Reviews

Dead Man's Hand by Renee Rose

rihoward's review

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5.0

4.7 stars

One of, if not my favorite of this series. There is just something about the brothers in this series that has me enamoured. They all have their demons or baggage being a part of this nefarious family. However, I think Gio struggles with it the most which is why I felt an infinity with him. It is also why I think that I related to Marissa as well. These two were both struggling with being a part of the shooting that almost took Gio's life.

I enjoyed how the author incorporated an almost Fate like intervention into the reasons behind why they were connected via their dreams/nightmares. Was it a premonition of things to come? was it a reminder of what they had been through? or was it perhaps a message that they were, in fact, lucky because they were destined for greatness? The story will answer that but for me, I definitely saw it as a second chance to win at love. There was definitely something to these two. They both knew what it was like to be forced into a lifestyle out of duty and loyalty rather than having the chance to follow their dreams. Together though, these two realized that they could do both. Gio with his piano and Marissa with her love of cooking.

There was an additional depth to this story that sometimes in other books by this author that are missing or forced. That was not the case here. Even though this relationship happens fast, the connection never feels rushed or forced. if ever there was a true love it was with these two. I have loved all the stories in this series, some more than others, but I am looking forward to the next story.

mom2three's review

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5.0

I have loved every book in this series. I think I have even said that each book in the series is my favorite...So, while it may seem redundant, I'm going to say that this is my favorite book in this series! At least until I go back and re-read each one. Then whichever one I'm reading will become my favorite one again. It can be read as a stand-alone, but there are elements in each story that reference back to the previous books. It's also a quick read that is full of action, danger, tenderness, hot sexiness, and a HEA that will please any romance lover. The characters are complex and engaging, the story line is exciting, and I love all the moments of humor that are thrown in. This is one series that I know I'm going to read over and over again!

eg_m's review

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4.0

The author's nod to the mafia romance staple: Good girl caught in a bad situation gets involved with the mob. That said, the characters are enjoyable and story moves well.

kelly_reads_books's review against another edition

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5.0

Gio and Marissa's story continues in Dead Man's Hand and it is explosive and very hot!
A Tacone is not who Luigi wants Marrisa saying and so she sees Gio without her family knowing.
Marissa struggles with being good enough for Gio.
I love these Mafia stories!

jigsawgirl's review

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5.0

Each book in this series gets better. Definitely 4.5 stars. Although there are situations referenced from previous books in each book, they can be read as standalones. There is just enough information provided so you know what is going on, and possibly enough to make you go back at read the earlier books.

Gio and Marissa fit so well together. They both were vulnerable after the attack Him survived, and somehow managed to make one another whole. They filled a need in not sure either Gio or Marissa recognized.

I could completely understand Marissa's hesitation about getting involved with a member of the Tacone family. In fact, I'm surprised she didn't spend all of their time together looking over her shoulder.

I was actually struggling with another book and I picked up Dead Man's Hand for a couple of minutes. Just to clear my head so I could finish the first book. I started reading about Him and Marissa, and didn't put it down until I finished the last page.

A steamy romance with a hot, older, dominant man who spends all of his time showing a hard working, aspiring chef how much he cares for her. A fast paced, sometimes slightly intense read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy received from the author.

kimah74's review

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5.0

Loved it!

Loved Gio and Marissa’s story. Bringing him back to life and giving him purpose Marissa is a little spitfire. You saw it in the last book. Didn’t know she would be it for Gio but loved how their relationship developed. Marissa really came into her own and found her voice. Great book. Can’t wait for Paolo’s

tlea's review

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5.0

Wow! This book is the story of Gio & Marissa. Those that have read Book 5 in this series (Joker's Wild) will know what has happened that has brought Gio & Marissa together when they never thought that they would have a place in each other's life. This book is high on emotion, both positive & negative, that shows how difficult it can be to break out of the mold of other people's expectations. Wonderful

megreads12's review

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

katybooklover's review

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5.0

Dead Man’s Hand è un romanzo davvero splendido. L’ho amato dalla prima all’ultima pagina. Quando ho finito di leggere il romanzo dedicato ad Alessia e Vlad non vedevo l’ora di scoprire la storia di Gio. Negli ultimi due libri della serie sono successe diverse cose e tutte molto particolari e, in qualche modo, questo libro continua sulla falsa riga dei libri precedenti.
La storia tra Gio e Marissa è abbastanza travagliata, i due dovranno superare non pochi ostacoli e, nel farlo, avranno modo di evolvere sia come persone sia come coppia. Ho amato tantissimo la loro relazione, il modo in cui stanno insieme è come se si completassero a vicenda.

Grazie al Pov alternato ho avuto la possibilità di immergermi molto a fondo nelle loro vite e quello che ho scoperto mi è piaciuto moltissimo. Hanno un alchimia pazzesca e i momenti in cui sono insieme sono romantici, piccanti e intensi anche emotivamente perché sono due personaggi in qualche modo legati a doppio filo. Come in tutti i libri di Renee Rose non mancano momenti molto piccanti ed erotici, ma sono perfettamente inseriti nella storia d’amore che resta sempre il fulcro del romanzo. Più tempo trascorrono insieme e più imparano a conoscersi. Ho apprezzato la crescita di Marissa, il modo in cui diventa sempre più consapevole che l’uomo giusto per lei, il suo cavaliere oscuro, è proprio Gio nonostante appartenga a una famiglia che in molti temono. Anche Gio, stando con Marissa, scoprirà qualcosa di sé e riscoprirà anche chi e cosa vorrebbe essere. In certi momenti mi sembrava di provare il suo stesso tormento, mi ha preso davvero molto.
Lo stile di scrittura di Renee Rose mi piace sempre molto perché la sua penna è fluida, attenta ai sentimenti e molto intensa. La trama corre velocissima e non ci sono momenti morti, anzi. Stare in compagnia di Gio e Marissa è come fare un viaggio sulle montagne russe. Inoltre, non mancano momenti adrenalinici e che creano una certa suspense. Il finale è un crescendo di sentimenti e di prove da superare e mi è piaciuto davvero tanto.

Recensione completa: https://virtualkaty.blogspot.com/2022/05/review-tour-dead-mans-hand-di-renee-rose.html

npshafer's review

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emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5