Beloved by the Boss

Morelli Family #2

by Leighton Greene

M/M Mafia Romance

It’s good to be the Boss. That’s what I thought my whole life.

Now I am the Boss. I’ll shoulder that responsibility with my beloved husband beside me. As long as I have Finch, I can handle whatever life throws at me.

But what they say is true: Be careful what you wish for.

My Family has been decimated. My allies are few. I’m holding onto power by a thread.

And the truth is, my husband is more vulnerable than ever. He’s always been a lost soul, and now he’s suffered yet another crushing loss.

I can’t protect him from Fate’s cruel blows. But I’m determined to protect him from our enemies, no matter what it takes—as soon as I get my own house in order.

Because I’m starting to wonder if there’s a traitor in the Morelli Family…

If I can't even trust my own men, how can I keep my beloved safe?



Beloved by the Boss is the sequel to Married to the Mobster, and is the second book in the Morelli Family Mafia Romance series.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Crime, LGBT, Contemporary, Audiobook, Dark

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2020

About the author

Leighton Greene has been writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Her first book was a choose-your-own-adventure style book about deciding what to eat for breakfast. It didn't shake the New York Times bestseller list, but she still has a copy of it.

After spending some time writing in academia, fanfiction and corporate reporting, Leighton decided she should probably do what she actually wanted to do, which was to write commercial fiction. So she did. She writes gay romance and, when the mood strikes, erotica as L.J. Greene.

Leighton lives with her partner and her cockatiel on the east coast of Australia.

(Source: Amazon.com)

Reviews

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Well, I guess we better go fuck our brains out if you’re gonna die tomorrow.”

Thoroughly enjoyed diving back into a second story with this couple. Sorry Luca, Finch is still my favorite, he is such a saucy badass.

I like everything about him, my husband, my protector, my Lucifer.

I was very thankful Luca and Finch didn’t have silly miscommunication issues. This book really solidified the strength of their relationship.

The fact that they never really knew who to trust and who might betray them kept me constantly on edge. The church, the funeral, the sisters, and the death of a favorite character broke my heart.

Even though I enjoyed the story, it felt like the characters lost their way a bit in this second story. I was left with quite a few questions about side characters, specifically Connie. I also don’t quite understand Brother Frank’s motivations.

Side thought. Can we just take a moment to appreciate how much this cover matches these characters?

Another excellent BR with Dan, who continues to survive my over analyzing tendencies.

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread/Relisten #2: May 2024

This Mob family is becoming one of my go to reads haha! Luca and Finch what a couple!! But Jesus, Frank, you got one too many screws loose in that head of yours haha!

Reread/Relisten #1: December 2023
Still love these two as much as the first time I read these two books.

I can't wait for Angelo's book next! Hopefully the audio comes out soon!

Original Read/Listen: October 2023
Audio: 5 stars obviously! Haha this book is on Everand (Scribd).

Book: 4-4.5 stars

This series is definitely becoming a favorite! Finch and Luca 🥰 love their relationship and how they don’t play in to those mob boss rules!

I also love all the names Luca has for Finch like baby bird or angel 💕!

The rest of these books, according to Leighton’s FB page will be coming out on audio within the next 12-18 months so I will pick them up as the audios drop!

So glad I found this series!!

[Nelly S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

“I really fucking like the jerk, and that’s been a pleasant surprise after our head-over-heels meeting, meeting and marriage.
I mean, don’t get me wrong. The man is hot as hell and I’d suck his dick for days even if I didn’t like him all that much.
But I do. I do like him.”

I enjoyed this installment, but more so for the Mafia shenanigans than Luca’s and Finch’s relationship. Luca’s battle to assert dominance against rival crews plus a parallel plotline involving Finch’s Irish mob family kept me glued to the the pages. Not surprisingly, all the ensuing drama brings the couple even closer together and by the end of the book Finch has become Luca’s unofficial consigliere. Intriguing secondary characters such as Luca’s underboss, Angelo, and Adrian, a priest in training who becomes Finch’s friend, make things even more interesting. I’m looking forward to the next book which focuses on Angelo.

[♡ sorcerer supreme ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit this book broke me then mended me after. I'm happy to say my first mobster romance was a blast. Every time Luca calls Finch as his 'angel' or 'baby bird' adds a year to my life span.

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 baby bird stars story.

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahora que Luca es "El jefe" de los Morelli, toda su gente esta revuelta. Ha perdido muchos soldados en la lucha contra los otros jefes de New York, y ahora enfrenta aún mas enemigos que antes. Sin embargo, lo que mas le preocupa es la seguridad de Finch. Al parecer, hasta su familia lo quiere muerto, y esta haciendo todo lo posible para lograrlo. Pero para eso esta Luca, para mantenerlo a salvo. Como podrá hacerlo si casi no tiene soldados? Puede confiar en su gente para mantenerlo a salvo? Con quien podrá contar para afianzarse en el poder en New York?

La 2da parte de la historia de Luca y Finch, esta vez con mas intriga y misterio, mucha acción y mucho sexo. Mucho menos humor que en el libro anterior, pero tiene sus momentos dramáticos que te dejan sintiendo lastima por ellos. Sin embargo, hubo momentos en que la escenas eróticas se volvieron repetitivas, prácticamente la misma cosa en diferentes momentos, por lo que se volvió aburrido en ese tema.
En fin, quiero saber que mas va a pasar en este universo, y sobre todo, quiero saber quienes van a ser los siguientes en encontrar a su "pareja para siempre" y como, así que seguiré con la serie por un rato.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a step up from the first book! I'm glad I decided to continue the series, but it was hard not to when I wanted to listen to more of Micheal F's narration 😌

Beloved by the Boss picks up from where Married to the Mobster left off and continues Finch and Luca's story. The mafia crime plot kept me interested, and I enjoyed seeing Finch and Luca's relationship develop further. I've also become interested in several of the side characters, and I'm looking forward to seeing how their stories play out in future books, particularly Angelo and Aidan 💙

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book solidifies my opinion on Luca and Finch's relationship. Though their journey into making their own place in the mafia isn't an easy one, their love, friendship and the respect they share between them is a strong, beautiful one.

Between the fast paced action, intrigue and strong romantic storyline, this book is an easy five star read for me. I loved it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio - 5 + Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Luca just gets baby bird Finch. He knows when he's sad, when he's lying, when he's hiding behind sex. And he's just ALWAYS there regardless. Especially in public. Then gives him what for privately 💀💀💀

Finch acts just like you'd expect a person who's loved unreservedly would. Always pushing boundaries. He knows Luca's got him no matter what and I love that for him.

"I love you every way you are. And every way you choose to be."

Luca REFUSES to get caught slipping when he's asked about if he likes the new hair💀

These two compete to win who loves the other more, and they both win.

Whenever I read an installment in this series, I like it and commit to reading another, then I take forever to get to it. For now I'm interested in reading Angelo's romance, and Aiden's. So we'll see where that goes.

[raccoon reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fucking Frank!!!!!

FUCKING CELIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus it’s hard to like those two after they are such idiots…. 😑

The narrator does a great job making their voices just this side of annoying so it’s easy to hate them even though you know you shouldn’t.

Narrator is 10 million stars.

Spice, romance, and mafia action are well balanced out.

[Rin (indefinite hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this series

Even if you don’t like mob/mafia books, you need to read these books. Leighton is a new to me author, and I tend to only read new authors by rec alone. And rec’s from people who know what I like. I’ll start with a trigger warning first… this is a mafia love story. This is not even morally ambiguous. They don’t fluff up the “bad guys.” They are the Italian mafia and there is A LOT of violence and murder, and the first book has drug use/addiction.

These first two books are about Finch and Luca, a surprisingly lovely and sweet love story amongst all the mafia chaos. Finch is the son of an Irish mob boss and Luca is the Underboss to an Italian mob boss. The best part about their story is that I HAVEN’T READ IT BEFORE. This genre is overflowing with the same story told by different authors. The same stereotyped trope. This one is different. Finch and Luca’s love story is different. It’s not always fluffy bunnies, but that’s what makes it real and believable.

The world and characters Leighton has created is so well written these characters become your family. The twists and turns and actions sequences aren’t done out of convenience for the storytelling, they all fit within the plot. And for the most part, it isn’t predictable.

The following books are about characters within Finch and Luca’s world and I cannot wait to dive in. Thank you, Leighton, for lighting up my thirst for new and well done content.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! That's quite alot that happened here, mostly mafia politics and killing enemies. Luca and Finch are absolutely in love with each other. No more of those idiotic decision and misunderstanding between them. They are so strong together, which is good to see. There are a number of players and we are not quite sure who to trust and a few surprise along the way.
I can't wait for Angelo's story and I'm sure we will still see Luca and Finch around in the rest of the series

[ML · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Finch and Luca

I absolutely love this series. Ambiguous morality, sure, BUT you fall more in love with these characters in this book.

Luca has to solve many problems in this book.
Finch by his side to give advice and to get into trouble like book 1. This book was a roller coaster ride of emotions. You never truly know who to trust AND even the most trustworthy of people can betray you. SO angsty. Loved every minute of this gangster journey.

Super excited for Angelo’s book next!
Off to read….

[Santy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than the first

3.5 Stars rounded up because this couple just did it for me and I enjoyed this book thoroughly.

Finch and Lucas were as strong as ever and even in the face of back to back losses and betrayals, they still accomplished their goals.

This wasn't perfect, but highly enjoyable in what it was and I'll definitely be reading more of this series.

[Kazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and Married to the Mobster both following Finch and Luca D'Amato, the latter being the Morelli Family Don.
As always, Michael Ferraiuolo did a terrific job of narrating what was a lot of voices by the end of this book.
Joint blog review for books 1 - Married to the Mobster - and #2, Beloved by the Boss at-

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been really into mafia books for the last couple years and am so excited to see a series with an m/m pairing! Finch can be kind of ridiculous, he doesn't always take things as seriously as he should and is sarcastic to no end, but he's also sweet and loves Luca more than anything. Luca is the kind of man I like to read about, strong and powerful and willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family safe.

This picks up with Luca facing new challenges as the Morelli boss. There are some betrayals, threats from all sides, and more than one shoot out. The pacing is great and I flew through this. I'm a bit sad that we're done with Finch and Luca as the main couple, but excited to see other characters in this world.

[Shonee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the characters, loved the storyline. Loved the MC being forced into domesticity and basically joining the trophy wives (in his own way.)

[Aղցela W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was book 2 in the "Morelli Family" series. This was a really good read Luca is the boss now he and Finch have been through a lot. Finch's sister Maggie wants him dead and for what all because his mother cheated. This book had a lot of action in it. Luca was called before the commission the other bosses don't like him because he is gay and he disrespects them when he leaves to be with Finch when his father died. Frank and Cecila both talk too much. Frank gets shot at the church when someone tries to kidnap Finch. Frank also doesn't respect Luca. While in Las Vegas someone tries to kill Luca. I liked both of these characters and I was glad that both of them found there footing. Luca realized that he had to lead his own way when he goes to the commission to ask permission to deal with the Donavan's he proves himself to the other bosses. Finch had to learn how to deal with his emotions without drugs he uses sex to cope with all the death around him he found his way in the end. This was a really good read this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story

I enjoyed reading this story. I loved the characters,and it was well-written. I can't wait to read the next story in this series.

[lune · Rating 3 out of 5]

queria que tivesse mais ação, mais planos mais ganância mesmo pelo poder
fica muito por cima tudo que tá acontecendo

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋

Steamy, mob adventures in New York .
Can Luca keep his position and his powerful allies or will his family finally fall.
Finch will always be with him no matter what, But these two have so many challenges ahead.
Brilliant book

[Fani *loves angst* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pure enjoyment! And the mystery part kept me wondering till the end.

[Sabrina Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

While reading this book I was so excited to finish it. Finch pissed me the f*ck off. Like he is such a spoiled brat. And then gets surprised with the consequences of his stupid actions. It’s like he doesn’t think about what could happen to him or anyone else around him. He only cares about himself. He’s the reason Frank got shot the first time. Because he wanted to run and try and get the Priest to take his money even after Aidan (or whatever his name is) told him not to and that he was in a meeting. And he ended up running into the Don that wanted both him and Luka dead. And then he started egging the Don on to kill he while Marco was trying his ducking hardest to keep him alive. He got upset because Luka was suggesting they got to Canada to hide out, because he killed the Don of a family, (because Finch’s life was in danger, because of Finch’s stupid actions.) And he started get all pouting and couldn’t decided where he wanted to go even through they were literally being hunted down. And also when Finch wanted to go to his fakes Dads funeral against Luka’s wishes, Luka had to leave his Chicago meeting with the other Dons early which then got him ostracized from the committee or whatever. Which basically made them a target. Finch has a problem with listening, and he just constantly acts like a spoils brat. And it’s crazy because while he did act this way in the first book, he was nowhere near as bad.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers. Lots of spoilers ahead, but I’m MAD. The author killed Marco! He was my favorite secondary character, and he just died in like two seconds and then he was gone! It was so meaningless, too! I was so upset, still am, and I couldn’t focus for the rest of the book. Why? Why would she do that? To make it possible for some other dude to play bodyguard to set up for the fourth book? Surely that could’ve been fixed in some other way, without having to kill Marco.

He was such a sweetheart there by the end, which is probably why it struck me so hard. My favorite thing with book series is that I really get a chance to fall for many characters, not only the MCs. I was just starting to get there. I wanted to see more of Marco. Even Sonny Vegas, whom I also liked, but I think that ship has sailed too, if he’s even alive anymore. I guess I was just really thrown by all these twists.

I thought Finch and Luca were wonderfully sweet together in this. I was really into their partnership and their love. I liked that Luca always put Finch first, and fuck the rest. Such a contrast from the previous book. But Marco... why did he have to die.

[Rosetta Celeste · Rating 2 out of 5]

The lack of romance in Married to the Mobster is made up for in this book because their relationship is shown more clearly this time. I really liked seeing their love for each other and how far they are willing to go to protect one another. It makes their relationship feel stronger and more meaningful compared to the first book.

I feel bad for Marco because I do not think he got enough justice. Even though Frank and Celia are also victims, I still think they are partly responsible for what happened to Marco because they carelessly shared information. They knew it was dangerous in their world, but they still did it, and it led to someone dying. And yet, Luca did not really punish them enough or clearly explain their mistake that caused someone’s life. I understand that they are family, but Frank and Celia should have understood what they did and felt guilty about it. It did not feel right that they just left the mafia life and got to live a happily ever after while Marco died protecting them because of their stupidity.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 5 out of 5]

just when you thought

What a ride. This one was about married life. What it’s like to love someone above everything and trusting in that love. While everyone else wants to break you. About who really is family. Punches just kept coming in this one. The writing was good, smexy hawt, and the side characters were hard to trust.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Great follow-up! This was filled with all sorts of shenanigans. It is hard to know who to trust but Luca does a good job of navigating the mine fields while putting Finch first.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the first one so much, but this one just seemed to go on and on. I ended up skimming the last 1/4 of the book.

[Rαιɳ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read #1