Reckoning: A Barresi Crime Family Romance

Barresi Crime Family #5

by Lux Miller

Redemption. Not everyone gets a second chance. Especially not at love. When I married Dante, I knew he would be a powerful man someday. I didn’t know that day would come so soon. Our marriage forged an alliance between the New Orleans underground and my Police Chief father, but old grudges die hard. And everyone I’ve ever loved is torn between duty and honor. Everything we thought we knew about the looming war with an old enemy is wrong and one mistake could be the difference between life and death. My marriage paid the city’s ransom, but the stakes have risen higher than anyone could have predicted… for New Orleans and for Dante. The lines in the sand have been drawn and I know where I stand, but when the dust settles on the battlefront, will love be enough to save us? Will we emerge from the shadows victorious? Or will our painful past finally catch up to us and condemn us?
This book is the second in a duet and picks up immediately from a cliffhanger. If you have not read the first book in the series, you WILL be confused.

The duet has its own HEA and can be read without reading its predecessor, but it is highly recommended to read the Emily trilogy first to understand the dynamics of the relationships between the characters. This book has mature content that is intended for audiences 18+ including situations which may be triggering for some.

236 pages, Paperback

Published July 6, 2022

Reviews

[HEATHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting and compelling mafia love and war!
by sewsummore

Dante and Camilla bowed to family pressure and married to consolidate a merger. They had an on again, off again relationship that went back years with a multitude of pain between them. However they had finally put the all that pain behind them, each of them finally accepting the powerful love they had for each other. In this, the fifth book of the Barresi. the family faces an old enemy and the loosers will be the family and the people of New Orleans if they fail. This book continues from the cliff hanger of book four and continues in the next book. The family are facing their biggest challenge yet. I cannot get enough of this series, the men a dark and dangerous with a core of steel but love their woman with all of their hearts. The romance of their love stories at war with the mafia oaths they made make exciting and compelling reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this series is like being on a roller coaster with all the ups and downs in it but you stay on enjoying the ride. Mainly because its one hell of a ride from start to finish. Even though Luca & Emily are in this book it focuses more on the relationship between Camilla & Dante. How there change of circumstances turn their life in a different direction. Add to that Camilla's brother Leo. Im wondering if he'll get his own book maybe?? Id love to find out more about him. I feel like we've only touched the surface with him. Still even though this series is dark and bloody in places you cant help but like Dante & Luca especially with their relationship with the women they love. So flaming good

[Shanna D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckoning by Lux Miller. This is a spin off series related to the New Orleans Mafia Romance (Barresi Books 1-3). You can read this one without the others, but it may be helpful as characters from previous series are in this one too. This story features Dante and Camilla and their long standing on/off love/hate relationship. This is the continuation from Chain Reaction, I highly recommend reading that first before diving into this one. A great contemporary/mafia drama filled with personal struggle, twists and turns, passion, and strong characters. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ky Jowdry]

Camilla and Dante really spoke to me on a personal level. I think Camilla feels a lot of the insecurities many women feel in their own relationships at times. But just when she would start feeling doubts, Dante was right behind her squashing those doubts away with his bold declarations of love. I love the way Dante’s authority and power radiates off the pages and Camilla certainly gives him a run for his money. This rollercoaster ending to this duet will leave you satisfied yet wanting to know more about the delectably dangerous members of La Famiglia.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Loda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again I expected more

Didn't feel any chemistry between Camilla and Dante. Story went back and forth in time but didn't reveal anything new about their current relationship. Didn't tie anything together and felt the conclusion was missing something like what happened to Parker. Luca made a much stronger don than Dante and couldn't rationalize why the author took that route. Didn't make any sense other than that's what their grandfather wanted which differed from their father. Luca was constantly saving and protecting his ass. Their sex life was one sided as well until the end where she was finally getting an orgasm. Hurray! All in all I feel the writer has more to come with this family.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante and Camilla’s story is a duet that starts in Chain Reaction ( Book 4 in the Barresi series) and continues in Reckoning (Book 5 of the Barresi series). Reckoning picks up at the cliffhanger ending of Chain Reaction and continues this great mafia tale. Reckoning has intrigue, suspense, action, unexpected twists, relationship ups and downs, and passionate love. I highly recommend this book as well as the first book, Chain Reaction, of this wonderful series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catherine Kroeger]

So much passion!!! Dante and Camilla together is like putting oil and water in a bottle and shaking it up! This is the second book in their story. It gives you more insight into the 10-year history to understand the love/hate that Camilla feels for Dante. We learn more about the Rossi family. I was blown away by the depth of their relationship. There are also some twists and surprises within the Baressi family! Though this book left us with a cliffhanger (I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!!!!) you will not want to put it down!!

[CS · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars


A sweeping well thought out mafia romance continuing the drama with Dante and Camilla. As their love and loyalty solidified, the suspense, betrayal, and intrigue increased.
I liked the way the author timed out the flashbacks tying in the long, deep history between Camilla, Dante, Leo and Luca.
Intense, intricate storyline that’s not over yet!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Theresa Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know its greedy but I still want more it's like a spell being weaved, these Barresi men have a charm all of it's own, Dante has a power over Camilla that can reduce her to jelly, but little does she realise she has always been his queen and now the stakes have never been higher, New Orleans is about to have fireworks of the deadly kind. A must read, everything I want in a book is here.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy Mccalmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the spin off series. It can be read as a stand alone but may get a little confusing. All the characters are great lots of characters from previous stories. This is a good mafia book. I recommend this book

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Lux Miller; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Camilla and Dante were told to get married to merge the families, there was betrayal, twist and turns with emotions that makes you wanting more.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh]

This book is steamy and amazing and will push your boundaries and leave you breathless!

I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing, and the ability that the author had to tell me a story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.

I received a copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although you don’t need to read the entire series it is going to be very helpful if you at least read book 4 in the series prior to this one. This book is the conclusion to Camilla and Dante’s story and is filled with suspense, action, drama, betrayal and love. Another great book from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars
I enjoyed reading this book. The author continues the story from Chain Reaction and I couldn't be happier. He is an impossible man at times - exasperating and yet compelling - all at the same time. But I think she is the perfect foil for him. She isn't willing to bow down and let him walk all over her. I loved this book. Great story.

[Jacqueline Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly romantic while being steeped in the dark mafia world of the Baressi family. As old enemies come forth, the losers will be the family and the city. Can the Baressi family pull together with the NOPD to save everyone? It ends on a cliffhanger so be ready for that. I can’t wait to see where we go next.

[Maya Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Once again I love that Camilla has knowledge of the mafia and is Italian. This makes her amazing in that throughout the book she voices her opinion and knows when to push her opinion. She also helps in explaining the way the mafia works. Camilla and Dante’s past causes her to have even more doubts about their relationship but Dante is there for her when she needs him the most. I love Camilla and how strong and independent she is!

There is action throughout the book which kept me glued to the book until I finished. I can't wait to see how the Barresi war with Parker continues.

[Justen Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smack dap in the middle of this second set of series has been exciting and things coming from left field. The twist and turns have left me hanging and can't wait to read more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anthia Clark-Felt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance in the mafia can be difficult to say the least. I loved the story-line and continuation of character development between Camilla and Dante. I really want to know if Parker is stopped! I pray that he is brought down...

[Chelsi Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

You did it again girl. I was captivated by the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down. I love Dante and Camilla and I just need more lol. The relationship dynamic is incredible and watching how each character grows just blows my mind. I can’t wait to read more from you!!!

[Jennifer Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the get go I just couldn’t put it down I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story just a perfect

[Tayra Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. It didn't seem rushed. This was sweet and steamy, full of romance and passion with great characters that were interesting enough to draw you in.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as I thought

Thrilling , hot and sexy, good characters and story lines, a well deserved five given. Recommend to all, thank you once again.

[Bryna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliff hanger

The book ends without really finishing the story. Does there plan work? I would like another book to finish this one off

[K. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great plot to keep your pages turning, and your butt on the edge of your seat... pay no mind to the cliffy, and be patient for the next book to do it all over again! Well done!

[Cynthia Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps drawing you into the Barresi family. I love this book and the series.

[Ada's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I don't know if I like the turn of things and even why it needed to change. But I guess they are saying luca didn't want it anyway so night as well take it from him. Not sure if I agree.

[blueyed_cntry_girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man can these Baressi men really get their woman. This book will have you on the edge of your seat anticipating what’s gonna happen. The twists and the romance not to mention the lives at stake. Can the Baressi family and the NOPD come together or has that ship sailed ? Oh the cliffhanger...

I received this as an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.