It breeds doubt, confusion, and doesn’t belong in our world. Something my father made sure of, and like the doting son, I believed him.
I guard myself…put my focus on corruption and fear instead.
But, Arloe—she was never afraid.
She fantasizes about men like me, except I’m real and my life is no fairy tale.
They call me a monster—a thief in the night created to cause chaos, but she’s always loved a good adventure into the unknown.
Perhaps that’s why she reads.
Read To Me is book one in the Ciccone Brothers series. It is a stand-alone Dark Mafia Romance, complete with HEA and no cliffhangers. Please note: the books in this series contain mature content (18+), graphic violence, and may contain triggers that may be offensive to some readers.
Sade Rena is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and Multicultural Romance.
A lover of all things romance, Sade enjoys spinning tales that are angsty, emotional, and sexy. Stories that sometimes blur the lines and test the limits of love. She writes diverse characters who are flawed, and maybe even a little broken, but either way, the men in her books will worm their way into your heart.
If you enjoy dark contemporary and dark paranormal romance, please be on the lookout for titles under S. Rena!
Arloe, the sweet and inquisitive bookstore owner, caught the attention of Easton when she found him tending to … family business. Instead of handling her as he’s been raised to do, Easton only gets himself in deeper.
All of the Ciccones are under the thumb of Papa “Eric” Ciccone and Easton is no exception. Once Papa sniffs out the soft spot he has for Arloe, he intends to exploit it for all its worth. In order to prove he still subscribed to the “Family over everything” mantra, Easton must prove he is fully committed to growing the Ciccone family empire by whatever means necessary.
Despite the short length, there is surprising depth to the characters and the world building has me looking forward to the rest of the series and getting to know the other Ciccone brothers better.
⛔️ Warning: This book/series may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care. It’s definitely NSFW or with a kiddo by your side. In fact, I would highly recommend you read this one after dark to avoid side eye or awkward conversations.
⚠️ Safety Squad: Mild VioIence, Impact Play, B•D•S•M. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in.
📣 Type: Read to Me is part of the Ciccone Brothers series, but can be read as a standalone. However, these books will be best enjoyed when read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Unable to read due to amateurish writing. With okay characters, and a story that had the potential to be good, but failed in the attempt.
EXCERPTS BELOW:
▪️ "...I'd prefer you wear your hair up." ▪️ "Why?" ▪️ "Because I don't need anything in the way when I'm ready to taste your flesh."(Cannibal much?)
"I stare down and my length, the veins glaring back at me. He wants inside her, and I can't wait to give him that."(Poorly written with a sentient penis.)
▪️ "I'm not wearing a condom. I'm clean." ▪️ She nods. "Me, too." ▪️ I meet her nod, knowing she can't see me and not caring that she spoke even though I told her not to.
With a hand around her throat, I slap the side of her ass so hard it echoes off the wall of my skull.
Arloe breathes out, her chest rising and falling like a rapture, but she doesn't speak, not right away.
Her breathing grows shaky, and her thighs clench again, but still, she's refusing to let go. But she will, it's right there, the crack that'll break the dam inside her, it's already leaking, and soon it'll flood over. And when it does, I'll live in it. I'll writhe, knowing I did it to her."
My wrist moves faster, and her pussy cries out for me. The sound of her wetness fills the air as she contracts her muscles and falls back on the hard surface.
"E-Easton," she bellows out around the explosion that is her climax.
"Excuse me." She frowns. "You don't own me." She grunts. "And I'm certainly not going to stand around while you flirt with some woman in front of me," she spits out.
This was my first dip into the Ciccone Mafia, I didn’t get to read the Novella “She’s With Me” yet but I do want to go back and read it when I get the chance because this world sucked me in! This is a mafia romance so there’s plenty to keep us readers interested and engaged. The Ciccone’s have a very complicated family relationship and their family is huge!! This story centers on Easton and Arloe. Easton is one of the Ciccone brothers, he’s very dark and doesn’t let people in easily. I get the sense that most of the brothers are like that since they were groomed to be mafia soldiers for their Father. Arloe is a book store owner who is feisty and finds herself drawn into Easton’s world semi-unwillingly. She finds out a lot about herself throughout the length of this book. The steam level is high and the scenes are more risqué but really well done. I enjoyed meeting this family and I’m looking forward to reading about everyone else!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy for an honest and voluntary review
Read to Me is a fantastic story, written by the dynamic duo of, S. Rena and BL Mute 💙 This story is a part of their Ciccone Mafia series. Easton and Arloe are amazing characters ♥️ Their chemistry is off the charts 🔥🔥🔥 I really want more of their story!!! I absolutely couldn’t put this page turner down!! Groomed to be a mafia soldier, Easton, is very closed off when it comes to other people. He keeps himself guarded. Arloe is a bookstore owner, who is drawn to Easton, and just the feisty girl he needs in his life ♥️ Easton’s lifestyle is very new to Arloe, and she doesn’t know how she’s going to be able to handle it, but these two can’t let each other go I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK 💙
This story is based on the Easton are dark and mysterious hero and Arloe are sassy book store owner who is not afraid to speak her mind. Easton is part of the Ciccone family. They were all raised to be soldiers for their father and will do whatever is necessary for the family. With this being said Easton is very intrigued by the little book store owner, and does not understand the pull he has towards her. Arloe is spunky and feisty she brings out a whole other side to Easton. Now don't get me wrong he is dark and dangerous when he needs to be. You would never think these two would be together, but she is the light to his dark. I loved watching these two grow not just as individuals but as a couple as well Arloe finds out a lot about herself while exploring a relationship with Easton. Easton also realizes there might just be a little bit more to life than what meets the eye. The chemistry between these two is evident from their very first meeting.
This story consumed me, made me forget about adulting, and kept me pulled under its spell to the very end.
It’s a phenomenal, dark and twisted story that is filled with intense moments, packed with action and bursting with undeniable and explosive chemistry.
The characters Easton and Arloe are sexy, dark and mysterious and I loved every second of their story and could not get enough of these two.
From the first meeting of Easton and Arloe the chemistry is explosive....literally. The temper on Arloe...atomic level. Easton is cool, calm, and collected until he isn't. But what do you expect from a Ciccone man.
Arloe dreams and reads about men like Easton Ciccone and now she's become his newest obsession. Rena & Mute have cultivated a fresh brand new Mafia world for readers to immerse themselves in. The Ciccone Brother's will surely ensnare you, at least one of them if not all.
If you haven't already I highly recommend you also read She's With Me, a Ciccone FF novella revolving around the only female Ciccone, Kenley. One of the spiciest reads!
Read To Me is a dark mafia romance. This is Easton and Arloe story. Easton is a part of the Ciccone family. He was raised to do anything for the family until he meets Arloe. She is a bookstore owner who is feisty, and she has this incredible chemistry with Easton. They bring the best out of each other. Their journey together is incredible and dark. Read To Me has some amazing characters. Both authors does an incredible job with the storyline. And I can’t wait to see where they are carrying this series. I would definitely recommend this book.
This mafia romance is dark, twisted and steamy. Easton and Arloe have incredible chemistry. Their story was hot with a lot of action and danger. I was drawn into this world and can't wait to learn more about the rest of the Ciccone brothers.
I loved this book! Although I'm normally not a fan of quick reads, this one was an extremely well-written mafia romance that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I honestly could not put it down!
I loved Easton and I loved Arloe as individuals, and together, their chemistry was off the charts. They just couldn't stay away from each other. An amazing read! Highly recommended!
I received an ARC from the authors, and this voluntary review is my honest opinion of Read To Me.
EASTON HAS MY WHOLE HEART! I loved this book so much! The spice was 🥵🥵🥵 the story was amazing. I loved Arloe (bad ass bish) my favorite kind && Easton could literally read to me any day of the week! Their chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS.
I love how Arloe was both intrigued by Eastons lifestyle but a bit afraid as well. Ugh I read this in a day and I miss them already. Go read this!!
Read To Me is a story that drew me in from the get go; and it was such a pleasant surprise. The concept of having a heroine who reads dark mafia romances crossing paths with the hero of the story who is in fact part of the mafia is what got me intrigued. It's like the books I love coming to life, yes to that!
Arloe and Easton are instantly attracted to each other which then slowly leads to so much more. Both are drawn to each other; he for her light and she for his darkness. And they just fit together perfectly and their chemistry is really good.
I love how Easton would do literally anything to keep Arloe safe and by his side. He is also good with kids and damn if that didn't make me love him even more. What can I say? Men plus kids equals me swooning like no tomorrow.
And I love how she loves him through his darkness and he can be himself around her with his demons and all! The way she kind of joins the dark side is a wild ride and I was all here for it!
"I wanted her to live in the darkness with me. I just never expected the light she would bring."
*I received this ARC via The Hatters Author Services but the thoughts are completely my own.*
A deliciously sinful read that will have you melting.
I absolutely love Arloe and Easton. I didn’t know what to expect going into this but it certainly wasn’t what I read. . This has everything! It has action, drama, danger, steam and swoon. It’s one hell of a ride. The characters are everything. Both complete opposite yet they work and their chemistry is off the hook. It was like reading plants gravitate towards each other and mesh so well that it was hard to believe that in theory they shouldn’t work but they do. I loved the banter, the interactions, how unexpected moments happen and how engaging they were.
It was an experience reading this book. The plot was great and had a good pace that allowed you to get lost in and have you completely immersed in this world. Everything was detailed incredibly well that there is a certain clarity to what you read. I have loved every minute of this book and I cannot get enough. I need more.
Arloe is a book worm with a sassy attitude and isn't afraid to stick up for herself. Easton is the bad boy jewelry store owner with mafia ties. One second he's hot and the next he's cold. She's getting tired of being kept waiting with one toe in the door because that's all he allows.
Arloe catches his attention the wrong way at first but never the less she leaves a mighty impression on him. Mafia boss doesn't appreciate Easton putting time into some woman.
Things get hairy. Can Easton choose her over his family? Can he let go of his mafia life style? Can Arloe move past his hot and cold demeanor?
When they are together or in the same room, the tension is so thick. The connection is undeniable. The lust is palpable. And it gets steamy af. Ugh, I love them.
SN: Easton is hott. Rings on every finger...veins popping out on hands and forearms...built....cocky....bad boy
Also...mafia boss has a cat named Chave who is my favorite. That is all go read!
Not the best one from this author sadly. I feel like the romance element wasn't right, it was more stalker bully gangster who wouldn't leave her be and then betrayed her. There wasn't a good build up, it was stalking, hardly talking, followed by them admitting they were un love.
I usually like s renas books, so I'll continue with the series but thus one didn't quite work for me. But then again it has lots of 5* reviews so it's just my opinion.
Loved it from start to finish, the characters were really good and the story line just flowed. I am hoping there will be more books about the Ciccone family.
Short and to the point. Insta lust y love pero igual es una historia corta así que no me quejo; creo que la historia tenía para dar más, el plot en sí es único. Easton y Arloe me confundieron algo porque de que este hombre le evitaba muchos temas y terminaba igual que ella de huh what is actually going on pero los capítulos del POV de él me entretuvieron. Amé ver a Baby/Ashton, me intrigó mucho en la antología de Twisted Christmas y tengo el feeling que su libro me gustará, en fin, me entretuvo así que seguiré leyendo el resto de las historias de los hermanos Ciccone. Jiji.
Imagine if you, an avid mafia romance reader, met a mafia man in real life. That’s the premise of this book! Pretty interesting. That’s what I liked most about it. I think Easton was trying to be mysterious and dark, and it just didn’t translate for me. I also didn’t like Arloe that much because we really don’t know much about her until the end?
Absolutely!!! Absolutely loved reading this mafia romance from beginning to end!! I loved the bookworm and mafia son vibe the author wrote here. The authors knew exactly how to deliver here and you will not be disappointed!!
This was a one sit read. I couldn't put it down. The attraction between Arloe and Easton was instant and although there was plenty of reasons for them not to start anything, they didn't care about a one of them. There was drama here and steam to satisfy. I cannot wait to learn more about the rest of the Ciccone family including going back to read the prequel novellas.
I was falling in love with this book at first, & then I got a bucket of ice cold water thrown on me. Arloe seemed like she was gonna be such a quirky no-time-for-bullshit heroine but she fell extremely short & immediately lost her back bone like 30% into the book. Easton was such a bland character, typical hero with no depth to him at all. I also got bored reading his chapters honestly.
I’m aware this is a “romance” book, if that’s what you want to call it. But there’s no love, no connection whatsoever except for them lusting after another the entire book. I’m not even sure if Easton actually liked Arloe, the entire book she was just used for his disposal up until the end. The push & pull went on too long for my liking, mainly on Easton’s side. I really wanted to enjoy this book, it had so much potential but it just fell short.
3.0 🫤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Bookstore Owner where they sell Mafia Romances meets actual Mafia dude. There was some wierd shit in this. I think it lost me when Mafia guy's brother showed bookstore girl's dad a photo of her being railed. Like what? Anyway. cool if you want some meta mafia romance stuff.
This was just okay. Really didn’t leave n impression either way. I like the concept of all the siblings being adopted by a corrupt person and kind of having to live that life. I think that in order for this really to work you needed more interaction from the siblings/father though.