Pretty things always tell lies … Cory Rossi isn’t what you would expect the youngest son of the Chicago mob’s underboss to be. Despite what everyone thinks, he can actually do what he’s told. He just does it his own way. The problem with that is every tattooed- and leather-covered inch of him screams one thing to Della Costello—total heartbreak. It’s all men like him do, right? One hook-up, when he didn’t even know her name, was all she could afford. Their one-time encounter should have stopped there. But an ex that causes problems for her business—and the mob’s—and Cory becomes her new shadow until the bullets quiet in the streets. It gets harder and harder to stay out of his bed. They’ll walk a fine line. And there is no mercy in this tragedy. For love and lost blood, once more, Chicago will rage. * Pretty Lies is a standalone romantic suspense within Bethany-Kris’s Commission World.
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.
It’s hard to review anything by Bethany Kris because I’m very subjective. I love her writing style. It works for me. When it comes to books about the mafia or criminals in general, I love her work.
- Her books are not extremely dark but they are sometimes hard. She doesn’t shy away from killing off good characters because let’s face it - in that world good and bad people die all the same. I love the realistic vibe of the books.
- There is never any gratuitous violence, especially against women. Everything, from the inconspicuous familial conversations to the action and emotionally packed scenes, has a motive behind it. It’s either to aid character development or to move the story forward. It’s such a silly thing to observe because every story should theoretically work in the same way, but I’ve read so many that I can say it’s a rare thing to happen.
- There is a certain cadence and ambiance to the story. The way things progress not only feels natural but you it lets you get in the characters head, it really puts you there.
- We are always told or we are given an explanation as to why someone acts a certain way or why he/she made a certain decision, and it makes you empathise with a character that you wouldn’t otherwise like.
- I love the relationships that are shown throughout the book. The way families are there for each other, but not blindly, they hold each other accountable even if they show their affection frequently. I loved the relationship between Della and her brother as well as Cory and his family. It was heartwarming to read those scenes.
Now onto more plot specific issues:
• The MCs had great chemistry and the way they eventually got together followed such a natural progression and it was freaking refreshing! Cory was known to be a hot-head, a nonconformist but at the same time he was portrayed as someone with a lot of passion who takes his duties to his family and job seriously. Della, was a woman who broke the mold in the mafia lifestyle by being involved in the business thanks to her father and brother who recognised her talents. She is confident, doesn’t take any bullshit from anyone but at the same time she has a lot of growing to do. We are shown how she begins to understand the world she lives in more and how her responsibilities shift. Both her and Cory, grow alongside each other. He learns to be more open emotionally and get more settled and she learns that she can’t blame every failure on the fact that the mafia is sexist and she is a woman, therefore she needs to take more responsibility for her actions.
• The storyline progressed at a good pace. The plot was entertaining and it kept you guessing. I also liked the so-called villain and how he was portrayed, and what his motivations were.
• Lastly, I have to admit that I cried. I don’t wanna spoil anything but I do want to say that this is not the first time it happened while reading a book by this author. Damn, I’m getting emotional again. Basically someone dies, and this character was very likeable but it’s not just that. You can really feel the senselessness of what happened, you can empathise with those who are grieving. Bethany did such a great job to put you there, to make you care, to feel the rage and hurt that everyone was feeling. I’m gonna leave it at that because otherwise I’m gonna shower this review with spoilers.
Overall, I liked this book. I liked the story and the people. I’m glad I picked it up, although it was a given. I always pick up Bethany’s books.
Cory Rossi isn’t what you would expect the youngest son of the Chicago mob’s underboss to be. Despite what everyone thinks, he can actually do what he’s told. He just does it his own way. The problem with that is every tattooed- and leather-covered inch of him screams one thing to Della Costello—total heartbreak. It’s all men like him do, right? One hook-up, when he didn’t even know her name, was all she could afford.
Their one-time encounter should have stopped there. But an ex that causes problems for her business—and the mob’s—and Cory becomes her new shadow until the bullets quiet in the streets. It gets harder and harder to stay out of his bed.
They’ll walk a fine line. And there is no mercy in this tragedy.
For love and lost blood, once more, Chicago will rage.
*
Pretty Lies is a standalone romantic suspense within Bethany-Kris’s Commission World.
This book? WOW. The writing this author is great, and her characters are amazing. It’s her second book I read. Now I just look forward to read all of them🤷🏻♀️
There was just something special about this story. The romantic development of Cory Rossi and Della Costello was so organic and raw that it seeped into my soul. I was able to feel their need and want for one another. While there was a sexual connection from the start, the way that the author slowly and methodically spun their love and trust towards one another had me not wanting the story to end. There were lots of emotions in this story......Lust, Flirtation, Greed, Sorrow, Anger, and Desire that fueled they story but what I absolutely adored was the effortless connection that these two showed.
When dealing with the mafia, business never stops. No matter the circumstances. The situation going on in the story creates a close dynamic for Cory and Della. And as the plot thickens, so does the feelings. There is also suspense throughout the story that leads to shocking and devastating revelations. But seeing Cory handle the situation because Della has become his person is absolutely perfect.
I must also admit my love for the Chicago Outfit. And having a lot of the characters make cameo appearances made the story even more special. It’s so easy to get lost in their world. This author writes with strong emotion and conviction for her characters. There is passion, grit, sensual and combustible love and a banter between the characters that you can’t get enough of. What can I say, I love Cory and Della.
A must read in my opinion!!!
*advanced copy provided by Indiesage PR in exchange for an honest review*
Love the Rossi men (actually read ALL BK's men) - the way they fall so hard for their women is just everything I want from a romance book. But, I'm sorry to say I didn't get that with Cory and Della, it was rather flat with the only feels (for ME) coming from the author killing off a character. Not what I expected at all I'm afraid.
I wasn't a fan of Della initially, she took quite a while to grow on me and I think it's because the characterisation was just ..... flat.
Pretty Lies sure didn't bring me the love and the feels I've got for the rest of the Chicago Wars stories - Damian and Lily's epic love story, my DINO!!!!, and the others were all 5 star exceptional reads, this one not so much.
"Men like Cory Rossi only did one thing to women like her. Break hearts."
I love Bethany's mafia world so much and if you haven't read any of her books yet, you don't know what you're missing... "The Chicago War" series was one of my favorites and even though "Pretty Lies" is a complete standalone, it was nice to see the next generation, and the small appearances of previous characters in here!!! I repeat, this book is a standalone, so don't you worry for this kind of connections... The only thing that you should know is that this story was beautiful!!!! Bethany did it again!!!
Cory Rossi is the younger Rossi brother, son of Lily DeLuca and Damian Rossi (for those who are remembering them!!!) and he's a little bit carefree and wild... A reputation that is following him all the time around... And now, that his older brother and best friend has moved on with his life, he is feeling a little bit lonely, but that's not reason for not enjoying life... One of those nights, he is having a stand alone with a gorgeous woman that he doesn't even ask for her name!!! After all, her name doesn't matter, right???
"How important was a name, really?"
Della is having a rough time at the moment... She just broke up with her boyfriend and that said boyfriend is making her life a little bit hard. At the same time, she is trying to prove herself in a man's world, since she is helping her father in a very difficult task of the job... She doesn't afford to let loose and she just let herself enjoy only one night and it is about to bite her in the ass... When someone is attacking her inside her house, the only person that she wasn't waiting to see in front of her was the one that she thought that she won't ever see again.
"She was going to keep pretending that didn't happen. Even if her mind and body wouldn't let her forget."
From now on, Cory has to be Della's shadow and to protect her, but what will happen when she is being difficult about this??? Or when in the grand scheme of things, the attack was almost nothing??? Who is playing games with them??? And who's the liar around them??? And what about that damn attraction between them that is growing day by day???
"Pretty things are lies, girl. Pretty always lies. Nothing that looks pretty is ever what it seems on the surface. Of course, you weren't just some beautiful woman in a club -you had to be more. Can't trust pretty things."
I loved Cory and Della very much!!! They were fitting so good together... and it was hilarious to watch them think that this attraction between them could stay just... simple!!!! I liked how the nothing between them developed as something... I loved them separately for what they were and what they stood, but i liked them even more when they mixed together... There was something more between them, even though they didn't want to acknowledge it!!! But firstly, they had to find out who was behind the attack... Cause something much greater than them was playing out behind the scenes...
"I don't do this with women..." "But you're doing something with me now?" "Something. I'm not sure what." "So as long as it's good..."
Well, as you can understand, i did enjoy this story very much... I liked how everything played out in here... even though i would preffer to had avoid a certain incident, but hell... I wouldn't change anything in here!!! I have to say that I liked J. and the way he was with his sister very much... Also i loved that i saw Lily, Damian, Theo and Tommas for once again... Can't wait for Bethany's next story!!!
"Maybe you're making something out of nothing after all and that's entirely the point. Maybe something in you likes something that it found in him. Or vice versa. Like I said, lots of great things come from nothing, Della."
*ARC provided in the exchange of an honest review*
AHHH!! Cory Rossi is #EVERYDAMNTHING thing and more. I have waited for his book to finally see the woman to bring this sexy mofo to his knees. I loved Cory in Joe and Liliana's book but I loved him even more in this story. He was who he was and didn't make any excuses about it. Likewise, Della Costello was on another level for me. I loved everything about her and the way she lived her life. She was so sexy and assertive. She was a woman in a man's world and was proud of it. I adored these two together!!
What I loved about this story was how intensely Cory and Della were drawn to one another. They both did their jobs in public and were loyal to the Outfit but once alone with one another, you could feel the sexual chemistry and tension between them. I especially loved how Cory loved her (even when he didn't know it.) He didn't care that she was a woman working in a man's world. He did his job, protected her and stayed in the background. His respect and high regard for her was a beautiful thing to see. Overall, this story was emotional, had drama, hot af sexytimes and an amazing amazing couple who will become your next BK top favorite couple! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
4.5/5 Bethany Kris you rock my world!! She is always gives me exactly what I need!! That's why I am addicted to her writing, to her tales!! Excellent read !!! 💜💜
Pretty Lies es una buena historia, entretiene muchisimo y el mundo en el que se desarrolla la trama es interesante, sin embargo, no logre amarla.
Tal vez fue porque ciertas partes me resultaron precipitadas de mas, a mi modo de ver, hubiese sido una lectura mas explosiva de haber tenido un ritmo mas pausado, pero los sucesos pasaban a toda velocidad y eso le resto un poco de genialidad.
En cuanto a la parte romantica, debo admitir que Cory y Della no son mi pareja protagonista preferida, me falto conocerlos mas y que su relacion se diera de una manera mas trabajada, no se, como que todo se fue dando de una forma muy predecible y simple.
Como historia de mafia, es bastante intrigante, sobre todo porque hay ciertas diferencias que agradeci, debido al toque original que le dieron, ademas conocer poco a poco a esta segunda generacion me gusto mas de lo que imaginaba.
En fin, no considero que Pretty Lies sea de lo mejor de Bethany Kris, no obstante, esta autora es tan arriesgada que puede escribir sobre cualquier tema e igualmente mantener mi atencion.
Si eres fan de la escritora no puedes saltarte este libro.
this is the story of Cory and Adella (Della). Cory is the brother of Joe Rossi (from Captivated). even though the story starts off with a sexual connection and a random hook-up between Cory and Della, it transformed into something serious. Not only love, but trust.
I love both Cory and Della. Della is one badass heroine. For Cory, protecting a powerful man's daughter was his job, but i felt that he was more matured by the end of the story, becoming more of a man thats willing to protect Della forever. There were lots of emotions involved in this story, literally like an emotional roller coaster. It deals with desire, anguish, lust, love, betrayal and greed. but after all, Cory and Della were sooo perfect for each other. 4.5 stars!
Are all books by Bethany-Kris this amazing? Why did no one tell me?!?! *cries*
I think I loved this book best because even though it was a crime family/mafia storyline, it wasn’t what I would call dark. It was intense and passionate and dealt with heavy subject matter but the romance journey of Della and Cory overshadowed everything. Their journey to romance is what shone the brightest in this story.
Second thing I loved the best (because everything I loved was the best) was Della and Cory. Their story is not sexually driven but passionate. Their connection didn’t come from sexual chemistry (which they had in spades), it came from who they were at their core. Their beliefs and desires for their future is what fueled them. They believed in each other. They wanted for each other. They were a unite above and beyond the physical.
The third thing I loved the best was the progressive nature of the story. When you think of crime families or the mafia, you more than likely will think old world views andclosed door discussions. This story showed a progressive world that wasn’t necessarily male dominated and business didn’t always happen behind closed doors. It was refreshing.
If you are looking for a completely unique, unbelievably devious and downright dirty read. . . Look no further. Pretty Lies by Bethany-Kris is the story of Corry Rossi & Della Costello. Being the youngest son of Chicago's infamous mob underboss Corry is expected to do his father's bidding when told. After a hot and heavy one night stand Corry never forgot the wicked temptress that haunted his dreams, and when he is tasked to shadow a young woman he least expected it to be her.
“Pretty things are lies, girl. Pretty always lies. Nothing that looks pretty is ever what it seems on the surface.
Lies. Secrets. Betrayal. Blood will be shed and Cory will do whatever it takes to protect Della, the young woman who broke down his walls. What I truly enjoyed about Pretty Lies, is the utter devotion Cory & Della have for one another. They both know that being born in the mob nowhere is safe. Always watching each-others backs and trust is just a grain of salt.
I always stop what I’m doing when BK releases a new one. Her Filthy Marcellos and Chicago War series were the first hidden gems I found with my kindle unlimited membership.
This story is a second generation story from the Chicago family, and it just made me so happy. It follows Cory the son of the underboss of that crime syndicate, having to be an enforcer so to speak for another family’s loan shark daughter, both are a hot mess, mkay? But like human though.
Male Lead: Cory Rossi, typical sexy wild bad boy aesthetic. But he’s a Rossi boy so he’s got a heart of gold and he’s coming into his place in the Outfit so he’s in the process of shedding that old skin.
Female Lead: Adella “Della” Costello, pretty girl, used to doing what she wants. Rather ask for forgiveness than permission is my first take of her. But she’s been hurt before and is just trying to focus on her hustle. Love a mafia working woman.
Plot bullets: since I don’t wanna spoil since this is a stand-alone, the blurb does a good enough job with it. At the end of the day these two may have met under not so good circumstances but they clearly were exactly what the other one needed.
I liked it, yet I didn't love it. I can't really pin point to what exactly it was - could have been the whole occupation thing. What was Cory's Occupation? Who did he work for? Tomass? Theo? Who did Joe work for? Who did Frank work for? Who did Joe, Damien and J work for? None of that was answered for me. The book left me with more questions than I cared for. I wish it would have given me a nice epilogue since it was a standalone, but whatever.. on to the next.
Cory was the wild child I was looking forward to getting to know and he did not disappoint. Covered in tattoos, clad in leather, with his give-no-f**ks attitude. He was everything Della needed, even if she couldn't see it at first. The way they met was intense, full of passion, and their relationship followed the same track. The unexpected arising again and again. And when I say unexpected, I mean things I never saw coming, betrayals I wanted to rage about, and secrets getting exposed. There was a good amount of suspense, action, mystery, and sweet, sweet revenge. And of course because it's BK, and she is the ripper of hearts, there were tears. There was heartache, and getting to witness the piecing back together of who someone was, even if some parts had to become brand new. Cory and Della were absolutely made for each other. Their crazy perfect for one another, their attitudes turning the other one. Which, fanning myself, they were hot together, their chemistry clear from the very start. But all that grew to a love and loyalty that came alive on the pages. And of course, I loved catching up with the Outfit and getting to see some of the characters from previous books. Another great read form this author.
Cory and Della’s story is f*c*ing Lit! I seriously could not get enough of the pair! They are one of my favourite BK couples and that’s saying something because I love every character she has ever written! There is something unique about the two that enthrals you. Bethany-Kris has me devouring the pages of Pretty Lies. Her way with words have you so lost in the pages that the only time you come up for air is when the book is done. Pretty Lies is everything you expect from BK and more. I could not get enough of Cory and Della’s story! 5 plus stars for this standalone!
I’m always excited to dive into a new Bethany-Kris read! There are a few authors who I immediately think of when I think mafia romance and she is at the top of the list. Gritty, emotional, family-centric – her stories are full of heat and drama and characters you never forget….
Cory and Della’s story didn’t follow the usual courtship rules which is fitting as neither liked to play by any rules. Their scorching hot introduction was a purely physical connection, which paved the way for the more complicated relationship to follow. Both were rebels in their own way yet, together, they formed a team, at work and at play… Protector and protected they may have been, they ended up being a team through it all. Twists and turns and all, this was another great read!
I really liked this story. Once again Bethany Kris created a storyline that got me hooked from the first pages and I didn't stop until the end. Here we have romance, suspense, mystery action, a strong and super protective protagonist and a brave young lady who wants to make history in a world where the predominance is masculine. While the romance between Cory and Della was full of chemistry and explosive and sweet moments the highlight of the book and what made me turn the pages was the suspense and mystery that involved the mafia.Pretty Lies is a book that talks about lies, betrayal, revenge, power and of course a captivating love story.
Bethany-Kris is a genius at creating couples who are the absolutely perfect match for each other! Della and Cory are no exception! As individuals they are captivating, but together they are dynamite. I loved every word and every moment in Pretty Lies. I can never get enough of BK's writing and I will jump at the chance to read her new releases!
Pretty Lies by Bethany-Kris is an EPIC read and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
Esperava bem mais por ser Bethany, e também pq tinha gostado muito do Cory no livro do Joe. Gostei do ritmo da estória e o Cory e a Della tinham diálogos bem no estilo que a autora costuma fazer, então gostei muito dessas partes, mas não deu pra não reparar que ela repetiu vários plots de estórias anteriores —o que a princípio não me incomodou— mas aqui tudo era muito superficial. Os personagens tinham abertura pra serem bem melhor desenvolvidos e ela não fez nada com isso. Os primeiros 50% parece que nada acontece, e nos outros 50% é tudo muito do nada, sem explicações coerentes e mal amarrado. Dei 3 estrelas por causa de cenas específicas que eu gostei muito, alguns diálogos e pelo ritmo da estória. No ranking geral de livros que li dessa autora, esse só perde pro do Chris e a trilogia dela com a London.
This author always has me coming back for more with how she emotionally pairs up her mafioso main couples and the mob drama which is sure to ensue. Yeah, I’m an unashamedly avid romantic at heart who reads for the emotional connection, relationship angst, and ultimately the fight for love and each other drama that takes place. She usually adds hard core, nothing left to the imagination, so you’d better not be sexually squeamish, OTT very graphic, dirty talking, smex scenes, as well. Even that seemed more ramped up than usual here. If that kind of steam is not your thing, you’ll need to look away by skimming or skipping those sections altogether. Some may find them on the too crude/crass side and way too up close/personal for their taste. They do pop up here and there, actually even end with it here, but an unfolding, danger lurking in the background plot also takes center stage and focus.
This go around we get cameos of some of the characters from The Chicago War. That is not surprising since Cory, the hero, is flesh and blood of the Rossi family, and Della, the heroine has mob ties, too. So, yeah, the mob drama was definitely present, because this is a small spin-off book of that particular series. Btw, I highly recommend each stand-alone book in that epic mafia series. It was extremely well done, and I still consider it one of my all-time favorites.
Though I liked how Cory became protective of Della, I’m struggling a bit to find anything overly extraordinary about either of them that makes them stand out. They just were. I felt I was told who they were, what their family mob job was, and some of their poor past behavior/decisions, but neither particularly stood out as overly deep or original characters. Other than they were loved by their families and were attracted to one another. Not that I didn’t enjoy spending time with them and was happy to see them get their HEA. Because at the end of the day, that is what this avid mafiosa romance reader is all about.
The opening, random, drunken, public bathroom, smex scene, which started it all, didn’t exactly set the stage for meaningful character set-up between these two. For me, it had the opposite effect. It belittled them from the get go, because I wanted and expected better of and for them. Yeah, it is likely a personal preference kind of thing. I will choose class/substance over too much steam every single time, folks. That is why I was repulsed to find out just the extent Della’s ex-boyfriend had been catting around with and whom while still sharing her bed. The OTT descriptive, erotic bedroom scene in the last pages had my heart longing more for a candle light, romance, and ring conclusion. Not that I can't take the heat, I simply think by that point I had already had my eyes and head full of plenty close-up images of their body parts/sexual antics by then. So keep in mind, the synopsis doesn't hint at it but this is a VERY, VERY erotic read.
In conclusion, it is always great to be reunited with The Chicago War cast. Cody and Della have now been entered as a couple into the mix. Yay for them! I hope to run into them again. Time will tell if more books will follow. The point remains no one seems to do mafia drama better than Bethany-Kris, at least in this reviewer’s eyes.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: Pretty Lies, Author: Bethany-Kris, Pages: 234, stand-alone, VERY graphic, dirty talk, smex scenes, mob violence, drug use, no OW drama, OM tries to cause problems, no cheating, no love triangle, not with OP after meeting.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)
For those who love plots about mobs, you will be surprised by this book.
Della acts very differently from women who are over-protected by their mobs men. She goes out to collect and is very good at what she does. However, this makes her a target for the enemies of Frank Costello, her father.
When she suffers an attack inside her own home, her father puts a shadow on her. To Della's dismay, her new shadow was someone she knew well, in the biblical way of saying. They both had a single night of passion. She always knew who he was, but he didn't know her name. Until that meeting at a family brunch.
Cory Rossi was a man who followed the rules, but he managed to do everything his own way. Babysitting the daughter of a man important to mobs was not his preferred option. But when he discovered that his protégé was the woman who haunted his memories, he would do anything to be always glued to her.
The main suspect in the attack on Della was her ex-boyfriend. A gang leader, dangerous and not happy that she tried rid of him. Luis would use the weapons he had to reach Della, but he didn't count on Cory's cunning and expertise. A game of interests, possession, money, passion. 5 stars
Empecé este libro con la esperanza de amar a otro Rossi después de lo que encantada y enamorada que quedé con Joe y Tomasso en sus libros. ¿Amé a Cory? Por supuesto. Así que puedo decir que amo a esos tres hombres. (Pero Joe es mi favorito, sin duda).
Sin embargo, el libro no les hizo justicia ni a Cory ni a Della. Esperaba algo mejor en todos los sentidos, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que, si no me equivoco, este es el último libro que leo en el cual aparecen los personajes del Outfit de Chicago.
Fue un libro muy lento. Sentí que no estaba pasando nada hasta que casi quedaban 100 páginas para terminar. Y a riesgo de quedar como una insensible vengo a decir que me alegré un poco cuando alguien murió porque eso significaba que iba a haber caos, pero me llevé una decepción cuando todo siguió muy tranquilo después. Más teniendo en cuenta que la mafia no frena ni aunque se muera alguien. Así que si, nada ocurriendo por ningún lado.
Además ya desde el principio sospeché de la rata que le pasaba información a una pandilla así que ahí estaba yo esperando a que todo se desarrollara. Y para cuando los personajes lo descubren ni siquiera es un momento de revelación.
Y cuando finalmente detienen al antagonista de esta historia lo hicieron ver tan fácil y se deshicieron rapidamente de él. Por supuesto, quería que hubiese una lucha o algo de emoción ahí. Pero una vez más no hubo nada de nada.
"Todos pensaban que ella no podía manejarse a sí misma. Que era estúpida o tonta. Una chica. Podían y lo harían mejor. Ni siquiera tuvo la opción de mostrarles cómo podía manejar una mala situación."
Sin embargo, no todo fue tan malo. Los personajes lo hicieron bien. Cory ya tenía mi corazón desde un principio solo por el hecho de ser un Rossi. Es un rebelde, leal a los suyos y protector. No me decepcionó. Y luego está Della Costello, la hija de un Capo que hace algunos trabajos para él. Fue bueno ver a una chica estar un poco involucrada en el negocio familiar, demostró que se puede hacer cargo de su trabajo.
Lamentablemente, el desarrollo de la pareja fue muy pobre. Podía ver que Cory se preocupaba por ella y que a Della le gustaba él, pero más allá de eso sentí como que los sentimientos entre ellos salieron muy de la nada. Y es ahí donde creo que en vez de haber hecho tan lento el libro, la autora podría haber trabajado más en como se desarrollaron los sentimientos entre los protagonistas.
Y entre otras cosas, siempre me gusta leer una buena relación de hermanos. Así que leer a Cory y Della hablar de sus hermanos y de sus relaciones con ellos fue agradable. Aun más cuando podía apreciar esa confidencialidad y cercanía que había entre Cory y Della con Joe y J, respectivamente.
"—Nunca va a ser más fácil. No hay forma de salir de esta vida, Joe. No podemos vivirla como si siempre tuviéramos miedo. —Tampoco podemos vivirla como si fuéramos a prueba de balas, Cory."
En fin, podría haber sido mejor. Se podría haber desarrollado mejor a la pareja y el resolvido mejor el como se trató el final de Jennika y Luis.
A good book with a plot that didn't feel like the drama was forced and that was a nice change for a "mob" book. The characters are likable and the addition of the dog for some reason really pulled me in to like Cory that much more for the main male lead....maybe I am just softy.
Della Costello y Cory Rossi comparten una noche apasionada en el baño de un club; unas semanas después a Cory le encargan proteger a Della debido a un problema que esta tiene con una pandilla. Hasta ahí, todo bien. Me pareció que se repetía un poco la historia de Joe -hermano mayor de Cory- y su esposa Liliana, pero le dí la oportunidad de sorprenderme. No lo hizo. Para empezar, la pareja carece de química y el "amor" que sienten el uno por el otro salió de la nada. No hubo ni un momento donde mostraran que estaban desarrollando sentimientos por el otro, simplemente salió de la nada. Es una pena, porque los protagonistas por separado me encantaron. Della tiene toda la pinta de ser la próxima Catrina Marcello. Es elegante, divertida, determinada y toda una mujer de negocios. Ha demostrado que puede hacerse de un lugar en un mundo que los hombres reclaman como suyo. Y Cory es rebelde, leal, protector, tierno y le gusta meterse en problemas más de lo que los evita. Y tiene un hijo perruno al que malcría con huevos revueltos. Pese al mal desarrollo de la pareja, me gustaron juntos. Por otro lado, los plot twist fueron súper predecibles. La amiga de Della ya me daba mala espina, y resulta que estaba mal de la cabeza. El ex de Della, un imbécil de primera. Esa aparición al final, fue muy obvio. Me hubiese gustado que se le tortura más, que sufriera. Digo, son mafiosos, ¿no? Todo muy light, la verdad. Siento que la autora se olvidó de ponerle más mafia a los libros de la segunda generación. En resumen, buena trama y buenos protagonistas, pero el desarrollo fue lento y malo. Las estrellas son todas por la relación de hermanos entre los Rossi y los Costello, y por los protas.
Della and Cory are a match made in charasmatic heaven. Bethany always gives her men a woman who is exactly what they need and one will will challenge them as well as entice them. I loved Della because she's not just surviving in the mob she thrives. Della knows her own mind she is sexy assertive but one thing she never expected was to feel so much for her one night stand. Cory was exactly who I imagined him to be, strong and determined he may follow the rules of the mob but he does it in his own way and when he loves he does it with every aresnal at his disposure. What I loved the most was the unit they formed and the way they had each others back no matter what. Yet again Bethany has mixed a great mafia story with an epic love between two well matched characters.
I really loved this book! I love my Rossi boys and omg Della was an amazing heroine! She was a rockstar, I love her! I thought it was pretty interesting to see both H and h in the business, it’s not the first couple doing that but this was a side of business I’ve never seen! The climax was a bit lacking in my point of view, it was predictable and it didn’t get me as excited as other BK’s books but hey, this was fire! I can’t wait for you all to read it! You can’t NOT love these mafia boys. Cory has my heart, he was so perfect, I love him, I want one :(
Cory Rossi is the son of a mafia boss and expected to do as his father tells him. He meets Della Costello when they have a one night stand but he doesn't know her name. Della is working in a man's world and takes no guff from anyone. Cory is tasked with looking after a woman in trouble that turns out to be Della. The two are loyal to their duties but when together the chemistry between them is explosive and pure fire. Cory is supportive of his woman and respects her work. I liked this story and recommend it.
I love Della so so so much. Cory is exactly how I imagined him. It was so good to go back to see Chicago fam again. I really love how Bethany explores mafia and its business on her books, I usually can predict what is happening but on this book? I couldn’t.
Bethany continues to surprise me with her characters and how unique and different they’re from each other even tho it has been... over 20-30 books?