Possessing Bella

Mafia Daddies #3

by Penelope Wylde

Valerian:

Darkness and pain is all I have ever known.
I wear the scars on my body to prove my claim.
I'm an empty shell with no soul or heart.
I spend my days in the murky shadows where sin is the only constant.
I wait for death to claim me.
But he's not coming today.
Not when I see the light of heaven in her emerald eyes.
Shields break from around my soul and light comes in.
I’ll be her protector. Her daddy. She’ll only need me.
I have purpose again.
To possess the sweet beauty who has saved my soul from eternal torture.

Bella:

Fate and betrayal rule the night.
Blood covers his knuckles when he reaches for me.
He promises his wrath is not for me, but the Beast of Chicago's actions speak for themselves.
I'm his prisoner. A beautiful rose trapped in a modern castle of glass and concrete.
He owns me for a debt owed.
He's the enemy.
Right?
With each passing day it grows harder to resist the allure of his power.
I'm falling in love. I vowed to hate this man.
But his heated touch and possessive kisses promise me freedom.

Mafia Daddies of Chicago is a mafia, age-gap romance novella series of four stand-alones. Each delicious ’n spicy title is stuffed with dirty, messy love you can read in one sitting. There’s a touch of danger and the HEA is a must. But getting there is where the forbidden fun happens. Expect ruthless OTT alphas and heart-wrecking instalove!

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Retellings, Dark, Novella

140 pages, ebook

Published May 6, 2024

About the author

Romance author Penelope Wylde is the naughty alter ego of a rebel southern belle who loves writing extra dirty, over-the-top romances that are NSFW. She loves beach time, sunsets, and all the book boyfriends she can fantasize about.

Wylde readers like it naughty, a bit sweet and always with a wicked happily-ever-after and Penelope always delivers! No matter what you're in the mood for all her heroes are bad boy sinners at heart and will make you swoon for them on every steam page.

If you love your romance wet, wicked, and WYLDE, you're in the right place!

Stalk me at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penelopewyl...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penelopewyld...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Penelope-Wylde...

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/penel...

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Not a part of me remembers the icy rain or the fear of death. Not when my beast makes me more alive than I ever have. And not when he strokes the heat inside me into a raging inferno.”

[atomickitten · Rating 1 out of 5]

1-1.5 star

DNFed @ 78%

Ugh, i can't believe i wasted my precious sleep hours on this.



With:
- the clunky writing,
- the super annoying heroine whose character was all over the place,
- the very unexpected and unwelcome 'daddy' kink which i hate with passion,
- the very flat characters which were completely unoriginal
- the insta crap and
- the very OTT hero,

I gotta say it was all very bland, forgetful, and unoriginal.

And the daddy kink killed this book for me.



I do admit, this story had some potential but it was all lost due to the poor execution and the fact that it's 80% smut or the h and H inner dialogue about how they are so in luuuurve with the other one and 20% story line.

This is not what i wanted, expected or was able to to lose sleep over.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella (h21) reluctantly attends an illegal fight club with her father, revealing his hidden life as an underground fighter who is deeply indebted. Amidst the violent chaos, Bella encounters "The Beast," Valerian (H), a dominant figure in the criminal underworld and with her father's life in danger, Bella makes a desperate decision to trade her freedom for his safety, striking a deal with Valerian that changes her life. In her new, gilded cage, Bella navigates a complex relationship with Valerian, who exudes both danger and a protective warmth. As she learns more about his world, her feelings evolve from fear and captivity to an understanding of the man behind "The Beast." Valerian tries to resist Bella, but is drawn to her strength and resilience, challenging his own perceptions and the brutal necessities of his life as a criminal leader. Things heat up between the two and Bella must choose her future, Valerian or her father. Hot and steamy BATB age gap mafia romance with danger, violence, Daddy kink, angst, and more.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, Daddy Valerian you make Bella’s heart sing! He’s so gorgeous, tough on the outside but he’s incredibly attracted to Bella! I love their story! Penelope is so talented: she brings these dark men to life, explores their souls, and makes them more than the sum of their actions. Bella is a smart, talented, and insightful young woman who recognizes her soulmate even from their first encounter. They fill each other’s needs, desires, and lives with lots of spice, beauty, and love! Loved it so much!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Mafia Daddies each can be read as a standalone so you might want to make sure to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love along the way. Valerian sexy as all get out ruler of the underworld darkness consumes him any light, he had he lost a long time ago rules with an iron fist but tries to be fair (operative word is tries) he is dangerous, ruthless on a good day, deadly every day and when he is crossed everyone in his path feels it. One of his enforcers broke the one rule that puts him in that deadly mood he stole from him and now he is out to take any/everything dear to him. Bella is sweet, lived a sheltered life knowing that her father isn’t a good person, but he is her father, and she does the one thing to save his life offer herself to the beast in return her father lives. The attraction is instant she comes into his life shinning light into the darkness that he has know for so long and accepting knowing he will never give her up but will father allow it, does he even get a choice, will she see past the mask he wears for the world, will his obsession cause her to run, to not look deeper into the man he really wants to be, will her presence mellow him out, and can they find something more than a debt owed and paid?

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beast and his little rose

Possessing Bella is the third book in the Mafia Daddies series. This is a story that has a lot of hurt and pain in it for the characters. But then it also has love and roses.....and a dirty sweet HEA. Bella Kincaid is the daughter of a mafia enforcer, a man who has kept her away from his world. Her mother died when she was ten years old and in her father's grief he just sunk into the life more. Unknown to her he has made his money doing something that she would never have imagined, but she is about to find out. That also means that her path is about to cross with the man they call the Beast, Valerian De La Rosa, the head of the family that her father pledged blood and loyalty to. Valerian is a man who has suffered great loss and channelled that into becoming a man who is always on the edge of control. When Bella's father betrays Valerian she will offer herself to him to spare the life of her father. There is something about the beautiful younger woman that calls to Valerian, so he accepts her offer. He is not willing to let her go but yet he must keep himself away from her, for fear he ruin her in the end.
This is a spicy hot and action packed story, with a lot of sizzling chemistry arcing between Bella and Valerian. I really enjoyed this book and it is a good addition to the series. BTW - it is very lite Daddy.

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 - 4th time reading and it's still so perfect.

TROPES:
~mafia
~age gap
~beauty and the beast retelling
~damaged hero
~payment for debt
~forbidden love
~OTT possessive hero!

WOW. WOW WOW WOW. Give me a beauty and the beast retelling, a mafia twist, and a love connection that absolutely smolders? THIS IS IT! This is my comfort book. I love it so much.

Bella is dragged to an underground fighting ring by her father, an enforcer for Valerian de la Rosa. Truths come to light and Bella offers herself to be taken by Valerian instead of her father. The second they lock eyes, there's a connection between them. Valerian tries to hide his darkness from Bella and stays away. But when the threat ends, will he let her go?

OBVIOUSLY HE WILL NEVER LET HER GO. They indulge in hot, dirty sex. All the sexual chemistry. This book could implode on sexual chemistry!!

I've never tried Penelope's books before this one. I'm off to do some research and read to my hearts' content! <3

SAFETY:
Ages: not stated but she's early 20's in college and he's double her age
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, not a manwhore hero
OM/OW drama: absolutely none
Cheating/sharing: no
Triggers: death
Kinks: daddy kink, praise, somnophilia
HEA?: yes! <3

My bookshelves may contain spoilers.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possessing Bella if from the Mafia Daddies Of Chicago by Penelope Wylde. This is Valerian and Bella's story. This is a mafia age-gap romance. Bella is twenty-one and has been studying art in London. Her father Kincaid has been an enforcer for Valerian De La Rosa ( Beast ) for twenty-years. He has always kept her far from his line of work. Tonight Kincaid has taken Bella to an underground fight, where there are men dressed in suits and women dressed beautifully with jewels betting lots of money. Bella doesn't know her father has been fighting in these fights before and plans to fight one last time tonight. Kincaid plans to win and this will let him take Bella away and start a new life. Bella begs her father repeatedly not to. Valerian's informants have let him know what is happening. Kincaid has betrayed the Beast. Bella then asks Valerian to take her instead and let her father go.
This story is touching, full of passion, spice, steam, and darkness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possessing Bella is Book 3 of the Mafia Daddies series. It's a short and steamy OTT, enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, age-gap, girl gets her mafia beast romance. And OMG, it is so good!!!!! The story is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Bella is a beautiful, innocent, and headstrong 21 year old virgin. She is the daughter of Kincaid, an enforcer for the De La Rosa mafia family. Valerian De La Rosa, aka "the Beast," is the hunky, grumpy, deadly leader of the mafia. He is in his mid-40s. When Kinkaid goes to betray Valerian for money in an illegal fight, Bella offers her life for her father's when Valerian is ready to kill him. He agrees, baffled at the hold this beauty has on him...the chemistry between these two is hot 🔥 hot 🔥 hot 🔥 and seeing Bella break down his walls is everything. She shows him he is worthy of love. We also got an amazing HEA. I loved everything about this book!!!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the series so far, weaving an intoxicating tale with strong echoes of my all-time favorite fairytale, Beauty and the Beast—though this is definitely not a bedtime story for children. Just like in the classic, Bella makes the ultimate sacrifice, offering up her freedom to save her father's life, binding herself to the "Beast." But here, the Beast is none other than the scarred, enigmatic head of the Chicago mafia. Trapped in a gilded cage, Valerian and Bella seemed worlds apart at the beginning. Despite the undeniable attraction, Valerian holds back, driven by a desire to be worthy of Bella. He may not see himself as a good man, but he's determined to protect her, even from himself. And then, there's that Daddy kink—it’s a sizzling twist that adds just the right amount of heat to their dynamic. With some seriously steamy scenes, this book serves up a deliciously dark and seductive love story. Without a doubt, Valerian has earned his spot as my favorite Mafia Daddy!

[Alyx Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite of the Mafia Daddies by Penelope. Bella Kincaid ends up under the control of Valerian De La Rosa because of her father. De La Rosa, ‘The Beast’ wants her, but he stays away. Bella surprises him, she isn’t afraid of him, she stands up to him, corrects him when he’s rude, tells him how he should treat people. Their interactions are hilarious, the big bad mob boss and the fierce little virgin. Only she’s definitely not sweet, Bella has more than enough darkness to handle De La Rosa.

Their relationship is different from the other Mafia Daddies, oh, Bella is a virgin and Valerian is OTT touch her and die obsessed, but he is in for a huge surprise. (you really, really need to read it, wait till she breaks his rules). It’s dark mafia, has a bit of violence, lots of scorching sex, is fairly fast paced, I enjoyed it immensely and can’t wait for the next Mafia Daddies book.

[Mary Forster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd in the series and another quick, short and steamy read.

Bella goes to an underground fight with her father as it is going to be his last fight. Everything seems to be going to plan until "The Beast" shows up. Her father wasn't supposed to fight him but Bella learns that her father did something that he should never have done. Now she must decide her freedom or her fathers. She decides to give up her freedom and go with The Beast. The more she learns about him, the more she isn't afraid or fears him. The Beast is showing a different side with her and tries his best to stay away but it is very hard.

The more they spend time together, the more they both get to learn about each other. When The Beast takes her to a magical place in his yard, what happens next is not what either of them saw coming. Now Bella has another choice she must make.

I loved this book and could reread it so many times. It is very spicy, hot and so worth the read.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑺𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒚, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆.

Bella goes to an underground fight club with her dad, but she has no clue why they are there or what is about to happen. Like any daughter, she is worried for her dad, who is all the family she has left. Bella meets Valerian and makes a deal with him. She offers her dad's safety for her freedom.

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆. 𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚.

I enjoyed this story. It gave off beauty and the beast vibes, and Valerian checked all the boxes for me. He was obsessive and Ott possessive of Bella, and NOTHING was getting in the way of staking his claim on her.

𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑫𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Bella sees her father getting into trouble with Valerian, she offers herself up in exchange for her father. Valerian agrees and then takes her to a safe house his has. Valerian tries to avoid her because he doesn't want to tarnish her. However, Bella and Valerian end up somewhere on the property alone and things heat up between them. Will he claim Bella for his own?

This is a great story that will hook you in the first chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" set as a mafia romance. Our characters- Valerian/The Beast and Bella were engaging, likable and entertaining and their chemistry sizzled hot. Bella's father agreed to fight in an underground fight. He pledges to Bella this will be his last fight and with great forbidding for her father, he fights. Valerian discovers his right-hand enforcer went against his back and now fighting in the ring is out for blood and takes the place of Animal. What occurs as she captures the attention of Valerian and begs for the life of her father was an engaging story I'd received a copy and volunteer to read and review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerian lived in the darkness of the underworld he ruled, until Bella became his light. Belle had been mostly sheltered from her enforcer fathers dark world but one more fight was all he needed to give them a fresh start only, he betrayed his boss the Beast and Bella gives herself to Valerian to save her father and he doesn't plan on letting Bella go. But as passion ignites, could Valerians possesive actions risk losing Bella forever? Well written steamy, slow burning, possesive desires, and more.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possessing Bella is Valerian "The Beast" and Bella's smoking spicy quick read. Bella's father is a mafia enforcer and also an underground fighter. When her father's life is at risk she does what she has to do to save his life. Even if it means giving herself to a beast. Loved it! Spicy with just enough sweet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Beast

In this mafia meets Beauty and the Beast, Valerian and Belle make a deal to save her father from his wrath. The dark, suspenseful romance was an excellent read as the storytelling brought these characters to life. Steamy interactions really added to the dynamics of this couple which was entertaining to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Bella and Valerian's Mafia romance it had a dark Beauty and the Beast twist that made it a great read. The storyline is well done, the characters are well developed, and this daddy romance had me cheering them on to get their hea. From the unexpected twists, suspense, and drama to the steam, this is a great addition to the Mafia Daddies series. I recommend this book, this series, and this author to everyone who loves dark Mafia romances. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this quick romance. It's a modern Beauty and the Beast told in a mafia setting. Bella is brave and sweet, having been raised in a mafia family, but sheltered from the worst of it. The Beast is in charge, ridden with grief over his family problems which manifests as anger. Together they find their way to a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Bella, she's strong independent young woman who finds herself in a situation of she never expected. She encounters "The Beast," Valerian a man she soon finds herself involved with. A captivating story as we see Bella brings out softer side of Valerian the tough mafia boss. I loved the story Bella and Valerian he becomes quite intrigued by the sweet angel. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Bella offers herself to Valerian to save her father who betrayed Valerian. The attraction between Valerian and Bella becomes love. I liked how Valerian reveals all to Bella offering her freedom but she stays with him with no secrets between them.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offering an intriguing take on The Beauty and The Beast fairytale was so much fun to read. The chemistry and attraction between Bella and Valerian was electric and potent. The fast-paced storyline was engaging and grabbed my attention and kept it. The blend of drama, emotion, tension, steam, heart, action and twists was smart and skillfully crafted. All in all, this was a great read.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely Loved this book! Valerian and Bella were perfection! I loved seeing the tender side of the Beast. There’s action, suspense, sexual tension, passion, drama, emotion, romance, steam and spice. It’s a short, easy to read, age-gap, virgin, possessive Daddy love story. All the things I enjoy in a book! It’s an amazing read.

[Jo-Ann Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella's father is an enforcer for Valerian and when he betrays him Bella becomes the price to pay to save him. Bela falls for The Beast, but his rejections hurt so bad. Betrayal, suspense, spicy story with a great gamut of characters that keeps you immersed into this love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read w/ plenty of passionate play time. Valerian is truly a hot as h#ll mafia boss you don't want to get on the bad side of so when one of his sworn men tries an cheat him it means death for him until his daughter offers herself to him in exchange, but not to die and the sexual chemistry is off the charts.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella is taken to an underground fight by her father, there she meets the beast - a man who is a criminal kingpin. The story focuses on their relationship with undertones of betrayal and intrigue. Great read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beauty and the beast retelling mafia style. The story had a bit of daddy kink but it wasn’t a huge part of the story. I like the way the retelling was done and Bella and Velarian had good chemistry. I liked the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was good 3.5 stars. valerian and Bella aka little rose. dark possessive male and chemistry off the charts.bella saves her dad by giving up her life to valerian cause her dad betrayed him but sparks fly and she finds out the truth what her dad really did and kept secrets, it was fast paced.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is short but just the perfect amount of spice and plot! I love Bella’s personality the best! Just visioning the rose garden makes me wish I was there smelling them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.