Forever Lies

By: Jill Ramsower

Narrated by: Mackenzie Cartwright, Teddy Hamilton

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

Luca was heartache waiting to happen.

On the surface, he appears well-dressed and professional, but behind those impassive black irises, I can sense something dark and ruthless. He’s unlike any man I’ve come across in my life. With my wealthy upbringing, I’ve been around any number of affluent, powerful men, but Luca is different. Enigmatic. Overwhelming. He wears an air of secrecy like the latest fashion trend.

I’m not one of those girls who seeks out the bad boy - I have enough issues to deal with in my life without adding his brand of trouble. Problem is, a chance elevator malfunction put me straight in his crosshairs, and now, he won’t let me walk away. The most disturbing part - no matter how dangerous he may be, there’s a mutinous side of me that doesn’t want to run. As if I ever had a choice....

Warning: There is a scene involving attempted sexual assault that may not be suitable for listeners sensitive to such topics.

©2019 Jill Ramsower (P)2019 Jill Ramsower

WELL MY FOREVER LIE IS I HATED EVERY BORING MINUTE

This was a new-to-me author but I couldn’t resist the lure of a new Mafia series starting with this romance being co-performed by Teddy Hamilton (purrrr). And the backstories, build-up, revelations, chemistry, suspense, sex, thrills and chills, betrayal, twists and climactic passion was all I was hoping for.. but sadly there were only eight measly chapters narrated by one of my favorite male narrators.. so boo hoo please give us more next time. However.. and thankfully, Mackenzie’s 5 star narration was excellent and her possessive alpha male voice was believable allowing each character to be pictured in my head as the riveting action scenes played out.

Worth a credit? Yes absolutely. A great introduction to The Five Families with a good balance between family, the ‘family’ and the bitter-sweet conflicted romance in the epicenter that comes with a heavy dose of heart vs head decisions and deadly drama. Thankfully the story ends well for Luca and Alessia.. but the enemy has now been been revealed - and his mission is to create a war between the families. And I can’t wait to hear more.

3 people found this helpful

Good Mafioso story!!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I need to listen to Mackenzie Cartwright more. I've listened to her before and she was really good in this story. Teddy of course was fabulous but he didn't narrate as many chapters as I'm used to but he was there. He's one of my top book boyfriends which is why I went with this one.
My heart goes out to women or anyone who have endured any form of sexual harassment. I dont think this situation is the main story but it's a good part of it at times so the warning is legit so be careful to avoid triggers if you're sensitive. I thought it would be hard to listen to but the author handled it in a way that I could listen to it without tears. The story is a love story and about our families and our heroine finding out things about her family she didn't know and her having a hard time handling the harrassment and the decisions she had to make to get her HEA. Luca was her knight and shining savior. He was a hottie too!!!!!
Good story with some surprises and twists. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the audio. Well narrated and interesting. ❤❤❤❤

3 people found this helpful

A sexy, suspenseful read!

I love a good mafia romance and this one did not disappoint. The narrator's did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. Luca is a bossy, protective alpha and I loved him from the very start. Alessia is strong and independent. Luca is relentless in his pursuit to win Alessia over despite how hard she may fight it. They have an instant chemistry and there's no stopping all the explosive sexual and emotional tension. There's lies, betrayal, and whopper of suspense that pulls you in like no other. I can't wait to see how all the issues play out in the upcoming book and hopefully, more books? Because you'll find out that its definitely not all resolved just yet...

2 people found this helpful

Forever Sucked In!

I love a good mafia story! This did not disappoint. I can't wait to hear more of the rest of the Five Families! I hope there is even more to Luca and Alessia story. I was totally sucked in and need more!

If you want a story with lots of twists and turns, some a little predictable but a good time, all the same, this is for you!

Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton did an amazing job with the narration had me hanging on to every word!

#audiobookobsessionreviewer

2 people found this helpful

I enjoyed it

Forever Lies by Jill Ramsowar is the first book in the Five Families series. This novel will have you engrossed from beginning to end with its mafia trope, its intriguing characters and its twists and turns.
There was suspense, mystery, drama, secrets, betrayal, intense chemistry, romance and so much more. Yes it was Luca and Alessia's story but there was also an underlying plot that greatly added to the story. I absolutely loved this novel and can't wait for more in this series. I would highly recommend it to all lovers of mafia romance.
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel which was narrated by Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton. These two were amazing and brought the story to life. I was hooked on every word, they had great pace and timing and I loved that they had varying voices for the different characters. It was a pleasure listening to them narrate this novel.

1 person found this helpful

Forever Lies

A mafia book at it’s finest. Quite a few twists in this book that have you guess and yet it all blends in so perfectly with the rhythm of the story. Great book and great narration!

1 person found this helpful

Office Romance with a side of Mafia

This was my first time reading from author Jill Ramsower. I would call this an office romance with a sprinkle of mafia. 😂

From the beginning, hero and heroine have this immediate attraction. However, the romance itself is a bit of a slow burn as each is holding back from the other for personal reasons. When the romance takes off its explosive and steamy. I found the character development of the hero a bit lacking. I know as a reader there are secrets that are kept held back as the story is developing but because of the hold back on details I think that I never truly warmed up to him and was able to trust that his actions were worthy of our heroine therefore I couldn’t fully get into the romance of these two characters.

1 person found this helpful

Best Book Ever!

As the first book in this series, the characters are set up well and the plot is well-laid out. It doesn't take more than a chapter to get sucked into the lives of these Mafia men and women. I really enjoy the POV and how the reader really feels their emotions. I finished this book in one setting because it was so addictive!

Steamy, thrilling, and full of suspense

Alessia is determined to prove her worth and please her parents—that’s why she’s working her way up the corporate ladder. Never mind that it’s her Dad’s company. Never mind that her boss has been sexually harassing her for the past year. But then falls for Luca Romano, who turns out to be part of the Italian mob…

This story is full of twists and turns. It’s steamy, thrilling, and full of suspense. Serious issues like sexual harassment were handled well.

Narrators Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton did an excellent job, I just wish Teddy Hamilton had more chapters.

Forever Lies is a slow-burn contemporary mafia romance written and performed in dual first-person POV. It contains scenes involving attempted sexual assault and sexual harassment and ends with a HEA. No cliffhanger, no cheating.

I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

Mafia Romance

Forever Lies by Jill Ramsower is a mafia romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton. This is book one in the Five Families Series.

This is the first book of Jill’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Mafia Romances. I cannot wait until the second book in the series Never Truth is released on audible.

Mackenzie and Teddy did an amazing job on the narration. They both know how to bring a story to life. I love them as a duo.

Great beginning for these five families!

I love listening to new authors, and Jill Ramsower did not disappoint. This hot, suspense filled story had me from entering the elevator. The "chance" meeting of Alessia and Luca begins our story and we listen just to find out the secrets, lies and love that comes of it. Luca is a man on a mission, and he won't stop until it is accomplished. He did not expect the chemistry he has with Alessia. Alessia is not looking for a relationship, she is trying to build her own career in her father's business. These two have no idea how deep and dangerous their meeting will take them. The passion and thrills are high and surprises will keep you on the edge. I loved the characters in this one. Luca is mafia, through and through, but a little vulnerability when it comes to Alessia may be his downfall. Alessia is very strong willed, passionate and determined. Love these two together, but I really loved the family dynamics behind them. Each has a very different back story creating mystique and intrigue into the five families. I can't wait for more

Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton are a fantastic team and really compliment each other with their narration. Cartwright, always on her game, hones in on Alessia's personality so much that I could feel everything. She has a lot of revelations and each one a different reaction, easily felt. Hamilton exudes that alpha male into Luca, and he let's us into the conflicting feelings of Luca. It's a fantastic narration and beautifully enhances the story.

Impressive

This is my first book by Jill Ramsower, and I absolutely loved her style. The storyline is incredibly engaging, it draws you in and captivates you. The plot is filled with conflict, deceits, betrayal, romance, and some angst. There were some unexpected twists and turns, secrets kept, and their revelations. I was thoroughly enthralled by how Luca and Alessia's relationship built and grew. Luca is the definition of an alpha male with powerful protective instincts. Alessia, although at times naive, has a strong inner core.

The dual narration by Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton is outstanding. Their performance embodies the characters' personalities and emotions, portraying their desire and want for each other, literally bringing the book to life. I can't wait for more books from this author.

Mafia + Love

This is a great book. The FMC is working her way up the ladder of her father's company. She is in the marketing department. She is park of a wealthy Italian family. Her life changes when she meets Luca. This is a great Mafia story. If you enjoy romance with a dash of danger, I highly recommend this book.

Great listen!

With an intense story and fantastic narration, I have loved every bit of this audio. Both narrators, Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton, captured both characters so well and successfully engaged my total focus on the story as it unfolded. A 5 star listen! 💖💖💖💖💖

Entertaining with heart pounding moments

This is the first book I've listened to by Jill Ramsower and I really like her style. It was a great mob story where the characters, Luca and Alessia first got to know each other before the mob aspect of the story came into play. That means that we got to really learn more about the characters and both are great. Luca is mysterious but loyal and loving to Alessia. Alessia is sweet (maybe a little too sweet with how she dealt with her work issue!) but together they worked. And once the mob aspect came into play, my heart was pounding during some scenes but they were particularly well done- inferring the horror without outright overemphasizing the content.

Overall, it was a great book that was dark but not too dark.

As for the narration, fair notice that I would listen to Teddy Hamilton read a phone book but as Luca? sigh. He was awesome. of course. There's something about him playing a NY mafioso that is so fitting in terms of his voice but in all aspects, such as playing multiple characters, he was great. And then Mackenzie Cartwright? Also another fantastic narrator who was able to play all the characters beautifully, differentiating so well, even between male and female characters. Overall, a great listen with narrators who elevated the story.

I requested and received this audiobook.