Wicked Guardian

Elm Street Mafia, Book 2

By: Ali Lyda, Alexa May

Narrated by: Mike Peterman

Eleven years ago I walked away from the only man I’ve ever loved. Back then, I was afraid to take a chance on a man with a past as dark as Cole’s. Now I know just how short life can be. I need to keep my kids safe, not get mixed up with the mob. But the feelings I had all those years ago? They’re just as strong now. Cole has changed. He’s harder. Crueler. And just as alluring as he’s always been. When my life is in danger, he’s the only one I trust. Falling for him again is the last thing I should do. It’s too bad I can’t resist.

My heart stopped beating eleven years ago. That’s when Sam tore it out.
I haven’t needed it since. Now I’m back in The Elm, the same neighborhood Sam calls home. It’s my duty to protect my boss. But my heart still belongs to Sam. If he rejects me again, I won’t recover. And if he asks me to walk away from the family... You don’t walk away from the mob. But for him, I’d tear it all down for the chance at a life together.

Get ready for a 65,000-word second-chance romance featuring a single dad and the mafia enforcer he let get away!

©2020 Special Fiction Books (P)2021 Special Fiction Books

Not nearly as enjoyable as the first, IMHO 😔

Sam has renewed his acquaintance with a mafia member he met eleven years ago. Colin is the enforcer of the man who saved Elm Street in the previous book. This one had a lot less plot content and a lot more sexual encounter, and there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's fairly typical of most M/M romance books. But after the exceptional start of the series that was book 1, this was a big letdown. The stuff with the Irish mafia and with Sam's parent trying to gain custody of Sam's children was kind of weak and more frequent sex between the main characters was used to pad out the book. A lot less 'gazing into each other's eyes'. A lot less 'hand holding'. A lot less tenderness indicates mutual respect and devotion between the main characters. The guys just went at it... again... and again without the plot moving much until nearly the end of the book. This was rather disappointing to me personally. But I would expect many others may find this book an improvement over the first book because it is more representative of the genre.

Cole & Sam

A great second chance romance for Sam and Cole. They had a quick fling years ago but it left a lasting impression on both of these men. When they see each other again, the chemistry is explosive and they cannot resist one another again. Especially when Sam's life is in danger, there's no way Cole is going to let him go. I love how protective Cole is of Sam and how well they work together. There are quite a few obstacles for these two but they work through them together. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

Second Chance Mafia Romance

Sam and Cole are reunited after more than a decade apart. Sam is struggling raising two kids as a single parent, fighting his horrible father for custody and the last thing he needs is more ties to the mob. But when Cole finds out Sam's safety is at risk, he can't stay away. This is not nearly as gritty as some mafia stories out there, there's almost no violence. Actually, most of the book is more about them coming together as a family. I didn't particularly like the narrator. He wasn't bad, but it was hard to tell Cole and Sam apart and his cadence was fast at times. If you like stories about good/bad boys you will probably enjoy this series.

A Second Chance at Love for Cole and Sam

Mafia enforcer/underboss Cole and single-dad Sam have a second chance at love in Book 2 of the 'Elm Street Mafia' series. Eleven years ago, Sam's fears abour his homosexuality and Cole's involvement with the Russo Family cause him to deny himself a relationship with Cole. Now that Cole's back in The Elm, will Sam finally allow himself to have his dream of family with Cole at his side?

Once again Lyda and May have written a heartfelt love story. The love Cole and Sam share shines through all the background chaos of their lives. in the intervening years between first love and second chance, they've learned that facing obstacles together can make their love stronger. With this story, the reader receives a low-angst adult romance filled with sweetness and steam. All-in-all, a satisfying read.

Since this story also features romantic suspense, there are some action scenes with danger and violence. Added to this is a sub-plot involving custody of Sam's children that ends up tying into the mafia angle.

Mike Peterman's narration for this second book is good. The tone and cadence suit the story well.

This is a voluntary opinion of the audiobook, I requested and received it as a free review copy.

The Intrigue Continues

This story picks up where book one left off. In book one, the last chapter is the true first chapter. Parts of this story acts as a stand alone, but parts of it require book one to be listened to, or read in book form. You will be confused if you don’t.

In this book we learn why Sam is so skittish with the mafia. We also learn of his history with Cole, as the past starts to become the present. While this storyline was enjoyable, I liked book one better. We get to see Jake and Max, along with all of the other Elm Street characters.

The author doesn’t leave us with a chapter introducing us to the characters in the next book. While our characters get a HEA, the storyline in the background is not finished. Now this is just a guess, but I think the next book will feature a couple we’ve met already, and that’s why the book ended in a different way than Lyda typically uses.

This is the second book I’ve listened to with Mike Peterman as the narrator. I feel he has great potential. He did a good job with differentiating between characters, but sometimes I didn’t care for Sam’s voice...mostly during the steamy bits. Other than that, I enjoyed listening to him being this story to life.

Fantastic

The narration of this book is fantastic. The characters truly come to life. The plot hooked me and I hated that my commute was so short!

Enjoyable Second Chances Story

I was excited to listen to this story because I am a huge fan of Ali Lyda's Get Ink'd series. I liked the story, but it was difficult to enjoy it because of the narrator. The main characters do not have distinct voices, which was disappointing.

11 years

This was the 2nd installment of the ELM Street Mafia. It was fitting follow up. Sam and Cole. In the first installment Sam and Cole are best friends of the 2 MCs. What we learn starting this book is they have a history. A very involved history.

Sam has demons that get in his way and he has no clue on how to resolve them. Cole has issues as well of love, loyalty and protection. Overall this story is well written and performed well.

Making Love With The Mafia

Sam wants the American Dream...a husband, another father for his two children, and a house with a white picket fence...probably even a dog. Everyone has to work for their dreams and Sam has challenges like any regular person: a mafia second-hand man and enforcer who is back in his life and wants his heart, a homophobic father who wants his children, an Irish mafia that wants him dead, and a former drag queen matchmaker who wants to redesign his wardrobe. With so many people wanting things from him, can he take what HE wants?

This was definitely a heart-warming love story with moderate angst. Sam and Cole are a couple that navigates trusting each other again after Sam broke them up years prior--and that is in addition to having to protect their new family from mafia territory and clan wars. There is action, suspense, intrigue, steamy sex, and a fantastic confrontation with a father figure. I would recommend this for this story.

The narrator, on the other hand, was not great. Had the chapters not been separated by character perspective, I would have been confused as to who was talking at times. The performance was a bit monotonous and emotion was much like someone reading minutes to a meeting. I would pass on him in the future.

A medium angst, second chance romance!

This was a medium angst, second chance romance with a sweet single dad and a very hot mafia enforcer.

This was such an amazing book!
I enjoyed listening to this one.

The narrator did an amazing audio delivery and narration.

The storyline was engaging and the characters were well fleshed out.

Absolutely recommend this!