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The Bossman #1
The Bossman
Sophie Palazzo steered clear of the mafia after her father's involvement ended with his murder. Fifteen years later, Joey La Torre, the Don's brother himself, shows up unannounced at her massage studio and wheedles his way into a date. She has no interest in aggressive, macho men like Joey, or so she tries to tell herself, but her body just doesn't get the message. When Joey takes her in hand with a firm bare-bottomed spanking, she ought to be furious, instead, she's aroused. As she explores her physical desires to be dominated, she tries to keep Joey at arm's length emotionally.
Joey knows he wants Sophie for keeps from the moment he walks into her life. She is hot, classy and full of fire, even though submission turns her on. But his involvement in the mafia is a hard limit for her, bringing to conflict his own dedication to the Family, the code of silence and his relationship with his older brother. Can he reconcile his duty to the organization and his growing need for Sophie to remain in his life permanently?
Publisher's Note: The Bossman contains graphic sexual scenes, consensual and non-consensual adult spanking, anal play, elements of BDSM. If such material offends you, please do not buy this book!
Joey knows he wants Sophie for keeps from the moment he walks into her life. She is hot, classy and full of fire, even though submission turns her on. But his involvement in the mafia is a hard limit for her, bringing to conflict his own dedication to the Family, the code of silence and his relationship with his older brother. Can he reconcile his duty to the organization and his growing need for Sophie to remain in his life permanently?
Publisher's Note: The Bossman contains graphic sexual scenes, consensual and non-consensual adult spanking, anal play, elements of BDSM. If such material offends you, please do not buy this book!
114 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2014
788 people are currently reading
1421 people want to read
About the author
Renee Rose
275 books4,895 followers15-Time USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR RENEE ROSE loves a dominant, dirty-talking alpha hero! She's sold over five million copies of steamy romance with varying levels of kink. Her books have been featured in USA Today's Happily Ever After and Popsugar. Named Eroticon USA's Next Top Erotic Author in 2013, she has also won Spunky and Sassy's Favorite Sci-Fi and Anthology author, The Romance Reviews Best Historical Romance, and has hit the USA Today list with her Chicago Bratva, Bad Boy Alpha, and Wolf Ranch books as well as various kinky anthologies.
For FREE RENEE ROSE BOOKS, go to this page: https://subscribepage.com/alphastemp
**Visit her blog at www.reneeroseromance.com
**Follow Renee at www.Facebook.com/ReneeRoseRomance - She loves to chat with readers!
**Follow her on Tiktok @authorreneerose
**Follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/reneeroseromance
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT RENEE'S BOOKS:
"I savor Renee Rose's books as if they were the finest of champagnes" ~USA Today Bestselling Author Sierra Cartwright
"Renee Rose has an ability to write the most captivating, most intriguing, and the hottest books around." ~ USA Today Bestselling Author Alta Hensley
"A sexy tale for modern women that's as steamy as a locker room shower." ~Kirkus Reviews
"I've been completely blown away by this series" ~The Romance Reviews
"Nobody writes a bad boy hero like Renee Rose" ~USA Today Bestselling Author Cara Bristol
"If you are looking for a romance you can lose yourself in and think fondly of for days after, look no further. This is a Renee Rose book and this author is very good at what she does." ~USA Today Bestselling Author Maren Smith
"Hands down Renee Rose writes the sexiest, naughtiest, set your Kindle on fire romance." ~USA Today Bestselling Author Natasha Knight
"If you love your men dominant alphas and get considerable pleasure out of watching them have their lives turned upside down by the women in their lives on the way to their happily ever after, then you'll love this story." ~The Romance Reviews [TOP PICK]
"Rose always delivers with her erotic stories. It's hot, it's sexy, & don't forget the icy drink & fan when you read this one." ~Manic Readers
"I have yet to read a book by Renee Rose that I don't enjoy so much as to read it again and again." ~Bottoms Up Book Reviews
For FREE RENEE ROSE BOOKS, go to this page: https://subscribepage.com/alphastemp
**Visit her blog at www.reneeroseromance.com
**Follow Renee at www.Facebook.com/ReneeRoseRomance - She loves to chat with readers!
**Follow her on Tiktok @authorreneerose
**Follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/reneeroseromance
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT RENEE'S BOOKS:
"I savor Renee Rose's books as if they were the finest of champagnes" ~USA Today Bestselling Author Sierra Cartwright
"Renee Rose has an ability to write the most captivating, most intriguing, and the hottest books around." ~ USA Today Bestselling Author Alta Hensley
"A sexy tale for modern women that's as steamy as a locker room shower." ~Kirkus Reviews
"I've been completely blown away by this series" ~The Romance Reviews
"Nobody writes a bad boy hero like Renee Rose" ~USA Today Bestselling Author Cara Bristol
"If you are looking for a romance you can lose yourself in and think fondly of for days after, look no further. This is a Renee Rose book and this author is very good at what she does." ~USA Today Bestselling Author Maren Smith
"Hands down Renee Rose writes the sexiest, naughtiest, set your Kindle on fire romance." ~USA Today Bestselling Author Natasha Knight
"If you love your men dominant alphas and get considerable pleasure out of watching them have their lives turned upside down by the women in their lives on the way to their happily ever after, then you'll love this story." ~The Romance Reviews [TOP PICK]
"Rose always delivers with her erotic stories. It's hot, it's sexy, & don't forget the icy drink & fan when you read this one." ~Manic Readers
"I have yet to read a book by Renee Rose that I don't enjoy so much as to read it again and again." ~Bottoms Up Book Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
May 16, 2018
I’ve been wanting to read this one for a long time and I now that I have I’m kicking myself for not digging in sooner!
Sophie is against everything mob related. It took her father away from her during a time when she needed his guidance the most and then it took his life. When Joey shows up in her life again she fights against the attraction she feels for him. But Joey is one sneaky, charming hero and he finangles her into one date after another and then surprisingly into a hot as heck spanking. What should have felt humiliating actually turns Sophie on and soon she’s craving his complete dominance.
I loved reading how this couple both come to explore how punishment can add a deeper dimension to a relationship. For Sophie it is a means of letting go and finding a safe place to land. Joey finds an intense enjoyment out of knowing he’s providing her with what she needs emotionally as well as physically and sexually.
This is a fast paced read that is so steamy I’m sure my glasses fogged up a time or two. The mafia angle was well done, although I must admit I haven’t read a lot of mafia romances. The secondary characters were okay and the ending was pretty perfect.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Riverdale Avenue Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV although it switches sometimes without warning
Safe
Triggers
Sophie is against everything mob related. It took her father away from her during a time when she needed his guidance the most and then it took his life. When Joey shows up in her life again she fights against the attraction she feels for him. But Joey is one sneaky, charming hero and he finangles her into one date after another and then surprisingly into a hot as heck spanking. What should have felt humiliating actually turns Sophie on and soon she’s craving his complete dominance.
I loved reading how this couple both come to explore how punishment can add a deeper dimension to a relationship. For Sophie it is a means of letting go and finding a safe place to land. Joey finds an intense enjoyment out of knowing he’s providing her with what she needs emotionally as well as physically and sexually.
This is a fast paced read that is so steamy I’m sure my glasses fogged up a time or two. The mafia angle was well done, although I must admit I haven’t read a lot of mafia romances. The secondary characters were okay and the ending was pretty perfect.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Riverdale Avenue Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV although it switches sometimes without warning
Safe
Triggers
June 9, 2016
"Soph," he said cautiously, "I would never hit a woman anywhere but on her ass. You know that, right? Were you scared?"
Oh, I guess that makes things ok... not!
And this book is even more creepier as the two involved over-analyze themselves, and continue with their spanking (it's not spanking, but beating by my standards - then again, I've been accused of being a prude before *shrugs*).
Sophie needs some therapy if you ask me as she seems to enjoy getting beaten as a way to relieve herself of stress and/or anxiety. And when she does say no/enough, she gets a few more because he's such a male and he understands what's best for her. And don't worry! Joey is great at reading body language, so he knows when to stop before doing actual harm.
Hmm... I simply can't take this book seriously without going into a fit for women's rights (and I'm not even a feminist >.<).
*Copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2016
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher Riverdale Avenue Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
This was a short hot read. I’m warning that this book includes domestic discipline. If you don’t like spankings as punishment to read you better skip this book but I want to point out that it was consensual. It isn't something I would enjoy but I don't mind reading it.
I do love mafia books and even though Joey is a mafia capo there isn’t much to read about the mafia. It is about a hot, dominating man finally claiming his woman. He just has to convince her that he’s right for her. Sophie doesn’t want to go through what her mother had to go through with a husband tied to the Cosa Nostra. Will Joey be able to convince her he’s what she needs?
I’m not a to big fan of insta-love but since this was a rather short book there is no other way but it didn’t bother me that much in this book. I would have loved a longer epilogue and wow, I totally love the cover!
This was a short hot read. I’m warning that this book includes domestic discipline. If you don’t like spankings as punishment to read you better skip this book but I want to point out that it was consensual. It isn't something I would enjoy but I don't mind reading it.
I do love mafia books and even though Joey is a mafia capo there isn’t much to read about the mafia. It is about a hot, dominating man finally claiming his woman. He just has to convince her that he’s right for her. Sophie doesn’t want to go through what her mother had to go through with a husband tied to the Cosa Nostra. Will Joey be able to convince her he’s what she needs?
I’m not a to big fan of insta-love but since this was a rather short book there is no other way but it didn’t bother me that much in this book. I would have loved a longer epilogue and wow, I totally love the cover!
January 15, 2018
I’m struggling with what to write about this book. I think my problem is that I went into it thinking it had a plot. I thought it was a mafia romance with some kink. But alas, that wasn’t the case. The plot was sketchy and centered around Sophie Palazzo’s misconceptions and her fondness of being spanked. So this turned out to be a spanking story, not a mafia story, and the only romance to be found came from Joey La Torre.
I hated Sophie. HATED her. She was rude, holier-than-thou, inconsiderate, a liar, immature, and just a truly disgraceful character. I found no redeeming qualities about her. She was a 30 year old woman acting like a petulant, lost child. Nothing about her thoughts or actions endeared her to me. I couldn’t care less if she ever found happiness. And I definitely didn’t think she was deserving of Joey.
As for Joey, he was an easy character to like. His brother was the Don, whom he worked for for years, but he was tired of the mob life. He was just going through the motions. And he was ready to settle down with Sophie immediately. I loved how persistent he was. How dominant he was. How caring he was. He was the character to watch out for. He made this story and without his point of view, I probably wouldn’t have finished this book.
If you’re a lover of kink, you’ll enjoy this one. Joey definitely knew how to dole out Sophie’s punishment ;)
Release Date: March 10, 2014
Genre: BDSM - Erotica
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Heat: 5 out of 5
Series/Standalone: Book #1 of The Bossman series
I hated Sophie. HATED her. She was rude, holier-than-thou, inconsiderate, a liar, immature, and just a truly disgraceful character. I found no redeeming qualities about her. She was a 30 year old woman acting like a petulant, lost child. Nothing about her thoughts or actions endeared her to me. I couldn’t care less if she ever found happiness. And I definitely didn’t think she was deserving of Joey.
As for Joey, he was an easy character to like. His brother was the Don, whom he worked for for years, but he was tired of the mob life. He was just going through the motions. And he was ready to settle down with Sophie immediately. I loved how persistent he was. How dominant he was. How caring he was. He was the character to watch out for. He made this story and without his point of view, I probably wouldn’t have finished this book.
If you’re a lover of kink, you’ll enjoy this one. Joey definitely knew how to dole out Sophie’s punishment ;)
Release Date: March 10, 2014
Genre: BDSM - Erotica
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Heat: 5 out of 5
Series/Standalone: Book #1 of The Bossman series
March 26, 2014
Catch me as I swoon in love with Joey La Torre. Joey is a mafia don. Joey's eye is on grown up Sophie Palazzo. Sophie's avoided the "family" ever since her father died. She and her mother loathe the "family" because they believe Sophie's dad's death is their fault. When her path crosses Joey's again, despite her own warnings, she can't resist him.
Mafia themed stories are not my favourite ones. I tend to avoid them. It's because the guys are usually domineering and come across as dumb. Joey is different. He's an alpha male who is intelligent, sexy and dominating. He also has no interest in beating women. When he learns about Sophie's spanking fetish, he makes a little exception. It's not beating; it's discipline with love.
Ms. Rose does a great job with her character development. Sophie is a conflicted woman who is still not recovered from her father's death. It colours how she feels about the mafia. She responds in ways which place her into hot water. The fact that she knows better makes it even worse. Joey is way too lenient with Sophie's mess ups.
Joey may be a product of his environment, but he's still affectionate and respect women. He is tough yet he is gentle. I really liked both of these characters. Sophie is spunky, bratty and a bit naïve. Still, she has a good heart. Joey's dominance exudes off of him. The way he commands Sophie is panty wetting goodness.
When the domestic discipline (DD) comes into play, its fabulous. The way DD is introduced in this story is so good. It's how many females find out about it - playing a bit and surfing the internet. The difference is, Sophie is lucky enough to find a man who is interested and willing to give her what she needs. She needs more than weekly maintenance. Based on her defensive behaviour, she needs daily ones!
What I liked about this DD story is that it wasn't for funishment. Sophie did become aroused from the spankings and paddling, but they weren't light taps. Joey meant business and used the belt to correct her out-of-control behaviour. It's almost as if Sophie can't help herself. She keeps getting herself into trouble whenever she feels overwhelmed or insecure. This does make Sophie rather immature and it's good she has a man to keep her straight. Because as a single female, she was terrible at her business as well as taking care of herself. Some women need a man to complete them. Some women need a strong man to discipline them like an unruly child. Sophie is that woman. Joey is her perfect man because he understands, respects and gives her what she needs. Ms. Rose did a lovely job of showing all of this without any judgment or guilt. This sexy hawt erotic romance is recommended for domestic discipline lovers who like tough mafia men.
*provided by NetGalley
Mafia themed stories are not my favourite ones. I tend to avoid them. It's because the guys are usually domineering and come across as dumb. Joey is different. He's an alpha male who is intelligent, sexy and dominating. He also has no interest in beating women. When he learns about Sophie's spanking fetish, he makes a little exception. It's not beating; it's discipline with love.
Ms. Rose does a great job with her character development. Sophie is a conflicted woman who is still not recovered from her father's death. It colours how she feels about the mafia. She responds in ways which place her into hot water. The fact that she knows better makes it even worse. Joey is way too lenient with Sophie's mess ups.
Joey may be a product of his environment, but he's still affectionate and respect women. He is tough yet he is gentle. I really liked both of these characters. Sophie is spunky, bratty and a bit naïve. Still, she has a good heart. Joey's dominance exudes off of him. The way he commands Sophie is panty wetting goodness.
When the domestic discipline (DD) comes into play, its fabulous. The way DD is introduced in this story is so good. It's how many females find out about it - playing a bit and surfing the internet. The difference is, Sophie is lucky enough to find a man who is interested and willing to give her what she needs. She needs more than weekly maintenance. Based on her defensive behaviour, she needs daily ones!
What I liked about this DD story is that it wasn't for funishment. Sophie did become aroused from the spankings and paddling, but they weren't light taps. Joey meant business and used the belt to correct her out-of-control behaviour. It's almost as if Sophie can't help herself. She keeps getting herself into trouble whenever she feels overwhelmed or insecure. This does make Sophie rather immature and it's good she has a man to keep her straight. Because as a single female, she was terrible at her business as well as taking care of herself. Some women need a man to complete them. Some women need a strong man to discipline them like an unruly child. Sophie is that woman. Joey is her perfect man because he understands, respects and gives her what she needs. Ms. Rose did a lovely job of showing all of this without any judgment or guilt. This sexy hawt erotic romance is recommended for domestic discipline lovers who like tough mafia men.
*provided by NetGalley
April 2, 2014
1 Star For The Boring Bossman
This was hands down the worst book I’ve read all year and I bet it will be the only book that will hold this spot for 2014. The worst part is….this book had SO SO SO much potential. The idea behind the story is really good it could actually be a really exciting and hot read but it’s missing a story! The Bossman is basically an outline of a story. It had so many gaps, that I was confused from page to page. If my review is confusing it’s because I wanted my review to read like the book. So you know what you're getting yourself into if for some crazy ass reason you decide to read it.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
This was hands down the worst book I’ve read all year and I bet it will be the only book that will hold this spot for 2014. The worst part is….this book had SO SO SO much potential. The idea behind the story is really good it could actually be a really exciting and hot read but it’s missing a story! The Bossman is basically an outline of a story. It had so many gaps, that I was confused from page to page. If my review is confusing it’s because I wanted my review to read like the book. So you know what you're getting yourself into if for some crazy ass reason you decide to read it.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
March 25, 2014
Wow!!! I loved Joey.. He was the perfect Male Specimen
He was Possessive but not in creepy way.. he was Dominant in the drench your panties kinda of way and he was Controlling in a you asked for it.. so take IT way!!
Oh Yes Joey knew from pure instinct what Sophie needed and delivered EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
This was a Spank-ta-culous addition to one of my guilty Pleasure reads!!
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March 19, 2014
Oh Joey what am I going to do with you, "smiling a wicked grin, he inched closer, invading her personal space and loving that she didn't step back. "Well, I didn't say anything about sex, but if it's on the table, I am absolutely interested in that, too." The boy kinda likes Sophie's a** like A LOT, "he gave her a** a slap. "You should know better than to ask." The boy is a total tease, "Sophie," he coaxed, running his hands down her back and squeezing her firm little a**. "Don't you want to find out what you've been missing?" I really do have to give some props to Joey he tries real hard for his girl, "in a flash he pulled her into his arms, wrapped close to him so she couldn't distinguish where her body stopped and his began. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "I'm still learning how to be your man." He does treat her good and I really liked that, "when he returned, she was sound asleep on her belly, her face as relaxed and blissful as a child's. "Soph?" She didn't stir. "Baby, I've got some food." And well I like when a man can multi-task and boy oh boy does Joey know how to multi-task, "he smacked her with the spoon for forgetting she was in the middle of sucking his co**. Speaking into the phone, he said, "We'll be over in a couple hours, okay?" I loved reading this book.
October 19, 2014
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The Bossman was a
hot "spanking" read. I really enjoyed this story. Sophie need a firm
hand and wasn't afraid to ask for it. Joey was just the man for the job
and the only thing standing in their was was his "Job" ..yep Joey was
in "the family business" and Sophie wanted no part of the mafia life.
Sophie's stubborn nature added a little incentive and gave her and Joey just the needed boost when she was out of line ...the exact thing she needed to help her bring down her walls and let go.
Joey didn't give up on Sophie and showed her in every way he could be the man she needed and Sophie got the firm hand she craved.
Renee Rose is the "spanking queen" and I look forward to moving her books right up my TBR list when I need a quick and kinky spanking fix.
*Copy provided by author for honest review*
October 21, 2014
3.5 kinky mobster stars
*I received a copy via netgalley in return for my honest opinion*
Ok, so I have a bit of a weakness for badass heroes. Gangsters, mobsters, totally all round baddies...I'm all over them, so when I saw this was a story featuring a mafia man who was into a little bit of kink then I didn't think there'd be much for me to dislike here, I mean, really.
Joey is 'the Bossman', number two in command in 'The Family', mid-twenties, hot, confident; in short, totally badass.
Sophie is a massage therapist who likes to live safely. She chooses boring and does everything in her power to date guys as unlike her late father as possible. Her late dad may have been loving, loyal and fiercely protective of his wife and daughter, but he was also a badass mafia mobster who died in suspicious circumstances when Sophie was a teenager. Sophie's mum blamed her husband's mafia connections for his death and has spent the last ten years keeping them both well away from the rest of the 'family'.
Unfortunately for Sophie though, choosing safe, dating boring guys and scraping a living is not working out so well for her so when blast-from-her-mafia-past Joey makes an appointment with Sophie for a soothing massage, she finds herself drawn to him, against her better nature.
This had such a fantastic opening scene with Sophie fighting her attraction to him and after noticing just how much he was um...enjoying the massage, concentrating all of her considerable massage techniques on torturing him. Yikes. When moments later, he intervenes in a typical no-shit, totally cold and badass way to prevent her car from being repossessed, I was totally sold on him.
This is told from dual povs so we learn very early on that while Sophie is fighting her attraction to Joey because of who he is and what he does, he has always been attracted to her, but thinks she's someone bright, pure and unobtainable to him too:
And did he show her. He demands a date in return for helping her out and sets out to wine, dine and um...court her. I love to read stories like this featuring alphas who just go after who they want, refusing to take no for an answer.
The chemistry between the two of them is good and there's lots of smut to keep us smutsters happy, but Sophie is fighting all of the way, determined not to repeat the mistakes of her own mum:
But Joey finds her weak spot; she loves a little spanking kink...and he loves to spank. As their relationship heats up, the more she tries to pull away, the kinkier he gets...and the more she loves it. There really is lots of spanking in this, not bdsm exactly but they both really get off on it and grow increasingly adventurous with toys and props. Sophie is turned on by being dominated and punished, but hates being told what to do. As Joey observes:
But unbeknown to Sophie, Joey is fighting his own demons. He's actually a sensitive soul who doesn't particularly relish being a baddie. He puts on a good front, but inside, he's unhappy and feels trapped in 'the Family'.
I hate to say it, but getting inside Joey's head and seeing his sensitive side rather poured cold water over my libido. I wish he could have managed to pull off being all sensitive, caring, loyal and protective while at the same time remaining scary and badass on the outside. While there were glimpses of this type of behaviour from him, especially during a deadly drama with a rival family, it wasn't enough to satisfy the needs of this alpha male groupie. There are I'm afraid too many scenes with Sophie where he totally wimps out, dropping to his knees and generally coming over as a little sad and desperate.
I enjoyed reading how this all got resolved - it is a standalone, hurrah! - but after such a strong start and a fantastic, pretty original plot, I had high hopes for more. That said, it was easy to read, relatively short there was lots going on and it had plenty of smut and kink so I still enjoyed it.
*I received a copy via netgalley in return for my honest opinion*
Ok, so I have a bit of a weakness for badass heroes. Gangsters, mobsters, totally all round baddies...I'm all over them, so when I saw this was a story featuring a mafia man who was into a little bit of kink then I didn't think there'd be much for me to dislike here, I mean, really.
Joey is 'the Bossman', number two in command in 'The Family', mid-twenties, hot, confident; in short, totally badass.
Sophie is a massage therapist who likes to live safely. She chooses boring and does everything in her power to date guys as unlike her late father as possible. Her late dad may have been loving, loyal and fiercely protective of his wife and daughter, but he was also a badass mafia mobster who died in suspicious circumstances when Sophie was a teenager. Sophie's mum blamed her husband's mafia connections for his death and has spent the last ten years keeping them both well away from the rest of the 'family'.
Unfortunately for Sophie though, choosing safe, dating boring guys and scraping a living is not working out so well for her so when blast-from-her-mafia-past Joey makes an appointment with Sophie for a soothing massage, she finds herself drawn to him, against her better nature.
This had such a fantastic opening scene with Sophie fighting her attraction to him and after noticing just how much he was um...enjoying the massage, concentrating all of her considerable massage techniques on torturing him. Yikes. When moments later, he intervenes in a typical no-shit, totally cold and badass way to prevent her car from being repossessed, I was totally sold on him.
This is told from dual povs so we learn very early on that while Sophie is fighting her attraction to Joey because of who he is and what he does, he has always been attracted to her, but thinks she's someone bright, pure and unobtainable to him too:
"She was that girl who'd always been out of reach for guys like him. He wanted to show her what she'd been missing."
And did he show her. He demands a date in return for helping her out and sets out to wine, dine and um...court her. I love to read stories like this featuring alphas who just go after who they want, refusing to take no for an answer.
The chemistry between the two of them is good and there's lots of smut to keep us smutsters happy, but Sophie is fighting all of the way, determined not to repeat the mistakes of her own mum:
"No matter how sweet his words, or hot the sex, she couldn't forget who or what Joey La Torre was; a man made in the mafia. A killer. The kind of guy who winds up in jail or dead - just like her father."
But Joey finds her weak spot; she loves a little spanking kink...and he loves to spank. As their relationship heats up, the more she tries to pull away, the kinkier he gets...and the more she loves it. There really is lots of spanking in this, not bdsm exactly but they both really get off on it and grow increasingly adventurous with toys and props. Sophie is turned on by being dominated and punished, but hates being told what to do. As Joey observes:
"Sophie was a little package of enigmas. She needed money, but didn't seem to like it. Had a college degree, but preferred to work with her hands. She resented his aggression, yet craved being spanked. She was of the Family, yet against it."
But unbeknown to Sophie, Joey is fighting his own demons. He's actually a sensitive soul who doesn't particularly relish being a baddie. He puts on a good front, but inside, he's unhappy and feels trapped in 'the Family'.
I hate to say it, but getting inside Joey's head and seeing his sensitive side rather poured cold water over my libido. I wish he could have managed to pull off being all sensitive, caring, loyal and protective while at the same time remaining scary and badass on the outside. While there were glimpses of this type of behaviour from him, especially during a deadly drama with a rival family, it wasn't enough to satisfy the needs of this alpha male groupie. There are I'm afraid too many scenes with Sophie where he totally wimps out, dropping to his knees and generally coming over as a little sad and desperate.
I enjoyed reading how this all got resolved - it is a standalone, hurrah! - but after such a strong start and a fantastic, pretty original plot, I had high hopes for more. That said, it was easy to read, relatively short there was lots going on and it had plenty of smut and kink so I still enjoyed it.
May 13, 2016
Based off some of the reviews I read, I wasn't sure I was going to like this story. I actually really liked it and thought it was kinda hot! Yes there were a few things I didn't like and can see why people complained but I easily overlooked them because the story itself and Joey, the Hero, were what really made this book for me.
Sophie's dad was part of the mafia family. Being in the mafia meant he spent time in jail and not long after loses his life when Sophia was just a kid. Her mom hated that he was mafia so after her dad died, her mom's hate fueled Sophie's beliefs. They both distanced themselves from the family, only having contact when one of the members brought money to them over the years to help support them after her dads death.
Years later, mob boss' brother, Joey, seeks Sophie out at her place of business to get a message for pain he suffers from a knee replacement. There is instant attraction but Sophie wants nothing to do with him. Wouldn't you know, her car ends up getting repossessed just as she finishes Joey's message. He of course intervenes on her behalf and demands a date for helping her out. She's resistant but has no choice.
Now the rest of the story is Joey worming his way into Sophie's life all the while she fights him every step. Normally the constant resisting is a pet peeve of mine but in this case it worked. She has legitimate fears about the mafia and the way Joey pushes was actually pretty romantic. He genuinely cares for her and won't let her fears push him away. You also have some light Dom/Sub in this story. I'm personally not a fan of D/S storylines but what made me love it in this story was the author did such a good job of expressing how much Sophie needs Joey to take control in her life. Joey doesn't need the Dom/Sub relationship but he sees right through to how it helps calm her so he takes the control. I thought that was a unique approach from the author. Usually D/S is instigated because the man needs it. In this case, Joey only did it because he realized Sophie needed him to take control. He was very careful about not pushing her and was always putting her needs first. Also, the author focused a lot on spanking. Again, not my thing but the author wrote about it in such a way that it didn't really bother me.
The other complaints I read were the author did not do a good job of switching scenes in the book. One scene flowed into the next and I could see how it caused confusion. This book really did need to be edited better. This is something I hope the author will improve on for future books. I will definately read more from this author.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie's dad was part of the mafia family. Being in the mafia meant he spent time in jail and not long after loses his life when Sophia was just a kid. Her mom hated that he was mafia so after her dad died, her mom's hate fueled Sophie's beliefs. They both distanced themselves from the family, only having contact when one of the members brought money to them over the years to help support them after her dads death.
Years later, mob boss' brother, Joey, seeks Sophie out at her place of business to get a message for pain he suffers from a knee replacement. There is instant attraction but Sophie wants nothing to do with him. Wouldn't you know, her car ends up getting repossessed just as she finishes Joey's message. He of course intervenes on her behalf and demands a date for helping her out. She's resistant but has no choice.
Now the rest of the story is Joey worming his way into Sophie's life all the while she fights him every step. Normally the constant resisting is a pet peeve of mine but in this case it worked. She has legitimate fears about the mafia and the way Joey pushes was actually pretty romantic. He genuinely cares for her and won't let her fears push him away. You also have some light Dom/Sub in this story. I'm personally not a fan of D/S storylines but what made me love it in this story was the author did such a good job of expressing how much Sophie needs Joey to take control in her life. Joey doesn't need the Dom/Sub relationship but he sees right through to how it helps calm her so he takes the control. I thought that was a unique approach from the author. Usually D/S is instigated because the man needs it. In this case, Joey only did it because he realized Sophie needed him to take control. He was very careful about not pushing her and was always putting her needs first. Also, the author focused a lot on spanking. Again, not my thing but the author wrote about it in such a way that it didn't really bother me.
The other complaints I read were the author did not do a good job of switching scenes in the book. One scene flowed into the next and I could see how it caused confusion. This book really did need to be edited better. This is something I hope the author will improve on for future books. I will definately read more from this author.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2017
This was a short easy read.
The summary is that Joey is a bad-boy mafia guy and Sophie is a good girl that doesn't want anything to do with The Family. Her father was part of The Family and he was murdered.
This book has a bit of kink with spanking. So if you aren't into reading those types of books this isn't for you. If you are then read on. Sophie really likes Joey's dominant side. And falls for him fairly quickly. She wants him to dominate her with some spanking.
I only gave this 3 stars due to how choppy the book is. There isn't clear format when the thoughts change from one person to another. You will be reading about Joey's thoughts and the next sentence is from Sophie's point of view. So that tends to be a little frustrating.
Otherwise a cute fun smut read. Enjoy!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy for an honest review.
The summary is that Joey is a bad-boy mafia guy and Sophie is a good girl that doesn't want anything to do with The Family. Her father was part of The Family and he was murdered.
This book has a bit of kink with spanking. So if you aren't into reading those types of books this isn't for you. If you are then read on. Sophie really likes Joey's dominant side. And falls for him fairly quickly. She wants him to dominate her with some spanking.
I only gave this 3 stars due to how choppy the book is. There isn't clear format when the thoughts change from one person to another. You will be reading about Joey's thoughts and the next sentence is from Sophie's point of view. So that tends to be a little frustrating.
Otherwise a cute fun smut read. Enjoy!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy for an honest review.
June 25, 2016
Spoiler Ahead This was a pretty good it moved at a fast pace and in some places almost too fast. Sophie Palazzo steered clear of the mafia after her father's involvement ended with his murder. Joey La Torre is the Don's brother he is a hot sexy alpha male and a made man he is different from his brother he wants out. Sophie has stayed clear of the mafia for the last 15 years she has a resentment because of her father's death. When Joey showed up at massage studio to get a message because of a problem he is having with his knee he is attracted to her and after he witnesses her car being repoed he agrees to pay it off and she agrees to go on a date with him. This was a good book and I really liked both of these character's Sophie has some issues with the family and she wants to know who killed her father and why and Joey has to work to prove to her that he is different from the rest. The sex between these two are hot and Sophie realizes that she likes to be spanked it helps her to keep calm. After his mother tells her she is wrong for her son she breaks up with Joey but when a bomb almost kills him she goes to him and realizes that she loves him. This is the first book in a new series to me although I have read this author before this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
March 20, 2014
Copy provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
2 "I'm disappointed" stars.
I'm not sure where it went wrong or if it was ever right.
It should have been a good book; Joey is a Capo, a dominant & fearless and Sophie is a good girl, as attracted as she is to him is trying to stay away from all men like him and her father.
Queue the angst right? Wrong! She gave in almost straight away, changed her mind about the relationship more than he "spanked" her; consensual or not!
Over all for me I felt it was a plot that moved at the speed of light, heavy in relationship drama but light on real content and depth.
2 "I'm disappointed" stars.
I'm not sure where it went wrong or if it was ever right.
It should have been a good book; Joey is a Capo, a dominant & fearless and Sophie is a good girl, as attracted as she is to him is trying to stay away from all men like him and her father.
Queue the angst right? Wrong! She gave in almost straight away, changed her mind about the relationship more than he "spanked" her; consensual or not!
Over all for me I felt it was a plot that moved at the speed of light, heavy in relationship drama but light on real content and depth.
October 9, 2018
I went into this book hesitantly, because even though I have a number of GR book buddies who rated this well, the overall GR rating is pretty miserable.
Lesson: Trust the opinions of my GR pals.
I really liked this! Granted the "mafia" aspect was a bit wishy-washy, but it had a "kink-convert" element that was different from my usual reads, and I found it refreshing.
And hot, let's not forget that 😉
Lesson: Trust the opinions of my GR pals.
I really liked this! Granted the "mafia" aspect was a bit wishy-washy, but it had a "kink-convert" element that was different from my usual reads, and I found it refreshing.
And hot, let's not forget that 😉
May 22, 2016
So, let me just start by saying I love, love, love mafia stories. Combined with a hint of Bdsm and I'm thrilled. This is my first time reading Renee Rose, but I look forward to exploring her books. This is not a dark violent read, but a book that could be considered more true to life rendition of what being a made man and their family might be like. Very quick, easy enjoyable read.
January 29, 2021
ARC provided by NetGalley for an Honest Review
3.5 This was a super short and thus hella fast love story. The two MCs meetup when the hero shows up for a massage with the heroine after an injury. The heroine is dead set against being in any kind of relationship with the hero Joey because she wants no connection to the mafia after what happened to her father. Of course before she knows it things are serious and the two have a lot to overcome given Joey is the brother of the don and next in line to rule. The book was a decent enough read, I think things progressed a little awkwardly and at times too forced like when he has to temporarily take over for his brother. It was just an added obstacle for them to overcome There’s also a slight bdsm tinge to the book especially once the heroine gets the taste for naughtier things 😜 It was an ok read for me but as someone who’s not usually a fan of mafia romances take that as a positive lol
3.5 This was a super short and thus hella fast love story. The two MCs meetup when the hero shows up for a massage with the heroine after an injury. The heroine is dead set against being in any kind of relationship with the hero Joey because she wants no connection to the mafia after what happened to her father. Of course before she knows it things are serious and the two have a lot to overcome given Joey is the brother of the don and next in line to rule. The book was a decent enough read, I think things progressed a little awkwardly and at times too forced like when he has to temporarily take over for his brother. It was just an added obstacle for them to overcome There’s also a slight bdsm tinge to the book especially once the heroine gets the taste for naughtier things 😜 It was an ok read for me but as someone who’s not usually a fan of mafia romances take that as a positive lol
October 26, 2014
Sophie Palazzo is a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner. One day Joey La Torre walks in for a therapeutic massage, having been referred by his physical therapist after a knee replacement (he’s only 39 years old). Sophie recognizes him, as he used to be ‘family friends’ with her dad when he was still alive. Joey’s big brother Al is the mafia’s boss, and Joey does the brainy book cooking stuff, so he’s a mafia big-wig.
Ever since Sophie’s Sicilian father was killed fifteen years ago, her mother raised Sophie out of the mafia and constantly warned her to steer clear of mafia men, as they would end up in jail or dead, as her father had.
Joey is on his stomach on the massage table when she notices he has a hard-on, making his hips uneven as she’s working on his back and hips. She can’t resist teasing him a little while he’s on the massage table, spending a lot of time massaging his glutes.
When she has finished his treatment, she has to run out to the parking lot, as her car is being towed away, its ¬being seized for her falling behind on payments. Joey saves the day by threatening the tow truck guy and paying off the amount still owed, nearly $5,000. In exchange, he wants to go on one date with her. She agrees.
Joey is an alpha male, but not obnoxious. He’s direct, charming, surprisingly caring and funny, and Sophie can’t resist him at the end of the evening when he walks her inside. The erotic scenes are hot!
However, it’s only a One Night thing for Sophie because she does not want anything to do with the mafia. Joey wants to see her again for another date however, and then another.
Joey is careful not to discuss “family business” around Sophie, but he brings her to a family dinner for Al’s birthday. Sophie is uncomfortable and leaves early, inciting more spanking episodes. There are secrets that are revealed having to do with who killed her father, and Sophie finds out. The way this is resolved is surprising and not predictable, and is surprisingly very touching.
There is a “family crisis” and Sophie has broken up with Joey, being reminded of what happened with her father. However, Joey isn’t her father. He’s very smart and can probably do other things than work for the Mafia, but they are his real family and he’s in deep.
There are at least 6 erotic scenes and they are all pretty hot! Sophie finds that she needs to feel the pain of spanking so she can grieve and process her feelings. Some of the harder erotic scenes I kind of rushed through.
I liked the funny parts and back-and-forth dialogue between Sophie and Joey. It is a well-written contemporary erotic romance with a little bit of kink!
Overall Rating: 3.5 ****(rounded up to 4 because of the great cover!)
Plot Rating: 4 Stars
Hero Characterization: 4 Stars
Heroine Characterization: 4 stars
Writing Style/Flow/Grammar, etc: 5 stars
Erotic Tension Rating: 4 Stars
Erotic Descriptiveness Rating: 5 stars (Some mild bdsm consisting of spanking, and rear door toys/play)
Denouement: 3 Stars
This was an ARC that I read in exchange for an honest review.
Ever since Sophie’s Sicilian father was killed fifteen years ago, her mother raised Sophie out of the mafia and constantly warned her to steer clear of mafia men, as they would end up in jail or dead, as her father had.
Joey is on his stomach on the massage table when she notices he has a hard-on, making his hips uneven as she’s working on his back and hips. She can’t resist teasing him a little while he’s on the massage table, spending a lot of time massaging his glutes.
When she has finished his treatment, she has to run out to the parking lot, as her car is being towed away, its ¬being seized for her falling behind on payments. Joey saves the day by threatening the tow truck guy and paying off the amount still owed, nearly $5,000. In exchange, he wants to go on one date with her. She agrees.
Joey is an alpha male, but not obnoxious. He’s direct, charming, surprisingly caring and funny, and Sophie can’t resist him at the end of the evening when he walks her inside. The erotic scenes are hot!
However, it’s only a One Night thing for Sophie because she does not want anything to do with the mafia. Joey wants to see her again for another date however, and then another.
Joey is careful not to discuss “family business” around Sophie, but he brings her to a family dinner for Al’s birthday. Sophie is uncomfortable and leaves early, inciting more spanking episodes. There are secrets that are revealed having to do with who killed her father, and Sophie finds out. The way this is resolved is surprising and not predictable, and is surprisingly very touching.
There is a “family crisis” and Sophie has broken up with Joey, being reminded of what happened with her father. However, Joey isn’t her father. He’s very smart and can probably do other things than work for the Mafia, but they are his real family and he’s in deep.
There are at least 6 erotic scenes and they are all pretty hot! Sophie finds that she needs to feel the pain of spanking so she can grieve and process her feelings. Some of the harder erotic scenes I kind of rushed through.
I liked the funny parts and back-and-forth dialogue between Sophie and Joey. It is a well-written contemporary erotic romance with a little bit of kink!
Overall Rating: 3.5 ****(rounded up to 4 because of the great cover!)
Plot Rating: 4 Stars
Hero Characterization: 4 Stars
Heroine Characterization: 4 stars
Writing Style/Flow/Grammar, etc: 5 stars
Erotic Tension Rating: 4 Stars
Erotic Descriptiveness Rating: 5 stars (Some mild bdsm consisting of spanking, and rear door toys/play)
Denouement: 3 Stars
This was an ARC that I read in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2015
THE BOSSMAN is a contemporary mafia erotic romance with some hints of paranormal influences (e.g., ghosts). As you would expect, it is the love story of a bad boy mafia member and the woman who captures his heart and brings to life his most erotic fantasies.
Sophie Palazzo has been running away from the mob all her life. Her father was a "made" man until the day he died. So you can imagine her trepidation when Joey La Torre, the brother of the current boss of the mafia family her father belonged to, shows up at her place of work for a massage. You see, Sophie is a licensed massage therapist (no, not the kind that gives "happy endings," as she quickly explains to Joey, but the legitimate kind).
As luck would have it, during his visit, it becomes evident how financially strapped Sophie still is (an unfortunate circumstance that she has lived with since her father was killed) when Joey is forced to stop the attempted repossession of Sophie's car. As you can imagine, Joey is not the type that gives favors without expecting payment. So, notwithstanding her intentions, Sophie finds herself dating Joey. But her intentions are to fulfill her obligations without any romantic connection and to quickly walk away from Joey as soon as she finds her opportunity. Will Joey be able to make her fall in love with him before she manages to walk away, particularly given his connection to the mafia, an institution she despises?
For those of you who are familiar with Renee Rose's stories, her stories typically mix light BDSM elements, primarily spankings, with paranormal elements. Having previously read Held for Ransom, a book which I absolutely adored and gave 5 stars to, I was prepared and eagerly awaited reading this story. THE BOSSMAN, however, surprised me as at least one of the spankings is of a much more serious nature than I was expecting and is intended strictly as a form of discipline, not the light, erotic kind that I am more comfortable with. The spankings are still nonetheless consensual as Sophie craves submitting to this form of dominance, a fetish which she researches, encourages and needs to help settle her nerves at times. If this is not your cup of tea, however, I would skip this one.
Putting this aside, what would have made THE BOSSMAN a 5-star read for me is more careful editing. Held for Ransom was incredibly well written, and I was expecting THE BOSSMAN to be of the same caliber. I am not sure if it was just my ARC copy, which perhaps was fixed in the final edition, but I found a number of places where it was hard to follow the transition between scenes within a chapter. As a result, I found myself having to reread certain passages in order to understand what had happened.
In conclusion, THE BOSSMAN is an erotic mafia romance that should not be missed by lovers of dominant heroes who like to engage in erotic and disciplinary spankings.
Source: Official Review written by me and originally published in The Romance Reviews (TRR).
Sophie Palazzo has been running away from the mob all her life. Her father was a "made" man until the day he died. So you can imagine her trepidation when Joey La Torre, the brother of the current boss of the mafia family her father belonged to, shows up at her place of work for a massage. You see, Sophie is a licensed massage therapist (no, not the kind that gives "happy endings," as she quickly explains to Joey, but the legitimate kind).
As luck would have it, during his visit, it becomes evident how financially strapped Sophie still is (an unfortunate circumstance that she has lived with since her father was killed) when Joey is forced to stop the attempted repossession of Sophie's car. As you can imagine, Joey is not the type that gives favors without expecting payment. So, notwithstanding her intentions, Sophie finds herself dating Joey. But her intentions are to fulfill her obligations without any romantic connection and to quickly walk away from Joey as soon as she finds her opportunity. Will Joey be able to make her fall in love with him before she manages to walk away, particularly given his connection to the mafia, an institution she despises?
For those of you who are familiar with Renee Rose's stories, her stories typically mix light BDSM elements, primarily spankings, with paranormal elements. Having previously read Held for Ransom, a book which I absolutely adored and gave 5 stars to, I was prepared and eagerly awaited reading this story. THE BOSSMAN, however, surprised me as at least one of the spankings is of a much more serious nature than I was expecting and is intended strictly as a form of discipline, not the light, erotic kind that I am more comfortable with. The spankings are still nonetheless consensual as Sophie craves submitting to this form of dominance, a fetish which she researches, encourages and needs to help settle her nerves at times. If this is not your cup of tea, however, I would skip this one.
Putting this aside, what would have made THE BOSSMAN a 5-star read for me is more careful editing. Held for Ransom was incredibly well written, and I was expecting THE BOSSMAN to be of the same caliber. I am not sure if it was just my ARC copy, which perhaps was fixed in the final edition, but I found a number of places where it was hard to follow the transition between scenes within a chapter. As a result, I found myself having to reread certain passages in order to understand what had happened.
In conclusion, THE BOSSMAN is an erotic mafia romance that should not be missed by lovers of dominant heroes who like to engage in erotic and disciplinary spankings.
Source: Official Review written by me and originally published in The Romance Reviews (TRR).
March 26, 2014
3 Bossy Stars
Sophie Palazzo, mafia daughter, who wants nothing to do with The Family after her father is killed by a member in The Family. Now 18 years later she's living paycheck to paycheck while working as a massage therapist when none other than Joey La Torre, second in command in The Family, walks into her place needing help with a bum knee. One thing leads to another and Joey talks Sophie into going on a date with him, then another, and so forth.
Sophie, however, wants nothing to do with the life that got her father killed, and repetitively tells this to Joey. Joey, an alpha man to the T, tries to keep Sophie in line as she continues to disrespect the family in front of the head Bossman with spanking. Lots of it, which then leads into Sophies fascination with it.
As they grow closer they both know nothing can come out of it, Sophie wants nothing to do with Joey as long as he is a member of The Family, is he willing to leave everything behind for her, better question will he be allowed to leave everything behind for her
-----
First, I felt like I was reading The Sopranos and Big Al was totally Tony Soprano
looks about right.
Second, I enjoyed the book, it was a really quick read, took maybe three hours or a little less to read the whole thing I just with there was more to the story, It moved fast like really fast one minute he's getting a massage, then he's got a pistol to someones head, next thing they're on their first date. This was all in like the first few pages too.
Time also just seemed to pass far to quickly as well, Joey told Sophie to come over for dinner on Sunday (mind you its still a weekday) because she still has a date with another guy on Saturday and then BAM Joey's walking through her door for dinner Sunday, we completely skip the week and even her other date?
Overall it was a quick easy read, wish it was a bit longer and more in depth, but I like it!
This sums up the book
Sophie Palazzo, mafia daughter, who wants nothing to do with The Family after her father is killed by a member in The Family. Now 18 years later she's living paycheck to paycheck while working as a massage therapist when none other than Joey La Torre, second in command in The Family, walks into her place needing help with a bum knee. One thing leads to another and Joey talks Sophie into going on a date with him, then another, and so forth.
Sophie, however, wants nothing to do with the life that got her father killed, and repetitively tells this to Joey. Joey, an alpha man to the T, tries to keep Sophie in line as she continues to disrespect the family in front of the head Bossman with spanking. Lots of it, which then leads into Sophies fascination with it.
As they grow closer they both know nothing can come out of it, Sophie wants nothing to do with Joey as long as he is a member of The Family, is he willing to leave everything behind for her, better question will he be allowed to leave everything behind for her
-----
First, I felt like I was reading The Sopranos and Big Al was totally Tony Soprano
looks about right.
Second, I enjoyed the book, it was a really quick read, took maybe three hours or a little less to read the whole thing I just with there was more to the story, It moved fast like really fast one minute he's getting a massage, then he's got a pistol to someones head, next thing they're on their first date. This was all in like the first few pages too.
Time also just seemed to pass far to quickly as well, Joey told Sophie to come over for dinner on Sunday (mind you its still a weekday) because she still has a date with another guy on Saturday and then BAM Joey's walking through her door for dinner Sunday, we completely skip the week and even her other date?
Overall it was a quick easy read, wish it was a bit longer and more in depth, but I like it!
This sums up the book
April 23, 2014
Oh for the love of all that is a spanking romance, this one has to top my list! I have to say, I had no expectation when I started this book. I saw a raving review for it and decided well, I think I will grab this.
Spanking... Good
Alpha Mobster... Good
Angsty Romance... Even more Good!
This is my first Renee Rose book. I'm glad that this was my first because it makes me want to read more. I'm not by trade a huge fan of the whole mobster romance. I don't get it most of the time, and sometimes the mobsters end up not being Alpha enough, and it gets gooey when it needs to stay raw. Their often isn't enough killing, and I don't understand having to 'respect' someone in a world that I don't live in.
Well, all these confusions are laid to rest in this book. Joey, our resident Alpha, stays Alpha, Even when he is winning over his woman Sophie, who I honestly don't blame for her not wanting to be in the crime world. I mean, its scary, its dangerous, and you run the risk of having a husband killed or in jail. I respected her choices, yet at the same time, she didn't try to communicate enough, and Joey, being the proper Alpha male wasn't like "Look, I'm thinking about getting out. We good?" lol Cause you know, they talk all caveman like and clipped like that. With an inflection at the end of their statements like they are asking a question, but they are really confirming submission.
That brings me to the spanking part of this whole tale. I liked it. The only thing that bothered me was her, "Oh, I was bad, are you going to spank me now?" I rolled my eyes a few times only because I wanted HIM to be like, "Pull'em down, bend over, and grab your ankles. Time to face the consequences of your bratty tantrum actions." The build up and anticipation got lost a lot of the time because Sophie spent 90% of the time being a brat to get a spanking. Which isn't a bad thing because Renee wrote Joey in a way where it was half playful, half serious and all sorts of sexy once the hump was getting on.
As a whole this was a great read that I read in a day. I don't call books over 100 pages a 'short story' I think the avid reader forgets how fast they read a 300 page book and everything suddenly turns into a short story when its not Game of Thrones.
At the end of the day I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes spanking, mobsters, their males Alpha, and a solid story with suspense weaved in to create an engaging read.
*I received a FREE copy of this book from Riverdale Avenue Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Spanking... Good
Alpha Mobster... Good
Angsty Romance... Even more Good!
This is my first Renee Rose book. I'm glad that this was my first because it makes me want to read more. I'm not by trade a huge fan of the whole mobster romance. I don't get it most of the time, and sometimes the mobsters end up not being Alpha enough, and it gets gooey when it needs to stay raw. Their often isn't enough killing, and I don't understand having to 'respect' someone in a world that I don't live in.
Well, all these confusions are laid to rest in this book. Joey, our resident Alpha, stays Alpha, Even when he is winning over his woman Sophie, who I honestly don't blame for her not wanting to be in the crime world. I mean, its scary, its dangerous, and you run the risk of having a husband killed or in jail. I respected her choices, yet at the same time, she didn't try to communicate enough, and Joey, being the proper Alpha male wasn't like "Look, I'm thinking about getting out. We good?" lol Cause you know, they talk all caveman like and clipped like that. With an inflection at the end of their statements like they are asking a question, but they are really confirming submission.
That brings me to the spanking part of this whole tale. I liked it. The only thing that bothered me was her, "Oh, I was bad, are you going to spank me now?" I rolled my eyes a few times only because I wanted HIM to be like, "Pull'em down, bend over, and grab your ankles. Time to face the consequences of your bratty tantrum actions." The build up and anticipation got lost a lot of the time because Sophie spent 90% of the time being a brat to get a spanking. Which isn't a bad thing because Renee wrote Joey in a way where it was half playful, half serious and all sorts of sexy once the hump was getting on.
As a whole this was a great read that I read in a day. I don't call books over 100 pages a 'short story' I think the avid reader forgets how fast they read a 300 page book and everything suddenly turns into a short story when its not Game of Thrones.
At the end of the day I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes spanking, mobsters, their males Alpha, and a solid story with suspense weaved in to create an engaging read.
*I received a FREE copy of this book from Riverdale Avenue Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
July 13, 2016
Rating: 1/5
(I received a free copy from the publisher, Riverdale Avenue Books, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
***TW: MENTIONS OF NON-CON & ABUSE***
Sophie has always grown up around the mafia, considering her father was one of them before he died. Her mother has always resented the Family and what it did to her own family. Sophie has some of these views as well. She doesn't particularly like the Family, especially after they're what took her father away from her when she was only fifteen. She begins to question things when she becomes closer with Joey La Torre, brother to the head of the Family. While she finds herself wanting to be with him, she doesn't want anything to do with the mafia, which puts a huge strain on the relationship.
I honestly didn't hate the majority of this book. It had a quick pace, and even if I didn't enjoy the rest of it, I could at least find comfort in the fact that it's a short book and it'd be over soon. The 1 star rating comes from the sex scenes, or mostly what leads up to them. I really can't believe Sophie never stopped to think about how Joey kept acting. If I were her, there would be red flags all over the place. I saw the warning for the non-con, and I went in expecting it. I went in expecting the BDSM-esque stuff. What I didn't go in expecting was what should very well qualify for abuse. I get it - she enjoys it after the fact, but what's most scary is that he doesn't treat it as a sexual thing. He legitimately wants to punish her for things and won't stop if she starts panicking. He never insisted she have a safe word. Joey was also just an ass in general. If Sophie did one thing wrong, he would freak out about it. The worst thing is, if Sophie made a mistake because of something Joey did, he would expect HER to apologize to him. Sophie kept letting him walk all over her and I didn't enjoy their relationship at all.
Overall, the thing that made this book awful for me was the way Joey treated Sophie, and how Sophie didn't treat it more seriously. I don't care if you find it enjoyable after, but you should at least be able to see what's happening here. I definitely wouldn't recommend you this book, but nevertheless if you would like to read it, you can get it from Netgalley here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/sho...
(I received a free copy from the publisher, Riverdale Avenue Books, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
***TW: MENTIONS OF NON-CON & ABUSE***
Sophie has always grown up around the mafia, considering her father was one of them before he died. Her mother has always resented the Family and what it did to her own family. Sophie has some of these views as well. She doesn't particularly like the Family, especially after they're what took her father away from her when she was only fifteen. She begins to question things when she becomes closer with Joey La Torre, brother to the head of the Family. While she finds herself wanting to be with him, she doesn't want anything to do with the mafia, which puts a huge strain on the relationship.
I honestly didn't hate the majority of this book. It had a quick pace, and even if I didn't enjoy the rest of it, I could at least find comfort in the fact that it's a short book and it'd be over soon. The 1 star rating comes from the sex scenes, or mostly what leads up to them. I really can't believe Sophie never stopped to think about how Joey kept acting. If I were her, there would be red flags all over the place. I saw the warning for the non-con, and I went in expecting it. I went in expecting the BDSM-esque stuff. What I didn't go in expecting was what should very well qualify for abuse. I get it - she enjoys it after the fact, but what's most scary is that he doesn't treat it as a sexual thing. He legitimately wants to punish her for things and won't stop if she starts panicking. He never insisted she have a safe word. Joey was also just an ass in general. If Sophie did one thing wrong, he would freak out about it. The worst thing is, if Sophie made a mistake because of something Joey did, he would expect HER to apologize to him. Sophie kept letting him walk all over her and I didn't enjoy their relationship at all.
Overall, the thing that made this book awful for me was the way Joey treated Sophie, and how Sophie didn't treat it more seriously. I don't care if you find it enjoyable after, but you should at least be able to see what's happening here. I definitely wouldn't recommend you this book, but nevertheless if you would like to read it, you can get it from Netgalley here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/sho...
March 30, 2014
Leigh‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
I found this book to be an unexpected pleasure to read.atruegemaward
Sophie is a ballsy, sassy heroine who was born into the mafia and spent her life trying to distance herself from the Family and all they represent. Joey is brother of the mafia Don and the kind of guy she has spent a lifetime trying to avoid. Ever resentful of the macho mafia culture for the death of her father, Sophie has always sought out weaker, non-threatening men. But when Joey walks into her massage studio, she is instantly attracted to him. Joey is a take-charge type of guy and Sophie finds herself attracted to him in spite of herself.
Agreeing to one date only in exchange for a favor, Sophie discovers that there is more to Joey than simply meets the eye.
Both Joey and Sophie turned out to be surprising contradictions and very different people than I anticipated. I did not imagine the sensitive side that Joey would portray. With the macho Italian swagger and boss-man attitude, Joey showed a concerned and understanding part of himself when he was around Sophie. He proved to be caring and nurturing to Sophie’s newly discovered need for domestic discipline, yet still strong and secure enough to command respect in a male dominated world of the mob. Sophie, on the other hand, was strong enough to stand up to the Family and Joey, but found a true need to explore her spanking fetish with him.
Together, Sophie and Joey work perfectly and they had me rooting for them to somehow figure out a way to get past their differences. The issue of domestic discipline was handled in a sensitive manner that was in no way demeaning to Sophie, and was frankly pretty damn sexy. This was a quick read but I did not feel cheated by the length of the book.
Renee Rose packs a full story into a small package, complete with complex, fun, sexy characters and enough hot, spanking sex to fill a novel!
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
I found this book to be an unexpected pleasure to read.atruegemaward
Sophie is a ballsy, sassy heroine who was born into the mafia and spent her life trying to distance herself from the Family and all they represent. Joey is brother of the mafia Don and the kind of guy she has spent a lifetime trying to avoid. Ever resentful of the macho mafia culture for the death of her father, Sophie has always sought out weaker, non-threatening men. But when Joey walks into her massage studio, she is instantly attracted to him. Joey is a take-charge type of guy and Sophie finds herself attracted to him in spite of herself.
Agreeing to one date only in exchange for a favor, Sophie discovers that there is more to Joey than simply meets the eye.
Both Joey and Sophie turned out to be surprising contradictions and very different people than I anticipated. I did not imagine the sensitive side that Joey would portray. With the macho Italian swagger and boss-man attitude, Joey showed a concerned and understanding part of himself when he was around Sophie. He proved to be caring and nurturing to Sophie’s newly discovered need for domestic discipline, yet still strong and secure enough to command respect in a male dominated world of the mob. Sophie, on the other hand, was strong enough to stand up to the Family and Joey, but found a true need to explore her spanking fetish with him.
Together, Sophie and Joey work perfectly and they had me rooting for them to somehow figure out a way to get past their differences. The issue of domestic discipline was handled in a sensitive manner that was in no way demeaning to Sophie, and was frankly pretty damn sexy. This was a quick read but I did not feel cheated by the length of the book.
Renee Rose packs a full story into a small package, complete with complex, fun, sexy characters and enough hot, spanking sex to fill a novel!
April 23, 2014
Once a bad boy always a bad boy, but even Mafia have hearts.
The Bossman is the first book I’ve read by Ms Rose and I have to say I was super-impressed. If spanking kink and a walk-on-the-wild side is your thing then you won’t be disappointed with this easy to read yet also gripping novel.
Joey La Torre, mafia big wig and brother to the boss is one hard to handle hero, but he also has soul and is, of course, devastatingly gorgeous (okay, I’m a sucker for the cover of this book!). The object of his affection, Sophie, is a real dynamite. I’d love to be her friend and confidant because her rollercoaster of emotions as she comes to terms with her new kink are a real treat to observe.
The Bossman hits the ground running, my very favourite way for a story to start. The dialogue between Joey and Sophie is fun, real and knocks backwards and forwards like watching a tennis match. I enjoyed the secondary characters as they were introduced, they gave depth and meaning to the plot and explained Joey and Sophie’s decisions and feelings.
The sex – yes, the good bit – is hot, hot, hot, and like I said if spanking is your thing then your rear will be tingling as you turn the pages. There are so many dynamics at play with this duo. Joey, he might be a hard-nosed mobster but he’s not the type of guy to hit a girl, and Sophie, wondering how submitting to the ‘family’ can be such a turn on after what they did to her.
There is past, present and a sense of what the future will hold for these two. It’s an edgy tale for sure, and there are some scenes, of the spanking variety, that push it to the edge of what must surely be comfortable, but I drank in every word, soaked up each scene and would definitely read more from Ms Rose, especially a book that involves paddles and belts and upturned bottoms as this is clearly her area of specialty. Great book and I’m happy to recommend it to fans of the genre.
Review originally posted on Erotica For All - http://eroticaforall.co.uk/book-revie...
The Bossman is the first book I’ve read by Ms Rose and I have to say I was super-impressed. If spanking kink and a walk-on-the-wild side is your thing then you won’t be disappointed with this easy to read yet also gripping novel.
Joey La Torre, mafia big wig and brother to the boss is one hard to handle hero, but he also has soul and is, of course, devastatingly gorgeous (okay, I’m a sucker for the cover of this book!). The object of his affection, Sophie, is a real dynamite. I’d love to be her friend and confidant because her rollercoaster of emotions as she comes to terms with her new kink are a real treat to observe.
The Bossman hits the ground running, my very favourite way for a story to start. The dialogue between Joey and Sophie is fun, real and knocks backwards and forwards like watching a tennis match. I enjoyed the secondary characters as they were introduced, they gave depth and meaning to the plot and explained Joey and Sophie’s decisions and feelings.
The sex – yes, the good bit – is hot, hot, hot, and like I said if spanking is your thing then your rear will be tingling as you turn the pages. There are so many dynamics at play with this duo. Joey, he might be a hard-nosed mobster but he’s not the type of guy to hit a girl, and Sophie, wondering how submitting to the ‘family’ can be such a turn on after what they did to her.
There is past, present and a sense of what the future will hold for these two. It’s an edgy tale for sure, and there are some scenes, of the spanking variety, that push it to the edge of what must surely be comfortable, but I drank in every word, soaked up each scene and would definitely read more from Ms Rose, especially a book that involves paddles and belts and upturned bottoms as this is clearly her area of specialty. Great book and I’m happy to recommend it to fans of the genre.
Review originally posted on Erotica For All - http://eroticaforall.co.uk/book-revie...
March 26, 2014
****I want to thank Riverdale Avenue Books and Netgalley for the privileged of this Arc copy in exchange of an honest review.***
Please let it go on the record that I wanted to like this book very much. The concept just drew me in and I really like the cover. However this book and I had our issues, like big deal breaker issues.
Sophie is this poor girl whose father was in organized crime, he was a hardened criminal who killed people in such violent ways that one time he came home covered in blood and 6 year old Sophie saw him. He was killed in a violent altercation by another mafia member and Sophie has tried her best to distance herself from the Family ever since. Joey's momma recommends Sophie, who is a massage therapy to him because he had some issues with his knee and so they meet.
This girl has some serious issues and she is obviously subconsciously attracted to men in the organized crime world because her father was part of that world. Sophie is also 30 but acts like a teenager and Joey even goes so far as to use "little girl" as an endearment which is fitting because her emotional capacity is that of a child.
The author tried to add a BDSM flavour to the story but I was creep out by how it was approached because without any previous discussion Joey spanks Sophie to discipline her because she lied to him. Correct me if I'm wrong but BDSM has nothing to do with anger and everything to do with pleasure so Joey spanking Sophie in anger, and without a safe word, is not what BDSM is about but instead adds an abusive layer to this co-dependent relationship. I did however enjoy the way the author wrote the sex.
I feel like this book would have benefited from a tighter plot and an emphasise in a fully consensual relationship between Sophie and Joey instead of the grey area that was depicted in the book.
Please let it go on the record that I wanted to like this book very much. The concept just drew me in and I really like the cover. However this book and I had our issues, like big deal breaker issues.
Sophie is this poor girl whose father was in organized crime, he was a hardened criminal who killed people in such violent ways that one time he came home covered in blood and 6 year old Sophie saw him. He was killed in a violent altercation by another mafia member and Sophie has tried her best to distance herself from the Family ever since. Joey's momma recommends Sophie, who is a massage therapy to him because he had some issues with his knee and so they meet.
This girl has some serious issues and she is obviously subconsciously attracted to men in the organized crime world because her father was part of that world. Sophie is also 30 but acts like a teenager and Joey even goes so far as to use "little girl" as an endearment which is fitting because her emotional capacity is that of a child.
The author tried to add a BDSM flavour to the story but I was creep out by how it was approached because without any previous discussion Joey spanks Sophie to discipline her because she lied to him. Correct me if I'm wrong but BDSM has nothing to do with anger and everything to do with pleasure so Joey spanking Sophie in anger, and without a safe word, is not what BDSM is about but instead adds an abusive layer to this co-dependent relationship. I did however enjoy the way the author wrote the sex.
I feel like this book would have benefited from a tighter plot and an emphasise in a fully consensual relationship between Sophie and Joey instead of the grey area that was depicted in the book.
March 22, 2014
This was an easy read.
Joey is in the Mafia. He has always needed to prove himself to his father and his brother. They have challenged his toughness and he has proved himself time and again. Except...his heart isn't really into it. He doesn't really like being Capo. But what is he going to do - it's his family business.
Sophie's dad was in the mafia. Until he was killed. Ever since, she and her mother have distanced themselves from "the family." She doesn't want to be a part of that life.
Then Joey walks into her massage parlor and demands a massage. One things leads to another....and what do you know, Sophie is dating a mobster.
They hit it off in bed. Completely.
Joey is dominant
And Sophie reeeeaaaaalllyyy likes it.
But, can they reconcile their differences to have a HEA?
Things I liked:
- Joey. He's alpha male, totally dominant, dangerous and HOTTT.
- Off the charts chemistry between Sophie and Joey.
- This was not insta love.
- The spanking was hot.
Things I didn't like:
- This book was predictable.
- And I didn't really like the whole "domestic discipline" aspect of their relationship.
This is an easy, enjoyable read.
Joey is in the Mafia. He has always needed to prove himself to his father and his brother. They have challenged his toughness and he has proved himself time and again. Except...his heart isn't really into it. He doesn't really like being Capo. But what is he going to do - it's his family business.
Sophie's dad was in the mafia. Until he was killed. Ever since, she and her mother have distanced themselves from "the family." She doesn't want to be a part of that life.
Then Joey walks into her massage parlor and demands a massage. One things leads to another....and what do you know, Sophie is dating a mobster.
They hit it off in bed. Completely.
Joey is dominant
And Sophie reeeeaaaaalllyyy likes it.
But, can they reconcile their differences to have a HEA?
Things I liked:
- Joey. He's alpha male, totally dominant, dangerous and HOTTT.
- Off the charts chemistry between Sophie and Joey.
- This was not insta love.
- The spanking was hot.
Things I didn't like:
- This book was predictable.
- And I didn't really like the whole "domestic discipline" aspect of their relationship.
This is an easy, enjoyable read.
March 24, 2014
Sophie Palazzo finds herself face to face with the Mafia Don's brother, Joey La Torre. She's determined from their first meeting to remain distant from the Mafia life her father had been involved in before his death. But Joey's charm and persistence might prove to be more than Sophie can ignore.
I loved the way Sophie and Joey played off each other. I like a sassy, mouthy heroine and Sophie was charmingly both. I found myself chuckling at the back and forth between the two characters. Renee Rose does an excellent job of making you fall in love with a man that you shouldn't want to fall in love with. I think I fell for Joey right along with Sophie. He works for the Mafia, an organization that does bad things, but there's something about him that makes you want to spend the rest of your life with him.
In The Bossman you experience the highs and the lows with Sophie and Joey. There were parts I found myself laughing out loud, while other parts had tears blurring my vision. I was wishing so hard for their happy ending that at some points I didn't think it was going to be possible. I kept trying to read faster just to make sure everything came out all right.
You should buy this today. Then you should call out of work and lock the door, because you're going to want some time and privacy!
I loved the way Sophie and Joey played off each other. I like a sassy, mouthy heroine and Sophie was charmingly both. I found myself chuckling at the back and forth between the two characters. Renee Rose does an excellent job of making you fall in love with a man that you shouldn't want to fall in love with. I think I fell for Joey right along with Sophie. He works for the Mafia, an organization that does bad things, but there's something about him that makes you want to spend the rest of your life with him.
In The Bossman you experience the highs and the lows with Sophie and Joey. There were parts I found myself laughing out loud, while other parts had tears blurring my vision. I was wishing so hard for their happy ending that at some points I didn't think it was going to be possible. I kept trying to read faster just to make sure everything came out all right.
You should buy this today. Then you should call out of work and lock the door, because you're going to want some time and privacy!
April 6, 2014
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in place of an honest review.
Sophie Palazzo has stayed away from the mafia family for fifteen years. That is how long her father has been dead. Her mom wasn't from the family so she taught Sophie that she needed to stay away from them. She was doing a great job until one day in her massage business Joey La Torre walks in. She never knew that her life would change after that.
Joey has been in the business since he was born. It might help that he is the Don's brother. His brother is head of the family and makes all the decisions. When he see's Sophie again he knows that she is the one for him. He never takes no for an answer and starts some BDSM with Sophie. Imagine both of their surprise when she loves to be spanked and uses it as an outlet.
This book was well written and did have some sad parts in it. You also have Sophie with not knowing how to make up her mind and trusting Joey that he will make things better. I love to read books about the mafia. This was a short read and it didn't leave anything out. I loved the ending and the way everyone changes. You will also read about some backstabbing and it is someone that you wouldn't guess would do it.
I will warn you that this book has BDSM, anal play and whipping with several objects.
Sophie Palazzo has stayed away from the mafia family for fifteen years. That is how long her father has been dead. Her mom wasn't from the family so she taught Sophie that she needed to stay away from them. She was doing a great job until one day in her massage business Joey La Torre walks in. She never knew that her life would change after that.
Joey has been in the business since he was born. It might help that he is the Don's brother. His brother is head of the family and makes all the decisions. When he see's Sophie again he knows that she is the one for him. He never takes no for an answer and starts some BDSM with Sophie. Imagine both of their surprise when she loves to be spanked and uses it as an outlet.
This book was well written and did have some sad parts in it. You also have Sophie with not knowing how to make up her mind and trusting Joey that he will make things better. I love to read books about the mafia. This was a short read and it didn't leave anything out. I loved the ending and the way everyone changes. You will also read about some backstabbing and it is someone that you wouldn't guess would do it.
I will warn you that this book has BDSM, anal play and whipping with several objects.
March 16, 2014
I loved this story!
Mafia bad guy meets earthy good girl!
Sophie is a Mafia daughter- part of the family. She has steered clear of the mafia ever since her father’s death fifteen years ago, and has held the family responsible. She wants nothing to do with alpha men, and spends most of her time in her massage therapy practice.
She leads a fairly relaxed, yet boring life, until Joey La Torre walks into her business and asks for a massage.
Joey is handsome, strong, dominant, oozing testosterone- exactly the kind of guy she has stayed away from. He is also a bad boy, in the form of his Mafia family’s second in command.
But Joey and Sophie are lying to themselves. Joey wants out. He wants a family, and to be out of the business. Sophie is drawn to his dominance, and is conflicted by her submissive desires towards him, his hard spanking hand and hot body; but angry about her father’s death.
This made for an amazing plot filled with hot sex, great romance, plenty of spankings, dominance and submission at its best and wonderful emotional growth.
I loved this story, and won’t give away the ending.
But there is a fun twist at the end.
Another must read by Renee Rose!
Mafia bad guy meets earthy good girl!
Sophie is a Mafia daughter- part of the family. She has steered clear of the mafia ever since her father’s death fifteen years ago, and has held the family responsible. She wants nothing to do with alpha men, and spends most of her time in her massage therapy practice.
She leads a fairly relaxed, yet boring life, until Joey La Torre walks into her business and asks for a massage.
Joey is handsome, strong, dominant, oozing testosterone- exactly the kind of guy she has stayed away from. He is also a bad boy, in the form of his Mafia family’s second in command.
But Joey and Sophie are lying to themselves. Joey wants out. He wants a family, and to be out of the business. Sophie is drawn to his dominance, and is conflicted by her submissive desires towards him, his hard spanking hand and hot body; but angry about her father’s death.
This made for an amazing plot filled with hot sex, great romance, plenty of spankings, dominance and submission at its best and wonderful emotional growth.
I loved this story, and won’t give away the ending.
But there is a fun twist at the end.
Another must read by Renee Rose!
May 3, 2014
The Bossman starts with our heroine – Sophie Palazzo giving a massage to Mafia capo – and link to her past – Joey La Torre. Since her father’s death, Sophie has followed her mother’s example in keeping as much distance between herself and the Family as possible. Joey has other ideas and Sophie’s resistance rapidly breaks down in the face of Joey’s charm, sex appeal and persistence.
The relationship between the two heroes is cute and their dialogue is completely natural and frequently fun. It is easy to understand why these two people would be attracted to one another – despite Sophie’s entirely understandable reservations.
The spanking is plentiful and masterfully handled (by both the spanker and the author). There was a great spanking dynamic here as Sophie and Joey learnt from one another’s desires and expectations. Joey, in particular, proves to be very flexible and keen to learn while remaining deliciously dominant throughout all the spanking scenes.
Overall, this was a fantastic and gripping read which demonstrates that Renee Rose’s storytelling just gets better and better
The relationship between the two heroes is cute and their dialogue is completely natural and frequently fun. It is easy to understand why these two people would be attracted to one another – despite Sophie’s entirely understandable reservations.
The spanking is plentiful and masterfully handled (by both the spanker and the author). There was a great spanking dynamic here as Sophie and Joey learnt from one another’s desires and expectations. Joey, in particular, proves to be very flexible and keen to learn while remaining deliciously dominant throughout all the spanking scenes.
Overall, this was a fantastic and gripping read which demonstrates that Renee Rose’s storytelling just gets better and better
Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews