5+ stars for The Second Son by Paula Minydzak #suspense #mafiasuspense #romanticsuspense #bookreview
- N. N. Light
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Title: The Second Son
Author: Paula Minydzak
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
Joey Renzi is the legitimate business owner of a well-reputed strip club, a savvy accountant, and a financial advisor to his brother, the new boss of the Renzi clan. Whatever he does, Joey promises himself he won’t be anything like his mafia family.
But a business venture with his brother goes awry when Joey and Lil, his lawyer—someone he wishes was much more—discover a money laundering scheme that turns deadly, leaving Lil caught in the crosshairs.
To protect her and restore his reputation as a Renzi, Joey must not only overcome his history as a failed enforcer in the family but also find the guilty parties, even if he has to work with the FBI. The worst part of it all, however, is trusting his father who did not defend him when it mattered most.
My Review:
Joey is part of the Renzi mafia family, but he is polar opposites of his father. He’s suffered failure but he has a fire inside him that propels him to overcome his past. When things go sideways and the woman he loves is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, Joey vows to find those responsible and save the woman he loves. Can he trust his father, the one man who betrayed him long ago?
The Second Son is a brilliant dark romantic suspense I couldn’t put down. Paula Minydzak continues her series with this incredible read. With descriptive narration, intense suspense, and characters who will leave you breathless, The Second Son is even better than book one. The world-building takes on the intricacies of mafia politics, underworld crime, and revenge. The more I read, the more addictive the story became, which caused me to read late into the night. The characters, though, are what make The Second Son unputdownable.
Joey is a complex hero with layers of conflict churning in his soul. He’s different from his brother who is now the mob boss for the Renzi family. He used to be the family’s enforcer but failed miserably. But it’s his father’s betrayal that hurts the most. I connected with Joey and my heart went out to him.
The rest of the characters are colorful with a grittiness I’ve come to expect from Paula Minydzak. There’s a realism to each character that I found refreshing. The goodfellas vibe is not overdone but subtle, which I appreciated.
If you’re a mafia romance or dark romantic suspense fan, you’ll love The Second Son. Fans of Giana Darling and Brittney Sahin will love this intoxicating romance.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Author Biography:
Paula Minydzak is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her parents grew up across the street from each other in a small town where most people worked in the steel mills. Their Italian and Slovak families introduced her to ethnic foods, holidays, and religion, which became part of her lifestyle from a very young age. Some of her characters are based on family members and other Pittsburghers.
Written under the pen name Kaia Misk, Paula’s debut novel, The Firstborn Son, became a finalist in the NJ Romance Writers Best First Book category in 2023. Since then, she moved from writing romance to writing suspense.
She is an excellent tailor and patternmaker, as shown through her IMDb page listing her costuming work on two full-length films. She currently lives in Pittsburgh with her Norwegian Elkhound, Boss.
Social Media Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulaminydzak/
Reviewed by: Nancy
