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Drawn to the Enemy
The next book in the
Connected
Sapphic Mafia Romance
SIENNA
I thought I knew who the enemy was.
I’ve been loyal to my family my entire life. Which, by default, means to be suspicious of anyone with the last name Flynn. Even if it’s the beautiful daughter-in-law, a young widow trying to protect her son. I must test her.
I want to work with her to put old feuds to rest.
Most of all, I want her…
COURTNEY
What I need most is to keep my son safe from every possible source of danger—including his grandparents. I wanted a new start for us—not to fall for the woman whose cousin is accused of murdering my husband. Everyone is keeping secrets from me. How do I know who to trust?
I want to believe that she will help me find the truth, but I’m not sure I can.
I can’t resist her either…
SIENNA
I thought I knew who the enemy was.
I’ve been loyal to my family my entire life. Which, by default, means to be suspicious of anyone with the last name Flynn. Even if it’s the beautiful daughter-in-law, a young widow trying to protect her son. I must test her.
I want to work with her to put old feuds to rest.
Most of all, I want her…
COURTNEY
What I need most is to keep my son safe from every possible source of danger—including his grandparents. I wanted a new start for us—not to fall for the woman whose cousin is accused of murdering my husband. Everyone is keeping secrets from me. How do I know who to trust?
I want to believe that she will help me find the truth, but I’m not sure I can.
I can’t resist her either…
- GenresRomance
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2024
71 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Winkes
99 books212 followersBarbara Winkes writes suspense and romance with lesbian characters at the center. She has always loved stories in which women persevere and lift each other up. Expect high drama and happy endings.
Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.
Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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September 9, 2025DNF at 15%
I just really didn’t like the way it started off, and the writing for the story felt pretty odd as well. It felt too rushed and not lined up well. I just can’t get myself to continue.
I just really didn’t like the way it started off, and the writing for the story felt pretty odd as well. It felt too rushed and not lined up well. I just can’t get myself to continue.
July 10, 2024
Thrilling romance
Sienna and Courtney become close, despite their family connections telling both of them each is the enemy. But with Courtney desperate to keep her son safe from the family business, and wanting to get away from it all after the murder of her husband, Courtney is the person to help but can she trust her, especially when she is accused of being the murderer.
A very intense story, where again Barbara has perfectly depicted strong women, more so in will than anything else. I loved the connection between Sienna and Courtney, but easily understood the hesitance on Courtney’s side to want to trust Sienna. She was quickly learning she really knew nothing about the people in the family she’d married into, and that extended to being able to assess the honestly and how genuine others were too. Naturally her son was her priority, but as she and Sienna became closer, the truth became so much clearer and I am so glad she took a chance.
Sienna had her name to clear, but she wasn’t as bothered with doing that for the sake of justice as she was about earning Courtney’s trust and respect. It was instantly obvious that Sienna was confused by some of Courtney’s behaviour toward her, but as they grew closer and she got perspective and understanding, and was given the opportunities to prove she really didn’t want any feuding between the families to continue, she and Courtney just clicked. They were meant for one another.
A really great mafia based romance, with all the accompanying thrill and drama that comes with secrets, lies, and being involved in such circumstances.
Sienna and Courtney become close, despite their family connections telling both of them each is the enemy. But with Courtney desperate to keep her son safe from the family business, and wanting to get away from it all after the murder of her husband, Courtney is the person to help but can she trust her, especially when she is accused of being the murderer.
A very intense story, where again Barbara has perfectly depicted strong women, more so in will than anything else. I loved the connection between Sienna and Courtney, but easily understood the hesitance on Courtney’s side to want to trust Sienna. She was quickly learning she really knew nothing about the people in the family she’d married into, and that extended to being able to assess the honestly and how genuine others were too. Naturally her son was her priority, but as she and Sienna became closer, the truth became so much clearer and I am so glad she took a chance.
Sienna had her name to clear, but she wasn’t as bothered with doing that for the sake of justice as she was about earning Courtney’s trust and respect. It was instantly obvious that Sienna was confused by some of Courtney’s behaviour toward her, but as they grew closer and she got perspective and understanding, and was given the opportunities to prove she really didn’t want any feuding between the families to continue, she and Courtney just clicked. They were meant for one another.
A really great mafia based romance, with all the accompanying thrill and drama that comes with secrets, lies, and being involved in such circumstances.
May 9, 2024
This is the second book in the series but is perfect as a stand-alone too. Courtney is running from her deceased husbands family, fearing they’re more than they say.
Sienna owns a string of hotels…and is more than she says. Oh-ho. Her and Courtney are immediately attracted to each other and so begins the fun.
Who shot Tommy, Courtney’s dead hubby? Read and find out. Marvellous book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sienna owns a string of hotels…and is more than she says. Oh-ho. Her and Courtney are immediately attracted to each other and so begins the fun.
Who shot Tommy, Courtney’s dead hubby? Read and find out. Marvellous book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 10, 2024
Brilliant and fascinating suspense/romance
This is book two of the Connection series, and I must say that it was truly captivating. Sienna and Courtney's story, their rival families, and their journey towards falling in love hooked me from the beginning.
I have always been a fan of Barbara's mafia romance novels, and this one was no exception. Although the ending felt a bit rushed, the intricacies of the well-developed plot, and the suspenseful elements, twists and turns kept me engaged throughout the story. I love how all the challenging aspects of the rivalry drive the romance forward despite everything.
I am delighted by Sienna and Courtney’s chemistry and how their relationship evolves amidst the suspenseful endeavours.
I can't wait for the next book in the series, which left me craving more. Overall, this book is a great reminder that love can conquer any obstacle, no matter how challenging.
I received an ARC for an honest review
This is book two of the Connection series, and I must say that it was truly captivating. Sienna and Courtney's story, their rival families, and their journey towards falling in love hooked me from the beginning.
I have always been a fan of Barbara's mafia romance novels, and this one was no exception. Although the ending felt a bit rushed, the intricacies of the well-developed plot, and the suspenseful elements, twists and turns kept me engaged throughout the story. I love how all the challenging aspects of the rivalry drive the romance forward despite everything.
I am delighted by Sienna and Courtney’s chemistry and how their relationship evolves amidst the suspenseful endeavours.
I can't wait for the next book in the series, which left me craving more. Overall, this book is a great reminder that love can conquer any obstacle, no matter how challenging.
I received an ARC for an honest review
May 9, 2024
This is a fabulous, must-read story! I knew I'd enjoy it, of course, but wasn't prepared to love it even more than the first book in this series. How is that even possible?
I was immediately immersed in the story - the complications, the heat, the desire - all layered into family loyalty. Sienna and Courtney were immediately familiar, jumping off the page into my heart.
Barbara Winkes did that thing she does so well, where this time I thought for sure it can't all work out. I loved the exploration of the changing meaning of family. And there is tenderness and vulnerability woven through these words like a constant color.
Small but important details - like the princess coloring book - warmed my heart. As always, it is a joy to hear news of old friends. Oh, and unsurprisingly, I stayed up until 3am to finish it. There was no way I was putting it down! Thank you, Barbara!
I was immediately immersed in the story - the complications, the heat, the desire - all layered into family loyalty. Sienna and Courtney were immediately familiar, jumping off the page into my heart.
Barbara Winkes did that thing she does so well, where this time I thought for sure it can't all work out. I loved the exploration of the changing meaning of family. And there is tenderness and vulnerability woven through these words like a constant color.
Small but important details - like the princess coloring book - warmed my heart. As always, it is a joy to hear news of old friends. Oh, and unsurprisingly, I stayed up until 3am to finish it. There was no way I was putting it down! Thank you, Barbara!
June 27, 2024
A worthy 2nd chapter
This is an interesting well written 2nd chapter in the story of two crime families and innocent members caught up in the fringes. Sienna of course drawn to Courtney and her son Oliver, there's good plot twists that keep you page turning plus a love story between the two main characters that's 🔥 and sweet. It's pretty obvious that there will be more in this series with an interesting character Saoirse the body guard riding off on her bike, no doubt intrigue to follow. Looking forward to it already.
This is an interesting well written 2nd chapter in the story of two crime families and innocent members caught up in the fringes. Sienna of course drawn to Courtney and her son Oliver, there's good plot twists that keep you page turning plus a love story between the two main characters that's 🔥 and sweet. It's pretty obvious that there will be more in this series with an interesting character Saoirse the body guard riding off on her bike, no doubt intrigue to follow. Looking forward to it already.
June 1, 2024
Finding Family
Courtney Flynn is a widow with a young son, Oliver, and she trying to start over and get away from her husband connected family. Fleeing to the city she books into a hotel and immediately encounters a beautiful woman, Sienna Caruso, who pushes all her buttons. As she navigate the ins and outs of startling over there is danger at every turn. A Erotic Sapphic Romance. Great series.
Courtney Flynn is a widow with a young son, Oliver, and she trying to start over and get away from her husband connected family. Fleeing to the city she books into a hotel and immediately encounters a beautiful woman, Sienna Caruso, who pushes all her buttons. As she navigate the ins and outs of startling over there is danger at every turn. A Erotic Sapphic Romance. Great series.
June 6, 2025
Part two
Sienna always takes care of business and when personal issues cloud her vision she decides its time for some happiness for herself instead of the family
Courtney tries to run away from her gilded cage to save her son but when she meets someone that makes her feel like she hasn't felt in years she has to make a choice... Keep running or choose happiness
Sienna always takes care of business and when personal issues cloud her vision she decides its time for some happiness for herself instead of the family
Courtney tries to run away from her gilded cage to save her son but when she meets someone that makes her feel like she hasn't felt in years she has to make a choice... Keep running or choose happiness
April 30, 2024
Drawn to the enemy is a age gap, ice queen and enemies to lovers sapphic Mafia romance connected series 2 it was a good story, hard to know who trust , a little bit thriller with likable characters Sienna and Courtney.
May 12, 2024
Mafia Romance
This second book in the series was as good as the first. As this author is new to me I am learning to read the characters and the plots which she links together through her stories. Even though there were a few typos I recommend this book.
This second book in the series was as good as the first. As this author is new to me I am learning to read the characters and the plots which she links together through her stories. Even though there were a few typos I recommend this book.
June 8, 2024
Exciting and thrilling .
I could not put the book down for a second. Intrigued and captivated by the MFC's and the rollercoaster, heavy angs with past trauma, they had to endure. A 5🌟 for book 2.
I could not put the book down for a second. Intrigued and captivated by the MFC's and the rollercoaster, heavy angs with past trauma, they had to endure. A 5🌟 for book 2.
February 28, 2025
great series
Wonderfully engaging characters. Little angst… maybe a lot. Mafia, shenanigans, bad cops and lots of choosing self, love and freedom. Barbara Winkes always writes books worth reading.
Wonderfully engaging characters. Little angst… maybe a lot. Mafia, shenanigans, bad cops and lots of choosing self, love and freedom. Barbara Winkes always writes books worth reading.
July 7, 2025
2.5
I really wanted to like this book. I've been on a mafia kick lately and had high hopes for this book because of all of the great reviews.
It felt like the sentence structure was so odd. Everything felt short and cut off as if they were thoughts and not really full sentences.
I really wanted to like this book. I've been on a mafia kick lately and had high hopes for this book because of all of the great reviews.
It felt like the sentence structure was so odd. Everything felt short and cut off as if they were thoughts and not really full sentences.
May 13, 2024
So good
Love dead Kept me up late at night can't wait to read the next book I recommend this book I recommend the series
Love dead Kept me up late at night can't wait to read the next book I recommend this book I recommend the series
May 15, 2024
I loved it, Couldn't put it down. Wondering how long I will have to wait for book 3? It was so good to read something with such a captivating story line!
July 15, 2024
Another solid 4 out of 5 stars. Not my favorite but I definitely enjoyed this more than the first in some ways and I didn't think I would like it more but I did. A little age gap involved here but it's nothing crazy. It is a "Happily ever after" ending.
My only faults upon second reading here is that the dialogue, and especially the internal dialogue, was kind of all over the place at times and felt very stiff and rigid. Now I know Winkes is known to have a bit of a stiff and rigid internal dialogue from all the Carpenter/Harding mysteries, but this one was just really hard to follow at times. I just wish there had been more fighting going on between the two characters. Yes they had their moments of doubt but outside those moments it was like fast how they got over all those miscommunications. Other than those problems, I'd say it was an enjoyable mystery.
My only faults upon second reading here is that the dialogue, and especially the internal dialogue, was kind of all over the place at times and felt very stiff and rigid. Now I know Winkes is known to have a bit of a stiff and rigid internal dialogue from all the Carpenter/Harding mysteries, but this one was just really hard to follow at times. I just wish there had been more fighting going on between the two characters. Yes they had their moments of doubt but outside those moments it was like fast how they got over all those miscommunications. Other than those problems, I'd say it was an enjoyable mystery.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews