Caitlin O' Fearless. Rebellious. Wild. And her fire is a threat to my icy heart.As a ruthless Mafia Queen, my steely self-control is legendary. But Caitlin’s blazing spirit ignited a passion in me I had no idea I was capable of.
I sent her away to shield her, but her safety is still my obsession. So when shadows threaten to engulf her, every protective instinct in me roars to life, and I pull her close once more.
I cannot keep my distance without destroying my own heart. But the nearer she is to me, the more danger she’s in—and I have so much to make up for.
Caitlin is still freezing me out, and who could blame her?
But I have to try to melt down those walls of ice, before someone succeeds in sending us both to the cold grave. As our worlds collide once more, a secret from the past threatens to tear us apart.
Will our love survive its greatest test?
***
Opposites attract in this enemies to lovers romance as the reckless street-racing daughter of an Irish Mob Boss finds a way to defrost her Mafia Ice Queen wife.
This is a steamy F/F Mafia romance with some dark elements and a lot of angst. Content notes are available on the Copyright page.
2.5 ⭐️ - unfortunately I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one. There’s a lot of plot elements that either didn’t make sense or were frustrating. The biggest frustration is the drama/break-up that ended the book one carried through to almost a 50% mark of book two and it was completely self-inflicted. Juno pushes Caitlin away to protect her but then contradicts herself and forces Caitlin to stay with her to protect her. Which is it? Annoying.
Also, there’s a weird continuity fumble with the place that Caitlin gets a job. In book one it’s Mac’s and in book 2 it’s Sal’s. Did no one else read this book before it was published?
i think overall i enjoyed this one a little more than the first, mostly because it felt like there was a little more development in the relationship? the first one just moved rlly fast and the pacing felt a little too rushed, for me personally. since this is established and a continuation of the first book, a lot of that work is already there. i ended up enjoying it a little more than i anticipated going into this duology, which is always a fun surprise. i liked juno's character growth a lot and i ended up enjoying her dynamic with caitlin. the twist was a little bit predictible but not in a bad way, it made sense with what had been established in the story arc. i def prefered the narrator for juno more than the one for caitlin, but both did a decent job and this is an author i would check out again in the future.
I feel much the same about this audiobook as I did about the first, but was happier about the characters’ journeys in this one and felt satisfied with the conclusion.
Again, because the narrators had SUCH different takes on the characters it prevented me from enjoying it fully. I just didn’t feel that Avery Reid’s Caitlin is at all what she would sound like. I love Quinn Riley and wish she’d have done the duology solo. The Italian and Irish accents were challenging, but Riley performs the quiet, emotional moments beautifully. There was one line uttered from her in this book that made the whole experience worth it to me.
I’ll check out other Persephone Black books because I find sapphic stories set in the underworld intriguing.
Ice versus fire. Controlled versus chaos and then add those two together in a forced marriage.
I like that Her Mafia Bride is fast paced. No messing about inconsequential details. The focus was not much on the gory side of the mafia life. An enjoyable read.
2.5 stars. I liked this more than the first book, but unfortunately not by much? And that's pretty much the outcome that I expected. I had told myself that I wouldn't continue on with this series, since I didn't really like the first book. But I do prefer to finish series rather than leave them uncompleted, and I DO love Quinn Riley's voice, so when I saw she narrated the audiobook, I decided to give this a go. And it was fine. The plot was very predictable; if you think about it for two seconds, you'll figure out who's behind everything in like a couple chapters. (At least one of the persons. And the second person isn't hard to figure out either.) There just aren't a lot of moving pieces, and nothing much to occupy your mind. The relationship drama was extremely cookie-cutter. I was annoyed in the first book that the story fell back into typical romance novel conflicts ("I'm mad that you have to work so much!" "I won't allow myself to care about you!") and this book did kinda the same thing. I know it's probably expected in a mafia romance for there to be conflict about wanting to keep the love interest safe, and the love interest chafing against the control, but I just wasn't that interested, I guess. It felt simplistic in a bad and boring way. I can't really think of anything I want to say about the book, otherwise... Other than the fact that it was really hot. So if you're in the mood for something with good smut, this could be an option. Juno and Caitlin do have good chemistry.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Quinn Riley and Avery Reid, and that was the best thing about this experience. Riley doing an Italian accent was great, and I really enjoyed Reid's voices as well. This is a peak example of how great narrators can turn a meh book into a good book. Granted, I still didn't love this, but I definitely enjoyed it more than I would have if I'd just read it. If nothing else, I'm glad that I finished a series. I guess I wouldn't mind trying this author again, but I don't have any immediate plans to.
I enjoyed this just as much as book one! I listened to the audiobook also, both narrators did a fantastic job. Sapphic Mafia romance follows on from book one. Conflict, Ice Queen, touch her and 💀, Second Chance, Opposites attract. First person with 2x POV’s. 3x Spicy Scenes (don’t be fooled by the lower number compared to book one, the spice in this book is sooo good!) 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I have officially entered my Black Hole Era—and there is no coming back.
Since diving into Persephone Black’s Sapphic Mafia Universe, I’ve been in a state of absolute blissful captivity. These duets—The Underworld Duet, Bianchi Family Duet, Ruby Realm Duet, and Red Rivals Duet—are the kind of dark, deliciously intense, emotionally layered romances that refuse to let go until you’ve consumed every last word. And then? You hit replay.
Each story feels like its own world, richly built with high-stakes tension, devastatingly compelling characters, and a level of sapphic yearning that delivers—hard. Black doesn’t just write mafia romance—she elevates it. There’s blood, betrayal, forced proximity, forbidden love, vengeance, and ICE QUEENS who will freeze your heart before slowly, achingly melting into puddles of longing and love. I mean, YES please.
From the ruthless mercenary who kidnaps a bride on her wedding day, to a street-racing Irish mob daughter begrudgingly falling for her billionaire enemy, to an undercover fed losing herself in the velvet-laced world of a ladies-only mafia nightclub, to two deadly rivals whose passion burns hotter than the bullets flying around them—every duet is an experience.
And let’s talk about the audiobook narrators, because they are next-level phenomenal. Paige Reisenfeld, Aleksi Graves, Avery Reid, Quinn Riley, Megan Wicks, and Allie Shae—these voices are the characters. They don’t just read the story; they breathe it. It’s sultry, cinematic, and completely immersive. I’ve gasped. I’ve clutched my imaginary pearls. I’ve stared into space mid-scene wondering how I’ll recover (spoiler: I haven’t).
The steam? STEAMING. The sapphics? SAPPHICING. The suspense? Suspending. These duets are gripping, intoxicating, and—quite frankly—addictive as hell.
What I love most is how Persephone Black crafts these complex women—ruthless yet vulnerable, loyal yet fractured, terrifying yet so damn lovable. The romance always lands with deep emotional payoff. The slow burns burn. The character arcs arc. The tension? Chef’s kiss.
I haven’t binge-read (or binge-listened) an author like this in a long time, and I truly cannot stop myself. This universe has swallowed me whole and I’m not asking for rescue. If you’re even remotely into sapphic romance, mafia drama, or morally grey women who love hard and fight harder—start here.
It surprised me that Persephone made several factual errors within the first few chapters.
At the end of Her Mafia Bride, Caitlin worked at Mac’s Auto Shop, not Sal’s and they’d been apart a month, not three weeks.
These details might be minor but it caught me off guard for someone whose writing is flawless. The details make or break a story and I have to admit, my submersion was marred from that point onwards.
Still, this was an outstanding book. Persephone knows sapphic mafia! Suspiciously well, actually…
I’ve also been converted into someone who now adores first person - it can be difficult to write entirely in first person yet Persephone writes this style with complete ease.
You have the Italians and the Irish trying to unit, but it seems like getting nowhere. Until Juno and Caitlin come together to help it together. When they have time together it is smoking HOT🔥
Intense and hott. Two stubborn powerful families each fighting with loyalty and betrayal. Adding Italian endearment words to bed room talk now. Watching an ice queen melt around love, denying it, then fighting for it was a rollercoaster but I was captivated.
In this follow-up to Her Mafia Bride, Juno and Caitlin are living apart with Caitlin still angry that Juno sent her away and Juno beginning to regret what she's done. When Caitlin shows up at a gala to embarrass Juno, someone spikes her drink and Juno takes her back to the townhouse to recover. As the plot moves forward, the danger mounts and the two women realize that they are stronger together.
This is a highly engaging sequel with more action than in the first book. I'm going with 4 because there are some continuity mistakes between books 1 and 2, some copyedit errors, and somewhat of an unrealistic ending regarding the use of mercy in the context of a Mafia environment.
3.75 stars. More character development would have bumped this up.
Persephone Black’s Bianchi Family Duet—Her Mafia Bride and Her Mafia Queen—was an enjoyable experience filled with a gripping whodunit, angst that kept me on my toes, and very satisfying spice! I listened to the audiobooks, and Avery Reid and Quinn Riley were perfect for their roles, bringing Caitlin O’Sullivan and Juno Bianchi to life with engaging performances! Their portrayal added so much depth and emotion to the characters, and I especially loved the accents—something I couldn’t have imagined as vividly on my own.
At the start, Caitlin, the daughter of a mob boss, leads a modest life centered around her family but has a wild side as an adrenaline junkie and skilled street racer. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her father forces her into a marriage of convenience with Juno Bianchi, the ruthless, ice-queen heiress to the notorious Bianchi Family. After the briefest of enemies-to-lovers scenarios, their relationship becomes intense and passionate, rife with twists, misunderstandings, and undeniable chemistry. Together, they navigate a world of love, loyalty, family obligations, secrets, and betrayal.
The spice in these books is hot, with physical chemistry that leaps off the page. The intimate scenes are well-written and serve the plot, often bringing the characters closer or helping them reconnect after conflicts and separations. However, the romance itself leans more toward physical attraction driving emotional connection, catering to the mafia and mystery plotlines over a traditional romantic build. If you’re okay with an “I’m attracted to you and we have great sex, so I love you” approach to romance, you’ll enjoy this dynamic. The emotional and physical storylines do come together for a satisfying ending.
While I’m usually not a fan of the miscommunication trope, it plays a key role in the conflict here. Given the mafia setting where secrets, half-truths, and savior complexes are commonplace, it felt appropriate. Caitlin and Juno are deeply flawed and opposites in every way: fire and ice, control and chaos. Their behavior reflects these traits.
The writing was solid overall, with some wonderfully descriptive and immersive moments. That said, a fair few times I found myself wishing for more “showing” rather than “telling,” particularly in scenes that seemed to have had the perfect opportunity for significant character development as well as romance. Still, the pacing and storytelling kept me hooked throughout.
Trigger warnings should definitely be noted, as the story includes loss of a parent, a psychotic break, violence, and killing.
Overall, I liked these books. I’m not sure if I’d reread them, but I’m glad I experienced them. If you enjoy dual POVs, fiery romance, and an intense mafia setting, you should check out Her Mafia Bride and Her Mafia Queen!
“The world has tried so hard to tear us apart, but we keep surviving, keep coming back to one another. Now we’re stronger than ever.”
i lovedddd Juno and Caitlyn. they truly were the most perfect pair. they complimented eachother so well and brought out the best in eachother. I loved watching Juno open her heart and completely let Caitlyn in. she was so soft and protective with her. Wild, fiery, softhearted Caitlyn always got what she wanted. i really enjoyed their story❤️
i will say the plot twist was very predictable, i figured it out long before it happened.
i can’t wait for Alessas story 🥹
quotes🔥🏎️
“You’re my world.”
“loving you has only made me stronger, not weaker.”
“my beautiful girl.”
“amore mio.”
“Shower? With my gorgeous wife, naked and wet? The hounds of hell couldn’t stop me.
“Not you, cara mia. I want no blood on your hands. And I want to take you home.”
“You have a generous heart. Never lose that. I need it to temper my own.”
✔Sapphic Book Bingo Challenge 2024 🌈✨: Main Board - Fierce Sapphics
3 stars. Plot wise this was better than book one but I can’t say that I ever came to care about the characters. We got no real character development from either Juno or Cait and I found them both to be incredibly annoying. Especially Cait. She’s so childish. I was just very ‘meh’ on this series but I will for sure be checking out this author’s other books because they are also dark mafia romances and dammit I will never say no to sapphic mafia romances. Hopefully the other books are better.
{Challenges completed: ✔A Million More Pages: The Small Town Bed & Breakfast Challenge ✔The Lost Challenges: Bands With Color Names ✔For Love of a Book: Disney’s 100th Celebration Challenge ✔For Love of a Book: March 2024 Book of the Month Puzzle}
At a high level, I liked everything about this. The relationship that I wasn’t thrilled with in the previous book got back on track with a dose of good communication, the mystery left over from that book was eventually unwound, there were some nice action scenes, and everything was resolved reasonably enough.
Where it fell a little short was in some of the details. Solving the mystery went nowhere until a third party volunteered some critical information, no thanks to anything the protagonists did. Elsewhere, it seemed pretty obvious what they were missing in endlessly reviewing a critical videotape. And at least one of the plot-altering conversations didn’t go down quite right with me.
On the up side, it was a quick read, and as I said, if I don’t nitpick then I enjoyed it a lot. So, four stars. Not perfect, but good enough?
The Bianchi & O’Sullivan Families Back For A Great Sequel!
So this coupling of Juno and Caitlin which was left off in book 1 as basically destroyed. Although Juno is maintaining her resolve that Caitlin will be kept safe if she is apart from her, both are still dealing with the consequences of said decision, especially Caitlin. Frustrated and distraught she shows up at a gala that Juno is at but in her attempt to get even with her for another of her security team being in her business, something happens to Caitlin. This incident causes Juno to strengthen her resolve in protection and finding the murder of her father and now attempt to hurt Caitlin. Where this story goes involves both families and each must get past their hate and join forces. This takes a turn on families and loyalty and ultimately love. Loved it. Hoping more of these two in the future.
I love Juno and Caitlyn and their romance but that’s all that made me finish this predictable story.
In the very beginning somehow, Caitlyn’s auto shop and employer has a new name and there are tons of other mechanics working there. Mac is gone, it’s now Sal and he’s never interacted with as a character the way he was in the first book. In the first book, other characters were introduced leaving more suspects. The traitors have stood out since book 1 but book 2 lays them out fully, way before the storyline breaks. This book seemed rushed and I’ll never understand this authors need to make 2-3 books instead of one. I’d much rather spend more than a day or two reading a cohesive, detailed novel than two predictable novellas.
Also, typos in kindle format are consistent throughout.
Juno and Caitlin continuity navigate the mafia world and those that want to destroy Juno and her family. Having separated at the end of the first book, this one continues to focus on Juno’s commitment to keep Caitlin safe. The fire between them is still strong as they traverse this dangerous world they live in.
The story is intense and thrilling and I continued to really like the both characters. Caitlin with her wild and free, fiery stubborn energy and Juno with her ice queen intensity. They compliment each other well and their passion for each other is intense.
The author ties the story up nicely and it felt complete.
Since this is the first duet of the universe I think it serves as a good opener - classic set up, interesting plot twist, just good ole fashion classic lesbian mafia romance. I’ve read the two duets from the Chicago portion (Underworld and Red Rivals) and while I think those had a more generally captivating plot I do think this book did a good job setting the vibe of the universe - There’s really no reason imo to rate and review the two books within the duet separately since its just a part one and part two that could get easily be the same book since these are all roughly 230 each so I choose to view them not as two books but one long one 🤷🏼♀️ sue me
But I still wasn’t buying Caitlyn’s anger or coldness here no matter how Persephone tried to portray it. But hey they were cute together so I don’t mind. Again spicy scenes were good but I think the author was trying to portray something darker/more possessive that for me just didn’t land. Still cute. But again I found it tamer than I anticipated. I guessed the twists by the end of the first book but it was still pretty gratifying in a way I suppose. End was a little anti climactic but it was a fun read and I ate it up so. Here we are.
I liked it. It has a HEA, if someone needs to know.
I was right about the snake all along and I’m okay and not okay with the consequences they had to pay for those acts. The punishment for The Snake should been worst.
I love Juno and Caitlin relationship and how developed here, growing stronger and bounding them for good. And I’m proud of Juno cause the change in her is obvious in a good way.
The plot is obvious but good enough, the rhythm and narrative, as the writing, are really good.
Couldn't put either down. This has all the best things- a bad@ss fmc, a sassy and wild fmc, action, spice, romance, secrets, thrills..it all adds up to a phenomenal duet. I loved Juno, the perfect Mafia heir, and then comes fiery Caitlin to turn her organized world upside down when they both (somewhat) agree to an arranged marriage. Definitely looking forward to Alessa's story now. 5 stars.
2.6 🌟 Ughhh I wanna like it so bad because I love the concept but that’s about it on what I love with both this book and its predecessor. I don’t know if this book just needs a heck of an editor or for the writer to go back and just flesh out the story more. The timing is just so bad and there are so many inconsistencies with the storyline it’s just distracting from what could have been.
This is part two in the Juno and Caitlin’s story and I’m here for it 😎
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I was stuck reading up to about 58%. Their breakup was hurting them both so much and I just wanted to shake Juno but I understood the reason for her actions in book one. Caitlin really showed out in this book which was my favorite to read. The second half did drag even tho there was twist and turns, lots of drama and the big plot twist. I was kinda bored and struggled to finish. Overall I I enjoyed it but I liked book one more.
Caitlyn and Juno are separated but are still married. Juno still has her men watching over her for her protection. As the story goes go we see that communication between family learns things about each other and understanding. We see that together that they are stronger and can do anything that is possible