“Salvatore is a heartbreaking story of a man forced to sell his soul to the Family in order to save his family. Sal’s fight to be worthy of Adrianna’s love left me in tears.” – Ebook ObsessedDesperate men do desperate things . . .Salvatore Romero is a dangerous man. If you’ve lived the life Sal has, rage is to be expected and maybe so is heart. After his father killed his mother in a jealous … is heart. After his father killed his mother in a jealous rage, Sal was left to raise his two younger brothers, becoming a parent long before he was ready.
Desperate for money to support his family, Sal sought help from his old friend, Vincent Maggiano, the son of New Jersey’s top crime boss being groomed to take over his ailing father’s empire.
Sal never planned to join the mob. He also never planned to fall for his brother’s sweet and ultra conservative counselor, Adrianna Daniels.
Aedry isn’t the type of girl Sal is usually drawn to. Her skirts are longer, her hair is tamer, and her heels aren’t clear. But he can’t deny the attraction he feels. And Salvatore’s dark, sexy, and dangerous persona is the exact opposite of the clean-cut business men who usually catch Aedry’s attention.
Neither planned on a life of crime nor did they plan on love. But now, both are in too far.
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This is the first book I’ve read by Cecy. I loved it. Guys, one-click it.
Salvatore by Cecy Robson is the story of Salvatore Romero and Adrianna Daniels.
Sal had to take over raising his brothers after his father and mother died at his father’s hands. So he ended up going to the family mob Vincent Maggiano to be able to keep his family together. Which he pretty much sold his sole to keep his brothers. Now Sal is knees deep in and he meets Adrianna who is his brother school counselor. Adrianna is the button up, awkward bookish type so different from what women Sal goes with. But Adrianna is nothing but loving and caring which slowly makes Sal want to be the man that Adrianna deserves.
Enjoyed their story.
Since the beginning of time when confronted with protecting one’s family, a person will do almost anything to keep them safe. But at what cost? I felt for Adrianna who being young and naïve, understood Salatore’s need to take care of his brothers, but not to the extent he did his job. Torn between right and wrong, both must make a choice. I found myself asking myself what I would do in Aedry’s case.
Cecy Robson has written a dramatic story with a dramatic ending that I absolutely loved and can’t wait for the book.
***4 Stars***
I’ve read a few of the authors contemporary romances and really enjoyed them, so when I saw that she was dipping a toe into the mafia side of things, I decided I needed to give this one a go and I really enjoyed it. It’s got a dark edge to it, but there is also a good dose of sweet and smexy and a couple of things that I didn’t see coming.
I loved Sal and Aedry. Sal is all kinds of alpha AF male. He does what needs to be done, even if some of those things aren’t always the best choices and puts him in a position he isn’t entirely happy with. Aedry is interesting. She is has this…wallflower feel to her where she doesn’t need, or want, to be in the spotlight, but she’ll step up to the plate when she feels strongly about something and won’t mince words.
Sal and Aedry’s journey was sweet, smexy and frustrating all at the same time. Between Sal’s constant push/pull thing going on (and OMG there were a few times I want to take a 2×4 to his head) and Aedry’s blindness (which, yes, I understood why, but still) to the world Sal had gotten himself stuck in (for noble reasons that went sideways on him) they seriously drove me batshitcray, but…yeah, there is a BUT, they were really good together. That spark, that connection between them was strong and they both brought out the best in each other. Of course, their already rocky road had to deal with a huge sinkhole, which wasn’t a surprise, but in the end, while I would have liked a tinsy bit more groveling, I can’t deny it for them both perfectly and I love how things ended up for them.
This was a fun read, a little darker than what I’ve read of the authors so far, but still a good read. It was easy to get drawn in to the story and want to see it through til the end. There are some things that may be triggers for some, so beware. As for the supporting cast of characters, I loved Apollo and Gianni and what they brought to the story and Vin and Donnie definitely added the drama, but I’m hoping to get more of Lucca and Autumn in because they both intrigued me and simply need to know more!
3.5 stars
Salvatore is doing everything he can to keep his family afloat. He is doing everything he can not to be a Made man. He has lived a hard life and doesn’t expect anything else but what he knows.
Enter one beautiful guidance counselor on a crusade and he’s done for. He just doesn’t know it yet. She is everything he never let himself want. And now she is everything he can never let himself have.
I cried. There is no shame in admitting it. If Apollo can cry, so can I. The feels are there. The love is evident. But love isn’t always everything…
Learning that could be everything you ever wanted unless you let it mean nothing.
When it comes to romances set in the world of the mafia there seems to be a bit of familiarity when it comes to these books and Ms. Robson’s latest remains familiar but no less satisfying because of its larger-than-life hero. In a romance of opposites attracting readers will find themselves captivated by the conflict of its hero and quickly caught up in a web of suspense and lies.
Salvatore Romero once had dreams of his own, but the murder of his mother by his father irrevocably changed the path his life was to have taken and led him down a dark path that leaves him feeling dirty. It was a deal with the devil, agreeing to work for mobster Vincent Maggiano, that led him astray but it was a necessity in order to help him gain custody of his brothers after their mother’s murder and it’s his love for them that made the choice simple. The pain of that murder though hangs over these three brothers, always weighing them down like an anchor and it’s what brings Sal into contact with a woman his complete opposite but who brings a bit of light to his darkness. It’s a rocky road to HEA though for him and Aedry as he desperately tries to keep the truth about who he is and what he does from tainting her. He longs to be the man she sees when she looks at him, but the secrets and lies make for a relationship that’s bound to bring heartache unless the power of love can prevail. As a reader I LOVE bad boys and their sexy and dangerous vibe of power. Sal has all that and more. He’s protective and will do anything to keep those he loves safe and it’s that aspect of him that endeared him to me. There’s a lot of darkness surrounding him though, his need to tell lies to keep Aedry in his life, that frustrated me but is par for the course in these kinds of books. Sal may be predictable in his actions but his sweet moments with Aedry, and the sexiness that radiates off him, drew me to him despite all that he did in the name of the devil.
Adrianna Daniels is the proverbial good girl, someone with a big heart who just wants to help others, and it’s this need to help a young man with a tough home life that brings her to Sal’s doorstep. It’s a crackling first meeting, one that changes both of their lives irrevocably, and brings her into a world that could put her in danger. Aedry’s a likable heroine, one who puts on a brave face to do what she needs to do when helping others. She dives in without hesitation and while I applaud her caring side I can’t help but wish she had a stronger sense of self-preservation in her career. When it comes to her heart too she blindly believes the stories Sal tells her which marred their connection a bit for me. That’s not to say that she always caves to the whim of Sal and those moments that she stood up to him and his desires had me cheering and made for an even more scorching relationship.
On a whole this was a satisfying story with an appealing couple made stronger, and better, by being together. Though they’re opposites in many ways they just felt right together and I especially liked seeing a softer side to Sal that arouse when he was with Aedry. There’s much weighing on them from the outside world though, much that battered at their HEA, in a story that ultimately ends in a satisfying conclusion. Surrounding this likable main couple was an equally appealing cast of secondary characters whose stories I long to have told. From Sal’s younger brothers to Luca there’s still plenty of stories left to tell and I look forward to where Ms. Robson takes us next.
As an avid fan of alpha protective mafioso heroes, who deep down are good at heart (have an air of respect/honor about them and do not compromise their principles regardless of the questionable circumstances they might find themselves), I’m struggling with how to rate Salvatore’s (Sal) character. Yes, he definitely had the vast majority of those qualities. Some may feel he even possessed all of them. I’ll be honest here and admit something happened at the very beginning that got him off on the wrong foot with me. It was the last trait I mentioned that he didn’t always measure up, folks, which leaves me conflicted on how to sum up my feelings about him.
Sal definitely had mostly good guy tendencies (guardian of two teen siblings, befriended/felt sorry for his mob boss’s beautiful but skanky, druggy ho mistress, who was clearly her own worst enemy, became protective of Aedry), but somehow I still felt he could have been a tad better. Maybe it was because I took exception when he just went with the flow of things most of the time. Stepping up and in when his boss, Vin, was failing miserably to be the Don he needed to be at least saved face for Salvatore in my eyes. Salvatore came across as a paid but “not made” mob man, who had a natural head and leadership for this type of business, though he wanted nothing more than to wash his hands of it entirely.
Aedry, by her own admission, first described herself as awkward, embarrassed easily, dresses like a church lady, has no social life, virgin heroine, until miraculously somehow she isn’t, thanks to an unlikely ally. Her best friend, Autumn, was portrayed pretty much the same, if not worse. Despite being a medical professional, she came across as a geeky, middle schooler. I’m sure in the next book she’ll blossom into model gorgeous, as well. In fact, I’m counting on it and think I know who she will eventually wind up. I found it sad how little these two thought of themselves being worthy of a hot guy. They were living up to the label they pinned on themselves. Thankfully, Aedry comes to her senses and shakes the inaccurate ugly duckling mindset.
At 66% into it, I realized I was finding the promise of this main couple’s relationship sweet but rather exhausting and contradictory at the same time. A repetitive “I want you but I’m not good enough for you” and ”I won’t live with you/have sex with you because I want marriage first (aka want a ring on my finger)…but I’ll let you do any and every dirty, smexy thing you can think of to me” theme put this relationship on rocky ground. Speaking of which, the lengthy, graphic smexy scenes started taking over at the drop of a hat. I realized nothing significant was happening for quite some time. By the conclusion, all things considered, everything worked out for them, but it was rather inevitable, despite the explosive twist it took. It just sort of happened and “bang…bang” was over. However, the short epilogue was especially romantic and endearing. I love to see a groveling hero who is willing to do anything to get his girl back.
So, yeah, I liked that Sal didn’t want to be a bad guy, but was forced into this life for a greater good. Plus, once he fell for Aedry, he couldn’t stop thinking about her and wanted to be with her constantly. He was also quick to want to protect her and became alpha cave man jealous of other guys. There were simply some parts that were what they were, folks, and I’m going to leave it at that.
Title: Salvatore, Series: An In Too Far novel, Author: Cecy Robson, Pages: 356, stand-alone, works for the mob hero, sweet but insecure of herself virgin heroine, graphic mob violence, guardian of two teen siblings, several graphic smexy scenes, drug use by subcharacter. Rating: 3.5 stars
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
Yum! Sooo good! Not your typical mafia story…so much more. It’s life, love, family, friends, and tough decisions. I was sucked in from the beginning with the juxtaposed characters in the fabulously alpha Salvatore and the wonderfully sweet Adrianna. There’s so much to say about these excellent characters that this terrific author created for us to enjoy. I loved them and all the conflict with their different backgrounds and lifestyles. Salvatore is a crude-talking, rough guy but so so strong and noble especially when it comes to his brothers, Gianno and Apollo. Those two are a hoot and great characters. I really liked the relationship between the boys and Aedry. The Romero brothers lived a rough Jersey life which is so different from the rural, religious Southern upbringing of Aedry (didn’t get the nickname.) This lead to an interesting, tender and ultimately HOT romance between Sal and Aedry. For me, it was on mark and the slow-build romance is achingly beautiful. This story not only had a swoon-worthy, sexy romance but all the danger and suspense that goes along with a guy trying to avoid being pulled any deeper into the mafia life. Lots of heart-stopping and heartbreaking moments with a good twist at the end. The secondary characters were especially good and I hope we see more of the smart, quirky Autumn, the mysterious, dangerous Lucca, and, of course, the marvelous Romero teen brothers. Not a dull moment in this spectacular story! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
An emotional journey of danger, lust and underlying goodness! It’s a mob story … but a mobster who doesn’t want to be what he’s having to be. He’s a good guy at heart even though he’s getting more and more dangerous and powerful all the time. He knows too much and even though he only got into this world as a way to keep his family together, there’s no way out and soon he’s going to have to go all in. Meeting Aedry shows him a goodness he isn’t sure he ever even knew was out there. He shouldn’t want her, but he can’t resist the draw … and keeping these secrets from her is going to come back to bite him … but he’s hoping to figure a way out before that happens. Some more development could have been used here and there in order to paint a more complete picture, but it kept me reaching for that happily ever after until the end. Enjoyed it!
It was never Salvatore Romero’s intention to join the mob and live on the other side of the law, but the hard knocks of life were at his door sooner than he ever expected, leaving him to do what he had to do. He’s not like them, but he sees it all and he plays the game he has to play. Anything in order to keep his little brothers with him … anything!
High school guidance counselor Adrianna Daniels has no idea what she’s getting herself into when she knocks on the door of a troubled student’s home. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d be faced with a half-asleep, sexy as all get-out hunk of a man who made her knees tremble at just the sight. He’s power and lust, she’s inexperienced goodness … and together, they might be magical!
An enthralling, can’t put down read
Though I’ve loved the previous books I’ve read by her. I’m still relatively new to this author, but I believe this is her first mafia book. While mafia books aren’t one of my go-to genres, I have read a few that I really enjoyed, so I was excited to give this a try.
Salvatore is working at the edges of the mob, but at high risk of been drawn in deeper. It’s not what he wants, but he wants to make sure his younger brothers are taken care of more. Aedry is his opposite in so many ways; she’s not a complete innocent, not working as a guidance counselor for troubled teens (including Salvatore’s brothers), but she’s pretty close, and where Salvatore is a brooding, protective super alpha, Aedry is calming, caring and nurturing. A lot of the story is the two of them developing a relationship mostly in spite of what their better judgment tells them, especially on Salvatore’s part as he tries to keep the mafia side of his life away from Aedry. I really liked and felt for both of these characters, and was cheering for them to get their hea in spite of all the obstacles in their way.
Though I’m not usually a fan of secret-keeping as a major plot line, I thought it really worked here. Trying to figure out if and how Salvatore was going to break free, and what Aedry was going to do when she found out the truth kept the tension high and the pages turning. I also enjoyed the secondary characters as well, especially Aedry’s friend Autumn and Salvatore’s brothers.
Take great characters, add in lots of heat and plenty of tension, plus some dark edges that one expects to get from a mafia story, and you’ve got an enthralling, can’t put down read. 5 stars
B2B Kelly
A Captivating Love Story…
Loved this book, you have Salvatore who is dangerous and works for the largest crime boss in the city. And then there’s the school counselor, beautiful Aedry who is so loving and has taken Salvatore’s brother’s under her wing. It’s a love story with so many secrets and Salvatore is caught up in the lies he has told so he can have a chance with Aedry. I could not put it down, I was on edge for these two people the entire book. You will not be disappointed. Read it today.
This is a dark, dark read and I had a hard time coming to grips with it at times. Sal is a ultra alpha male who has stepped up to raise his younger brothers to keep them out of the foster system after their father murdered their mother. In order to do this, he is forced to join the Family, yes, the mob. Then the boys school counselor comes to the house when one is not in school and some light is brought into his darkness. Adrianna is all kinds of light and goodness and she is tough, too, and stands up to Sal. I read this one in two sittings because I had a hard time putting it down. Sal does not believe he deserves Aedry and her kindness, goodness, and sweetness but light always shines bright in the dark and happily ever after is beautifully done. I’m looking forward to seeing if the secondary characters get books.