Monday, February 23, 2015

Eliza's Review: By Any Other Name (Forbidden #1) 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.



Title: By Any Other Name
Series: Forbidden #1
Author: J.M. Darhower
Release date: 23rd February, 2015
Rating: 4 "Roman Cokes" stars
Cliffhanger: Yes




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”What’s in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;”


How about a Barsanti? Or a Galante? The names of two notorious crime families, once friends now deadly rivals. A feud that started years ago shows no signs of waning. The vivid opening scene giving insight into what would become a feud that would spill over to the next generation.

Genevie "Genna” Galante was too young to remember the events of that day but it’s lasting effects serve as a constant reminder. The fable-like stories told and the warnings of her father are enough to strike fear when the name Barsanti is uttered.

“The only good Barsanti is a dead Barsanti.”



Young and somewhat carless, Genna finds herself in trouble often. Being the only daughter she feels suppressed under the watchful eye of her father Primo and brother Dante, maybe it’s the need to be seen as just Genna that leads her to make reckless decisions:

They say the night is the darkest just before the dawn. Say if you're gonna break the law, thats the perfect time to do it.


Her latest misdemeanour sees her slapped with court ordered community service and the icing on the cake, getting stuck in the lift on her way out of court. But every cloud has a sliver lining and her lining comes in the form of handsome stranger “Matty”. With nothing to do but strike up conversation, the stolen time they share is enough to make an impression and move their encounter to another location.


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Matteo "Matty" Barsanti is the elder (almost prodigal son) son of her farther’s mortal enemy. Recent family events have forced him to return but taking up the helm of the family business is something he wants no part of, but honour and loyalty do not permit him to simply walk away.

But even in his reluctance, he too has heard the stories. He too knows the way of the streets; who his friends and enemies are.


“The Galante family bred spineless, callous cowards, led by the biggest heartless brute of them all. Primo.”


The discovery of each others identities is met with obvious shock and horror and although they do try to stay away, the connection they feel is enough for them to sacrifice their safety.

It is a dangerous game they play, a game that includes far more casualties than themselves. They playfulness of their relationship subtracts from the veil of danger they shroud themselves in for being together and I enjoyed that aspect even if they themselves did not much to do with the dealings of Mob life.


“How do fix your hair so your horns don’t show?”



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If West Side Story, The Bronx Tale and Romeo and Juliet all got together and got it on, By Another Name is their love child. I enjoyed the combination of romance, mob life and forbidden love. The last scene may have had me swiping furiously for more but it’s far from the final act.



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