FOXY and I received arcs (advance reader copies) of By Any Other Name by J.M. Darhower. Both of us loved the book and rated it FIVE STARS! You can read our reviews below. Plus, don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter to win one of two kindle copies we are giving away.
For blurb and excerpt, click here
FMA’S REVIEW
5 Forbidden Stars
“The son pays for the father’s sins”
I love stories about Italians, and the Mafia and I love a great forbidden love story. And as always, JM Darhower delivers brilliantly! Two kids caught in the war of their families want nothing more than to be together. She, the only daughter of one of the most powerful mafia families in NY, and he, the first-born “heir” to the other most powerful mafia family.
One tragic day many years prior, caused the one-time family friends to turn on each other. The Galante and Barsanti children were raised to always be on guard and never trust the other family. Each was out to bring the other down, sparing no one in the process.
This caused her father and brother to become over protective of Genevieve “Genna” Galante, which forced her into rebellion. She was a wild, carefree risk taker. Getting arrested wasn’t a big deal – there would always be family to help her out. Her brother, and best friend Dante, vowed to do anything to keep her safe.
Matteo “Matty” Barsanti had never felt important to his father even though, by birthright, he stood next in line as the boss. He was kept away from his family for many years. He felt like he was a ghost. Someone that no one noticed. When his mother fell ill, he came back home. He certainly didn’t come back to his place in the family as the next to take over the Barsanti crime family.
It was one fateful day in a broken elevator that Matty and Genna meet. The connection between the two was undeniable. They had no idea they were enemies. Each family hating the other. They should hate each other, simply because of their last names, that’s what they’ve been taught. But they couldn’t.
“Because you know who I am.”
“And I’m telling you I don’t care.”
“But it changes things,”
“It does,” “We have to be much more careful now.”
And they try to be careful, but fate has a way of catching up with you. When their families find out, the powder keg of revenge blows. The question remains, will these two ever have a life together?
The romance and suspense in this book kept me glued to my Kindle. Reading this in one sitting, my only regret is that I do not have the next book in my hands! I want need it NOW! With fantastic writing, characters, and plot, this story has me begging for more!
“Look, Matty, I’ll tell you what someone told me once, a few years ago, when I got curious about a girl… don’t plant your seeds in someone else’s garden or you’re liable to get buried six-feet under with fertilizer.”
…
“What do I have to live for?”
“Me,” “Live for me.”
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LOVED IT!!!
It was like I was parched and By Any Other Name quenched my thirst with a big dose of WOW.
I love when Ms. Darhower writes mafia stories because I know her books are going to hit the spot, for me. By Any Other Nameis a modern day Romeo and Juliet, in the fact, it’s about the forbidden love of two people from feuding families.
New York is controlled by five crime families: the Galantes, the Barsantis, the Amaros, the Genevas and the Calabreses. For a brief passing moment the Chicago crime family, the DeMarcos, are mentioned. I love that they were mentioned because it automatically made me think about Sempre. It’s just noted in a conversation and does not play a role in the story. So, it’s not neccessary for you to have read Sempre to be able to read this book.
An incident took place 16 years ago that started a rivalry between the Galantes and the Barsantis. To this day, these two powerhouses stay in their own territory to prevent war. Only problem is when a chance meeting between Genna Galante & Matty Barsanti occurs with neither one realizing the other’s last name. Like their counterparts, Romeo and Juliet, they have a quick connection to each other.
The rivalry between the two crime families, Galante and Barsanti, had me conflicted. One moment I supported the one family and the next I was 100% with the other family. Part way through, I decided, I had no clue which family was in the right and which was in wrong. Therefore, I resolved to stay neutral on which family was justified in their actions until the rest of the puzzle on why they are fighting is revealed.
One of my favorite relationships in this book was Genna and her older brother, Dante. The reason I enjoyed it so much was because it reminds me of my own kids relationship. My son is responsible to make sure his sister arrives to and from her activities safely just as Dante was responsible for Genna. My kid’s bond was formed when they were little and my daughter relied heavily on her brother because he was the only one who could understand what she was saying… he always knew and would speak for her. Genna and Dante’s bond was formed in those early years too. It was like the author looked into our family, minus the mafia stuff, and captured the essences of the older brother protecting the younger sister aspect. ”You’re my little sister. It’s my job to look after you.” -Dante
While, I wouldn’t classify the ending as a cliffhanger I would say it’s more like the story is unsettled. We are left with loose ends that need resolution. I’m longing for book two and the anticipation on when it will be released has me like a fat kid in a candy store.
One final note. At the end of last Ms. Darhower announced she was releasing a new book and I was excited because, “As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen.” –Winnie the Pooh
I LOVE her mafia books. READ THIS BOOK!
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