It was supposed to be business.
Two families, one wedding, zero emotion.
My father’s mafia outfit had saved my life.
I owed them everything.
An arranged marriage was hardly a sacrifice when I would have already been long dead had it not been for them.
I would give up my independence for the Lucciano Family.
I would bind myself to the man whose family tore my life to pieces.
Matteo De Luca was … pieces.
Matteo De Luca was vicious claws sheathed in refinement and class.
He saw my untamed independence as a challenge.
I saw his alluring authority as a threat.
There was a ruthless storm that raged in his oceanic gaze. A majestic tidal wave of temper and domination looking to break on my rocky shores.
He would annihilate me.
Rip open my layers until all my pretty secrets were scattered at his feet.
The worst part? I wanted to experience whatever it was Matteo had to offer, and I hated myself for it.
I wanted to launch myself at him.
To kiss him. To kill him.
To end the debilitating torture of the unknown.
The moment our paths collided, our lives were altered irrevocably.
Taking us from enemies allied by a strategic marriage to something dark and consuming.
Something that tasted like obsession.
Blood Always is book 3 in The Five Families Series but can be read as a standalone.
Warning: There is a very small trigger warning on this one. If you are a highly sensitive reader, this one might not be for you.
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*review for audible version*
An age gap, arranged marriage, mafia romance that had me beaming like no other. Its a seductive, gritty story that satisfies so completely. Matteo is no saint, he’s done some bad things and doesn’t apologize for it. Maria is not your average mafia princess, she’s right there in it with the boys and loves every second of it. These two together clash and make an inferno of licking flames with just one touch.
Jason Clarke was the perfect Matteo, his gravely, sensual voice resonates right down to my bones. And Jo Raylan was outstanding bringing Maria to life, her voice is strong and edgy. A perfect collaboration.
A one click listen that you’ll start and never want to stop!
#eargasm #moreplease #oneclickauthor
#mafiaromanceatitsbest #obsessed
Blood Always
The Five Families, Book 3
By: Jill Ramsower
Narrated by: Jo Raylan, Jason Clarke
Mafia romance is one of my favorites, and this series by Jill Ramsower has climbed to the top of my list! Each book is better than the last, letting us get to know the intricacies of the families and enjoy their stories. We get Maria’s story now. Set up for an arranged marriage to Matteo, she is emotion free and in it for her family. Or is she? The chemistry is evident and Matteo is everything she fears he would be. These two have walls to break down, and stereotypes to refute. But the romance is not the only part of this story that had me engaged. The families are at war, and some of the reasons come to light. It’s action packed and at times will make you cringe. Ramsower has a talent for romantic suspense that has me hooked on these families and I can’t wait to see what she has in store next.
The choice of narration is spot on for this installment. Jo Raylan is one of my favorites and she nails Maria. She gives her attitude and strength, but that underlying vulnerability that lets us know she is human. She is a perfect match for this one. Jason Clarke falls into character as Matteo. He has the alpha male protectiveness and listening to his tough exterior can make you shiver. Then in the next breath, his tenderness is stunning. It’s a fabulous performance by both.
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We finally get Maria’s story and see why she is so closed off. The strength she has is amazing and the love she holds is unending. I loved this book even more that the previous in this series, and they were great as well. Fantastic writing with amazing narration.
Intriguing, action packed and emotional at times, this story was perfect for me.
Another amazing steamy mafia romance that will catch you from start to finish.
OMG! This suspenseful Mafia romance is packed with murder, mystery, danger, darkness, kidnapping, passion, and twists and turns—some you see coming, some you don’t! It will be hard to put this down once you get started. So absolutely enchanted. An engaging story that will keep you intrigued throughout this addictive page-turner. With the powerful characters at play, it was thrilling and shocking—I was captivated from start to finish! Matteo De Luca is a member of the Gallo Mafia family. Matteo is an enigma of a man who is very handsome, arrogant, dominant, sweetly contrite, and sexy with his tattoos, but he rules without mercy, dishes out brutality without a second thought, and he was raised to break others. He can be the man of your dreams and nightmares all at once if he is crossed. Maria Genovese is the oldest daughter of the Lucciano family. Maria’s father offers his daughter to Matteo in an arranged marriage as an alliance between the two most powerful families. At 35, Matteo wants to become a Mafia boss, and bosses are always married. When Matteo meets Maria, he did not realize she was as young as she was—25 years old, but he is drawn to the feisty, sassy, and obstinate beautiful woman. Maria wanted revenge for her brother since he was murdered by the Gallo family, but because she is drawn to Matteo and his charm, she is upset with herself for feeling this way even though she wants to kill him when looking at him. The chemistry between Maria and Matteo is off-the-chart hot! Will Maria’s plan be thwarted because of Matteo’s charm? Will Matteo become boss? Maria and Matteo both have secrets that they do not want each to find out about. Will their secrets be revealed, and if so, what happens next? There are several twists and turns within the storyline that will pique your interest—you will not be disappointed. This is the first time I have read a book by Jill Ramsower, and I assure you it will not be the last one. Jill Ramsower, you delivered no holds barred Mafia romantic suspense book that grips readers to the core as you unleash an unfiltered, suspenseful, addictive, intriguing, and calculating Mafia love story.
Thank you Give Me Books for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Blood Always
The Five Families #3
By: Jill Ramsower
REVIEW
Blood Always is the third book in Jill Ramsower’s Five Families series. I have read each book so far, but this story can be read as a standalone. Although the premise, mafia arranged marriage, resembles others in the genre, this book is an entity of its own. The bride, Maria, is not a horrified virgin who can’t defend herself. Instead, she is a legit part of the mafia family and can kill, defend, fight against whatever she has to. This girl is not the shy type who will retreat when in danger. Maria is a feisty strong heroine, but she also retains her femininity. I would love to see more female characters like her instead of the typical girls. The groom, Matteo, is not much of an out of the box character. His family is the enemy because they killed Maria’s brother years ago. He’s possessive, scary, threatening and super sexy, but under all that, he cares about Maria and can be a tender loving man. I like him, but I’ve seen him before. The slow burn tension romance is well done without being overdone, and Maria and Matteo are a great couple. Both carry the weight of painful pasts, and they need each other to ease these burdens. It’s just a matter of getting to know one another and figuring all of this out. Do Maria and Matteo really fall in love, or is the bad blood between their families too much to overcome? Do they cause more pain or take steps toward healing? Blood Always is a gritty, emotional and engrossing read from Jill Ramsower that I highly recommend. The Five Families series gets better with each book, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
This is a great wee mafia romance! In fact, it’s likely one of the best I’ve read for a while.
Wanna know why?
The heroine in this book isn’t your usual good girl lost in a harsh world, blah blah blah.
Nope.
She’s a kick-ass made woman!
She’s tough, strong and determined and needs no man to help her with anything!
MARIA
She comes off as cold and aloof. Uncaring and scary. But it’s not quite true. She appears that way because she has a ton of strong emotions going on that she’s trying to suppress and not show because she trusts no one. Like it says in the book, “She was savagely broken, doing the best she could to remain whole”.
No one really ruffles her feathers until…Matteo.
She offers herself up to be the bride in an arranged marriage in order to help her father bring the families together.
She’s never met him before and knows nothing about him.
When they do meet though she’s not quite as indifferent to him as she likes to make out and it scares the shit out of her.
This woman is amazing. She has quite the dark secret and a mean killing streak that, quite honestly, turned me on a wee bit…
MATTEO
Nom, nom, nom, nom.
He’s yummy. An older man (10 year age gap) sophisticated, hard, intelligent and alpha to the mother-fucking core.
He meets Maria for the first time and sees how cold and lethal she can be.
He’s not agreeing to this marriage for any reason other than business and has no intention of letting feelings get involved but the more he learns about Maria…the more he’s turned on by the challenge of cracking her shell.
Somewhere along the way, things get messed up and now he’s like “Wtf? When did catch feels for this chick?”
SEX SCENES
I feckin’ love angry sex! And these two are so hot together!
Again I’m like, nom, nom, nom.
“I hate you,” she spat. I switched sides again, exposing the first cheek and pressing my groin into the other to keep her in place. She was too feral and well-trained to give her an inch of wiggle room. Smack. This time her ass pressed up against me, the delicate curve of her spine arching minutely. It was a good thing she couldn’t see the triumphant grin that spread across my face. She would have raged harder. Held firm to her convictions like a rabid dog with a bone. “Lies don’t become you. I can smell your arousal, feel your heartbeat skitter with anticipation.” “That’s just the alcohol.” Smack. This time, I aimed my hand between her cheeks. I eased up on my force, but came down directly over her opening, her most sensitive flesh. Maria bit her lip, arching her head back with a pant. “Just as I suspected,” I mused, bringing my hand up for both of us to see the glistening moisture soaking my fingers. “You’re not just wet, you’re drenched.” “Just because I’m horny doesn’t mean I want you.” Smack. Another moan, this one unleashed and wanton. Smack. “I could do this all night, Maria. I want to hear those words.” Smack. “Please.” The word was so small, so broken, I almost didn’t catch it. “Please, what? You know how to get me to stop.”Her breaths quivered beneath me, but not from my weight. I’d let up enough that she’d have no problem breathing. This was an entirely different struggle. An internal one. One she was losing. “I need more,” she whispered, releasing her confession into the night. “I can give you more. Make you come until white sparks blind your vision and you writhe with pleasure. But I need to hear the words first. I’m not saying it’s forever. I don’t know what the future holds, but for now, while you’re swimming in my bloodstream, I need to know there’s no one else.” I rubbed her scalding cheeks, sliding my thumb beneath the fabric of her thong and pulling the garment snug against her swollen entrance. Her breath hitched at the pressure. “There’s no one …no one else. Please, I need to come.” Triumphant cymbals clapped and clanged in my head, sending a surge of endorphins through every cell in my body. Pre-cum oozed from the head of my cock, my own need to come pounding in my ears. I yanked her thong down, wishing I had a better view of her folds. Next time. There would be plenty of opportunities now that we’d crossed that threshold. I brought my hand down twice more, once on each cheek. Maria abandoned all restrain, spreading her thighs and moaning loudly. I didn’t release her, not because I thought she’d fight, but because that’s how we both wanted it. Needed it. “I’m going to touch you now. Once my fingers are inside you, there’s no more running. Understand?” She nodded frantically, and it was all the permission I needed. My fingers slid into her folds, gliding easily in the moisture dripping from her warm cunt. “Fuck, Maria. You feel half this good when my cock is inside you, and I’ll never want to leave.”
Final Thoughts On BLOOD ALWAYS by Jill Ramsower
It’s not actually too dark but towards the end, there are a couple of scenes and revelations that may be a trigger for some. The chemistry between these two was so good! Thoroughly enjoyed it 🙂
4 Stars
Man! This Series just gets better and better! I fall more in love with each book! Blood Always is book 3 in Ramsower’s The Five Families series. And I didn’t think I would love anything more than Sofia and Niko but then Matteo happened! I would marry that man in a heartbeat! He was so freaking perfect! Ramsower really fights dirty this book! I was so unprepared for our Ice Queen! I was like everyone else and wanted to know what stick was up her butt, I wasn’t ready for her truth! My freaking heart!!! Maria is a bada33 woman, who has excelled at making herself a warrior in a sea of men! She is a Made Woman! I was drawn to this book because I’m a sucker for arranged marriage! But this book is sooo much more! It’s witty and sensual, it’s addictive and thrilling, and it’s heartbreaking and magnificent! I loved Matteo and everything that changed in him the moment he connected with Maria. She was trying her hardest to Hate him and He was determined to make her his! They were like a grenade, sensitive and explosive! This is my new favorite couple! Their secrets will knock the breath from you! The events are very different from the first two. Maria doesn’t need saving, there is no kidnapping. We are further into the Mafia and get so much more back story and bits! I’m so hooked and consumed by this family and their world! I can’t wait to see what couple will be next! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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I received an ARC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
OMG! Maria and Matteo’s book was everything and that much more. I truly hope there are spin-offs from this family and we get to see more of everyone.
Maria Genovese is the oldest of the Genovese children. She still holds the Gallo family responsible for her brother’s murder all those years ago. Maria is now bestowed to marry Matteo in a merge of families. As Maria is from the Lucciano family and Matteo is from the Gallo family. However, Maria sees this marriage as a business deal and nothing more.
“I wasn’t the standard Notebook-watching, girls’ night out type of woman. I didn’t do emotions or touchy-feely.”
Matteo De Luca is the underboss of the Gallo family. He may be 10 years older than Maria, but it doesn’t stop his alpha protectiveness of Maria. However, Matteo has his hands full with making his relationship with Maria seem real, finding Sal and keeping his family together and not starting another war.
Will Maria be able to let her walls come down enough for her to fall in love or will she forever keep people at a distance? Will Matteo be able to convince Maria she is it for him and no one else is in his life or will he lose her before he even gets the chance to tell her he is falling in love with her?
I hope this book doesn’t leave me in withdrawals. I knew there was more to Maria than the quiet bottled up non-emotional girl she gave off. I just didn’t expect to have gone through so much in her 25 years and come out as such a strong independent woman. You have to read what exactly happened to her in her life, cause I am NOT giving that snippet away. The chemistry between Maria and Matteo is off the freaking charts. It’s been a while since I have read such a sexual angsts book. I also fell in love with Matteo’s dominance. I for some reason loved when Matteo would get jealous of who Maria may have plans with, whether they be female or male and he is not able to know about them! Swoon. I know it sounds crazy, but to feel that wanted to be was hot.
I highly recommend this book and while this may be standalone to get some little back story of Maria I would also recommend starting at book one. All I ask for is Michael to get a little something. He deserves to find his happily ever after.
“Blood Always” is by far my favorite of the series. Even though I didn’t really like Maria in the previous books, the author managed to make me love her!
Maria is the eldest sister of the Lucciano family. She’s been part of the mafia dealings for years. Her involvement with the family helps her channel her anger. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for the Luccianos, including accepting an arranged marriage into the family she hates, the Gallos.
Matteo De Luca is the underboss of the Gallo family. The brief glimpse we got in book 2, gave the idea of a deranged man but he’s nothing but that. He’s ruthless when it comes to business but there are other sides of him. His relationship with Maria bring them out.
“She was savagely broken, doing the best she could to remain whole.”
Both of them have demons, especially Maria. While learning her story, the way she previously behaved is justified. The cold and silent demeanor is her shield from the world. Matteo is the one that coaxes her armor away piece by piece. They are both headstrong and they are constantly clashing. Matteo’s possessive nature just makes Maria to want to fight back. Their chemistry is born by hatred and they are like a bomb waiting to detonate.
If you are looking for an explosive couple, then you’ve just found it. Matteo and Maria’s story will grab you from the first page and take you in a wild ride. Mafia secrets are unveiled through the pages and there are enemies lurking. However, their biggest enemy is their selves. Could they overcome their demons? You have to read the book to find out…!
This is the 3rd book in this series and is Maria and Matteo’s story. These two enter an arranged marriage for business purposes. No spoilers: this is a definite must read. This is a well written dark mafia romance story which is filled with action, emotion, mystery, twists, witty banter and humour, and is a steamy enemies / lovers romance story. I was intrigued and hooked throughout this all-consuming story and I highly recommend for all.
I’m new with this author, I was a lucky winner of an ARC on a Facebook giveaway.
This is the third book of a very interesting series, which I need to catch up on it, and maybe because of that I got the feeling of missing very important events and episodes with some of the characters that appear as secondary’s in this book.
I love arranged marriages and if is mafia, ohhhh you totally got me, so when I read that this book is all of that i can’t not let it pass.
I liked that Maria is a thought girl, she’s very well prepared for the mafia life, she knows her duty, even if is getting married to the man she hate and make responsable for her brother death. But all that hate is going to be mix with the attraction she feels the moment she met him, and on the process to make the marriage work she will discover that her husband is not exactly what he projects to the world.
Matteo is a mafia man, he got secrets and plans for the new era of the mafia and his territory. When he agreed to married Maria was just to make some sort a peace between the two families, as they used to do in the past. When they meet the attraction was immediately but without thrusting each other the journey to get a HEA looks impossible.
I liked a lot the interaction between Maria and Matteo, she’s not the trembling scared virgin bride that we used to see on other arrange marriages, that got all crazy on her wedding night, but will see through her nightmares that something very painful is touring her, and when the truth of all the betrayals and abuses come out we may or not be prepared for what this two mad men and women are willing to do to get revenge.
Do I enjoyed? Yes very much, although I wish for more mafia content in the book just because I’m probably way to crazy and love to read conflicts and details about how they resolve problems in their territory.
Thank you so much to the Author for the ARC.
Blood Always is the third book in the Five Families Series ( I recommend reading the first two books in this series; it will make it easier to know what’s going on) To say that I have been patiently waiting for Maria’s book would be a lie! I’ve been dying to know more about her… and Jill Ramsower did NOT disappoint!
Maria & Matteo’s relationship started as a “business arrangement” a way to unite their families but the connection that blooms from this arrangement… well there simply isn’t anything “business” about it. They both have secrets, dark pasts, and unwavering loyalty to their families… Throw in some extremely stubborn behavior, all the drama and some seriously swoon worthy moments…WOWZA! &&& you’ve got yourself one wild ride. The layers to both Maria & Matteo that peel away as you read… the secrets that are revealed… will have you burning through the pages and feeling every emotion as you go on this journey with them. SO GOOD
***ARC Provided in Exchange for an Honest Review/ Megan Scandalous Book Blog***
This author has me completely hooked on her books! Matteo and Maria are expected to form a partnership of the most sacred variety, but they have to learn to trust more than their libidos in order to make it work. Add in the fact that Matteo has a missing mafia boss, secrets he’s unable to share, Maria has secrets of her own and old, painful memories, and we have a recipe for possible disaster. And the second these two start to trust, another wrench is thrown into the mix. When tempers are short and combustible but love is behind every feeling and fight, these two manage to find their way past all of their issues in the perfect way that only a true mafia family can.
Finally, the distant, standoffish sister Maria Genovese gets her own book! Blood Always by Jill Ramsower is the third book in the Five Family series. I have enjoyed getting to know each of the Genovese sisters as they each have their own standalone story. Ramsower does a great job telling this enemies to lovers’ mafia romance that is sure to have you reaching for a cool glass of water because it is hot! I loved how the rough and hardened mafia boss, Enzo Genovese, seems to inadvertently play match maker for his girls with nothing but love and devotion to his family. Well written with lots of action and a little dark humor from a slightly disturbed woman made this book so much fun to read. 5- stars for Blood Always by Jill Ramsower.
Maria Genovese will do anything to protect her family. As a made woman for the Lucciano family she is willing sacrifices herself to marry into one of the other Five Families so none of her sisters or cousins have to do it. Little does Maria know she is going to marry Matteo De Luca the underboss for the Gallo family, the family that was responsible for killing her brother. Matteo wants to help bring peace to the families and when Enzo Genovese asks for a union between his family the Lucciano’s and the Gallo’s, Matteo knows it is up to him to step forward. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that his bride is Enzo’s oldest daughter Maria and that she is as deadly as she is gorgeous. The Family always comes first until it doesn’t, until Matteo and Maria learn that their arrangement might be more than just a business deal. Matteo figures out that he will do anything to protect Maria, he just hopes he’s not too late.
Blood Always is another Fantastic Edition to Jill Ramsower Five Families Series. We finally get the story of Maria Genovese. She is the oldest sister, but also the most mysterious of them all. She will do whatever it takes to keep her family safe and marrying a rival family member will be the ultimate sacrifice.
Matteo DeLuca is an Underboss Of The Gallo Family and when it comes to keeping the peace among the families Matteo will do what it takes to pave a way to a smooth transition and if marriage is one of them he will do it.
Watching Matteo & Maria navigate through their new life together, we will see a lot of angst, a lot of lust some down right arguing but with it all comes a lot of chemistry. With every page you will learn something new about the both of them but when you get to The End you will say that was one Spectacular Couple.
What happens when your father asks you to marry into the family that you’ve hated your entire life? You agree because you would do anything for your family and you go into it like the business arrangement it is.
Except, Matteo is more than just a business arrangement, he’s oh so easy on the eyes and those tattoos? Those are just the finishing touches. And Maria has to admit, he’s pretty charming.
As far as Matteo, he’s drawn in from the start. Maria is feisty but clever, she can be rash and quick to heat, but he admires her for her strength and cunning. But she brings out the beast inside of him, and that isn’t always good for her, especially when he’s making commands he isn’t honoring himself, at least in her eyes. It brings out her rebellious streak. These two together can guarantee you will be in for a wild ride.
While Maria exudes confidence, she is, in her words, broken. There are reasons for her quiet strength, reasons she shied away from commitment, and Matteo wants to uncover those reasons. These two together? Hello, sexy time. They are incredibly good together. I had been looking forward to Maria’s story, and Jill did not disappoint. Maria is the strong yet vulnerable female lead we had been waiting for. Sexy and swoony, Blood Always is more than just a mafia story, and it will hook you from the start.
Blood Always is book 3 in the ‘Five Families’ series by Jill Ramsover. The story looks at the relationship between the sassy Maria and Mateo. From two ruling Mafia families, you know that t is going to be a love/hate relationship from the start, especially when you find out what both of the families have been doing to each other.
There is a lot going on in this story, not only do we have Maria and Mateo marrying to bring their families together but we have the death of maria’s younger brother, her vigilantism and instant hate for Mateo. Although she is a Made Woman, she doesn’t really have the title of that in comparison to the men. Mateo is strong in his own rights and through circumstances becomes the head of his Mafia brotherhood, but all of these things must come at a cost.
There is a lot going on between these characters, not only do they have chemistry, but they are also trying to figure out the key players in their units and figure out who is trying to get both of them killed as well as answer questions from the past. Maria at times can be a bit crazy and you never quite know where her mood swing is coming from until you delve deeper into her psyche and things get explained in the book and she isn’t necessarily likeable, which may have been something the author wanted when it came to this character.
It may be best to read the previous two books in this series so that you understand characters and what has been going on. Overall, a good mafia read.
ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
This book has everything! It is an arranged mafia romance. Mateo is a strong underboss. Maria is also a strong women who is very much a part of the mafia world. She is prickly and cold and he wants nothing more than to get past that exterior. Together they have a great push, pull relationship. It is a slow burn romance with off the charts chemistry. This is my favorite book within this series!
I won an ARC of this book and even though the author didn’t request I read and review, I wanted to. I am a stickler for series reading order, though, so I had to read the first two before I could get to this one. I am so glad I did. While they can all be read as stand-alones, the story of the Five Families world is built upon in each book. I can also confirm that each story is better and better than the one before. I loved Mateo and Maria. I loved how their relationship developed. And I loved that they both saw justice.