The D’Angelos #4
Salena & Ryan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Salena and Ryan meet at Emma’s and Gio’s wedding. Ryan is Emma’s brother, Salena is Chloe’s best friend and a close friend of the D’Angelo family. She’s currently the D’Angelo’s restaurant manager. It’s important to remember when Chloe and Salena were in Vegas, where Chloe and Dante had their surprise wedding, how fun-loving and sexy Salena is. In this book, that is front and center in the middle of the story.
When Ryan and Salena meet, it’s not surprising they had a lot in common, they were both the rowdy child in their family. It’s as if a hidden thread sewed them together. Both were against commitment, and yet, it found its way with them. I loved Ryan, felt for Salena.
Salena had a secret, not illegal, but something her family would disapprove of. So she kept at it in secret, and it made it hard for Salena to commit. She’s independent, needs to be self-reliant, and that is what sold Ryan on her, since his prior experience were clingers who wanted his wealth. Their love story proceeds slow and steamy, with long lingering stares, very few moments to be together, a man who is slowly and strongly falling for his woman who resists to the very end. I loved their story, even as I struggled with her family history.
I hated Salena’s parents! They were so judgy and opinionated, never a positive thought came out of them, as related to their younger daughter. And that is why Salena is so secretive and defensive. I felt for her, a woman so comfortable in her own skin, owning her sexuality, and yet craving an approval that never arrives. The D’Angelos are more understanding and supportive, so I wasn’t surprised she moved out of her parents’ home and into the apartment vacated by Gio.
The first part of this book dragged for me, because there was a lot of the judgy parents. Then enter the D’Angelo family, with their intrusiveness but also love and support. Ryan’s mother is a darling, his father not so much but he’s learned his lesson and behaves. This book is as much about love and steam as about family, which is what makes it so lovable to me. Franny stars in many of the funny moments, innocently springing important information to a startled crowd! I love the complicity between the brothers, sisters, friends and in-laws, they make the story so heartwarming. It was truly a lovely read!
Purchase links
Amazon: https://amzn.to/40GHhxh
Books A Million: https://bit.ly/3sC0nrT
About the author
Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full time and has penned the Not Quite series, The Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series. Learn more about Catherine and her books at www.catherinebybee.com
When It Falls Apart, Book 1
Be Your Everything, Book 2
Beginning of Forever, Book 3
