a man with everything you have and he asks you to be his fiancé, will you be happy if in his heart is another woman? Mateo proposed to her, gave her a ring and promises, but he didn't give her his trust, he even divided his love for her. Is it fair? No way. He is so callous to her. If Mateo couldn't love her whole-heartedly, he should have let her go, not drawing her in, not giving her hopes and then showed her he couldn't give her what she wanted. That's cruel! I rather Sam didn't create Meg from the start, I felt so sick with the way Mateo treated her.
Mia. I hate Mia! I don't know why people see her as loyal and noble. She said she loved Vince, but that was a lie. She said she would fight for their love, and that was a lie, too. If she was a loyal one, she wouldn't do what she did to Vince. And don't tell me how irresistable Mateo can be, I don't care! If you're consistent enough for your love and your guy, nothing can pull you away. I know Sam created her as a girl who can see the good in people, but that can't be an excuse for her behaviors. Vince did warn her about Mateo, Vince did try to fight as best as he could, and what did she do??? Follow Mateo around, let him raped her and then fell for him like crazy. The worst mistake Mia had made in book 1 was having a pity fuck (turns out, it wasn't pity at all) with Mateo, that was the final nail on the coffin of her and Vince's relationship. She annoyed me to no end. And to me, Mia is just a selfish bitch. Cause if she had a heart, she would have known how hurtful Vince was.
Finally, Mateo, the biggest pain in the ass. OMG, I should have loved him like all of others do but no, I hate him! I loathe him! I don't know if he really considered Vince as his brother, if he had any love for his little brother, cause if he had, he wouldn't do that to Vince, he wouldn't sabotage Vince's relationship, he wouldn't try to lure Mia in everytime he had the chance. Mateo is smart, strong, sexy, arrogant... and a mob boss, but that doesn't give him the right to steal from people. Even if Vince and Mia was meant to an end, Mateo shouldn't interfere in their relationship. I don't think the world created Mia for Mateo (like he said), I think the author tried too hard to make them the favorite couple of the series, the star-crossed lovers with a heart-wrenched love story. Sorry, I don't think so, I think this is forceful, I feel forceful! The "star-crossed" part isn't true, all the tragedies were created by Mateo and Mia's own hand, nobody forced them to do anything, they did it on their own. Once again, this is the very first time in my life I hate the leading male and female this much. They're so HORRIBLE AND CRUEL to the people around them!
You know, there are many ways to write a dark, heart-breaking, heavy romance, but I don't think this is a good way. I used to read many dark romance novels, used to cry for the main characters, but never, ever I hate them like I hate Mateo and Mia. When I read their story, I felt like I WAS FORCED TO LOVE THEM, like I HAD TO LOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE THE STARS OF THE SERIES! No, that's not how love works, if it's forceful, it's not love, it's pretence. I had a sleepless night just because I was so pissed with Mateo and Mia and the way they acted. Dropping the series might be a right decision, cause when you feel like you're forced to love the horrible characters like Mateo and Mia, well, reading is not relaxed and entertaining anymore.
P/S 1: The author may gave Vince and Meg their own happy endings, but it's still unacceptable to me. Maybe I'm the only one that doesn't want to be one of Mateo's Sweethearts. *LOL*
P/S 2: Probably the longest review I've ever written. Haha!!!
August 10, 2022
You want everyone to have unwavering loyalty to you, Mateo, but you don’t give any back. Not a drop.”
This was good. It was a little smidge repetitive at some points, because of things I can’t say without spoiling, but overall I enjoyed it. I think that it’s very clear where the story is headed. I don’t know if it feels completely natural?! I realize it’s fiction, so it’s whatever the author writes, obviously, but it just feels a little bit.. I don’t know, forced maybe. A little bit of something was missing for me, but I still enjoyed it.
On to book 6 I suppose 😂
This was good. It was a little smidge repetitive at some points, because of things I can’t say without spoiling, but overall I enjoyed it. I think that it’s very clear where the story is headed. I don’t know if it feels completely natural?! I realize it’s fiction, so it’s whatever the author writes, obviously, but it just feels a little bit.. I don’t know, forced maybe. A little bit of something was missing for me, but I still enjoyed it.
On to book 6 I suppose 😂
July 20, 2018
4.25 WOW
This series is addictive! There are highs and lows, there are sweet and sour and You just never know what you are going to get.
This book goes back to Mia and Mateo.
It wasn’t what I was expecting, probably because I couldn’t see the picture on the cover, but by the looks of it, there’s two women right? Yup, there’s Meg.
Remember when I told you I kind of wanted the author to kill Meg off. Don’t worry, she’s not dead, but I guess I’ll take what I can get and that’s this crazy love triangle between Meg and Mia and Mateo.
I like Mateo, even when he was nasty in the first book. I always like a Hero in power, kind of crazy and older. He did get soft in the second book, but I’m glad the author made him a bit harder in this one.
Mia battles with her feelings between Vince and Mateo. She loves Mateo, but she also loves Vince in an odd way. She loves Vince because he did so much for her and she cares for him.
Mateo is a man that wants two women, but how can he have both? Can he have both? Don’t worry there is no cheating in this book, you will just have to read to find out.
I really liked the first half of the book because I didn’t know where the book was going to go and I was shocked with a lot of events.
Towards the 50 – 80% mark, I got a bit frustrated with Mia. I felt like the storyline was getting REALLY repetitive and the author is known for that. But the first half of the book was so good I let it slide. I also liked that there was a plot and progress happening in this book. I felt like the previous book (Fran and Sal’s book) was a little slow and nothing really went on.
I’m nervous starting the next one, but I hope the outcome is what I want. Because really
This series is addictive! There are highs and lows, there are sweet and sour and You just never know what you are going to get.
This book goes back to Mia and Mateo.
It wasn’t what I was expecting, probably because I couldn’t see the picture on the cover, but by the looks of it, there’s two women right? Yup, there’s Meg.
Remember when I told you I kind of wanted the author to kill Meg off. Don’t worry, she’s not dead, but I guess I’ll take what I can get and that’s this crazy love triangle between Meg and Mia and Mateo.
I like Mateo, even when he was nasty in the first book. I always like a Hero in power, kind of crazy and older. He did get soft in the second book, but I’m glad the author made him a bit harder in this one.
Mia battles with her feelings between Vince and Mateo. She loves Mateo, but she also loves Vince in an odd way. She loves Vince because he did so much for her and she cares for him.
Mateo is a man that wants two women, but how can he have both? Can he have both? Don’t worry there is no cheating in this book, you will just have to read to find out.
I really liked the first half of the book because I didn’t know where the book was going to go and I was shocked with a lot of events.
Towards the 50 – 80% mark, I got a bit frustrated with Mia. I felt like the storyline was getting REALLY repetitive and the author is known for that. But the first half of the book was so good I let it slide. I also liked that there was a plot and progress happening in this book. I felt like the previous book (Fran and Sal’s book) was a little slow and nothing really went on.
I’m nervous starting the next one, but I hope the outcome is what I want. Because really
July 27, 2017
Resisting Mateo (Family Ties, #5)
By: Sam Mariano
4 Stars
Make sure you read the first 4 books before diving into this one!!!
BOOK FIVE in the Morelli Family series. THIS IS NOT A STANDALONE. YOU WILL NOT ENJOY THIS IF YOU ARE NOT INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS. DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DIDN'T READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS.
Well my goodness!!! I knew Mateo was an EVIL man… I knew Mateo Loved Mia… I knew Mateo Loved Meg… I knew Mateo is SEXY as all get out… I knew Mateo was a Mental Case… I knew Mateo thrives on Mental Games…
But….
I had no idea that Mateo would pull this stunt!!! How does this man sleep at night? Oh, that’s right he doesn’t!!! Family in the Morelli Family means everything. However, in this book…it has you questioning where Mateo draws the line and where he crosses the line.
His love for Mia is like no other love. He will STOP at NOTHING to make Mia his. But with Mateo already being engaged to Meg and she is carrying Mateo’s baby…How can he make Mia his? Mia and Vince are together, although not as strong as in the beginning, they are still together.
This book….I tell you, it was an emotional roller-coaster. Happy, Sad, Furious, Laugh out Loud, you name it, this book has all the feels! Good Job Sam Mariano
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By: Sam Mariano
4 Stars
Make sure you read the first 4 books before diving into this one!!!
BOOK FIVE in the Morelli Family series. THIS IS NOT A STANDALONE. YOU WILL NOT ENJOY THIS IF YOU ARE NOT INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS. DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DIDN'T READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS.
Well my goodness!!! I knew Mateo was an EVIL man… I knew Mateo Loved Mia… I knew Mateo Loved Meg… I knew Mateo is SEXY as all get out… I knew Mateo was a Mental Case… I knew Mateo thrives on Mental Games…
But….
I had no idea that Mateo would pull this stunt!!! How does this man sleep at night? Oh, that’s right he doesn’t!!! Family in the Morelli Family means everything. However, in this book…it has you questioning where Mateo draws the line and where he crosses the line.
His love for Mia is like no other love. He will STOP at NOTHING to make Mia his. But with Mateo already being engaged to Meg and she is carrying Mateo’s baby…How can he make Mia his? Mia and Vince are together, although not as strong as in the beginning, they are still together.
This book….I tell you, it was an emotional roller-coaster. Happy, Sad, Furious, Laugh out Loud, you name it, this book has all the feels! Good Job Sam Mariano
Follow us on---
FB – https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookB...
Blog -https://bookbistroblogcom.wordpress.com
Blog -https://bookbistroblogger.blogspot.com
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/BookBistro
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/BookBistroBlog
July 8, 2021
0 stars for the tummy ache, 5 stars for the addiction
Why is Mateo Morelli so addicting?!? Even though I hated so many parts of this book, I couldn’t stop reading it.
This book starts off rough because Mateo and Mia still want each other, but he’s with Megan. At Francesca‘s wedding, Mateo lets Mia know that he needs her, he still wants her, and that’s the only thing left to make him truly happy- and Mia wants her loved ones to be happy. Mia is still with Vince, but she’s extremely unhappy. So, how can Mateo, Mia, and Meg be happy? The only way Mateo figures out is by sharing him 🤢😳 (cue my stomach ache and grinding of teeth while reading). Ugh. If only Meg wasn’t in the picture, then everything would’ve been perfect ish 😬. Well… not quite- because there’s still Vince to worry about.
So many things happen. I found myself feeling bad for Meg many times- because it’s so OBVIOUS that Mateo really REALLY wants/loves Mia- they’re totally meant to be. But then, I found myself not feeling bad. The connection between Mia and Mateo is just so sincere, so true, so visceral, so ORGANIC and natural, that I can’t even fathom why he would attempt to stay with Meg 🙈. It doesn’t make sense to me. Buuuut… she’s carrying his baby- so I guess there’s that 🤷🏻♀️ and she’s so unapologetic…way different from Mia 😳.
Apparently, I need to get to book 6 to get this tummy ache to leave. Whenever Mateo was with Meg, I was *side-eyeing* him so much, I’m surprised the scowl didn’t stay on my face.
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-sharing/sister wives situation 🤢
-there’s some blood shed
-you might find yourself crying like I did for some things
-sharing/sister wives situation 🤢(yeah… I said it TWICE- cause it’s what this book is mostly about)
Why is Mateo Morelli so addicting?!? Even though I hated so many parts of this book, I couldn’t stop reading it.
This book starts off rough because Mateo and Mia still want each other, but he’s with Megan. At Francesca‘s wedding, Mateo lets Mia know that he needs her, he still wants her, and that’s the only thing left to make him truly happy- and Mia wants her loved ones to be happy. Mia is still with Vince, but she’s extremely unhappy. So, how can Mateo, Mia, and Meg be happy? The only way Mateo figures out is by sharing him 🤢😳 (cue my stomach ache and grinding of teeth while reading). Ugh. If only Meg wasn’t in the picture, then everything would’ve been perfect ish 😬. Well… not quite- because there’s still Vince to worry about.
So many things happen. I found myself feeling bad for Meg many times- because it’s so OBVIOUS that Mateo really REALLY wants/loves Mia- they’re totally meant to be. But then, I found myself not feeling bad. The connection between Mia and Mateo is just so sincere, so true, so visceral, so ORGANIC and natural, that I can’t even fathom why he would attempt to stay with Meg 🙈. It doesn’t make sense to me. Buuuut… she’s carrying his baby- so I guess there’s that 🤷🏻♀️ and she’s so unapologetic…way different from Mia 😳.
Apparently, I need to get to book 6 to get this tummy ache to leave. Whenever Mateo was with Meg, I was *side-eyeing* him so much, I’m surprised the scowl didn’t stay on my face.
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-sharing/sister wives situation 🤢
-there’s some blood shed
-you might find yourself crying like I did for some things
-sharing/sister wives situation 🤢(yeah… I said it TWICE- cause it’s what this book is mostly about)
May 13, 2022
reread- 5/10/22
reread- 2/28/22
Reread- March 14th, 2021
This book gets five stars from me. I stayed up all night reading it. I think I'm a little bit obsessed with this series (even if I did find book three boring). I don't remember the last time I binged a long series without stopping, if you don't count rereads of old favorites like the Fever Series.
The drama and heartbreak was so intense in this novel, especially considering Mateo finally removed his perfectly composed mask and showed Mia the brutal sociopath underneath. I've been waiting five books for him and Vince to finally have words with each other, and for him and Mia to finally get together, and watching everything unfold in this book was more than I could have hoped for.
I no longer think Meg is right for Mateo, but I still love her as a character. Mia was a fantastic female lead as always, and I love her resilience and kindheartedness. The sister wives thing was kind of hard to accept, but Sam Mariano really made it work. I found the dynamic between the three of them fascinating.
Mateo is one of my favorite dark romance male leads. Every scene he's in is riveting. I love how enigmatic and evil he was in this installment. For a while I thought he'd been domesticated but... nope. If anything he's even more ruthless and cunning than he was in Accidental Witness. I thought the male lead from Untouchable was bad, but he's got nothing on Mateo's depravity. His unapologetic wickedness makes his moments of tenderness and love that much more compelling. This book really showed how much he actually loves Mia, in his own messed up way.
TW: Non/con
reread- 2/28/22
Reread- March 14th, 2021
This book gets five stars from me. I stayed up all night reading it. I think I'm a little bit obsessed with this series (even if I did find book three boring). I don't remember the last time I binged a long series without stopping, if you don't count rereads of old favorites like the Fever Series.
The drama and heartbreak was so intense in this novel, especially considering Mateo finally removed his perfectly composed mask and showed Mia the brutal sociopath underneath. I've been waiting five books for him and Vince to finally have words with each other, and for him and Mia to finally get together, and watching everything unfold in this book was more than I could have hoped for.
I no longer think Meg is right for Mateo, but I still love her as a character. Mia was a fantastic female lead as always, and I love her resilience and kindheartedness. The sister wives thing was kind of hard to accept, but Sam Mariano really made it work. I found the dynamic between the three of them fascinating.
Mateo is one of my favorite dark romance male leads. Every scene he's in is riveting. I love how enigmatic and evil he was in this installment. For a while I thought he'd been domesticated but... nope. If anything he's even more ruthless and cunning than he was in Accidental Witness. I thought the male lead from Untouchable was bad, but he's got nothing on Mateo's depravity. His unapologetic wickedness makes his moments of tenderness and love that much more compelling. This book really showed how much he actually loves Mia, in his own messed up way.
TW: Non/con
July 28, 2017
My mind is blown once again!
This was by far the hardest, most heart shattering, mind wrenching book in the series thus far. The story picks up right where book 4 left off and is told from both Meg and Mia's POV.
So. I knew this was going to be intense. I'd been warned. The author herself warned us this was going to be a crazy intense book. I thought I was adequately prepared. Never have I been more wrong. So much takes place that I honestly never expected to actually happen. It's craziness. Chaos. I hated it. I freaking love it. I hate how much I loved it. I ugly cried. Multiple times. I'd been so convinced my feelings for certain characters would never change, my opinions were firmly set. But now it's like I see the challenges and relationships these characters have with a different perspective. After finishing it, it's apparent the book couldn't have gone any other way and still been true to the characters and storyline.
From a written standpoint, it's remarkable an author can still keep the characters fresh and show an even greater depth to them with each book. I've read so many series where the characters start off interesting but turn stale and don't continue to grow as the series does. So, awesome job, Sam!
Can't say much more without giving away the story, but PLEASE keep with it. You might want to give up partway through. I almost did, ( okay let's be real, I'd never be able to actually quit) it was just that emotional. But finish it. I promise you will come out of it alive!
This was by far the hardest, most heart shattering, mind wrenching book in the series thus far. The story picks up right where book 4 left off and is told from both Meg and Mia's POV.
So. I knew this was going to be intense. I'd been warned. The author herself warned us this was going to be a crazy intense book. I thought I was adequately prepared. Never have I been more wrong. So much takes place that I honestly never expected to actually happen. It's craziness. Chaos. I hated it. I freaking love it. I hate how much I loved it. I ugly cried. Multiple times. I'd been so convinced my feelings for certain characters would never change, my opinions were firmly set. But now it's like I see the challenges and relationships these characters have with a different perspective. After finishing it, it's apparent the book couldn't have gone any other way and still been true to the characters and storyline.
From a written standpoint, it's remarkable an author can still keep the characters fresh and show an even greater depth to them with each book. I've read so many series where the characters start off interesting but turn stale and don't continue to grow as the series does. So, awesome job, Sam!
Can't say much more without giving away the story, but PLEASE keep with it. You might want to give up partway through. I almost did, ( okay let's be real, I'd never be able to actually quit) it was just that emotional. But finish it. I promise you will come out of it alive!
July 24, 2017
OFFICIALLY MIND BLOWN!
Like, sitting here staring at the wall an not knowing what to say, kind of mind blown. Sometimes a book is so good that you don't even have words to desire why it's so good... this is one of those kind of reviews where I'm like READ THIS NOW but can't really tell you why!
I don't even know where to start with this review... I've been obsessed with this series from the first book of book 1.
Mateo is the ultimate bad guy, and who doesn't love a bad guy? Because I certainly do!
This story starts right where book 4 leaves off and those opening scenes I was like... HOLY POOP BALLS
I knew that once I started this book that I wouldn't be able to put it down, and I was NOT wrong! The whole thing has a way of pulling you in.
You think you know where this story is going and then BAM! out of left field something happens and you're left wondering WHAT THE ACTUAL?!
We see so many different sides to Mateo and Mia in this story, and I won't lie: I still HATE meg! Why can't she just go and disappear?!
This sex scenes in this book had me fanning myself, literally... SO H.O.T!
BE PREPARED FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE AND THEN BEING LEFT TO WANT THE NEXT ONE RIGHT NOW!!!!!
Sam is a go to author for me now, and I know that whatever book she brings out I will be destroying!!
The only question now is...
ARE YOU READY FOR ALL THIS AWESOMENESS?
*Book provided in exchange for an honest review*
Like, sitting here staring at the wall an not knowing what to say, kind of mind blown. Sometimes a book is so good that you don't even have words to desire why it's so good... this is one of those kind of reviews where I'm like READ THIS NOW but can't really tell you why!
I don't even know where to start with this review... I've been obsessed with this series from the first book of book 1.
Mateo is the ultimate bad guy, and who doesn't love a bad guy? Because I certainly do!
This story starts right where book 4 leaves off and those opening scenes I was like... HOLY POOP BALLS
I knew that once I started this book that I wouldn't be able to put it down, and I was NOT wrong! The whole thing has a way of pulling you in.
You think you know where this story is going and then BAM! out of left field something happens and you're left wondering WHAT THE ACTUAL?!
We see so many different sides to Mateo and Mia in this story, and I won't lie: I still HATE meg! Why can't she just go and disappear?!
This sex scenes in this book had me fanning myself, literally... SO H.O.T!
BE PREPARED FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE AND THEN BEING LEFT TO WANT THE NEXT ONE RIGHT NOW!!!!!
Sam is a go to author for me now, and I know that whatever book she brings out I will be destroying!!
The only question now is...
ARE YOU READY FOR ALL THIS AWESOMENESS?
*Book provided in exchange for an honest review*
July 27, 2017
Wow!! Sam what have you done? How do you put into words?? This book!!
I have come to the conclusion Sam Mariano is some sort of witch, she pulls you into the life of Mateo Morelli and his family and keeps you there against your will and demands you become addicted to Mateo through her witch craft know as her writing talent. Sam lures you in with the tease of a hot mob boss and once your in there is no chance for escape because Mateo Morelli will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Sam has taken this book to the next level, she really has out done herself. I think after reading this book I'm going to be in a book funk for a while. How do you top a story like that?
I have come to the conclusion Sam Mariano is some sort of witch, she pulls you into the life of Mateo Morelli and his family and keeps you there against your will and demands you become addicted to Mateo through her witch craft know as her writing talent. Sam lures you in with the tease of a hot mob boss and once your in there is no chance for escape because Mateo Morelli will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Sam has taken this book to the next level, she really has out done herself. I think after reading this book I'm going to be in a book funk for a while. How do you top a story like that?
August 4, 2023
This is the worst book I've ever read in my life. And that's from person who loves stories that has vibe of sthockolm syndrome. I love stories where main male chaacter do something unforgivable and main female character actually forgive him etc. Maybe I would love this story between Mia and Mateo because they had so much potential in the first book. I actually thought I'll ship them. But now, after Meg's book and everything Mia and Mateo did to her, I hated every single conversation between Mia and Mateo. Ok for Mateo we all know he is bad evil he'll do awful things but he had justice in some of the ways. Now there's none.
But what really bothers me is Mia as female character, I don't think I ever hated someone fictional this much. She's selfish beyond words, she can't leaarn her lesson through Vince and desperatly trying to mess up things again through Mark. One thing that's worst than evil people are those who think they're good and acts like that, but in fact are so hypocritical and actually awful inside.
Now we have Francesca too I hate her too just because her smile when she found out Meg's having girl. And Mia's comment 'she's so competitive for me'. Awful.
I didn't even love Meg before she was okay character but now I want her to kill them all. That would be totally fine after everything.
I could see that hea is planing for Mateo and Mia and I think form this point on whaterver Meg does she has the right. I thought before she'll betray Mateo or something like that and I would ship Mateo and Mia again, but after this book, she can do wathever she want, I'll support her over Mia always.
I just can't describe how much this was horrible. Meg is soo reasonable and trying her best to live with all these situations. I'm so sorry for her. And for Mia everything Cherie said to her was 100% true and actually my opinion.
One more thing I actually think Meg is much more suitable for Mateo because of their perception and planing things, real partnership. Mia is too much childish and can't balance emotions. I don't understand why they should be endgame really
But what really bothers me is Mia as female character, I don't think I ever hated someone fictional this much. She's selfish beyond words, she can't leaarn her lesson through Vince and desperatly trying to mess up things again through Mark. One thing that's worst than evil people are those who think they're good and acts like that, but in fact are so hypocritical and actually awful inside.
Now we have Francesca too I hate her too just because her smile when she found out Meg's having girl. And Mia's comment 'she's so competitive for me'. Awful.
I didn't even love Meg before she was okay character but now I want her to kill them all. That would be totally fine after everything.
I could see that hea is planing for Mateo and Mia and I think form this point on whaterver Meg does she has the right. I thought before she'll betray Mateo or something like that and I would ship Mateo and Mia again, but after this book, she can do wathever she want, I'll support her over Mia always.
I just can't describe how much this was horrible. Meg is soo reasonable and trying her best to live with all these situations. I'm so sorry for her. And for Mia everything Cherie said to her was 100% true and actually my opinion.
One more thing I actually think Meg is much more suitable for Mateo because of their perception and planing things, real partnership. Mia is too much childish and can't balance emotions. I don't understand why they should be endgame really
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2017
Just finished reading family ties. I can't wait for this one... I hope Mia ended up with Mateo!!! ❤️❤️
January 31, 2018
I’m not gonna lie...this book made me VERY uncomfortable. I’ve marked this as a spoiler so that way I can actually say what I’m so uncomfortable about. From the beginning, I’ve shipped Mia and Mateo. They just worked for me and I got a connection with them then I did with their own respective partners in the other books. Guess in the words of Mateo, I should be careful for what I wish for. I wanted Mia and Mateo together but not like this. This is the story about how three people learn to coexist...together...in a relationship. I’m a monogamous gal myself, so this was outside my comfort zone ten fold. I still stick to what I’ve said from the beginning, Mia and Mateo’s connection is deep—much more than his and Megs. I like Meg, love her even, but damn, I don’t like her with Mateo. I never have.
The whole Vince debacle made me extremely sad. I feel like his whole storyline was a cop out so that Mia could finally be with her one true love. That too made me uncomfortable. For the majority of the book, I wanted her to leave Mateo’s ass. But it’s Mateo, let’s get real, I could never hate him. Overall, I’ve come this far to quit now!
The whole Vince debacle made me extremely sad. I feel like his whole storyline was a cop out so that Mia could finally be with her one true love. That too made me uncomfortable. For the majority of the book, I wanted her to leave Mateo’s ass. But it’s Mateo, let’s get real, I could never hate him. Overall, I’ve come this far to quit now!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2020
Well I was not mentally or emotionally prepared for this book, I know we were warned at the beginning and I didn't think I had any triggers but man this book was hard, I almost gave up at one point, I had to put it down and step away and I've never had to do that before.
You get so invested and emotionally attached to these characters and that just shows how great Sam is as an author, but I did want to scream at her at one point, sorry Sam! 🙈😂
And THAT scene (you know which I'm talking about) stuck with me for a LONG time.. 🥺😭
Oh Mia you poor silly naiive girl.. Mateo is a master manipulator, I don't know whether to be impressed or punch him in the throat!
It was a bumpy ride but I'm so glad I stuck it out
Damn this book wrecked me!
You get so invested and emotionally attached to these characters and that just shows how great Sam is as an author, but I did want to scream at her at one point, sorry Sam! 🙈😂
And THAT scene (you know which I'm talking about) stuck with me for a LONG time.. 🥺😭
Oh Mia you poor silly naiive girl.. Mateo is a master manipulator, I don't know whether to be impressed or punch him in the throat!
It was a bumpy ride but I'm so glad I stuck it out
Damn this book wrecked me!
January 7, 2019
polygamy - ew no thanks...unless it's reverse harem well done
I only read the second book in this series because Meg sounded like a strong character but all the way through I had this uncomfortable feeling with Mia. Major red flad when Mateo started the whole sister-wives thing. SO GROSS.
I only read the second book in this series because Meg sounded like a strong character but all the way through I had this uncomfortable feeling with Mia. Major red flad when Mateo started the whole sister-wives thing. SO GROSS.
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