Grievous - J.M. Darhower GAH!!!!
Seriously, why aren't more people screaming at me to read JM Darhower?!?

4.5 stars
Really interesting. Unlikeable characters who do bad things, amoral people all around (including the hero and heroine) make this a darker read. The end was really abrupt and that kind of threw me off. Thankfully I had book 2 already waiting.
These narrators are AMAZING! Both have moved to the top of my fav narrators list. Kasha does amazing accents and speaks other parts (male, child) so well.

4.5 stars

I respect how Lorenzo doesn't do a lot of posturing like some males, and Morgan doesn't apologize like some females. They are flawed people, but they are who they are. Both characters are awesome. You don't know what they're going to do next. It's easy to connect with them even if their behaviors are something you would never consider in your own life. Lorenzo is physically scarred across his face and blind in one eye; yet, he exudes loads more appeal than a perfect and fake male lead would. Morgan is definitely not the sweet and virginal type. Both are harsh and real with painful backgrounds, but it's not difficult to find their hearts underneath it all. Morgan is on a mission. A dangerous man is after her. No one wants to help. Lorenzo is looking for some excitement and trouble. They make a perfect match.
I loved this story. It kept my attention the entire time. It has mystery, action and raw grit. I stayed up late into the night reading. I haven't done that in awhile. No one knows how to write organized crime quite like this author, and no matter how many she writes, the cast in each is totally unique and believable. I definitely recommend Menace, and I can't wait for the next book.

The protagonist should have known better. I should have, too.
I gather Mafia/Mob Romance YA (in no particular order) novels are out of my comfort zone, particularly when there is a glamorized vision of the Italian Mafia. Of course this book deals with very serious themes, like slavery and many shades of violence, but it’s still romance, and it was truly too long for its plot.
I liked the author’s style though; someday I could try some of her adult stuff before giving completely up on the whole mafia&redemption (or corruption) scenario.

Sweetest Sorrow - J.M. Darhower
This is a dual couple story. Matteo Barsanti and Genevieve Galante from BAON are expecting a baby and on the run. Dante Galante has evaded death again, but he is in critical condition under the care of Gabriella Russo. Every character is completely intertwined. There's the big arch nemesis situation between Primo Galante and Bobby Barsanti, and practically everyone is a mortal enemy really. Despite everything, some are able to see past the war of the last couple of decades.

I was into the storyline from the start, but it wasn't fully holding my interest during the beginning part. The later half or so greatly picked up me. There were so many stand out lines that I actually was compelled to highlight and read over them a couple of extra times.

If you've read this author, you know she gives her mafia stories a realistic feel. They aren't over the top or guaranteed to end well for everyone. These characters have lived through and/or perpetrated acts which forever changed everything. No matter how things happened to go, there were bound to be bittersweet feelings.

Sweetest Sorrow was a win for me. I liked and felt sorry for certain characters unexpectedly. I was shocked by the complete heartlessness of others. A blast from the past person of obsession for me showed up. It felt like time travel to see someone you know you will miss in the future. The book ends in a way that could definitely be the conclusion of the story, but I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the cast pop up again. I want to give a shout out to Gavin Amaro. He is a favorite from this series for sure.