Criminal (Hush #3) by Mary Elizabeth
ABOUT THE BOOK
Talent Ridge is a criminal.
On the surface, Talent has it all. The respect from his city, a successful law firm he shares with his brother, and a beautiful woman by his side. Nothing is as it seems. When the workday is over and the lights go down, the charming and sophisticated lawyer loosens his tie and takes rank in the mob he grew up in.
The elusive Lydia Montgomery changed everything the moment she stepped into his office and his heart a year ago. They navigate the delicate balance between their public and private lives as they delve deeper into the world of organized crime.
As a lawyer, he swore to abide by the law. As a made man, he pledged his life to the mafia. He has one more vow to make. If only she’ll let him in.
MY REVIEW
First of all, kudos to the gorgeous cover. Yummy! Mary Elizabeth pens yet another fantastic book in the Hush series filled with wedding plans, a love in turmoil, and a family business in trouble.
Lydia is high maintenance. Her stubbornness is giving Talent doubts he can keep this up. Every time he knocks down a wall, she’s putting two more back up. Progress is slow, but she is trying to open herself up to him. He refuses to lose her, but his family business is intruding and he’s spinning out of control. There is no one else for him, but he can’t fight for happiness alone.
Lydia sabotages every piece of goodness Talent gives her. She feels so unworthy of his love and blocks every chance of forever by erecting impenetrable walls around her. Until Talent couldn’t take it anymore and pushed her away. Reeling in misery and pain she realizes her mistake, but is it too late to get him back?
I’ve cheered for Talent and Lydia since I met them in Tramp. Their pasts are filled with heartache and pain which seep into their present lives. Talent struggles to show Lydia that he loves her despite her past as a high-paid escort, but Lydia’s self-worth is so tarnished and broken. My heart breaks for Talent as he slowly falls deeper into despair with a business he hates and a woman he loves to distraction. He’s yet another book boyfriend who stole my heart every time he told Lydia he loved her and wanted to marry her. Lydia comes across as a coldhearted bitch with no feelings, but the longer she stays with Talent, the more feelings start to surface. Feelings that frighten her and cause her to pull away, and in her eyes, save Talent in the process. But a couple of things happen that will change their world completely. Their personal lives get better and, according to the frustrating cliffhanger, his business is about to implode.
I love, love, love the supporting characters in this series. Talent’s brother Wilder plays more of a supportive brother in this book which gave me the feels. And we get to see Wilder and Camilla (Lydia’s former employee and soul sister) tie the knot again. Add in the happy and supportive Dawn, who is like a communal mother to the girls in Lydia’s exclusive escort service and someone who helps hold the family together. I really want to hear her story!!! And then there is Nico Coppola, Talent and Wilder’s boss and childhood friend, as well as the volatile and mysterious Rip (another childhood friend) who has gone to the dark side…or has he? There are so many good characters in this series that I can’t wait to read about each and every one.
My love of this series continues as I highly recommend this fast-paced mafia romance filled with suspense, secrets, and satisfaction. Pick up this series. It’s incredible!
Thank you again to Mary Elizabeth for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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Tramp: https://amzn.to/3CFwdnu
Harlot: https://amzn.to/3kns8N
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Elizabeth was born and raised in Southern California. She is a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and dog tamer to one enthusiastic Pit Bull and a prissy Chihuahua. She’s a hairstylist by day but contemporary fiction, new adult author by night.
Mary can often be found finger twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and rewriting a sentence over and over until it’s perfect. She discovered her talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And she’s not letting go until every story is told.
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