After serving eight years in prison, the only thing on Demise “Ize” Rinaldi’s mental is the sweetest joy - Revenge. After killing his traitor of a father, Ize is ready to take his rightful place as Don and leader of the Rinaldi Mafia. The new young Don is in way over his head when his uncle informs him that he has to train and assemble a team of Made Men in a new city, Jagoda Bay. Demise is all for the banishment, confident that he can make it anywhere, but one more stipulation has the self-proclaimed Don almost wishing he hadn’t offed his own father. Demise and all his made men have to be married even to consider themselves a mafia, and time is ticking.
This is my first read by Lisa Austin and I must say - I was entertained.
After his father (the don) is unalived, Demise steps in to take his place. Demise is cocky and absolutely unhinged. He is so disrespectful but he gave me some laughs.
In order to seal his position as the don, he is tasked with leaving Chicago and setting up shop in Jagoda Bay. He chooses three men to sit at the table with him and assist in running his operation (Zo, Teo, and Rut). They are just as unhinged as he is. The kicker here is that they need to be married according to the mob. This is where things get interesting.
You do get povs from all the men and the women in their lives but for this story it flowed well and kept things interesting. The women were just as toxic and crazy as the men.
Don and Teo are verbally abusive and callous men. They treat people like objects to be directed, arranged and commanded. It is sad how Lisa Austin and most African American women writers create content that sexualize and compartmentalize cruelty and disrespect in the guise of love. How will Black women find healthy love and respect without role models? They seek it via the pages of a book. Can we please have Black men protagonists that don’t beat down the woman they will soon fall in love with? These men should have self respect and understand boundaries. Lisa is a solid writer and a good storyteller but this book was like reading disgusting rap lyrics that just go too far. Please Do Better!
Omgee this book had me rolling in laughter!! Matteo is a fool for all the mess he does. The Don has met his match!!! I love me some Mocha and Zo he just needs to leave that hoodrat!! Book 2 me
I have been going back and forth trying to come up with what I liked about this story and the one thing is it.came to.and.end..This was a story with a.cast of the most annoying characters. Everyone in this story was not only childish, but they were way past petty and just plain stupid. I think a.little.more character development as well as story. I think to much is done for shock. Overall not totally bad just not what I was expecting.
I’m so mad at yo ass for ts u dead wrong Lisa why would u end it like this u think we stress u out just wait til next week ts finna have u moving to Atlanta frfr
Whew Lisa I’m glad you took your time with this book here. I’m not going to give any spoilers but just know that it’s packed with everything and please don’t take forever for part 2! Daayum Daayum Daayum!
One thing this author is going to do is have you laugh out loud and even with as toxic as most of these characters were, especially the men, I was in her sniggling and giggling. On page, these shenanigans are entertaining, but in real life no parts of any of this would be cute - NONE OF IT! I was introduced to this author with some if her more recent books, so working my way back to this series and seeing how this relationships started has me in awe but also confused because all the FMC's are so much weaker than they are in later books. I really disliked how Ize talked to Damani and how Mateo treated Scarlett. And even understanding this is fiction, it turned me off so much that I couldn't like them- even knowing how they grow in later books and even with the weak car confession before the cliffhanger. Overall, this was a lot to ingest. There was a lot of laughs but there was also so much disrespectful dialog that it felt a bit distasteful. Also, the fact that none of the women got even 1lick back except for Azure is wack. Maybe book 2 will be better.
ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRRRIIGGGHHHTTT (in my Kevin Hart's voice) MISS LISA AUSTIN, BOO KITTY YOU KNOW HOW TO PEN A BOOK!!! Don't let no one tell you different! This was straight fiya! The characters, the comedy, the plot, tihs the whole book was just good. How you intertwined unforgettable characters from two previous books, is genius.
Demise Ize Rinaldi, got on my nerves the way he treated Desani. I understand that he was taking on a different role and had to prepare, but he could have shown some type of compassion or concern towards her. Him sleeping with old girl in their house had me wanting to jump in my phone and help her whip him. But his last chapter of him showing that he has been there financially to help her kinda softened me a little (not much, though). When Ize called that man the "Queer Hefner", that darn near took me out. I love him.
Zo and Mocha, I am so happy to see them working things out. I bet Teasha had something to do with that video being shown. I also think that granny knows that Teasha isn't pregnant with his child too, hence the reason she said what he said. I want Mocha to get her, her two sisters, and the momma and serve them a hot dish of karma. But I believe that Azure will help her with the mama.
Matteo and Scarlett, Matteo is a difficult creature to understand and get to know. I'm here for it! Scarlett's mama needs help, if not she's going to be an issue for them. Loving the way he took to Princess, lil cute self. I bet he's going to have her spoiled rotten. Scarlett, showed how much of a boss she really can be at the gala. Come through Scarlett.
I love how this author’s work is but this book was a little bit too much for me. I believe it’s because there were too many moving parties while I wanted to concentrate on who is supposed to be the main characters, Dasani and Demise. And because of all of the moving parts, the extended character became my favorite instead of the main ones because, I don’t have a full chapters with them. I mean, I love Demise and Dasani because they fall right into how I love my books, bad ass female with standards, will not take whatever crumbs the man will give them, and an alpha bad ass bae who is the man out there. But we got so much going on, that the development of these main ones is no where done. That said, I believe the book had huge potential it I try to refrain from having so many moving particles because somehow somewhere someone is getting loss in the fray. Matteo and Scarlet are my favorite, then came Mocha and her parents. Zo was just too weak or something while I don’t have that much feel on Dasani and Demise.
I loved this book from beginning to end. These couples are a mess. Demise and Dasani are a trip she wasn't playing with him at all until he got tired of her beating him and he threaten to beat that azz. Zo and Mocha makes a great couple as well I'm glad they finally got back together. I don't believe that Teasha is pregnant for Zo if she's pregnant at all I know she the one that had that video played and she just cause her whole family their life which I can't wait for them to get their karma anyway. Lastly but not least Matteo and Scarlett is a beautiful couple and I'm glad he finally beginning to fall for her she really do deserve love with all she been through. That cliffhanger my my nerves bad because I can't wait to see what happens next. I hope Dasani don't lose the baby. Come on through with part two.
I was looking forward to this series. The first two books (Christmas and daddy's baby) we're good reads. This book started off rocky with how repetitive it was. Once we got past that I thought it was looking up. But then came Teo and Scarlett. Two stupid characters doing stupid stuff. She is so stunted in life that she is actually turned on by someone that is basically verbally abusive. You with a man that put crushed up cereal in your childs bottle?! Way to go. At least Dasany was beating Ize ass for his disrespect. Because the way I would have tore him up for having another woman in the house. Diabolical. And let's not talk about the disgusting way she wrote about the gay character. Won't be finishing this series and probably won't even read any further books from this author.
Every ass whopping dasani gave ize made my soul sing 😭❤️❤️❤️❤️ Everytime they said the sisters surname I was like "KEKE!!" Outloud
Scarlett and Matteo are my faves. Matteo as a dad??? Omg😭❤️❤️❤️❤️"this shit bussin' huh?" He was so proud of himself. I mean he's a meanie too... But I can't get mad at that.
Zo and Teashas drama can suck my dick.
Loved the drama in book 1, I had started book 2 but might dnf it but I'm not sure, I'll see if that shit load of new drama piles up or we can breathe. Otherwise this was a fun read.
Edit: everytime I have to adjust to different variations of English slang I have to find the voice in my head that represents that slang, especially the UK and US ones. It's always fun.
These characters my word! It’s a crazy world and somebody got to live in it!
To be honest the Don and Dasani truly didn’t know each other along with the other characters. So all those dynamics got really interesting, because baaaaby, it was a tennis match watching these characters and I got a headache with all their back and forth.
All I got to say is Zo and Mocha knew better, but all most of these characters are youngins. They got to be aware of their environment because money talks and you know the rest.
Let’s see how this will all pan out, because somebody out there don’t want the Don and his crew to make it!
The overall theme of the book is great. I was thoroughly entertained while reading the book. Each character brought some different to the book. I struggled with Don a lot because he was so mean to everyone including his baby mama. It was hard to root for the couple when you cant see the love. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love a thug. Usually they are mean to everyone but nice to the woman they love. I wanted to love it based on the title of the book. I also like dark romance books but this felt wrong. Don kidnapped a pregnant woman, roughed her up and had sex with her. Yeah even I have some limits. I'm still going to read the next book based off the cliff hanger and my obsessive need to finish book series. Maybe it get's better in book two. Overall the book was okay.
Once again you didn't have to do us like that with your petty self, I knew I should've waited till part two lol it was good though OMG! I so engrossed in this book, I can't wait to read part two. I enjoyed reading the development of these characters relationships and of course it's hilariously funny, entertainment at it's finest and I know who did that scandalous stunt that tail gonna be in Trouble, Trouble (in my Dolla Bill voice) just couldn't let well enough alone!
I wasn't sure what to expect off the title and synopsis but this truly exceeded my expectations!! Ize, Lorenzo, and Matteo are the total package even with Ize and Matteo being meanies lol. I think Lorenzo and Mocha's story shocked me the most. Talk about a plot twist!! The last two chapters definitely had me like what is going on and what's gonna happen next! I cannot wait to read part 2 and see what happens. I'd love to get more insight on Rut and Azure as well as Micah and Scarlett's other friend too
Honey that Demise is a fool lol, but Dasani is definitely his other half!!! They are one in the same people but I think they are cute and they just need to finish the conversation. I hope all three them are ok. Zo and Teo are the funniest and Teo don’t want to admit that he actually like having Zo as his person lol. Scarlett is a lot, but have also been through some things and is doing her best to take care of Princess. And if Teo call her lol gas station one more time 🤣🤣🤣. Let’s see what part 2 holds
I want to read the next book but I kind of don’t I hate the way these men talk like absolutely hate ! Like I understand they’re coming from being on the block or whatever but other than mochas man , everyone seem like they hate women can we be frfr . lol then when I felt like they were being kinda nice nope saying something crazy . I have a love hate relarelationship with this one . I hear for the plot because I just wanna see what these girls go through .. matteo needs to learn to express his emotions..
These really some childish immature young adults. Iz impregnated Dasani to humble her because she had a smart mouth and at one time planned for her to be a single mother. Matteo has controlling issues out this world and Saffire just does whatever he says. I think Saffire’s father was a made man and that it will come out in the next book. I also think that Teasha was working at the gala with her sister and she was the one who played the video of Mocha and Lo at the strip club. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
All of these fools are crazy!!!! Rich, fine slick talking always on demon time dudes and let's not discuss these females who love them and how can they not to put up with this foolishness. I need all of them to get some act right Ize was on my hit list until the end and now I'm worried. Matteo is my dude but I don't know which one is the craziest him or Ize.
Part 2 need to drop time neooooooow Lisa stop playing with me 😆
I love love loved this book…I loved all the couples. my favorite is a throw up between Don and Dasani or Mocha and Zo. My favorite scene is the wedding when the grandma said she was making a blanket and it was a veil. I also loved that Don proof to be a stand up guy in that last car scene; but I was so upset how the author leaves us on the cliff… I can’t wait until the next book come; I pray it’s not a long wait.
I ain't got no words, but the ending tho like seriously. I can't even form a sentence on how good this book is and a page turner at that. I'm glad to read about these characters again especially Zo and Mocha. Speaking of then that gala was off the hook. But now Mocha has to answer to daddy. We all know that it was treasha who's playing like that kid is really Zo's. Can't wait for part 2. Ya need to go read this .
I have never read one of this author's book but baby let me tell you, when I started reading this I stopped and went and got another one of Lisa Austin books to read when I'm done with this cause I no it's bomb.com.... now that ending had my lost for words and I can't wait to see who out of the mob gone kill teasha ass for putting that video up for the world to see omg talking bout Petty but done messed with the wrong ones part two needs to come out asap
Man this book was so good I can’t believe everything that happened In this one book.. they each picked the perfect wife’s for themselves. But Zo Baby mama if it’s really his I don’t like her sneaky miserable ass. I think she had something to do with the video playing at the event. I hope Ize and Dasani are okay if something happens to their daughter it’s going to be a problem.
This book was everything. I couldn't put it down. Don is a special of crazy. Dasani doesn't take any mess at all. Hope they are ok. Scar has been through a lot, and then her mom was telling her lies, then comes around, and expects her to believe the words that are coming out of her mouth. I don't agree with her running. I need Mocha and Zo to get themselves together. I truly love this book.
This book was on from the beginning. I really really enjoy reading about the mafia. This Mafia that they're building is crazy. Between Dmise and the Dasanl's crazy relationship and Lorenzo and his wacked out other baby mama and her jealousy for Mocha, ans Mateo with his weird self these ladies are really in for something. That ending had me shook can't wait to see what happens. Great job author!
Sheesh! This was really good. Throughout the book, Ize and Mattoe was pissing me off but had me loving them at the same time because they were both so mean. Now it’s time for them to show the loving side to their mates. I don’t know how that video showed up at the gala but my instincts has Teasha’s name written all over it. Is she really pregnant and if so, is it reall Zo’s baby? I don’t think so. Can’t wait for part 2.
Listennnnnn this is my type of carrying on! I loveee a good messy, action pack series! This Don and his men are fool!! I love the small glimpse of Daylani and Rut and glad they doing good! Dasani and Ize lord they both need pray they crazy! Finding out who JR daddy is was shocking child. Matteo is so chilled and laid paid! He seem like he can really do some Damage. So far all the dot are connecting! That endingggg omg, I was ready to cry!!
Good writing and good story, however I wanted to punch Teo & Ize in the nose sometimes. Those two are literally insufferable. To be honest, it isn't what I'd call "blacklove," because at this point in the media we almost always see the black woman getting dogged out. Many authors write these characters as funny, when sometimes they are verbally abusive and abrasive. And to the cherry on top is many of the male MC's overdo it with the macho man, real n*gga mentality-getup.
When did you say is part two again? Tomorrow? Cuz guess what? After all that drama, all that waiting, all that suspense and all that good writing, I just want MORE! Listen this book was pure fire! Those men need to put the ladies in charge and let them be the muscle. Can’t wait to see what happens next…hoping it’s soon, VERY SOON🤨🤨🤨.