Come to the United States, they said. Freedom and endless opportunities for all, they said.So we did—made the ninety-mile trek overseas from Havana to Key West.What they didn’t tell us was how hard these supposed opportunities would be to obtain when you’re an illegal alien. A fact that forced both my brother and I onto a dark path in an effort to help our family.The difference between Tommy and … family.
The difference between Tommy and I?
He didn’t get caught.
Had I stayed away from Arcángel—the illusive, faceless mastermind behind the Upper Echelon—I might not have gotten caught either.
Now, I’m paying the price, rotting away at the hands of the judicial system and facing possible deportation after serving my time.
Can’t get worse, right?
Wrong.
Enter Andrés Bala—the new C.O. at the Annex who fits the tall, dark, and handsome stereotype to a T. It’s clear the man wants me, and I don’t understand why.
Why I want him.
I’m a criminal…he strives for justice.
So wrong yet so right, we end up crossing the line, and after a sneaky, whirlwind affair, he vows to wait for me.
The question now is: can Andrés handle la Jefa outside the confines of her cage?
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This book was AMAZING!!! I fall more in love with Garcia with each book of hers that I read! She writes the BEST characters! Birdy was full of adrenaline and all kinds of Sexy! Our leading Lady is one kicka33 little mama, who you instantly fall in love with! Benni blows in like a tornado, and takes all your emotions with her! This book is full of surprises and will have you on the edge of your seat with your heart beating wildly! You will fall for two men! Yes, our girl has gone and played with our heartstrings! I loved the bits of Angel and then I fell even harder for Andres… All kinds of forbidden deliciousness there! Let me say Birdy is part one of a duet, so That is the best news ever because you will be left wanting more of these characters! Benni has really gotten herself in a horrible situation, a mistake that possibly could have been prevented, but you know what they say…Everything happens for a reason. Benni is caught up in the world of the Upper Echelon and pays the price because she’s no snitch! I loved how much Spanish is wonderfully written into this book. I felt like that really made me love this book even more because I connected so much with her home/family life. Everything was translated so smoothly and it flowed beautifully. It just added to the sexiness and made the book even more unique. I’m dying for the next book, I can’t wait to see what’s coming and how our characters are adjusting to life now. I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Wow just wow….. this was my first read by Dee Garcia and I think I’m about to go full on stalker mode !!!!!
This is an intense and captivating read that I read in one sitting ,once I started I couldnt stop and boy does it start with well…a bang haha
Dee’s words pull you into a story that is full of heat, lies and deceit and takes you through the ringer of emotions. I was definitely on the edge of my seat in parts ,with not just one but 2 hot as hell alpha sexiness to keep your pulse racing and a mc that is feisty and strong this book is definitely going to be highly recommended it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger as such but it definitely leaves you needing more !! ahhh I need book 2
Oh my goodness! I don’t know about other readers but is it getting intense in here or what? I just can not wait to know what will happen next will there be a tough decision our Benni has to make or is there not one at all? We just need to stay tune for the next one to come and find out don’t we? It was definitely one intense read this one and I’m so looking forward to what will come up next I just hope that Benni finds her HEA.
OMG! Phenomenal, intense and utterly thrilling!
WOW! Birdy is EVERYTHING! Right from the very beginning I was hooked on Benny and her messed up story. She takes us on one hell of a wild ride.
Benny’s story is gritty, raw, emotional and highly erotic. Everything about it is utterly dark and delicious. Benny is the ultimate badass hardcore woman! She is a fierce Queen!
The connection and pull she has with Angel is undeniable but so is the connection and chemistry she has with Andres. Both of these dark and delicious men had me melting in a puddle on the floor! But who does she really belong to?? Who can claim the throne along side this fierce-some Queen?
I can’t wait to see how she reclaims her life and with whom she reigns the kingdom with. This book was amazing and I can’t wait to read how this all turns out in the end.
HOLY F*CK you are not ready for the masterpiece that has been unleashed by Dee Garcia. I. WAS. NOT. READY. Hurricane force emotions ripped through my body, heart, and soul while reading this book. I’m still not over this book. Still days later I keep finding my mind wandering back to this story and these characters.
Birdy is bad ass bitch and make no mistake you don’t fuck with La jefa. But there is whole other side to this girl who is also a vulnerable woman with a massive heart.
Angel, my love, my man he is legit everything. That man left me a hot sweaty panting mess in a puddle on the floor. He was a cocky, sexy af, straight up dangerous. Enigma that I could not get enough of. I literally ate up his chapters like a salivating starved b*tch in heat
My baby Andres is about to make you swoon so effin hard. Initially I was all #teamangel but then here came Andres all kinds of bossy and sexy and so damn sweet.
I know this is a story I will keep going back to and rereading for years to come. Dee created pure magic with this one, I’m can’t wait to see what happens in book 2!
This is an absolute must read and has made a place for itself on my top 2020 reads list AND my new favorite mafia book.
***5 Stars***
I gotta say I loved this book…but, as with most duets, I can only say so much.
So what can I say about this baby?
I loved Birdy aka Bennie aka al Jefa. This woman is perfectly imperfect and embraces it all. She’s sassy, intelligent and stubborn. She has her faults, and is well aware of them and how they could end up being her downfall, but once she makes a decision, she sticks to it.
As for the romance side of things…we have Andrés and it was hard not to love the guy…really really hard not to because he’s got that alpha good man thing going on and it was potent, but then there is Arcángel, he falls on the other side of the coin and is just as potent.
While the ending isn’t one of those “OMFG” cliffies, it definitely has me wishing Arcángel was on the kindle now because things are about to get all kinds of interesting for Birdy and I cannot wait to see just where everyone will end up when everything is said and done!
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
Received ARC from Author for Honest Review! 😀
I Give this book a 4.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 4!!
Cliffhanger(?): Oh Heck Yes!
Romance: 3ish?/5, as of right now.
Heat: 4/5
Drama: 4-4.5/5
Suspense: 4/5
I Need/Crave(!!) More Angel! Andrés! & Benni!
Love this book! Such a Good Read! I can’t wait to see what’ll happen in the next book!
And that Sneak Peek Looks so Good!!
I completely recommend this! I can’t wait for this to come out, I’m buying this baby immediately!
No Spoilers!
Well, Dee Garcia, one of my favorite authors, has done it yet again. I’m honestly not surprised as I’ve been quite a fan of her books for some time now. This book, however, was a little different than most of what I’ve read by Ms. Garcia. I can’t really explain why, but this book made me feel like I was getting a closer glimpse into the actual thoughts and feelings of this author. Not that she is exactly as her heroine, no, but this book felt personal, not an author looking from the outside in but rather an author reflecting the internal outward.
Benita Adriana Villanueva is an illegal Cuban immigrant who gets caught up in the dangerous world of an enigmatic man named Arcangel. I’m not going to give any spoilers in this review, but I will let you know that her association with this man lands her in a harsh and unforgiving world, where she meets Andres, not a simple man for sure. In this world she is tried and tested to the limits of her endurance. That’s all of the plot I’m going to give you.
I will say that the world building is distinct and incredibly clear. The characters are simply wonderful, fully defined and well expressed. The plot was fascinating and flowed from beginning to ending. It was a nail biter at times, at others it elicited sadness and then yet at other points satisfaction and contentment. It is a story that allows the reader to experience a full gambit of emotions.
This book is part one of a duet and the ending has me waiting for the finale with almost bated breath. I’m dying to know how this resolves, and you can bet that I’ll be reading part two the day it’s released. This is yet another win for Dee Garcia. Highly recommended.
From the very start of this story I was completely and utterly hooked on it and absolutely could not get enough. Everything about this book had me on edge needing more and loving the characters so freaking much. Really couldn’t put down at all.
Who did a happy jig when this book landed on her kindle? This girl, did. I might have let out a squeal too. And by might, I TOTALLY did. I love this author. I tell all my friends about her. I have had dreams that I have had a Kathy Bates #1 fan Misery type of moment where I only feed her if she gives me new words. My level of devotion to her books is extreme. #thestruggleisreal #sorrynotsorry.
My particular interest in this story is because Andrés is a muse I also am in love with. I had no idea when I shared a social media post about him that he would take off. AND before anyone can claim him, he is MINE. I saw him first. I BEGGED for a story to be written about him and this amazing author picked up that gauntlet and ran with it. However, I had no idea that she was going to do this to me though. First, she creates a fearless female, Benita, that I have a major girl crush on. This girl is fuego. She gives zero pinches of squirrel crap and is loyal to the extreme. Secondly, she starts the book with a scene that is hotter than a Las Vegas sidewalk in August. Third, and then she created a new man named Arcángel. Wait, what?!?! NOOOOOOO. How can she do this? She can’t possibly make me interested in two men, can she?!?! Oh, but she did. How can she do this? The answer is simple, she is that insanely talented when it comes to writing.
Great world-building, plausible storyline, a touch of forbidden, angst, second chances, and the set-up for a very interesting part two of this duet makes this even better than I anticipated (although to be fair, I really don’t want to have to choose but knowing this author even if my guy doesn’t win she will make me not feel too terribly disappointed.) I appreciated that even though parts of this story were spoken in Spanish that she translated it in a way that was cohesive to the story and also allowed me to understand without having to get out my Spanish to English dictionary. Granted, I took Spanish in college, and even though my name is Maria, it doesn’t mean that I could decipher what it meant which is why I liked how she did it fluidly in the story.
Eagerly awaiting book two that releases in August. Happy Birthday to me three days early! Off-topic, this cover is SUBLIME. No wonder, I have a girl crush.
Bennie/Birdy is a Cuban immigrant
She’s smart, sassy, no BS kinda girl. Her strength is what brings her in to a “relationship” with Archangel. A man she doesn’t even know his last name is but definitly know every single detail on that man body and how he can make her scream in pleasure.
But his betrayel land her on the bottom. Until Andres Bala show up. This beautiful man help mend her broken heart. Give her hope. Bring life back. Something Bennie never expect to feel anymore. She’s falling for Andres.
But what if the old world she left behind won’t let her go?
And what if Archangel want her back?
This book definitly make me hard to put it down. Dee’s writing is intense. Her way of words are mostly realistic for me.
Love the possibility of love triangle.
Love how Archangel and Andres feels like the evil and Angel standdoff.
And Bennie, she make lots of mistakes but I admire her for owning them. She’s tough. Her love for her family is one I can relate.
Just a small thing that make me can’t give five star though. The fact that Bennie is La Jeffa. The author didn’t go deep in that department. I wish to see her more in that area since it’s that life that bring her down.
Overall? Birdy definitly a must read with strong heroine, double anti hero, possibility of love triangle, intense plot line and ohmylawwwd the Spanish Dee insert in? They are hot! And Dee make it easy so I won’t go running back n forward to translate them by putting the traslatation after the Spanish in flowing sentence. I feel like my Spanish can beat the Spanish
I have read a few of dee Garcia’s books and loved them and this does not disappoint! This book makes you hang on every word waiting to find out what’s next and I love how she uses Spanish in it but translates it after ! I loved Benny Can’t wait for book 2 bring it on and I Definitely recommend you reading this book !
I voluntary reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Absolutely loved Birdy!!! This story is so original and the plot grabs your attention from the start. Birdy was such a kicka$$ heroine that I couldn’t quit reading until the end! And the hero’s, Angel and Andres were equally swoon worthy!!
This book does end on a cliffhanger that will leave you wanting the next book, so be prepared! I can’t wait to read book 2!
*Received ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Rating: 4.5 Stars!
bookboyfriendsdoitbetter.com
This was my first read from Dee Garcia and holy crap, I loved this! This is a duet and does end in a cliffhanger {sort of) so I can’t say much but I’ll try my best to give a coherent review.
1) If you hate cliffhangers, don’t worry. While I am DYING for the second part, it’s not a cliffhanger that will have you hating the author. The ending was the perfect end for the first part of a duet.
2) I am torn between Angel and Andres. Dee Garcia managed to write 2 different love interests for Benni that I absolutely adore. If I had to choose for myself, I would choose Angel. But for Benni? Yeah, I have no idea.
3) Oh.my.god Benni! Her strength is amazing! There was not a single moment when I was annoyed with her –even when she was being hardheaded and blind lol. She does not take any crap from anyone but still loves and cares for her family. Her character was completely real and you could see the ‘why’ after every decision.
While I adore Angel and Andres, Benni stole the show and did not let go of it for one second. I need more from Benni and cannot wait for book 2, Arcangel.
This story is addictive (thinking you are going to read just a few chapters is a lie, lol). I started this and could not put it down. The characters mesmerized me with their depth, personality, heart, gruffness, determination, patience, strength and beauty. I fell for Benni, for Angel and for Andres, it is impossible not to. The world in which this story takes place feels real and organic but aso dark and hopeful. The richness of the world is amazing, some place I want to visit (only with Benni’s protection of course). I loved every page and cannot wait for book two. I highly recommend this story to all. 4.5 stars.
WHAT IN THE HECK?? This book was everything and more. I fell in love with Benni aka Benita, Angel and Andres. Benni is one kick butt, take no crap, no holds barred woman. The words just flowed from the pages and kept my attention the entire time. I finished this book in a few hours because it was too good to stop reading. You WILL love this book. Can’t wait for #2.
***5 “No hay nadie como tu….There’s no one like you!” stars***
Being bad did always taste so much sweeter.
To be totally honest with you, i wasn’t expecting to love this book so much!!!
Yes, this wasn’t my first rodeo with Dee Garcia, but even from the blurb, i really didn’t know what to wait with this book!!! The only sure thing is that i was inrigued.
Honestly, i haven’t read anything similar before and i catch myself to enjoying it way too much!!!
Birdy or La Jefa pulled me under her spell and i need the next book as i need my next breath!!!
I’m sure that the things from now on will be extremely interesting!!!
“I won’t lie to you.
I fucked up.
For real, this time.”
Benni, aka La Jefa or Birdy, had taken the wrong path!!! A path that she always knew that was wrong, but still the power and the money that she had earned was making her feel untouchable!!!
Add to that that her man was Arcángel, the leader of this madness (the illusive, faceless mastermind behind the Upper Echelon!) and then you know that she was in very deep shit!!!
“He’s driving me crazy; that’s what he’s doing. I mean, here I am, walking myself into the inferno despite knowing how it’ll end up.
Why?
Because Arcangel was handcrafted by the devil himself. He’s the embodiment of sin and temptation wrapped up in a suave, tattooed package that I can’t resist.”
Unfortunately, Birdy get caught unexpectandly one day and she was put behind bars for seven whole years…
If she haven’t got involved with Angel, she might never got caught…
She was betrayed and now, she is paying the price.
Her life is destroyed and her heart is broken. Could things get worse???
“I’m a hard-ass bitch.
My heart, though?
Not so much.”
At the present, Benni is already four years in prison, but she still haven’t learned her lesson, even though she is trying to be discreet!!!
In jail, she has troubles too, but different kind of the ones from before.
She has lost hope that she could get away from this hellhole sooner than doing her whole sentence…
Enter to that Andrés Bala, the new CO (correctional officer) of the prison and things are going to complicated even more…
“The world around me had lost its lustrous color, all its vibrant hues drained in entirety until only shades of gray, black, and white existed.
But in came Andrés, splattering different colors on the dark monochrome canvas that is my life with a single look.”
Birdy, she is still trying to forget Angel after the bad that he brought upon her life, but now, she is starting to feel great attraction toward Andrés.
And it seems that this attraction is mutual for both sides!
So, what is going to happen with these two???
Can they cross the line and what consequences do they have to pay??
“There’s never going to be the right time for us while she’s in there -when we’re not supposed to be an us, to begin with.”
Well… I freakin’ loved Birdy. This girl was a badass. She wasn’t backing out on anything. She had balls and she was just taking whatever the damn she wanted.
I liked how she was, even though she was getting in big troubles all the time…
Honestly, i liked that I’ve read a book about a woman being in prison. It was a very intriguing and captivating concept!!!!
I loved how hers and Andrés connection was playing out!!!!
“Just like Angel was toxic for me, I’m toxic for Andrés. He shouldn’t want anything with me. At the end of the day, he is a good guy, and what am I?
A criminal -someone who’s made awful choices and only cared about the consequences when it was too late.”
As for the romance part??? I’m on a big dilemma in here!!!
I loved Andrés so much… He was sweet, he was kind and at the same time, he was hot and an alpha male… He was in deep shit with Birdy, but he fell for her from the very first moment and his feelings were making him reckless!!!! I believe that he was good for Benni…
But…. There was Angel!!!! And I believe that he has true feelings for his mami and he won’t let her go!!! Even after all these years that they were apart!!!
Even though that he was the opposite of Andrés, i loved him too!!!! He was intense and broody and i’m a sucker for this type of men on books!!!
So, can you feel my dilemma???
“I need her to be mine when she walks free, and I’ll do whatever it takes.
Whatever it fucking takes.” {Andrés}
“I think you had me before I had you.” {Angel}
No, this book didn’t end on a huge cliffy to drive you crazy, but still… after taking a taste of the prologue of the second book, I’m very intrigued, cause now, the things will get more interesting and I believe that the things will get complicated with these three!!!
Gawd!!! August 25th seems so far away right now!!!
“I’m gonna get my girl back.
When it’s all said and done, Benita Adriana Villanueva will be mine.
Mark my words.”
***I received an Arc for the exchange of an honest review***
I’ve been excited to dive into this book ever since I first heard about it and even the prologue is more than enough proof that this is a book you don’t want to miss out on!
From the very first page I was hooked and unable to look away, so even though I try to write reviews as I read, I think this one will be short as a) I’m too busy reading to think of what to say and b) I don’t want to ruin a second of this epic journey, can already tell it’s going to rip me apart at the end considering it’s a duet.
So much happens within these pages, even by 30% your head will be exploding, so stock up on tequila and smokes if you want to make it till the end… Trust me you do!!!
I can’t even hint at likes or dislikes of characters or plot, since every piece of the puzzle at this point would be a spoiler. Basically stop reading reviews, one click immediately and start reading. You won’t regret it for a second.
This book was exactly what I’ve been craving for a long time and made this dark heart so happy. Cannot wait to till I can get my hands on the second half of this story.