The Casella Cousins Novella 4: Alessia
She married the love of her life at nineteen—and then he died.
He knows he’s not somebody she should get involved with. But he can’t seem to leave her alone.
Alessia Casella Benatti had her happily-ever-after and now at thirty-four, is only interested in finishing up college and taking care of her three rambunctious boys. But when she enrolls at City College … she enrolls at City College for her courses, she meets Dylan Davidson and finds him interesting, smart and, well, flirtatious. Which makes her start thinking again about love. And sex. Both in short supply.
Dylan Davidson hates what he’s come to do at City College. Sure, it’s a boy dream to flirt with every available girl on campus. Nobody would guess that big, tough Dashing Davidson wants a woman in his life, one who’s all grown up and not concerned with her looks or the color of her nail polish. But his uh-oh alarm goes off when Ali Benatti befriends him. She doesn’t fit into the job he’s here to do, and not only will he break her heart, but he’ll jeopardize a very important mission.
Don’t miss all The Casella Cousins Books: Hayley, Seth, Finn, Alessia, Gideon and Ronan from the NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author Kathryn Shay.
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Alessia wasn’t looking for love nor did she think she was ready but then Dylan starts to show an interest in her which she wasn’t expecting. I liked that Alessia decided to go back to school at thirty four as it shows you are never too old to change career or take a new direction in life but I really disliked Dylan lying to her, I get why he has to but yeah it still sucks. I think this is the most intense of the series to date as Dylan is after the scum of scum and we get glimpses of a victim and this cements why Dylan is dong what he is and you feel how torn how torn he is. I loved seeing all the other Casella cousins again so you could see whats happening with them and of course we get more teasers about Ronan, this really is an amazing family and are there for not just Alessia but also Dylan when they need them the most.
Book 4 of the Casella Cousins continues Kathryn Shay’s winning series. This is the story of Alessia, a young widow and mother of 3. She is finally going back to school where she meets a man who she is interested in. But…..he has secrets……Read the book, you’ll find out what they are and how things get resolved!
Another chapter in the Casella Cousins. Alessia. a widow of seven years and three boys has decided to go back to college where she meets Derek, another student. They hit it off right away but Derek has a big secret that might hinder them from going forward.
A quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Loved Alessia and Derek, great characters. Loved the element of suspense. Plus, it’s always wonderful to catch up with the Casella family.
This is a stand alone but might be better enjoyed if you read the prior books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. I have fallen in love with the Casella family. If I could move to Hidden Cove, NY, I would in a heartbeat. The author has done a fantastic job of creating this world that really seems to be “alive” in my mind. I had a hard time reading this one in that I didn’t want it to end. How to keep reading as fast as I can but not finish?
Alessia married her high school sweetheart but became a widow at a very early age. She is going back to school to get her teaching credentials. She lives near family and is very close to all. While going to school, she meets Derek. Derek is a widower with two children of his own. Even though his wife has been gone for less than a year, he seems to be dating a great deal. Derek has a secret though. It is a very important one and could get messy the more involved he becomes with Alessia.
This book has multiple appearances from prior books’ characters. It is like catching up with old friends again. I adored the dual POV format that this book is written in. This especially helped with understanding Derek and his secret. Also there is another POV that makes appearances in this book. It is one of another college student.
There is a dark theme to this story that really may offend some or is a topic not for younger readers. The “bedroom” scene was so highly glossed over that it isn’t something one should take offense to.
While this can be read as a stand-alone, I would highly recommend reading the prior books to really get the feel for this family.
This is the best book in the series. Both the plot and the characters are much better developed than the other books in this series. Kathryn Shay writes a great book.
Loved it! I’ve volunteered to review this book for United Indie Book Blog. This is the fourth book in the Casella Cousins series. This is Alessia and Derek’s story. Alessia is a widow and a single mother. She is going to college to become a teacher. Derek Davidson is one of her classmates but he is working on an undercover case. Alessia can’t deny her attraction to Dylan but he can be very persuasive. This story touches on some difficult subjects. This story was an entertaining, emotional. I couldn’t put down this book. I had to know what was going to happen. Can Derek keep Alessia safe from his case? This is a standalone just like the rest of this series. You will love this one, just like me. Keep up the awesome work! can’t wait to read the next one in this series.
I have really enjoyed the Casella Cousins series and Alessia was no exception. Alessia is a widowed mother with three young boys, trying to get her college degree and avoiding entanglements. Derek is on campus to do a job and definitely not to get involved with a fellow student. However, they can’t deny the chemistry between them and have to figure out how to work each other into their complex lives. This was another winner and I enjoyed reading it.
This is book 4 in The Casella Cousins series. A series that gets better with each addition.
Alessia, a widower, is raising 3 boys on her own and has recently returned to college to get her teaching degree. There she meets Derek, who is also a widower. They start dating after spending time together.
The only issue is Derek has a hidden agenda. He’s investigating a human trafficking ring. When faced with reality Alessia proves just how strong a person she is to work through the lows of a relationship and Derek, once he realizes what he wants gives it his all to make it happen.
The reality of human trafficking is eye opening and heart wrenching at the same time.
I believe that Kathryn Shay has a writing style all her own and this new Casella Cousins series is a winner. I love learning a little more about the rest of the extended family and how the all mesh together as a tight-knit family that always rally around one another in good times and bad. Alessia was widowed at a young age. She and her husband had dated all through high school and got married not long after. She has 3 children; Pete the almost teen and her twins Mattie and Mikey. She decided to go back to school and get a degree in education. Along the way she becomes friends with another older student, Derek. They start to grow closer to one another; then Derek pulls back and Alessia is heart-broken. There are things going on that Alessia doesn’t know about and being around Derek could put her in danger. A well written, quick read, with some mystery and intrigue sprinkled in.
ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars
Alessia is book 4 in the Casella Cousins series by Kathryn Shay and a continuation of this series!
Alessia Casella Benatti has her life planned when she married the man of her dreams, 3 children then the unthinkable happened…he passed away leaving her to figure out how to raise her children and move on with her life except it’s been very difficult. She’s finally ready to move forward so she decides to head back to school to finish what she started before she married…
Derek Davidson is one of her classmates but unbeknownst to her he has secrets but the more time they spend together the stronger their bond is becoming until the secrets are revealed and it all blows up…will he be able to explain and show her that she is his world or will they just walk away from each other?
“Alessia” book 4 in The Casella Cousin Series by Kathryn Shay is a great addition to the series. This is the story about Alessia Casella Benatti a widowed mother of three who goes back to college to get her teaching degree. She meets Derek Davidson who also is attending the college. Derek is an undercover FBI agent who investigating a human trafficking ring. His cover story is that he recently lost his wife and has twin girls and isn’t ready for anything serious.
They start to see each other which goes against all FBI rules, which could put Alessia in danger. But there is something about her that draws him to her ( and the hell with the rules). He finally comes clean to her about who he really is and she breaks it off we him as she can not deal with a liar. Will they be able to get past all his lies in the name of the job or is this the end for them? You’ll just have to read it to find out. I received a Arc copy for my honest review of this book.
“Alessia was such a breathtaking story. Kathryn’s writing is something special and Alessia wasn’t the exception. A wonderful story to read. It was short with lovely characters. To be honest, Alessia’s story broke my heart. After everything she went through she deserved to love again and Derek was perfect. They were like puzzles pieces that matched perfectly. I couldn’t put it down. Another great addition to the Casella Cousins series.”
While I enjoy this series and Alessia’s story, I personally was conflicted emotionally while reading it due to some of the topics. Most people will find this another enjoyable story by Ms. Shay.
Derek has a very special job and I love his drive to protect. I like Alessia, she’s strong and has a very kind demeanor. Absolutely love her support circle!! I’m happy she was able to step into a new opportunity to have love and companionship. I wasn’t really happy with how Derek handled a few things but they make a great couple. His job makes this a heavy hitter, gets deep which added a bit more of an emotional edge than I was expecting. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Alessia is one of the Cassella Cousins and after experiencing the death of her husband and high school sweetheart has decided to go back to college to pursue her degree. While attending class she meets Derek and for the first time since her husband passed, she is interested in someone. Derek knows he shouldn’t be following through on his interest in Alessia but for some reason he cannot stay away. Will Alessia and Derek find their way together or will the deception and half truths be understood and accepted or will it be too much to live with?
As with most of Ms. Shay’s books, tough subjects are tackled and handled with dignity in a way that brings attention to a sensitive topic. A wonderful story that I enjoyed very much. I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
Let me just say I loved Alessia and Derek. Alessia has lost the love of her life and is a young window returning to school to continue her education. Derek is also at the school but appears to be a bit of a player. He does pursue Alessia but there are roadblocks. Kathryn Shay has written a novella that is packed with family interactions as well as intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this 5 star read.
Alessia is a widowed mother of 3 boys who has gone back to school. She meets Derek in one of her classes and when he waits for her after class one day she can’t help but be flattered. She feels like she isn’t someone he would normally be attracted to so when he pays alot of attention to her and invites himself to functions she is attending she lets her guard down. But when he appears to be seeing someone else too, she decides that she was right afterall and he isn’t for her. He knows he should leave her alone, he but he is too drawn to her…but he isn’t who he appears to be and is confronted by Alessia’s protective family. Once all is revealed, can they have a happy ever after? Since this is the 4th book in this series, we also get to revisit other members of this large close knit family and see how they are all doing. Love this family and their support of each other as well as those that marry into it! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I enjoyed this quick read. I have been enjoying the entire family so far. The connection between Alessia and Derek was swift but very tenuous due to Derek’s secrets. I loved how both of them were quite willing to name the emotion between them when asked and, when push came to shove, both were able to see beyond to a future together. This is definitely an interesting story and series, and I recommend both.
I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
Alessia’s back in school to become a teacher, having gone back after losing her husband. She’s now a single mom to teenage boys (poor woman!), and though missing her husband, is to start dating, when she meets a gorgeous guy on campus. He gives off serious player vibes, though, so she’s understandably wary. But spending time with him soon has her feelings engaged and things are going along swimmingly…
Except, there’s one big secret that he’s keeping from her, and it’s a doozy that when revealed will have far reaching repercussions, not just on their relationship, but on impactful things far outside of their relationship. Will Alessia ever forgive him when the truth comes out? Will she want to be with someone in his situation? Is Alessia more important than his job? His mission?
I love the way Kathryn Shay handled this entire story, from Alessia’s single mother status to 3 teenage boys, to the very important, though secret, case Derek was working on. I felt right there with Alessia, she felt that real, and I LOVE LOVE how Derek groveled his way back into her good graces. This is by far my favorite of the Casella Cousines series, I hope the next is just as good.
This book continues this great series with lots of excitement and love. Kathryn keeps the reader on edge expecting something to happen. You can’t help but continue reading to see what Derek will do. Really thankful to have had the opportunity to read this story.