Deathless & Divided (The Chicago War Book 1)

The Chicago Outfit is a lot different to the Marcello Crime Family, for starters they don't follow La Cosa Nostra so they are lot more divided than the NY family. Deathless & Divided introduces us to Lily, who has been allowed to stay in Europe and is now being forced back to the US by her brother, and to Damian who is known as the Ghost because no one ever hears or sees him coming.Lily and Damian are both halves of an arranged marriage that is out of their control proposed by Lily's brother, Dino, who means well. Dino actually becomes a really important part of the series and I think it's really important and interesting in series to see characters through other people's eyes before we get to see their own viewpoint. All of the major players are introduced in this book and having them introduced to us by Lily who has been away for a while and by Damian who sees a lot more because people forget he's there was honestly great because it shows us people who don't even realise how they're coming across as they barely know they're being watched.This book serves as a perfect example of how to set up a series and also doesn't fall prey to a pet peeve of mine: one POV in the first book then dual POVs in the second book. For me this shows a potential lack of planning and it's just a tiny bit sad because you can never get that POV as it's not worth the author's time anymore if they've moved on.Recommend to: fans of crime, fans of mafia books, fans of romanceRating: 4 stars

A debt is a debt.....and in the world of the Cosa Nostra, no matter how long it’s been, when a debt is called in...you have to pay up!They underestimated him - that was fun.With a 20 year prison sentence being dangled in front of him, Dino DeLuca has to get his Family, business affairs and old scores settled.So he calls in a 10 year old outstanding debt from “The Ghost”.His terms were simple. Marry his 21 year old sister, Lily DeLuca. It looks like Damian Rossi is getting married.I loved, loved, loved Damian.Lily eventually grew on me - as it would appear that all Bethany-Kris’s heroines do, as I never seem to take to any of them at first, then they seem to creep up on me like Mafia Ninja’s, you don’t realise your feelings are changing until it’s too late 😉.We had the romance, but we also had so much more.Four major Chicago crime families, all on the outside appearing to play Happy Families with each other. But when you dig deeper, foundations are crumbling due to betrayal, mistrust, deceit and death. War is coming to Chicago. Only the strongest will survive.I survived. 5* survival.

Firstly, Bethany’s mafia world is SO well written and developed. Everything links up perfectly. The families, the couples and the links with her other mafia families. It’s the perfect balance of romance and plot, neither overshadowing the other. The inclusion of all the mafia details makes the read so much more enjoyable for me.Lily and Damian’s love was gradual but I loved seeing them grow together. Before Lily, Damian had no interest in marriage and Lily struggled with the fact that their marriage was arranged without her getting a choice, but they wormed their way into each other’s hearts. They had many sweet moments which I enjoyed reading.The plot was everything. It was exciting and gripping, although I died a little bit inside at the ending. I was absolutely not prepared for what happened and I’m still so sad! Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!If you love mafia books, you NEED to read BK’s stuff. It’s so good and you won’t regret.

OMG cant wait to read the second book in the Chicago war series. I absolutely loved this book.This is my first Bethany Kris book and definately wont be my last. I am giving this 5 big massive stars.Being a fan of the UK gangland novels this is the american version called "Mafia". This book is about families at war, death, betrayal, lies, murder, revenge and romance. As well as some very hot sex scenes.Lily's brother arranges a wedding with Damian she is dead set against getting married, but she hasn't got a choice. As bad boy Damien is paying a debt off to her brother Dino by agreeing to an arranged marriage with Lily. Damian and Lily fall head over heels in love with each other which wasn't planned.There are four family's in this book so there is alot of characters, which are very well described.This is everything a mafia book should be. I cant wait to read the next one. I highly recommend this book.

I wasn't sure about this book going in as I had just finnished a re-read of the Ruthless People series recently, which I love, where the main characters are both bosses in thier own right and I thought Lilly might be a little too meek for me after that. I was so pleased I gave it a go anyway as she was strong and fierce in her own right. Damien was great and had real depth to his character as well. I would definatly recomend this to anyone who likes mafia romances.

I didn't think it was possible to love this book and these characters even more than I already do, but thanks to amazing narration it took this book and my love for it to a whole new level.5 superb all the stars for this one

Another great story by Bethany Kris,this author can write mafia stories like no other.Deathless & Divided is a new series about different mafia families who live in the Chicago area,it's got great characters and a great a great story ,please read all of Bethany Kris book's you will never be disappointed x

I devour everything Bethany Kris writes ... Wethersfield it's a blog post or tweet... love her style if you love a flawed man who is unapologetic about his flaws .. then Bethany is the author for you!