The Fighter

Venice Mafia #4

by Tara Crescent

He is my infuriating business partner, my archenemy, and a high-ranking officer of the mafia. And now he’s my fake fiancé.

I’m the daughter of a mafia enforcer.
The father I’ve never met is forcing me to marry a vile stranger…

And if I want to prevent it, I have to pretend to be engaged to my new business partner.

Tomas Aguilar, with his smoldering eyes and an irritating knack for taking control.

But when his ring is on my finger, I discover that my new partner is much more than he appears to be.

Under his bespoke suits and handmade loafers is a deadly, dangerous fighter.

And he’s intent on fighting for me.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Dark Romance, Workplace Romance, Contemporary Romance, Dark

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2024

About the author

Tara Crescent writes steamy contemporary romances for readers who like hot, dominant heroes and strong, sassy heroines.

When she's not writing, she can be found curled up on a couch with a good book, often with a cat on her lap.

She lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[Christi (christireadsalot)]

Book 4 in an interconnected standalone, mafia romance series, enemies to lovers, fake engagement, workplace, MMA, he’s the mafia’s bookkeeper and she’s the owner of a gym he just invested in, one bed, no third act breakup!

[Joud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth book in and it still didn’t disappoint! This series keeps getting better—great chemistry, strong characters, and an addictive storyline.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time author for me and I really enjoyed this. I'd say this was a Mafia-lite read; it wasn't at all dark. The MCs were pretty professional and cordial to each other. I loved their relationship and chemistry as well. Would definitely recommend giving this a go. I haven't read the earlier stories but this was fine as a standalone.

[Journey with Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite book from this author to date. Her writing is getting better and better. This made me giggle and kick my feet the whole way through.

These books are for people who want a tiny bit of danger, but nothing too extreme. There are some dangerous situations, some violence, but it never goes too far. I'm not a fan of very dark romance, so these are perfect for me. If you want a respectful, kind, and loving MMC who is obsessed with the FMC and would kill for her, this is the book for you.

Even though these books have a lot of spice, there is also a great plot to move the story along. I was very invested in Ali's situation with the gym, the fighting rings, and her father. They all had great resolutions.

Crescent does BDSM so well. Her consent discussions with safe words are so refreshing. I get so annoyed when people label a book as BDSM when really, it's an abusive relationship. These books feature healthy BDSM.

There are some typos, but they didn't take me out of the story. I've found typos even in trad published books, so I never give that much weight. The reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is there were some aspects of the spice that personally didn't work for me, but that's all preference.

Thank you to the author for giving me this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

Томас і Аліна / agilar and dolcezza
Так-так,все у нас починається з ненависті,а це я люблю😂

Дуже хотіла щоб цей Саймон змахався і залишив усіх у спокої і нарешті Алі змогла самостійно керувати власним бізнесом.
АЛЕ
Тут з'являється Томас,який купив долю Саймона у спортзалі і стає другим власником.
І починається жара :

" Цей хлопець пробуджує в мені найгірше, тому що тепер я, очевидно, прихильник токсичної мужності. Фу."

Томас не хоче любові через колишній досвід і це зрозуміло,він боїться що його кинуть як колись він зробив пропозицію руки і серця,але йому відмовили..

"She is the fire and I am the moth drawn straight to the flame, diving into hell and enjoying it while it burns me alive."

"Thomas? Is that you?"
She's unharmed. - Yes," I confirm, relief running through my body. "It's me. I found you."
- You've been looking for me?
"I've been looking for you my whole life."
Ох,Томас🥺😍

Не всі моменти мені були цікавими,тому оцінка очевидна,але сцени 18+ тут дуже гарячі.

Фаворитами серії стали книги про Вал та Данте,а також Роза та Лео 💌

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a 4.5⭐️ for me.

I received this book as an ARC and these are my thoughts:

This is my second book by Tara Crescent and she did not disappoint! This was fast paced and gripping from the start.

Alina was tough and hardworking and Tomas, he was your impeccably tailored suits-badass-money man for the local Padrino. At first, he seems arrogant and distant, but turns out to be just the right amount of morally grey. He’s also a fighter in every sense of the word - inside and out of the ring and once he falls for Alina, he becomes very protective of her.

Tara’s strong suit is for sure, the connection that she established between her MCs and the spice. Alina and Tomas are both emotionally scared and through banter, mutual admiration and care, they help each other heal.

As with her other book (I haven’t read books 1 & 2 in the series but I suppose they follow a similar path), the MCs have great chemistry and the tension between them is palpable. The spice in this book was a little more “daring” than in “The Fixer”, but I appreciated that Tomas asked for consent (on several occasions), and that Alina was a willing participant. She was able to explore her preferences with a partner that very much cared and valued her physical and emotional well-being.

Even though this is a mafia romance, I like that it wasn’t very violent and gruesome, but there was enough violence (not described in great detail) to show these men are members of the mafia.

This book was fast paced and packed with action and overall, another great mafia romance by Tara. I am now very curious to see what will happen in book 5.

[Petra Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ay, Tomás. Such delicious chemistry!

Talk about insane chemistry! Wow. Tomás and Alina are one of my favorite couples in mafia/morally gray romance.

The tropes normally associated with bad boy/bully/anti-hero romances are “brooding, grumpy hero” or “touch her and die” or “deep trauma” or “forced marriage” or that he’s psycho for everyone but her. Oh, and 24/7 alpha dominance.

Tomás is definitely possessive and has blood on his hands, but he’s also instantly respectful of Alina even tho his attraction to her hits him like a ton of bricks. And Alina. She is so clearly his equal in clever, tough girl banter and in MMA fighting skill. I love the scene where he finally gets to see her fight.

Tomás is not a cinnamon roll but he’s not psycho either. He so clearly loves her sass.

The subplot is interesting and not angsty or traumatic. It may be too mild for some.

Kink is informal and mild: light bondage, light impact play, and rough sex. There’s a trip to the Casanova (kink) Club in Venice but it’s not a key part of the plot. Models excellent consent.

Highly recommended.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

I thought this was a really cute book. Their chemistry was pretty obvious right out the gate, and it was fast paced. Despite this there is minimal spice.

Not really fake dating as again they get together quickly even if it is just supposed to be casual. I also wouldn’t really consider this forced marriage either. Minor miscommunication but not super bothersome.

I will also say that while this is a standalone some of the other characters you meet have established relationships and it would be helpful to read their stories prior since so much is mentioned.

[Meilin · Rating 3 out of 5]

arc review

This was a 3★ for me. I really enjoyed but not as much as I thought I would. It started off very well and I was hooked but at some point I just kinda lost interest in the plot. It was just missing something in the plot the characters and the romance. But I still loved the characters so much and still really enjoyed the book.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m happy I kept reading the series, I enjoyed this book. This is a fake engagement mafia romance.
Rosa and Leo are still my favorites from the series but I’m looking forward to reading the next books that will come out.

[Sammy 💗 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I initially found the book engaging, but over time, it began to feel predictable and repetitive.

I was particularly moved by Alina’s situation with her father, which was heartbreaking. While the book had several moments that I appreciated, there were also parts that I found less engaging.

[Shani’s Shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was tons of fun. If you like Mafia romance, this is a great series for you. It’s the fourth one in the Venice Mafia series, and I definitely want to go back and read the others. Tomas is morally gray, possessive and protective, and gives “touch her and 💀” vibes. Underneath all that, he’s attentive, caring, and really sweet. This is definitely a case of “he falls first and harder.” Alina is independent, tough, hardworking, and a little sassy. They are perfect for each other. This book was fast paced, full of action, loaded with chemistry, and an overall blast to read!
🥊
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🥊
Read if you like:
▫️Mafia romance
▫️business partners
▫️fake engagement
▫️forced proximity
▫️found family
▫️dual POV
🥊
Thank you to Good Girls PR and Tara Crescent for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
🥊
Connect With Me

https://instagram.com/shanisshelves?i...

https://www.tiktok.com/@shanisshelves

[Jawa Kween Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ali the owner of an MMA gym meets her new business partner Tomas.

She hates him right off the bat. He is everything a gym owner shouldn't be. He wears nice suits, appears to not want to get dirty, and doesn't even seem to know a thing about fighting.

She is mad that he bought his portion of the gym without her even knowing.

The tension and the lust between Ali and Tomas is intense. Neither want to mix business and pleasure but the chemistry keeps pulling them closer.

When Ali finds out that her father is an enforcer in the mafia after never knowing him something doesn't sit right.

This book had me on the edge of my seat I needed to know what happened.

[Priri.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book and this is my honest opinion. Thank you to Tara Crescent and Good Girls Pr for the opportunity to read this.

This is my first book by Tara Crescent and I am definitely going to be reading more of her works. This was such a fun read, I stayed up the entire night and read this in one setting.
From the very first chapter I fell in love with Alina, she was witty and funny. I loved how she was no damsel in distress and could handle herself; it was quite badass that the main heroine was a trained fighter and was quite good at it. It was refreshing.
Tomas was pretty much the same. I loved him from his first scene too. He came off as this broody and mysterious type but as we go on we also see him be flirty and goofy around Ali and that was the cutest thing ever.
Tomas and Ali were very cute, it was so fun to read their banter. Tomas's internal monologue as he realizes that he likes her was fun to read. Loved how all the other members of the mafia immediately called it (him being into her). Ali thought Tomas wasn't her type because he was too soft but little did she know he loved to fight in a ring just like her. I had so much reading the scene where she finds out about this and challenges him to spar with her.
The fake engagement part of the book was short-lived and immediately turned into a real engagement when both Tomas and Ali found the courage to put their feelings into words. I would've loved the slow burn but the way this book was paced it made sense.
Tomas's family was another thing I adored about this book, they were so loving and understanding. I loved how they immediately took Ali under their wing and made her feel like family especially since she didn't have any after her mother's death.
One of the best scenes was Ali fighting in the ring and Tomas betting on her knowing she'd win (even though he had not seen her fight like that).
I did love the plot, it was moderately fast-paced and had minimum drama. If you're looking for a fast-paced and fun mafia book then you should definitely give this book a try.

Tropes you'd find in this book -
one bed
mafia romance
fake engagement
workplace romance
sparring
fighter fmc
spice

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god?!! I love the dynamics between the MCs so much 😭🫂 THE CHEMISTRY IS ON TOP?!!! THE BANTERS??!! I NEED MORE OF THEM NGL 😭🫂

first of all I want to talk about the plot;
When u read the blurb it’s looks like heavy plot but it’s not really heavy and really fast paced too. I DONT MIND AT ALL BUT INSTEAD IM LOVING EVERY SINGLE THING. The plot will get into in few last chapters which again I don’t mind bec the first half of the book we see their relationship progress first bec this this progress brings the most important part in the middle of the crisis. THE FACT THAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS (I think I considered it healthy? Bec they don’t fight?) HEALTHY (it’s just me tho idk about others but anyways) they just confused and have trust issues with their past relationships so it’s understandable how they both thinks otherwise but they fall with each other at the same time soooo I don’t mind ;)

If we want to talk about characters I love Alina so much 😭🫂 I want to give her the biggest hug ever, she deserves so much love and thankfully Tomas is there for here and loving her like she’s the most precious thing he ever had. They had the cutest relationship ever (minus the freaky part) the way Alina really down bad when it comes to having sx with Tomas is crazy 🤣 can u blame her tho? God that man with his mouth is crazy and I would literally on my knees too 😮‍💨 they both had the personality that I cannot and never hate. They both loveable and likeable character for me. No unnecessary drama between them is the best thing happened in this book. No third act break up btw bec they love each other so much that they willing to risk their life to protect each other 😩🤍 they both are not naive or dense in anything esp about their feelings. I mean they kept denying so many times but at least they’re not like other couple where they think that they can’t have them just bec of stpid reason so yeah this couple is the best when it comes to that even with their crisis they been through 😮‍💨

Anyways thanks for GGPR for the ARC!!! IM LOVING THIS BOOK 😋

[ria !! · Rating 4 out of 5]

— arc review 💗
🌟🌟🌟.75 (or four, i haven’t decided)

when i opened this book i immediately knew i loved alina. her sharp tongue (winkity wink wink), her knowledge of her self worth, and her wit were few amongst many traits that made up her very likeable character. similarly, tomas also tugged on my heartstrings. i have absolutely no idea how tara managed to craft an mmc who was broody, grumpy and reserved (not to mention protective) but also simultaneously flirty, sunny and charming. it truly boggles my mind. add that in with the incredible banter?? banter that didn’t read like it was stiff and forced, but was cute, natural and had tension-filled undertones? sufficient to say i loved the writing.

the plot was equally enticing. it wasn’t a full on sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat-then-gasp-theatrically type of enticing, but i was definitely engrossed and at times found myself questioning aloud why something was happening or “wait, who’s that?” (my god, did i have a hard time keeping track of everyones names. but hey, its the italian mafia, so im pretty proud of myself for following all the lingo… more or less.) also, not sure if this fits into the plot section of this review, but the spice was INSANE. (seriously, you aren’t ready. but in a good way. in tara, we trust.)

as a side note, i think some aspects of the book were a little dragged and some defining moments weren’t as much of a high as i thought they’d be. i also think the blurb is a tiny bit misleading but nonetheless i flew through it in a day and genuinely couldn’t put it down.

i highly reccomend for anyone who thinks they’d enjoy the tropes, enjoys mafia romance or specifically anyone who wants to get into mafia romances as it wasn’t too heavy in the gore or anything. it’s the fourth book in a series, but can be read as a standalone (i’ve only read this one, but watch me go and get the other three rn)

Tropes:
➛ one bed
➛ mafia romance
➛ rivals to lovers
➛ SPICE (still reeling)
➛ fake engagement
➛ workplace romance
➛ sparring (verbal and physical)
➛ strong fmc

🌟 The Fighter releases July 11!

[Keka Mondal · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟 Book Review: "The Fighter" by Tara Crescent 🌟

📚 Series: Venice Mafia, Book 4

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

After a really long gap I went back to reading mafia romance and I was not disappointed with The Fighter by Tara Crescent. The book was everything that I love about a mafia romance and with the setting in Venice, it just made the entire plot even more delicious. Alina and Tomas are just made for each other. Their chemistry, their love, their spice are just perfect. I am so glad I came across this book and grateful to @GoodGirlsPR for the ARC. This book felt like just what I needed to dive back into the world of Mafia romances.

Why You'll Love It:

🔥 Intense Chemistry: The fiery dynamic between the protagonist and Tomas Aguilar is electric. Their love-hate relationship evolves into a passionate romance that keeps readers hooked.

💥 Action-Packed: "The Fighter" is filled with thrilling action scenes, mafia confrontations, and high-stakes drama. Tara Crescent masterfully blends romance with suspense, creating a captivating narrative.

👠 Strong Characters: The protagonist's resilience and Tomas's fierce protectiveness make them a compelling duo. Their growth and evolving relationship add depth to the story.

🌹 Fake Engagement Trope: This beloved trope is given a fresh twist with the mafia backdrop, making it even more exciting and unpredictable.

Perfect For:
✨ Fans of mafia romance and high-stakes drama.
✨ Readers who enjoy intense, slow-burn romances.
✨ Anyone looking for a thrilling, heart-pounding read.

"The Fighter" by Tara Crescent is an exhilarating addition to the Venice Mafia series. With its blend of romance, action, and suspense, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre. Crescent's storytelling is gripping, her characters unforgettable, and the chemistry between the leads is off the charts.

#MafiaRomance #VeniceMafiaSeries #TaraCrescent #FakeEngagement #SlowBurnRomance #StrongCharacters #DangerousLove #PageTurner #LoveAndDanger #HighStakesDrama

[Jade LaRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, but it wasn't my one of my favorites. I'd say if you like this genre and you've liked other reads by this author, it will probably be a 5 star for you!

I'll start by saying I think the short bio/description of the book really leans heavily on the fake engagement and makes it seem like it's the bulk of the book when it really isn't. The fake engagement takes place later in the book and while it is an important part of the story, this feels more like an insta-attraction / reluctant dating novel instead and they just stumble into the second half which is the fake engagement.

That part of the storyline feels a bit like an afterthought at times and a little forced in certain spots, but I still enjoyed it. The story was cute, and their relationship was fun to read about. The banter in this book is absolutely top tier, and I'd call it the main selling point of this story. We love sassy, playful flirting!!

Also - quick side note while this is part of a series, it truly reads as a stand-alone. I hadn't read anything else by this author but never felt lost in the story. She does a great job of giving quick backstories when needed without distracting from the rest of the book.

Thank you, Good Girls PR, and the author for a free copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[lexs_book_recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEW REVIEW!! The Fighter by @authortaracrescent
.
If you know me, you know i am a SOFTY for mafia romance. Don’t ask me why, but i can read the same type of trope 30 different ways and still love it every time, and the enemies to lovers trope ALWAYS hits harder with mafia romance.
.
The Fighter is book four in an inter connected stand alone in the Venice Mafia Series. It’s about Alina, an MMA fighter who owns a struggling gym and Tomas, the bookkeeper of the mafia who buys out her shady business partner. Alina discovers that her father is trying to marry her off to a man she has never met, so she enlists Tomas to act as her fake fiancee so she can get out of it. All she has to do is not fall in love with him.
.
First off, girl was doomed from the start, and who wouldn’t be. This man was swoon worthy and over time she was able to wiggle her way under his hard exterior with Cafe Bonbom’s and her fierce personality. He showed her that he is someone she can actually lean on for once and their whole story was just beautifully written. This has made me want to buy more of Tara’s stuff and recommend it to people in the future.
.
Tropes
- Mafia Romance
- He falls first
- Slight fake dating
- Enemies to lovers
- Found family
.
Spice- 4/5- the club scene had me SCREAMING, swear to god.

[catiesbooksandthings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first mafia romance and it definitely will not be my last!

This book is about Alina a gym owner who is just trying to make ends meet when you low life partner sells his half of the gym out from under her. She now shares ownership with Tomas Aguilar, a high-ranking officer of the mafia. While she is trying to figure out how to raise the money to buy out her new partner so she can have sole ownership of the gym, Alina starts to fall for Tomas.

Alina gets a letter from her long last father, who she finds out is a mafia enforcer and she has to pretend that she is engaged to Tomas to prevent her father from marrying her off for a business deal. While the engagement is fake, the feelings that are developing are real.

This is book #4 in the Venice Mafia series, but can be read as a standalone. I have not read any of the other books in the series and I didn't feel like that hurt my experience. This book was fast paced and hooked me from the start. I loved the banter between Alina and Tomas. Alina is this tough girl who fighters MMA style but with Tomas she lets her guard down and I loved every minute of it. There was some violence in this book, but nothing over the top. I will definitely be going back and reading the other books in the series.

Thank you Tara Crescent and Good Girls PR for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Lanae (findmeonsmutlane) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book! I have not read the previous books in the series, but was told they can be read as interconnected standalones.

This book was 3.5/5 ⭐️ for me. The premise was great. I liked the characters. The spice was excellent. It was a little, vanilla mafia for me. I feel like this is probably a great intro to mafia series. It wasn't particularly dark, and for the majority of the book the mafia aspect didn't even come into play.

I loved that the FMC was a strong MMA fighter. That was such a fun aspect. She was tough and independent and could hold her own. BUT. Having her be this badass strong woman, and then the entire end of the book she just sits out all the danger and drama was kind of a let down. I wish she would have gotten to play more of a role, somehow. Also, her friends are mentioned a ton but we like never see them ever in the book! That was kinda disappointing.

The MMC was like the nerd of the mafia. The accountant, but the man could hold his own and handle business when he needed to. And in the bedroom? 😮‍💨 he was delicious.

I liked the book. It was cute, quick, easy read. I just wish the mafia aspect took place more throughout the book, and that the FMC had more of a role in the end events.

[Nina Across Worlds · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I want… everything.
This feels a lot like the beginning of love.
And it is terrifying.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I was in a book slump before this. Thankfully, the story was engaging enough to keep me hooked. I read this book in just a few hours. I loved the premise of the story, and the spice was fantastic! The plot definitely caught my attention, but I felt like the mafia elements of the story could’ve been expanded on more.

It was so refreshing to see an FMC who is an MMA fighter and teacher. In the beginning of the book, she was shown to be this complete badass who could hold her own. However, towards the end it felt like she just lost what made her such a unique and strong character.

Even when the plot mostly revolved around her, I felt like her involvement in the part that made this a good book was minimal. I wish she got to use her MMA skills alongside the MMC and played a bigger role than she did in the end.

I have no complaints about the MMC though. Loved that he’s a man in *finance*, is a badass but soft for the FMC. The true definition of a rottweiler guy.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed the book. It was a quick, fun, and not so heavy read that you can easily breeze through if you’re not in the mood for a hefty one.

Thank you, Good Girls PR for the ARC 🤍

[Judie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fighter is book 4 in the Venice Madia series by Tara Crescent. Even though this is book four, you can pick it up and not be lost. I love a good interconnected stand alone that doesn’t confuse me.

In this book, we meet Alina who owns an MMA gym with her shady partner. He sells his partnership out from under Alina to Tomas, a man who wears bespoke suits and doesn’t seem interested in fighting. She couldn’t be more wrong. He is known as The Asset and has been a fighter his whole life in one way or another. He is a mafia accountant, not afraid to get his hand dirty.

They fall for each other, but both have been so hurt before that neither wants to admit it to the other. He gets to be dominant, while she finally gets to relax and give up some control. When she is almost kidnapped, Tomas comes to the rescue. The twist in this story was really well done, and I appreciated how Crescent wove in that narrative.

Tomas and Alina have worked through a lot both personally and against outside forces to get their HEA. When they get there you’ll be cheering right along side of them. This is a quick and spicy read that I can recommend if you like a good mafia romance that isn’t too dark.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fast-paced novel kept me up late as each page drew me in further. The connection between Tomas and Alina was exquisitely delicious and exciting. Their intriguing banter was so entertaining!

After losing her mother Alina Zuccaro needed a vacation away from the memories. A short fling didn't seem bad at the time. Now she's dealing with the results of that decision and a brand new business partner she didn't want. Yet, it seems the more snappy barbs she throws his way the more he grins and jokes with her. After losing so much the last thing she needs is to find herself with feelings for the guy who keeps proving he can be trusted. Finding out he's a fighter is nothing compaired to being an accountant for the mob.

Tomas Aguilar suddenly finds himself part owner in an MMA gym in Rome, and trading snarky comments with his vivacious new business partner seems to make him smile more than he has in five years. But Tomas has no interest in a relationship with anyone after what his ex did.

Tomas quickly finds himself very protective of Ali when her safety is suddenly at risk. Neither will see the danger coming or believe where it is coming from.

I received an ARC and freely offer this review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
The Fighter By Tara Crescent
Rating:★★★★★
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
🥋Enemies to lovers
🖤 One bed
🥋Mafia romance
🖤Fighting as Foreplay
🥋No 3rd act breakup
🖤Fake Engagement

Oh my goodness, this was an absolute masterpiece! 'The Fighter' by Tara Crescent is hands down one of the best mafia romances I've picked up recently. The story gripped me from the start, following Tomas, a man deeply entrenched in the Venetian mafia, and Alina, a badass MMA trainer (need I say more? 😍).

Their journey begins unexpectedly when they become co-owners of Alina's beloved gym, courtesy of Tomas buying out her previous shady partner. Despite their flirty introduction, Alina's initial dislike for Tomas casts a shadow over their partnership. Yet, from the moment they met, the tension between them crackles with undeniable chemistry. The banter between Tomas and Alina is simply some of the best I've read in ages, funny, sweet, and sizzling hot all at once.

This book was an absolute delight to read, engaging, fast-paced, and utterly addictive. I find myself unable to stop recommending. Huge thanks to Tara Crescent and Good Girls PR for providing me with this ARC; I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity!

[Jessica Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒚 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕
@authortaracrescent

5⭐️/5
3🌶️/5

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕋𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕔𝕖𝕡𝕥
👊🏼𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚
👊🏼𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
👊🏼𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
👊🏼𝐌𝐌𝐀
👊🏼🐝𝐃𝐒𝐌
👊🏼𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐌𝐂
👊🏼𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
👊🏼𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 & ☠️

𝑨𝑵𝑶𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑯𝑰𝑻 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑺!
The third installment to the Venice Mafia did not disappoint just like the rest of this series! This is a great Mafia series for those just getting into the genre because it has a little bit of everything for everyone without skimping on spice or being too dark! This is an interconnected series but can be read as a standalone! Personally the first and this one were my favorites!

I loved the story! It was engaging and entertaining with a few surprises and twists mixed in. The characters had such depth and strength especially Ali. She was such a total badass while also being such a loveable character! Tomas tried to resist our girl but he fell hard and he fell quick! Normally a numbers guy but totally protected his girl no matter what!

The spice was definitely spicing in this one! But there were definite stand-out scenes for me- the fight turn f*ck sesh and the casanova club scene 🥵🥵 This series always delivers when it comes to the perfect balance of spice to plot!

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story features enemys to lovers and I think it’s written very well. Tomas is a bit different than Leo or Dante since he isn’t the brooding and towering type of guy. He‘s witty and soft but can be hard and protective too which made him the perfect man IMO. 😍
The way he opened up to Alina and revealed more about his past and feelings felt like this could be a real life conversation. I found myself wondering what Tomas feels and thinks in certain situations when reading from Alina’s POV and was even surprised a few times when we got to see what was happening in Tomas head.
And Tara made a fantastic job portraying those feelings and actions so they didn’t feel fake at all.


Also honestly, Ali is the strong and badass character we needed in this series 💪🏻 (like she owns a gym and is a great MMA fighter what?!?). I do think she is a bit too naive at some point which didn‘t really fit to her character but besides that I adore her!


All in all this is just another very great addition to the Mafia world in Venice the author has created. You can totally read this as a stand-alone story without any confusion.


4.5 ⭐️


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t feel like the description of the book was very good here. This is a pretty small part of the plot.
Ali owns a gym with her ex fling. He is a jerk- we met him in the last book, but you don’t need to read that one to find out his vibe. He sold his half of the gym to Tomas, who works for the mafia. Ali is not happy about the sale and they have a lot of back and forth. The banter was great.
The second half of the book starts this story line in the description. I won’t spoil anything, but Ali finds out who her dad is, he wants to marry her off, she pretends to be engaged when she goes to see him. The rest is history.
I haven’t read this whole series, but I read The Fixer. I was kind of sad we didn’t get a cameo from Rosa or Leo. There isn’t much mafia and it really just focuses on the relationships. Personally, I wish we saw a bit more of their lives outside of each other. I think it would have made their development better.
The last third was a lot crammed into the story. The beginning was bordering on slow and then the end was very in your face.
Idk I’m not 100% sold on the book, but I was intrigued and I finished it pretty fast. I think it is a decent read. I will admit though- the spice isn’t my kinda spice which has me less invested 😬

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Mafia Melee!

The Fighter is book 4 in the Venice Mafia series. I would recommend reading this series from the beginning. Most of the characters from all the previous books appear here. The stories in this series run on similar timelines and sometimes overlap and there are references to locations and events that will make The Fighter much more enjoyable if you have the entire backs story. And, the books are all too special to miss! Also don’t miss a novella that is in the same world called Mafia Prize, which I read before The Fighter and found it was the perfect place for it.

The Fighter is full of exciting and unexpected events for the main characters here. I loved the banter between the two and the growth of their relationship. As always, friends and family support is prominent and even in a mafia series there is always an HEA in addition to the danger, secrets and bloody fighting and let’s not forget the Italian Adonises and the spice! This is the steamiest of the books so far! I am intrigued by a few of the minor characters that have appeared in some of these books and really hope for more from this lovely series!

There is a bonus scene that should not be missed that you can get via the link at the end of the e-book!
I also listened to the audio book of The Fighter…. Aaaamazing!

[Shelbie Jolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Book Review: The Fighter by Tara Crescent✨

Thank you @goodgirlspr and Tara Crescent for giving me this ARC copy. I haven’t read any Tara Crescent books, but I’m on this journey now!

📚 Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔥 Spice Level: Moderate 🌶️🌶️🌶️

From heartbreak to finding love in the most unexpected places, The Fighter by Tara Crescent takes you on a wild ride! After a tough breakup, Alina goes on a trip that leads her to open a gym with a guy who turns out to be less than charming. When he sells his shares to a mysterious new partner, things take a thrilling turn.

Little does she know, she's stepping into a world of secrets, mafia ties, and an arranged marriage plot. The twist? She enters a fake relationship with her new partner to save herself, but as they spend more time together, their pretend feelings start to feel very real.

This book has it all—intrigue, romance, and just the right amount of spice. If you're a fan of strong female leads, unexpected plot twists, and steamy romance, The Fighter is a must-read!


#ARCBookReview #TheFighter #TaraCrescent #RomanceReads #Bookstagram #RomanceBooks #SummerReads #BookLovers #BookRecommendation