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The Castillo Family #1
Rafael
The Castillo Family: Follow Rafael, Matteo, Javier and their nephew Santos a billionaire family they made their fortune in the construction business. When it comes to building relationships all their money can't help them when it comes to women who want what money can't buy.
***
My twin brothers have never been little angels but this time they might have gone too far in crossing Rafael Castillo. Rafael wants them punished to the furthest extent of the law for trespassing and destroying his company's construction site. I can't defend what they did, but I also can't let them go into juvenile detention. All I'm asking for is another chance. But the arrogant, gorgeous billionaire refuses and cuts me down without listening. So I might have started yelling, their might have been bitter accusations on both sides, and I might have lost it and cried. Then somehow I was in his arms.
The instant lust shocks us both. Yet while I'm more than willing to act on it, Rafael refuses. Until I lie and tell him all I want are the nights in my bedroom. No commitment, no strings, just sex. Only all too soon it's not enough but will we ever make it out of the bedroom or are we doomed to fail?
***This is a rewrite of Rafael's Woman. It has been changed from 3rd person to 1st person and there is an additional 12 k words***
***
My twin brothers have never been little angels but this time they might have gone too far in crossing Rafael Castillo. Rafael wants them punished to the furthest extent of the law for trespassing and destroying his company's construction site. I can't defend what they did, but I also can't let them go into juvenile detention. All I'm asking for is another chance. But the arrogant, gorgeous billionaire refuses and cuts me down without listening. So I might have started yelling, their might have been bitter accusations on both sides, and I might have lost it and cried. Then somehow I was in his arms.
The instant lust shocks us both. Yet while I'm more than willing to act on it, Rafael refuses. Until I lie and tell him all I want are the nights in my bedroom. No commitment, no strings, just sex. Only all too soon it's not enough but will we ever make it out of the bedroom or are we doomed to fail?
***This is a rewrite of Rafael's Woman. It has been changed from 3rd person to 1st person and there is an additional 12 k words***
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2014
265 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Murphy
39 books551 followersDue to commitment issues I have lived in many different cities and my favorite is Chicago but I have managed to settle into Austin and perhaps my commitment issues are behind me.
I have enjoyed reading from a very young age and it wasn't long before the children books bored me and I read the books my mother enjoyed Stephen King and Dean Koontz and I didn't sleep without the light on until I was about ten.
I came across my first Harlequin by accident and it was love at first read, no one died and happy endings? It was a whole new world and I loved it.
I wrote my first story at eight and everyone died, of course. Since then I would like to think I've gotten better and now I'm writing the happily ever afters I first fell in love with, with some hot sex thrown in along the way.
As a plus size woman myself, I have started writing the stories I always wanted to see myself in but never did. And now I'm ecstatic to give BBWs the happily ever afters with hot Alphas they so rarely get.
I have enjoyed reading from a very young age and it wasn't long before the children books bored me and I read the books my mother enjoyed Stephen King and Dean Koontz and I didn't sleep without the light on until I was about ten.
I came across my first Harlequin by accident and it was love at first read, no one died and happy endings? It was a whole new world and I loved it.
I wrote my first story at eight and everyone died, of course. Since then I would like to think I've gotten better and now I'm writing the happily ever afters I first fell in love with, with some hot sex thrown in along the way.
As a plus size woman myself, I have started writing the stories I always wanted to see myself in but never did. And now I'm ecstatic to give BBWs the happily ever afters with hot Alphas they so rarely get.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
definitely-not
February 25, 2021I am soooooooooooooooooooo tempted to give this a one star review, exclusively for the absolutely HORRIBLE cover.
I mean, this is supposed to be a sexually attractive guy, right?
I've never ever EVER seen anyone as smarmy and looking so much like a mentally challenged car salesman being touted as a billionaire and attractive man. The only things I can think of, when looking at him are grease and headcheese.
U.G.H.
My clitoris shrivels, my nether lips pout and my uterus cramps in disgust just looking at this guy. This is what I run from, when I come across such a creep in a dark alley...
I mean, THIS is preferable. By a mile. And then quite some:
I mean, this is supposed to be a sexually attractive guy, right?
I've never ever EVER seen anyone as smarmy and looking so much like a mentally challenged car salesman being touted as a billionaire and attractive man. The only things I can think of, when looking at him are grease and headcheese.
U.G.H.
My clitoris shrivels, my nether lips pout and my uterus cramps in disgust just looking at this guy. This is what I run from, when I come across such a creep in a dark alley...
I mean, THIS is preferable. By a mile. And then quite some:
April 4, 2025
I have been trying to avoid dnfing a book. My mindset rn is to read the entire thing, to be sure I have the opinion on it and all in for it. But, I will admit that it did not intrigue me imo.
July 24, 2019
Doormat
Carrie made me cringe. Rafael was a selfish creep. I could have put up with that but the spelling and grammar mistakes...for goodness sake. Example, you fix a car's brakes not breaks. Hire a competent editor.
Carrie made me cringe. Rafael was a selfish creep. I could have put up with that but the spelling and grammar mistakes...for goodness sake. Example, you fix a car's brakes not breaks. Hire a competent editor.
March 1, 2022
3.5 stars--RAFAEL is the first instalment in Fiona Murphy’s contemporary, adult THE CASTILLO FAMILY erotic, romance series. This is thirty-eight year old, businessman Rafael Castillo, and twenty-six year old Carrie Whitney’s story line.
NOTE: RAFAEL is the re-release of the author’s Rafael’s Woman with additional content and a change in perspective.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Carrie and Rafael) RAFAEL focuses on the building relationship between thirty-eight year old, businessman Rafael Castillo, and twenty-six year old Carrie Whitney. Carrie Whitney has been raising her thirteen year old twin brothers Riley and Elliott since the death of their mother seven years earlier but the twins are beginning to act out and causing problems. Having moved to Dallas for better employment opportunities, Carrie finds herself at the end of her rope when her brothers destroy thousands of dollars of Rafael Castillo’s construction property, money she hopes she will be able to repay but the shocking price tag sends Carrie into a spiral where she reveals everything about her past and more. Rafael has no patience for people who destroy his property, and he is determined to punish the young boys to the fullest extent of the law but Rafael’s attraction to Carrie and our heroine’s story begin to melt the ice around Rafael’s heart, and he reconsiders his plans for the immediate future. Offering Carrie a job as the property manager of one of his buildings, a new place to stay for Carrie and the boys, and the opportunity for her brothers to work off their debt, Rafael begins a slow seduction of our story line heroine, a seduction predicated upon $ex and nothing more. What ensues is the building relationship between Carrie and Rafael, and the potential fall-out as Carrie’s heart wants something more than Rafael is willing to offer.
Rafael Castillo is all about control; a businessman who doesn’t do romantic relationships but Carrie Whitney offers a friends with benefits option, a relationship wherein Rafael finds himself struggling with jealousy and rage at every turn. Rafael’s attraction to Carrie is immediate and intense, and discovering Carrie is offering a relationship without love, Rafael jumps at the opportunity, only to realize that his heart wants something he can no longer control. Refusing to accept that he has fallen in love, Rafael slowly pulls away from the woman that owns his heart knowing Carrie would never be accepted into the world in which he lives. Carrie quickly realizes that her life is no longer her own but accepts Rafael’s need for control, often backing down when she is accused of doing something wrong. A bit of a doormat, Carrie is desperate for Rafael’s touch, she is willing to beg for all the wrong reasons. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate, erotic and intense.
We are introduced to Carrie’s twin brothers Riley and Elliott, and her best friend Jennifer; Rafael’s brother Javier who is often pushing all of our hero’s buttons, as well as their mother Elizabeth Castillo, and several employees who work for the Castillo Corporation/ Castillo Construction. Javier’s story is next.
RAFAEL is a fast paced story of power and control, obsession and attraction, insta lust, acceptance and love. The premise is engaging; the romance is provocative and passionate but questionable on so many levels; the characters are desperate and charismatic.
I will suggest another round of edits as there are a number of spelling and grammar errors as well as missing words. As this is a re-release and refurbished edition, there should not have been so many issues.
own a copy
NOTE: RAFAEL is the re-release of the author’s Rafael’s Woman with additional content and a change in perspective.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Carrie and Rafael) RAFAEL focuses on the building relationship between thirty-eight year old, businessman Rafael Castillo, and twenty-six year old Carrie Whitney. Carrie Whitney has been raising her thirteen year old twin brothers Riley and Elliott since the death of their mother seven years earlier but the twins are beginning to act out and causing problems. Having moved to Dallas for better employment opportunities, Carrie finds herself at the end of her rope when her brothers destroy thousands of dollars of Rafael Castillo’s construction property, money she hopes she will be able to repay but the shocking price tag sends Carrie into a spiral where she reveals everything about her past and more. Rafael has no patience for people who destroy his property, and he is determined to punish the young boys to the fullest extent of the law but Rafael’s attraction to Carrie and our heroine’s story begin to melt the ice around Rafael’s heart, and he reconsiders his plans for the immediate future. Offering Carrie a job as the property manager of one of his buildings, a new place to stay for Carrie and the boys, and the opportunity for her brothers to work off their debt, Rafael begins a slow seduction of our story line heroine, a seduction predicated upon $ex and nothing more. What ensues is the building relationship between Carrie and Rafael, and the potential fall-out as Carrie’s heart wants something more than Rafael is willing to offer.
Rafael Castillo is all about control; a businessman who doesn’t do romantic relationships but Carrie Whitney offers a friends with benefits option, a relationship wherein Rafael finds himself struggling with jealousy and rage at every turn. Rafael’s attraction to Carrie is immediate and intense, and discovering Carrie is offering a relationship without love, Rafael jumps at the opportunity, only to realize that his heart wants something he can no longer control. Refusing to accept that he has fallen in love, Rafael slowly pulls away from the woman that owns his heart knowing Carrie would never be accepted into the world in which he lives. Carrie quickly realizes that her life is no longer her own but accepts Rafael’s need for control, often backing down when she is accused of doing something wrong. A bit of a doormat, Carrie is desperate for Rafael’s touch, she is willing to beg for all the wrong reasons. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate, erotic and intense.
We are introduced to Carrie’s twin brothers Riley and Elliott, and her best friend Jennifer; Rafael’s brother Javier who is often pushing all of our hero’s buttons, as well as their mother Elizabeth Castillo, and several employees who work for the Castillo Corporation/ Castillo Construction. Javier’s story is next.
RAFAEL is a fast paced story of power and control, obsession and attraction, insta lust, acceptance and love. The premise is engaging; the romance is provocative and passionate but questionable on so many levels; the characters are desperate and charismatic.
I will suggest another round of edits as there are a number of spelling and grammar errors as well as missing words. As this is a re-release and refurbished edition, there should not have been so many issues.
own a copy
April 11, 2018
2 1/2 stars
I’ve read a few of Fiona’s book over the last few days. This one, however, I had a hard time connecting with. I felt Carrie gave in far to easily and at some point was concerned weak. I’m usually not a fan of weak woman in stories and stop reading. But, I’ve enjoyed Fiona’s stories so I kept going. Maybe, it’s because I couldn’t connect with the characters. Maybe it’s because, Rafel looked down on Carrie for far longer than most stories, and only changed his mind about her status and class towards the end, but something was off for me. I’m giving the extra 1/2 a star, because I do like Fiona’s books and I believe other people will really like this book. I really liked the twins in this story and wish we learned more about them. Also, I seemed to like his brother a lot more than Rafel.... at one point I felt he would have been a better fit for Carrie.
I’ve read a few of Fiona’s book over the last few days. This one, however, I had a hard time connecting with. I felt Carrie gave in far to easily and at some point was concerned weak. I’m usually not a fan of weak woman in stories and stop reading. But, I’ve enjoyed Fiona’s stories so I kept going. Maybe, it’s because I couldn’t connect with the characters. Maybe it’s because, Rafel looked down on Carrie for far longer than most stories, and only changed his mind about her status and class towards the end, but something was off for me. I’m giving the extra 1/2 a star, because I do like Fiona’s books and I believe other people will really like this book. I really liked the twins in this story and wish we learned more about them. Also, I seemed to like his brother a lot more than Rafel.... at one point I felt he would have been a better fit for Carrie.
July 3, 2024
DNF. The writing was amateurish. I was unable to connect. I don’t get what they saw in each other. It all felt forced.
February 17, 2015
Steamy and exciting!
A wonderful book about Carrie Whitney, who while trying to help her twin brothers becomes involved with smoking hot Rafael Castillo. The undeniable chemistry between the leading characters, the struggle of their forbidden relationship, and the interesting plot make this novel irresistible.
A wonderful book about Carrie Whitney, who while trying to help her twin brothers becomes involved with smoking hot Rafael Castillo. The undeniable chemistry between the leading characters, the struggle of their forbidden relationship, and the interesting plot make this novel irresistible.
April 23, 2024
Another decent Fiona Murphy book with her typical set of characters. Rafael is the overpowering super rich MMC while Carrie is the slightly insecure plus size FMC. I didn’t mind either character, they weren’t her worst couple but I will say I hated how long it took Rafael to come around and I think Carrie was way too much of a pushover. I did like Javier a lot more in this book than in his own though and I enjoyed his brotherly relationship with Carrie. Something felt missing for me though, idk if it was just I wanted Carrie to have more of a backbone and Rafael to step up and stop hiding his feelings or if it needed more drama or what but it needed something. There was also a bunch of grammatical issues, particularly in the beginning. I know this is a re-release that switched the story from third person POV to first but there was a couple spots where it did so in the book, like the editor didn’t catch that section when redoing it.
July 15, 2025
Rafael is a billionaire romance filled with pain, trying your best, love, holding back for the wrong reason and family.
Rafael and Carrie meets each other because her twin brothers has done some big damages to his property. Rafael can see that Carrie tries her best but is struggling and needs someone to help her get a better life. Their relationship is filled with ups and downs and a whole lot of smutty sex. In the end Rafael finally gets his head in the game and sees how much he needs Carrie and loves her.
Rafael and Carrie meets each other because her twin brothers has done some big damages to his property. Rafael can see that Carrie tries her best but is struggling and needs someone to help her get a better life. Their relationship is filled with ups and downs and a whole lot of smutty sex. In the end Rafael finally gets his head in the game and sees how much he needs Carrie and loves her.
May 10, 2024
2 1/2 stars
This was ok.I have several of this author's books and liked those,so I got this and book #2 Javier.I was rather disappointed in this one.Raphael wasn't alpha as much as overbearing,way too possessive and very unlikeable.His reasoning made no sense and him keeping her basically a secret was unacceptable to me.The female( I don't even remember her name) just accepted the crumbs he gave her.No thanks.I hope book 2 is better.
This was ok.I have several of this author's books and liked those,so I got this and book #2 Javier.I was rather disappointed in this one.Raphael wasn't alpha as much as overbearing,way too possessive and very unlikeable.His reasoning made no sense and him keeping her basically a secret was unacceptable to me.The female( I don't even remember her name) just accepted the crumbs he gave her.No thanks.I hope book 2 is better.
May 20, 2024
Rafael is a creature of habit. He likes his life with few surprises and counts on his routines to keep his life orderly.
Carrie is raising her twin brothers who are a handful. Her life is anything but orderly and she's struggling to make ends meet.
Their paths cross when the twins are involved in an incident that may put them in juvie.
The instant attraction is real, but will opposites really attract.
Ok read, but I liked the Sabatini series better!
Carrie is raising her twin brothers who are a handful. Her life is anything but orderly and she's struggling to make ends meet.
Their paths cross when the twins are involved in an incident that may put them in juvie.
The instant attraction is real, but will opposites really attract.
Ok read, but I liked the Sabatini series better!
June 25, 2023
Brilliant book x
I know that every book I read from this author is going to be a great read. And I wasn't wrong.
A brilliant storyline and characters that you will cheer for, shout at, and watch as they fall in love. I couldn't put it down once I got started. Looking forward to reading book 2
I know that every book I read from this author is going to be a great read. And I wasn't wrong.
A brilliant storyline and characters that you will cheer for, shout at, and watch as they fall in love. I couldn't put it down once I got started. Looking forward to reading book 2
April 22, 2024
plus size work romance
I absolutely loved this book and how Rafael does warm up to Carrie ! And the twins finally have respect towards her and have their own family now and feel accepted ! I’m so happy how this book they always wanted a baby girl not just boy I hope Rafael and Carrie have a lot more kids
I absolutely loved this book and how Rafael does warm up to Carrie ! And the twins finally have respect towards her and have their own family now and feel accepted ! I’m so happy how this book they always wanted a baby girl not just boy I hope Rafael and Carrie have a lot more kids
June 1, 2025
I read up to chapter 7 and decided it was a waste of time. The problem I had with the book was that Carrie was supposed to have a fear of violence in men, but her responses didn't show that fear. Their relationship didn't make sense. Carrie is in love with Rafael in less than a day. No, it doesn't flow smoothly.
March 20, 2022
Family
I loved this book about Rafael and Carrie. I loved that she came in upset his prefect control life. She was everything he did not know he needed. He was everything she needed, that rock someone to take care of her needs. They were a match to balance each other out.
I loved this book about Rafael and Carrie. I loved that she came in upset his prefect control life. She was everything he did not know he needed. He was everything she needed, that rock someone to take care of her needs. They were a match to balance each other out.
November 21, 2022
DNF. Rafael acted like he was the inexperienced one with his waffling from 'he wants her 🙄,he wants her Not!' And this Author's rewrite of this one isn't very well done 😕. Thumbs down for me. Plus too much profanity. Mmm, 👎Not a Reread for me on this one. At.all.
April 22, 2024
Pretty good book
This book starts out strong. I was really into it, until about a third of the way in. The main female character had no self respect and it really irritated me she was begging for Raf not to leave her. But it ended okay so all is well.
This book starts out strong. I was really into it, until about a third of the way in. The main female character had no self respect and it really irritated me she was begging for Raf not to leave her. But it ended okay so all is well.
April 24, 2024
The MMC was a jerk.
Never really got into this story. No real chemistry with the MMC and FMC. Really random interference with the MMCs brother… no character development. Just an odd story overall.
Never really got into this story. No real chemistry with the MMC and FMC. Really random interference with the MMCs brother… no character development. Just an odd story overall.
August 16, 2019
Carrie and Rafael!
This was a great experience of a romance. I loved both all the characters, the both leads,plus all the other characters. This was a very Smokey love story. Rafael is my mind of alpha male.
This was a great experience of a romance. I loved both all the characters, the both leads,plus all the other characters. This was a very Smokey love story. Rafael is my mind of alpha male.
May 5, 2022
great story
Such a good story, can’t wait to read Javier’s story next! Read it, you won’t be let down. Fiona Murphy books do not disappoint.
Such a good story, can’t wait to read Javier’s story next! Read it, you won’t be let down. Fiona Murphy books do not disappoint.
March 19, 2023
Another super cute book from Fiona. I actually prefer these, which are connected to the mafia, but this one was really good too.
July 16, 2023
her books are easy on the mind (in the sense you can predict the flow of the book so it's not too much drama) and I say it as a good thing here
October 17, 2023
This was terrible. The relationship dynamics were awful. Even though it's fiction, a little plausibility would be nice.
May 8, 2024
I DNF this at 28% when Carrie said she thought she was in love after meeting Rafael the day before.
May 18, 2024
Not particularly believable but an OK read. And I'm not a fan of the cover.
I really didn't like the length of time she put up with being effectively a booty call. It made her seem a doormat.
I really didn't like the length of time she put up with being effectively a booty call. It made her seem a doormat.
June 5, 2024
Steamy!
July 15, 2024
Good read
A good read I did pass it over a few times in Kindle I'm glad I decided to downloaded it pretty good book
A good read I did pass it over a few times in Kindle I'm glad I decided to downloaded it pretty good book
March 10, 2021
This is book one in The Castillo Family Series and it is Rafael and Carrie's Story and omg it just blew me away. Carrie has lost her job in Austin and she is also guardian to her twin brother's and she has moved to Fort Worth and took her twin brother's with her and she is also working two jobs to try to make ends meet but her brother's keep getting into trouble and that is why she is at Rafael Castillo's office to ask him to drop the charges on her brother's after they vandalised the equipment on his construction site but things don't always go as planned. Rafael can't believe his body's reaction to Carrie the minute that she walks into his office and that really annoys him and puts them on the wrong footing straight away as he doesn't do commitment or relationships and he is so angry that he lets it show especially as he realised that Carrie not only looks so innocent but she looks like the relationship type so he is determined to stay away from her but again things don't always go as planned. The connection and chemistry between Carrie and Rafael is so strong and instant the moment that they meet but how will it all turn out for them in the end. Omg I absolutely love this book with all its twists and turns and I couldn't put this book down as it was so addictive and I can't wait to read the next book in this amazing series. This is the first book that I have read by Fiona Murphy but definitely not the last as it was so well written and definitely worth reading and I can't wait to read more of her books in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2021
5 STARS for Rafael ( The Castillo Family ,#1 )
ARC received from Booksprout and author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
Several things I really liked about this book - all in all a terrific read !!
Great cover - definitely a great visual of Rafael
Awesome characters and secondary characters
Really interesting storyline
Relatable family issues
Strong heroine
Great chemistry
HEA
Carrie meets Rafael Castillo when she goes to see the successful billionaire to discuss not pressing vandalizing charges against her brothers. Their attraction is immediate but Rafael insults her by assuming she is part of the problem not knowing how much Carrie has given up in her young life to care for the twins after her mother’s death. Rafael eventually wants to pursue a relationship but one that stays in the bedroom even though his love for Carrie grows - he is a bit clueless on how to “act” - having been burnt in the past with a prior relationship.
I love how strong Carrie is because she needs to be by putting everyone else’s needs above her own.
I read this book in just one sitting and I will be looking forward to checking out more books by this author as well as others with characters in the Castillo Family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ARC received from Booksprout and author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
Several things I really liked about this book - all in all a terrific read !!
Great cover - definitely a great visual of Rafael
Awesome characters and secondary characters
Really interesting storyline
Relatable family issues
Strong heroine
Great chemistry
HEA
Carrie meets Rafael Castillo when she goes to see the successful billionaire to discuss not pressing vandalizing charges against her brothers. Their attraction is immediate but Rafael insults her by assuming she is part of the problem not knowing how much Carrie has given up in her young life to care for the twins after her mother’s death. Rafael eventually wants to pursue a relationship but one that stays in the bedroom even though his love for Carrie grows - he is a bit clueless on how to “act” - having been burnt in the past with a prior relationship.
I love how strong Carrie is because she needs to be by putting everyone else’s needs above her own.
I read this book in just one sitting and I will be looking forward to checking out more books by this author as well as others with characters in the Castillo Family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2021
I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Carrie is struggling after relocating and raising her twin brothers. There is always some mayhem they are causing her. This time they damaged some equipment and the owner is determined to prosecute them and it will mean them taken. Rafael and Carrie meet when she comes to beg leniency for her brothers. That does not go over quite as planned. He never saw her coming and she was a shock to his system. No matter what he feels for her, he is committed to having no commitment. Carrie plans to do whatever it takes even if it is lying to him and herself. Rafael can only deny his feelings for so long because he has fallen hard. These two have a lot of obstacles in their path to happiness. They have to admit what they want and let the past go.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews