Once Burned (Morelli Family, #3)
Reviews
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧.5
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨
First Impressions
Once Burned is the third book in the "Morelli Family" series and this is a story that revolves around Aiden, who is Mateo's bodyguard and confidant and probably the only one he completely trusts. Then we have, our heroine, who is Elise, who was raised in the Morelli family household and practically worships Mateo as he kept her safe and happy when her situation could have been way worse than it was. This was a delightful book. There are many secrets and truths that are revealed in this one that connect to the serial plot. So even if you aren't invested in this couple, I do think you need to read this one. While its not as good as the previous books, its a solid installment and really enjoyed these characters for the most part.
First Line
It still feels like I am on fire.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Aiden
The bodyguard and shield for Mateo, grew up alongside him like brothers, but the Morelli father got in the way and Aiden has horrible fire scars on his body.
The Heroine: Elise
Elise is a heroine that is reserved and embraces femininity over feminism qualities. (although none of these books have feminist heroines) She is happy in doing household chores and being pleasing to others. She gets much fulfillment from it.
Summary
Once Burned is a story where our couple begins their life together and they have yet to go on a date haha But they have both had a connection to each other and Adrian gave up five years of service to set her free from Mateo. As they start to set up a new life together, they both realize, that learning to live together and build a relationship isn't as easy or as simple as either of them imagined that it would be. There are many misunderstandings that occur, and when Mateo's life is put in danger, Adrian is brought back into the fold and he learns some truths about who the real traitor is and he will have to live with the consequences of it to protect the one man he is loyal to and always have been.
What I Loved
Once Burned was a superb of a read and I had a blast with this one. But the beginning of this book starts out SO rough for this couple. I am not going to lie, it was a struggle at times, because its so "off" between them. But I also haven't ever read a book like this where the couple is living together at the very very beginning (we are talking first page, first paragraph) so it definitely takes a bit to get used to. There is a emotional disconnect in the relationship as these two haven't really communicated much with each other. And as they learn to honestly communicate, then they start to find common ground and even more with each other. I absolutely loved seeing this growth in their relationship. The miscommunications that happen, feel real and relatable and not just used as a plot device. But to add meaning to the relationship and its true honest development. I loved how they work out their differences and its done in such a healthy way that I just wanted to applaud this author. There is actually no dubious or non consent scenes in this one, which while I have been loving it in this series, was so refreshing.
Then we have the plot developments in this book. Because WHEW!!! I totally didn't expect who we learn is the traitor. While at second glance I wasn't shocked because of what we see happen in the first book, it still was a struggle to see it happen. And the way that this book ended??? LIKE what? WHY??? The couple has a HEA I guess, but there are so many answers I need, that I doubt I will be able to wait even a week to read the fourth book. I really am enjoying the way that this author plot builds though, its super fascinating and just captures your attention so quickly.
What I Struggled With
I really struggled with the beginning and the flow of the relationship. But it makes sense. And then having a cliffhanger for a ending.
Overall View
Once Burned is a superb installment that is compelling, artfully complex and has its own brand of sexy and dark.
Favorite Quote(s)
Mateo could storm the gates of Hell, and my dumb ass would be right behind him, trying to keep the demons off his back.
Meg changed something between Mia and Mateo, something she didn’t mean to change, and I don’t know how that’s going to ultimately pan out.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance
Character Types: Mafia, Bodyguard, House Servant, Soldier
Themes: Feminine Heroine, Pining Hero
Tropes: Unrequited Love
Book Perspective
1st POV
Recommendation For Reading Order
YES!!! You must read these in order.
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
