Ivory Love finds you. That’s why I’m still single, ten years after my high school boyfriend shattered my heart. It has absolutely nothing to do with him. Or so I tell myself, anyway. When I’m caught in the middle of a bank robbery, I can’t seem to mimic everyone else’s pure, logical fear. Not me. I’m pissed.No way am I dying having never known real love. So when the bank robber takes one look at … real love.
So when the bank robber takes one look at my face and mutters my name in shock, I’m a little lost.
And then he follows it up with a plea for forgiveness from the devil himself.
Matteo
I let her go once.
Now, Ivory comes strutting back into my life and making demands like she’s in charge.
She’ll learn quickly enough.
She’ll have to since I’m never letting her go again.
No matter what she has to say about it.
Disclaimer: Bloodied Hands is a full-length standalone novel with crime syndicate members and dark content.
The Bellandi Crime Syndicate Series includes several full-length standalones with HEA that can be read in any order, but would present a better reading experience following the suggested reading order.
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Bloodied Hands is such a intriguing dark Romance . From the moment I started reading I found myself becoming so invested and 100% intrigued in both the storyline and the characters . Matteo and Ivory , i Just adored both of these characters , all the emotions and off the charts chemistry had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story . I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series turns out
Loved the story. You really get swept up and sucked in from the beginning. Ivory was innocence personified but in a naive way. But she knew pain and suffering. Matteo was the head of the underworld and had broken her heart in an effort to protect her when they were younger but they were meant for one another. And when she is brought back into his life he refuses to let go. You could totally feel frustrated right along with her. For all the moments you would have wanted to scream like you were beating your head against the wall for all the things Matteo did. His manipulations and alpha high handed way made for some very frustrating moments. Lead into some of the dark aspects of the story. Trackers, forced moving, forced relationship despite her loving him and never stopping she had no decision. Even in how he ‘decided’ for a family. But he did everything because he loved her and was obsessed with spending his life with her. He would do anything to protect her. I loved how ivory and scar got so close even to the moments he talked back to Matteo for all the things he had done to her. Loved him. Hope he gets a book.
Say what you want to say about this book but as for me? I fell on it like a loon, it’s been recommended by so many readers and groups I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance. I was not disappointed at all, the author preceeded my expectations for sure.
Adelaide Forrest slammed it straight out of the park with this book! If you’re into a beautiful alpha, who takes what he wants, and loves and protects with everything he is, then you need to look no further than Matteo Bellandi. He’s definitely the perfect option. His and Ivory’s story is utterly compelling. Talk about a love that spans a lifetime! His love for Ivory is FIERCE and he stops at nothing to make sure she’s taken care of. It doesn’t take his enemies, or Ivory for that matter, long at all to discover the lengths he’ll go to for his woman. But don’t go thinking that Ivory is just a shrinking violet who sits around and waits for someone to save her. Nope, she’s FIERCE in her own right and is just as much in love with Matteo as he is her. This story is heartbreaking, tragic, exciting and deliciously dark. You’ll feel every emotion imaginable in this book and I loved every second of it. I would gladly give more than 5 stars if allowed.
I’m slightly conflicted with this one I definitely liked some parts of it more than others but there things here that slightly irritated me as well mostly Ivory herself.
The girl was so bloody indecisive and had practically no backbone either at least Matteo was consistent in his obsessive bulldozer stalker psycho persona.
He knew what he wanted and wasn’t shy about expressing it. He didn’t like to compromise had never needed to before his Angel.
But Ivory well she ran hot and cold throughout she didn’t seem to know what she wanted or even realise the danger she was in and it annoyed me that she placed others in harm’s way as well choosing to bury her head in the sand about just what Matteo was capable of if he considered it a threat to there bond. Surely no one could be that naive.
I wouldn’t have minded her making a stand but she never stuck to her guns always caving so what was the actual point.
This was a Mafia romance Matteo and Ivory were a thing in school until he publicly and brutally broke her heart.
At the time he thought he was protecting her letting her go was the hardest thing he’s ever done but now when their paths cross again Matteo is prepared to do whatever it takes to reclaim his girl.
Matteo’s obsessive and controlling and refuses to take no for an answer forcing himself into every aspect of ivory’s life.
His possession also causes outside danger for Ivory pulling her further into his dangerous world.
I didn’t find this one especially dark despite the mafia element there’s obviously questionable stuff but the romance was more of an all-consuming passion with a stalkerish element.
Overall this was an ok read and despite Matteo being a bit of a control freak I actually liked him a lot more than Ivory.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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I came across this book when it was free on Amazon. The writer Adelaide Forrest was a new writer to me but the blurb of the book sounded interesting and I was in the mood for an alpha, mafia guy so I decided to give this story a try and I’m so happy that I did! Because once I started it, I couldn’t stop reading it! I enjoyed it very much and I already bought the second book in this series too to read.
Ivory and Matteo Bellandi had a relationship when they were in high school. He was the boy who Ivory lost her virginity to but he’s also the boy who broke her heart one week after that. The one that she loved with all her heart and she never forgot. Now twelve years later, destiny brought them together again. Matteo has kept his distance all those years from Ivory but when she stands before him, he knows that the time has come to claim the one woman that he ever loved. Matteo knows that it will not be easy. Because for one thing, Ivory doesn’t want anything to do with him (but Matteo is not a man that takes ‘no’ for an answer). But Ivory’s stubbornness isn’t the only problem that Matteo has. Because of his dangerous life (Matteo is the head of the Chicago syndicate) an enemy is also stalking her. Can Matteo protect Ivory against danger and also convince her to open her heart for him again?
‘Bloodied hands’ is a great start of this mafia series and I also think that it’s the ‘perfect’ story for readers who are new to this genre and want to try a dark, mafia book with an extreme possessive, jealous antihero guy. Because this story is not too dark or too violent. And yes, the main male character Matteo is very possessive and protective, to be honest he just does what he wants, thinking that he knows what’s best for Ivory and him and where it would frustrate me in other stories, here you can really feel the love he feels for Ivory and the fact that Ivory doesn’t follow him in everything also makes this story a great story. Ivory is an interesting main female character too, she was heartbroken when Matteo left her but with the help of her two best friends, she created a life of her own. She loves making food and sharing it with other people through her food blog. She’s funny, friendly, likeable, she also isn’t afraid to stand up to Matteo as he goes too far. The story is told from both POV’s. The writing is fluent. There is some action in the story but nothing too dark. The sex scenes are steaming.
The secondary characters are wonderful too. You have Matteo’s men and his cousin Lino. They are hard men, feared by others but they are all friendly to Ivory and also very protective of her. You also have Ivory’s best friends Duke and Sadie. They are special characters too.
‘Bloodied hands’ is a great story and I will definitely read more books of this series and writer.
Very good series. I love Ivory. She is strong in her own way. This isn’t your typical lovey dovey happily ever after. It’s gritty. It’s great!
Holy hotness….Ivory and stalker Matteo. It was a wicked ride and full of twists that youll never see coming. I love Matteos possessiveness and how hes a man determined to get what he wants. It was a wonderful read and very captivating. Alphahole at his finest. Ive been looking for another book like this for awhile and it did not disappoint.
Love, love, love this book! Could not put it down.
This is a second chance romance with a very very domineering alpha male character. I enjoyed it although a few bits made me what to shake Ivory throughly to knock some sense into her. It was well written with enough drama to keep me entertained and I’m intrigued enough to dive straight into the next book
4.5 stars
I love discovering new authors. This book was a pleasant surprise. I wouldn’t call it dark as much as I would say it is intense. This comes from Mateo, who despite being possessive, does what he has to do in order to keep his Ivory with him. There was talk of other problem issues both in the past and the future but neither had anything to do with the Hero.
Some might consider the ways Mateo ensured Ivory belonged to him goes against feminism, but this is fiction, so the choice in their body is a moot point. In real life, I would have been angry. In this book, it was sexy because he truly loved her.
Definitely checking out the next book and anything else this author has written.
Oh Matteo!!! As the first in the Bellandi series, Matteo is also one of the most delicious men I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. His love for Ivory. The lengths he went to protect her, from everyone, even his POS father.
Ivory and Matteo’s love is long, and it was worth every hardship they went through to get it. Their love is the stuff of fantasy, but Adelaide did such an amazing job of making it realistic. The way she’s built the Bellandi world immerses you, drags you in, and wrecks you. But, don’t worry, she puts you back together at the end too.
This brought the bellandi world to life. So many amazing characters that l have grown to love. The relationships that form throughout this book will have you eagerly seeking out all of her other books. It has romance, intrigue, drama, and an amazing storyline.
This was a fantastic book. Great start to a new series. This book was a page turner and full of action. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Dark, ALPHA men, Strong women, Mafia action and Romance. Adelaide Forrest has created a great world with awesome characters and amazing details. Awesome read.
Just reread again and still can’t get enough of Luna and Teo. His dark possessive ways and her bringing some light into his life make this book my favorite in the series.
This is the 1st in a series and is Matteo and Ivory’s story. Matteo is a crime boss who broke Ivory’s heart 12 years previously, and they now connect again. Matteo is a mega protective alpha, while Ivory is innocent and naïve. This is a good story but to be honest I struggled to engage with the characters, and I felt that too much emphasis was on the past. However, I look forward to reading more in this story.
Epic love story! You have a couple that should have never broken up but did and time was something that took its toll on them both while apart.
Ivory and Matteo are such strong characters that you embrace from the beginning. I love how controlling he is but that his reasons are sound. Ivory may not like it but on the other side of that she does but it’s not easy to recover when you were hurt so badly in the past.
We have very strong characters throughout Ivory and Matteos story and I really got hooked on them all. I loved this story and can’t wait to see what is coming next!
This was my first book by Adelaide Forrest and I can’t wait to read more. I freaking LOVED Matteo! He may honestly be one of the most jealous possessive heroes I have ever read! The things he pulled, unapologetically, blew my mind! I Loved every moment of it. Ivory was a little innocent and a little rebel all mixed together. She was just enough to keep Matteo on his toes. A little conflict and a little angst kept the story moving forward and kept it from being overly sweet. We were also introduced to several side characters that I hope we see again in later books.
This one was just as good as the first one! I loved Ivory and seeing her fight her feelings for Matteo. You could see that there was no point but she tried anyways. I started with the 3rd one and wasn’t lost but it made me crave this one and I’m so glad I went back and read this one. The alpha hero vibe was what I’m always wanting and these books don’t disappoint. Matteo was totally Anti-hero but he loved the heroine to he core. That’s always a huge plus. Seeing her accept him for who he was, was also awesome. 4 stars #2OCCJD
Matteo and Ivory were completely in love…until Matteo breaks her heart. Confused, Ivory is determined to get on with her life, and she does. I love that she doesn’t stay hung up on Matteo and goes into a deep freeze.
Once Ivory stumbles back into Matteo’s life, he completely steamrolls his way back into her’s. I kinda love ott jealous and possessive heroes….ok, I am completely enamored of them. Did it bother me that despite his love for her, he didn’t remain celibate? Hell, yes. That was tempered by the fact the heroine was not celibate during that time either. I was able to overlook that and enjoy the rest of the book.