Quickie Review (May Contain Spoilers)

Old Flame was such an interesting installment and what a finale to this series. I know technically there is still Mateo's POV (which I am still not sure I will do that one or not, but maybe I will just to see his side of things) but have really enjoyed Dante's book. It definitely had its challenges for sure and I appreciated what the author was able to deliver on this one here. I also was fascinated by the power in this one here. It had some aspects to it that I wasn't expecting but also wasn't quite as angsty as I thought it would be either. Dante is such a mystery in the series so it was good to see his side of events. I was glad that I had read the previous books so that I could appreciate his version of events. There were aspects to him like the human trafficking that was SUPER hard for me to deal with. My heart did break for him for the sacrifices he had to make over some of Mateo's decisions. I did enjoy the way in which the romance was developed although I didn't really understand the beginning that much. I felt like that was really harsh and going to be honest in that it was something I almost wanted to DNF this book for. This book was probably the hardest Mariano that I have ever read. But it was good to see this just to see a different perspective on events. I am not eager to read the Las Vegas Morellis and how those will differ from the ones in Chicago. ( )

It was okay.
Some parts were really good.
You got to see more about the dynamic with Dante and Matteo and to see a different side of him as seeing him through his brothers eyes.
The author warns readers not to start the series with this book as the series needs to be read in order or you will have major plot spoilers.
This book starts with Matteo and Beth's relationship and moves to the present day.
It skims over some details the reader didn't know or maybe see from this different perspective.
There was small ex drama.
The heroine has a dead ex so there is guilt and baggage from that relationship.
The Hero was with others during their separation when they broke up so he has really small ex drama from one of those.
I thought it might have worked better as a duet.
The heroine starts off pretty determined but gives in over sex. She got over her guilt pretty fast whereas if it had been two books then I might have found it more believable.
There were opportunities for more ex drama on his side and the animosity with the heroine and house keeper could have led to more angst, I just felt it wasn't enough.
There are more details about Alec and also the history with their sister.
There are no intimate details of anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.
Epilogue. ( )

I am going to start this review out with the reminder that it is imperative that this book needs to be read in order. Even though the story is about Dante it still has major perspectives to the story that would either a) not make sense or b) spoil this part of the story. I would hate for anyone to not understand the dynamics at play ESPECIALLY when it comes to Mateo.

Now that I have said that let me get on with this story. Sweet holy Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, and baby Jesus. I am not sure how it is that this author can make antiheroes so dang intriguing but she takes it to a whole different level. This lifestyle is pretty repugnant in so many ways. Something that all of the characters know. Hell, even the author knows but the author portrays it with an authenticity that makes it compelling to read. She even gives insight that even the main characters feel the demons left behind from their choices.

That was definitely the case with Dante. He knows that what he does to ensure he doesn't lose Colette is wrong, he just is willing to accept that because the love he does feel for her is right. He showed that he wasn't remorseful but that he would have, and did, do anything to have her be the light in his life. I am pretty sure he would have sold his soul to be with her. That is unconditional love. He showed his moments of love, tenderness, and even vulnerability when he needed to. He also showed that he might as well been made of steel in other ways because he was definitely a made man and one not about to bend. And that is what had me love him even more because I knew that he would have had no qualms lighting the world on fire for his Colette.

Dante was much different than Mateo but also the same in many ways. The same could be said about Colette and Mia. There was something intrinsically good and pure about both of these ladies. They knew the world they were getting into just as they knew that the men they loved weren't truly good. I liked watching Colette struggle with how to accept this and finally quit fighting it. Together, Dante and Colette were just as epic as Mateo and Mia just in a different way. They burned just as bright just with a different intensity.

I really enjoyed seeing some of the scenes that had occurred in previous books from a different perspective or lens. It helped add additional insight into the characters and the overall story. It also allowed me the chance to see how fantastic Mateo is at being the puppet master that he is. That man truly is a manipulative bastage/genius (tomato/tomahto) and cemented his placement in my top BBF's of all time. However, it also allowed the chance for Dante to creep up in the rankings because there is this "Je ne say quois" type feel to him. Basically, this author has proven that I would sell my soul for a Morelli man. Speaking of which, I am going to need this author to write about Alec asap. He has had some pivotal scenes in a couple of books and I am needing to know more.

The bottom line now that I have rambled like a rabbit shiny squirrel is read this book. However, read this book AFTER the others have been read. Even though I have read the series several times now as well as the Vegas spinoff, it makes me want to go back and reread it again because not only is it amazing but because I learn something every time I read it. I also suggest reading the often times missed book Entrapment, which is Mateo's POV and deleted scenes from various parts of the series (it isn't numbered as part of the Morelli series) because it really adds another dimension to the story. ( )