Review: "By Any Other Name" by J.M. Darhower (Forbidden #1)

Note: This ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Genevieve Galante and Matteo Barsanti are sworn enemies, part of a war that they didn't start nor has any signs of ending anytime soon. Things weren't always that way but an attempt on one son's life forces one father to seek revenge, costing another father the life of his eldest son. Many years later, Genna and Matty meet in an elevator and with no idea who the other is, they spend time together and in the span of a few unforgettable hours, their fates are intertwined and sealed.

After being with him just one time, Genna can't get Matty out of her head, but when she finds out that he's a Barsanti, every single warning that her father has made regarding that particular family comes rushing back. Even as she deletes his number from her list of contacts, she can't completely reconcile the man she was with as an evil person belonging to the one family her father has sworn to take down. Genna's used to breaking rules, but how far is she willing to go for Matty?

Matty has never wanted to be a part of the family business and has kept his distance for several years. He returns to be with his mother who is dying of cancer but knows that his lack of commitment to the family is a sore point with his father. When he meets Genna, he sees that she's different from every girl he's ever met and the fact that she's a Galante doesn't matter to him. Even though he knows the risks involved, Matty wants Genna, even if she is the enemy's daughter.

Genna and Matty try to keep their relationship secret but soon enough, their respective brothers discover the illicit love affair and express their disapproval but promise to not say a word to their fathers. Matty's mother figures out who Matty's seeing and gives the pair her blessing. Matty's family soon suffers a great loss and when another life is snuffed out, will Matty and Genna be torn apart and more blood be shed in the name of vengeance or will love win out in the end?

By Any Other Name is the first book in bestselling author J.M. Darhower's latest series, Forbidden, and while it does carry the same mafia theme from her breakthrough Sempre books, this has two star-crossed lovers very much in the vein of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet thrown in the mix. The author has put her own creative spin and twist to the plot, making it her own. The love story has drama and humor plus suspense and action, resulting in an exciting read.

Matty comes off as a man with quiet conviction, choosing to go his own way, even though he knows his choices have disappointed his father. Genna is in the cusp of adulthood, still testing the boundaries set by her father, desperately wanting to live her own life. Having found and falling for each other, both Matty and Genna are all too aware of many years of hatred and bitterness being just one of the hurdles they'll have to overcome if their love is to actually survive.

As always, J.M. Darhower has put together a story and characters that pull you into their world and make time fly by as you read. I finished this book in one sitting during the wee hours of the morning and by the time I got to the end, I was already desperately needing the sequel. This does have a cliffhanger of sorts but based on the books by the author I've read so far, the wait will be more than worth it. By Any Other Name is a 2015 favorite and gets five stars. ♥

Release Date: 23 February 2015

Date read: 20 February 2015

Learn more about author J.M. Darhower here.

Pre-order a copy of By Any Other Name on Amazon.