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Temporary Truce
Two enemies, brought together by fate, delve into the uncharted territory of love and duty.
Isabel thought she was just a regular girl—until one brutal incident shattered her world. Consumed by revenge, she dives headfirst into her father’s criminal empire, rising to become the most dangerous woman in the city. But no one warned her how hard it would be to find an ally—so hard, she ends up making a deal with her family’s worst enemy: Antonio Falcone. He’s sharp, ruthless, and loyal to a fault. What starts as a strategic alliance quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. Bound by duty but pulled by desire, Isabel and Antonio must navigate a treacherous path where trust is fragile—and love could be lethal. Because some lines, once crossed, start wars you can’t walk away from.
Isabel thought she was just a regular girl—until one brutal incident shattered her world. Consumed by revenge, she dives headfirst into her father’s criminal empire, rising to become the most dangerous woman in the city. But no one warned her how hard it would be to find an ally—so hard, she ends up making a deal with her family’s worst enemy: Antonio Falcone. He’s sharp, ruthless, and loyal to a fault. What starts as a strategic alliance quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. Bound by duty but pulled by desire, Isabel and Antonio must navigate a treacherous path where trust is fragile—and love could be lethal. Because some lines, once crossed, start wars you can’t walk away from.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2023
22 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 17, 2025
Buckle up! Lana Mikel's Temporary Truce is a high-octane reading experience that will leave you breathless. The suspense is so thick, you might find yourself holding your breath without realizing it! I was particularly drawn to Isabel, a truly dynamic and interesting character who stole every scene she was in. If you're a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope done right, with a healthy dose of danger and enough suspense to keep you guessing, then this book is for you. The tension is electric! Did Isabel also become your favorite? What was the most suspenseful moment for you? One thing's for sure: Temporary Truce will have you on the edge of your seat, and I'm crossing my fingers for a sequel!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
May 23, 2025
Holy hell, I literally stared at the wall for a good 3 minutes thinking WTF?!?
**This review has spoilers**
Uhm okay where to start.
The freaking ending was insane. Huge plot twist! Massive cliff hanger. (Thankfully I have the second eARC to read)
Enemies to lovers, dark mafia romance, betrayal, family issues, secret alliances… it was intense.
The plot of the story was great, all though I find myself slightly disappointed with Isabel. She’s described as someone who can read people’s emotions, it’s constantly mentioned. Yet for some reason she’s so trusting of people. I do not understand.
10 points, if you can make it through them
1. The trip to meet the IT guy, there was nothing more said about the shooting. I’m assuming it was the Chinese? Idk.
But she questioned Antonio about his credibility, and if he could be trusted, yetttttt, she trusted everybody under the sun, even when everyone (her dad, Antonio, her friend) said they didn’t like the situational marriage hoax.
2. The guy who was a spy, warned her of things. But she took it with a grain of salt almost, and while Antonio sort of acted on it, and figured out that Michael and Arthur were in cahoots, still that wasn’t looked into enough.
3. No one could find out that Arthur and Michael worked together??
4. Where tf is Oleg??
5. Will the dad make it??
6. What did her brother mean by they aren’t siblings? It that foreshadowing or him being a dick?
7. No one thought oh she keeps getting abducted and attacked, something is going on??
8. So is that why no one likes Antonio? Because he’s quite literally the only one NOT under Gio??
9. Also, WTF IS GOING ON WITH THIS RANDOM LADY MENTIONED THAT THE IT GUY WAS LOOKING FOR??
10. I wonder if the old friend from college, who tried turning her in is somehow involved?? That would be wild!!
Also, is anyone else still sketched out by Nicoli?!?
**This review has spoilers**
Uhm okay where to start.
The freaking ending was insane. Huge plot twist! Massive cliff hanger. (Thankfully I have the second eARC to read)
Enemies to lovers, dark mafia romance, betrayal, family issues, secret alliances… it was intense.
The plot of the story was great, all though I find myself slightly disappointed with Isabel. She’s described as someone who can read people’s emotions, it’s constantly mentioned. Yet for some reason she’s so trusting of people. I do not understand.
10 points, if you can make it through them
1. The trip to meet the IT guy, there was nothing more said about the shooting. I’m assuming it was the Chinese? Idk.
But she questioned Antonio about his credibility, and if he could be trusted, yetttttt, she trusted everybody under the sun, even when everyone (her dad, Antonio, her friend) said they didn’t like the situational marriage hoax.
2. The guy who was a spy, warned her of things. But she took it with a grain of salt almost, and while Antonio sort of acted on it, and figured out that Michael and Arthur were in cahoots, still that wasn’t looked into enough.
3. No one could find out that Arthur and Michael worked together??
4. Where tf is Oleg??
5. Will the dad make it??
6. What did her brother mean by they aren’t siblings? It that foreshadowing or him being a dick?
7. No one thought oh she keeps getting abducted and attacked, something is going on??
8. So is that why no one likes Antonio? Because he’s quite literally the only one NOT under Gio??
9. Also, WTF IS GOING ON WITH THIS RANDOM LADY MENTIONED THAT THE IT GUY WAS LOOKING FOR??
10. I wonder if the old friend from college, who tried turning her in is somehow involved?? That would be wild!!
Also, is anyone else still sketched out by Nicoli?!?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2025
Please make sure you read the trigger warnings on this book before reading as it does touch on some sensitive topics. This was my first mafia style romance in a while and it was a good change of pace to some of the other books I have been reading! I enjoyed getting to see the FMC be quite the badass in a world typically controlled by men! I enjoyed seeing the development of an enemies to lovers relationship between the FMC and MMC, and seeing them be tempted by one another and forced to deny their feelings for one another due to their waring family factions. It gave Romeo and Juliet vibes if they were in the modern mafia! It ends on a bit of a big reveal and I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens to our FMC now that she faces an all new challenge! While this was a bit darker than I usually like and touched on some sensitive topics, overall I enjoyed the book!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #temporarytruce #temporarydissension #thenerdfam
All opinions given are my own
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #temporarytruce #temporarydissension #thenerdfam
All opinions given are my own
May 27, 2025
Temporary Truce offers a fast-paced introduction to the dark romance and mafia subgenres, with a few exciting twists and favorite tropes that avid readers of the genre will recognize. While the premise had potential, I found the character development lacking—especially given the more intense and emotional subject matter the story touches on. A deeper exploration of the characters' motivations and relationships could have added much-needed weight to the narrative.
That said, the book does have its strengths. The pacing is brisk, the plot twists keep things moving, and the story is accessible, making it a solid starting point for readers who are new to darker romance themes. It’s worth noting that the book ends on a cliffhanger, which may not appeal to everyone.
Overall, while Temporary Truce didn’t fully resonate with me, I still enjoyed it and this may be a 5 star read for readers looking for a lighter, introductory take on dark romance with a mafia backdrop.
Thank you NerdFam for the ARC 💕
That said, the book does have its strengths. The pacing is brisk, the plot twists keep things moving, and the story is accessible, making it a solid starting point for readers who are new to darker romance themes. It’s worth noting that the book ends on a cliffhanger, which may not appeal to everyone.
Overall, while Temporary Truce didn’t fully resonate with me, I still enjoyed it and this may be a 5 star read for readers looking for a lighter, introductory take on dark romance with a mafia backdrop.
Thank you NerdFam for the ARC 💕
May 19, 2025
This was a real good dark mafia romance , I love the character development for the fmc. A bad ass fmc gets me every time. If you like enemies to lovers, you’ll love this series can’t wait to see what happens in book 2 with that crazy cliff hanger
May 30, 2025
Temporary Truce
by Lana Mikel
Finished 5/20/2025
eARC
Where to start with this one. Ok, I’ll begin with the positives and then move to the constructive notes on why it’s rated this low.
First off, the first couple of chapters started out slow, but I could see the possibility of a story forming, and I was interested in learning more about our main character, Isabel. With the prologue, it seemed like this book would have some depth and challenging moments that would create tension and emotion. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. That said, I can see how some people might enjoy this book. It’s probably a good fit for someone just getting into reading, or dipping their toes into darker books and mafia romance. As someone who has read a good bit of dark romance and mafia romance—books with far more detail and depth—this one fell flat for me.
Ok, what was wrong?
The Writing:
The writing in this book needs work. There was no emotion in the writing, and the tone felt very flat and monotone. It was also mechanical: “This happened, then this happened, then this happened.” But there was nothing describing how something made the character feel, or how something felt in general. It was just very bland. The writing felt robotic—mechanical, flat, and emotionless—with a repetitive “this happened, then this happened” structure and no real sense of voice or style. It started out in third-person POV, but at times randomly switched to first-person which was a bit confusing.
The Story:
There were several plot holes that didn’t make sense, and there just wasn’t enough information given to connect the dots and allow the story to grow or advance smoothly. There was really no defined arc, and when moments should have built up to a climax, there was just... nothing. No tension. At times, it was very repetitive—in the characters’ actions, the wording, and even the plot points. Isabel took at least five showers in this book and talked about her skincare routine like an influencer. Literally—going back and searching the word “shower,” it’s mentioned 24 times in 320 pages. That’s a lot. There were back-to-back chapters where the characters took showers. At one point, she even shot someone and then went to the mall to buy a dress. What!?
Characters:
The little interest I had in these characters at the beginning dwindled away to nothing by the end. There was little to no character growth for either of them. I expected a lot more development from Isabel after what happened to her at the start of the book. There was no chemistry between the leads, and nothing that made me want to root for their success as a couple. Their dialogue wasn’t consistent, and the tone shifted between being bland and mechanical to almost teenager. At one point, it says: “Isabel went to take a quick shower and when she came back there was a happy boy waiting in bed with open arms.” A happy boy? What mafia leader is going to say that?
I can see the idea of a story in this book, but it just wasn’t well executed. It read more like an outline and lacked the creative writing and emotional depth you'd expect in a finished novel. I’ll try the next book, mainly because I want to see if the writing style has progressed at all. 2.5/5⭐️
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
by Lana Mikel
Finished 5/20/2025
eARC
Where to start with this one. Ok, I’ll begin with the positives and then move to the constructive notes on why it’s rated this low.
First off, the first couple of chapters started out slow, but I could see the possibility of a story forming, and I was interested in learning more about our main character, Isabel. With the prologue, it seemed like this book would have some depth and challenging moments that would create tension and emotion. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. That said, I can see how some people might enjoy this book. It’s probably a good fit for someone just getting into reading, or dipping their toes into darker books and mafia romance. As someone who has read a good bit of dark romance and mafia romance—books with far more detail and depth—this one fell flat for me.
Ok, what was wrong?
The Writing:
The writing in this book needs work. There was no emotion in the writing, and the tone felt very flat and monotone. It was also mechanical: “This happened, then this happened, then this happened.” But there was nothing describing how something made the character feel, or how something felt in general. It was just very bland. The writing felt robotic—mechanical, flat, and emotionless—with a repetitive “this happened, then this happened” structure and no real sense of voice or style. It started out in third-person POV, but at times randomly switched to first-person which was a bit confusing.
The Story:
There were several plot holes that didn’t make sense, and there just wasn’t enough information given to connect the dots and allow the story to grow or advance smoothly. There was really no defined arc, and when moments should have built up to a climax, there was just... nothing. No tension. At times, it was very repetitive—in the characters’ actions, the wording, and even the plot points. Isabel took at least five showers in this book and talked about her skincare routine like an influencer. Literally—going back and searching the word “shower,” it’s mentioned 24 times in 320 pages. That’s a lot. There were back-to-back chapters where the characters took showers. At one point, she even shot someone and then went to the mall to buy a dress. What!?
Characters:
The little interest I had in these characters at the beginning dwindled away to nothing by the end. There was little to no character growth for either of them. I expected a lot more development from Isabel after what happened to her at the start of the book. There was no chemistry between the leads, and nothing that made me want to root for their success as a couple. Their dialogue wasn’t consistent, and the tone shifted between being bland and mechanical to almost teenager. At one point, it says: “Isabel went to take a quick shower and when she came back there was a happy boy waiting in bed with open arms.” A happy boy? What mafia leader is going to say that?
I can see the idea of a story in this book, but it just wasn’t well executed. It read more like an outline and lacked the creative writing and emotional depth you'd expect in a finished novel. I’ll try the next book, mainly because I want to see if the writing style has progressed at all. 2.5/5⭐️
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
June 1, 2025
In Temporary Truce, Isabel and Antonio meet for the first time. Isabel saves him twice when her father wanted him gone. Even though they are supposed to be enemies, they start working together. Antonio has to return the favor and rescue Isabel.
I did not see the ending coming. I wasn’t necessarily surprised just didn’t think the person would have been the one pulling the strings.
Thank you @thenerdfam for a copy of Temporary Truce and Temporary Dissension.
I did not see the ending coming. I wasn’t necessarily surprised just didn’t think the person would have been the one pulling the strings.
Thank you @thenerdfam for a copy of Temporary Truce and Temporary Dissension.
dnf
May 27, 2025This book is a DNF for me, but I think it's important to note both the positives and negatives for me!
The positives:
- i think the characters have a lot of potential to them. they start slow, but I could see where they could go.
- the prologue helped to build angst. it made me feel like the tension was going to be off the charts.
The negatives for me outweighed the positives unfortunately.
To keep it relatively short --
- The writing fell flat. It didn't seem formatted well and paragraphs were long. It also felt monotone with a lack of excitement for the piece. I was looking for more structure and tone from the characters
- I felt like there are plot holes that weren't getting filled in. And there were repetitive pieces put in that made me lose focus.
- the characters had little to no growth. I know there is a second book coming out, but I felt like there should've been more growth to them. i couldn't connect with them enough to continue reading.
thank you to Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!
The positives:
- i think the characters have a lot of potential to them. they start slow, but I could see where they could go.
- the prologue helped to build angst. it made me feel like the tension was going to be off the charts.
The negatives for me outweighed the positives unfortunately.
To keep it relatively short --
- The writing fell flat. It didn't seem formatted well and paragraphs were long. It also felt monotone with a lack of excitement for the piece. I was looking for more structure and tone from the characters
- I felt like there are plot holes that weren't getting filled in. And there were repetitive pieces put in that made me lose focus.
- the characters had little to no growth. I know there is a second book coming out, but I felt like there should've been more growth to them. i couldn't connect with them enough to continue reading.
thank you to Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!
June 22, 2025
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!
Enemies to lovers?! Mafia romance?! Suspense and tension?! Temporary Truce has it all! Definitely recommend!
Enemies to lovers?! Mafia romance?! Suspense and tension?! Temporary Truce has it all! Definitely recommend!
May 13, 2024
I liked. Very dynamic and interesting story. I hope the author will release a sequel soon))
May 17, 2025
wow,just wow. talk about enemies to lovers. great novel. can't wait for book 2.
June 20, 2025
Dnfd at 60% . The story is just dragging out and nothing is going on. I really tried to give it a chance
July 20, 2025
Beautifully written slow burn with a strong heroine and great character development.
June 22, 2025
Welcome to the Italian Mafia!
Isabel was just a normal girl until her fathers mafia rivals decided to use her against her own family. Instead of running to her Daddy like the scared little girl they thought she was, she turned herself into her Father's biggest weapon. No one touches her now.
Obsessed with revenge, she will stop at nothing to destroy the man who ruined her life. After years, she has found an ally. Another mafia Don. Antonio.
There is no trust between them. Just a means to an end. A temporary truce.
Antonio's men think he has gone insane but when Isabel takes over her father's spot, he will gain a powerful ally. Yet, Isabel is a woman like he has never encountered before. Is it really just temporary?
Thank you to @thenerdfam for the gifted eARC!!!
Isabel was just a normal girl until her fathers mafia rivals decided to use her against her own family. Instead of running to her Daddy like the scared little girl they thought she was, she turned herself into her Father's biggest weapon. No one touches her now.
Obsessed with revenge, she will stop at nothing to destroy the man who ruined her life. After years, she has found an ally. Another mafia Don. Antonio.
There is no trust between them. Just a means to an end. A temporary truce.
Antonio's men think he has gone insane but when Isabel takes over her father's spot, he will gain a powerful ally. Yet, Isabel is a woman like he has never encountered before. Is it really just temporary?
Thank you to @thenerdfam for the gifted eARC!!!
June 4, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5
Lana Mikel’s Temporary Truce is a debut mafia/enemies-to-lover romance novel. There is a lot to unpack in this story, as it’s filled with so much background information about the main FMC, Isabel, which plays a role and intertwines with the plot.
She makes her way through her father’s organization, building relationships and allies. I felt so much of her story is world-building, and she does have quite a painful past that comes out. However, the overall narrative often felt stagnant, and the pacing was a bit slow in some parts of the story. Book 2 will be released, and I feel things will pick in that one.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘳𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘌-𝘢𝘳𝘤. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘺.
Lana Mikel’s Temporary Truce is a debut mafia/enemies-to-lover romance novel. There is a lot to unpack in this story, as it’s filled with so much background information about the main FMC, Isabel, which plays a role and intertwines with the plot.
She makes her way through her father’s organization, building relationships and allies. I felt so much of her story is world-building, and she does have quite a painful past that comes out. However, the overall narrative often felt stagnant, and the pacing was a bit slow in some parts of the story. Book 2 will be released, and I feel things will pick in that one.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘳𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘌-𝘢𝘳𝘤. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘺.
May 29, 2025
*Thank you nerd fam for the arc opportunity*
a badass fmc, a dark mafia romance with a cliffhanger at the end I have so many questions I wasn't ready for this to end but I enjoyed the read a lot of twists and turns that'll make you say " just one more page " I can't wait to read what's next your writing is unique from others thats also what kept me wanting to know what happens next
a badass fmc, a dark mafia romance with a cliffhanger at the end I have so many questions I wasn't ready for this to end but I enjoyed the read a lot of twists and turns that'll make you say " just one more page " I can't wait to read what's next your writing is unique from others thats also what kept me wanting to know what happens next
May 27, 2025
Thank you NerdFam for the eARC copy of this book.
Listen, I am normally a big lover of mafia and dark romance but I could NOT get into this book 😭 The writing felt very strange to me, almost like it was overly wordy without actually saying anything. I think this would have benefitted from additional editing.
The FMC was the reason I signed up for this ARC. A mafia book where she may be a mafia princess, but she is a foot soldier alongside all the other men and even more dangerous? Sign me UP! Unfortunately, she just felt very one dimensional and flat.
**Spoilers for prologue and chapter 1 below**
One thing that really bothered me - mid gunfight the FMC starts thinking about her laser hair removal appointment. It read as though she wanted to keep her body “ready” and smooth for appearances. This normally wouldn’t be an issue, but given the fact that we were 1) mid gunfight 2) there was no plot driven need to include this and 3) the FMC had been SA’d just a few pages before in the prologue, reading this really rubbed me the wrong way.
Listen, I am normally a big lover of mafia and dark romance but I could NOT get into this book 😭 The writing felt very strange to me, almost like it was overly wordy without actually saying anything. I think this would have benefitted from additional editing.
The FMC was the reason I signed up for this ARC. A mafia book where she may be a mafia princess, but she is a foot soldier alongside all the other men and even more dangerous? Sign me UP! Unfortunately, she just felt very one dimensional and flat.
**Spoilers for prologue and chapter 1 below**
One thing that really bothered me - mid gunfight the FMC starts thinking about her laser hair removal appointment. It read as though she wanted to keep her body “ready” and smooth for appearances. This normally wouldn’t be an issue, but given the fact that we were 1) mid gunfight 2) there was no plot driven need to include this and 3) the FMC had been SA’d just a few pages before in the prologue, reading this really rubbed me the wrong way.
May 28, 2025
This book was interesting but I had a hard time following the characters and the motivations. The writing was hard to follow since it moved from first to third then different characters without much notice. I think it needs a bit more polish
May 27, 2025
Temporary Truce didn't quite capture my attention the way I had hoped. The story never really hooked me, and I found it difficult to stay engaged. The character development felt lacking overall, which made it hard to connect with the story. However, Isabel stood out—I found her intriguing. the book just didn’t deliver enough to keep me invested.
Thank you, @nerdfarm, for the gifted eARC
Thank you, @nerdfarm, for the gifted eARC
May 30, 2025
First off let me say I got to be on the ARC team for this book and I am grateful. Thank you LANA MIKEL
Overall Loved the book.
So far loving Antonio and Isabel relationship
The banter the testing the vibe love it.
I like how Isabel became strong and learned to defend herself because of what happened but not letting it break her.
She uses her mind and witty. I love that.
Where I come to a cross path is about 2/3rds of the way through Isabel changes a little for me. I don’t like her as much. I am not sure if it is because it felt like her emotions and traumas were being rushed and fake.
I had a here we go again moment with events that were happening in the book. I hate that I had it in this book because it was so good up until that point.
She starts to lose that tough bad ass vibe and went towards the damsel in distress crying all the time.
Don’t get me wrong sometimes the characters need to cry and let it all out. Maybe more than once but it just felt like the characters and personality was changing and I did not like it.
I feel like the MFC can be badass and still have emotions. They have have a breakdown moment or moments in a story without taking away from their bad assness
Still LOVE Antonio
If the book was longer I might have like the last bit of the book more. There might have been more time for things to develop better and to flow better.
I like the plot twists. One of them I already guessed but the other was nice addition. Didn’t like Isabel reaction to it once again just felt out of character for me.
I can’t wait to see what Antonio does about it. I know it’s going to be good.
If you’re looking for a book with mafia love, Witt, heat, violence and schemes look no further this is the book for you.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #temporarytruce #temporarydissension #thenerdfam
@thenerdfam
Overall Loved the book.
So far loving Antonio and Isabel relationship
The banter the testing the vibe love it.
I like how Isabel became strong and learned to defend herself because of what happened but not letting it break her.
She uses her mind and witty. I love that.
Where I come to a cross path is about 2/3rds of the way through Isabel changes a little for me. I don’t like her as much. I am not sure if it is because it felt like her emotions and traumas were being rushed and fake.
I had a here we go again moment with events that were happening in the book. I hate that I had it in this book because it was so good up until that point.
She starts to lose that tough bad ass vibe and went towards the damsel in distress crying all the time.
Don’t get me wrong sometimes the characters need to cry and let it all out. Maybe more than once but it just felt like the characters and personality was changing and I did not like it.
I feel like the MFC can be badass and still have emotions. They have have a breakdown moment or moments in a story without taking away from their bad assness
Still LOVE Antonio
If the book was longer I might have like the last bit of the book more. There might have been more time for things to develop better and to flow better.
I like the plot twists. One of them I already guessed but the other was nice addition. Didn’t like Isabel reaction to it once again just felt out of character for me.
I can’t wait to see what Antonio does about it. I know it’s going to be good.
If you’re looking for a book with mafia love, Witt, heat, violence and schemes look no further this is the book for you.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #temporarytruce #temporarydissension #thenerdfam
@thenerdfam
June 15, 2025
I had the honor of being able to read Temporary Truce as a e-arc by choice and leave my honest review. While the book was good, swear I think I forgot to breathe while reading this book a few times because the suspense was so good it had me on the very edge of my seat waiting to find out what was going to happen next and we aren't even talking about the dreaded cliffhanger at the end which thankfully the novella to this isn't far behind it. 😉
I loved Isabel our FMC and the MMC Antonio. The banter between these two is amazing. A true enemies to Lovers trope. This book gives Romeo and Juliet vibes for sure with the forbidden love trope as well because these two families do not want these two to be together. Even though there is world building of the mafia world in this book you are on the edge of your seat entertained with all of the suspense and plot twists that are happening that you are never bored or lose interest. Could there have been things done differently sure but overall I thought the book was written well and it held my interest and I ate it all up!!!
Except for the CLIFFHANGER!!!! Really?!!!! I hate cliffhangers but thankfully I received this arc to review when the novella was already released and I am able to read that right after I write this review so... that being said I love Isabel and even though you have to read the book to understand I still love Antonio. Let's just see what happens in the novella and in book 2 of this series or what Lana does from here.
Thank You Lana Mikel and The Nerd Fam for allowing me to read this e-arc and leave my honest review.
***Please always check your Trigger Warnings because your Mental Health Matters!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
❤️Romeo and Juliet Vibes
🖤Forbidden Love
❤️Enemies to Lovers
🖤Dark Mafia Romance
❤️CLIFFHANGER
🖤Tension
❤️Banter
🖤Suspense Romance
I loved Isabel our FMC and the MMC Antonio. The banter between these two is amazing. A true enemies to Lovers trope. This book gives Romeo and Juliet vibes for sure with the forbidden love trope as well because these two families do not want these two to be together. Even though there is world building of the mafia world in this book you are on the edge of your seat entertained with all of the suspense and plot twists that are happening that you are never bored or lose interest. Could there have been things done differently sure but overall I thought the book was written well and it held my interest and I ate it all up!!!
Except for the CLIFFHANGER!!!! Really?!!!! I hate cliffhangers but thankfully I received this arc to review when the novella was already released and I am able to read that right after I write this review so... that being said I love Isabel and even though you have to read the book to understand I still love Antonio. Let's just see what happens in the novella and in book 2 of this series or what Lana does from here.
Thank You Lana Mikel and The Nerd Fam for allowing me to read this e-arc and leave my honest review.
***Please always check your Trigger Warnings because your Mental Health Matters!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
❤️Romeo and Juliet Vibes
🖤Forbidden Love
❤️Enemies to Lovers
🖤Dark Mafia Romance
❤️CLIFFHANGER
🖤Tension
❤️Banter
🖤Suspense Romance
July 30, 2025
Temporary Truce by Lana Mikél is a masterclass in slow-burning tension and reluctant alliances. From the very first page, the stakes are high, and the chemistry between the leads simmers with a quiet, dangerous heat.
The male lead is complex — brooding and guarded, yet fiercely loyal beneath the surface. The heroine is fierce and determined, unwilling to back down even when the odds are stacked against her. Together, their uneasy truce unfolds into something charged, raw, and deeply compelling.
Lana Mikél’s prose is sharp and immersive, weaving emotional depth into every scene. The dialogue crackles with wit and guarded vulnerability, making each interaction feel authentic and electric.
This story balances suspense, romance, and character growth beautifully. The slow burn is satisfying, and the moments of passion land with real impact, never feeling rushed or forced.
Temporary Truce is perfect for readers who love enemies-to-lovers with high stakes, nuanced characters, and a tension that lingers long after the last page. Highly recommended.
The male lead is complex — brooding and guarded, yet fiercely loyal beneath the surface. The heroine is fierce and determined, unwilling to back down even when the odds are stacked against her. Together, their uneasy truce unfolds into something charged, raw, and deeply compelling.
Lana Mikél’s prose is sharp and immersive, weaving emotional depth into every scene. The dialogue crackles with wit and guarded vulnerability, making each interaction feel authentic and electric.
This story balances suspense, romance, and character growth beautifully. The slow burn is satisfying, and the moments of passion land with real impact, never feeling rushed or forced.
Temporary Truce is perfect for readers who love enemies-to-lovers with high stakes, nuanced characters, and a tension that lingers long after the last page. Highly recommended.
May 28, 2025
Temporary Truce by Lana Mikel was such an entertaining read! If you’re a fan of witty banter, simmering tension, and characters who stubbornly refuse to admit their feelings, this one’s for you.
I loved the dynamic between the two leads — their chemistry practically jumped off the page, and their constant verbal sparring had me smiling more than once. The enemies-to-lovers trope is done really well here, with just the right balance of humor, tension, and heartfelt moments.
The pacing was solid, and while I wished for a bit more depth in some of the side characters and backstory, the main storyline kept me hooked from start to finish. It’s one of those romances that’s equal parts fun and swoony, with enough emotional weight to make the ending satisfying.
A great pick for anyone looking for a light, engaging romance with plenty of sparks. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Lana Mikel!
I loved the dynamic between the two leads — their chemistry practically jumped off the page, and their constant verbal sparring had me smiling more than once. The enemies-to-lovers trope is done really well here, with just the right balance of humor, tension, and heartfelt moments.
The pacing was solid, and while I wished for a bit more depth in some of the side characters and backstory, the main storyline kept me hooked from start to finish. It’s one of those romances that’s equal parts fun and swoony, with enough emotional weight to make the ending satisfying.
A great pick for anyone looking for a light, engaging romance with plenty of sparks. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Lana Mikel!
May 31, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️. 5
I usually love a good mafia or dark romance, but this one just didn’t hit the mark for me. The writing felt overly wordy without actually saying much, and the tone wavered between robotic and oddly teen-like. It started slow, and while the prologue hinted at depth and emotional stakes, that promise never really delivered.
Isabel had potential as a lead, but her growth stalled out early. The romance lacked spark, the chemistry was nonexistent, and their dialogue was all over the place. Add in POV shifts that jumped between third and first person, and it made for a confusing read.
There were also plot holes and a general lack of structure. Moments that should have packed an emotional punch just... fizzled. I can see this maybe appealing to someone new to the genre, but as someone familiar with darker, more developed mafia romances, this felt flat and forgettable.
Thank you to Lana Mikel, the author, and the Nerd Fam team for the ARC opportunity!
I usually love a good mafia or dark romance, but this one just didn’t hit the mark for me. The writing felt overly wordy without actually saying much, and the tone wavered between robotic and oddly teen-like. It started slow, and while the prologue hinted at depth and emotional stakes, that promise never really delivered.
Isabel had potential as a lead, but her growth stalled out early. The romance lacked spark, the chemistry was nonexistent, and their dialogue was all over the place. Add in POV shifts that jumped between third and first person, and it made for a confusing read.
There were also plot holes and a general lack of structure. Moments that should have packed an emotional punch just... fizzled. I can see this maybe appealing to someone new to the genre, but as someone familiar with darker, more developed mafia romances, this felt flat and forgettable.
Thank you to Lana Mikel, the author, and the Nerd Fam team for the ARC opportunity!
July 29, 2025
Just finished Temporary Truce and holy drama—it’s a full‑on enemies‑to‑lovers mafia ride. 💥 Isabel, the badass daughter of a crime boss, signs a truce with Antonio Falcone—her family’s sworn enemy—and boom: chaos. Revenge, power plays, and sizzling tension reign as they blur lines between loyalty and lust. The chemistry is undeniably raw, and the bad boy vibes are strong with Antonio’s hunger-filled glances and forbidden touches. “Enemies who had become lovers. It was pure wildness”—and yes, that sums it up. 
Plot-wise? It’s a mixed bag. Some readers say the pacing is clunky, the writing tone can feel robotic, and early character depth is surface-level. Isabel’s obsession with showers, skincare routines mid-trauma—it’s wild.   But if you’re new to mafia romance or craving a gripping, steamy saga with sharp ambition and dark desire, the truce turns electric and the cliffhanger leaves you desperate for book two.
Plot-wise? It’s a mixed bag. Some readers say the pacing is clunky, the writing tone can feel robotic, and early character depth is surface-level. Isabel’s obsession with showers, skincare routines mid-trauma—it’s wild.   But if you’re new to mafia romance or craving a gripping, steamy saga with sharp ambition and dark desire, the truce turns electric and the cliffhanger leaves you desperate for book two.
June 2, 2025
Thank you Nerd Fam for the e-arc!
This book fell flat for me. The writing felt off. One scene that bothered me was in the beginning of the book, the FMC is mid-gunfight and is thinking about how she’s going to make it to her laser hair removal appointment. Why is that relevant mid-gunfight?
I know everyone handles trauma differently, but I don’t feel like the r*pe was handled properly. I guess I would have expected a little more PTSD from that? Again, I know everyone handles trauma differently.
Overall, the romance didn’t connect for me. They have s*x one time and the man is ready to make peace with her father and fly to Italy to save her. Her ex bf/f*ck buddy was there. And then, before flying home, Antonio confesses his feelings and she’s like “not now”… GIRL WHAT!
On the plus side, the ending surprised me.
This book fell flat for me. The writing felt off. One scene that bothered me was in the beginning of the book, the FMC is mid-gunfight and is thinking about how she’s going to make it to her laser hair removal appointment. Why is that relevant mid-gunfight?
I know everyone handles trauma differently, but I don’t feel like the r*pe was handled properly. I guess I would have expected a little more PTSD from that? Again, I know everyone handles trauma differently.
Overall, the romance didn’t connect for me. They have s*x one time and the man is ready to make peace with her father and fly to Italy to save her. Her ex bf/f*ck buddy was there. And then, before flying home, Antonio confesses his feelings and she’s like “not now”… GIRL WHAT!
On the plus side, the ending surprised me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2025
We have Isabel, the daughter of a Mafia Don who is expected to take over one day. Her father has allied himself with one other boss, is friendly enough with another boss and is considered an enemy of the final boss, Antonio. Isabel doesn't necessarily agree with her fathers choice in allies and takes things in her own hands to build trust with Antonio while seeking revenge of her own on another Boss..
The concept of this story is good. In theory, I should have loved it, but the writing had a lot of problems. It was very flat and monotoned throughout, even as Isabel is talking about being assaulted, there is no emotion. The sentence structure was choppy in some areas, as well as repetitive.
Overall, the idea of this story was good; however, it needs better editing.
I will not be reading book 2.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
The concept of this story is good. In theory, I should have loved it, but the writing had a lot of problems. It was very flat and monotoned throughout, even as Isabel is talking about being assaulted, there is no emotion. The sentence structure was choppy in some areas, as well as repetitive.
Overall, the idea of this story was good; however, it needs better editing.
I will not be reading book 2.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
June 18, 2025
📚✨ Temporary Truce by Lana Mikel
⭐️4/5 | 🌶️2/5
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
This book is a quick, twisty intro to dark mafia romance—and while it didn’t fully hit for me, I still had a good time with it.
I really think if it had been longer, I would’ve liked the last part more. Some scenes needed more space to breathe, and I wanted a better flow, especially with how intense things were getting. The plot twists were solid—one I saw coming, but the other caught me off guard in a good way. That said, Isabel’s reaction felt off and didn’t match the rest of her character for me.
Even so, I’m excited to see what Antonio does next. I know it’s going to be good 👀
It ends on a cliffhanger, so heads up—but if you’re new to dark romance or looking for something fast-paced with familiar tropes, this is a solid starting point.
⭐️4/5 | 🌶️2/5
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
This book is a quick, twisty intro to dark mafia romance—and while it didn’t fully hit for me, I still had a good time with it.
I really think if it had been longer, I would’ve liked the last part more. Some scenes needed more space to breathe, and I wanted a better flow, especially with how intense things were getting. The plot twists were solid—one I saw coming, but the other caught me off guard in a good way. That said, Isabel’s reaction felt off and didn’t match the rest of her character for me.
Even so, I’m excited to see what Antonio does next. I know it’s going to be good 👀
It ends on a cliffhanger, so heads up—but if you’re new to dark romance or looking for something fast-paced with familiar tropes, this is a solid starting point.
June 24, 2025
4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2/5🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
💪🏻Dark Romance
🖤Italian Mafia
💪🏻Enemies to Lovers
🖤Forbidden Love
💪🏻Bad@$$ FMC
🖤Suspense
💪🏻Tension
🖤Banter
Well… Temporary Truce by Lana Mikel was a wild ride! It’s a fast, fiery dive into the Italian Mafia world with an FMC who is NOT HERE TO LAY DOWN AND PLAY NICE, and I was totally here for her bad@$$ energy. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Isabel and Antonio comes right the eff off the page, and while I did wish for a little more depth in some of the emotional beats, the twists and that explosive cliffhanger totally kept me invested. It’s a great intro to the darker side of romance with plenty of action, betrayal, and temptation layered in–make sure to thoroughly check your triggers!
A HUGE thank you to NerdFam and Lana Mikel for the chance to read this one!! I’m forever grateful!!!
2/5🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
💪🏻Dark Romance
🖤Italian Mafia
💪🏻Enemies to Lovers
🖤Forbidden Love
💪🏻Bad@$$ FMC
🖤Suspense
💪🏻Tension
🖤Banter
Well… Temporary Truce by Lana Mikel was a wild ride! It’s a fast, fiery dive into the Italian Mafia world with an FMC who is NOT HERE TO LAY DOWN AND PLAY NICE, and I was totally here for her bad@$$ energy. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Isabel and Antonio comes right the eff off the page, and while I did wish for a little more depth in some of the emotional beats, the twists and that explosive cliffhanger totally kept me invested. It’s a great intro to the darker side of romance with plenty of action, betrayal, and temptation layered in–make sure to thoroughly check your triggers!
A HUGE thank you to NerdFam and Lana Mikel for the chance to read this one!! I’m forever grateful!!!
June 19, 2025
I received this gifted eARC from The Nerd Fam, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me. I wanted to like it, I wanted to finish it, but it just wasn’t for me.
Here are the positives:
- The tropes were good
- The characters had potential
- We love mafia romances!
Overall, the writing just didn’t land for me. The style felt disjointed, and there wasn’t enough detail or time spent to really flesh out the characters or situations. There was very little exposition, and some of the things that happened just felt dropped in as a plot device. If that’s going to happen, it needs to be done extremely well, but unfortunately, it just didn’t click this time.
Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me. I wanted to like it, I wanted to finish it, but it just wasn’t for me.
Here are the positives:
- The tropes were good
- The characters had potential
- We love mafia romances!
Overall, the writing just didn’t land for me. The style felt disjointed, and there wasn’t enough detail or time spent to really flesh out the characters or situations. There was very little exposition, and some of the things that happened just felt dropped in as a plot device. If that’s going to happen, it needs to be done extremely well, but unfortunately, it just didn’t click this time.
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