To get what he wants, he’ll have to play a game of dirty pool.Michel Marcello never wanted to be a mafioso like every other man in his family—he wanted to be more. That doesn’t mean he’s unfamiliar with the life, or that he can’t hold his own against other made men.They forgot where he came from … notorious Irish mob boss stokes flames beyond the ones that ignite between Michel and Gabbie Casey. Rivals shouldn’t mix, but these opposites have never been more attracted, either.
The lines between family loyalty, their duties, and responsibility begin to blur.
Love ruins all.
But these two aren’t the only ones playing this game, and it just became far more dangerous to get out alive.
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Dirty Pool is a standalone romantic suspense.
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Michel Marcello was probably the most underrated character in the entire Marcello family. Instead of following in the footsteps of every man he knew, he was determined to strike out on his own. Becoming a trauma surgeon was his dream. He worked best under pressure and knew how fulfilling his career would be. He wasn’t a made man… he had no intention of becoming a made man… but do not underestimate him. The Marcellos are cunning and clever and Michel is absolutely no exception!
When reading all of the legacy books, amid falling in love with Cross and watching these kids fall in love, I was waiting for Michel’s story. I figured it wouldn’t be as famiglia-oriented as every other book, but I was still interested. He was still an integral member of the family and I’ve wanted to know more about him ever since meeting him in Dante. The author did an incredible job of bringing him to life and I’m as in love with this young man as I am with any other man from this family (except Cross, because he’s still my numero uno).
I loved the forbidden aspect of Michel and Gabby’s relationship. The tension between the Italians and the Irish was felt right to the very last page and these two characters defied the odds. Their love was almost instantaneous and it was HOT!! Despite disapproval and tradition and gunshots and threats to life, Gabbie and Michel weren’t letting each other go. They knew that the other completed them. They couldn’t live without the other. And damn anyone who tried to keep them apart.
Ever since reading about Dante and Catrina, I wanted to read about Michel. That little man, now a grown man, has always intrigued me.
Though Michel is not in family business, he is vicous, he is tough as only a true Marcello can be.
Gabbie… what to tell about that bold, beautiful girl? She is perfect for Micel, in and out. Their story was something else, something unique, not like anyone elses.
5 STARS
Michel & Gabbie’ s story is another fine example of Bethany-Kris’ consummate writing skills!!!! Another Marcello man to love!
“Michel wasn’t like them. He wasn’t obvious. A silent sort of vicious.”
Michel Marcello is mentioned in many of the other Marcello books. You may know his name, but most disregard him because he’s not technically part of the Cosa Nostra family. Be warned, he may not be a made man but that doesn’t mean he knows nothing of his legacy. I love that Michel chooses a different path but still finds himself in trouble.
“A long time ago, Michel had decided that he didn’t want to be … like every other man in his family. It wasn’t because he thought he was better than them, or that he couldn’t handle the way they chose to live. He’d simply wanted to be different, and do more than just the mafia.
…That part of him was just like them—just as volatile, and dangerous. Just as cunning, and quick on his feet. He simply didn’t show it.”
Gabbie Casey is a perfect match for Michel. She’s got spirit, also she is just as fierce and loyal as any other Marcello female. Despite the bad blood between the Italians and the Irish, Michel and Gabby do not want to let each other go so they fight hard to keep each other. ‘Cause that’s love!
“Love came when one was not expecting it because one could not plan for love. That wasn’t how it worked. Love was not meant to be a thing you went out and found for yourself, because it was the thing that found you.”
This is another great book by Bethany-Kris that I highly recommend reading. I found another EPIC read. Dirty Pool by Bethany-Kris will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
DIRTY POOL
By Bethany-Kris
5
Release Date May 6
I have read every book in Bethany-Kris’ backlist and she never fails to amaze me! She has yet provided another book bf for me love in Dirty Pool.
Michel Marcello has been mentioned in several books but never his full story. His character was everything I hoped for and more. His character is sweet and equally dangerous. He may not be a made man and following the path of many of the Marcello men yet he is still just as calculating and dangerous when needed to be. Love knows no bounds with him. The connection between Gabbie and Michel is perfect. She knows what she wants and I loved that about her character.
Bethany-Kris is a pool shark in the writing world of organized crime. She has proven time and time again that mafia romance can be more than just death, darkness and crime. Whether you start with this book or another in the commission world BK has made it so all can be read as a standalone and everything interconnects or overlaps. I love it!
Michel never wanted to be part of the mafia. He wanted to be a trauma surgeon. He is by no means weak or unable to take on a mafia role. Gabbie is the daughter of an Irish Mob boss. She’s sassy, opinionated and speaks her mind. The two meet and the heat between them is scorching but can they make it work being from enemy families? Someone else is in the game making it a deadly time for all. Never underestimate love or the Marcello family members.
Michel Marcello isn’t like the other men in his family. He’s different. He doesn’t want to be in the family business. But don’t let that make you think he’s soft or that he’s not strong and badass like all Marcellos. That’s why the Irish mob princess Gabbie is perfect for him in a Romeo and Juliet kind of way. She’s feisty and sassy and smart af just like Michel. So when the two meet and fall in love, you just know there’s going to be trouble.
I love Dirty Pool! There’s something so readable about Bethany-Kris’ Mafia stories – they’re always suspenseful and passionate and I can’t help but love them. But Dirty Pool is somehow different, but different in a good way. I suppose because Michel is different. He’s not a made man, not in the family business, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t find his way to his fair share of trouble. Mainly in the form of a little Irish princess who I just loved. She and Michel are perfect together, perfect for each other and made me fall in love with them just like the other couples in this Mafia world Bethany-Kris has created. I’m not sure if there’s more coming about this Italian/Irish blend, but I certainly hope so because Dirty Pool has the one element none of the other stories I’ve read in this series have – a touch of sweetness and light to go with the usual suspense and steam always present. Can’t wait for more Mafia love from Bethany-Kris!
I’ve been taking a break from my organized crime reading and making quite a pile of TBR books because of that, but when I saw Bethany-Kris was giving us Michel Marcello I knew I had to push everything to the side for it. Michel has no desire to be a made man, he wants to be a trauma surgeon, he thrives under that sort of pressure. His spare time is spent supporting the Detroit family, but they question his allegiance as he falls for the pretty red head with the last name Casey. He’s going to have show them just how patient, cunning, vicious he can be.
“Michel wasn’t like them. He wasn’t obvious. A silent sort of vicious.”
Let’s take a second to appreciate Bethany-Kris for doing what a lot of authors fail to do with organized crime novels, make the characters real. They aren’t perfect heroes and heroines, they aren’t all about their family’s wants, some don’t want that life, and some strike out on their own and fall in love with what could be perceived as wrong person. Sure, they’re still beautiful and handsome and wealthy, but they aren’t just replicas of their parents waiting to step into the role upon its availability. Both Michel and Gabbie are as real as it gets, their lives do not revolve around their parents roles as the Marcello don and the Irish Mob Boss, respectively. However, their life goals and dreams don’t remove them from the family, they still have that same respect, and Dirty Pool is a story about what happens when two people, from opposing families, find one another and have to make a choice. Michel and Gabbie have insane chemistry, the lust between them is off the charts, and the natural way they just fit together is a dead giveaway that the are just meant to be. Sure, they’re drawn together by the passion they share in the bedroom, but soon it’s emotional and I loved watching that play out. Both know what they want, but of course family ties are binding and sometimes a Marcello must be a Marcello.
“It was an experience. It was her.”
Rules, traditions, bloodshed, and romance are all found in the pages of Dirty Pool. Michel and Gabbie may have respect for their family, but the feelings they share outweigh it all. I loved the different story we got with this novel, the romance was as passionate as every Bethany-Kris novel, but the organized crime and character’s life was new and gave us, the readers, a different perspective. It’s a story about love and loyalty. Michel’s story was an absolutely pleasure to read and I am so glad we got it. It is so easy to love these two, to love their love.
ARC provided.
**ARC REVIEW**
So i’m so new to this world of Bethany-Kris . In this mafia world I have started in reverse order and enjoying every book!
Michel is away in Detroit, attending medical school and trying his best to stay focus in his studies and away from trouble. The semester is finally over and Michel can finally take a breather.. He decides to take on his mafioso friend and have a little fun for the summer while school is out.
Gabby is tired of her overbearing Irish boss Dad. She sinks into her studies at law school and casually has some fun with her cousins at the latest club where she meets no other Michel. He ends up caring for her when she gets hurt, while her cousin looks on…
Two people from opposite rivalry families, find themselves in quite a difficult situation.. Falling in love and in the middle of a war. Michel must stay focus if he wants to keep this relationship with Gabby. Even when the Italian mob family he befriends are not actually who he thinks they really are. He must do everything to take control of the situation even if that means becoming someone he always promise himself he would never become!
Michel Marcello’s story is finally told! We knew of him and got glimpses of him in the past, but we are finally treated to the story we’ve all been secretly waiting for.
Michel may be born into Mafia royalty but that doesn’t mean it’s his destiny to follow in his family’s footsteps. We find him studying to become a doctor. He’s dedicated and focused on his future.
Gabbie Casey is royalty in her own right. Her father is the head of the Irish mob in Detroit and will stop at nothing to protect the only family he has left. Gabbie is working towards her own career and she’s lucky her father allows her that freedom to pursue it.
Michel and Gabbie have insatiable chemistry but their being together is dangerous. So much so, that it could cause a war if they aren’t careful.
Dirty Pool can be read as a standalone and is full of mystery, danger, betrayal, and tense moments. You will love every page and want more.
We loved the story from beginning to end!
The story was filled with tons of romance ,intrigue,drama and more than a few laughs.
We loved Michal and Gabbie”s story they were perfect for one another and Gabbie had just enough sass and spice to keep Michal on his toes.
Michal has definitely gotten into a bit of hot water being in Detroit with the the waring two mob families and he has been lusting for for the Irish mobs princess making things even more complicated .Michal is falling and falling hard but, time will tell will he survive his courtship or not?
Even though Michal has chosen a different path than the Marcello family ways he still values his upbringing and he has put it all to good use and to the test and prove he has the brains he outsmart out whit the best of them and take back what was rightfully his!
Loved it! We never tire of reading about this family as they are interesting,deadly,funny and life is always full of surprises for them and they seem to never have a dull moment which in return means more fun for us to read about.We have to say that we really enjoyed the ending and we are so glad that we got to be on Michal’s journey of becoming the doctor he always wanted to be as well as a husband and a father and begin a made man too but, just in his own special way.
Another Outstanding Book by Bethany-Kris, 5+Stars!
This is an epic story! Michel Marcello, son of the NY Marcello Crime Boss, and the beautiful red head, Gabbie Casey daughter of the Detroit Irish Mob Boss meet and from then on it is a page-turner. It captured me from the first page, I LOVE anybody named Marcello. And especially this branch of the Marcello family. But of course when you put together the Italian’s and the Irish there is going to be murder and mayhem. Bethany-Kris is an amazing author. I have read all of her books and they are all outstanding. This book met all of my expectations and then some!
After I found out that the main character, Michel was part of another story of the author, I was a bit scared that I wouldn’t be able to follow the story. But it was put to rest after a few chapters in. This could be read as a stand alone. What drew me in to read this story was that it’s a Mafia themed romance. I have a high fascination on anything related to this theme. I don’t know; it must be the impeccable suits, the strong loyalty to the family, the old world charisma of its lifestyle, I guess? Nevertheless, I had loved reading the story of Michel and Gabbie.
Dirty Pool gave me the Romeo and Juliet vibe all through out the story. How so? Well, Michel is the son of the most famous Mafia family in North America while Gabbie is the daughter of the Irish mob boss in Detroit where they met in a party. Old feud? Check. Family rivalry? Check. Star crossed lovers thing? Check. Only the author, as I expected put her own twist, made the story and characters much more interesting, realistic and contemporary for this book to be a re-telling. I was sucked right into this story and didn’t let me go until I finished it.
I liked how Michel is not your typical Mafioso. He respected the way of their life but he wanted to pave his own path without the dictates and influence of the family. But don’t let it fool you into thinking just because he wasn’t a made man that he isn’t strong like one. To quote:
” Michel wasn’t like them. He wasn’t obvious. A silent sort of vicious.”
And he is. You know what they say, the silent ones are the one to watch out for. And boy, if it didn’t give me the chills. Oh, Michel *sighs*
Gabbie is a direct kind of woman, who knows what she wants and gets it. She loves her father so much as she was left with one parent when her mother died. Because of that, she indulges him to shelter her, dictate her a bit because she loves him that much. Her father tried to give her anything but everything changes when Michel came to her life.
There was an instant, undeniable attraction between them even before they knew about each other. I guess it was, like calls to like; both of them wanting more out of their predetermined station in life. Their chemistry is off the charts and hot enough to burn the world if it came between them. This wouldn’t be a Mafia romance without group fights, underground basements, blood but most of all, sacrifices. Overall, I highly recommend this book to all who loves this world like I do.
First of all,this cover is AMAZING. Absolutely amazing,I love it so much.And the story…it was sooo good.
Michel is Cat and Dante’s adopted son,but he is a true Marcello kid.And how could he not be when he was raised by two most head-strong,bad-ass people on earth.I loved that he choose a different path in life.His dream is to become trauma surgeon and he is on good way to reach that goal.That is until Gabbie shows up in his life.
They fell in love quickly and they were so good together.The problem is Gabbie is Irish and Michel is Italian and Irish and Italian don’t mix.I loved the forbidden aspect of their relationship,the sneaking around moments and the tension.It made this book so much more fun to read.
I don’t want to give any spoilers just know this,Michel is just as smart and cunning as any Marcello man and just like his cousins he won’t give up Gabbie that easily.
A CUNNING, DARK, SINFUL STORY WITH A LOT OF DEPTH, SIZZLING PASSION AND UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS!
Dirty Pool was and is a sensational read. Engaging and all consuming, once I started I didn’t want to put it down and when I did, I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. The characters are incredible and special and the way the story is written…irresistible! Its a dark thrilling read worth reading again and again! Its exciting and twisted, but in a good way. Readers will have a hard time turning away this dark treat.
Dirty Pool gets a UNFORGETTABLE FIVE SIZZLING STARS!
Michel Marcello is probably the most low-key out of the entire clan. Him not being part of the organized crime business of his family might make you brush off his character, BUT wait until you read his story.Michel may be used to flying under the radar in the organized crime world but that doesn’t mean that his life isn’t interesting. In fact, this has got to be one of the best standalone books that I’ve read this year.
I really loved Michel’s character. I loved how emotionally adjusted he is especially when he found out that he was adopted. I loved how he took the news. He didn’t have any existential crisis. And most of all, he understood. He didn’t even doubt for a second regarding how much Catrina and Dante love him. He firmly believed that the people who raised him are his parents.
But most of all I love his drive to become a doctor and be something more than his family name. This is something that Michel and Gabbie have in common. Their will to succeed in their respective fields and pursue their dream is really awe-inspiring.
Gabbie is a feisty redhead who knows what she wants in life. When she decided that she wanted Michel Marcello, she goes for it. Despite being the daughter of the Irish mob boss, it didn’t stop her to go against the rules to be with him.
Michel and Gabbie together? Well, that’s a fiery little combination that’s full of passion and chemistry. As always, Bethany-Kris delivered such a wonderful tale between these two characters and so much more. I enjoyed reading their love story because it’s a modern version of the star-crossed romance tale that I always love to read. It reminded me of the classic love story between Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde, and Abelard and Heloise.
Dirty Pool by Bethany-Kris is a modern-day Romeo and Juliette story that takes place no not in Italy but downtown Detroit. With a wonderful line-up of characters this story is far more erotic than anything Mr. Shakespeare could ever write. With lots of action both on the streets of Detroit and in the bedroom, Dirty Pool will keep you turning the pages to see how the Italian mafia and the Irish mafia battle it out for territory and love. 4-stars for Dirty Pool by Bethany-Kris. Michel Marcello is pre-med in college but knows the inner workings of the mob since his father is the Don of New York and his mother is a Queen Pin. When Michel meets Gabby Casey, he had no idea the beautiful redhead was the daughter of the Irish mob boss. The two hit it off fast and furious and the sparks and bullets began to fly as the two got closer. As each mob family fights for territory in the city, Michel and Gabby play a little Dirty Pool to try and come out together and alive.
I am a Marcello Junkie and I can not lie. There isn’t a story about this family I haven’t read. Every character gets ingrained in my reading psyche and Michel was no different. And even though Michel Marcello isn’t involved in the family business, he is a Marcello through and through.
“Michel wasn’t like them. He wasn’t obvious. A silent sort of vicious.”
Gabbie Casey is an Irish Ball of Fire. I like that she is bold with Michel and knows what she wants. She is the daughter of the Irish Mob Boss of Detroit. The Irish and Italians don’t mix and definitely don’t like each other. Nothing good can come out of Gabbie and Michel meeting and starting a relationship. It’s like a modern take on Romeo and Juliet.
These two have a fiery and passionate connection. And they will do whatever the means to be together. Sometimes love isn’t enough and being ruthless is the only option left. Michel is a Marcello…….never forget.
Loved their story and loved the epilogue.
And I have to add……Catrina and Dante #bestparentsever
I liked that we as readers get to know Michael. Every character in the Marcello’s world are all worthy of their own book. Michael and Gabbie’s story was just as exciting. I can finally put to rest the hows and whys of their coming together.
4.5 Stars!
I LOVE Michel & Gabbie! They were born and raised around a criminal organization headed by their fathers. Before Dirty Pool the glimpses I got of Michel I liked. Even though he didn’t join the family business by becoming a made man like the men in his family he’s still dangerous and should not be underestimated. He wanted Gabbie and didn’t give up until he got her. Gabbie is good for him. They have fun together. Their banter is light and fun.
Michel has such a great relationship with his parents. I want to be a Marcello! 😉
This author always come up with new and ingenious ideas or ways to keep her readers engaged and this one was intriguing and entertaining. The story of two rivalry mafia family forbidden interaction.
Michel Marcelo is intelligent, extremely handsome and the son of Dante Marcelo,the boss of the largest crime family in New York. His desire is to avoid his family business and adventure out in a different field and state. He is attending medical school in Detroit with intentions to become a trauma surgeon. He is also an excellent pool shark with great concentration.
Gabbie Casey is the daughter of Charles Casey, the boss of the notorious Irish Mafia in Detroit. She is attending college to be a defense lawyer just as her mother intentions to pursue. Her night on the town resulted into an unexpected meeting with a handsome young man, Michel Marcello.
Michel was never involved into his family affairs but he was smart enough to notice things happening around him to know the ins and outs of the mafia. An unexpected trouble dropped into his life and he found himself in a game changing situation. Michel actions was smart, decree and savage…as if a cat cornered against a wall, he handled business quickly and wisely knowing he wasn’t under his family umbrella. A fine line between the Hippocrates and mafia oath was definitely excluded for Gabbie and it had to be done. I loved this man because he had his stuff together and act accordingly without warning because a doctor is always prepared.
A great description of the daily duties of a med student and triaged of trauma patients. It’s not an easy task but someone has to do it…this one was well worth the wait.
***** voluntarily received an advance copy of this book.*****