Ricardo Carter wasn’t the kind of man you fell in love with, he was the kind you ran from.
Ricardo “Rocco” Carter
I wanted everything to do with her.
Her eyes were full of life.
Her demeanor soft.
Her actions thoughtful.
Gaia Wilson was the kind of woman you fell in love with, she was the kind you ran toward.
Sinful Enforcer is book six in the mafia misfits series and can be read as a standalone. This story includes depictions of violence; may be sensitive for some readers.
Asia girl you did your big one👏🏽 This book exceeded my expectations. I can’t lie books 3-5 didn’t do it for me. Luca and Enzo where still at the top but ohhhh “You know them dread heads do it the best yeah” 🤭
Ricardo and Gaias journey to love was so chaotic OMG. Still they where so cute & sweet. 🥹 She stated that this book would be nothing like we expected it to be and she did not tell one lie. Ricardo’s family disfunction was so wild!! The plot twist ? Babbbyy go read this book NOW. I’m not coming up off Ricardo though! 😜🤣
This was a good read and quite different from the previous books in the series. Gaia and Rocco were beautiful. As usual, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Different from the other stories, and yet I was all in with this storyline. Again, I know nothing about the Mafia or that kind of vibe, but, I enjoyed this crazy ride. Gaia Wilson was a bad mother, shut your mouth lady. Now, add Rocco Carter, and you have a menacing pair. I don't want to say too much to spoil the story... But. Rocco's parents were self-absorbed pricks, and Gaia's parents were pristine examples of love my children cool. I recommend book 6.
I enjoyed Gaia and Ricardo so much! I loved how he knew she was it for him and really fell for her on their mission together! Gaia not wanting to be with him because of the fear of how he made her feel and also her internal battle was so understandable and realistic. Sometimes you can see and feel yourself changing with someone and that can be scary. Gaia going on that trip with Ricardo (Rocco) was a step on faith and doing this under the guise of for her cousin when really she wanted to see what could happen lol. Her and Rocco’s close proximity, him checking anyone coming to her wrong and just catering to her every need was sooo dreamy! Her also going ride or die for him!?? I loved that she put his needs before her own cause girl we just questioning if we wanted this life 😩 and then we go and do that for love?!? Oh yea, Gaia was down bad for Rocco! Also, him calling her shortcake?!? Ugh 😩🥰! Now let me say this the twist I didn’t see that coming like not at all! Like the dad was super trash but that twist?!? Whew! This is now my third fave in the series behind books 2 & 5!! I can’t wait to read what’s next!
Miss Asia, take your bow ma'am! This read was the ish! 🔥 I have enjoyed the series thus far, but this one tipped the scales a bit. Very different from the other reads, but in a good way. I was happy to see the spotlight shine on Gaia, as she is always helping others with her big heart, and superior hacking skills. Watching Rocco from afar, she had a thing for the man with the soulless eyes, and menacing look. He scared her, but not in the way one would expect. She knew that he would be the one to snatch her heart. Ricardo "Rocco" wore a mask around most people, to disguise the trauma, hurt and disgust he held for his parents, and his upbringing. His parents were straight trash! Especially his damn daddy! Ughhh...🤬 He stayed away from the city he loved, due to all the ish his family kept up. However, this mission he and Gaia were sent on, would bring him right to the doorstep of his childhood; as well as change his life forever. Rocco knew that Gaia would be his by the time they left DC, and nothing would get in his way. I enjoyed seeing him slowly show vulnerability and allow Gaia to see the real him that she had never experienced before. Their journey to love was a bit unorthodox and chaotic, but beautiful, nonetheless. Now, the twists, turns and revelations in this here were craaaaazy! 🤯 I can't wait to learn more about the Wilson family tree and see how Rocco and Gaia adjust to their new roles in DC. Great read! 👍👍👍
This is the second black mafia series that I’ve read and I have really been enjoying it. Sinful Enforcer is now one of my favorites in the series with Sinful Vow being the other. Asia brought a different vibe this time with Rocco and Gaia and I loved it. I feel like Rocco and Gaia were destined to be and love how they were each what the other needed in a partner. The plot twist was crazy and it surprised me that Gaia handled the situation the way that she did. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
"I'd set the world on fire for you, Gaia Wilson. I'd burn just so the flames can't get to you."
after i read sinful vow, i wanted to dive right into Gaia and Rocco's book... and BRO it was a journey!
i just want to start off by saying i KNEW this book was going to be my favourite. gaia and rocco (from the beginning) had chemistry that i was so excited to read about - and this book was no disappointment! asia monique just has a way with words, and despite the killer plot twists and even more jaw-dropping moments in this book, she made me fall deeper in love with these characters! rocco and gaia have one of the most thrilling, yet beautiful love stories i've read to date! so in love with black love like this!
one thing i really LOVE about this series is that the women were just as badass as the guys! there were no damsel-in-distress plotlines or annoying cliches when it came to gender roles. from assassins to hackers/coders and everything in between, i just love seeing strong, independent females as the main characters! so good!!!!
anywho, we've reached the end of this series, so we all know what that means... RANKING TIME!
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BOOK RANKING 1. sinful enforcer (i mean, DUH!) 2. sinful surrender (they're unhinged, and we love ittt!) 3. sinful vow (the couple that started it all, my new fav marriage-of-convenience storyline ever frfr) 4. sinful desire (mr "you can have your moment in my arms" OMGGG IM DONE) 5. sinful redemption (fated to drink whiskey together <333 iykyk LOL) 6. sinful obsession (boy-obsessed DONE RIGHT!)
if you're looking for a black mafia/interconnected standalones series - this will be right up your alley! xo
This book is probably my fav after Sinful Desire. I really enjoyed Rocco and Gaia's story. As with all the previous books, it was sweet a romance. There were heavy themes in here however. Rocco's parents were awful human beings. Truly the biggest pieces of shits. His dad was an abuser who allowed grown ass women to molest his son and his mom knew her husband wasn't shit and allowed it to happen. What kind of parent doesn't believe and protect their child? Rocco's that's who.
I'm glad he found a safe haven in Gaia. She was truly his protector and vice versa. That whole twist with Rocco's dad and his sister but not really his sister but his cousin caught me off guard. That was some V.C. Andrew's shit forreal. I'm still in shock. I'm glad his parents got the ending they deserved. I especially love how Asia didn't write him and his siblings forgiving their parents for traumatizing and abusing them. I hate when authors do that. Parents or not, you don't have to forgive them or allow them to continue to have a presence in your life. I'm glad she didn't do that.
All in all, this was a quick and easy read for me. I've really been enjoying this series as a whole. The only complaint I have is the grammatical errors. They were all through this book and the whole Victoria and Valarie thing was confusing a lot. These issues is what stopped this book from being a 5 star contender. I can't wait to see whose story is next.
Gaia started off so scared of the darkness she saw in Rocco’s eyes because she felt like she too would become overcome with darkness.
It took them going on a 6-week assignment to DC for Enzo and Lucia for them to get to know each other a little better and BABYYYYY!!!!! That connection started connectioning! The chemistry started chemistrying. And I couldn’t get enough of them and the way they ride for each other.
The way Asia writes these equally crazy Af lovers just makes my heart swoon. Does that make me chaotic? Lol
I am team ❌all my enemies even if they are my family so I know it’s real. (In the book world, of course)
“These people don’t deserve you,” she whispered. “I’ll ❌them all to make you happy.”
AND WILL!!!
Gaia and Rocco did not disappoint. I didn’t think anybody could top Enzo and Lucia but they did it.
More thoughts: Rocco’s parents were awful.
Ree and Ally were cool and I enjoyed their presence in the book.
My heart was hurting for Rocco but I’m so happy his found family is his family. He deserves all the love.
The fact that Gaia is such a gangsta a** lover girl does it for me! My girl said I’m not just a hacker and will peel your skin back in a second.
If you like deranged couples this is the book for you. I loved Rocco in previous books but was not prepared for his backstory at all 😳 The first 36% of this book felt disjointed like and I'm not sure the setup made complete sense BUT the reveal was a plot twist that I did not see coming. Lord some stuff is supposed to go down because of what happens towards the end. Which makes this hard for me the pacing vs the outcome (is it a 3 or 4 star probably somewhere in the middle).
At this point who is left to get married? This friend group is starting to connect like everybody is really going to be related by marriage soon 🙃
CN: sexual assault (of a child), incest, cheating, illegal adoption and separation from parent, gun and knife violence
Asia Monique can do no wrong! When a man knows he wants to be about you, he will move heaven and hell to see it through! Lord, if I wasn't married already I would be trying to get in Rocco drawls!
You know it's a good ride when the Epilogue comes and your main complaint with the book is...."That's it!" 😂
This was just a fun dark romance. It was refreshing getting BMBW characters in a "mafia" book.
The Thrills were Thrilling: The plot was tight with a mystery to unravel. Usually, I don't like thriller romances or "road trip" crime investigations, but honestly, the story was so well laid out. I didn't notice, and I couldn't put the book down.
#ColdMMC that melts for her: Rocca clearly has a plan to woo the lady he wants in his life, and she's great. FMC: smart, committed, poised, quiet, a little aloof, dangerous if you take her there.
I got whatcha need-style FMC: I honestly stay away from these types of stories because the "baddest baddie to ever bad" FMCs are grating but not here. There are coop layers to our leading lady. She's sweet and kind-hearted but not blind or naive. She's quiet but tough when necessary. She has specific skills, but there is no false bravado.
Smoldering Smex: I would say the smex scenes were hit but not fire. Definitely steamy with so memorable moves (when Rocco says he can put a woman to bed, just know he means he got those pressure points on lock). A "face haunching I'm comforting my man in the shower" scene to curl back some toes and side kicks who stay side characters in the story.
All in all, the author did what she does best. Create vivid stories with characters you want to come back for. Mild grammar issues, but the reading was such a blast that it went unnoticed.
This series was definitely a must-read. But I must say Gaia and Rocco's story was my favorite. They had that hidden attraction neither wanted to act on while also secretly lusting each other. What better way to be set up than with a six week investigation job that proved to be beneficial to them finally revealing their true feelings for each other and also finding out some truths along the way. Gaia was definitely ride or die for her man Rocco, and she didn't care who you were. If you disrupted Rocco's peace, she was going to let you have it. I hated what Rocco went through growing up, but he had his extended family, who turned out to be his rightful family all along. These characters have been known as the misfits of the mafia, but they truly proved themselves to be just as ambitious and ruthless as those before them while also finding love and expanding their bloodlines.
4.25✨ Now ai thought Matteo and Amira were it for me but yeah they got it!, close second not gonna lie! The connections the drama the suspense the tea bihhh I as gagged! I do wish we got to explore a lil bit more of Ricardo’s trauma and how he positively unpacked that and made an impact bc we need positive masculinity oo and he was but hey everyone deals with their trauma differently! Def the best in the series imo the writing the chemistry I was hooked! Ms.Monique pen got it!,,
I thought Luca was bae but Rocco is my man my man my man. This story was so good and I got lost in the emotions of both characters. I love how Gaia wasn’t able to hide her true self from him and how they both became safe spaces for one another
4.25⭐️ I loved the love story in this book. I loved how Rocco knew what he wanted from the start. I also loved the plot and suspense. The last 20% of the story was a doozy! The plot was twisting! A very good read.
The sixth installment in Asia Monique’s popular **Mafia Misfits** series. While it functions as a standalone romance, it carries the weight and world-building of the prior books, centering on the brooding Ricardo “Rocco” Carter and the vibrant Gaia Wilson.
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## **Plot Overview: Opposites in a Dangerous World** The story follows the classic "sunshine vs. grumpy" trope set against a gritty, urban mafia backdrop.
* **Gaia Wilson** is the "sunshine"—a woman full of life, softness, and thoughtfulness. Despite the dangerous world she inhabits, she maintains an optimistic and caring demeanor.
* **Ricardo "Rocco" Carter** is the "enforcer"—the quintessential dark hero. He is described as having "lifeless eyes" and a cold, harsh demeanor. He is the man people usually run from, not toward.
The narrative arc focuses on their collision. While Gaia initially wants nothing to do with a man as dangerous and detached as Rocco, Rocco finds himself irresistibly drawn to her light. The plot balances their simmering romantic tension with the high-stakes violence and power struggles inherent to the Mafia Misfits universe.
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## **Character Analysis**
### **Ricardo "Rocco" Carter** Monique excels at writing "unhinged" yet protective male leads. Rocco is the Bianchi family's enforcer, and his character arc revolves around his transition from a tool of violence to a man capable of devotion. His "touch her and die" energy is a hallmark of the genre, but Monique adds depth by exploring the emotional isolation that comes with his role.
### **Gaia Wilson** Gaia serves as more than just a foil to Rocco. She is written with a level of agency and emotional intelligence that makes her more than a damsel in distress. Her "softness" is framed as a strength—a way to navigate a world that is otherwise jagged and cruel.
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## **Themes and Tropes** The book leans heavily into the **Black Mafia Romance** subgenre, successfully blending urban fiction elements with dark romance. Key themes include:
* **Redemption through Love:** The idea that even the most "lifeless" soul can be revived by the right person.
* **Loyalty vs. Morality:** Characters often have to choose between their duty to their "Famiglia" and their personal desires.
* **Protection and Possession:** A staple of the series, where the male lead's possessiveness is framed as the ultimate form of security.
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### **The Considerations** * **Dark Elements:** As a dark romance, it contains depictions of violence and discussions of past trauma (including sexual, emotional, and mental abuse). It is not for the faint of heart.
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## **Final Verdict**
*Sinful Enforcer* is a standout in the series because of the stark contrast between its leads. Asia Monique continues to prove why she is a powerhouse in the Black Mafia Romance space—delivering a story that is as gritty as it is romantic.
This story!! Oh man. I loved these two characters so much. Rocco was a man who knew what he wanted and would do what he needed to get it.
Gaia may present as a more quiet woman but she surprises you right away. Shes quiet but tough as hell and can handle her own. She’s never been afraid of anyone until she met Rocco but that didn’t stop her intrigue for him. She wasn’t really afraid of him but what she saw in his eyes. It reminded her of the risks of the life she lived and how she can lose herself easily
This is a faster paced romance and I was here for it. I find it refreshing to read characters who don’t dance around what they want or what they’re thinking. Gaia, even when she was nervous to say something out of vulnerability, still spoke up. I personally struggle with that sometimes so I admire that so much in her character.
The way they were a team really had my heart.
This was my first book by this author and now I want to go back and read the others in this series!
If you love a quick romance read with strong, loyal, badass characters, a touch of mafia/organized crime, and delicious spice, you’ll like this one!
The spice was spicing btw. Gaia in the shower. Phew 😮💨 🔥 all I’m going to say is yes. Just. YES. lol
A slight spoiler~
There was something about how they both responded to the OW (his family wanted him to marry this woman) trying to be drama that I really liked. They both had none of it. They acted and reacted as a team from the get go and I loved it. When Rocco’s sister asked about the incident that happened in the bathroom (Gaia is a baddass btw) he just laughed and said he was team Gaia no matter what and I think he stole my heart right there. Just saying
Look I’ve been waiting on this book to come out for months and it did not disappoint. Rocco and Gaia just barely snatched my favorite couple title from Gianna and Cian because their little story is so cute. Love how they didn’t care who it was, family or not, they were standing 10 toes down for each other and had each others back regardless. It was cute how Gaia was “scared” of Rocco but was really only scared that she knew she would fall for him quick if left in close proximity with him. It was nice getting a lock at Rocco’s back story and seeing what made him into the man he is. It’s also interesting seeing how polar opposite the environment he grew up in and the environment he chose to occupy as an adult. Getting a look at his family dynamic from his sisters to his mother to his father to even his brother was telling.
Once again, I just love how Asia writes these boss ass women who will kill you without a second thought & make it home for dinner with the family!
Gaia was such a tech baddie with a temper & good heart it was the perfect balance for Rocco. I felt he was way too reserved sometimes especially when it came to his trash parents. I’m glad Gaia think what needed to be done. That was my favorite part of the book. Every book it’s like you fall more in love with each character. This series can go on for years & I would never get tired. The characters are written out so well done and all so complex into why they are how they are. The crime with the love & family & trust & loyalty. Whew. A classic!
Favorite quote:
“I love you…” I shook my head. “No, I’m madly in love with you, Ricardo. Crazy in love. I’ll kill a bitch over you in love. I want to be your wife.”
Rocco is dead inside. You can tell from his eyes. The only time he ever gives a glimpse of life is when Gaia is near. She is afraid of him. Not that he would physically hurt her, but she sees so much in his eyes that she knows how quick she would give her heart to him. They are sent out on a job together and this is the perfect time for Rocco to make his move. To show her she’s his and he’s hers. He never expects his past to show up and tear him down. He doesn’t expect that he would have someone like Gaia by his side to fight his demons.
It’s a beautiful story and a quick read. I’m very interested in Wyatt and Harlem’s picks. Will they have a thing for Rocco’s sisters or someone else? Even Manny is a funny character. All in all…once you start an Asia Monique book, you won’t want to put it down.
However this book was so much fun and deserve more.
Rocco has been my husband since book 1.
The story about family drama, that is actually drama... two Oliver Popes. Love, just love.
Gia ma dali why are you offing your mans mom?? I know she said... I don't really remember what she sad, but it really wasn't her call to make. If Rocco was an only child yes, but dude had sisters. Yes she was a horrible parent but is was still not your call Plot was very intriguing. And Rocco's past was very sad too, no child should go through that.
Asia Monique did it again with crafting an engaging read that is heartwarming, at times funny, & that will keep you guessing with the plot. I’m so locked in to this series. Gaia & Rocco were so cute and chaotic together lol. Their vulnerability with one another and the way they matched each other’s energy👏🏾The shift in their relation was very subtle yet abrupt, but for whatever reason, it worked. As always I enjoyed the found family aspect, and I appreciated the plot twist. I didn’t see it coming. My heart was a little sad for the inner child of one of the main characters (no spoilers) really was just begging to validated & believed, and it just made me sad for all abuse victims who aren’t believed, and who are just essentially discarded.