Review of Gio (5th Street #2) by Elizabeth Reyes

I really enjoyed Noah, the first in the 5th Street series. I enjoyed Gio as well, but not as much as the first. 3.75 stars for story, 3 for heat. I had a hard time at the beginning of the story. I found myself on twitter, facebook and goodreads more than usual (usually not a good sign for a book), but I read the last half in one sitting, so it did get better. More than likely it is because I didn’t identify with the female character, Bianca, in this one the way I did with Roni from Noah. I also believe that cheating of the heart is the same as cheating. If you want to be with someone else, end the first relationship.

Gio needs to get away from 5th Street to clear his head after tragedy strikes. Felix, the boxer from 5th Street who made it big (and Gio’s good friend), invites him to his compound in Big Bear to be a trainer for two months. When he gets there, Felix is delayed, but Felix’s girlfriend turns out to be none other than Bianca, the girl Gio had a crush on in High School.

Bianca is sweet an innocent, and chooses to believe Felix when he explains away all of the nasty tabloid rumors. Gio feels very protective of Bianca, and gets more and more annoyed that Felix might be taking advantage of her sweet innocence. While Felix has publicity work to do, Gio and Bianca begin to fall for each other. Both of them feel guilty, but the connection between them is electric, and neither one of them can stop it. Lots of misunderstandings and tabloid-fueled falsities had all parties confused and not trusting each other, causing lots of drama.

This is actually probably a pretty accurate way a lot of relationships start, and I saw the connection. No question about it, Bianca and Gio were meant for each other, and the second half of the book I was rooting for them. There was a pretty hot few scenes, an intense storyline and some appearances from the characters from Noah as well. I enjoyed the book enough to check out for a few hours while I read the last half. I will continue with this series. Hopefully Abel and Nellie will get a story!

Rating: 3.75 Stars 3 Heat