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Marchiano & Petrov Mafia
Mafia and Maid
A fragile single mom hiding secrets…while somebody’s hunting her down.
Camillo
She’s from a wealthy and privileged background.
And she never imagined she’d end up as a maid to a fierce mafia boss like me…
But she’s on the run and desperately needs to find safety.
And when I find out what she’s been hiding, it’s bigger than anything I’d ever imagined.
Because she has a small son—and he’s just as fragile as she is.
As I get to know them, I start to win their trust.
And my heart can’t help slowly surrendering as it melts and thuds too fast for them both.
Because when I hold her in my arms, it finally feels like I’ve come home…
But I should have known we’d never get our happily ever after.
Because someone else is just as determined to have her.
And he’ll stop at absolutely nothing to make sure he gets the evil ending he desires.
“What do I have to do to make you feel beautiful? What do I have to say to make you see yourself through my eyes? Whatever it is, I’ll do it a million times over until you believe me.”
A mafia-lite romance.
Tropes and single mom romance; Italian mafia romance books; curvy girl romance; forced proximity.
Standalone novel. HEA. No cheating. No cliffhanger. Please refer to the content note at the start of the book (via the Look Inside feature).
Camillo
She’s from a wealthy and privileged background.
And she never imagined she’d end up as a maid to a fierce mafia boss like me…
But she’s on the run and desperately needs to find safety.
And when I find out what she’s been hiding, it’s bigger than anything I’d ever imagined.
Because she has a small son—and he’s just as fragile as she is.
As I get to know them, I start to win their trust.
And my heart can’t help slowly surrendering as it melts and thuds too fast for them both.
Because when I hold her in my arms, it finally feels like I’ve come home…
But I should have known we’d never get our happily ever after.
Because someone else is just as determined to have her.
And he’ll stop at absolutely nothing to make sure he gets the evil ending he desires.
“What do I have to do to make you feel beautiful? What do I have to say to make you see yourself through my eyes? Whatever it is, I’ll do it a million times over until you believe me.”
A mafia-lite romance.
Tropes and single mom romance; Italian mafia romance books; curvy girl romance; forced proximity.
Standalone novel. HEA. No cheating. No cliffhanger. Please refer to the content note at the start of the book (via the Look Inside feature).
412 pages, ebook
Published November 13, 2024
5843 people are currently reading
6217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 620 reviews
dnf
November 14, 2024dnf- they all need therapy and lessons on how to talk to people without yelling
December 26, 2024
»You think you're heavy? Baby, you weigh less than what I lift on my bad days.«
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒂 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
A lovely woman although she is much too insecure for my liking. Of course I understand it in the beginning but there is zero development. Still I liked her.
❥ 𝑪𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐 ࣪⋆✮
What a sweetheart. He is big, broody and dangerous but deep down just a puppy. Loved him and the way he cares for Rosa and her son.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This book made me really happy. It is such a comfort read. Although it contains dark and triggering topics it‘s still a fluffy and romantic read. I had a good time with this and grinned most of the time while reading.
Rosa and Camillo are just great. Rosa suffered a lot under her husband and Camillo tries to lock her out of her shell. They fit well and I adored how patient Camillo was with her. The little Ethan is an adorable addition to the book and I liked how he was intervened in the story. Camillo and his brothers are lovely and they’re the perfect found family.
But I really didn‘t like the fact that Rosa stays unsure and a „punching bag“ the whole book. She doesn‘t stand up for herself what really bugged me. There was no development which is disappointing.
Overall a great mafia romance which covers important topics as domestic violence and eating disorder.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓 ׂㅤ𐙚 ࣪ ⭒
plot: 3/5
spice: 3/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ᡣ𐭩ྀི₊ ⊹
possessive and protective hero, instant attraction, touch her and die, found family, he falls first and harder, slow burn, enforcer x maid / single mum, traumatic past, billionaire romance, secrets and lies, connected past, upper class of chicago, curvy fmc, forced proximity
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Rosa (23) and Camillo (27)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒂 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
A lovely woman although she is much too insecure for my liking. Of course I understand it in the beginning but there is zero development. Still I liked her.
❥ 𝑪𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐 ࣪⋆✮
What a sweetheart. He is big, broody and dangerous but deep down just a puppy. Loved him and the way he cares for Rosa and her son.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This book made me really happy. It is such a comfort read. Although it contains dark and triggering topics it‘s still a fluffy and romantic read. I had a good time with this and grinned most of the time while reading.
Rosa and Camillo are just great. Rosa suffered a lot under her husband and Camillo tries to lock her out of her shell. They fit well and I adored how patient Camillo was with her. The little Ethan is an adorable addition to the book and I liked how he was intervened in the story. Camillo and his brothers are lovely and they’re the perfect found family.
But I really didn‘t like the fact that Rosa stays unsure and a „punching bag“ the whole book. She doesn‘t stand up for herself what really bugged me. There was no development which is disappointing.
Overall a great mafia romance which covers important topics as domestic violence and eating disorder.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓 ׂㅤ𐙚 ࣪ ⭒
plot: 3/5
spice: 3/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ᡣ𐭩ྀི₊ ⊹
possessive and protective hero, instant attraction, touch her and die, found family, he falls first and harder, slow burn, enforcer x maid / single mum, traumatic past, billionaire romance, secrets and lies, connected past, upper class of chicago, curvy fmc, forced proximity
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Rosa (23) and Camillo (27)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
December 9, 2024
for me
I was not a fan of this book. It went on too long and I can only take so much of the FMC letting people walking over her. The story got boring quickly and I was struggling to finish. Wouldn’t personally recommend. 2/5
I was not a fan of this book. It went on too long and I can only take so much of the FMC letting people walking over her. The story got boring quickly and I was struggling to finish. Wouldn’t personally recommend. 2/5
December 16, 2024
Actually shockingly bad. TikTok made me do it and I’m never listening to them again.
November 12, 2025
Story - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice/Steam - 🔥🔥🔥
Tropes ….
💋Mafia Romance
💋Touch her and die
💋Full figure, sweet, MFC
💋Adorable little boy – Ethan
💋Found Family
💋Tough, Mafia Enforcer with a heart – MMC
Mafia and The Maid: A Mafia Romance is the second book of Marchiano Mafia Romance Series and each book is a standalone book. The characters are interconnected in the series. This is the story of Camillo and Rosa. Camillo is the enforcer for the Fratellanza Mafia family and saw Rosa at her arranged wedding to a horrible man. Camillo was attracted to Rosa at her wedding. He admired her curves and softness. He wondered why her father Connor Davis would do this horrible act.
Five years later, Rosa is in a horrible marriage and abuse both mentally and physically. When she has had enough, she escapes with her son Ethan. She seeks out a friend who allows her to stay with her. Rosa goes to the Fratellanza Casino looking for a job so she can save enough money to leave Chicago forever with her son. That is when she encounters Camillo, and he hires her as a maid for their family home. Rosa has very low self-esteem but tries hard to make this job work for her. At first, she burning food but her desserts are fabulous. So Marco, the oldest brother, has a serious talk with which calms her down and her cooking improves.
Camillo wants to make this work for Rosa and shows her kindness. He makes sure she feels safe but he is curious about her. Rosa has not told them about her son and her past. Camillo continues to flirt with her and show her kindness which melts her heart. They have great chemistry, and Camillo is very gentle with her. As they become closer, Rosa’s secrets come to light.
This is a slow burn book and has an excellent plot. This is the first time for me reading author Isa Oliver and I plan to read the other book in this series.
Spice/Steam - 🔥🔥🔥
Tropes ….
💋Mafia Romance
💋Touch her and die
💋Full figure, sweet, MFC
💋Adorable little boy – Ethan
💋Found Family
💋Tough, Mafia Enforcer with a heart – MMC
Mafia and The Maid: A Mafia Romance is the second book of Marchiano Mafia Romance Series and each book is a standalone book. The characters are interconnected in the series. This is the story of Camillo and Rosa. Camillo is the enforcer for the Fratellanza Mafia family and saw Rosa at her arranged wedding to a horrible man. Camillo was attracted to Rosa at her wedding. He admired her curves and softness. He wondered why her father Connor Davis would do this horrible act.
Five years later, Rosa is in a horrible marriage and abuse both mentally and physically. When she has had enough, she escapes with her son Ethan. She seeks out a friend who allows her to stay with her. Rosa goes to the Fratellanza Casino looking for a job so she can save enough money to leave Chicago forever with her son. That is when she encounters Camillo, and he hires her as a maid for their family home. Rosa has very low self-esteem but tries hard to make this job work for her. At first, she burning food but her desserts are fabulous. So Marco, the oldest brother, has a serious talk with which calms her down and her cooking improves.
Camillo wants to make this work for Rosa and shows her kindness. He makes sure she feels safe but he is curious about her. Rosa has not told them about her son and her past. Camillo continues to flirt with her and show her kindness which melts her heart. They have great chemistry, and Camillo is very gentle with her. As they become closer, Rosa’s secrets come to light.
This is a slow burn book and has an excellent plot. This is the first time for me reading author Isa Oliver and I plan to read the other book in this series.
December 30, 2024
Way too long and repetitive. I did enjoy some parts. Female character had my sympathies for the first 100 pages but after that she got really annoying. The writing was not the best but not terrible. I’m surprised I didn’t DNF but I wanted to see a certain character get what they deserved. They did but we never got to see it. Also I just didn’t believe the main male character was as ruthless as he said he was. I cringed at those descriptions.
January 31, 2025
rounded down from a 2.5. this book is kind of like a snack you reach for when you feel like it—if you're in the mood, you'll devour it, but if you're not, you're just chewing for the sake of having something in your mouth. i ran out of steam with this book—it is almost unerringly formulaic, and that's not even necessarily a bad thing! sometimes i read something knowing exactly what it's going to be because it's just the snack i'm reaching for. but when i was just slogging through the second half, i had a lot less patience for how slowly the obvious story beats unfolded. the characterization was dull and moved at a snail's pace with regards to each person's internal narrative. rosa hates herself for xyz reason, camillo hates himself for xyz reason, and that's how almost every single chapter ends.
in its defense, it doesn't pretend to be a particularly profound story. you can probably predict every single plot point that happens right before it does. just read the ingredients on the box.
in its defense, it doesn't pretend to be a particularly profound story. you can probably predict every single plot point that happens right before it does. just read the ingredients on the box.
January 30, 2025
Believe me or don’t, the man-bun is not the worst thing in this book. I need both of the main characters just to shut up. Didn’t want to put this in my good reads but how else will I hit my reading goal? Did not like it. At all. Not the cringy dialogues, not the over the top self-hatred of the main character, not the poorly written ‘I’m so in love with her, but everyone sees me as a monster, I am death’ jealous-of-a-dog love interest. Don’t know why I keep doing this to myself, but I will look up how to give myself brain damage in order to forget the setting, the dialogues and everything else about this book.
October 29, 2024
4.5⭐️/2.5🌶️
My first book by Isa, and I loved it! This was not an extremely dark book, but there are some triggers. Please read them before diving in.
Camillio and Rosa are written so beautifully. Their chemistry and communication were too good! They were opena bout their feelings once they realized and I loved it!
And Ethan, I love that adorable little boy!
I will now read the rest of the series now to get ready for the next book 😇
My first book by Isa, and I loved it! This was not an extremely dark book, but there are some triggers. Please read them before diving in.
Camillio and Rosa are written so beautifully. Their chemistry and communication were too good! They were opena bout their feelings once they realized and I loved it!
And Ethan, I love that adorable little boy!
I will now read the rest of the series now to get ready for the next book 😇
dnf
January 18, 2025DNF @ 20%. The MMC and his brothers talk to each other and other people like absolute crap. Childish bickering is not sexy.
January 21, 2025
The two people who might just have the lowest self esteem on the planet get together and have a 360 page pity party disguised as courtship... and live happily ever after.
She is a DV survivor who thinks she's too overweight and unworthy. He's a Mafia enforcer who thinks he's a monster and not good enough for her. Both do everything under the sun to help the other w with self worth issues but 87% into the book, how can neither one of them have made any progress? 🤨
I have read and enjoyed books where characters are weak and / or doormats who find strength, but I hit my max with all the internal whining and selff loathing about 300 pages in. Enough already!
The writing style is also repetitive and character plots unclear. It's like the author couldn't decide what the characters arcs should be. She is a self described binge eater and frequently starves herself. It's unclear if this is a story of her accepting/loving herself the way she is OR mentally working out her unhealthy relationship with food and losing weight the right way. She does go to therapy so yay for that.
He is an enforcer who wants to be better to be worthy of her. Does this mean he wants to stop enforcing and get a nonviolent career or keep enforcing but stop worrying so much about how other people view him. They never say.
Struggled to finish but I did. 1 star for a funny misunderstanding w a dog. Other than that, no redeeming qualities. Would NOT recommend.
She is a DV survivor who thinks she's too overweight and unworthy. He's a Mafia enforcer who thinks he's a monster and not good enough for her. Both do everything under the sun to help the other w with self worth issues but 87% into the book, how can neither one of them have made any progress? 🤨
I have read and enjoyed books where characters are weak and / or doormats who find strength, but I hit my max with all the internal whining and selff loathing about 300 pages in. Enough already!
The writing style is also repetitive and character plots unclear. It's like the author couldn't decide what the characters arcs should be. She is a self described binge eater and frequently starves herself. It's unclear if this is a story of her accepting/loving herself the way she is OR mentally working out her unhealthy relationship with food and losing weight the right way. She does go to therapy so yay for that.
He is an enforcer who wants to be better to be worthy of her. Does this mean he wants to stop enforcing and get a nonviolent career or keep enforcing but stop worrying so much about how other people view him. They never say.
Struggled to finish but I did. 1 star for a funny misunderstanding w a dog. Other than that, no redeeming qualities. Would NOT recommend.
January 14, 2025
It's absolutely terrible
The story would have been more believable if the husband had a chef, but FMC did all the cleaning.
Honestly...if you were getting beat on a daily basis for 5 YEARS because you're leaving chicken raw, you wouldn't have Googled how to cook? I mean, if she was cut off from the internet, she could have practiced cooking at least. It seems like a self perservation thing.
The Mafia guys were dumb, just plain stupid.
The MMC lived in a fucking pig sty....his room was full of trash, dishes and dirty clothes. 🤢🤢🤮
And his brother.....How dare you put my light black clothes next to my dark black one. 🙄🙄🙄
DNFd 22%
The story would have been more believable if the husband had a chef, but FMC did all the cleaning.
Honestly...if you were getting beat on a daily basis for 5 YEARS because you're leaving chicken raw, you wouldn't have Googled how to cook? I mean, if she was cut off from the internet, she could have practiced cooking at least. It seems like a self perservation thing.
The Mafia guys were dumb, just plain stupid.
The MMC lived in a fucking pig sty....his room was full of trash, dishes and dirty clothes. 🤢🤢🤮
And his brother.....How dare you put my light black clothes next to my dark black one. 🙄🙄🙄
DNFd 22%
February 18, 2025
This one was a good one. If you've been in an abusive relationship and want to read about a woman getting the life she deserves, this hits it. Camillo may be the world's monster, but to Ross, he's her guardian angel. Camillo will spend every day loving and telling Rosa how perfect she is.
This is a slower burn with a good story as long as the triggers don't bother you, but definitely check them 1st as this book could upset some badly as it touches heavily on spousel abuse physical and mentally
This is a slower burn with a good story as long as the triggers don't bother you, but definitely check them 1st as this book could upset some badly as it touches heavily on spousel abuse physical and mentally
February 22, 2025
Just stupid. No better word to describe it
January 6, 2025
Great Read
I enjoyed this book. Rosa and Camillos story was sweet and fluffy. Mr. Fluffy may be my favorite though. 4 stars for a few inconsistencies and grammar errors.
I enjoyed this book. Rosa and Camillos story was sweet and fluffy. Mr. Fluffy may be my favorite though. 4 stars for a few inconsistencies and grammar errors.
December 9, 2024
The ending thoughhhhh ❤️❤️😭😭❤️❤️
March 21, 2025
Be so serious bro.
I was already annoyed by the constant ‘woe is me’ from the two of them. Rosa I give more slack to she was treated like absolute crap by everyone and is a victim of abuse so I know I should be nice but oh my god!!! She was just a pushover CONSTANTLY. And Camillo constantly being like ohhh I’m such a monster why would she ever want me. SHUT UP!!!
The way Marco and Alessio acted in the beginning was so shitty for absolutely no reason they’re miserable. This is my first book in the series and I certainly won’t be reading theirs. They got a lot better but the personality 180 switch was jarring.
Come on now! The mom and sister were just cartoonishly rude and evil and I was dying for Rosa to BUCK UP!!!!!!
I stopped reading at 92% I was going to push through because I was so close then Camillo QUOTES DIRTY DANCING?! Wtf was that??? No one puts my woman and my boy in a corner?! Bro PLEASE. I said wtf out loud. With my chest.
Good god what a waste of my Thursday.
Edit: Thank you to another reviewer for reminding me but oh my god the getting jealous of a dog?! I’m so annoyed. I need to go to bed.
I was already annoyed by the constant ‘woe is me’ from the two of them. Rosa I give more slack to she was treated like absolute crap by everyone and is a victim of abuse so I know I should be nice but oh my god!!! She was just a pushover CONSTANTLY. And Camillo constantly being like ohhh I’m such a monster why would she ever want me. SHUT UP!!!
The way Marco and Alessio acted in the beginning was so shitty for absolutely no reason they’re miserable. This is my first book in the series and I certainly won’t be reading theirs. They got a lot better but the personality 180 switch was jarring.
Come on now! The mom and sister were just cartoonishly rude and evil and I was dying for Rosa to BUCK UP!!!!!!
I stopped reading at 92% I was going to push through because I was so close then Camillo QUOTES DIRTY DANCING?! Wtf was that??? No one puts my woman and my boy in a corner?! Bro PLEASE. I said wtf out loud. With my chest.
Good god what a waste of my Thursday.
Edit: Thank you to another reviewer for reminding me but oh my god the getting jealous of a dog?! I’m so annoyed. I need to go to bed.
May 7, 2025
A mafia and maid romance 😮💨🤭. Sign me tf up! Honestly this book brought me out of a pretty major reading slump. I have tiktok to thank for putting it on my fyp, so I could become obsessed by little cliff hanging snippets of it.
Broody mafia MMC helps brings a self conscious and timid FMC out of her shell. Helps her work through A LOT of trauma, while it secretly helps him with his own.
Loved this book, but I think it’s because I could relate with the FMC and the negativity that weighed her down. How she saw herself due to others comments on how she looked, the opinion of others that linger.. needless to say, I recommend the book❤️
Broody mafia MMC helps brings a self conscious and timid FMC out of her shell. Helps her work through A LOT of trauma, while it secretly helps him with his own.
Loved this book, but I think it’s because I could relate with the FMC and the negativity that weighed her down. How she saw herself due to others comments on how she looked, the opinion of others that linger.. needless to say, I recommend the book❤️
January 26, 2025
3.75
A solid story, and a mafia enforcer who gets nervous and stuttery around a girl he likes is a fun twist. I felt like the book didn’t need to be this long, and the self-hatred the FMC exhibited, especially about her body, was a bit triggering at times. But overall, I enjoyed this book.
A solid story, and a mafia enforcer who gets nervous and stuttery around a girl he likes is a fun twist. I felt like the book didn’t need to be this long, and the self-hatred the FMC exhibited, especially about her body, was a bit triggering at times. But overall, I enjoyed this book.
April 17, 2025
RTC — A super weak four that might change once I actually sit and write the review lol
December 11, 2024
Swoooon 😍
This book has a beautiful balance. Millo is the golden retriever mafia man I didn’t know I needed…but so glad we have!! The pacing of this book is beautiful, I love the depth of the main characters. I was sad when it ended, but really enjoyed the ride!
This book has a beautiful balance. Millo is the golden retriever mafia man I didn’t know I needed…but so glad we have!! The pacing of this book is beautiful, I love the depth of the main characters. I was sad when it ended, but really enjoyed the ride!
December 11, 2024
This was such a great story. Not graffic or traumatic, yet super cute. Loved it!
December 6, 2024
3.5
A solid mafia romance
A solid mafia romance
January 24, 2025
I really liked the tropes of this book, however for some reason it was hard to read and did not captivate me.
January 28, 2025
I really wanted...
I really wanted to like it. I mean, I did, it was just a bunch of unnecessary scenes in my opinion. We got it, she was the maid and she had low self-esteem. We got it, he was the mafia enforcer and was not such a good guy. But in the end, everything works out... I just wished it was sooner and we actually got to see her develop at least a medium backbone.
I really wanted to like it. I mean, I did, it was just a bunch of unnecessary scenes in my opinion. We got it, she was the maid and she had low self-esteem. We got it, he was the mafia enforcer and was not such a good guy. But in the end, everything works out... I just wished it was sooner and we actually got to see her develop at least a medium backbone.
October 21, 2024
I've loved all of Isa Oliver's books, and this was no exception.
Camillo had my heart from the start, and the way he felt about himself and his self-loathing hurt my heart. Then came Rosa, and her character development throughout the book was lovely to read. And then little Ethan—that boy deserved the world after what he'd been through, Rosa, too.
The chemistry and connection between Camillo and Rosa and the way he was with her, building her up, were so good.
Another five-star Isa read for me.
Camillo had my heart from the start, and the way he felt about himself and his self-loathing hurt my heart. Then came Rosa, and her character development throughout the book was lovely to read. And then little Ethan—that boy deserved the world after what he'd been through, Rosa, too.
The chemistry and connection between Camillo and Rosa and the way he was with her, building her up, were so good.
Another five-star Isa read for me.
December 12, 2024
Camillo & Rosa
Holy moly!!! ❤️🔥 this book made me actually swoon for this big ol’ monster of a man. Rosa is so brave and strong. I am so proud of her for opening her heart and mind to everything that is Camillo. Ethan is a perfect sweet boy who deserves the world. 💙 this story was absolutely perfect!!! Great job, Isa Oliver!
Holy moly!!! ❤️🔥 this book made me actually swoon for this big ol’ monster of a man. Rosa is so brave and strong. I am so proud of her for opening her heart and mind to everything that is Camillo. Ethan is a perfect sweet boy who deserves the world. 💙 this story was absolutely perfect!!! Great job, Isa Oliver!
February 26, 2025
Oof. So the writing is objectively…. Bad.
The story started out promising - wife and mother on the run from an abusive husband is desperate and gets a job as the maid in the house of a mafia enforcer and his brothers. She finds love and acceptance where she least accepts it. Mafia lite, cute smutty read.
Unfortunately, at about 70% it became just COMICALLY bad.
These two characters are battling for the winner of the lowest self esteem award. It’s on literally every page. And then at 70% when her awful dad dies and she leaves Camillo to go be with her ridiculous and awful family for… why? IDK. And then their dual spirally self hatred was painful. He’s not good enough, she’s too fat, he’s a monster, she’s too fat and worthless, blah blah blah… on and on. He was almost worse than her. Yes, you kill people for a living, you’re in the mafia, omg. Get. Over. It. 😐. The worst was when he FINALLY shows up to get her and her son at her mom’s house and literally says “no one puts my baby in the corner”. There aren’t big enough eye rolls to deal w that nonsense.
💕 third act breakup - bc they’re dumb
🗣️ so much miscommunication - bc they’re dumb
👩🏻🤝👨🏼. Camillo is an enforcer for his family which is in the mafia, but feels like a “monster” and is self conscious about it 😒🙄. Rosie is running from her arranged marriage husband who is mentally and physically abusive. She has a v cute 4 yr old boy. She’s also super self critical about her weight and has some kind of eating disorder. Also, her family is the worst.
🧨 spice kicks in around 50% and is meh.
🫣 no OW/OM Drama. There’s some woman who comes to dinner and Rosie overhears that she was supposed to be his arranged wife, but it was settled quickly.
👥. Dual POV. HEA; engagement in epilogue.
Despite the bad writing I was enjoying the story until the point at which they just became irrevocably dumb. 😵💫🫠. Even the HEA couldn’t save it.
The story started out promising - wife and mother on the run from an abusive husband is desperate and gets a job as the maid in the house of a mafia enforcer and his brothers. She finds love and acceptance where she least accepts it. Mafia lite, cute smutty read.
Unfortunately, at about 70% it became just COMICALLY bad.
These two characters are battling for the winner of the lowest self esteem award. It’s on literally every page. And then at 70% when her awful dad dies and she leaves Camillo to go be with her ridiculous and awful family for… why? IDK. And then their dual spirally self hatred was painful. He’s not good enough, she’s too fat, he’s a monster, she’s too fat and worthless, blah blah blah… on and on. He was almost worse than her. Yes, you kill people for a living, you’re in the mafia, omg. Get. Over. It. 😐. The worst was when he FINALLY shows up to get her and her son at her mom’s house and literally says “no one puts my baby in the corner”. There aren’t big enough eye rolls to deal w that nonsense.
💕 third act breakup - bc they’re dumb
🗣️ so much miscommunication - bc they’re dumb
👩🏻🤝👨🏼. Camillo is an enforcer for his family which is in the mafia, but feels like a “monster” and is self conscious about it 😒🙄. Rosie is running from her arranged marriage husband who is mentally and physically abusive. She has a v cute 4 yr old boy. She’s also super self critical about her weight and has some kind of eating disorder. Also, her family is the worst.
🧨 spice kicks in around 50% and is meh.
🫣 no OW/OM Drama. There’s some woman who comes to dinner and Rosie overhears that she was supposed to be his arranged wife, but it was settled quickly.
👥. Dual POV. HEA; engagement in epilogue.
Despite the bad writing I was enjoying the story until the point at which they just became irrevocably dumb. 😵💫🫠. Even the HEA couldn’t save it.
January 10, 2025
4.5✨️
I absolutely devoured the shit out of this. IT WAS SO ADDICTING
one thing about me is that I am a big heartache lover, like I love when the scenes make my heart hurt so bad it feels so good. this story delivered🫡 I live for the pain books cause me🫶
Rosa's story WRECKED me. I shed so many tears for both her and Ethan, they deserve the whole fucking world and im so glad Camillo will do anything in his power to protect his little family (more like huge but whatever)
but there were some things I absolutely hated. the miscommunication at the near end was almost unbearable. I get it, you guys deal with some sort of anxiety, but TALK ABOUT IT. like both of you are just thinking, 'Yeah, he/she doesn't want me anymore. I'm not enough/I'm a monster. yadda yadda yadda.' NUH UHHH. PLEASE. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD END MY MISERY AND TALK ABOUT IT.
another thing that pissed me off was when Rosa basically learned, in those months at the mansion, that she is enough and she can do better for her and her son, but once she gets back to her family's house, she lets her mother amd her sister fuck with her head and disrespect both her and Ethan. fine, I mean, yeah, they're still your family and shit but GIRL. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. I would say more, but I'm too pissed to think about it again.
however, I liked this book. not the best mafia romance I've read but not the worst! I love the way she slowly started to fit in with the rest of the family and how her and her son bonded with Camillo🥹
I absolutely devoured the shit out of this. IT WAS SO ADDICTING
one thing about me is that I am a big heartache lover, like I love when the scenes make my heart hurt so bad it feels so good. this story delivered🫡 I live for the pain books cause me🫶
Rosa's story WRECKED me. I shed so many tears for both her and Ethan, they deserve the whole fucking world and im so glad Camillo will do anything in his power to protect his little family (more like huge but whatever)
but there were some things I absolutely hated. the miscommunication at the near end was almost unbearable. I get it, you guys deal with some sort of anxiety, but TALK ABOUT IT. like both of you are just thinking, 'Yeah, he/she doesn't want me anymore. I'm not enough/I'm a monster. yadda yadda yadda.' NUH UHHH. PLEASE. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD END MY MISERY AND TALK ABOUT IT.
another thing that pissed me off was when Rosa basically learned, in those months at the mansion, that she is enough and she can do better for her and her son, but once she gets back to her family's house, she lets her mother amd her sister fuck with her head and disrespect both her and Ethan. fine, I mean, yeah, they're still your family and shit but GIRL. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. I would say more, but I'm too pissed to think about it again.
however, I liked this book. not the best mafia romance I've read but not the worst! I love the way she slowly started to fit in with the rest of the family and how her and her son bonded with Camillo🥹
January 24, 2025
I just finished reading this book, and all I could do was weep for Rosa's home life before she escaped. Many people endure domestic violence and mental and physical abuse, not only from their significant others but also from family members who are supposed to support and love them unconditionally. Grayden, Rosa's husband, was a fierce and manipulative figure in her life. I hated how Rosa's family, especially her parents, broke her down mentally and failed to stand by her against Grayden's abuses.
The characters in this book, particularly Rosa, demonstrate incredible resilience in the face of adversity. Their ability to overcome their past and build a better future is inspiring. I loved how Camillo supported her from the beginning, and I appreciated how he fell in love with Ethan. The bond among the brothers was heartwarming. I could understand Marco's initial reaction to his birthday cake; after having to bake one himself as the eldest of the three orphans, it must have felt overwhelming to have one made for him. Although Marco is rude to Rosa in the beginning, he is also the one who tries to help her feel comfortable in the kitchen.
Isa Oliver's storytelling is truly exceptional. Her ability to bring the characters and their struggles to life is a testament to her skill as an author.
The characters in this book, particularly Rosa, demonstrate incredible resilience in the face of adversity. Their ability to overcome their past and build a better future is inspiring. I loved how Camillo supported her from the beginning, and I appreciated how he fell in love with Ethan. The bond among the brothers was heartwarming. I could understand Marco's initial reaction to his birthday cake; after having to bake one himself as the eldest of the three orphans, it must have felt overwhelming to have one made for him. Although Marco is rude to Rosa in the beginning, he is also the one who tries to help her feel comfortable in the kitchen.
Isa Oliver's storytelling is truly exceptional. Her ability to bring the characters and their struggles to life is a testament to her skill as an author.
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