The Santinis by Melissa Schroeder [Series Review]

The Santinis by Melissa Schroeder
1. Leonardo - Kindle
2. Marco - Kindle
3. Gianni - Kindle
4. Vicente - Kindle
The Complete Santinis Collection - Paperback

Melissa Schroeder
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I picked 'em up for the covers, I read 'em because these Santini boys sizzle!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Leonardo 
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Date read: May 30, 2013

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Leo Santini is a man who always has a plan. It is the way to live a well-ordered life. He never planned on dealing with the hardheaded physical therapist who is taking care of his friend. He definitely never planned on being so totally infatuated with her.

Maryanne Johnson doesn't have time for a romance—especially with a military man. Sure, Leo is drop dead sexy, but more than one man in a uniform had hurt her before. Unfortunately, she can't seem to resist him or his kisses. It doesn't help that the man is as sweet as he is sexy. Falling for him is easy, but she does her best to keep herself from admitting it to him.

Leo knows she wants to keep things simple but when a Santini is in love nothing will stop him from achieving his goal—even the hardheaded woman he loves.

My Thoughts: I think I need to tip my hat to the fabulous Felicia at Geeky Bloggers Book Blog for putting this series on my radar by showcasing the covers for Top Off Tuesday. I am forever indebted to you, Felicia. Not only are the covers FANTASTICALLY HOT, but the Santini men know how to treat their ladies. And I appreciate that.

So. We have a hunky Army medic and the shoot from the hip, take no prisoners physical therapist that caches his eye. She's tough, he's willing to show her that he's not afraid to take her on. To say that the sex was smokin' would be a mild understatement. To say that I wasn't thoroughly delighted by their banter would be a flat out lie.

I LIKED THIS BOOK.

Seriously liked it. And then I looked at the cover and liked it even more.

Will I be continuing with this series? YOU BET. But those other brothers are going to have to work hard at their smoldering looks and being all awkwardly cute around their lady friends because Leo set the bar pretty high. Also, he has a quick reloading time, if you know what I mean. And I'm sure you do.

Book 2, I hear you calling me!

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Marco 
Format: ebook
Source: purchased 
Date read: June 22, 2013

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Marco is the quiet one of the four brothers which works well for his career as a Navy Seal. Living in Hawaii is a dream come true, his only probably is the infatuation he has for his landlady. He’s not sure he wants to act on his attraction until his brothers push Marco’s temper with a little harmless flirting.

Alana Kailikea is a woman who understands loss. Her entire family was killed when she was only eighteen, leaving her an heiress. A bad experience with gold digger has left her wary of most men—especially gorgeous men like Marco. She never expected him to ask her out, or that it would lead to a romance that has them burning up the sheets. Still, she tells him that an affair is all she wants.

Marco doesn’t want an affair—he wants forever. He agrees to her idea of an affair determined to use every chance she gives to convince her that they were made for each other.

My Thoughts: Those Santini men don't have any problems staking a claim when they find the woman that want, do they? Admittedly, Marco took his time before making his move but once he decided that Alana was his, he moved in for the kill. And by "moved in for the kill" I mean that he tossed her into his bad so fast that her head was spinning.

The bonds of the brothers... no, not just the brothers. The bonds of the family as a whole shone through. Mama Santini loves her boys and she wants to see them happy. The brothers might poke fun at one another and relentlessly pursue lines of questioning that make Marco squirm, but when the chips are down, they come together and offer advice to help Marco woo his lady.

As an aside, Gee made me laugh. The guy is SUCH a flirt and he's so funny about it. His banter when he kept insisting that Alana was his future wife (to Marco's extreme irritation) had me cracking up. I am SO looking forward to his book.

Very fun and very sexy, these Santinis are more than just their sexy covers. And let me just go on record as saying that these covers are verrrrrry nice.

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Gianni 
Format: ebook
Source: purchased 
Date read: June 23, 2013

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The youngest of the Santinis, Gee has always been the biggest flirt. He usually has no problem charming women. That is until he spies Kianna Jones across the room. For once in his life, he is unable to charm her into a date.

Kianna is a woman who doesn’t expect romance, especially with a sexy PJ who is five years younger than she is. But, he just won’t give up so she agrees to a date, which turns into several and eventually to the best sex of her life. Still, she isn’t ready to commit beyond their present status.

Gee isn’t happy when Kianna resists taking their relationship to the next level but he refuses to give up. If there is one thing a Santini understands is that nothing worth fighting for comes easily—and he is prepared to launch the fight of his life.

My Thoughts: Another winner of a Santini! Gee made me laugh in the previous books with his flirty, devil-may-care attitude and he was an absolute hoot when he found a lady of his own. He just... loves life. He loves to laugh. He doesn't come up short in the steamy sexin' department either. I appreciate that.

I liked that he and Kianna got close via email. I liked that when they met again once Gee returned, they *knew* one another. Honestly, there were a lot of little things I liked about the two of them. I liked how awkward Kianna was in their first meeting. I liked how Gee would tease her and make me smile. They were just ridiculously sweet together.

The brothers are all finding the ladies who are their other halves. Vicente is up next. I expect that his fall is going to be ground-shaking.

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Vicente
Format: ebook
Source: purchased 
Date read: June 30, 2013
 
Synopsis (Goodreads):

Vince Santini considers himself the last man standing. Being the only unmarried brother is a badge of honor, until the woman had always been in his heart returns. Acting on his attraction hadn’t been an option seeing that she was his best friend’s girl, but now she is single and free for him to pursue.

Julianna Andrews is a survivor. It took her years to walk away from her abusive husband, and now all she cares about is building her business. She doesn’t have time for Vince or the temptation he represents. He is a reminder of her past. One argument leads to a heated kiss, and the passion that threatens to consume them both.

Vince knows that Jules might not be ready for happily ever after with anyone, but he is bound and determined to convince her that he can give her that—and more. This Santini is happy to be the last man standing—as long as he is HER man.

My Thoughts: Vince maybe the last unattached Santini but that's only because his heart has always belonged to Jules. When their paths cross again, the poor guy barely knows what hit him. He can't keep his eyes off her and when things start to get physical, he shows her that tangling up the sheets should be fun and that by just being herself she can bring him to his knees.

Given her past, this is something she very much needs to learn.

As with the other books, there's something sweet and fantastic about this Santini boy and the woman who capture his heart. He's willing to give her time to come to terms with the two of them together. She's willing to fight past her fear to give him the chance he deserves.

Seriously, if the covers don't prompt you to pick this series up, just know that this is one outstanding, close-knit family who aren't afraid to love their mom and who come together when the going gets tough. *thumbs up*