Mary Persephone HailMary—well-wished-for child.Persephone—destruction.Hail—well that speaks for itself.Her name is painful to think about. Mary, his newfound daughter, isn’t a wished-for child. Persephone, though? Yeah, destruction is a fitting description. And Hail? Yeah, that’s just the final f-you.The moment that her mother drops her off on his doorstep, Dante’s hell becomes complete. Or so … Dante’s hell becomes complete.
Or so he thinks.
What can make life worse after losing one’s wife and kids, you ask? Here’s what: being given a baby that depends on him for her survival. Finding out that the baby’s mother is dying of brain cancer, and has a husband that he never knew about. A husband that Dante knows in the marrow of his bones is trying to kill her just as surely as the cancer eating her brain.
Dante’s a bad person. He’s done some not so nice things, and now he’s being punished for his misdeeds. Karma is finally catching up to him.
This child that he’s been stuck with is of his flesh and bone. This child is his salvation. This child is the final nail in the coffin of his wife and daughters’ too short lives.
He doesn’t want this child.
But this child will save him whether he wants her to or not.
With the help of a friend—yes, a woman friend—Dante finds his way back to life. But what he finds when he gets back isn’t the same life that he left behind. Turns out, he has to start living a new one. One where he’s suddenly having feelings for a friend that helped him get through some tough times, and loving a daughter that won’t let him quit.
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Dante Hail…
This mans story just gutted me.
I knee ever since reading about the tragedy that happened to his wife and kids, back in Dixie Wardens Rejects that once Dante got his own book that it would be hard on the heart. And I was completely right. You couldn’t help but feel emotional when your reading this one. Right from the start wh. Reading Marianne’s parts, your heart just broke more than it already was with what you already knew about Dante’s story. But, then you wee introduced to Mary, and hope was starting to form for the lost man. Then Cobie walked onto his life and that hope grew even stronger.
Dane’s pain and struggle to live was one that anyone that lost a love would feel. Could he move on, or was he going to continue to just be. Then when he started to let himself think that he could, he grew angry with himself. Thus pushing the person that he was letting in away. That was the turning point for him, and he needed that to let himself start to actually allow himself to be happy. That is what Lily would have wanted.
There was that one person that was not wanting tho happiness to be. And it was this push of someone wanting to take the chance of happiness away that got him to open his eyes and heart.
Mary was Dante’s, Hail Mary that started making him cone back to the world of the living.
Codie was Dante’s, Saving Grace that finally brought him back to his family and to the light.
The character Rafe was present thought out this one and some things started to cone to light about his character. But, then some things were still being held back. Now I really can’t wait for his story to find out more about this secretive character.
I’m sad that this series has come to an end. I am glad that Dante finally got an HEA.
Dante who has been broken for so long until his daughter Mary comes into his life. Then he meets Cobie who is also broken and more than given up on life. Together these 2 show that there is always HOPE even in bad situations and as you cry and cheer your way through this book you think maybe I can make it through one more day.
“The world would be a lesser place without you in it.”
I’ve made no secret that I’m drawn to stories with broken bad boys. As long as the author has my trust, that I feel safe with her, that she’ll eventually give me an HEA or at least a HFN I’m willing to place my heart in her hands for the duration. For me personally, having gone through some really bad stuff, it’s inspiring to read about others who have come through the darkness, finding light through love. It gives me hope and makes me happy. So, if given a choice, I’ll pick a book with a damaged broken character every single time.
I’ve been waiting for Dante’s story for a long time. I felt his pain and loss in every book prior to this one. I wanted desperately to meet the woman that would comfort him and bring the life back to his eyes. Now that I have, I’ve fallen even harder for him, and I have a girl-crush on her.
Dante claims that his daughter Mary saved his life. He’d been wallowing in a black hole for the last two years, unable to pull himself out of his grief. The result of his drunken one-night-stand was the best thing that could have happened to him, though it would take a while for him to see that. Having shut down his feelings for so long, they were rusty. But sweet Mary melted the ice around his heart and made him feel again.
She saw his pain immediately. She recognized it. She had enough trouble of her own, but still, she was drawn to him. She rambled, saying outrageous things to get a reaction out of him. The occasional smirk or smile was… everything. Though she couldn’t deny that, “Even when he was there, he wasn’t really ‘there’.” They formed a friendship of sorts, helping each other. Learning when to keep their questions to themselves and when to reach out with support. They shared secrets and painful memories and insecurities and fears. She fell hard for Mary, and it was mutual. But how much of their relationship was out of necessity? Were there any real feelings on his side, or was she just a distraction to help him survive his past?
And let’s not forget the villian hovering in the background. Yeah, he’s the bad guy that’s married to Mary’s mother. The man that she was running from when he met her. A man that he didn’t know even existed until he was already an unwilling father. A man that would not stay in the past and would threaten his future once he learned of his existence. Hello, suspense, good-bye fingernails. Hello, emotion, bye-bye sleep because it’s time for a #BookHangover and worth every missed ZZZzzzz. I’m so in love with this series and Dante was worth waiting for. But the new man in my future is Rafe. He’s got so many secrets that I’m anxious to learn. And I’ve not been immune to the sparks bouncing between him and a certain lady that he’s trying hard to ignore. Too bad for him, it’s not working. If I can feel it through my Kindle, it’s too hot to smother. I can’t wait! The line forms here…
Dante Hail has been through hell and still has not come back when a drunken moment leaves him the father to Mary Persephone Hail. Mary’s mother hands off Mary to Dante asking him to do right by his daughter because it is her last hope, Dante gets second chance at finding meaning in his life. What he doesn’t plan on is befriending Cobie who was friends with Mary’s mother.
Cobie is at crossroads in her life and is ready to throw in the towel, a moment with Dante though talking about her decisions though have her rethinking her plan. Cobie makes a life changing decision and believes she is on her own but when Dante finds out he is swift to fold her into his care. A friendship ensues until the day that a mutual attraction gets acted upon, but Dante erupts and Colbie flees. Can Dante fix what he broke and what happens when an old threat resurfaces?
This was quite a bit different then what I thought it would be. Definitely a tear jerker and had moments where you feel utter despair for Dante and Colbie. Dante had been hardened or awhile and the other books in the series lead the way until you get Dante front and center. I enjoyed this story but it is a heartbreaker.
This is Dante’s story which brings him out of the darkness he has been in since he lost his wife and children. Two people in particular help him with this, his daughter Mary and a friend turned lover. Questions you were asking your self about Dante and what he was doing are answered in this book. So good read it so you finally can find out he is doing and who he is with. You won’t be disappointed!
This comes with so many emotions and twists you could get lost in it. It is twisted, scary, frustrating, haunting, and really great. It leaves you wanting more books like it.
Dang, this family have no break! It’s one thing after another, you have psycho ex, deranged bad guys you name it, they’ve dealt with it. I don’t know how these two managed to survive but they did, little bit emotional, some sad parts but it is a very well written story. Congratulations Author Lani Lynn Vale, you’ve outdone yourself.
Dante has had his fair share of tragedy losing his family. Then he is thrown for a loop when a woman brings him a baby that he fathered. He didn’t expect the changes that little Mary would bring to his life or Cobie but there is someone out there that wants what Mary inherited. Will Dante and Cobie get to the bottom of what is going on and live through it? This story keeps you all caught up in this as it unfolds.
I went into this book reluctantly. I had to read it to finish the series I have just binged but I was sure it was going to wreck me. Dante’s story is one that has been woven through everyone’s book because his tragedy touched them all. Along with his complete departure from his family to deal with his grief adding to their loss. And I was expecting to be dragged into that grief and reliving his loss with him.
So I was really happy that although we did see Dante struggling with his losses we didn’t get his story until his beautiful baby Mary had started to bring him back to life. And I am really grateful that while we did get a lot of acknowledgment of how huge his loss was it wasn’t anywhere near the focus of the story.
And although there was a lot of action and drama this book was about second chances and living life without regrets. Codie was a character I immediately liked. She was such a survivor. I loved that she had so much respect for Dante’s journey. She didn’t take it personally when he freaked out she just quietly left him to deal how he needed to and quietly tried to make it easier for him. And it just made me love her more.
The book was a great end to the series. Although I am going to have to hunt down Rafe’s book as soon as I have the time to binge the next series.
I have been waiting patiently for Dante’s story, and Oh Boy, was it worth the wait. Ms. Vale our did herself on this one. Her books just keep getting better.
I laughed, I cried, and of course I swooned. This is a captivating, heartbreaking, heart melting story. I knew going into this Dante’s story would be rough but this blew me away. Add Cobie to the mix and everything just fit together so perfectly. I do not think it could have been better.
Cobie and Donte’s story was an emotional read. It was heartbreaking and yet love and acceptance was ultimately reached. I was blown away with this story.
For those of you that are not familiar with this series, then the question will be asked, why are you looking at this one? Go to the beginning, no cutting in line, that is just dumb! Dante has been around for a few books now, all the way back to Life To My Flight (DW #5), Rue and Cleo’s book when he made his first appearance and then we got to see him in books after, like in Ruthie and Sterling’s book we find out that he is married to Ruthie’s best friend… well you see the pattern.
After his wife and children died, Dante is a shell of the person he used to be, until a one night mistake turned into his saving grace. Now, Dante has Mary to think of. Mary, who has started to make Dante to live again. When Mary’s mother has one last request of Dante; to keep an eye on Cobie, her best friend, Dante does his best to fulfill that wish, but Cobie doesn’t make it easy. Will Cobie be the last piece of the puzzle that helps Dante live again, or will he keep hiding from a future without Lily?
So… I think for the first time, EVER, in my LLV reading, I find myself disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a really good story, but for Dante’s story I had hoped and expected more. I loved getting to see Sam and the guys, to which I read one of the saddest sentences ever “These men were all older. Late forties, early fifties, I’d guess.” 🙁 Don’t want to think of my fav characters getting older LOL. This was an action packed, heartbreaking story, that at times may have you tear up a bit, while at others have you laughing out loud like a loon. I’m giving this 4.5 stars, it still is a very good read, just not the amazing read that Dante deserved.
Going into this book, I was worried. Yes, I was dying for Dante’s story, but at the same time, based on what I’ve seen of him in previous books, I wasn’t looking forward to his story with the mother of his baby. There was just so much they’d have to overcome, that I wasn’t sure I could get through it. I’ll also admit that I didn’t fully read the blurb before requesting to review the book. I mean, it didn’t really matter what it said, I’m an impatient girl. So, you can imagine my delighted surprise when I FINALLY read the whole blurb and found out that the heroine wasn’t his baby mama but someone that was a friend…aka…someone that didn’t have such a messy past with Dante. I couldn’t wait to jump in. A) because thus is LLV and b) because I love a good friends-to-lovers story. Add in the fact that Dante has a lot to overcome, and its the start of a great book.
One of the best things about this book was the friendship that the author developed between Dante and Cobie. She didn’t rush it. There weren’t any mentions of romantic feelings until 65% and I remember the percent perfectly because I was talking to a friend about the book as I read and she was skeptical about the book and if it would be rushed and when romantic feelings were first mentioned, I made note. I LOVED that it was a slow build/burn. But once it started burning, it was scorching hot!
As with most books that have an Alpha hero…Dante was an idiot. He made a big mistake, and while I saw it coming, I still wanted to smack him for it. I can’t blame him from freaking out, and even Cobie didn’t blame him. I mean yes, she was angry and left his ass but she also realized where he was coming from.
Even though I was initially worried about this book, I ended up really loving it! This is definitely one of my favorite series by the author!
Before I start I need to state that I had my doubts and reservations regarding this story. I mean if I base it upon the Dante, who was the dark, depressing, looming shadow all thorough the series then you can see where I coming from. Still there was no way that I’m not going to read it. First because I love Lani Lynn Vale style and her books became kinda a permanent monthly feature in my life. Secondly, it’s not the first time that she peppers the books in a series with clues and snippets about the main character/s of the last book in that particular series and I usually don’t like the characters based on that snippet, however usually I end up loving the actual book.
And it happened once again, because I absolutely adored this story. It has such a beautiful message all over. I don’t think that I spoiling anything if I say that Dante doesn’t end up with his baby mama because it’s stated in the synopsis. I actually was glad about this development because those two just had too much bad between them.
The storyline is amazing, it’ not her best but I greatly enjoyed it. It has a flowing, mostly sedate pace and thing progress in a timely manner. There are a lot of shocking moments and out of the blue surprises that shake up the dynamic of the book. There was a part around the end of the book that was a bit rushed and not fully exploited, which could have given a touch more drama to the plot but overall it’s an exciting, emotional and sweet story.
Dante has a lot of demons and due to that he makes a lot of mistakes even during this book. He had quite a few a**hole moves where I could have drown him in a spoonful of water, but I gave his character some leeway because of his past. However he is phenomenal with Mary and even with Cobie. When a couple of girls show up in his life, whom need his help he starts to heal and man up. His story is kind of heartbreaking and his way of handling his grief doesn’t show the strongest personality but he slowly redeems himself.
I liked Cobie, she is not the usual big mouthed, pushy woman that the author creates most of the time, although if I think about it the Hail raisers series was rather full of quiet, lonely and silently suffering girls. Anyway she is alone; she doesn’t have family or friend and her health is famously bad. She is ready to give up but when she meets Dante and Mary something changes and she starts to build something new for herself. She is strong, supportive and really understanding. I loved how she handled her and Dante first meeting, with the eternally calm, slightly sarcastic manner. It was funny.
This book had quite a different atmosphere to the other books in the series. I think, overall it had a more serene feel to it and while my favorite among the Hail Raisers series is probably Baylor story, I think this one would get second place. Great job Lani Lynn Vale, keep it up.
P.S. I found it strange that Finley, the last Hail brother didn’t get his own book. Does anyone know if he is going to get one??
I could not wait to get this book. Dante is so broody and with good reason, he lost his world. But Mary (his unexpected daughter and miracle) saves him from the dark and pulls him from hiding so he can move on with his life. Love the Hail Brothers!
I PRETTY MUCH LIKE ANYTHING THAT THIS AUTHOR WRITES. GREAT CHARACTERS AND ALOT OF THEM SHOW UP IN OTHER BOOKS SO YOU GET TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FUTURE. PICK UP ANY OF HER BOOKS.
What a wonderful way to end one of her best series. You feel their pain, share in their joy and cheer for them. I loved every minute of this book.
We’ve felt Dante’s pain for many a book and hoped he’d find peace and happiness again. Read this book and follow him on his journey to healing.
Whilst I really liked and felt a connection to both Cobie and Dante, it took a long time to feel and believe in any connection between them. I’ve read 4 other books in the series so I do know the author uses an unusual writing style to portray the romance. We don’t get all the heart pounding, hearts, flowers and unicorns found in many a romance novel. Instead we get a more real life, watching TV and being relaxed together style of relationship building. Whilst I love that this is so much more realistic, it can leave the book a little slow burn. On this occasion it didn’t always convince me.
Cobie has survived stage 4 cancer but now is in the early stages of breast cancer. Dante lost his family a few years previously but now has a daughter from a one night stand. Without wanting to offend anyone, it felt a little over dramatic for a romance story. Yes these things sadly happen in real life but on top of the Drake story line (and what happens towards the end of the book to Cobie (view spoiler) , then to Dante and then finally Cobie) it was just too soap opera. There was almost too much other stuff going on and it took away from the excellent story line building between Dante, Cobie and Mary.
Now after that huge dollop of negativity I’d like to point out that this IS a decent read. It is really well written, the story flows smoothly, the characters are interesting and the story is engaging. Whilst there are jumps in the timeline they were much better signposted and you knew HOW long those jumps were every single time.
I enjoyed the book, it was read in just a couple of sittings with sleep, work and life being what drew me away rather than me not wanting to read it. If you’re a fan of LLV, or have read some of the other Hail Raisers books then you will enjoy this. Despite being the 6th book of the series it is possible to be read as a stand alone.
Hail Mary is book 6 in the Hail Raisers Series. It can be a stand alone but I highly recommend that you read the books in order as you’ll get a better appreciation as a whole for the series.
Dante is barely existing after that devastating loss of his family. Everyone is worried about him. In drops Mary, a daughter he didn’t know existed until her mother, who is dying of brain cancer shows up on his doorstep. Much to his reluctance Mary is bringing him back into the land of living. She is such a sweet little girl. That had me at times saying ‘aaahhh’ as I read along in the story.
Also showing up in his life is Colbie, Mary’s mother’s best friend. Life hasn’t been kind to Colbie either. When she’s faced with some difficult news of her own Dante doesn’t let her face them alone.
Dante and Colbie’s attraction to each other is something that Dante fights against due to the tragedy of his past.
There is another party doing his best to keep them from having a HEA.
This book is very well written. I was absolutely gutted by Dane’s loss of his family. His up and down emotions of moving on with his life were so realistic and pulled me that much more into the story. The characters are well developed and have great dialogue. I love the twist of intrigue and suspense, too. My favorite type of story to read.
I love that we got to know Rafe a little more. Just enough that it has me craving for more.
5 Stars
Hail Mary is the sixth title in the Hail Raisers series. Lani Lynn Vale continues to surprise me with her unique and engaging plot lines. Honestly I wasn’t sure what to expect with Dante’s story.
Anyone familiar with this series will be well aware of Dante’s back story, and as a parent his pain and loss is unimaginable.
Dante and Cobie’s story is incredibly special. It’s emotional, and heartbreaking, but also inspiring. It’s a raw and gritty story of survival, and finding yourself.
I loved the connection that Dante and Cobie share. She understands his pain and loss, yet still manages for the most part to be upbeat and positive. Her quirky, and endearing personality has them leaning on each other, for friendship and support. She’s brave, sweet, funny and strong.
Dante is incredibly kind, gentle and protective, but also blunt and to the point. He doesn’t mince words to get his point across, and at times he is very reserved and can come across as cold, but it’s in an effort to stave off more heartbreak.
As with all of Lani’s books this one doesn’t lack for action, intrigue and suspense. I’ve got to say I loved the cameo appearance of the Freebirds Men.
You will need the Kleenex nearby with this one as it takes you on a journey full of emotional highs and lows and the tears will flow. I was captivated from the very first chapter of this book and read it in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down.
This was a lovely ending to the Hail Raisers series, and I cannot wait to see where Lani takes us next with future titles. Hopefully this will not be the last we see of the Hail family.