From New York Times bestselling author Meghan March comes a story of untold truths and one man’s redemption in the Dirty Mafia Duet. Every family has a black sheep.In the infamous Casso crime family, that black sheep is me—Cannon Freeman. Except I’m not a free man. I’ve never been free. Not since the day I was born.I owe my loyalty to my father, Dominic Casso, even if he won’t publicly … if he won’t publicly acknowledge me as his blood.
I’ve never had a reason to go against his wishes… until I met her.
Drew Carson turned my world upside when she walked into my club looking for a job.
Now, my honor and my life are on the line.
Going against my father’s wishes might buy me a bullet straight from his gun, but black sheep or not, it’s time to make my stand.
She’s worth the fallout.
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***ARC Provided by the Author***
4.5 Stars
Meghan March has done it again.
She made me like a character I am probably not supposed to like, she made me want Cannon and Drew to get together and be happy, and, more than anything, she made me yell at my Kindle when I realized that yes, YES, she really did end the 1st book in the duet right at that point in the story.
Now, the real problem? What can I say about this title that isn’t a spoiler for someone else?
There are so many twists and turns, so many surprises, and so many things that you don’t know from the blurb and figure out as you are reading…and, there is not a lot I can say that won’t turn out to be a spoiler for someone.
So, I am going to say that I loved this book. I loved the characters, their relationship, the secondary characters, and the way the story was constructed kept it interesting and engaging from the first page to the last.
I enjoyed and recommend this title…and, waiting for the next one is going to be torture.
When you open up a Meghan March book you know you are guaranteed a few things. First, the hero will be a dirty-talkin’ alpha with a capital A. He will to all man. Second, the heroine will not be a simpering female. She will be whip-smart, capable and a match for the hero. Third, the chemistry will be off the charts smokin’. Black Sheep is the opening book in the Dirty Mafia duet and is the story of Cannon Freeman, first seen in the Dirty Billionaire series and illegitimate son to the Casso Crime Boss and Drew Carson, a woman looking to avenge the death of her father.
You find out from the start that Drew is more than she appears. Drew gets herself hired at Cannon’s exclusive club as a way to get close to Cannon and thus Dominic Casso, Cannon’s father. Drew is prepared to take on the mob to get the evidence she needs to get Dominic put behind bars. If that isn’t the definition of strong alpha female (though possibly just a touch crazy as well), I’m not sure what is. She finds herself drawn to Cannon who is the bastard child Casso and has spent his life knowing it. Once Creighton Karas’ best friend, Cannon sacrificed his friend doing his father’s bidding and the cost is one he is still paying. Cannon’s misguided need to prove himself worthy leaves him open to shot after shot from Casso.
Once Cannon and Drew meet, the ignition heat between the two is enough to launch the space shuttle. No amount of rational thoughts or danger keep these two from coming together. The underlying plot of murder and secrets will satisfy any reader’s suspense jones, the witty, humorous banter between the leads will bring a smile and the tension between Casso and Cannon, then Casso and Drew will have you turning the pages rapidly. All of this leads to a jaw-dropping cliffhanger in typical MM style that will have you cursing her name and pre-ordering the second in this already fantastic duet.
Another home run from the Lady in Red.
Black sheep
Meghan March
Reviews on goodreads. Amazon. BookBub. BandN. The Book addicts.
The queen of cliffhangers is back y’all!!
She did it again!! Left me with my mouth hanging open and waiting for more !! To be honest I really didn’t like Cannon at first. I thought I’m not gonna like this book. Blah blah. And I was such a fool !! First let me apologize for doubting the wonderful Meghan March. Because just dang !! It was absolutely wonderful!! I just have to know what happens. I love this world Meghan has created for us !! She just keeps getting better and better and blowing my freaking mind !!!
I didn’t know what to think of Cannon going in but now he may just be my favorite! Reading towards the end I knew a cliffhanger was coming but never anticipated where it left off! Cant wait for book 2 in this duet. Once again Meghan March did not disappoint!
NARRATORS: ANDI ARNDT/SEBASTIAN YORK
The fans asked for Cannon’s story and Meghan March delivered! I didn’t know I could love another one of her alphas as much as I love Cannon Freeman! True to her style, she delivered a sexy, gripping story with twists and turns that kept me wondering what the hell was going to happen! I was not ready for that CLIFFHANGER even though I expect major cliffhangers from Meghan!
The narrators are 2 of my all time favorite. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York #SebYo deliver a stellar performance! They are always 10/10 for me!
Meghan’s books are so well written and really hot. This one wasn’t an exception.
I really enjoyed the story and the characters chemistry was off the chart. Can’t wait to read the second book and see how this story ends.
Another fabulous book by March. I simply can’t wait to read the conclusion of this Duet. Thank goodness I can right away, as this book does end on a huge cliffhanger . Totally one of those 4.5 star scenarios for me.
Audiobook Review:
Black Sheep (The Dirty Mafia Duet) is the blood-tingling beginning of this magnetic series. A spellbinding striking mafia novel with characters that have red-hot chemistry. I absolutely loved it and couldn’t wait to listen to book teo in this duet.
Narators Andi Arndt, and Sebastian York’s perfect performance will slay you. This is by far Andi Arndt’s magnum opus performance. Sebastian York’s deep baritone intonation is exhilarating and fits the genre perfectly. Together these two narrators bring the characters and narrative to reality.
Extremely entertaining listen.
I can’t say enough about this book! LOVE Meghan’s work and all her stories, but this one… *insert moan* is incredible!
Cannon and Drew were explosive from the first moment they met. His taking control as soon as Drew stepped into his club set the scene for the entire story. The twists and turns and throwing in the names of previously beloved characters is one of the reasons I adore Meghan March books. I can’t wait for the conclusion!
Drew Carson. Drew is by far my favorite Meghan March heroine to date. This girl is feisty, strong and puts up with no ones shit. When putting in an application to the Upper Ten, an exclusive men’s club in Manhattan, she thinks she knows exactly what she’s getting into. But the second she meets Cannon, he messes everything up. Cannon Freeman. This is my first encounter with Cannon and boy, he’s a mysterious one. Born as an illegitimate son of a notorious mob boss who can never seem to please him. Cannon is your typical Alpha male but he’s also different. He’s so sweet, yet has this fierceness that commands attention and obedience.
This book truly wowed me. I devoured this book, though I was really trying to take this one slow. Really, really, slow. But I just couldn’t put it down. I knew I was going to be left hanging and I didn’t want to rush through it. But Holy Moly. Meghan March knows how to write!!! It’s amazing. The flow and words suck you right in and don’t let you go until the book is finished. When I finished it I half screamed “WHAT THE F***?!” and through my phone. This is a fast paced, intense, kind of insta-love but super hot and delicious read. Cannon and Drew will win you over in a second. I am continually amazed with Meghan March’s writing and storytelling abilities. I have no clue how she does it. Highly recommend this read!
Always great
Meghan never disappoints. Drew, aka Memphis and Cannon have a strong connection. But Cannon’s father is a mob boss and danger lurks at every corner. Continues in book two.
This is a single story broken into two books. That being said, it’s everything I like to see in a romance where the story revolves around each of the main characters’ lives. And while they fall in love along the way, there are events outside that play on them in various ways. Cannon’s and Drew’s story hit the romance beats just right to pull me through and offered an outstanding HEA!
The Heroine: “Drew”
Why I enjoyed her
Drew was a driven character from the very beginning. I really enjoyed that she started out Black Sheep with a purpose and that drove throughout the remainder of the duet.
What any reader will love about her
She is strong and determined. But even greater, she has depth, it’s clear that there’s a story that needs to unfold around her. In romance, (at least for me) it is necessary for the story to be a character’s story. I tend to lose interest when a romance story is only about the relationship. Yes, romance wouldn’t be romance without the relationship, but characters are so much more than a relationship, and when that comes through, the romance stands out even more. In this case, Meghan March nails that balance.
What readers will hate about her (her flaw)
Dres is headstrong to the point of being reckless. It makes for her ending up in some interesting predicaments, but it did become a little overbearing at times.
The Hero: Cannon
Why a reader will fall in love with him
Cannon is the purported “Black Sheep” of a mob family. Yes, he’s ultra-sexy. Yes, he’s dominant. Yes, he’s all the things you want in an alpha. However, he’s also complex, has been bruised by broken family ties in the past, and has a down-to-earth side.
What readers will hate about him (his flaw)
Well, if you don’t like men to be overbearing by nature, Cannon isn’t for you. His weakness throughout most of the story, however, is that he lives in an environment of crime, but he is truly a good guy and cannot extricate himself from that life–even though he operates as a legit business owner.
The Problem
Drew is there to expose the family. Cannon is protecting something he has a duty toward but is conflicted with.
The Story Score: 94% (I gave Black Sheep 4* and White Knight 5*, balances out to 4.5)
You can see a bit more in the way of commentary on my website: https://juliaogreene.com/2019/11/20/black-sheep-white-knight/
4.5 Stars
Passion, love, action, suspense. The Dirty Mafia Duet by Meghan March brings it all. There are very few authors that I will commit to duets and trilogies for, But Meghan March is one of them. She’s on my “read everything” list. I don’t read mafia books as a genre, I don’t avoid them, but they aren’t common for me. But if they are as good as this, I may have to start!
“Welcome to the world of being an illegitimate Casso. It’s a f*^king blast.”
Cannon Freeman is the black sheep of the family. He’s Dominic Casso’s illegitimate son and possible heir to the Casso crime family. Right now he runs a legitimate elite cigar club in NY called the “Upper 10” because it’s only open to the top 10% of wealthy people. Drew Carson is an undercover reporter trying to find out who killed her father and why, so she gets a job at the Upper Ten to get in.
“She’s a beautiful woman, who’s smart and private and doesn’t want a damn thing to do with me. Apparently, that’s the recipe for my downfall. Who [effing] knew?”
Drew wanted nothing to do with Cannon, but he was kind of hard to resist, especially when she realized that he wasn’t the bad guy. With her wig and colored contacts, Cannon knew she was hiding something. He knew she could be dangerous. But he didn’t care.
“There are a million things that should stop me, but not a god**mned one will. I staked my claim. I meant it. You are mine.”
There was such a detailed plotline that ties back into earlier books, but they weren’t necessary to understand this story. I love how Meghan’s stories are so much more….ugh, I don’t know the right words, they are just so much more everything, and in just the perfect balance. Black Sheep ends on a helluva cliffy, so be glad that White Knight is there waiting!
“You’re my woman now, whether you like it or not.”…“And I promise I’m going to make da*n sure you [effing] love it.”
Likes:
•Another duet that had everything I love about Meghan March books: romance, heat, action, great dialog, suspense, twists and turns, and love.
•Visiting with Creighton and Holly
•There was never a lull, the story moved on like a freight train.
•Addictive and steamy.
•There were no invented plot twists to drive them apart.
•Amazing chemistry.
•Perfect pacing.
Dislikes:
•I can’t think of any.
The Narration:
What can I say about Sebastian York and Andi Arndt that hasn’t been said before? This dynamic duo was perfect for the mature, intelligent couple of Memphis (Drew) and Canon.
The Down & Dirty:
Love, lies, lust, and revenge all come together in the Dirty Mafia Duet by Meghan March. It was an interesting story filled with unexpected twists and turns and I enjoyed every second. Meghan March proves why she is one of my favorite authors once again in this riveting, sexy duet.
Rating: 4.5 Stars, 4.5 Heat, 5 narration
Meghan March isn’t pulling any punches with Black Sheep. She dove into this story like a runaway train and that’s how quickly I fell for her latest duet.
“I’m going to take my time with you. If you can’t handle that, I’ll make you handle it. Get me?”
I have never read a book by Meghan March that wasn’t consuming and incredible—and Black Sheep certainly didn’t miss those marks. I read through this book at lightning speed; I literally couldn’t put it down. (Well, wait that’s not wholly true—I could have put it down before that colossal cliffhanger Meghan left readers with! J/K) When reading Meaghan’s books, it’s become almost a guarantee that I am going to grab a cup of coffee and proceed to read into the early hours of the morning simply because she weaves tales that remind me how much I love to read each and every time. Even though time and again, I’ve told myself that I am not going to stay up a whole night reading one of her books, and then I start reading…and the ‘choice’ vanishes! I become so wrapped up in the story and the beauty of her writing that I can’t put down my kindle. Black Sheep was Meghan March at her best—and is definitely one of my favorite reads this year.
“One day, I’m going to wake up next to you and see only you. It’s going to be the most beautiful sight of my life.”
To save you even the slightest chance of a spoiler, I promise this review is lite on actual info regarding the plot of Black Sheep itself. Now, if you’re new to Meghan March’s work, you should know that she’s known for leaving readers with cliffhangers that make us what to literally throw our kindles—so be prepared. Additionally, her books are always super sexxxy and offer heroes that will leave you begging for one of your own. Cannon was unquestionably hot and an amazing hero, and I can’t lie right now… I have a total girl crush on Drew. She’s feisty and had balls of steel from the get-go…there was literally no way I couldn’t have ‘not’ loved her. But together they were on fire and made for an incredibly intriguing plot. You can not go wrong with a book by Meghan, and I promise you if you pick this one up, you will have your next five-star review already in your hands!
If this weren’t part of the Audible Escape package I would NOT be happy. This is HALF a book. I am not saying this just because it ends in a cliffhanger, it is also because of the length. You would be spending a credit for what is the first half of a book. Additionally, there is a lot of repetition that *fluffs* this up to being 6.5hrs. Both books combined are just over 12 hours. For a member discounted rate of $40 or 2 credits? No.
There is a somewhat enjoyable and intriguing story here. This could have been a single 3 maybe 4 star book, but instead it is a disappointing first half. In order to create filler conflict Drew, while described as an award winning journalist, makes a slew of mistakes because… she is wildly attracted to Cannon? Really? This book basically covers 4 days. We are supposed to believe that she is so enthralled with this guy that she is willing to give up her very personal mission of finding who is responsible for her father’s DEATH, because … orgasm?
And the wig. It’s like it is a character unto itself. One that constantly has to be justified and explained in ridiculous ways.
I am not even sure I will listen to the second half even though I don’t have to pay for it.
Also, it has ties to previous March books that I read years ago and clearly do not remember well enough. They are also on the Escape package, so it would be helpful to listen to the Dirty Billionaire series again. Which is another single book that was divided into 3 parts (at least they offer a bundle of all 3 for a single credit).
Andi Arndt & Sebastian York are phenomenal as always.
This is book one (of two) in Meghan March’s Dirty Mafia Duet series.
Cannon Freeman is the illegitimate son of New York City’s biggest mobster. He’s straddling the line between legitimate business owner and a life of crime. Memphis Lockwood (aka Drew) is a reporter who is undercover investigating Cannon’s family. She thinks his family orchestrated her father’s death. Memphis/Drew gets a job at Cannon’s club and is immediately distracted by her feelings for him.
I like mafia romances and this was a good one. It has a very detailed and well thought out plot line. There are a whole lot of secondary characters to keep track of. Most of them starred in March’s previous books. I have not read any of March’s previous books and was able to keep up.
The book ends in a cliffhanger.
Once you start, you won’t stop!
How do you write a review to do justice, especially when it’s for Meghan March’s extremely hot and melty Cannon?
I don’t think I’ll ever know!
So this is how it’s going to go..
GO PURCHASE BLACK SHEEP NOW.. LIKE, NOT EVEN JOKING, Cannon & Drew are HOT!!! It’ll be the book hangover you always wanted.
Cannon Freeman never asked for the life he was dealt, but no matter what he’s stuck with it.
When a bombshell of a woman walks through the doors of his club, he’s determined to keep it strictly business; until he can’t any longer.
Being the Black Sheep in the Casso crime family comes at a price, and being Dominic Casso’s bastard son is it.
When he’s faced with what might be the biggest decision of his life can he put differences aside and be the loyal son, or will he finally make his stand?
This is book one of the Dirty Mafia Diet by Meghan March and is a highly recommended read.
“You’ve just let a fox into the henhouse…Thanks for the invite.”
You will NOT be able to put this book down. My heart is still pounding. I was anxiously waiting to read Black Sheep, but refused to start until White Knight released so I could read the duet back to back. After reading book one I’m so glad I made that decision and didn’t cave and read it sooner.
““…as much as I want answers, I want your mouth more.” “I want to tell you things I shouldn’t,” “But I want you to kiss me more.””
This book is filled with charades, secrets, lies, revenge, regret, fear, love, loyalty, strength and jealousy.
“Whatever you’re hiding from, I promise I can handle it. I’ve got strong shoulders. Put your burden on me.”
Next up… White Knight, the second book of the Dirty Mafia and I cant wait another moment to read it!
Black Sheep is the first half of the Dirty Mafia Duet by Meghan March. I will admit that this is not my favorite book from the author. What kept bugging me was the mention of all the women Cannon had slept with. Or maybe he didn’t. There is a lot of gray area on that part and it bugs me. Also, I would have liked a little bit more focus on Cannon’s work. He used to be friends with Creighton (yes the Creighton we know and love) so there is no way he is a bad guy. Maybe he is working from within. I despised his father and he is a very creepy man. Can we talk a second about how many people Creighton knows? Why is he the person who always seems to be connected with the author’s heroes?
The story ends with a pretty neat cliffhanger. I want to see how Cannon will get himself out of the situation he is facing. I am not very worried about what is going to happen because there is no way that Cannon will take the path that would seem the most obvious to the people who knew him. Drew is between a rock and a hard place too. I worry about both of my characters and their fragile relationship. At the moment things are not very stable and I worry about what’s next for them. The romance is moving a little slowly, but it fits with the story, so it’s not something to complain about.
I might not love the book, but I had no problem reading it and I enjoy it. The pace was good and I think that in book two it will be faster since a lot of things are going on in the end of the book and they changed the dynamics. With a little hesitation, I would recommend it.