An Italian mother and son buddy-novel meets Thelma and Louise, Burn It All Down explores the mother son relationship between Joey, sixteen and his mother, Gia, who had him at an early age. They have a solid and open relationship. But when Joey finds out that his boyfriend has been cheating on him at the same time as his mom find out her boyfriend is actually married, the mother son duo are out for revenge. This is a fun, fast-paced novel that highlights Joey and Gia’s relationship and how far they will go to protect one another. A sweet, often funny and sarcastic twist on the revenge novel. Thank you to Little, Brown and Company for the advanced review copy.

As an elite member of the Italian Americans from New Jersey club, praise must be given to Nicolas DiDomizio because his characterizations of the Rossi family are accurate. Your grandmother is nuts, which makes your mom pretty much insane, and that trickles down to you. However, you still spend every waking minute together because, FAMILY, obviously. It is just generations on generations of crazy, but can you get it under control before it controls you?

Gia Rossi was 16 when she had Joey and this mother and son duo are thick as thieves, however, their crime is more like arson and destruction of property. But, don't cross an Italian because if you break their heart, there are consequences. And, after eighteen-year-old Joey's boyfriend is caught cheating and thirty-four-year-old Gia's man was found to be married, they grab the Louisville Slugger ala Carrie Underwood and set off with a vengeance. Until it escalates to something they didn't intend. Consequences have actions, and the duo has to learn how to face their demons, take responsibility for their actions, and break the pattern.
Yes, there are major life lessons, but there is humor, sarcasm, and observations on life that are tender in that "there's more to life than you know" way. This is a growing up story . . . burn it all down to rebuild.