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The Chicago War #2

Vakmerő és végzetes

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„Csak ​egyszer lehetsz fiatal és ostoba.

Alessa még életében nem hallott ekkora baromságot.”

Alessa Trentini mindig követi a szabályokat, vagy legalábbis úgy tűnik. A Conti család egy bizonyos tagjának azonban valahogy mindig sikerül felébresztenie a benne szunnyadó lázadót, és közben meg is védi minden bajtól, de attól a katyvasztól, amibe a bátyja miatt kerül, még Adriano sem mentheti meg.

Háborúban egyetlen nő sincs biztonságban, ha a keze által bármelyik család feljebb juthat a maffia ranglétráján.

Adriano Contit felőrli a kényszer, hogy mindenkinek megfeleljen, és hamarosan apja, Riley oldalán találja magát, aki felesége halálát felhasználva próbál magasabbra törni. A vér még a Szervezetnél is előrébb való. Adriano számára csak egyetlen biztos pont marad ebben a háborúban, mégpedig Alessa Trentini, de most talán kénytelen végignézni, ahogyan egy másik férfié lesz.

A Szervezet családjai között még soha nem volt olyan nagy a széthúzás, mint most. Ahogy fokozatosan mindenkit magával ragad a saját bosszúvágya, hamarosan vér árasztja el az utcákat, és mind több ember hal meg. Egyetlen módja van az életben maradásnak: mocskosan kell játszani. Még akkor is, ha ezáltal minden elpusztul.

463 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2015

70 people are currently reading
1512 people want to read

About the author

Bethany-Kris

107 books4,260 followers
The author of too many novels to count, Bethany-Kris is a Canadian, lover of much, and mother to four sons, a glaring of cats, and a pack of dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, a snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something ... when she can find the time.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
Profile Image for S.M. West.
Author 38 books1,242 followers
November 8, 2015
4.5 'Pretty Girl' STARS

I FLOVE this series. The blood shed and mayhem continues in the power struggle between the four mob families in Chicago.

This is Adriano Conti and Alessa Trentini's tale. With a vacuum at the top of the house, Alessa and Adriano find themselves on opposing sides of their warring families. But these two won't let that get in their way. Even if their actions are reckless and could be their ruin, Adriano especially, will do anything to ensure they're together.

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While everyone from Capos to soldiers are watching their backs and taking sides, a few in the Chicago Italian mob are making a play for the top spot: Boss. This was like a well played chess match with each moved strategically planned and of course, some playing much better than others. I learned a lot more about the various characters in the families, their motivations and some of them even showed their true colours.

“Hopes are reserved for men who have something to dream of. I have no doubt that all my dreams will come crawling to my feet in due time.”


Being a woman in a man's world, Alessa is caught up in this dangerous game where the stakes are high: lives will be lost, blood will be shed and she has no say, as she's a mere pawn on the board.

“Keep spilling blood and you’ll eventually drown in it.”


Adriano was smart and sexy and despite being a badass Mafioso, he had a heart of gold when it came to Alessa. These two take many risks to be together. It kind of had a modern Romeo and Juliet vibe to it. And their chemistry and the sparks that were ignited as they took any chance they got to be together, including some pretty hot public moments!


“Love that. My name in your mouth, Alessa. That’s all I ever need to hear – all I ever want to fucking hear. No one else does this for you."


"His hand disappeared under her skirt before his fingers swept under the thin fabric of her panties, brushing her sex with a gentle touch."


“Don’t let me go.”

“I don’t know how to let you go, Alessa.”



There was a lot of maneuvering by the various characters on many different levels which made for a fascinating read. I never quite knew how things would go down as there was always someone else playing their hand when you least expected it.

“You do realize this is a bit like playing Russian Roulette, right?
There’s always one bullet in the chamber, Adriano, and you might be the fool who gets it.”




Bethany-Kris did it again! She's created a riveting tale of the dark and dirty mob world and has me anxiously waiting for the next move. The war is not over. It's only just begun.

**An ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**

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Profile Image for Shanny.
186 reviews184 followers
November 10, 2015

✽✽✽✽ 4 -4.5 stars ✽✽✽✽



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Reckless & Ruined is the second book in The Chicago War series. Each book in the series focuses on a different couple but in order to understand the backstories, it's better to read them in order.

This is Alessa Trentini and Adriano Conti’s story. And it reminded me a bit of a Romeo and Juliet love story with the forbidden love and the families fighting each other.They are a young couple, but they love each other fiercely and are dedicated to each other and they will do whatever it takes to be together regardless of the fact that their families are fighting.
My only complain would be that I wish we had more on how Alessa and Ariano fell in love. I felt that it was missing and it would have made the book better.


Apart from the romance the mafia drama is full on and I mean FULL ON!! So many twists and turns and loved it.
If you love to read about the mafia world, you should definitely try this series.

Next up is Theo and Evelina's story and I can't wait to read it!


♣♣♣Copy gifted by author in exchange for an honest review♣♣♣

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Profile Image for Bethany-Kris.
Author 107 books4,260 followers
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February 26, 2018
Reckless & Ruined, The Chicago War Book Two


Play dirty. It's the only way to win in a war.

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Release Date: Nov 9th, 2015
Cover Reveal: Oct. 16th/15 with Indie Sage
Tour Dates and Signups: Nov. 9th - 20th with Indie Sage. Signups here: http://indiesage.com/tour-reckless-ru...

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He had always been hers. Why couldn't she have him?

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Profile Image for Bev .
2,227 reviews481 followers
January 29, 2019
Re-read January 2019 and it was even better the second time around.

Original review Jan 2017:

I'm not going to leave a review as such, there are some excellent ones already posted. What I will say is that once again this author has the most fantastic way with words - her story telling is phenomenal, twists and turns, plots and who dunnits that kept me guessing, and that's before I even get to her characters.

She always pairs these mafia men up with the perfect heroine, Alessa and Adriano are so perfect for each other. They're young, but have "old souls" and that's what I love the most about her characters.

5 absolutely brilliant stars
Profile Image for Fanny.
2,395 reviews50 followers
November 4, 2018



Reckless & Ruined es el segundo libro de la saga The Chicago War y narra la historia de Alessa y Adriano, personajes que conocemos brevemente en el primer libro.

Guau! es la primera palabra que me viene a la mente al pensar en esta historia, fue una lectura impresionante, intensa, adictiva y asombrosa, ni en un millon de años hubiera imaginado que esta novela iba a ser tan memorable o interesante.

La primera parte me mantuvo entretenida y me parecio buena, pero no lo suficiente como para ir corriendo a leer la continuacion, algo de lo que ahora me arrepiento, ya que esta segunda parte es ( en mi opinion ) infinitamente superior a la historia de Damian y Lily.

Reckless & Ruined es verdaderamente una historia de mafia, esta llena de accion, secretos, manipulaciones, asesinatos y un poco de romance y yo ame cada minuto, algo que como ya digo me tomo por sorpresa, pero resulto ser una lectura tan atrapante y entretenida que fue un absoluto placer leerla.

Pienso que tuvo un equilibrio perfecto entre la parte romantica y la parte mafiosa, quizas me hubiera gustado que el final hubiera sido un poco mas pausado y obviamente que tuviera un epilogo, pero siendo completamente honesta, este libro estuvo muuuy cerca de ser perfecto, solo encontre pequeños detalles que hicieron que no le diera las cinco estrellas.

En resumen, la historia de Adriano y Alessa me encanto, me muero por continuar esta serie y se la recomiendo a todo el mundo, es increible lo mucho que enganchan las maquinaciones y enredos de estas familias de la Mafia.

P. D. : Me lo pase como una enana leyendo todas las estrategias y conspiraciones de estos personajes.

P. D. : Por cierto, amo esta portada, es mi favorita de las cuatro.

4 Estrellas!!
Profile Image for NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}.
1,554 reviews82 followers
June 10, 2018
***4 "Reckless young love!!!" stars***



"Play dirty. It's the only way to win in a war."

These people are insane!!! God, it's a total madness!!!
The war between the Chicago families are continuing and in the second book... You can't trust noone since everyone's goal is to reach the top no matter the consequences and from whom they stepped upon to succeed it!!! They're using even their women, daughters and sisters for taking what they really want...
Famiglia is not above anything anymore!!! Everybody is fighting for themselves and nothing more... Only for more power and more money... Seriously, it's disgusting in a way....
Only few, they have morals anymore....
I'm so curious for the development of this war...

"Games.
They all fucking played them.
They all had their own to play."


Well, in the middle of the war had caught Adrianno Conti and Alessa Trentini too!!!
Adriano's father, Riley Conti is taking advantage of his wife's unfair death to rise on the top and he will use everything to get him there...Even his own kids...
Adrianno is young but he is smart and very capable... He doesn't agree with his father's ways, but he is his blood and he has to follow his orders and stand by his side...
The only thing that he wants to stay untouched by everything is his beloved Alyssa Trentini, but with this raging war, they are on opposite sides...

"They didn't get to take what was his.
Alessa wasn't theirs.
Dean wasn't fucking worthy.
Adrianno would kill."


Alessa Trentini is a good girl who is following the rules of her family... Most of the times!!! LOL
Since the murder of her grandfather, her family is not the same since her brother, Joel wants to take the reigns of the Outfit...
He is dictating everything Alessa and her sister are doing and he is determined to use his sisters for his shady purposes!!! But Alessa prefers to die than do what Joel wants and get married with someone that she hates...
Her heart after all is given away to Adrianno years before...

"Adriano was hers.
He had always been hers.
Why couldn't she have him?"


Adrianno and Alessa are together for four years, but they always knew that the thing between them couldn't last for long...
But now they are in too deep and their hearts are invested to each other, so it's impossible for them to stay away from the other...
So what will happen with those two when they are both have been caught in between their families???

"We don't have a chance, do we?"
"Why the hell not?"
"Too many reasons to name..."


To be totally honest with you, when I've read the blurb and I saw that this book was about Adrianno and Alessa, i didn't like it at all!!! Especially, since in the first book they didn't have much part in it... There were more important characters that i was dying to read about... But I have to admit that i loved both characters very much...
I liked their strong bond and how they could do anything for each other even though everyone was against this match...
Adrianno had such a good heart, even though he was a mafioso...
And Alessa was so strong-willed and i liked that!!!
They were young and reckless and they couldn't leave them ruined their love...

"This is reckless. Right now, doing that would be stupid."
"Maybe... But they've already ruined everything else. We're not going to be one of them."
,/i>

Also i love that the women in this series are having a part in everything that has to do with the Outfit, even though they are not active in the mafia and even though the men think they are harmless... So they talk too much in front of them and that's not good for them... Bahahaha...

Oh!!! And damn it, I was so sure that Dino's death wasn't final for him, but now, I'm starting to doubt it!!! Hmmm...
I wish that I'm thinking wrong!!!
And yep, finally!!!! Evelina and Theo's turn!!!! Hell yes!!! I can not wait!!!!



"...You're mine."
"I can't be yours."
"Too bad."
Profile Image for Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️.
820 reviews845 followers
February 11, 2019
4 “Hey Pretty Girl” Stars


The Chicago War continue.......this is the story of Alessa Trentini and Adriano Conti. Their families make up the Chicago Outfit, but with the war between the families, they are on opposite sides. A sort of Romeo and Juliet story.

These two have been friends since their youth. Adriano has watched out for Alessa until that watching became more. They keep it hidden but their love for one another is true and reckless. As the families unravels, Alessa is used as a pawn by her brother, Joel Trentini. She is promised to a man that she detest by her brother. In war, alliances are made and manipulation of others are needed to get a head. Even if it ruins those in their path.

Adriano has loved Alessa for awhile. She is his and he is hers. No man will claim what is his. But with the families at war, Adriano and Alessa must be more secretive and especially careful. With Adriano’s father, Riley Conti, and Joel vying for the Boss seat, there is no way that a union will happen. But Adriano is determined and will do whatever he has to do, even if it’s to go against his father. Life in the Chicago Outfit is not easy and only the strong survive.

I loved Adriano and Alessa’s story. It was compelling, gripping, and full of twists. The men of the Outfit don’t shy away from greed, murder, manipulation or going after what they want. Even when hope seems lost, love finds a way of blooming for Adriano and Alessa.
Profile Image for Deborah.
3,841 reviews496 followers
November 19, 2018
4.5*


Okay I’ll admit it on starting this I sulked for a couple of seconds. After finishing Deathless I assumed this would just continue on. But it doesn’t. It takes us back and runs along side Deathless for a while. And that’s brilliant. Some of the questions I had are answered and it’s great to get another view on things.

I loved both Adriano and Alessa. The writing again is superb and couldn’t put it down.

If I had to find a fault (and the reason for my 4.5* not 5) it would be sex.
What I hear you gasp. She’s complaining about sex.
I wanted to know what was happening, where the story was going, who was going to be killed next etc. So without realising it I found myself skimming the sexy scenes. After the first couple I couldn’t help it. I still can’t believe I’m complaining about this but it was getting in the way of a good story.
Profile Image for Elfina Renee.
611 reviews226 followers
October 16, 2015
This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
Reigning queen of mafia has done it again. Bethany- Kris leaves you captivated, awed and in turmoil. She spins such a clever web of lies, deceit and betrayal, you’ll be drawn in from the first page. She leaves you entranced and mystified until the climactic finish! Reckless & Ruin is more than five stars, it’s the golden globe! Now onto the review!
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Adriano and Alessa’s young love takes me back to the days when girl crushes on the guy and pines away daydreaming of what could be. Their forbidden relationship blossoms, becoming intense and deep. But fate is a cruel bitch and the timing couldn’t be worse! The factions of the families have divided, as every man carries out their hidden agendas. The drums of war are beating all over the city and can be heard by the body tolls. The streets are paved in blood, as the race for power escalates.
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New alliances are formed while others are destroyed. No this isn’t your modern day Sopranos, the Conti’s don’t have time for all that bullshit. There's are only two ways to end a war. Kill everyone off and hope to hell you're not counted among the dead. Or bind your enemy so tightley you'll know his every move.
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Wanna know more….of course you do, my advice buy the book! Happy reading!
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Profile Image for Grecia Robles.
1,696 reviews465 followers
April 6, 2020
IT´S AMAZING!!!



OH MY GUCCI ESTO ES MAFIA si el libro anterior es muy adictivo éste está a otro nivel, Estoy demasiado sorprendida con la serie nunca pensé que me iba a gustar tanto y me iba a estar comiendo las uñas de la ansiedad.

La guerra entre las familias del Outfit en Chicago apenas está empezando cada uno busca sus aliados está mostrando sus cartas. Este libro está lleno de manipulaciones, traiciones, confabulaciones y el que mejor juegue va a ser el ganador.

Y en medio de esta guerra están Adriano y Alessa dos jóvenes de familias contrarias que están peleando por el poder por lo que el amor de ellos es PROHIBIDO tipo Romeo y Julieta de hecho este libro me recuerdo precisamente a la serie de Forbidden de J.M. Darhower para mi esos libros son top si amas los libros de mafia-romance

Todos los personajes están jugando un juego de poder que no sabes ni a quien irle porque no todo es blanco y negro o sea no todos totalmente buenos o malos sólo buscan y protegen sus intereses. En un momento ves a una familia enfrentarse pero pasa un suceso que lo cambia todo y luego son aliadas lo único que sabes es que quieres que las piezas sólo se muevan a favor de los protagonistas para que puedan estar juntos.

Este libro tiene un equilibrio perfecto entre romance, mafia y acción.
Ya dije la parte de mafia fue mi favorita y me encantó pero la parte del romance también aunque desde el comienzo del libro ya vemos que la pareja ya está conformada ya se aman y tienen una historia pero eso no fue obstáculo para que yo la disfrutara y que me gustó más que la Damian y Lily.

Creo que Bethany-Kriss se superó en este libro no había disfrutado tanto un libro de ella siempre me quedaban a deber creo que el único libro que amo de ella es el de Anthony Marcello y sigo esperando por un libro parecido a ese.

Voy por el siguiente libro porque todavía esto tiene mucha tela.
Profile Image for Lillian ☁ Cloud 9 Books ☁.
575 reviews342 followers
June 16, 2017
***** 3.5 Stars *****

Cannot be read as a standalone

For me, Reckless & Ruined wasn't as great as the previous book. It might of been because I enjoyed the relationship between Lily and Damian a lot more than Alessa and Adriano.

Or maybe because it just felt like all the characters were a bit immature.

Although I did like the forbidden romance that is like Romeo and Juliet, this isn't my favorite by Bethany-Kris. I skimmed a lot of the love making scenes because some of it was unnecessary.

A lot of changes in leadership occur in this story, so it still needs to be read before reading book 3. I hope the next book is more enjoyable.


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Profile Image for Snow.
2,323 reviews728 followers
November 10, 2015

4 mafia war stars

Games.
They all fucking played them.
They all had their own to play.


FULL REVIEW WILL BE POSTED UPON THE RELEASE OF THE BOOK!

ARC given by the author in exchange for an honest review

review posted on Nov.10

Bethany did it again. She again delivered a world that holds the prospects of mafia life to us, well at least what we all think of that is supposed to be in the first place. Her words make us indulge our palates with the taste of power, treachery, murder in the cruelest games ever played under the mask of ultimate deception.

The world where you can't trust NO ONE but your own gut, where you need to grow up real fast in order to live in the monstrosity of this machinery of mention lifestyle…you need to learn the strategy of survival cause it's actually more than the word represents, it's a thread into another sphere of which you are consisted and made of… and only the fitest and the cruelest would prevail

Through out the rivalry of the four families – Trentini, Rossi, Conti and DeLuca – this story is oriented on the intertwined lives of Adriano Conti and Alessa Trentini, where their deep and genuine connection is tested on a daily basis and their determination to protect their love thrown into the realm of secrets, devious agendas and murderous plans in the midst of Chicago mafia war.

Can't wait to see what lies ahead for the other members of the infamous four mafia families.
124 reviews14 followers
March 17, 2016
At first I didn't know if I would like this book but I give it a chance and I love it!
Alessa and Adriano where such sweet couple and a breath of fresh air in this series but in a good way.
And happy ending always works for me!!!
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Now I'm going on Thea and Evelin yeaaaah
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Profile Image for Amanda.
1,398 reviews326 followers
November 11, 2015
I've never read a more complicated and intense mafia story than The Chicago War series, though that might due to the fact that I tends to read mafia romance, whereby is basically a romance camouflage like is badass, but it isn't. This series was hardcore mafia and almost 60% of it deals with the Outfit's politics and violence. So even if you think you will just jump in to enjoy the romance, you will be totally lost with that the hell is going on with the four families.

Is too bad that we didn't get to read how Adriano Conti and Alessa Trentini fell in love because they are already together when they were introduced in Book 1. But I love the whole Romeo and Juliet theme of their story and it was kind of epic in a way because they went through some much hardship to be together. I also didn't realized before this that they were both so young. They are just barely twenty and they have to deal with such hostility and violence in their lives.

The problem with the divide in the Outfit is because there are a few powerful families in the hierarchy and after the tragedy that strike the big boss, they are a mess. Adriano's family and Alessa's family are both at odds with each other and fighting to be the top dog. Hate them all you want, but I felt that Riley Conti and Joel Trentini's role in the story held so much weight. If not for these two, we wouldn't be having such an intense, suspenseful read and Adriano and Alessa wouldn't have to fight so hard for their HEA.

While Alessa is dealing with an unwanted engagement arranged by her brother, Adriano is trying to keep his head above the water with his father's crazy plan for world domination. I mean, Chicago domination. Anyway, what's up with all these arrange marriage and making sure your child is single and available when the time needs. You would think that they are still living in the medieval times, where people marry for alliance, land and power. Is crazy! But I love it when the marriage actually works out like Damian Rossi and Lilly DeLuca. Glad to see Damian make some appearance in his reclusive badass self.

p/s: This might also be one of the series that had the most funerals I've read ever! I'm surprised that there are still characters around to carry the following books in the series. I felt as if everyone got whack one way or another.
Profile Image for Anesha †Curious & Obsessive Bookworm†.
427 reviews162 followers
January 17, 2016
FIVE BILLION RECKLESS STARS!!!

He killed men.
He sold drugs and handled dirty money for a living.
He was born and bred mafia.
Good was the very last word he would use to describe himself.


Adriano. Twenty. Sexy. Sexy. Fucking sexy!

I love that guy. He was good in what he did, but he still had a heart. He still protected those he held close to him. Didn't question his actions - no hesitation when it comes those same persons he cared for. Even though he was young - was even younger when he became a made man, he was deserving of everything.

There was just something freeing about Adriano that filled my stomach with butterflies. The way he fucked and the way he talk had me blazing up like the biggest bonfire ever. Nothing could douse the flame when Adriano was the one lighting it.

No wonder Alessa was lost.

She didn't even realize it until it became constant.

Their relationship dated back to when he was just sixteen - already soaking in the mafia life, shrouded in mystery that begged to be solved. When he saved Alessa back then, took it upon himself to protect her - something, even small had became to grow.

This second book continued on - the roller-coaster didn't pause.

Dino was still dead.
My heart was still broken.
I couldn't figure out if I should hate the author for taking him away or praise her for doing such unthinkable thing.

I really really wanted to get a look at Dino's story.

I mostly wanted his death to be avenged.

Questions, more questions - endless questions bombarded me. Even when I got an answer, more fucking questions.

It was frustrating but entertaining. Had me reading to the point I got so excited, so scared that I put this book on hold. Especially when I noted the third book hadn't come out as yet. The wait would have killed me.

With all of the chaos spilled across this book, it never took away from Adriano and Alessa's story.

The Conti family and the Trentini family was the big warring family with the other two 'major' ones, DeLuca and Rossi taking sides and by extension the lesser families of those two major. (I make sense? I'm making sense - you know what, either way go read the fucking book. :D)

Riley Conti wanted the deceased boss' seat.
Joel Trenntini - the son of the late boss felt it was his birthright.

The war continued on.

With Adriano being Riley's son and Alessa Trentini being Joel's sister?

Let the drama commence :D
Let the hatred, jealous and blood spill!

Joel was someone I love to hate. I couldn't fathom how such a pussy could be where he is, but I loved the way he rose. I know when the time comes, when he does fall it'll be a reward that I'll greedily eat it :D

Riley. Boy, he is good in what he does. I hated him and loved him all the same. The ego worked for him, the sadistic plans, the fucking hardhearted actions he took. This man was to be feared. A wild card. The one everyone fought to be behind, whether to be safe or to kill him was entirely up to the person.

I loved the way that man commands you to listen to him even if he's whispering. He owned Joel so much I was beginning to wonder when Joel would just off himself.

In this read, secrets were unfold and more questions arose. I was shocked at finding out those secrets. It was well played. The maternity, the deaths - everything revealed, the hungry men out for power and stability. The lies and deceit.

Nothing about the pursuits were completely calculated. In every sense - it was reckless and those recklessness ruined plans and lives.

Coming back to Adriano and Alessa.



The sneaking around, the stolen kisses and touches. Damn - where can I get an Andriano? He fucked like a pro. Spoke the way that'll cause even Satan to blush. Twenty years old and he knew just what to say, to do, where to touch, how to touch - how rough he needed to be. The filth spewing from his mouth felt should be an anointing lmao.



The roughness through and through. The biting, neck holding, hair pulling.



I didn't expect this to end the way it did. I'm happy for both Alessa and Andriano. But the questions still came with no answers. Joel was still on my shitlist (he's never coming off.) Riley had me in all his power hungry rave - even though he was the very definition of asshole.

Adriano is mines - he just doesn't know it lol.
Alessa is fucking lucky.

Dino? I still love him. I'm still sad. He'll forever be my favorite. <3




Profile Image for Nicla.
416 reviews345 followers
December 8, 2015
Rating: 4.5 stars

I am not usually a fan of the whole forbidden romance story but this was really good. I liked the fact that nothing was going to stop the hero and heroine from being together. They both knew what they wanted. I also really enjoyed the mafia part of the storyline. I do recommend you read book 1 Deathless & Divided before this otherwise you would be lost in regards to what is going on in mafia side of the plot.

Highly recommend this series if you don't mind anti-hero who knows what he wants and will do whatever it takes to get it.

HEA
Cheating/OW
Angst Level: Medium
Heat Level: High
Triggers
Profile Image for Ari Reavis.
Author 20 books163 followers
March 16, 2017
So much blood and violence....... I loved it!!! Adriano was the best. He was loyal, honest, and possessive. What more could a girl ask for? Alessa, while appearing meek and timid, took her brother apart from the inside out and I admired her plotting ways. Alessa's brother and fake fiance were total a**holes. Her brother, Joel, did despicable things in order to get a seat he clearly wasn't man enough for. There was one death that was really sad, however. Even though I knew it was comig, I was still shocked. But the sex....oh the sex was so freaking hot. And in such sexy locations, there was even phone sex and it was.... juicy *wink wink* lol. Hurrying to read book 3.
Profile Image for sara.
808 reviews314 followers
November 20, 2020
‧͙⁺˚*・༓☾☆ 4.5 stars ☆☽༓・*˚⁺‧͙

Re-Read November 2020

so i’m staring to notice these books are somehow better the second time I read them and I loved them the first time, so I can’t even explain how much more I loved them now. This was SO GOOD. THE WAR. THE SECRETS. THE ROMANCE. ALL OF IT, I LOVE IT.

Alessa
She grows so much in this book. We really didn’t see her in the first, but here we know her and we watch her grow and become A WOMAN in the span of like two months. Usually it bothers me to not watch the main couple fall in love because I have trouble buying it, but here??? oh no, since the first chapters I was already there. I was rooting for them through and through. Alessa was a good heroine and I love her. She may not have a lot of back story, but like there’s literally a war, give her a break.

Adriano
MY GUY. Sweetest boy. He adored Lissa. Loved seeing his side of things inside the mafia and watching him work. He knew what he wanted and just went for it, no apologies. Ugh that’s so hot and romantic. Not to say, the hot scenes? omfg. There’s A LOT of sex scenes here and I’m NOT complaining.

description

Conflict
So, the books in this series are NOT meant to be read as stand-alones, the plot runs throughout the four books. With that said, this book is where the war explodes and the streets begin to run red. There are multiple conflicts throughout the book to keep you hooked while also delivering sweet, romantic moments. It’s so fcking good.

Other people
Abriella. I LOVE HER. She is one of my favorite people in this world just cause she is THAT bitch.

Riley. I’m not very fond of him, BUT I won’t deny he steps the fck up and it’s a good goddamn boss. I respect him in that aspect. He is not THE best boss, but he is good.

The 4 families. A MESS. BUT SO GOOD. I love this series cause it’s such an awesome dynamic. It has absolutely everything.

Why not 5 stars?
- The ONLY reason this isn’t 5 stars is because the end was a little bit anti-climatic and it also felt rushed. But other than that, loved this.

It’s so much fun re-reading this cause I can see the little hidden easter eggs and how a persons starts pulling the strings for what is yet to come. It’s so exciting!! Also, I don’t have the best memory and some things surprised me as I wasn’t expecting them. It’s really good that these books keep bringing out all these emotions out of me. I love it.

________

Original rating Sep 2019: 4 stars!!
SO GOOD OMGGGGG
Profile Image for Varied Books.
1,186 reviews55 followers
November 9, 2015
4.5 fantastic story stars

Here we have both a (h) Alessa and Adriano (H) that I love individually and as a couple. H is all alpha male who will do anything to protect his woman. I love a jealous possessive badass H. Alessa is my favorite type of h: no whinny superficial BS or TSTL moments.


H/h are real they have their flaws and vulnerabilities. They have to make choices to survive that are not always comfortable for the reader or for themselves. There were some hot sex scenes between them.

You learn more details about the events that started in book 1. Not everything is as you thought. This is a fantastic written book where I didn't want to stop reading.

Story is told in 3rd person pov alternating between H/h

ARC provided by author for a honest review.
Profile Image for Joanne Teale.
151 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2015
I received an arc copy of this book,absolutely amazing,I love Bethany kris's book's but I think this one is the best one I've read and that's saying something because I think all Bethany's books are five stars.No one does mafia book's as good as these,I don't know how she does it ,with the complex storyline and great characters and there's more to come ,I for one say bring them on can't bloody wait x
Profile Image for bren.
168 reviews7 followers
December 12, 2020
3.75🌟⭐
Well, I really enjoyed the story of Adriano and Alessa, although all the names that start with "A" confused me a bit hahaha
The plot caught me a lot, once I started it, I didn't let go of it until I finished reading it.
There were a lot of misogynistic characters, uuhhgg it was disgusting to read, I just wanted someone to shoot them. The Dino thing, I DON'T KNOW, I still feel like there's something more, I hope so.

Español
Bueno, disfruté mucho la historia de Adriano y Alessa, aunque todo los nombre que empiezan con "A" me confundían un poco jajajaj
La trama me atrapó mucho, una vez que lo empece no lo solté hasta terminar de leerlo.
Había muchos personajes misoginos, uuhhgg fue desagradable leerlos, solo queria que alguien les disparara.
La cosa de Dino, NO LO SÉ, aún siento que hay algo más, al menos eso espero!!
Profile Image for Cindy ✩☽♔.
1,399 reviews982 followers
September 8, 2021
First love reigns supreme! Just two precious kids who refuse to give on each other. No matter the odds. Honestly, Adriano is the best boy. He stays true and determined, even in the face of Alessa's doubts and fear.

(Also, please note they're both 20 years old - I just like referring to them as kids because they're younger than me. They truly are not children lol)
Profile Image for Sybil aka Lala.
478 reviews231 followers
November 22, 2015
How do you make a forbidden romance even sexier? You give it to Bethany Kris.

This series is probably one of the most intense mafia romance sets I’ve read to date. It doesn’t shy away from the violence and it does not apologise for the dangerous men who live in it.



It seems that every role-player has a secret hand to play in this game and the hits just keep on coming. Amongst all the danger and twists there are two families on opposite sides of the fight. In true Romeo and Juliet style Alessa and Adriano can’t be together but also cannot stay away from each other. Their secret trysts made for some sizzling hot scenes as they took every opportunity to be together. Adriano was an amazing H, so protective and devoted to Alessa.



I loved that these books deal so largely with the games and politics inside the mafia families, it adds so many layers to the characters and plot of the books. I could not put this book down for a second, and I was kept guessing right up until the end and I experienced every single emotion inside the human spectrum. Definitely recommend. Absolutely brilliant!

(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
Profile Image for Dee Grace.
25 reviews
October 18, 2015
Arc kindly provided by the author for an honest review.

Oh wow, Bethany-Kris you’ve done it again! Seriously if you wrote like a million of books just based on these families I’d happily read it forever! You have a really great writing skill, the stories are amazing! Firstly, Adriano is such a sweetheart to Alessa, my heart just melted so many times during this book! They are so amazing together and perfect for each other! Can I just say that I wanted to reach in the book and punch some of the icky ones (Dean) so many times! Such a good rollercoaster of a ride though, thank you!
Oh and I cannot wait to meet the new addition! And now I’m totally intrigued about Theo and Eve! Can’t wait! :) :)
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