Buttons & Desire

Beyond Buttons #14

by Penelope Sky

Bosco Roth is a crime lord.
The owner of the biggest underground casino.
He's the kind of man who gets what he wants.
He's got the best poker face in the world.
Now he wants me.
When things become too intense,
I hit the brakes and make a run for it.
But one problem...he won't let me go.
Now I belong to Bosco Roth.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Romantic Suspense, Spicy

Unknown Binding

First published October 9, 2018

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Penelope Sky is known for her dark romance that makes you fall for her characters….no matter how dark they seem. Her books are being translated into several languages around the world, and she’s sold more than a million books worldwide. She lives in a small town in California with her husband, where she spends most of her time writing on the back porch.

Reviews

[Dallas Grier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my Bosco is amazing. That fight scene though. I wonder what is going to happen in the next book. Amazing reading. Penelope you done it again!

[Dai G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encanta la historia de carmen y bosco! Pese a que se parece un poco a bones, tiene bastantes diferencias que lo hacen unico.

No puedo creer que me falta un solo libro para esta hermosa serie.

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

rtc

[Dana Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of her books. Sure going to miss the barsetti’s when this series is over

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, this author's motto is 'same recipe, different names'. I'm still kinda eating it up, but also kinda not?

[Nada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. I can’t believe I just finished this series. I gotta say Bosco and Carmen are my favorite couples after reading about all of them. I think Bosco was the most respectful lover of Carmen and truly showed he loved and respected her and was really different talking to her (which was the only thing I hated in Vanessa’s relationship with Griffin) so for that Bosco is my favorite ❤️

[Lobke · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I LOVE Bosco and Carmen! I always liked the story of Vanessa and Griffin the most, but this one is cool too. Bosco isn't afraid to show her how he feels and I like that about him. He cares so much for Carmen.

That fight though, that was awesome!

[Karla ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bosco y Carmen, son mi segunda pareja favorita. 😍🥰💕

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le début a été vraiment lent, assez répétitif, mais vers la fin c’était intéressant, hâte de lire le tome suivant qui risque de me plaire :)

[Joanne Eglon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐

[Debra James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bosco is the man!

I can’t wait to read the conclusion. Bosco and Carmen certainly have an enormous challenge ahead of them. A great series.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this book was intense. I really didn’t care much about Carter & Mia, I wasn’t feeling it much with them. But wow I could feel the ferocity fire between Griffin & Vanessa. Loved how this story took it’s turn and how their story continued. Loved Griffin’s wedding vows. Also loved how the Carmen & Bosch net. Love this couple even more. You go through the emotions with them as well. Can’t wait for the next book.

[Jamile Marrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg..omg..

So intense..I'm sorry loving me some bosco..I just don't have the words...it seems in the past books the men have more balls to say how they really feel before the women...wow..love the twist...Bosco made it clear how he felt about carmen and she kept fighting it until the end...barsetti women are sure stubborn..something they both inherited from their dads..

What I'm wondering is what happens the cliff hanger is killing me...is she going to leave...is he going to change leave the life like Griffin did for vanessa.

The only thing I did not like Ms. Penelope is that vanessa wants to name her first born after her dad..I thought that was wrong it should be name after Griffin and if she wanted to honor her dad five the child crows as a middle name or name the next one after him..

I think that's is the only negative in the book.

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es un libro de ritmo muy rápido, y a la mitad se sentía como si le faltara algo. Encontré a Bosco tan exasperante y controlador como a Carmen muy sumisa y contradictoria.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

No ha estado mal porque, como siempre digo, Penelope tiene una habilidad para escribir libros tan sencillos que puedes devorar en cuestión de horas. Cierto es que al menos esta serie no está siendo muy buena porque prácticamente es todo igual a lo que ya he leído de la autora, pero sigo leyéndola por dos simples motivos: 1.Me niego a dejar una serie sin terminar cuando solo me faltaban dos libros para terminarla y 2.sigo teniendo la esperanza de que en algún momento Penelope me sorprenda. No puedes escribir 30 libros y que sean todos iguales. Los 10 primeros te los aceptaba y admito que tiene libros que me han gustado muchísimo como los de Bones y Vanessa o Cane y Adelina, pero estaría bien que en algún momento cambie algo. En cuanto a trama tenemos más o menos lo mismo, la escena de la boda podría haberse alargado y meter momentos más tiernos con la familia, ese final con Carmen declarándose porque oh, que casualidad, ocurre un atraco y Bosco debe salvarlo por 1782992 vez…luego está el tema del carnicero. Las cosas como son, me quedaban 100 paginas y las devoré sin darme cuenta porque yo esperaba que el Carnicero fuera un villano horrible que hiciera algo muy malo (para al menos darle acción al libro) pero nop. Aunque la lucha entre él y Bosco fue 👌🏻 También está el tema de Bones. Me duele que Bosco no pare de amenazar a los Barsetti todo el puñetero rato para tener a Carmen para él solo. A VER SI APRENDEMOS QUE NO ES UN PUTO OBJETO MALDITO LOCO. Agj. A lo que iba, que pensaba que Bones Daría muchísima más guerra o se enfadaría muchísimo más. No sé si es que Penelope quiere meter todo el drama en el último libro (y resolverlo en cuestión de 30 paginas. Cosa que me veo venir) pero yo tengo muchísimo miedo de cómo van a reaccionar todos cuando se enteren de con quien está saliendo Carmen. Pobre Cane JAJAJJAAJJA


Bosco en este libro me gusta un poquito más (tampoco es la gran cosa pero poco a poco me va convenciendo) es cierto que desde el primer momento la ha respetado, la ha cuidado y protegido. Y han tenido momentos que podrían calificarse como "tiernos" y con eso es con lo que me quedaré porque como me tenga que quedar con todo lo malo…Pero admito que en este libro ha estado más soportable. Ese momento reconciliándose con su hermano fue muy tierno y me encantaría ver más momentos de ellos. Si un libro tiene una relación de hermanos bonita ya tiene un punto.

Carmen tampoco ha estado mal pero no sé. Me gustan más en los libros de Vanessa. Al menos ahí era Graciosa. Es que se ha vuelto tsn sumisa…entiendo que esté enamorada pero tanto que se da de tener la fuerza de los Barsetti ten al menos los cojones para hacerle entender las cosas a Bosco. Que por cierto, tengo grabada en la memoria esa bofetada que le dio (bien merecida, por cierto) yo en ese momento solo podía pensar: THATS MY GIRL! Reina, no dejes que un hombre te trate así y amenace a tu familia por 68920202 vez. Menos mal que le paró los pies.


En cuanto a su relación pues ni fu ni fa. No sé si es que los estoy leyendo un poco sin ganas, si es porque es más o menos siempre lo mismo, porque tengo ganas de leer otras cosas o porque de verdad son una pareja bastante meh, pero no me están gustando tanto como yo creía. Y eso que es de las parejas medio sanas que tiene Penelope JAJAJJAJAJAJAJ pero bueno, tienen una conexión y una química brutal. Eso no se puede negar. Y ya sabemos como terminará esto.


Estoy un poco nostálgica por terminarlos tan pronto porque siempre tendré a Penelope como la autora que me metió en el mundo del Dark Romance y que jamas querré soltar. Siempre que he querido leer algún libro rápido y que sea medio entretenido, he abierto uno de sus libros y he encontrado lo que buscaba. Pero bueno, ya me estoy acercando a los libros por los que me propuse leer todos los de Penelope. Ahora toca ver como termina esta historia 🥹

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carmen seems to be everyone’s favorite Barsetti and it’s about time that she gets her time to shine. Her story with Bosco has only begun, and it’s anyone’s guess to see how this will play out. We know that he’s a protector just like Bones is, but we know that he’s got exponentially more power than Bones as well, so that means that there’s more fear and reason for him to be plain wrong for Carmen.

The journey that this installment of their story goes on is one where as everyone else has experienced, they deny how they feel – or at least Carmen denies it because she has this image in her mind of what her future looks like, of who her family will approve of and of what she will become. Bosco doesn’t check off any of those boxes, but what he does for her personally, the way that he makes her feel really does mean the world and it’s enough for her, but on her terms.

We spend much of our time watching the power dynamic seem to shift when it really doesn’t at all. Carmen always holds the power here, but she for some reason seems to think that Bosco does. She negotiates what she needs out of their arrangement, getting him to compromise on a term of time so that she can hopefully work him out of her system, but we all know that it will never happen that way. Even if he agrees to let her go, she won’t want to because they are so deeply connected now.

Every time that Carmen needs to be saved, she knows that Bosco will be there and he proves is 2 and 3 times more. He’s not intimidated by Bones and the authority that he has, there’s respect there but there’s not willingness to back down. This makes their chemistry even more intense, it makes what they are together more powerful and when it’s Bosco who admits his feelings first, well we see all hell break loose.

I think that it’s safe to say that we can assume that this story will go on the same path that Bones did, but maybe with stress in different places since the families aren’t so intertwined. I think that it’ll just be a unique path that we take to get to the same end point, and i can’t wait to see how the this resolves now that we know there are only four more weeks to the deal.

[Gemma Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love or family… which one will win?

The more I read about Carmen and Bosch’s tumultuous love affair the more I just want them to be together.

It has echoes of Griffin and Vanessa’s story but Bosco isn’t just a hitman for hire… he’s the man who hires the hitman. The kingpin, the ultimate boss and he’s right… there is no safer place in the world than by his side, but she knows that fact isn’t going to placate her family, and that’s the only reason that she is fighting her feelings for this brutally beautiful man. He has her heart, her trust, her love… but will that be enough if she loses the respect of her family.

Bosco is a utterly obsessed with his woman. He’d do, and has done, everything and anything for her. Treat her like a Queen and keep her safe and protected. He’d give his life for her… but even though he knows she feels the same way about him, she can’t let herself belong to him because of the fear of upsetting her family. It’s so sad. These two are perfect for each other.

Ultimately, she has a choice to make. To leave at the end of their contract and live forever with a broken heart, or to stay and risk the wrath and disappointment that could break her family apart.

Which one could she lose forever and still stay whole?

Fantastic book and an incredible series that to truly be appreciated needs to be started from the very beginning with Buttons and Lace. These Barsetti’s certainly know how to make life and love complicated!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Amazing! This series is phenomenal!

I can’t get enough of these Barsetti’s! This is book 14 in the next generation and this book continues the story of Carmen and Bosco. This book continues right where #13 left off.

Carmen is under Bosco’s spell, but she has triggered something in him that he didn’t know existed. She has agreed to be his for 3 months, but will he really let her go when their time is up? If you have already read other books in this series, you won’t be disappointed, there are typical twists which will leave you speechless. If you haven’t read the Barsetti’s….What are you waiting for? These men are all Alpha….the baddest of the bad! Yes ‘baddest’ isn’t really a word, but once you meet the king of the underworld you will understand! I absolutely love this series and can’t believe we only get one more book!

I am on the edge of my seat to see what happens next in Lover….

Hero 5 | Heroine 5 | Plot 5 | Writing Style 5 | Steam 5 | Romance 4 | Angst-Suspense 4 | Darkness 2 | Humor 1 | Secondary Characters 5 | Drama-Conflict 5 | Mystery 4 | Twists 4 | Action 4 | Pacing Slow/Steady | Dual POV | MF | Billionaire | Twists and Turns | Cliffhanger | Overall 5 Stars
#MSBB

[Donna Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

No 14 in the Barsette saga as Carmen and Bosco fight falling in love and those who will destroy the bond they have created with one another.

Personally, I could never write a saga as Penelope Sky has. Each one has a different taste which brings those characters to life. I feel at times that I could travel to Italy and walk into a flower shop and meet the gorgeous Carmen Barsette. She would invite me to lunch at a quaint little café down the road. We’d eat at the small table with flowers and candles surrounding us. We would meet Vanessa and Bones. We would enjoy After as we walked alone back to her shop we would meet Bosco and his brother Ronan.

Now Ms. Sky would have taken my simple paragraph and turned it into a chapter full of description that covers the dress, time, food, drink, conversation, weather, fragrances and all other descriptive terms to bring the story to life, and that’s what I love about her writing. She has never let me down. I am always hypnotized by every word. Even the one word that each character utters during sexual climax is unique to each person. Never used by another. Priceless.

I really enjoyed this installment and look forward to the conclusion of the Lingerie series. Thank you, Penelope Sky, for allowing me to be a member of the ARC team.

[PATRICIA GARZA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenía muchísimo pero muchísimo que no me enganchaba una serie así. Tengo los ojos ya casi rojos por no poder parar de leer jajaja pero LOS AME!...siento que ya soy parte de la familia Barsetti y casi lloro por haberlos terminado...

Estos libros son continuación de la serie de BOTONES pero 30 años después ya que tratan de los hijos... En los 15 libros es la misma historia lineal pero se van agregando los personajes y van contando sus historias..la historia es buenísima, llena de acción, sexo, hombres poderosos, protectores y mujeres fuertes e independientes... definitivamente mis personajes favoritos fueron las parejas de Vanessa-Bones y de Carmen-Bosco (se llevan casi toda la serie)... los amé...la historia de Conway (con él empieza el libro #1) estuvo buena y la de Carter no fue mi favorita, como que su historia estuvo solo en un libro y no me creí de todo la historia de amor de ellos, sobre todo de parte de ella pero bueno, dura tan poquito que las demás te absorben por completo.

le doy un 100 a esta serie y espero que todas tengan oportunidad de leerla porque es de lo mejor que he leído en mucho tiempo.

[La_Pire (TheWorstReader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I did enjoy the Lingerie series, probably because I'm a sucker for alpha males (in books, let's be clear :p). However, these books had too many mistakes, too many repetitions, sometimes a paragraph was placed twice in the same book, a whole paragraph! How does that even happen??? I felt like the author thought I was stupid or had a very bad memory because she kept repeading why the characters were attracted to each other, why they couldn't be together, why it was wrong to love each other, etc. Writing four books for the same couple is just absurd and unncessary here, one book for one story would have been enough!
Also the characters had the same way of talking, the same personnalities, the author literally toke the same characters but changed their physics and their background story a little bit and bam she had a new book.

However, I feel like this series could have some potential if she made it shorter, worked on her characters and had an editor (because I guess she doesn't have one?).

[Monique Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighter in Lingerie is amazing!! Penelope Sky continues the Lingerie series with another incredible book! She picks up where we left off with the story of Carmen and Bosco and indulges the reader with what we have been dying for! With this new relationship we get seduction, power, mystery, lust, and love. She continues to find ways to make us fall in love with Bosco, against all logic. He is sexy, dark, powerful, and egotistical. On the other hand, he is loyal, protective, kind, generous and caring. We get a taste of the underworld and the Beast within Bosco, and yet want more of him, (just like Carmen). I was on edge the entire book and could feel Carmen’s inner struggle as she felt herself falling for him. There are so many questions unanswered still and I cannot wait to read the next book!”

[Wall to Wall Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighter in Lingerie is the second to last book in this fantastic series by Penelope Sky. It continues on from the previous book with Carmen and Bosco.


Carmen Barsetti is fiece and strong. She knows what she wants, a husband and a family but she also wants Bosco. He doesn't seem the type to want to settle down, would she give up her dream of having a family for him?


Bosco Roth is a man of his word, he doesn't lie and he keeps his promises. Letting Carmen leave after 3 months might be the hardest thing he'll ever do. Will he still honor his promise? Or will he think of other reasons for her to stay?


Carmen and Bosco's agreement is starting to strengthen a relationship between them. What will happen at the end of the 3 months that period - will he let her go? Will she still want to leave? 

This series is an absolute must read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg is all I can say! This book was packed and had you gripped from beginning to end.
I thought no one could top Bones but Bosco Roth certainly can.
The relationship between him and Carmen is electric and the protection Bosco gives to Carmen is a man deeply in love!
Even the Butcher with him staring at Carmen and making her uneasy and following her didn’t end well for him!
I’m in desperate need for the next book as I’m rooting for Bosco and Carmen to be together. They deserve to be together.
I swear as the series goes on the story intensifies and gets better and better. This is one of the best stories from Penelope Sky, I love her books and find it hard with any author who can be any equivalent to her. Another gripping story that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen and Bosco's story is smoking! Their chemistry is blazing hot! They fight their feelings but how can they not act on them, when the pull to be together is so strong? They face huge obstacles from her family and the dangers of his business. Can they overcome all that is against them to find their own happy ever after? Does love conquer all? This is a definite must read! A one click for sure! You will not put this book down once you start It! I am eagerly waiting the 15 th book of this series! I am voluntarily leaving my review after reading an advance reader copy of the book. I do not want the series to end and yet at the same time I am excited to see what Ms. Sky has in store for us next!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

INTENSE- that's the only way these people do relationships. Bosco is a powerful and dangerous man, with a human and loving side. Carmen is usually fierce but he makes her weak. A lot of these relationships have similar issues with similar personality conflicts, but they are all also unique, and it just shows that they are all drawn to the same thing. Parts of Fighter were gruesome and shocking, and some parts were frustrating. But you can really FEEL the love between Carmen and Bosco. I don't know how things will turn out for them, but I know the next book will be an uphill battle for sure!

[Lory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I said that I had my doubt about Bosco. Oh how the tables has changed I'm definitely seeing him in a different light now. The verdict is still out on Carmen. She is still portraying as weak and it's really annoying. I feel the only time we see the true Carmen is when Bosco is threatening her family. I was so glad when Bosco called her out on it. Overall I'm still invested in this series. It's still enjoyable and entertaining read. Looking forward to seeing what going to happen next in the series. I voluntarily read and review this ARC no monetary compensation was received the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good example of Love and Power. Bosco fell hard for Carmen and was willing to do whatever she wants to prove he can. Carmen, being a typical Barsetti, continues to deny herself happiness for her family sake. Its getting kinda old. The Barsetti's bloodline is so strong that this will soon be a battle of power. But...ummmm....Bones, please stop being hypocritical!!!

As far as the writing, this book begin with a number of abnormal errors. I actually mentioned that I hope Penelope doesn't rush these books, hence the errors, but it got better towards the end. I cant wait until the Barsetti's meet Roth's!!!

[Michelle Bayless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This one was intense!

If you have read the previous books, this one is a MUST read!!! This book picks up where the last one left off. So if you’re wanting to know more about Carmen & Boscoe, you won’t be disappointed.

There is a scene between Bones and Boscoe I was reading so fast and absolutely panicking about what would happen! These 2 men are such amazing characters. Intense, powerful, but you can’t help but love them.

I’m really enjoying Carmen’s story like I did Vanessa’s. These 2 Barsetti women are remarkably strong, independent, intriguing women like their mothers.

I look forward to the next book but also sad that this story line is coming to an end.

[Elizabeth Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sad that this is almost the end of this series. May contain spoilers.

This book was even better than the last. I am, however, getting frustrated with Carmen. Even though she has all the evidence that people can change, and that he is willing to change for her, she won't give him the benefit of the doubt and even try. I did get nervous though when he was in the fight because I really thought he may lose. I don't know what I was thinking either! I see them both changing each other for the better. They have many quirks and issues to still work on, but I can't wait to see how she wraps it all up!