Stripped Down

This is Johnny Carelli’s book, Kiel’s brother in law from Tied Down. You kinda can’t help but fall in love with his charm here, trying very hard to make amends for past wrongs to the one he’s always loved. And Sammy, as much as she tries to harden herself and keep her distance from the boy who totally broke her heart, she just can’t resist him (but seriously, who could). Things are not easy for them, secrets and lies, and people who don’t want them together make this a rough road for them. But love isn’t always easy. Definitely a must read!!!

Johnny knew that leaving Sammy was his biggest mistake. Johnny knew that he needed and wanted her forgiveness. Sammy on the other hand didn’t want anything to do with Johnny. Johnny was very determined to show Sammy how sorry he was for things that happened in the past. Will Sammy and Johnny be able to move forward when secrets from their past comes to the present? I was drawn into this book from the very beginning. I loved the personalities and chemistry between the two main characters. Johnny was definitely an alpha and I liked how Sammy held her own with him. I loved how the story played out over the course of this book.

I received an ARC in return for an honest review. I love the second-chance romance concept. I was expecting Sammy to play a little more hard to get with Johnny but it was still good. Those two definitely had a connection and time didn’t lessen that. If I had to complain I would say two things. One, there was a lack of buildup with the Shane situation. I feel like we should have been involved by seeing Sammy’s POV when he came to her or had a little more buildup then just a paragraph long chapter. I was honestly thought I skipped a chapter and went back because I thought I missed something. Two, when Johnny found out what Sammy kept from him, although I’m glad he was quickly forgiving, my dramatic side needed something. There wasn’t even an argument! Other then that, I really enjoyed it. I am excited to read about some more of the Carelli Family.

I have really enjoyed this series co-written by these two wonderful authors, Chelle Bliss and Eden Butler. I’m sad it’s ending, but happy to know there will be more to come from this dynamic duo in the future! Now on to Johnny, who I may be just a tad smitten with. I knew I was going to love his story because I knew there was so much more to him than what we had been shown in previous books; I just didn’t know how much!! So many emotions ran through me as I read this incredible second chance love story. Johnny and Sammy were meant for each other but life circumstances and family made that impossible. Now 10 years later they could have another chance. Will Sammy’s uncle let that happen? Will Sammy’s secret break any chance they may have had? Can Johnny keep Sammy safe? Can they sift through all the secrets and come out stronger for it? Can they get past what anyone else thinks and just let themselves feel and have the great love they know they could? I loved this book so much!!! You don’t want to miss this one! What a ride!!

I have been looking forward to reading more about Johnny, especially since reading Kneel Down and I was not disappointed. Sammy and Johnny are both very likable, well developed main characters. Their chemistry is explosive and it is evident that they never stopped loving each other. I would say that theirs is story of never-ending love, family, loyalty, and forgiveness. There are secrets and lies abound, but there is also passion and love in this second chance romance. These authors beautifully illustrate how bad decisions, while perceived to be made for the right reasons, play big roles in their long and winding journey towards their HEA. This book was very entertaining in that it had a good plot, likable characters, and moved at a good pace. I do think there was a chapter that didn’t have very much leading up to it - I actually went back and re-read a few pages before the scene thinking that I missed something. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I received Stripped Down for free and I am looking forward to reading more works by these authors.

What a FANTASTIC read from beginning to end this second chance romance book captivated me and kept me turning the pages! It was a phenomenal end to this series! Without a doubt a must read and I’d totally give it 5 stars. Johnny and Sammy have some off the wall chemistry that just can’t be contained. Loved every second of this book! Way to go ladies ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved Johnny’s book. I knew I would...I’ve loved the others in this series. And I’m a sucker for a second chance romance and this one was perfect. Johnny comes from a not ideal family doing things that he isn’t always proud of. It’s why he broke his own heart as well as Samantha’s 10 years ago when he left her. When he walked away from her, he left his heart in her hands. She just didn’t know it. He thought he was making the right decision based on things enemies have done in the past. Samantha tried so hard to fight the pull towards Johnny when he appeared back in her life. But he was determined and she was weak when it comes to him and her deep feelings for him. But there are things Johnny doesn’t know and she has no idea how to tell him. This book was so good I wasn’t able to put it down and finished it in one day.

Chelle Bliss and Eden Butler without a doubt saved the best for last!!! Stripped Down is freaking AMAZING, so darn good and the BEST book in this series. I was highly anticipating reading Johnny Carelli’s book and once I started it, I was consumed with it. The storyline is executed in the best way possible and both authors delivered everything that I crave in a second chance romance. Johnny and Samantha (aka Sammy) met when they were young and they were each other’s first love (the teenager in me was over the moon). Their relationship ended abruptly, years passed by and as much as they tried, they never forgot about one another. Fate has reunited them and Johnny seized the opportunity to reclaim the love of his life. Trust me when I tell you that Sammy with her strong and fierce personality, gave him a run for his money. I truly loved every moment of it. And once their relationship was reignited, it was like a wildfire!! Johnny and Samantha’s story is so swoon worthy with hot and passionate moments that will have you fanning yourself with stars in your eyes. I also loved the twist of angst which kept me engaged. Stripped Down is so well written and I was incredibly satisfied with not only the book but the entire series. As much as I didn’t want to read “The End”, my heart is complete.

This book has it all!! A hot, Italian guy who is close to his loving and crazy family, along with a Catholic priest who is determined to keep Johnny and Sammy apart. But why is he against their relationship? What tightly held secrets are on the verge of being exposed, and who will they hurt the most? Johnny Carelli is a sinfully sexy businessman who always gets what he wants, regardless of the consequences. He had one true love in his life, who he never stopped loving. Sammy Nicola was the one that got away, but it was for her own good. Her safety was of utmost importance to him because his life came with danger and secrets, so Johnny saved her from the uncertainty that came with being a Carelli. His life was never the same while they were apart, but in his heart, she would always be his. Ten years ago when they broke up, his father’s business dealings were on the shady side and he couldn’t subject her to that kind of life. Now that Sammy needed him, he knew this was his chance to show her that he was a different man and that his love for her had never died.

Here we have the syndicate and trying to escape same. The star crossed lovers, who after many years find each other, again. An interesting scenario, corruption and deceit abounds, within and between the family, friends and church. There is angst, lies, romance and steam, all rolled together in this entertaining read. Another TBR entry.