The Exceptions by David Cristofano

He can't change what family he was born into, but he doesn't want to be like them.  He just wants to own his own restaurant and be free from their activities.  He didn't anticipate participating in money laundering, but what choice does he have?  No more choice than he has when he's been assigned a kill...

Grand Central Publishing sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check at your local bookstore for a copy.

What caught my attention about this story is that Jonathan gets involved almost involuntarily.  He's a boy when he sees a family trying to go into his father's restaurant for lunch.  He knows his father is having a serious talk with a man nicknamed "The Rat", but he had no idea this talk was orchestrated with a knife.  What he sees is a husband and wife and beautiful little girl.  He also notices their license plate number and gives what he can remember to the cop.  Unfortunately, it's a dirty cop.

From here it evolves into a hunt for the family in the witness protection program and a personal conflict for Jonathan.  He knows he's expected to murder them.  He also has a crush on the little girl he saw for so few moments before disaster.

His family is concerned with control and power; they care not for emotions.  He thinks he can protect Melody and get his family to accept her as innocent victim in the wrong place at the wrong time.  They aren't interested in the fact that she may be innocent; they just want her dead.

I thought this was an impossible situation and there was no way for Jonathan to redeem himself.  The author does a nice job of creating an ending that could be realistic.

This story flows well, has a good pace, and really made me empathize with his main character.  I really like the ending.  It's bittersweet but it has the seeds of hope for tomorrow.  

Here's an inside look at an organized crime family and the twisted ties of love.  Why not check it out?  The story will keep you reading.

Happy reading.