Tommy Gabrini: The Grace Factor (Tommy Gabrini Series)

No, I didn't like every aspect of this book; however, I'm still rating it 5 stars. Great writing! Great action! And I love to see my favorite 5 men together - they are so dynamic!!!! I could read an entire story with nothing but Mick, Tommy, Sal, Reno, and Big Daddy taking care of business - no romance needed! Although I am VERY disappointed about the return of Tommy and Grace, I still enjoyed the overall story. To all those that are celebrating the return of Grace, please know this; it's not the "real" Grace. Yes, the name is the same and the look is the same; however, the Grace in this story has an entirely different personality. No one "matures" into an entirely different person. One of the things that I love about Ms. Monroe is that she seems to read these reviews - bad or good - and incorporate them into her stories, and that is what I think happened in this case. Enough people cried about the demise of Tommy and Grace, so Ms. Monroe gave those fans what they wanted - a reunion. However, even she knew that the old/original Grace wasn't right for Tommy, and made her into a completely different person - it feels like the Grace in this story is a Gemma-clone from the last Sal book. Even with that said, I still don't know who Grace is! That's always been my problem with her. Her personality has always been so bland, and I can't even get into this "new" Grace. No one changes that fast. I believe that it was Ms. Monroe's intention to gave Tommy the woman/ride-or-die that he deserved with Liz. I am forever on her website, and earlier this year, one of her upcoming books was titled "Tommy and Liz: You Give Good Love". I remembered that title because it reminded me of my favorite Anita Baker song. I do think she allowed the Grace fans to influence this reunion. That last Tommy and Liz book was freaking amazing - one of her best books ever. Yet, that book is totally worthless now, and I'm upset by that. I have re-read that book no less than 10 times, now it's junk. So yea, I too feel jerked around. Also, it wasn't necessary to make Liz into a nasty character. That woman saved Tommy's life, and truly loved him. Liz deserved to leave with dignity; trashing her character was so very wrong. That part really angered me. Divorce is a part of life. I think that she should have stayed the course with the Tommy and Liz story, and I believe that even the Grace fans would have came around to Tommy moving on with Liz. There has always been an unevenness to the Tommy books. His series has never flowed like the other men, and he always fell short of living up to the "Boss" that he could be. However, that last Tommy book gave us the real Tommy. The Tommy that was inside him all along. The fighter, the lover (you have to admit - the sex between him and Liz was fire), and a true Boss! This current book took him backwards, not forward. Tommy is like the Brent of the Sinatra series; great character, but a terrible leading man. I know that everyone is probably saying, "Wow - you have that many gripes with this book, yet you gave it 5 stars". Yep, because despite my disappointment with how things ended up, it was still a very well written story. The action was on point! And all the men - my favorite 5 plus the young guns were in the house! The strength of the Tommy series has never been based on the romance aspect, if that was the case, I would have stopped reading at book # 2 because I never saw it for Grace. I love Tommy!!! If I ranked the men without the women (because adding the women changes the ranking), Tommy is my # 2 guy! However, no one is ever taking the top spot from my Mick (I re-read that wedding scene 5 times just to get my fill of Mick)!! Tommy Gabrini is one of those rare series where I could (and definitely will from now on) skip pass the romance/sex scenes and read for the action and drama alone. That's only happened with one other book by another amazingly talented author. So yes, despite the fact that I hate how it ended for Tommy and Liz, I'm still giving this book the 5 stars that it deserves.

I have been a fan of the Gabrinis since Reno first defended Trina in a bar in Mob Boss 1. So I'm all wrapped up in all the Gabrini/ Sinatra story lines. That being said, when Grace and Tommy first got together I was like hmm with a twist on my lips, but Grace grew on me. I was even in her corner when Tommy kinda ran over her feelings with the whole Deena incident. I even understood her being overwhelmed and needing to step back from Tommy for a while to get peace of mind. But then Grace divorced Tommy. And then Grace fell in love with Ed AND married him. And in my mind that should have been the end of Grace and Tommy (with the exception of co-parenting Destiny). And when Grace was all backing Ed on trying to limit Tommy from seeing Destiny.... well I was done with Grace and definitely done with Ed. And Tommy met Liz. I liked Liz. I did not like the way her character got shafted in this book so that this new and unrecognizable Grace could be with Tommy. I could not feel the supposed love Grace had for Tommy. To me Grace came across as a gold digger. Grace was just fine playing mommy and wife with Ed AND Ed and Grace were just fine with Tommy supporting their lifestyle until the author made Ed a grimy character and somehow Grace "suddenly" realized it. I mean Ed's practice wasn't making any money and Grace wouldn't even have been able to keep the business that Tommy gave her if Tommy had not stepped in. No matter how much the author tried to convince me that Grace was new, I'm just not buying it. I really would have liked for Tommy to have made it with Liz or someone else and not some grimy dudes sloppy leftovers just because she was Tommy's baby's momma. And now there's baby #2, which to me is the real GD move. Grace didn't get pregnant at all with broke ass Ed but 9 months after getting back with Tommy, baby #2. So no, I am not feeling the Tommy/ Grace relationship. Now I give the story 5 stars because ms monroe always puts out a good story even if I dont agree with way the story goes. Any story that can spark that much emotion is a good book. Her books are always well written and flow really well. And I wont take anything away from that HOWEVER, I'm still not convinced about Grace 2.0. And I really wish Tommy could have someone who wont break his heart and their marriage by divorcing him, and marrying somebody else AND using Tommy to finance their lifestyle. Hasnt he been through enough in his life? I'll still read the series because, like I said the books are good but I wont be as enthusiastic about the Tommy/Grace line. And when is Sal going to become a dad? ...

I have lots of thoughts on Tommy Gabrini book 5. I've been reading some interesting reviews to this book, some from people who like Liz and hate Grace & vice versa. And some that accuse the author of bowing down to "bullying" from some readers to put Tommy & Grace back together. Where are people getting that info? Does she have an interactive site or is on Facebook/twitter? I curious where that belief is coming from and if there's evidence of that online. ***mild spoilers below*** Anywho, I like both women. I do think, having gone back to read the prior novels in the series, that the author laid the foundation for Grace's backbone to grow stronger with time and for Liz to put her career ahead of anything else (there was a lot of that in book 4). I do also think that the author went a bridge too far with making Liz be too Shanks-like in one argument with Tommy but that's really the only problem I have with her characterization in this story. I know some feel that Grace is like a new character in this story but I don't. Grace was never the mouthy firebrand that Trina is or as commandingly confident as Gemma is nor as dismissive & vain as Tommy's exes were and... that was what Tommy always loved about her. Grace had a quiet strength to me that wobbled at times, like when she was shot up soon after giving birth along with Trina in that bar, but I never saw her as inherently weak nor do I think she was ever written that way. Grace just wasn't as in your face as other main love interest characters. Also, Tommy messed up a lot when he was with her in the first 3 books. He did coddle her but he also would totally dismiss her concerns/feelings at times when he felt he was right (my favorite example of that was when Deena showed up at their home in book 3 and Tommy craps all over Grace's feelings regarding Deena's nasty behavior towards her) so I never saw the problems in their first relationship as all Grace's fault. What I liked is that both of the characters realized where they messed up in their previous relationship together and seemed to have learned from it & grown. I would've been fine if the author had gone on to write more Tommy & Liz books but I have no problem with her deciding to reunite Tommy & Grace because she took the time to address where they both messed up before years earlier instead of glossing over it. And I feel the author sprinkled in updates about Tommy & Liz's declining relationship in the other Gabrini/Sinatra men books between Tommy's 4th and 5th books so I can buy that she decided to go in this direction a while ago (tho maybe not from the beginning after writing book 4). I'll be curious in her next Gabrini/Sinatra book to see where they are with their new relationship but regardless, I did enjoy this story a lot.

Reunited! I was always team Tommy/Grace. After the divorce I had decided I would not purchase any of the Tommy books. I didn't like Liz and most certainly didn't like Ed. Imagine my surprise when I read the synopsis for this book I immediately 1-clicked and read the book in a few hours. If you wondered how or if Ms. Monroe could reunite Tommy and Grace, well she did it! In a nutshell...they grew up! The book was fast paced. And like her other books, there's a twist. There are a few grammatical and editing errors (not enough to take away from the story). Ed was the second person to take Grace's mild manner for weakness. Big mistake. Grace beat that a$$. You know it's on when a sister is 'bout to cut you. There was so much discussion among the readers about the type of woman Tommy needed but Ms. Monroe showed us it was about the type of woman Tommy wanted. Both Tommy and Grace realized the grass is not always greener. Ed, a wolf in sheep's clothing, was Grace's rebound. He presented himself as the opposite of Tommy.... Ed the upwardly mobile African American surgeon. Every girl's dream. Liz is the alpha female making it happen in a man's world. She wanted Tommy, and she could be "ride or die" but only on her terms and when it was convenient for her. The scene in Tommy's office....wow. Talk about true colors. Liz definitely has some issues. I hope she doesn't pull a Shanks and Sal has to take her out. The whole Gabrini/Sinatra clan is here. Lordy these men are hawt!!!! And, Tommy is on fire. He handled business like boss...meted out Gabrini justice swift and lethal. He was scarier than Sal and Mick! The family is growing. We have a new generation of young guns. But, the OG's are still in control. I look forward to the next book.

With some reservations, I'm rating this book a five. Here are my reservations: -- After being led to believe that Tommy and Grace were over, the introduction of Liz was given quite a bit of prominence. That's okay, but we were given very little filler about the Liz story from its beginning and its end. The prologue pretty much told the whole story before we could read it. Loyal readers might have felt cheated. Whatever happened to the Tommy and Liz book, "You Give Good Love"? -- The Ed story was okay, but to murder for the reasons given? It was really shallow. But, it was just a story, right? -- I was glad for Tommy and Grace, and there was plenty of romance, but the struggle for their reunion was too disjointed. We know life isn't always smooth, but the story's bumps and bruises were like jigsaw puzzle pieces that did not fit as they should have. Besides, how does one leave someone like Tommy and go to someone like Ed anyway? -- How did Tommy and the Sinatra family hook up? Tommy had some serious anger issues against that family, and yet -- just like that -- he had 'bonded' with them? -- "Copy and Paste" was quite evident, so there were very little surprises or mysteries in the story. The links between Liz and Shoshanna Shanks were incongruous, to say the least. Still, it was an enjoyable read. Tommy is my favorite Gabrini (hence the five stars), and I'll read anything with his name on it! I was happy to see this reunion because I'm into the family 'thing'. I would have liked to have seen Grace struggle a little harder to get Tommy back, but you can't have everything! The series should have ended long ago, IMHO, but the author needs to make a living, and romantic saps like us will continue to read her stories as long as she churns them out! So, thanks Mallory!

Well let's clear one thing up and that is Ms. Mallory knows how to bring the noise!This has been one entertaining book from beginning to end.I have been quite skeptical about Tommy and Grace getting back together, because I still have doubts and I don't feel a lot of chemistry between them.I love that Ms.Mallory has given her readers a more down to earth and realistic view of two people trying to get it right.I love that we get to see another side to Tommy one that's real,because we get to see that actual steel in a velvet glove.This was such a real look at, Tommy beyond the man with the beautiful face and the sexual power.I love that we get a look at Gace the woman and not the naive girl and she's grown and its a good look.We know there can not be a Gabrini event if a little gunplay is not involved.This is handled so well and ruthlessly by Tommy its scary and that what makes him a wildcard.Really the low blow that Liz deals was just that low and glad she is shown the door.Now I have song my praises for an excellent story,I have to voice my concern why I feel the writer caves and goes for the easy out.I get you want stillness when you work in a world of organized chaos.This is good and so sexy from the start and you will see why Tommy deserves his rightful place among the Gabrini clan because he is a boss!!!

Let me start by saying Tommy was the first book I read by Ms Monroe. I liked the book so much that I went on and purchase the other Tommy books. However when I got the book were tommy and grace divorced I was disappointed to say the least. I couldnt not allow myself to even think of reading anything else from Ms Monroe. I was even one the readers that left a comment and expressed that I would no longer read anymore of Ms. Monroe's books(that in itself shoud express to current and future readers of her works, how she draws you into her characters). But, what changed my thought process, I saw the first book about Mick and I decided to give it another try. And Im glad I did. So I went back and read EVERYTHING, lol. I honestly do have a better understanding of the characters. Tommy and Grace had to go down the path Ms. Monroe took them. It had to end so that it could be remade and remade stronger. There are so many things that I want to comment on about Tommy and Grace and even about Liz but it has been covered. I only wish Ms. Monroe would have taken a little more time to show this couple reuniting. However, I do have two more points. 1. I believe as Ms. Monroe explore Tommy and Grace's story further, we the readers will be pleasantly surprised. They will show the same love and devotion as Reno/Trina, Micky/Roz, Sal/Gem. and 2. I love the Gabrini and Sinatra clan.

Grace and Tommy finally side by side instead of Grace being pulled along! Knew Ed was bad news...Also knew he would like others, Tommy included underestimate Grace. Grace and Tommy both share the trait of not being hotheads. However, when pushed, they handle things. Ed learned that Grace is sugar, but come at her wrong and you will feel the heat of her spice! LOL..It was so good to have Tommy feel and figure out things about his relationship with Grace. And it was especially fantastic for Grace to realize that she is not going to be lead around by any man including Tommy....The Liz and Tommy conversation in his office; with Liz bringing up Tommy's physical abuse inflicted by his father....Although I never felt the couple connection between Tommy and Liz....she seemed to have too many similarities to his other women...I still felt she was more classy than to say what she said....And Liz calling Grace names and going on and on about what a catch she was...just didn't ring true to the type of person Liz came across as to me....I look forward to Grace teaching Tommy how to be a husband. Tommy still has some transitioning to make from his old life. Tommy has finally realized that Grace is the key to his happiness. But he still has to accept that he has a right to be happy. Sidebar: Miss Monroe, you caught my attention with the description of Tommy's security chief Branson Nash...any plans for a romance for him perhaps? UPDATE: I re-read all of the Tommy Gabrini series books. I wanted to see where the other readers got the opinion that Grace was weak and not as attractive as Tommy's other women. Granted she was not flashy, did not trade on her femininity and did not fly off the handle. She was in a word 'grace'. When Tommy first saw Grace in the red dress at the party, he was taken by her looks, body and charm. Of course she has a youthful appearance which he then and would continue to fixate on. As to Grace being weak and needing Tommy to protect her, when Cam grabbed her and was being hostile, Grace did not hesitate to slap him and did not back down....When one of Tommy's ex-lover's thought to ambush and attack Grace as she was going to her home. Grace though caught unaware, quickly turned the tables and came out the victor. Grace even told the doorman that she did want him to notify Tommy....When Tommy and Grace went to see Jillian, Tommy was going to handle situation, but Grace told him she would handle her business & a few slaps to Jillian later it was handled....Grace intuitively knew that the situation with Tommy's ex's was going to continue escalating ---She asked Sal for a gun not Tommy and Grace as she had done all along was going to handle her business. Liz hit mayor with baseball bat knocking him down the stairs and was quickly calling Tommy to her rescue....As for her running out into yard and shooting and killing men to save Tommy...for me Shanks doing that yes, Liz no.