Genevieve “Genna” Galante knows a thing or two about causing trouble. After all, it’s engrained in her DNA. As the only daughter of Primo Galante, notorious boss of the Galante crime family, her life is dictated by a certain set of rules… rules Genna was never very good at following.Matteo “Matty” Barsanti never wanted anything to do with the family business, but as the first-born Barsanti son, … Barsanti son, certain things are expected of him. It’s his duty, according to his father, to help take down the enemy… even if that enemy means something to him.
A chance encounter on an elevator changes the course of lives, causing the biggest trouble of Genna’s young life. The only good Barsanti is a dead Barsanti. She’s heard it said time and time again. So what happens when she falls in love with one of them?
The story of star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of the biggest rivalry New York has ever seen, determined to make it… if only they can survive their parents’ feud.
more
J.M. Darhower is one of my favorite authors, so I don’t know why I hadn’t read this book yet. But I am very happy I finally did because it was really good. I have read many mafia romances, so after a while they started to feel the same, so I get excited when I read one that surprised me. By Any Other Name was a fun and steamy romance but it also had a couple of emotional scenes.
Genna and Matty were so perfect together and I loved that they didn’t know that they were the children of enemies at first. This resulted in a very fun and sexy first meeting and getting to know each other without having their guards up. I was happy that the author didn’t leave them in the dark about their identity for a long time. However, when they finally find out who the other is it creates doubt and mistrust. More on Genna’s side than Matty, who was more laid back and didn’t stop pursuing her even if she was the daughter of the enemy.
Matty isn’t your standard son of a crime mobster, and I for once really liked that in a mafia romance. Normally I really love the anti-hero type in these type of stories, but Matty was very refreshing and I loved his personality. Genna was also not your typical mafia princess, she had a bit of a wild side and broke the rules on multiple occasions. Genna and Matty were a great match and I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop in this book. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
J.M. Darhower penned a real thrilling story in By Any Other Name. I couldn’t put it down so consumed by the lives of these two characters and the twisted mafia-family mess in which they’re both so entwined. With the characters being younger I would classify this story as New Adult however with the writing and character development being so mature it doesn’t have any trace of the naivety often found within this genre. It’s layered and nuanced. The characters strength and sass palpable through the writing.
Darhower eloquently presents this story from the third person point of view. Two star-crossed lovers destined for destruction inside a web of betrayal and violence. A timeless romance trope expertly executed. Matty and Genna find each other unexpectedly forming an instant connection full of sexy banter and playfulness despite their circumstances. When truths are revealed neither continues the journey with blinders on but rather an astute perception of their realities. The conflict isn’t angsty because of nonsense misgivings, vulnerabilities, or distrust. It’s born and bred from events and history outside of their control. I love this sort of relationship in books, love reading how two people strive to make something that feels so real actually happen in their lives rather than depreciate it with internal issues. Chaos erupts all around Matty and Genna, deep roots of loyalty and perceptions are penetrated and tested. Their journey to overcome the chaos is a compelling one.
Awesome secondary characters, a perfectly orchestrated setting, and the detailed history all converge creating this bigger picture story for Matty and Genna. I can’t compliment the writing of J.M. Darhower enough to do it justice. It comes off as effortless story telling and engages the reader thoroughly. I fell in love with Matteo Barsanti and Genevieve Galante. I felt like I was a part of their story and not a bystander watching from afar but rather an insider who felt everything they felt and saw everything the saw. By Any Other Name stands strong in the romance genre. If you love mafia stories and timeless romance with super sexy banter and passion you’ll undoubtedly love this book. Can’t wait to read the next installment.
This book had me hooked since seeing the name of it and then the COVER! Wow that cover is fantastic. Then I got to the synopsis and was hooked even more. I mean, come on, Shakespeare has always been a favorite of mine. Mix a little JM Darhower mafia book with a Shakespeare themed plot. I was in HEAVEN. I am a sucker for this kinda stuff. And man did she nail it with this one.
“We didn’t always go head-to-head. We used to exist peacefully.”
Genna and Matty are from two families who were turned mortal enemies by one very very bad day. A day marked in blood, tears and betrayal that cut to the very core of who they are. It put them on a path no one saw coming and couldn’t change even if they tried. Genna too young to remember any of it and Matty sent away for not falling in line. Neither of them crossed each others paths again. Well not until much later.
“But the past isn’t’ what matters. I live in the present, Genna. I live in the now. I had you, yeah, but what I want is to have you.”
The little speckles of humor here and there made this book much more than what it already was. The cameo by a Chicago mafia member we already know was such a nice touch. I love it.
“I’m in deep, and I don’t know what to do about.” -Matty
You pet it didn’t you? I told your ass not to, and you did it anyway, didn’t you?”-Gavin
“I didn’t pet anything.” – Matty
“You didn’t?”- Gavin
“ No I scooped it right up and took it home and called it my own.”- Matty
When reading her books I love that they are not predictable to me. I never know if she is going to go there or go the HEA route. It is refreshing. I mean we all know how that other one ended and I didn’t know how this one would till it did. Thank you for keeping me on the edge of my seat with this book.
“He was a Barsanti….but maybe Barsantis weren’t the enemy.”- Genna
“But the fact remains…she’s a Galante. And maybe you enjoy this whole star-crossed Shakespearian bullshit romance, maybe that appeals to you. To each their own.”- Enzo
I can’t say enough good things about this book. It was endearing, entertaining, suspenseful, and a joy to read. Her books are like that everytime for me though. I can not wait for the next one in this series. I am dying to know who it will be about. Pick this up. Read it. Devour it. I highly recommend that you do.