From USA Today bestselling author Khardine Gray comes a sizzling hot mafia romance with a fantasy bad boy who will make you beg for more.GioShe was my best friend’s little sister. That meant she was forbidden to me. Women like her didn’t belong in our dark world. Didn’t stop me though… She’s the good girl I never should have touched.I went where I shouldn’t and lost track of the dangers that … shouldn’t and lost track of the dangers that lurked around us.
My irresponsibility cost my best friend, her brother, his life.
I left home to keep her safe… and I knew leaving would break her heart.
Guilt made me stay away, and I found peace in knowing she was better without me.
I never planned to return, but guilt brought me back for my uncles’ funeral.
I knew better than to tempt fate. I’m one of the capo’s to the new Chicago Mafia boss and a member of the infamous Four.
But ,when I saw her again I forgot all the reasons why I was bad for her.
All the reasons why I left.
Leaving her once was hard.
Leaving her twice feels like a mistake I don’t want to make.
Especially when I think she’s in trouble…
Lyssa
I was innocent before him.
The same way I knew not to get involved with a man like him, I knew it was wrong to hide the child he never knew he had.
When I saw Gio again I caved and gave into the temptation of him.
God forbid if he finds out my secrets.
Yes, secrets.
He has a son he didn’t know about and I made a deal with a devil who wants my body as payment if my father can’t pay his debts.
It’s all a nightmare I want to escape.
When I’m with Gio I want him to save me, but I don’t want him to break me like he did last time.
I want to be his like I was before, and remember when we belonged to each other.
Remember when we made love under the stars and I thought that was our forever.
Remember when we laughed together and I felt I had everything.
Remember when we… were us.
It feels like a dream my heart wants, but the nightmare is far from over.
Remember When We is a standalone, full-length mafia romance and a part of the Gangsters and Dolls series.
Gangsters and Dolls series is a spin off from The Accidental Mafia Queen series. Continue the adventure with these sizzling hot, drool-worthy Alpha males.
Meet the Chicago Familia in these series by USA Today bestselling author, Khardine Gray!
The Accidental Mafia Queen
1.Mafia Boss
2.Mafia Scars
3.Mafia Love
Gangsters and Dolls
1.Dirty Hearts
2.Stolen Kisses- Coming soon
3.Remember when we – Coming soon
4.Double Edged Hearts- Coming soon
5.The Sting of love – Coming soon
more
This is my favorite so far in the series. I love Gio and Lyssa together so much. The chemistry between them is ridiculous. Another great one for the books. I cannot wait to read more from this series. It’s so freaking good!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
He never stopped loving her but will they have a second chance once all the secrets come out
The story of Gio and Lyssa is heartbreaking but also heartwarming. They have history from when they were younger and had a secret relationship. Lyssa is Marshall’s younger sister and Gio and Marshall were best friends. But after a couple of years Lyssa’s father finds out and orders Gio to leave both her and Marshall alone as he believes Gio is a bad influence on both of his children. What no one realizes except for Gio is that Marshall is actually a junkie and takes risks in order to score. One bad deal is all it took and Marshall was killed with Gio feeling guilty about it. So he lies to Lyssa about not having any feelings for her and leaves town. The only issue is that he leaves a little something with Lyssa.
Now it is 8 years later and Gio has come back to bury his uncle. At the same time he sees Lyssa and things start getting really real for both of them real quickly. But Lyssa has some other secrets that she is keeping and trying to deal with the best she can. Once Gio finds out about these he does what any protective Alpha mafia man does………..claim what is his and that includes Lyssa.
At the heart this story is a second chance romance with a Mafia and murder mystery twist. But there is danger, betrayal, revenge, deep regret, forgiveness and love in the story. It has a well constructed story-line and the characters development is good, including the many supporting characters that add to the plot.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Definitely an exciting read. Gio and Lyssa do not have an easy road and history of an uncomplicated love. Gio sure took robbing the cradle literally and everyone involved had their burdens to bear. Loved Lyssa’s fire and determination to beat Frankie at his own game but not informing Gio of everything going on was stupid. Walking in blindly to a situation is bad but when it involves gangsters, Mafia, drugs, money and corruption that’s a whole other level of bossing up that can’t be winged on the fly. Redemption and regrets walked hand in hand for this storyline and I loved the excitement of the unpredictable moves everyone made. There was a lot of secondary characters that have more than a two second introduction that I have an interest in. Pretty sure they’ll have their own stories told in other books from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This is a wonderful story that had me on an emotional rollercoaster at times. It’s brilliantly written, and the characters are perfectly described with great dialogue. I loved this story from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Seeing Lyssa, Gio reminded himself she wasn’t his, she was too young for him and she didn’t belong in his world and he made sure she would hate him when he left.
Lyssa was struggling she was working two jobs to pay the bills, the debt and medical expenses for her dad and found out he needed more treatments for his liver. On top of everything her father owed a debt to the worst kind of person and she was going to pay for it. It only got worse seeing Gio, he broke her heart and made it irreparable. She didn’t need to see him, she’d kept something from him, just like when he left saying it was for the best, what she kept from him was for the best.
Gio knew staying away from Lyssa was what he should do, find out who killed his best friend, her brother and leave, but she looked even more beautiful than before, he was everything wrong for her that’s why he left. He needed to see Paul, Lyssa and Marshall’s father, he needed his help with some information, then he would see Lyssa. He never expected what he found seeing Paul and he knew that it changed everything he thought about leaving Lyssa alone, he knew he wasn’t leaving her again and he had more to fight for this time. She fell for him once and he’ll make her fall for him again.
I never would have thought that a series about the mafia would become one of new favorite genres. But this series has sure opened my eyes. There is so much action, loyalty, family ties, and the mafia members falling head over heels for their true loves. Each book makes me want to find out the story of the next character.
In this book, we get the back story of Gio Bianchi. He’s in Chicago now as one of the infamous Four. But new information has come to light regarding the death of his best friend from when he lived in Philly and he goes there to seek out who was actually behind Marshall’s death. Of course, once there he ran into his love, Lyssa (Marshall’s sister. This is a quick paced story full of suspense, romance, and second chances. Can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
Gio and Lyssa have been seeing each secretly for a couple years. Gio is best friends with her brother Marshal and the both of them are involved in some shady business. When Lyssa’s father catches them together he makes Gio leave and not come back. When Marshall ends up dead Gio feels guilty and breaks Lyssa heart as he ends things between them. When Gio’s uncle dies he comes back and some of the things he learns about are going to make him explode. Will he claim Lyssa as his woman again? Can they get back what they had?
This is a great story that will have you on the edge of your seat. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He calls her Baby Doll, she was his only love but he left her anyway and 8 years later he’s back. When Gio comes back to solve the mystery surrounding Marshall’s death he get a surprise to find out his Baby Doll has kept a secret from him and is in up to her neck with the Mafia. Great writing, good book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So the story of Lyssa and Gio is the third in the Gangsters and Dolls series of independent though connected through caracters book. I enjoyed it just AS much as the previous book, but I wish the caracters would talk more and not always protect each other, but then again the story would probably be shorter then. I enjoyed spending time with these caracters again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
One heck of an amazing read that is a non-stop bundle of suspense! The nail-biting storyline will keep you on edge with anticipation for making the perfect choice and a great HEA! Emotionally engrossing, witty, exciting and enjoyable! Lip-biting hot chemistry! An amazing bad boy must read that will have you rooting for Mr. Right to take a hike!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is Gio’s story, Khardine Gray’s 3rd book in the Gangsters and Dolls series. Gio Bianchi is a capo in the Chicago Mafia and part of the Big Four. They are quick to dish out pain, have no qualms about murder but, most of all, have no doubt that when one of their own is in trouble, they all come to help. Eight years ago, Gio was a different person, less jaded not quite as ruthless. He looked for jobs that would score him a lot of money and his best friend, Marshall Carson, was right there with him. There was one big difference. Gio tried to watch out for Marshall because he was a little more reckless and there was no limit to what he wouldn’t do for a hit and hard cash. Marshall’s little sister, Lyssa, and Gio have been together secretly for the last 2 years. When her father finds out, he orders Gio to get out of her life because he thinks he’s a horrible influence on both Lyssa and Marshall. Nobody knows just how much of a junkie Marshall is and how he’s always looking for his next fix. When a drug deal goes bad, Marshall is killed in a gang shootout and Gio leaves, filled with guilt. He has to leave Lyssa behind, even though they’ve made plans to be together. He lies to her and tells her he doesn’t have any feelings for her as he leaves her behind. He left something else behind. When his uncle dies and Gio comes back for his funeral, Alyssa realizes that it’s going to get real and soon. There’s more! He has information that indicates Marshall didn’t die as they were told. The search for the truth turns up a lot of truths that are criminal at their core. The action and the plot are very tight and well-connected. These characters are so complex that they do come to life. The relationship between Gio and Matthew is perfectly conceived and written. This is a wonderful book from a wonderful series!
An amazing second chance romantic suspense and third book in the Gangsters and Dolls series! It is a compelling, well thought out, and on the edge of your seat captivating read! It is a well written and emotionally deep page-turner with lots of action, drama, suspense, danger, secrets, and intrigue to look forward to. The characters are strong; the chemistry between them is undeniable and potent.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love given and love returned!
by sewsummore
There are times when I wish I could offer more than five stars as a review and this is one of those times. The drama within this story kept me on the edge of my seat. Then the death of a brother and the heartbreak when your lover says “it was all for the sex” gave me lump in my throat for the pain she suffered. The underhand lies and threats made the suspense feel real but most of all it was the ending when all the danger had passed and all that was left was the happiness of love given and love returned.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed this book.
I love Lissa and Gio! This has a little darkness but not too much. You have the innocent girl that falls for the bad boy and the bad boy that leaves the girl to save her. But I love second chance romances and this is one of my favorites now. There are secrets, secret longings, chemistry, angst, suspense, fear, and so much more. The story grips you and doesn’t let you go until the end. I am hooked now!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
REMEMBER WHEN WE is the third instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult GANGSTERS AND DOLLS erotic, mafia romance series-a spin off from the author’s Accidental Mafia Queen series. This is thirty-eight year old, Chicago Mafia capo Gio Bianchi, and twenty-eight year old, Lyssa Carson’s story line. REMEMBER WHEN WE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Gio and Lyssa) using present day and memories from the past, following two intersecting paths, REMEMBER WHEN WE follows the rebuilding romance between thirty-eight year old, Chicago Mafia capo Gio Bianchi, and twenty-eight year old, Lyssa Carson. Eight years earlier Gio’s best friend and Lyssa’s brother Marshall Carson was killed. Angry with himself, and his inability to prevent the death of his friend, Gio leaves Philadelphia walking out of Lyssa’s life leaving heartbreak, pain and words said in anger in the wake. Fast forward to present day, Gio is now a capo in the Chicago mob, but must return to Philadelphia when information comes to light that Marshall’s murder was more than anyone could have imagined. Seeing the woman he betrayed came with memories of the past, but a woman whose secrets were about to destroy them all. What ensues is the second chance romance between Gio and Lyssa, and the potential fall-out as past mistakes demand payment, and Gio battles between head and heart when the truth is revealed.
Gio Bianchi blamed himself for Marshall Carson’s death but a copy of the coroner’s report reveals something no one could ever have imagined. Searching for the truth Gio, along with the help of PI Gibbs, Dante and Claudius, will begin an investigation of his own that will bring Gio back to where it all began. Lyssa Carson was destroyed the day Gio pushed her out of his life. Words said in anger and guilt found Lyssa on the receiving end of Gio’s caustic diatribe meant to hurt and break. But Lyssa’s life was about to change, and Gio was no longer along for the ride.
The relationship between Gio and Lyssa is one of second chances: a best friend’s little sister; a rebuilding romance between two people pulled apart by death and destruction. Gio has never stopped loving our story line heroine but Lyssa struggles with the angry words and accusations years before. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are reintroduced to Chicago Mafia Don Claudius Morientz, capo Dante Giordano, PI Gibbs, as well as Lyssa’s father Paul Carson. The requisite evil has many faces.
REMEMBER WHEN WE is a story of betrayal and vengeance; reflection, regret and forgiveness; love and happily ever after. The premise is fast paced, engaging and intriguing; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is provocative and hot. REMEMBER WHEN WE is a heart breaking story of second chances, loss and moving forward.
This was the 3rd book in the “Gangsters and Dons” series and I was just as hooked on this one as the first two in this amazing series! The great plot and well developed characters held me captive as the story between Lyssa and Gio effortlessly unfolded!
Gio and Lyssa story.
Can’t forget your first love,first time.
To protect her, he let and broke her heart.
She lost her brother and her loved one the same day. After this was really nothing to fight for, at least for few months.
After this she had to provide and protect Matthew. He looks like his father.
Eight years later Gio is back and this time all untold stories and grief has to be told and maybe forgiven.
Really enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Omg…Love Gio’s story! Lyssa was the forbidden romance Gio never should have had. He feels he betrayed his best friend by first being with his sister and then not being there when he died. He left Philly, and Lyssa and vowed to never return. A new lead in the death of his friend brings him back 8 years later and he once he spies Lyssa he can’t stay away. She has never gotten over Gio, and try as she may she can’t keep him away, but she is determined to keep the secret she has at all costs. While juggling her feeling for Gio, the deal she made with the devil to protect her father is becoming too real. Once the secret is out, Gio will stop at nothing to protect what is his, not matter the cost. This is a suspenseful, drama filled, passionate story….its just so good!!!
ONE INTENSE AND THRILLING DELIGHT!!!
Sizzling hot! Khardine brought out the big guns with tough as nails, on point realism that shakes this baby right on home. A churning vortex of surprising events and startling circumstances catapults this jewel to life flawlessly. This is one kickass throw down, jaw dropping experience that melds this baby together piece by piece. Wrestling through the trials and tribulations navigating those sharp corners and tight lines that rock this baby to the core. Perilous drama, chilling danger and electrifying suspense keeps you riveted on a razors edge, blasting this bad boy wide open. Throw in all the perplexing situations and revealing revelations that comsumes your full attention on this page turning dynamo. The chemistry between the two main characters is intense, white hot and explosive. The characters personalities are well matched and blend together smoothly. The scenes are graphically detailed with such colorful descriptions it paints an incredible backdrop thats so realistic it’s like you’re right there with them. Fantastic job Khardine, thanks for sharing this baby with us.
Riveting, dire circumstances and utterly urgent
Remember When We: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (Gangsters and Dolls Book 3) by Khardine Gray is a well written mafia romance that had me in it’s grip from the beginning. I loved the opening of this book, it was unique and I was impressed. For me it demonstrated the deep connection of the characters in this book despite their lengthy separation.
Gio, the alpha bad boy gangster, despite his resolve in the past to the present, never got over Lyssa and Lyssa never got over Gio. Too many years pass, time passed but neither Gio nor Lyssa ever really moved on. I loved their story! It was what should have happened all those years ago. Between past events and present circumstances, these two were meant to come together and discover the answers denied them. The plot, which factors into it all is exciting, edge of your seat, nail biting urgency from the get go. I hated to put this one down or take a break from reading!
Overall a very well written mafia romance for two wonderful characters, their second chance and promising HEA.