Teach Me

Ciccone Brothers #2

by Sade Rena

Everyone calls me baby, but to her I'm daddy. A single encounter we would never speak of was all it took for me to want more. She’s off limits. My teacher. Seventeen years my senior. And married to a man with a vendetta against my family. She told me to stay away–for her protection and mine–but none of that matters because I’m a Ciccone. Rules don’t apply to me. They’re set for me to break. But when her past merges with my present and everything starts to unravel, things reach a new level neither of us expected. With old lives lost and new ones forming, I’m unsure where she and I stand.
TEACH ME is the second full-length book in the Ciccone Brothers series and is a stand-alone novel complete with a HEA . Please the books in this series contain mature content (18+), graphic violence, and may contain triggers that may be offensive to some readers.

Genres: Dark, College, Romance, M F Romance, Dark Romance, Age Gap Romance, Interracial Romance

494 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2022

About the author

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!

Visit www.saderena.com
Join the mailing list for updates- https://www.saderena.com/email-list
Facebook and Instagram -@saderenawrites

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

New to town and the university, Ivy Gallo has an interesting exchange with Ashton “Baby” Ciccone at a faculty party. The youngest of the Ciccones and the quintessential bad boy, he offers Ivy a one night reprieve from her stifling life.

“…tonight, I just want to be in the same space as you. I want you to see what it could be like to choose me.”

Despite the difference in age and the forbidden nature of a relationship, there is an undeniable attraction between them. Teach Me is their angsty and intense story.

There’s a lot happening in this installment of the Ciccone Brothers series, but I don’t want to say too much and give anything away. You’ll really want to go in pretty blind with this one, if possible. That said, when I tell you that I went through every emotion, it’s no lie. BL and Sade have taken a trope that I absolutely never read and turned it into one of my favorite books this year.

I’m not even going to mention the WTAF at the end. 🤯 Just read it so I have someone to theorize with!!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: 😩😭🤬😍😳
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥1/2
Dark: 🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶

🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance Suspense

✨ Tropes: Mafia/Bratva/Crime Family, Reverse Age Gap (35-19), Forbidden, BWWM, Bad Boy

⛔️ Warning: This book 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: Chėating, Dömėstic ViöIencė, UnåIiving. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in.

📣 Type: Teach 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.

[Heather]

Wow! I feel like I need a cold shower....

I just read Baby from the Twisted Christmas Anthology and it was AMAZING! I NEED the rest of this story now. I honestly don't know how I'm going to be patient enough.

[Valentina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Hot romantic suspense

Bored and uncomfortable at a faculty Christmas party, Ivy, trapped in an abusive marriage with dreams of escaping, bumps into "Baby" Ashton Ciccone and the sparks fly. Does she give into temptation with a sexy, tattooed 19-year biker, 16 years her junior? Heck yeah! And so this sizzling, forbidden romance unfolds.

Married for seven years, by appearances Ivy and Jerry are a power couple; she, a professor of criminology, and he, prominent and a newly appointed district attorney. Ivy, putting on a face on for the world, becomes infatuated with Ashton while he falls hopelessly in love with her. The attraction in this tale is heady and so forbidden, and it's that much more palpable, from gazes in classroom, to sensual light touches and stolen kisses. Spice level was 3.5 / 5 with some sexy Mommy / Daddy talk. Age was only a number, for sure.

A progressive, mature storyline, which happened to be interracial relationship -- which I loved -- while at the same time not making it a plot fixture, which I was also happy about. Neither was the age-gap harped upon, although it was recognized. I wouldn't characterize the book as dark rather having some dark elements, including that controversial scene. Yes, it set my dark heart aflutter. Despite that, the style was largely a contemporary romance with a young, hot, and slightly impulsive, devoted hero and an emotionally torn, attractive heroine. A light mafia backdrop was cast over their relationship. There was some hints laying the groundwork for a future book as well as elements from previous books, but it read well as a standalone. I found the pace medium and the story, absorbing.

There were times where, despite what transpired in their relationship, I felt the heroine unwarrantedly push back too much and could have relented, which was bothersome. I understood her fear, but Aston was no Jerry. Throughout the story, all he wanted was to love and take care of her completely, keep her safe. Admittedly, I love an antihero of a dark romance. Ashton, having all the appearances and behavior of a bad boy -- unconventional, tattoos, biker, 420, and alpha with an underlying darkness, was sweet with a cautious older Ivy. Not over the top, but there was hot great moments of jealousy both from the hero and the husband. And the beauty of the characters was that everyone was flawed in some way.

I wasn't prepared for the cliffhanger ending. I can't call it a twist because there was nothing to foreshadow, no planted clues, that would hint at such an ending. It was more a decision. Still, it was intriguing, and the ending was a happy for now. Overall, I really enjoyed this story, loved the reverse age-gap and the characters wrapped in a romantic suspense thriller with mafia influence. Definitely curious what their future holds.

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5)
Trope: taboo, student/teacher, reverse age gap
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I LOVE me some teacher/student reverse age gaps and this one definitely has made it to the top of my list! Ivy is in a seemingly perfect relationship with a well respected, but verbally and physically abusive man. Constantly feeling trapped, she impulsively jumps on the back of the motorcycle of a young man she meets outside a faculty party at the new school she works at. Ashton "Baby" Ciccone is a mafia son AND her student. Their chance meeting sets into a motion a series of events that will send you on a total roller coaster ride of emotions.

Just wow! LOTS of triggers in this one, but the ride is totally worth it. Well written and well paced. Momma/daddy thang that I totally didn't know I needed, lol. Baby is super hot, j/p, and angry Ivy isn't all in right from the start. And right or wrong, our bad boy makes her pay. The only thing I was a little "meh" on was Ivy's well deserved grovel from Ash. Does she take him back right away? No (thank God), but I would have liked to see a bit "more". Other than that, total smoking perfection! The book does end on a total surprise cliffy, not for their relationship, but for the series. Cannot WAIT for the next book!

[Well Read Nurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW on page DV on page Non Con


Momma its my new need!
I need a man to call me mama! All I picture is Rio and I melt!

1st everyone is legal sooo hush!


This is a spicy reverse age gap! I adore Ivy and her pride in her job! Being one of the few Black female profilers is amazing! I love how Baby is so moved by her beauty but obsessed over her intelligence!

Baby and Ivy meet when he sneaks into a faculty party and he over hears her husband making excuses for standing her up! He sees a beautiful woman stuck and tells her to let go for one night! She reluctantly agrees and has the time of her life! But for baby one night only gave him and addiction!



The fucking twist on the last page was brutal!!!!!! I was like you got to be shitting me!!!!

[London · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars BABY!! Now be warned to check your triggers but this had me up way to late, had me swooning and biting my nails in equal measure and had me gasping at the last couple of pages. This whole series has been a revelation to me but Baby's book was so good. How he was obsessed with Ivy and not just her looks but her brains too, how he spoke to her?? Phew. This is an age gap, student teacher romance set in the mafia world with plenty of spice. And I cannot WAIT for the next one. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.

[Brandy Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is dark, twisted, and intense. Baby and Ivy had great chemistry. The whole Momma/Daddy thing isn't my cup tea but other than that these two definitely brought the heat. I love how Baby is attracted to not only her beauty but her intelligence as well. This reverse age gap, student teacher romance is well written with angst, emotions, and page turning suspense. I did not see the twist at the end coming at all. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

A single encounter we would never speak of was all it took for me to want more. She's off limits. My teacher. Seventeen years my senior. And married to a man with a vendetta against my family. She told me to stay away-for her protection and mind-but non of that matters because I'm a Ciccone. Rules don't apply for me. They're set for me to break. But when her past merges with my present and everything starts to unravel, things reach a new level neither of us expected. With old lives lost and new ones forming, I'm unsure where she and I stand.

This is the second book in the Ciccone Brothers Series. You can read this book as a stand-alone but it is a little dark so you will want to heed the warnings in the beginning of the book. It will contain some triggers for some readers.
Ivy Gallo is new to town and the university. At a faculty party she has a very interesting exchange with Ashton "Baby" Ciccone. Ashton is a bad boy who is the youngest of the Ciccone brothers and yes they call him Baby. He has an offer for Ivy and wants to get her away from her family who are all up in her business and life. One night with him. These two have an age gap but they also have a forbidden element as he is her teacher and they two have some serious fire between them too. This is a story that is intense and has angst and you are going to be on an emotional rollercoaster that you do not want to get off of. There is a lot too, going on in this book and you will love every single second of it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delectably twisted

Like a literary tug of war between two incredibly hot and alluring people. Baby was my favourite. He could charm the habit off a nun. Ivy was good but seemed a bit lacklustre in comparison to Baby. Regardless, this is still quite impressive for a reverse age gap, student/ teacher romance. The dark and twisted undercurrent made for quite the intense read. I can’t wait to read more from these brilliant authors!

[Jacqueline (on brand) · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Rosa Dunahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teach Me is age gap romance with mafia twist. Ashton aka Baby sneak into party for faculty where he meets Ivy. They immediately hit it off and one night together. Baby couldn’t get enough of Ivy. He became obsessed with her even though she is married to the man that has vendetta against his family. He is her student but that doesn’t stop her from wanting him. And their relationship is wrong on so many levels, but they can’t and will not stop from see each other. But be prepared for a cliffhanger end.

I love their story and I can’t wait to read the rest of series. Both authors did a remarkable job with story and characters. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

[afton donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It’s a reverse age gap which I haven’t read many of. It’s a standalone of Ivy And Baby’s story but it’s book 2 in the Ciccone series. Sade Rena and BL Mute did an awesome job! I couldn’t put this book down! I loved Ivy and Baby’s teacher/student relationship. There’s lots of twists and turns. That ending though!! Whew 🤯 It had me saying WTF!! I can’t wait for the next book!

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I honestly haven't read a lot of reverse age-gap stories, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Ivy is almost 36, and Ashton (aka Baby) is 19. This one also had some mystery/suspense thrown in, which made it a really interesting story, and I absolutely love these authors' writing styles. The Ciccone family is an interesting bunch! Looking forward to more stories from this family, but in the meantime, this one is definitely recommended!

[Bookworm Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good - I really did enjoy the fact that Baby loved Ivy's brains equally, if not more than, her beauty. I definitely don't read too many reverse age gap romances, and especially when the gap in age is this much! I was pleasantly surprised though - the chemistry was pretty good, but a bit rushed, and the story was entertaining.

[Kayla W · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to the reverse age gap books but thought it was done well. There are dark themes in this so check the trigger warnings and be prepared for a lot of angst and twist and turns!!! Excited to see Emilio's story next!

[tej · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 and that's being generous. Did I just get April fooled?

[Jessica Cieszlak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read a snippet of the beginning of this book in the Christmas anthology Twisted, and I absolutely loved it. I was excited for the full release, wondering exactly where Baby and Ivy's story was headed, and had fun theorizing the direction it would it take.

I'll start out by saying that the cover is nice, but it throws me because that's not how I imagine Ivy at all. She's 36 years old, and the woman on the cover looks mid 20's at most. Now, I completely understand that there is not only a shortage of good cover models to choose from without shelling out a ton of money, but there is a severe shortage of black cover models, so this isn't a complaint toward the author, just the lack of diverse stock photos and models willing to pose for romance book covers!

***I'm including a trigger warning list for the book because there isn't one that I could find, and there really needs to be. This may not be comprehensive, but I'll do my best.

TRIGGERS:
-Domestic violence
-Rape (between main couple)
-Gore
-Cheating/infidelity
-Mild drug use (marijuana)

I apologize if I missed anything, but those were the major ones that should have been mentioned. I personally don't have many triggers, but reader sensitivity is very important to consider.




Moving on to the story. SPOILERS AHEAD.


What I liked:
-The reverse age-gap
-BWWM
-Abuse victim finding love again (sort of; it's complicated)


What I struggled with lies ahead.

It is advertised as a stand alone, and while it can be read as such, it is part of a series, and you can tell. I was missing information, and because I didn't read the books before this one, I can't say if the information I want is in them or not, but I needed more background on how exactly this is a mafia book. Diving into bits of the family's history, things they've done, their ruthlessness in the past really helps build credibility in terms of mafia-based stories, even if it's presented in short comments or quick flashbacks. I assumed I got so little because Baby is, well, the baby of the family, and he's been kept separate from it all, but we could have gotten those juicy tidbits from even Ivy's husband at some point while he was building his case against them. A case we keep getting told exists, but not what's in it or why.

I also felt there were a few good opportunities to reveal "plot twists" and they ended up falling flat. There was a disconnect between the characters for me, a lot of inner dialogue that was contradictory and repetitive, and things I wanted to be more fleshed out, which is what led me to believe that while this can be read as a stand alone, you'll have to read the books prior and the rest of the series to get the full picture the author is trying to paint here. Not to mention a HUGE cliffhanger that basically just cuts the story off at a pinnacle part.

My most unfavorite part was the scene in Ashton's bedroom when Ivy snuck away in the night after a huge fight with her husband, and it turned into a shit show. Ivy had a plan to go there and tell him everything, and ended up changing her mind. She then wanted him to "help her forget" which, to me, was irritating, because he was concerned and frustrated that she wasn't opening up to him--she was using him as an escape, and I didn't care for that at all. And then it escalated, ending in Ashton losing control and raping her. This was unexpected and just terrible. I don't care if Ivy's body "betrayed her" by physically responding to what he was doing, she was vocal about telling him to stop and that she didn't want him, therefore, it was full-on rape.

For many readers, something like that makes a character irredeemable. It's not something you can convince them deserves a second chance. Ivy is an abused woman--that is a line that should have NEVER been crossed by the H--the one man who is supposed to be different. Things that are important when it comes to a reader investing in the main couple in a story is trust, safety, love and romance, and perseverance through travails, and all of that was shattered when Ashton was written to violate Ivy. It made him just another man who couldn't control himself and took it out on the woman he claimed to love so deeply (even though he refused to say it).

After that scene, I started to question whether this book had the HEA the author promised. I wanted Ivy to say screw this shit, pack some bags, and leave them all. Nah, girl, you need a break from men altogether; get in the car and drive far, far away and go find yourself again somewhere else. I don't care how sorry he was or how shocked at his behavior he was or how many times he said he agreed that what he did was unforgivable, it didn't make me like him again. I tried to keep in mind that through it all, he IS only 19, but it wasn't enough to excuse a lot of his behaviors. Some of it was on par for a young adult, but the rest just soured my view of Ivy and Ashton as a couple.


To be honest, this story read a lot like a Lifetime movie.

Some light editing is needed for typos and continuity errors.

[LoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNPUTDOWNABLE!!!


Just... WOW!
I totally did not see that coming!
Loved this Teacher/student Reverse Age Gap!
Sizzling and Intense.
Definitely Recommend 🔥

[Willie Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Ciccone Brothers series. The first 2 were prequels (Papa’s and Kenley’s stories) and Book 1 was Easton’s story.

This is Ashton AKA Baby’s story. Baby is college student and Ivy is a Criminology professor and is married to the District Attorney who has a vendetta against Baby’s family.

This is a mafia student teacher romance. You meet more of the Ciccone’s family get more insight of their dynamic and tragedies.

Definitely twist and turns and leave off in a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for Book 3 Dance for Me (Emilio’s story)

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not what I was expecting and it is definitely dark but it was so good.

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in after seeing this gorgeous cover float around IG and knew I had to read it. There are a few books prior in the series but it’s definitely a standalone. It also claims to have a HEA ending but I am going to just say it. Not really. Yes it is a somewhat happy ending but not the happy ever after I was expecting. I assume we haven’t seen the last of Baby and Ivy as some serious crap got dropped on their laps in that crazy ending. Like, did not see that coming kind of crap. But also some kind of saw that coming crap. Yeah. Just whoa.

The heat was ferocious in this book. It consumed me and my every free moment. Had me reading wherever and whenever possible. So I am trying to decide if it was a quick read or I just devoured it quickly. Either way, it was delicious and steamy and completely and utterly everything that I want in a dark romance.

Be prepared. It gets ugly towards the end. Dark romances tend to be that way. You may look differently at a certain character after his actions cause some major heartbreak. And this all goes back to is it really a HEA. But even still, love him and loved the story. And I need the next one. I need to know if what happened at the end gets any mention in the next book staring Emilio. 4.5 Stars.

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Read To Me i couldn't wait for more of this series! As soon as this second installment was announced i was so excited! I added it to my TBR List right away. I picked it up as soon as i could and got right back into the Ciccone Brothers world! I so enjoyed this second book!

Ivy and Ashton (Baby)'s journey grabbed my attention from the get go! I really liked how these two were brought into each other's lives. I wasn't sure what all to expect in their story and it definitely kept me on my toes. The chemistry between these two was great and filled with heat!

I couldn't get enough of the whole forbidden aspect! I was so happy to be back in this world as well!

With Teach Me, Ms.Rena and Ms.Mute have created such a good and dark read you won't want to turn away from! This is such an awesome duo! I can't wait to dive back into the Ciccone Brothers world with the next installment, Dance For Me!


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from The Hatters Author Services / the authors*

[Wolf Kotur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this! It was intriguing and kept me hooked. I'll admit, in the beginning, the writing feels a little awkward to me, as if it didn't flow that well. I almost did something I RARELY do; set the book aside and not finish it. However, I was curious to see what happened and I love the concept so I kept reading, and I'm glad I did. It flows much better as you get farther into the book and now I'm definitely going to have to read book three. Although I suppose I should also read book one.

I love the Rio vibes Ashton has and his snark and fierce possessive and protectiveness.

The only real problem I had with the book, is the layout of it feels awkward to me because of how big the font is and the size of the book being between a small paperback and a larger paperback, it makes the book read like there isn't a lot per page. I don't know if other people had this problem, but my copy is defective in how it's printed; the blurb in the beginning is printed twice, and when you reach chapter five, the blurb is added in again and the chapter numbers start from "chapter one" rather than "chapter six".

[Mrs Book Bae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read a part of this story in the Twisted Christmas book and immediately wanted to read the full story.

I waited months anticipating the full story and couldn't wait to dive into it. There were some good moments but overall I was disappointed. The first part of the story was written so beautifully and even about half way I was still into it but closer to the end it just seeemed sped up and then we were left with a huge cliff hanger at the end that just made absolutely no sense to me.

I wish I could rate it higher but I felt like eventhough the writers did capture my attention the story didn't give what it was supposed to.

[Books on Stereo · Rating 5 out of 5]

S Rena and BL Mute expertly craft a compelling, steamy, and romantic AF narrative that expands upon the world and makes you desperate for more entries in this world. Teach Me does involve graphic depictions of domestic abuse, so please be warned prior to reading.

[Tranese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy and Ashton

Dark and oh so delicious. Ivy and Ashton are definitely my favorite from the Ciccone family. I can not wait to meet the rest of the family, and with an ending like that I'm going to be on edge until I have the next book in my hands

[Ashley]

RTC

[Susan-Justavoraciousreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy and Ashton (Baby)'s tumultuous journey is intense, raw and emotionally charged. From page one, their extremely sexual and sensual connection and bond is palpable. There was grief and healing, hate and love, abuse and survival. My first full length read by duo S. Rena and BL Mute is well written, dark and decadent. Loved it!! Looking forward to the book 3.

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting age gap story!

[Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t expect the ending. This one is even better than the first and the series is getting more interesting. What a fucking cliffhanger now I need the 3rd book ASAP.