Review: Leonardo by Melissa Schroeder

Leonardo

(The Santinis # 1)

By: Melissa Schroeder

Pub. Date: May 3, 2013

Pages: 100

Source: ARC sent from author in exchange for an honest review

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.

I was so excited to learn that Melissa Schroeder, one of my favorite erotic authors was writing a novella series about four hot, Italian, military brothers. The first novella follows Leo, a military medic. While visiting his friend in the hospital he meets Maryanne. The two of them are instantly attracted to each other, though Maryanne does think that Leo is stalking her, and those scenes were hilarious!

Leo isn't the stereotypical Italian male portrayed on TV or in books, and I liked that about him. He was sweet and kind, but also stubborn and hard-headed. He loved his family and he loved his country. He was passionate about what he believes in, but he also knew how to have fun. I loved how much he cared about Maryanne.

I think my favorite character was Leo's mom. The fact that she wouldn't allow Leo and Maryanne to be alone in his childhood bedroom with the door closed was so funny! It is definitely a classic Italian mother thing to do.

I can not wait to meet Leo's other brothers, Marco and Gianni. We got to meet Vincente in this novella and I am excited to see him again. He seems like he would be a lot of fun!