*received for free from netgalley for honest review* took me awhile to get into the story but in the end i was pretty invested lol not something i would reread, 3.5 stars.

Fans of S.A. Crosby will love this one! Blood in the Cut was a mysterious drama that explored concepts of incarceration, redemption, and family struggles. The audiobook narrator, Danny Pino, was AMAZING! I loved learning more about the Latine community in Miami. The author did a great job creating an atmospheric environment with complex characters.

What didn't work for me as much was the pacing. Some parts felt important and were rushed through, while others felt trivial and were slow. The book ended way too quickly! Also, the nature of this book being set in a butcher shop means that there were some pretty gruesome scenes and descriptions that I could've done without.

Thank you to MacMilan Audio for the ALC! This story was a bit too gruesome for me; parts of it reminded me a Law & Order episode (ironically, given that Danny Pino narrates!) and ultimately I barely made it through til the end. I think I may just not be the right audience for this type of story.

Iggy Guerra was a character that I wanted to keep reading about and wanting to pretty much hang out with. His ups and downs throughout this entire book was so entertaining, making this such a great read. I really really enjoyed the action, the drive that Iggy had, and that whole what-is-my-role-for-this-family and seeing Iggy coming to his own. After leaving prison, his redemption to be part of the family, community, or just simply his own self worth was beautifully written.

There was something about this storyline that I couldn't put down. You could ultimately call what would happen by the end of the book, but you allow yourself to be entertained for the writing and the storytelling that you slow down and enjoy the ride rather than wanting things after things to happen. The author had that magical way of pacing the story. The characters were each explored so well that you could envision almost every single thing about them.

I listened to this on audio and it was phenomenal. Great, great narration and pacing. Loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

Blood in the Cut is a fast paced thriller and crime drama that captivated me in the first few minutes. We follow Iggy (Ignacio) Guerra as he’s newly released from prison and is ready to get back on his feet. Within a few hours of his release, he learns that his family business needs help just as much as he does. We join Iggy on his quest to save the family business and stay on the right track towards healing. Very well written and highly recommend! Loved Danny Pino as a narrator as well!

Thank you to MacMillan for the gifted digital audiobook

Narrated by Danny Pino who does a fantastic job of voicing Iggy, bringing him to life. Iggy's love for his car and the loss of his mother are felt deeply through Pino's voice. Conversely, his surliness while voicing Iggy's father, Armando, is equally spot on creating a menace and discontent with every word spoken.

Dark and gritty, Blood in the Cut will make you uncomfortable. Alejandro Nodarse does not shy away from the graphic scene to bring the reader into Iggy Guerra's life now that he has been released from prison. But life as Iggy knows it has changed, his mom has died, the family business meat market is going under, and the gentrification of his neighborhood is altering the landscape physically and culturally.

For fans of S.A. Cosby, there is a lot to love in Blood in the Cut.

I loved the complicated relationship between Iggy and his dad. Seeing what Iggy had to go through broke my heart. I loved the narrator on this one and couldn’t believe was Danny Pino from SVU

I couldn’t imagine a better narrator for this book. Danny sounded exactly how I’d imagine Iggy. Perfectly encapsulated his personality: serious, tormented, gritty.

I was NOT expecting this story to be as gory as it was. (HELLO CHAPTER 12). People with animal violence triggers will definitely have a hard time with this one.

I want really sure what to expect from this story but it pleasantly surprised me. It had a lot more depth than I expected. The Everglades backdrop was incredibly atmospheric and I (who has a very hard time doing so) could picture each scene playing out in my head. I really enjoyed the complicated family dynamics. Wanting what’s best for your family and doing whatever for them, even if you don’t like them very much at the moment.

Fans of SA Cosby should definitely pick this up. This is an odd comparison as they are very different but I also feel fans of shows such as Sons of Anarchy will love this. This gritty violent life to protect loved ones.

What a read! Loved the style, great narration. Keep in mind that the characters work in a butcher shop, so graphic descriptions of that process is included. Looking forward to more from this author.

Blood in the Cut was an intense story about family and secrets. It was such an interesting mix of drama, suspense, and a little bit of gore.

Iggy is just getting home after doing some time. He was selling drugs from his mother’s pharmacy before he went to prison and now that he’s out, she has passed away. He is trying to navigate his family’s failing business, a butcher shop, and his grief while dealing with some difficult issues. This book was such an interesting concept and although the butchering scenes were very graphic, I thought it added to the story. I felt the pacing to be off at certain times and when it ended, I was shocked that it was over. I did not think it was finished yet. Overall though, I thought this was a good read!

This audiobook was narrated by Danny Pino who did a phenomenal job. At times I felt like I was listening to a movie. He was so expressive and interactive-amazing.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Alejandro Nodarse, and Macmillan Audio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This will be a suspenseful read for everyone on June 4th.

I have posted my review on Goodreads, in my Facebook book club, and will post a Tiktok review within the week before it releases.

Thank you to MacMillan audio for this ALC. I enjoyed parts of this book- it was detailed and graphic. But I didn’t feel a strong connection to the characters and the ending just sort of left us hanging. I would have liked that wrapped up neater.

Outside of a few issues with the structure of the story (I don’t want to get too specific to avoid spoilers) everything about Blood in the Cut worked for me.

The writing showcases an impressive wealth of knowledge, or strength in research, on the part of the author. Particularly on the subjects of drag racing and butchery.

Iggy (sp? I had the audio) is a fantastically compelling character that is far from perfect, but is easy to root for. I like that the writing didn’t put shame on his past, it was very much a “learn from and move on” mindset.

The audio was fantastic. They cast the narrator to perfection and it was a joy to listen to. I even slowed it down to a more normal speed than I usually choose to enjoy it to its fullest.

If you are looking for a book that meets at the cross section of lit fic and thriller, this is an excellent choice!

Plot - 3
Writing and Editing - 5
Character Development - 5
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4.4

Thank you Alejandro Nodarse, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for my advanced review audio copy. My opinions are my own.

Blood in the Cut is out June 4th, 2024!

There was a lot to like in Blood in the Cut that on balance overcame all that I didn't. I loved the Miami vibe and Cuban culture (possibly b/c my Cuban D-in-law is from Miami), the family dynamics, the tension and excitement. I had trouble with the graphic butcher/hunter scenes which didn't add to the suspense of the book. It's a strong 3.5 for me.

3.5. okay hear me out, it was definitely a dude book written for men but I'm glad I stuck it out until the end. it was a little gory tho.

The book started off very interesting but ended horribly. The plot built up and then just fell off. No discernible ending. Ambiguous. I was left wondering why why and why.

"Blood in the Cut" by Alejandro Nodarse presents an engaging mix of personal drama and tense suspense set against the gritty backdrop of Miami's streets and swamps. The protagonist, Iggy Guerra, is a compelling character, and his struggles to reclaim his family's honor and save their butcher shop make for a captivating story. Nodarse skillfully weaves the themes of loyalty, redemption, and the weight of familial obligations throughout the narrative, creating a rich atmosphere that is both visceral and atmospheric.

However, the plot's pacing feels uneven at times, with some scenes dragging on while others rush through critical developments. The antagonists, though colorful, can come across as stereotypical, which detracts from the authenticity of the setting. Additionally, the secondary characters sometimes lack depth, making it difficult to invest in their stories.

Overall, "Blood in the Cut" is a solid read with a unique setting and some powerful moments. While it doesn't always hit the mark, it's an interesting exploration of family, trust, and the lengths one will go to protect those they love. A three-star rating reflects its intriguing premise and engaging lead character, despite some shortcomings in execution.

A family crime drama about a Cuban-run Miami butcher shop full of the love, traditions and culture that runs deep. Danny Pino, the narrator, was the perfect choice for this novel. He was able to immerse the listener into the story with believable dialogue, accents and inflection making the characters more realistic. The way he switches voices and accents is incredible. I feel like the author has a story to tell that could be connected to this one very closely.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook

I'm having a hard time rating this book.. I really enjoyed the narrator and learning some about the Miami/Cuban culture. But some of the butcher shop descriptions were a little too much for me (maybe another example of why I should read synopses of books before deciding to read them) and the storyline sometimes felt a little disjointed...
I wish there had been either an epilogue or just another chapter, because I didn't feel like it wrapped up the story, but also didn't feel like it was left open for a second book... So it felt really unfinished to me.

Blood in the Cut is a compelling, entertaining family crime drama about a Cuban-run Miami butcher shop. When Ignacio returns home from a stretch in prison, he finds his father's shop facing multiple threats -- from a new hipster place about to open to shady horse meat dealings. It's got great twists and turns, as well as good heart and humor.
It has vivid details about cars, meat, and so much more and is full of rich characters and situations.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was fast paced and easy to get through. Highly entertaining! Definitely on the gory side, which isn't my fave, but the story itself was still really good. The characters were well written and memorable. And the narrator did a great job bringing them to life.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook.