--- Love is sour like a Sicilian lemon. ---
The Family is always right.
The Family doesn’t forget.
The Family pays for blood in blood.
Domenico Acerbi grew up in the shade of Sicilian lemon trees ready to give his life for the Family. Ready to follow orders and exceed expectations. A proud man of honor.
When Seth, the younger son of the Don is kidnapped, it’s Domenico who is sent to get him back. The man he finds though, is not the boy he knew all those years ago. Lazy, annoying, spoiled, and as hot as a Sicilian summer.
Seth Villani wants nothing to do with the mafia. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a say when the Family pulls him right back into its fold after his mother’s death. Thrown into a den of serpents otherwise known as the Villani Family, Seth has to find a way to navigate in the maze of lies. But when Domenico Acerbi, the most vicious snake of them all, sinks his fangs into Seth, the venom changes into an aphrodisiac that courses through Seth’s veins.
Domenico knows his life is about to change when he gets the order to train Seth up to the role of future Don. Seth isn’t made for it. He isn’t even made. But a man Domenico knows he would never have to fear might just be someone he’s always needed.
If Seth is doomed to follow in his father's footsteps, he might as well enjoy himself--with the most intoxicating man he’s ever met. Maybe he can even fool himself into believing that Domenico isn’t a handsome sociopath who kills for a living.
The second part of this book was every bit as good as the first. It starts where part one leaves off, again Seth Villani is deep in the middle of something he doesn't want to be, with no way out. At his side is mentor, bodyguard and lover Domenico. The trouble is now they're back on home ground under the watchful eye of the current don and his men. A place where it is not okay to be gay or to fuck another man. Seth's heart is leading him somewhere it is very unsafe to be and he doesn't know who he can trust - not his family and certainly not the man with his heart, Dom.
This book is every bit as dark as the first one and I had no idea who to trust and who not to trust.Not even with regards to the MC's, the tale twisted and turned and loyalties were never as set in stone as they appeared to be. In a culture where even the closest brothers are fools to trust each other Seth is very much alone and fighting against this with all his being. Domenico might be there is person but I don't think even Dom knew where his loyalties lie.
Seth is forced into an arranged marriage with a girl he'd never met. The marriage was deemed to be good for the family so he had no say in it. As much as he dreaded it he could see no way out. His only relief is that he and Dom get to escape back to America for a while after. We know quite clearly Seth's feelings for Dom, despite the fear of being gay and seeing him in this situation, so out of reach of everything he wanted is quite heartbreaking. As well as dealing with this, not understanding Dom's true feelings and trying to be a person he really truly isn't, he has a price on his head.
Dom is the MC who even the reader doesn't quite understand. Until the last page I didn't know how he was going to play out and kudos to the Merikan's for that because sometimes so called twists are in plain sight from page one. I can't wait to read book two of this series and, as I said before, I would highly recommend these. Just be warned, these stories are about as far from sweetness and light as it is possible to get. I savoured every page though.
WARNING: Adult content. If you are easily offended, this book is not for you.
‘Guns n’ Boys’ is a gritty story of extreme violence, offensive language, abuse, and morally ambiguous protagonists. Behind the morbid facade, there is a splash of inappropriate dark humor, and a love story that will crawl under your skin.
Read the warning - but if you dare, read it anyway, the Merikan magic is at work and it is truly fabulous tale.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
For more information, check out Goodreads
I sent out an SOS just before I went on holiday asking anyone if they had read this series, as I was looking for a holiday read. No one had read it, so I bought something else. Big mistake from the looks of your review, just re-added it to my list. Bit confusing on Amazon with the 1.5 and 2.5 parts as the blurbs for book 1 and 2 are so similar?
ReplyDeleteParts 1 & 2 are really one book, it was just too long. However, don't let it put you off because they are both complete books and will leave you wanting more not feeling cheated. I've just read book 2 this afternoon and loved it as much as 1.1 & 1.2. Sorry I didn't see your SOS or I would totally have recommended them!
ReplyDeleteParts 1 & 2 are really one book, it was just too long. However, don't let it put you off because they are both complete books and will leave you wanting more not feeling cheated. I've just read book 2 this afternoon and loved it as much as 1.1 & 1.2. Sorry I didn't see your SOS or I would totally have recommended them!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the SOS, read three great books instead (two recommended by yourselves). I won't be put off, just added them to my list (again). Thank you.
ReplyDelete