By Any Other Name by J.M. Darhower

 

A deadly rivalry.

Two families at war.

Nobody is safe, not even the innocent.

Especially the innocent.

Blood will be spilled.

Genevieve "Genna" Galante knows a thing or two about causing trouble. After all, it's engrained in her DNA. As the only daughter of Primo Galante, notorious boss of the Galante crime family, her life is dictated by a certain set of rules… rules Genna was never very good at following.

Matteo "Matty" Barsanti never wanted anything to do with the family business, but as the first-born Barsanti son, certain things are expected of him. It's his duty, according to his father, to help take down the enemy... even if that enemy means something to him.

A chance encounter on an elevator changes the course of lives, causing the biggest trouble of Genna's young life. The only good Barsanti is a dead Barsanti. She's heard it said time and time again. So what happens when she falls in love with one of them?

The story of star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of the biggest rivalry New York has ever seen, determined to make it… if only they can survive their parents' feud.

 

6 Beautiful Star Crossed Stars

 

J.M. Darhower did it again. She created a story I loved, craved and I couldn’t get enough of.

 

#BOOKHANGOVER

 

I loved LOVED LOVED By Any Other Name (BAON). It had EVERYTHING I look for in a read.

 

Romance CHECK

 

Star-crossed lovers CHECK

 

Drama CHECK

 

Steam CHECK

 

LOVEABLE characters CHECK

 

Genna is a Galante and Matty is a Barsanti. Sixteen years ago a tragedy occurred which altered the relationships between both families.  Two families, once two friends are now enemies. Matty has been away since the tragedy, but he’s back in town. 

 

Genna and Matty get stuck in an elevator and develop a fast and insta-lust relationship.  Neither know who each other are and do not care.

 

Oh god, could the beginning get any better? I love the Prologue. It set the tone of the book and it got me ready for the string events, because this is a Darhower book, I know I’m going to get emotional.  I loved how Genna and Matty meet.  It’s very fast, but the pace was PERFECT.

 I can’t stress how much I love the tone and pace of this book. I could have read hundreds of more pages, yet I was completely satisfied with the amount I got.

 

It’s like pure magic.

 

Of course, nothing good can happen with two star crossed lovers and thus the angst, drama and roller coaster of events begin. I gobbled it up like a hooker needing a fix. I love every second of it. I love the secondary characters too. I loved reading about Genna’s brother, Dante and Matty’s brother Enzo. I love that the book is focused around family.

 

I love the main characters as well. Genna’s character is at first reckless and I question how much I was going to like her, but soon, I saw her true colors and it made me simply like her more. She’s a strong girl, but has a heart of gold and loves her family.

 

I like how Matty was never involved in his family, but when got back in town, he’s thrown in the thick of it and he doesn’t want anything to do with it. I love his positive relationship with his brother and I love his affection with Genna.

 

The thing that worked so well for me was just the balance of everything. I had just enough everything and it always kept me on my toes. I had the right balance of backstory, character development, issues and getting to the big finale that left me with a good book hangover.

 

If you are a fan of Sempre, Darhower or just want a good romance book, THIS IS FOR YOU. I recommend to all.    

 

"A Roman Coke," Genna mused. "What's that?"

"It's rum and Coke. We just call it a Roman Coke around here."

"Because you're Italian?"

"And because when you get drunk enough, it all just slurs together anyway."

"Ah." Genna picked hers up, motioning toward him with it. "So what are we drinking to?"

"Today."

"Today?"

He nodded. "Right now, this moment. Let's drink to it."

Smiling, she clinked her glass with his. "Today, then."

They threw them back at the same time. The liquor hit Genna's taste buds and she grimaced, the vicious burn seeping down her throat and settling deep in her chest. "Ugh, is there even any Coke in this damn thing?"

Matty laughed, setting his empty glass down. "Just a splash."

"I couldn't tell."

"That's because I prefer it that way," he responded. "Strong and rough, enough to leave a lingering ache. I like it to hurt just a bit."

Oh good God. Those words sent a chill down Genna's spine, one she couldn't hide, as Matty waved for the waitress. Eyes never leaving Genna, he ordered another round of drinks.

"Another?" she asked, picking up the water to take another sip, this one to soothe the sting in her chest. "You said one drink."

A sly smile curved his lips. "I like to keep them coming."

"Is that right?"

"Absolutely." Matty stood, leaning across the table, his lips near her ear. "Maybe you'll let me show you later."

J.M. Darhower is a USA Today bestselling author, best known for her Mafia romantic suspense novels. She lives in a tiny town in rural North Carolina, where she churns out more words than will ever see the light of day. She has a deep passion for politics and speaking out against human trafficking, and when she isn't busy writing (or being a fangirl) she's usually ranting about those things.

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmdarhower

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JMDarhower

Website: http://www.jmdarhower.com/

 

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