Two cribs, one ring, zero choice. Welcome to our 'happily ever after. I never expected a DNA test to turn my life upside down. But here I am, married to Matthias Gataki—playboy, Greek mafioso, and the father of my twins. Our vows weren’t blessed by God, but by his parents’ iron will. Now we’re trapped on a honeymoon cruise, pretending this arranged marriage isn’t tearing us apart. Matthias thinks I’ve trapped him. I think he’s an arrogant ass. But when he cradles our babies, my heart betrays me. From sun-drenched decks to his cold mansion, we’re walking a tightrope of attraction and resentment. Can we forge a real family from this forced union? Or will our past mistakes doom our future? This is our story of unexpected love, second chances, and the family neither of us knew we wanted.
Get ready to be seduced by the Mediterranean's most irresistible family. The Greek Heat Series from fan-favorite Jailaa West are short, steamy novellas. Perfect for a lunch break, bubble bath, or just unwinding after a long day. No triggers, no cliffhangers, and always a satisfying HEA. Don’t miss these full-sized romances in a snack-sized stories. Download today!
Jailaa West grew up on the southside of Chicago. She fell hard for romance books in junior high school when she got her first book boyfriend. Aww, she remembers it like it was yesterday. That first kiss. When he swore his undying love. When they married in the epilogue. When it ended. Say what now? She quickly found another book boyfriend and then another and yet another. She’s been book-in-love quite a few times now and she loves it as much as the first time. Books have always given her a happy place; a heart full of hope, love, and a light when the world seemed dark. She hopes to do the same for her readers.
I just finished Punished by the Greek by Jailaa West, and I have some mixed feelings, landing it at a 2 out of 5 stars for me. While there were some enjoyable, steamy moments, the book overall didn't quite resonate with me.
The story starts with Ava discovering that her one-night stand with Matthias Gataki resulted in twins, leading to a forced marriage arranged by his family. It's a trope I usually enjoy, and I was looking forward to the drama and tension.
The beginning showed promise. The honeymoon cruise setting, the initial resentment between Ava and Matthias, and the underlying attraction created a good setup. However, the story seemed to lose momentum after that.
I found the development of Ava and Matthias's relationship confusing. Their interactions felt inconsistent, and I struggled to understand how their feelings for each other evolved. There were moments of conflict followed by sudden shifts in their dynamic, which made it hard to connect with their romance.
A recurring issue I've noticed in this author's books is the editing. There were several punctuation errors, particularly missing quotation marks in dialogue, which made it difficult to follow the conversations smoothly. This definitely impacted my reading experience.
The steamy scenes, which are often a strong point in Jailaa West's books, were well-written. If that's your primary focus, you might find some enjoyment here. However, for me, the lack of character development and the confusing relationship dynamics overshadowed those moments.
The story felt rushed, and I would have appreciated more depth and detail in the storytelling. I didn't feel a strong connection to either Ava or Matthias, and their relationship felt somewhat forced. It's disappointing because the premise had a lot of potential.
Overall, Punished by the Greek had some positive aspects, but the confusing relationship development and the editing issues made it a less satisfying read. I would recommend it with reservations, primarily to readers who are already fans of the author and prioritize the steamy scenes.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Punished by the Greek is book 3 in Jailaa West's Greek Heat series, and just like it's series name suggests, the book is HOT HOT HOT. Honestly, after reading the first two books, I'd say that Matthias Gataki is sexier than his two brothers, Theo and Leandros—but don't tell them I said that! 😉
Jailaa just has a way with words that made this book all that much more swoony~ There was a perfect balance of sweet, touching scenes with Matthias, Ava and their twins, and then the steamy tension between them as once-reunited lovers who are now forced—well, Ava is forced—into a marriage of convenience…or inconvenience if Ava has anything to say about it. She's been burned by starry-eyed love before and she won't do it again with Matthias. Meanwhile Matthias believes he hates her for twisting his arm into a union he never wanted, but he has no plan to sit out on fulfilling his husbandly duties between the sheets with the only woman who's ever set him alight with real, maddening passion. In the end it has him questioning who really is punishing whom?
I was already a goner for the whole built-in family thing, but the sparks between these two nearly set my tablet on fire while I read this! *fans self* If you want to start anywhere in this series, you can absolutely pick up Punished by the Greek and THEN work your way back to the other books in the series. But again, I'm not saying Matthias is my favourite Gataki mafioso… And even if I was, my lips are sealed. 😏🤭
new author for me i enjoyed this sweet and sassy easy read. great for a lunch hour or waiting for an appt. matthias is footloose and free sleeping with anyone without care because he will never fall in love or get married. then his father demands he come home to be told someone he had slept with had given birth to his twins and if the dna was shown to be his he would marry this girl and raise his kids. furious he wants no part of it but is forced to do the honorable thing. ava doesn't want to marry matthias either and hid the twins from him but her gramma guessed at the parentage and told the family. now she's trapped into a loveless marriage with someone who prob won't even be faithful when all she's dreamed of is a loving husband and family of her own. forced to go on a honeymoon both fight for control and are not happy with the position they find themselves in. but as they slowly settle into a routine at home feelings start to develop and maybe things can be the way she always dreamed if only they can stop hiding from each other and admit things are changing. then it all blows up when it looks like matthias has already begun his cheating ways. a well written spicy easy read insta love story which was fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've been waiting a minute for Matthias Gataki's story to drop. I just knew his story was going to mind blowing, dramatic and full arrogance, alphahole like behavior, and lots of bde action. And author Jailaa West did not disappoint.
The animosity Matthias displayed towards Ava was so palpable that I wondered if it was even possible for this couple to reach an HEA.
But that saying the heart wants what it wants was very true in this book. But I truly believe that matchmakers named Heather and Heath Gataki set about to make their parents fall in love. And Matthias, blowing out Ava's back every night night, has played a part in it, too. Lol. I loved it when they finally realized what was staring them in the faces all along. Mathias and Ava's HEA was amazingly beautiful to read. I hope we hear more from this couple and their twins in future books. I can't wait to read more books on the Gataki family.
Punished by the Greek is short but mighty. It’s a great way to spend your time while waiting for school pick up or doctors appointment or just needing some me time… it’s worth the time.
Matthias and Ava are completely amazing together. Because if what they have is punishment, then I’m definitely fr it. But let’s talk about their chemistry. Talk about push and pull. They have such an incredible chemistry. They just seem like people who you’d want to be best friends with.
I’m so looking forward to seeing which Gataki is next to fall…
Any opinions, recommendations, or suggestions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me. I originally voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via Bsprout.
These stories can have you breathing heavy even make yourself wet at that too. I just finish the first one went and got this one going for the 3rd one as well. Matthias is just as yummy as his brothers and his hands are filled with Ava and there babies. My friend and I use to say we were going to travel when we got older. We did not see those babies coming quickly, I had 4 she had 3, we both had me that did not deserve us, but we would not trade our children. It just would have been nice to travel.
They turned out to be more than co- parents with benefits
Ava was determined to raise her twins alone but her grandma had other ideas. Mattias was determined to NEVER marry. Once the DNA was completed their fates were sealed they were resentfully married and resigned themselves to be co- parents with benefits. But someting happened on their honeymoon and their time being parents to the twins. The unthinkable happened, they fell in love. Now they have an unexpected HEA to live up to.
I totally loved and enjoyed reading this story. This was really a cute short read, and I would absolutely recommend you getting this book and read it, it was fun and heat so sweet. This is book I will be reading again, and I can't wait for Xander's story. Thanks Ms. West you did it again great job.
I just couldn’t find much to like about the MMC. He was arrogant, and just plain mean. He refused to own his part in the whole situation he helped created by his own carelessness, and he was just so unlikable! So disappointed because the other 6 stories I’ve read were soooo awesome.
I’m sorry. I really tried to find something to like in this book but I just couldn’t. I hated the main characters. He was such a jerk from the beginning. The way he talked about his kids was ick. Just wasn’t for me.
Sweetheart Book … I wish there was more details to the storytelling because everything happened so fast! She played herself by acting like she did not care when she did! Yeah for fairytale love ❤️
Whew! This couple, Matthias and Ava’s heat meter was off the charts. Never read about man who denied caring about his wife as much as this one did. But when he finally admitted to loving her …..
I loved everything about this book. The characters and storyline were really interesting. I would definitely recommend it to friends and family. I gave this book 5 stars because it kept my interest and was well written.
A ONS leaves her with a surprise or 2. The Greek man doesn’t want a wife but family is everything :) they have to make it work . But is their strength tested ! They fall head over heels for reach other
At one point in the book the MMC said that neither of them were making any sense. Unfortunately at that point I thought neither does this book!! It’s either a stroke of genius, as I felt as confused as they did about their relationship, or it was all a jumbled mess!!!
As is often the case with Jailaa’s books there’s the constant punctuation errors e.g. missing speech marks, that makes it hard to follow the dialogue.
10/3/25 - This is my second time reading this steamy novella. It's still a great story, Matthias as arrogant as ever, Ava as feisty. Great elements in this arranged mafia marriage tale that made for a fun read. I did hope the author had polished the tale up on this reintroduction. No such luck, the editing consistent with the version I read. I would read this author's work again.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1/19/25 - ...the editing is abysmal in this steamy novella that has all the elements for a great arranged mafia marriage tale - resistant, dominant male; feisty female (when he really pushes her); secret babies; heat. A great idea that was poorly executed.