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kzimm2024's review
4.0
Solid 2nd entry to the series, 3.5 stars for making it believable and sweet with Avi. But its not as gripping or interesting as the "Trunk" book, more like soft-mafia than hard core mafia. This story makes that story seem more of a 5 now... and the next one of the series has promise (arranged mafia marriage).
I liked Alessa's banter with Avi and Santiago was a good man, but I don't feel like I got much backstory as to what he did for work? Before coming back to the family. And it seemed like we had no idea how old Avi was until much later.
I suspected Brit's boyfriend too but thought it was for other reasons. The whole relationship developed over a short time even though it didn't feel rushed.
Peeves:
Man, I am tired of sex scenes where the man demands "Come" and what do you know- she does! Its incredible! (eye roll inserted here).
And how Alessa ate "bad" foods like crazy but no mention of exercise- she must have an amazing metabolism... Just a few small things like that that I notice but its not like a plot hole, so its all good.
Salvatore seems interesting, is he available?? :)
I liked Alessa's banter with Avi and Santiago was a good man, but I don't feel like I got much backstory as to what he did for work? Before coming back to the family. And it seemed like we had no idea how old Avi was until much later.
I suspected Brit's boyfriend too but thought it was for other reasons. The whole relationship developed over a short time even though it didn't feel rushed.
Peeves:
Man, I am tired of sex scenes where the man demands "Come" and what do you know- she does! Its incredible! (eye roll inserted here).
And how Alessa ate "bad" foods like crazy but no mention of exercise- she must have an amazing metabolism... Just a few small things like that that I notice but its not like a plot hole, so its all good.
Salvatore seems interesting, is he available?? :)
blueblue23's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
romancebookloverinseattle's review
5.0
The Woman in the Back Room has everything I love in a romance - slow burn, but still a whole lot of steam, good suspense and a great story! Santi initially didn't want to be a part of the "family" business. His high school girl got pregnant and they got married and tried to make a go of it. They had decided they weren't a good fit and were still living together and cohabiting amicably while waiting to break the news to their son, Avi. But Santi's wife is gunned down in front of him and he decides it's time to join the family business.
Alessa was born out of an affair that the head of Morelli family had. She lived with her mother for the first 17 years of her life, but landed on her father's doorstep when she realized she had to flee life with her mom. Although the family has welcomed her in to their fold, she wants to be fully in on the family business, but as a woman, she feels more of an outsider. The Costa family needs someone to help watch Avi who has the skills necessary to also recognize danger and protect him, and Alessa is the perfect fit for this job.
What follows is a fantastic story as Alessa, Avi and Santi get to know each other. The chemistry between Santi and Alessa is off the charts and I loved watching the slow build of their relationship as they try and fight their attraction, and then especially the times they can't. Alessa has a way with Avi and their relationship was incredibly heartwarming to read about. This book had it all - I loved the slow build but hot romance, the relationship we see develop with Avi, and the suspense as they try and figure out who the bad guys are and track them down. Another fantastic book from Jessica Gadziala!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy and have voluntarily left an honest review.
Alessa was born out of an affair that the head of Morelli family had. She lived with her mother for the first 17 years of her life, but landed on her father's doorstep when she realized she had to flee life with her mom. Although the family has welcomed her in to their fold, she wants to be fully in on the family business, but as a woman, she feels more of an outsider. The Costa family needs someone to help watch Avi who has the skills necessary to also recognize danger and protect him, and Alessa is the perfect fit for this job.
What follows is a fantastic story as Alessa, Avi and Santi get to know each other. The chemistry between Santi and Alessa is off the charts and I loved watching the slow build of their relationship as they try and fight their attraction, and then especially the times they can't. Alessa has a way with Avi and their relationship was incredibly heartwarming to read about. This book had it all - I loved the slow build but hot romance, the relationship we see develop with Avi, and the suspense as they try and figure out who the bad guys are and track them down. Another fantastic book from Jessica Gadziala!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy and have voluntarily left an honest review.
amykastigar's review
2.0
What was Santi's occupation between the age of 18 and the start of the book (age unknown)? The fact that I read this entire book, got glimpses of his life in the interim...the "ruinous" loan to start, the expansion of the office (did this employ other people?), the fact that he kept his family in a 3 bedroom, doorman apartment in NYC, his obvious success, despite absolutely no proof or cause given...and then seems to abandon it all in his quest for Mafia goodness/revenge.
I reviewed another of JG's book with the same thought...if she doesn't care about writing a cohesive story, why am I bothering to read it? It would take so little effort to round off the sharp edges and make this an enjoyable read. Instead I finished the last half of this book thinking, "Surely she's going to work this in. Surely it's a small detail." But what it did was take me completely out of the narrative. But instead she needs to throw in the next book (Isabella) to keep her fans coming back. I'm not sure I'll be back for such lackadaisical writing.
I reviewed another of JG's book with the same thought...if she doesn't care about writing a cohesive story, why am I bothering to read it? It would take so little effort to round off the sharp edges and make this an enjoyable read. Instead I finished the last half of this book thinking, "Surely she's going to work this in. Surely it's a small detail." But what it did was take me completely out of the narrative. But instead she needs to throw in the next book (Isabella) to keep her fans coming back. I'm not sure I'll be back for such lackadaisical writing.
loveydoveyrry's review
4.0
This series let me tell you-
—
I really thought I wasn’t gonna be interested in this book but boy did this prove me wrong!
Alessa(fc: Jil Grudner):
- I really thought I wasn’t gonna like her but my god did she prove me wrong!
- The way she is so caring towards Avi and always protected him even though it’s her job but she has a soft spot for him.
- A strong character with a bad past and I’m glad she has a happy ending!
Santiago(fc: Peter Bandenhop):
- This man is so caring towards Avi as he should! Always putting his son’s needs first.
- I hope he has a great position in the family.
- I honestly wasn’t interested in him at the beginning and I honestly thought he wasn’t getting a book but I’m glad we got to know him better.
—
This book had my favorite trope that I didn’t expect and that is Nanny x single father trope! I kinda went into this blind.
The chemistry between Alessa and Santi was there and I love how they both care for Avi and put him first making sure he’s happy!
The side characters were so interesting I want to read more and I definitely will.
I need the Morelli to have a series bc something about Gio makes me curious about him.
We got to meet a new character that I will definitely read and I’m glad he has a book.
Lorenzo being the capo of all capo! I didn’t like how he described Alessa in the beginning like hello-??!??
I wish we got more Giana I kinda miss her…
—
Overall 4/5 stars. It was gonna be a 3.75 stars but the epilogue always does it for me I don’t know how Jessica does it but they always make my ratings go up with the cute moments at the end!
Time to read Primo’s book even though I wasn’t interested in the beginning but reading that chapter makes me want to read his story!!!
—
I really thought I wasn’t gonna be interested in this book but boy did this prove me wrong!
Alessa(fc: Jil Grudner):
- I really thought I wasn’t gonna like her but my god did she prove me wrong!
- The way she is so caring towards Avi and always protected him even though it’s her job but she has a soft spot for him.
- A strong character with a bad past and I’m glad she has a happy ending!
Santiago(fc: Peter Bandenhop):
- This man is so caring towards Avi as he should! Always putting his son’s needs first.
- I hope he has a great position in the family.
- I honestly wasn’t interested in him at the beginning and I honestly thought he wasn’t getting a book but I’m glad we got to know him better.
—
This book had my favorite trope that I didn’t expect and that is Nanny x single father trope! I kinda went into this blind.
The chemistry between Alessa and Santi was there and I love how they both care for Avi and put him first making sure he’s happy!
The side characters were so interesting I want to read more and I definitely will.
I need the Morelli to have a series bc something about Gio makes me curious about him.
We got to meet a new character that I will definitely read and I’m glad he has a book.
Lorenzo being the capo of all capo! I didn’t like how he described Alessa in the beginning like hello-??!??
I wish we got more Giana I kinda miss her…
—
Overall 4/5 stars. It was gonna be a 3.75 stars but the epilogue always does it for me I don’t know how Jessica does it but they always make my ratings go up with the cute moments at the end!
Time to read Primo’s book even though I wasn’t interested in the beginning but reading that chapter makes me want to read his story!!!
jackies_journal's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
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