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Men of Inked: Southside #1-2

Men of Inked: Southside: Book One & Two

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USA Today bestselling Men of Inked: Southside - books one & two.

MANEUVER

This isn't how fairy tales typically starts, but it's where mine begins...

No money, no phone, and abandoned on the streets of Chicago.

With my baby in my arms, I wander into a bar in a shady neighborhood and ask to use their phone.

When my father turns us away and completely disowns me, the bar owner, and total hottie, offers us a place to stay... no strings attached.

I'm leery at first.
Hot alpha guy.
Down on her luck single mother.
I mean, who wouldn't be?

Lucio Gallo isn't like most men, though. He's fiercely protective, loyal, and did I mention he's covered in nothing but muscle?

Above all else, he's everything I need but never knew I wanted.

FLOW

The moment I looked into his eyes, I knew I was in trouble.
The second I heard his name, I knew I should stay away.

Our fathers were mortal enemies — Chicago crime bosses from rival families.

But that didn't stop Leo Conti from pursuing me.
Being together was dangerous, reckless, and totally hot.
He wanted me. I wanted him.

What could possibly go wrong?

389 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2018

731 people are currently reading
509 people want to read

About the author

Chelle Bliss

178 books8,936 followers
Chelle Bliss is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico, but hates sand. She's a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and loves everything romance.
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➡All Books: https://menofinked.com/books




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5 stars
392 (60%)
4 stars
165 (25%)
3 stars
67 (10%)
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13 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
August 24, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (5/19/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,204 reviews221 followers
June 27, 2019
AUDIO REVIEW:

5 star Review Men on Inked: Southside Book 1 & 2 by Chelle Bliss

Maneuver:
Well I never thought I could or would fall for another Gallo man but Lucio Gallo hits all my buttons and is totally swoon worthy. There is nothing that I did not like about this man, he just does it for me. Although a ladies man, when the right woman comes along and in this case it is single mum Delilah Miles, he knows his is a goner in more ways than one.

From the first page until the last I was captivated by their story and truth be told I didn’t want it to end. This was a smoking hot read that ticked all the boxes for me and in my opinion Chelle Bliss has another winner on her hands.

The Chicago Gallos are just as family orientated as their southern cousins and just as inked, tempting and hot. They love, play and are loyal to a fault and for me if they would adopt me I would be so happy.

When Delilah and her daughter fall on tough times, thanks to her horrible father, she has no idea how walking through the door into the Gallo’s Hook & Hustle South Side bar will change her life. Lucio and his mother Betty immediately offer her unconditional assistance and it is this that shows Delilah what family is meant to be.

Betty was such a great character that I cannot wait to see what mischief she gets up to in future books. I love that at the heart of these books is the love of family and what they will do for each other and for those in need.

Chelle Bliss writes with a depth of character that at times comes right out of no-where and knocks your socks off and this book was no exception.

Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon did a great job bringing this story to life and the narration was awesome.

Flow:Not only are the Gallo men outstanding but so are the women. I absolutely loved Daphne Gallo and the man who captured her heart Leo Conti. Flow is the second book in the series and though a quick read it certainly packs an awful lot into it.
Of course being a Gallo it means that the course of love does not run smoothly, particularly for Daphne as Leo is the sworn enemy of a rival crime family who her father loathes.

Despite that, Leo has no hesitation in going after who he wants and he wants Daphne. The chemistry between them is off the charts and as always it was great to see some familiar faces pop onto the story.

I love the Gallo family and when I start a new book it feels like I am coming home. Betty is such a great character that I cannot wait to see what mischief she gets up to in future books. I love that at the heart of these books is the love of family and what they will do for each other and those they care about.

This was a fast paced, hot, steamy story full of surprising twists and turns which will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once click now you will not be disappointed. Chelle Bliss has another winner on her hands in my opinion.

Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott did a great job bringing this story to life and their narration was spot on. In truth I could listen to this narrating duo all day every day.
Profile Image for Heather Pollock.
1,156 reviews74 followers
July 1, 2019
QueenZany 5 Star Review
Men of Inked Southside
Book 1 & 2
by Chelle Bliss


If you enjoy Chelle Bliss writing and audiobooks these are a must-have!
Men of Inked Southside Book 1 & 2 are beyond dreamy perfection! OMG!
With the great storylines! Plus the out of this world audio narration that will have you in seventh heaven! I may warn you that this series is highly active so be prepared to buy every one of the audio because you are going to want to binge listen to all of them.
242 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2020
Maneuver: I fell in love with the Men of Inked Books 1-7 the Gallo siblings. I have to say Men of Inked Southside series with cousin’s stories from the 1st series are no different for me. I can’t wait to read book 3 Hook and find out what if Angelo’s finds love again after losing his wife. The Gallo are close knit family that looks out for one another even if they get on each other’s nerves sometimes. Delilah may have lived a life a luxury, but her life was not a bed of roses. Delilah learns that money is not everything. He alcoholic father and becoming single mother due to Lulu father left before she was even born. The night that Delilah’s father kicked her and Lulu out of his car during one of his drunken tantrums in streets of Chicago with no phone, money, or place to go. She walked into the Gallo’s bar hoping to use the phone. Of course, she knows it’s not a safe place to take her baby Lulu in, but she doesn’t have any other choice. Delilah not sure she can trust Lucio who offers to help with no strings attached. He is an extremely hot alpha guy and why would he want to help a homeless single mother with no money when her own father turns her away. Lucio Gallo life changes the minute Delilah walks into his bar on the Southside of Chicago with her baby girl Lulu. Lucio never knew what he was missing until that night and he will do anything to protect Delilah and Lulu from their no-good dads. You will not be disappointed in Lucio and Delilah story.

Flow: I love that Flow pick up right where Maneuver book ended. Daphne met Leo at her brother’s Lucio wedding. She knew he was troubled and realized she would need to stay far away from Leo due to their fathers are enemies in the crime world of Chicago. Leo and Daphne don’t have a part of their fathers’ world or business. It is totally dangerous for them to be together. Leo will stop at nothing to purse Daphne. There is something about her that pulls him to her. Daphne tries to be the strong one to break it off with Leo even though her life seems to be miserable without him. Daphne has a surprise that she must tell Leo even if they can’t be together. Leo will do anything to be with Daphne and protect her. He will work on a way to hopefully stop the bloodshed between two rival families so he can be with the love of his life and give her everything she has ever wanted. Will Conti and Gallo fathers put their rivalry behind them and stop bloodshed between two families? Will Daphne get her happy ending with Leo? I can’t wait to read Hook the next book in this series about Angelo’s story.
Profile Image for Bonny Read.
523 reviews19 followers
September 8, 2020
Two for One! Two quick (at least it seemed that way to me), great reads!

Based on the series title "Men of Inked", I was expecting a couple of MC stories! After all....tattooed men....what would you think????? But, instead it's 2 stories about people with mafia ties (the Gallo family). The Dad, (who's been in jail (not the first time) for a while when the first story begins) is a small time Chicago mafia criminal who never seems to be able to stay out of the "business". His children (3 sons and a daughter) have never been involved in the family "businesss". Instead they own and run (honestly) a family bar they bought from their Dad when he went to prison the last time.

The first story is about the second oldest son Luca Gallo and Delilah. Delilah is not from the South side. She's a single mother living in luxury with her father. But he controlls everything and is a mean, verbally abusive drunk when things don't go his way. Her mother abandoned them years before. Delilah has never really known family love and support. She meets Luca when her drunk father forces her and her baby out of the car at midnight on the south side of Chicago and leaves her without her purse, cell phone or money. The only light she sees is the Gallo family bar a block ahead. She walks there hoping to be able to use a phone. With the Gallo's Daphne learns what family can and should be.

The second story is about the daughter, Daphne Gallo and Leo Conti, the son of a rival mob boss. Like the Gallo children, Leo has never been involved in his father's business and has made his own fortune legally. Their father's had once been partners, but split with bad blood between them. As family enemies, Daphne tries to avoid involvement with Leo and he knows it will make things difficult, but the heart wants what the heart wants and they have to navigate and units their families.

In both these stories, love happens quickly! It's that instant spark or electric shock at a touch, the sudden attraction, goosebumps at a voice heard, it's going from playing the field and not wanting to settle down to no other person existing for them in 0 to 60 flat. Almost too quickly to be believed, but the author manages to make it work for an enjoyable read. And who am I to say it's not possible...my hubby asked me to marry him 2 weeks after our first date (we spent a lot of time together in those 2 weeks) and we were married 3 month (to the day) after we met. (Sept 14th we celebrate 35 yrs together ... So yeah....it can happen!)
Profile Image for Talia C..
464 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2020
Meh.

Book one was really good. A woman that grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth basically becomes homeless because of her drunk jackass of a father. Only for a sexy tattooed man to offer her a place to stay. He ends up showing her so much compassion and what a family is supposed to feel like that she ends up falling in love with him.

Book two, was nothing special to me. A woman meets this man who turns out to be the son of her fathers enemy (typical mob story). They ignore their family’s issues with each other. Have sex. And boom, baby (seen that one coming). He says he loves her, families make amends. And they get married. There were no heart strings pulled in this one at all. It almost felt rushed.
Profile Image for Iris Hehe.
701 reviews9 followers
May 27, 2020
It read

I enjoyed reading both of the books. Lucio met Delilah when her father threw her out of his car and life. He was working in his bar when she and her baby walked in. Hearing her story he immediately steps up and helps her. The attraction between them is very strong.
Leo and Daphne met at Lucio and Delilah's wedding. She was about to fall and he saves her from landing on the floor. They too have an immediate connection. But their father 's have a history and getting together is not the best idea.
Profile Image for Andrea  Floyd.
906 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2021
Great set of books

The characters are true to form and heart warming, they draw you in and keep your interest beginning to end. The storyline for each is incredible. The first a young mother and child is abandoned by her father on the side of the road, she seeks help in a bar and the attraction between the two is instantaneous. In the second it's almost a Romeo and Juliet type of story, warring families, two people fall in lust then love. This series is well worth your time to read.
Profile Image for Blair Burns.
909 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2021
Still love the Gallo's...

Chelle has done it again. Alpha males, strong heroines and so much freaking chemistry. She has a way of writing instant attraction stories that suck you in from the start and keep you guessing. I love the way she gets you your HEA but had such interesting back stories that you HAVE to read the next one to see what happens. This is the 3rd series of hers I have been sucked in to and I will HAPPILY continue down the rabit hole. I recommend any of her books, this one is no exception!
996 reviews6 followers
March 22, 2020
This is the first two installments into a new series with a criminal, mafia-type twist in the heart of Chicago.

Total alpha men and strong women, lots of drama and angst. If you loved the Men of Inkd series, you will definitely enjoy this one as well.

All four of the narrators were great choices for these characters. Erin Mallon showed Delilah 's Sweet side and Lance Greenfield portrayed a no nonsense Lucio Gallo. Kai and Wen were a perfect dou for Daphne and Leo's star-crossed story.
802 reviews
June 29, 2020
Love, LOVE LOVE The Gallo family

OMG! These stories/every book in this series - that I've read - I have NOT read them all but I'm slowly working my way through all branches of this family tree! - are fabulous! Well-written, interesting love story with a happy ending - no, that's not a spoiler - all Gallo stories have a happy ending it just may take them an extra page or two to get there😅 It's all worth it. Thank you for your time, talent and THE STORIES!
Profile Image for Paula.
84 reviews
January 30, 2021
DNF - 48%

Ok, I did finish the first book. But once I was done, I didn’t even want to continue to the next one. The story was just....blah. It had some tidbits in there that I thought would have been interesting had the author explored it more (maybe about a certain piercing). But nope, she didn’t even bother. The sex scenes themselves were a bit bland and were cut off some. Like I said, after finishing the first book, I didn’t care what happened in the next one.
630 reviews
June 12, 2020
Men of Inked, Southside........IS NOT AN MC BOOK
It takes place in Chicago and is not what it seems....first story is a girl with a baby thrown out by her drunk in father and winds up in a bar
Second is the hottie who's sister falls for a crime bosses son
Choose your titles wisely next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Esther Phelps.
433 reviews
July 6, 2020
Gallo

When a bad boy is a really good man meets the girl of his dreams and a ready family as a jackpot and a crazy family it is. Then his sister falls for the son of her father's rival. Talk about drama, emotional triggers, and a new translations them all together. Sweet romance with just the right twist.
Profile Image for Eleni.
829 reviews5 followers
May 27, 2020
An entertaining read

These are an entertaining start to the series, the second one seemed a bit more compelling, but both books offer strong characters you root for from the beginning. Recommended for fans of the genre.
Profile Image for Darla.
142 reviews
May 27, 2020
Love love these books

I read the previous men of inked and loved those ones! These 2 are just as great! The humor and family & friend loyalty is so fantastic! The books are fantastic!
215 reviews
June 1, 2020
Love at it's best

Books 1&2, Men of Inked Southside are sweet, romantic stories about men we all wish we had. Too bad they don't actually exist. Warning, cliffhangers. Definitely recommend.
2,511 reviews13 followers
June 1, 2020
Good books

Loved the stories. The characters were very fun. There was a variety of them and all of them were very interesting. Just be aware that these are the first two that you can read for free then they cost. But, well worth the read.
2,966 reviews10 followers
June 5, 2020
Finding her

He never thought a woman like her would walk into his bar. Now he is keeping his girls. No one is taking what is his. Tatted and hot as sin. All the brothers are. Loved it . Happy reading!!
586 reviews
June 17, 2020
Gallo family

These guys make me feel like I'm part of their family. I alternate between wanting to hug them and punch them. I can't wait for Angelo, Vinny and Michelle to get their stories.
51 reviews
September 19, 2020
Mind blowing

This book was mind blowing because it has so many ups and downs that are apart of real life experiences. It keeps you pulled in and wanting to know what happens next. When you find out what happens something else is brewing that catches your attention.
2,472 reviews10 followers
September 26, 2020
Sllloooowww

Slow moving. Whew it was a very superficial, courtship, that was not very interesting. There is a happy ending. But the best part of the whole book is the epilogue. Funny!
Profile Image for Sharon(Sha💃&#x1f3ff Cooke.
331 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2022
Men off.Inked Southside: Book 1 & 2

Book 1 & 2 were awesome. The way Deliha and Luco meet and the chemistry was something. Book 2 with Dalphen and Leo meeting and the chemistry was something else. The story line was good. Well written. The Mafia families don't play around.
Profile Image for Stacey Hupperich.
78 reviews2 followers
March 1, 2025
Wow what a great series. The Gallo family is a family you want to jump in and be apart of. As you read the books you will become addicted to the family and want to know more about them and their spicy love stories. This has been so much fun to read. Huge fan of Chelle Bliss.
28 reviews
June 5, 2020
Great read

Great family story I love the interconnection of the group and the power of family and friends great read it was hard to put it fown
902 reviews4 followers
June 6, 2020
Great series

Love the series from the first book "Throttle". This look at the second half, the cousins is just as good. Just as HOT. Absolutely love all the characters n
516 reviews
June 7, 2020
Amazing

Loved these stories, HEA and the Mob - or at least children of the mob. Life is never normal nor is findling love for these two delightful couples.
Profile Image for Cathy Spelker.
52 reviews
June 19, 2020
Ok story

I thought the story was pretty good with good characters. What I don't understand is why all the filthy language. I thought it was supposed to be a love story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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