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Made Men of Manhattan #1
Bartered Innocence
I’ve spent years learning everything I could to take over my family’s restaurant. I’ve never envisioned myself doing anything else.
It all comes to a crashing halt when rumors of an arranged marriage circle the Famiglia, and my brother doesn’t stop my name from being put forward as an eligible bride.
Determined not to have my dreams taken away, I do the only thing I have control over: Get rid of my virginity. It’s supposed to be a simple one-night stand with a stranger—until I figure out the man I’ve bedded is our biggest rival.
Rian O’Callaghan is the heir to the Irish Mafia, and he holds a secret that could ruin us all.
He was supposed to be my savior, but he became my keeper instead…
Bartered Innocence is a spicy arranged marriage mafia romance about a young chef desperate to keep her life and an obsessed mafia heir determined to make her his.
The Made Men in Manhattan series is interconnected. Each book is about a different couple who find their HEA.
It all comes to a crashing halt when rumors of an arranged marriage circle the Famiglia, and my brother doesn’t stop my name from being put forward as an eligible bride.
Determined not to have my dreams taken away, I do the only thing I have control over: Get rid of my virginity. It’s supposed to be a simple one-night stand with a stranger—until I figure out the man I’ve bedded is our biggest rival.
Rian O’Callaghan is the heir to the Irish Mafia, and he holds a secret that could ruin us all.
He was supposed to be my savior, but he became my keeper instead…
Bartered Innocence is a spicy arranged marriage mafia romance about a young chef desperate to keep her life and an obsessed mafia heir determined to make her his.
The Made Men in Manhattan series is interconnected. Each book is about a different couple who find their HEA.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2025
351 people are currently reading
1823 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 384 reviews
May 6, 2025
fast-paced mafia romance with an EXTRA large helping of breeding kink! ✝️🖤💜
Isabella has landed herself an exposé in the BOOK of VIRGINS published by the ol’ Italian mafia. She is determined to resolve that asap by hooking up with a random guy. Too bad she unknowingly bangs her future arranged hubby and he is INSATIABLE. Rian is pissed Bella sneaked out on him & is determined to mold her into a perfect wife…or so he thinks.
🖤 mmc makes outrageously taboo comments
💜 independent fmc with career goals & sass
🖤 breeding/pregnancy trope *potent*
💜 mmc is INSATIABLE! Is it even medically possible for him to do that?? Anyway…good for her!
🖤 he writes his name on her with his cum
These two moved fast & dirty!! They were spicy from the very beginning but then their shared interest in breeding kink was just a cherry on top 🌶️ it was EVERYWHERE and I loved it! I kind of wish the author leaned into it even more.
I can’t believe I’m going to say this but as a resident mafia girlie I almost wasn’t convinced about THE MAFIA of it all. Maybe because we were introduced to the Brotherhood in a bar or all the domesticity but I need these boys to be even👏🏼 more 👏🏼 ruthless 👏🏼
This was also the first book in the series so it was a lot of set up that I didn’t necessarily mind but I wasn’t as invested at the beginning. I almost wish it was longer because I really enjoyed the second part! But now I need Book 2 to drop immediately.
posessive mmc
independent fmc
virgin fmc
breeding kink
touch her & 💀
family loyalty
misfit brothers
HEA
Isabella has landed herself an exposé in the BOOK of VIRGINS published by the ol’ Italian mafia. She is determined to resolve that asap by hooking up with a random guy. Too bad she unknowingly bangs her future arranged hubby and he is INSATIABLE. Rian is pissed Bella sneaked out on him & is determined to mold her into a perfect wife…or so he thinks.
🖤 mmc makes outrageously taboo comments
💜 independent fmc with career goals & sass
🖤 breeding/pregnancy trope *potent*
💜 mmc is INSATIABLE! Is it even medically possible for him to do that?? Anyway…good for her!
🖤 he writes his name on her with his cum
These two moved fast & dirty!! They were spicy from the very beginning but then their shared interest in breeding kink was just a cherry on top 🌶️ it was EVERYWHERE and I loved it! I kind of wish the author leaned into it even more.
I can’t believe I’m going to say this but as a resident mafia girlie I almost wasn’t convinced about THE MAFIA of it all. Maybe because we were introduced to the Brotherhood in a bar or all the domesticity but I need these boys to be even👏🏼 more 👏🏼 ruthless 👏🏼
This was also the first book in the series so it was a lot of set up that I didn’t necessarily mind but I wasn’t as invested at the beginning. I almost wish it was longer because I really enjoyed the second part! But now I need Book 2 to drop immediately.
posessive mmc
independent fmc
virgin fmc
breeding kink
touch her & 💀
family loyalty
misfit brothers
HEA
Read
May 21, 2025It was okay-ish, I think?
If you've read organized crime romances, then this wouldn't be a new plot for you. It's the cliché arranged marriage to establish an alliance between rival factions.
So, there was this book in the famiglia that had a list of all the "pure" women in their organization, and it was handed over to the groom-to-be so he could pick a wife from it. And Isabelle (21) wanted to be removed from the said book. So she decided to do the deed with a stranger just to get it over with. What she didn't know was that the guy she chose was the man her leader made an arrangement with. Anyway, after their night, she snuck out immediately when she saw Rian's (??) tattoo. It was then she realized she slept with an Irishman. Then a few weeks passed (not specified how long), and they eventually met again. Isabelle's brother forgot to remove her from the book, and Rian saw her in it and chose her to be his future wife. He knew this is his chance to finally make this girl his.
Obviously, it was insta-lust, and, maaan, was it steaaamy! I think 50% of this book was them going at it like it's the end of the world. 🫣
I don't remember them spending time together for the sake of knowing one another without the need to act on their sexual impulses. Every time they were put in a room, it was like their minds were always in the gutter. Idk, but they seem to be having the pattern of: superficial convos - argue - sex (without really resolving their issues) then repeat. Idek why Rian fell for her or why she felt the same way.
Also, while I understood from the beginning that Isabelle didn't want this marriage, it became her repetitive thought for most of the book. It even came to a point that all she did was complain about her situation even though she was not in a bad place at all. Sure, she wasn't given a choice, but not once did Rian treat her like crap. He worships the ground she walks on, and the people in his organization were welcoming of her. Idk, she just became ungrateful at one point, and it made me like her a bit less.
As for Rian, he's your he-falls-first-and-hard MMC, and again, idek why or how that happened. Once he realized Isabelle was different (how? idk), he decided she was it for him. But it was unbelievable in the beginning, if I'm being honest. Weeks passed after their one night together, and he never once sought her out. If it wasn't for the marriage arrangement and that bookbinder, I don't think anything would've happened between these two. 🤷♀️
But when they finally got married, he became OTT jealous, possessive, and obsessed with her. He can be a bit overbearing at times, especially when he won't listen to her. But I also understood somehow because I know that he only wants her safe. Tbf, Isabelle was kept in the dark, mostly, so she doesn't have a clue why Rian won't allow her to go outside or back to her father's diner. They were both at fault, so I really can't blame her for not following his order, but that doesn't mean it didn't annoy me. Her gut feeling was already telling her something's wrong, and she still chooses to defy Rian. There was the typical cliché again of the FMC getting into trouble and the MMC saving the day.
Overall, the plot wasn't something I hadn't read before. But there's still some comfort in it. Anyway, there was an overarching plot about Sebastian and Luca, but the MC's story has already concluded here.
Book info:
- Arranged marriage
- Italian x Irish
- ONS
- Steaaamy!
- Breeding kink 🫣
- Violence, death
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- V FMC, Experienced MMC (no actual info on his past)
- HEA (mos later, married and pregnant)
- Bonus epilogue (thru newsletter, yrs later, with 4yo son and pregnant)
If you've read organized crime romances, then this wouldn't be a new plot for you. It's the cliché arranged marriage to establish an alliance between rival factions.
So, there was this book in the famiglia that had a list of all the "pure" women in their organization, and it was handed over to the groom-to-be so he could pick a wife from it. And Isabelle (21) wanted to be removed from the said book. So she decided to do the deed with a stranger just to get it over with. What she didn't know was that the guy she chose was the man her leader made an arrangement with. Anyway, after their night, she snuck out immediately when she saw Rian's (??) tattoo. It was then she realized she slept with an Irishman. Then a few weeks passed (not specified how long), and they eventually met again. Isabelle's brother forgot to remove her from the book, and Rian saw her in it and chose her to be his future wife. He knew this is his chance to finally make this girl his.
Obviously, it was insta-lust, and, maaan, was it steaaamy! I think 50% of this book was them going at it like it's the end of the world. 🫣
I don't remember them spending time together for the sake of knowing one another without the need to act on their sexual impulses. Every time they were put in a room, it was like their minds were always in the gutter. Idk, but they seem to be having the pattern of: superficial convos - argue - sex (without really resolving their issues) then repeat. Idek why Rian fell for her or why she felt the same way.
Also, while I understood from the beginning that Isabelle didn't want this marriage, it became her repetitive thought for most of the book. It even came to a point that all she did was complain about her situation even though she was not in a bad place at all. Sure, she wasn't given a choice, but not once did Rian treat her like crap. He worships the ground she walks on, and the people in his organization were welcoming of her. Idk, she just became ungrateful at one point, and it made me like her a bit less.
As for Rian, he's your he-falls-first-and-hard MMC, and again, idek why or how that happened. Once he realized Isabelle was different (how? idk), he decided she was it for him. But it was unbelievable in the beginning, if I'm being honest. Weeks passed after their one night together, and he never once sought her out. If it wasn't for the marriage arrangement and that bookbinder, I don't think anything would've happened between these two. 🤷♀️
But when they finally got married, he became OTT jealous, possessive, and obsessed with her. He can be a bit overbearing at times, especially when he won't listen to her. But I also understood somehow because I know that he only wants her safe. Tbf, Isabelle was kept in the dark, mostly, so she doesn't have a clue why Rian won't allow her to go outside or back to her father's diner. They were both at fault, so I really can't blame her for not following his order, but that doesn't mean it didn't annoy me. Her gut feeling was already telling her something's wrong, and she still chooses to defy Rian. There was the typical cliché again of the FMC getting into trouble and the MMC saving the day.
Overall, the plot wasn't something I hadn't read before. But there's still some comfort in it. Anyway, there was an overarching plot about Sebastian and Luca, but the MC's story has already concluded here.
Book info:
- Arranged marriage
- Italian x Irish
- ONS
- Steaaamy!
- Breeding kink 🫣
- Violence, death
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- V FMC, Experienced MMC (no actual info on his past)
- HEA (mos later, married and pregnant)
- Bonus epilogue (thru newsletter, yrs later, with 4yo son and pregnant)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2025
Truly in love with men who are simps for their wives and wives who give their husbands hell🤭. Also found family will always hold a special place in my heart🥹
May 28, 2025
Another book I read in one sitting yesterday. I was in the mood for mafia and this definitely scratched the itch I had. This has the perfect amount of plot, story building, action + romance and I already know this storyline and war is gonna carryover into the rest of the series so I can't wait! Rain was unhinged and a straight up simp all in one he was so down bad and I ate that upppppp. I also really enjoyed the FMCs personality she def was NOT docile or a doormat and I think they were a good match, spice was crazy as hell. If you looking for mafia I'd def pick this up! I'm sat for this series
December 14, 2025
A bit boring
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ ➵ The romance
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ ➵ The romance
・
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・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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May 18, 2025
Dual pov
h21 H?
Arranged marriage
Mafia
Zero owd/omd 👏🏻🙌🏻🥰
No third act breakup
HEA and pregnant
Epilogue a couple months later just basically setting up for the next book.
Bonus epilogue if you sign up for the authors newsletter- Still happily married and in love. They have a 4 year old son Liam and Isabelle is heavily pregnant again with a daughter
h21 H?
Arranged marriage
Mafia
Zero owd/omd 👏🏻🙌🏻🥰
No third act breakup
HEA and pregnant
Epilogue a couple months later just basically setting up for the next book.
Bonus epilogue if you sign up for the authors newsletter- Still happily married and in love. They have a 4 year old son Liam and Isabelle is heavily pregnant again with a daughter
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
“Relax for me Belle”
Sir. 🫡
Bartered Innocence was absolute perfection in my eyes. I’ve read a few of this authors novellas before and I’m glad this was a full length read because I can never get enough of the heat between her characters. If you miss the classic mafia romance vibes, but want it with characters who are a little more with the times, then this book/series is what you’re looking for. Isabelle and Rian have chemistry and tension that absolutely bleeds off the page/through the speakers. Their banter. The way they both have a possessive/protective nature over one another. The meet cute is one night. The marriage is arranged, but these two can’t deny that the relationship was meant to be. Isabelle grew up on the fringe of the mafia and really wanted to get her family out, so being arranged to marry someone from the Irish wasn’t on her to do list. Watching these two figure it out was everything I’ve been needing in a mafia romance. The world that B built around these two is so intriguing and while I do love Rian and Isabelle, I’m so glad we are going to see other HEAs in each book. I fell in love with the Brotherhood and so many of the side characters so easily and I’m intrigued by what Luca and Sebastian are up to.
All in all this was a great read. I was lucky enough to get an audiobook copy a little early and I have to say the voice actors did a great job. Angelina Rocca did a fantastic job portraying how torn Isabelle was over her circumstances and how even though she was falling in love, she still had worries. Lance Greenfield did great as Rian and the possessive love he had for his Belle translated through his work.
Such a great read and I can’t WAIT for more in this series. I’m rooting for a certain spy to get a HEA.
AVAILABLE NOW!!
*ALC
Sir. 🫡
Bartered Innocence was absolute perfection in my eyes. I’ve read a few of this authors novellas before and I’m glad this was a full length read because I can never get enough of the heat between her characters. If you miss the classic mafia romance vibes, but want it with characters who are a little more with the times, then this book/series is what you’re looking for. Isabelle and Rian have chemistry and tension that absolutely bleeds off the page/through the speakers. Their banter. The way they both have a possessive/protective nature over one another. The meet cute is one night. The marriage is arranged, but these two can’t deny that the relationship was meant to be. Isabelle grew up on the fringe of the mafia and really wanted to get her family out, so being arranged to marry someone from the Irish wasn’t on her to do list. Watching these two figure it out was everything I’ve been needing in a mafia romance. The world that B built around these two is so intriguing and while I do love Rian and Isabelle, I’m so glad we are going to see other HEAs in each book. I fell in love with the Brotherhood and so many of the side characters so easily and I’m intrigued by what Luca and Sebastian are up to.
All in all this was a great read. I was lucky enough to get an audiobook copy a little early and I have to say the voice actors did a great job. Angelina Rocca did a fantastic job portraying how torn Isabelle was over her circumstances and how even though she was falling in love, she still had worries. Lance Greenfield did great as Rian and the possessive love he had for his Belle translated through his work.
Such a great read and I can’t WAIT for more in this series. I’m rooting for a certain spy to get a HEA.
AVAILABLE NOW!!
*ALC
dnf
May 27, 2025DNF @8% - very detailed one-night stands, including the hero going down on the h, just give me the heebie-jeebies. It’s too early for this, for me. I’d rather it start the morning after and we get detailed sex scenes later in the book once they know each other. It’s all too much too soon and not super realistic since she a v and is all in with everything without any hesitation. She’s new to all of it but acts like a pro. And I guess we now know he’s got his face all up in his random hook-ups’ vaginas on the regular. 🥴 **full body shudder** Too much vulnerability and intimacy just for a random screw, IMO 🤷🏼♀️
I did some review diving to see if it would be worth it to skip this scene and keep going but the reviews say it’s mostly sex, with the hero all-in and falling first - which is ALSO not for me.
So, I’m gonna call it early 😅🤣
I did some review diving to see if it would be worth it to skip this scene and keep going but the reviews say it’s mostly sex, with the hero all-in and falling first - which is ALSO not for me.
So, I’m gonna call it early 😅🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
I really loved all the side characters in this one but the fmc was bugging me. The plot kinda lost me a bit as I was confused in some areas, but the spice was good.
Also for this to be a full length book I was expecting a bit more depth. The fmc’s only thought was her family’s restaurant and I’m like okay? Something major mafia stuff would happen and she’d be like okay well what about me working. GIRL read the room. Also do you think about anything else?
Also for this to be a full length book I was expecting a bit more depth. The fmc’s only thought was her family’s restaurant and I’m like okay? Something major mafia stuff would happen and she’d be like okay well what about me working. GIRL read the room. Also do you think about anything else?
May 23, 2025
4.75 stars!
Mafia, arranged marriage, “touch her and die,” and a breeding kink? Sign me up. SIGN ME UP.
Isabelle finds herself chained to Rian in a crazy turn of events that you’ll just have to read to find out and Rian is cashing in on everything as man and wife. He is determined to make her happy. And let me tell you this man is insatiable. But so is she😂.
Rian, GAH…that man. Possessive and obsessive, he was just totally OTT in the best ways. He was fiercely loyal and loved in such an all consuming way. I loved the way he loved Isabelle and was determined to share a life and a love that was beautiful despite the danger that surrounded them.
Isabelle was a quiet innocence with a backbone of steel. She was just so damn capable and the way she handled Rian and well life was badass.
I really enjoyed this story. It had action and plenty of steam. The plot was entertaining and the heat melted my Kindle. Rian and Isabelle were 😍😍.
Mafia, arranged marriage, “touch her and die,” and a breeding kink? Sign me up. SIGN ME UP.
Isabelle finds herself chained to Rian in a crazy turn of events that you’ll just have to read to find out and Rian is cashing in on everything as man and wife. He is determined to make her happy. And let me tell you this man is insatiable. But so is she😂.
“Come for me, wife. Then I’m going to fill you so full we’ll splatter the sheets with our mess.”
Rian, GAH…that man. Possessive and obsessive, he was just totally OTT in the best ways. He was fiercely loyal and loved in such an all consuming way. I loved the way he loved Isabelle and was determined to share a life and a love that was beautiful despite the danger that surrounded them.
“You’re mine, Isabelle. Everything about you. Your sassy attitude, your stubbornness, your body, and the babies you’re going to give me.” His lips press against the shell of my ear as he rasps the words, “As much as I am yours.”
Isabelle was a quiet innocence with a backbone of steel. She was just so damn capable and the way she handled Rian and well life was badass.
I really enjoyed this story. It had action and plenty of steam. The plot was entertaining and the heat melted my Kindle. Rian and Isabelle were 😍😍.
“I bartered with your heart, and I won.”
May 16, 2025
4.5⭐️ mafia romance with arranged/forced marriage between rival families, he falls first, ott possessive and protective mmc, breeding kink (w/ pregnancy), and sweet & independent fmc.
A great, fast pace read!! I love all of this author’s tabboo novellas so was super excited to see she was writing a full length novel AND with one of my favorite main tropes — arranged marriage!!
If you’ve read B’s tabboo romances, know this one is not tabboo. But it 100% does deliver on the spice and great writing just like I’ve come to love from her work. & the dirty talk??? HOT!
Both main characters were great and the chemistry was fire! I liked the found family aspects and how quick the romance fell into place.
Only thing I wished is that we had more of the pregnancy aspect before the story ended & a bit more into what’s going on with the mafia war. But this is setting up for a full series of connected standalones so I know the mafia war storyline will continue to unfold and then fingers crossed we get more little sneak peaks of these two in future books.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC! Review is my own opinion.
A great, fast pace read!! I love all of this author’s tabboo novellas so was super excited to see she was writing a full length novel AND with one of my favorite main tropes — arranged marriage!!
If you’ve read B’s tabboo romances, know this one is not tabboo. But it 100% does deliver on the spice and great writing just like I’ve come to love from her work. & the dirty talk??? HOT!
Both main characters were great and the chemistry was fire! I liked the found family aspects and how quick the romance fell into place.
Only thing I wished is that we had more of the pregnancy aspect before the story ended & a bit more into what’s going on with the mafia war. But this is setting up for a full series of connected standalones so I know the mafia war storyline will continue to unfold and then fingers crossed we get more little sneak peaks of these two in future books.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC! Review is my own opinion.
February 6, 2026
Algo que me gusto es que hablen las cosas como adultos y que dijieran que esperaban de su matrimonio porque a pesar de ser concertado querían que funcione pero el prometió una cosa y no la cumplió y sabia que el sueño de ella era importante y era obvio que si el se lo negana en algún momento iba a intentar lograrlo por su propios medios porque era una mujer bastante terca (es lo sabía) y decidió decir que no así que cuando ella se puso en peligro dije ¡Que se joda el! Jajajaja, igual entiendo que fue para protegerla pero era más fácil si se lo explicaba ya que ella venía de una familia mafiosa que no estaba tan involucrada en el peligro.
Lo del anillo me pareció lindoooo, y Rian tenía sus momentos tiernos con Isabelle y me hubiera gustado ver mas de eso ya que al principio el la ingoraba mucho cuando ella solo quería hablar de su matrimonio y de lo mal que lo estaban llevando porque el la buscaba solo para el sexo y ella no quería eso.... Además el prometió otra cosa.
(Si hubieran mas escenas del papá de Rian con Isabelle yo hubiera sido tan feliz me faltaron interacciones con el 😭)
Lo del anillo me pareció lindoooo, y Rian tenía sus momentos tiernos con Isabelle y me hubiera gustado ver mas de eso ya que al principio el la ingoraba mucho cuando ella solo quería hablar de su matrimonio y de lo mal que lo estaban llevando porque el la buscaba solo para el sexo y ella no quería eso.... Además el prometió otra cosa.
(Si hubieran mas escenas del papá de Rian con Isabelle yo hubiera sido tan feliz me faltaron interacciones con el 😭)
July 7, 2025
Rian and Isabelle feel like a dirrrty west side story. Fantastic glam gangsta story that is light on gory violence while playing up the alpha males. Vivid writing style with plenty of detail and side characters for an immersive read. This was my first for this author but will not be my last. Plenty of sexy times to balance out morbid themes. and whoa 🔥🔥🔥🥵
does it get juicy.
does it get juicy.
May 18, 2025
4.5/5⭐️
the perfect mafia romance that balances the romance, relationship and spice with all the grittiness of mafia politics and drama. i’ve read most of b. sobjakken’s work and honestly this one has to be my favorite. her writing has grown and it’s so strong - every time i put the book down i was craving to pick it up again. it kept me hooked the entire time and i loveedddd Rian from the very beginning! he was giving OBSESSED and i need to put a baby in your from the start - man after my own heart. i can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes!
thank you b for the ARC and MLA for the ALC!
the perfect mafia romance that balances the romance, relationship and spice with all the grittiness of mafia politics and drama. i’ve read most of b. sobjakken’s work and honestly this one has to be my favorite. her writing has grown and it’s so strong - every time i put the book down i was craving to pick it up again. it kept me hooked the entire time and i loveedddd Rian from the very beginning! he was giving OBSESSED and i need to put a baby in your from the start - man after my own heart. i can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes!
thank you b for the ARC and MLA for the ALC!
May 13, 2025
B. Sobjakken knows how to write possessive men!! Rian is as possessive and protective as they come, but he has met his match in Isabelle!
🖤Arranged marriage
🩶Mafia romance
🖤One night stand
🩶Virgin FMC
🖤Br33ding k!nk
🩶Found family
🖤Touch her and die
Rian and Isabelle have one fun night together so that she can lose her v card and become illegible to go into an arranged marriage. And when she finds out who he is, she immediately leaves and doesn’t expect to see him again. Until she is being put into an arranged marriage with Rian.
These two are completely opposites, but they are a match for one another! Isabelle is sarcastic and independent and fiery, and Rian is possessive and brooding and everything in between. Their banter back and forth was great and I loved how she didn’t take any of his sass!
Their sexual tension is off the freaking charts and their chemistry is even stronger! I loved these two, along with all of Rian’s “brothers”. They were hilarious and I can’t wait to see some of them get books in the future!
Lance Greenfield and Angelina Rocca did a great job narrating these characters! Angelina’s vulnerability really shown through when she was trying not to fall for her arranged husband. And Lance’s voice really shined when he was being growly and brooding over his girl!
Overall, I really enjoyed B. Sobjakken’s first full length novel and I can’t wait to see what is to come!
🖤Arranged marriage
🩶Mafia romance
🖤One night stand
🩶Virgin FMC
🖤Br33ding k!nk
🩶Found family
🖤Touch her and die
Rian and Isabelle have one fun night together so that she can lose her v card and become illegible to go into an arranged marriage. And when she finds out who he is, she immediately leaves and doesn’t expect to see him again. Until she is being put into an arranged marriage with Rian.
These two are completely opposites, but they are a match for one another! Isabelle is sarcastic and independent and fiery, and Rian is possessive and brooding and everything in between. Their banter back and forth was great and I loved how she didn’t take any of his sass!
Their sexual tension is off the freaking charts and their chemistry is even stronger! I loved these two, along with all of Rian’s “brothers”. They were hilarious and I can’t wait to see some of them get books in the future!
Lance Greenfield and Angelina Rocca did a great job narrating these characters! Angelina’s vulnerability really shown through when she was trying not to fall for her arranged husband. And Lance’s voice really shined when he was being growly and brooding over his girl!
Overall, I really enjoyed B. Sobjakken’s first full length novel and I can’t wait to see what is to come!
Read
May 19, 2025It’s not a terrible read… it’s just nothing new I haven’t read before. The h has somewhat spunk and the H is falling first it seems. Definitely tame in terms of “mafia” books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
This is Sobjakken's first full-length book, and I thought she did a great job with a classic mafia plot. Isabelle is a member of a low-level Italian mafia family, who has dreams of inheriting the family restaurant and being a Real Chef. Instead, despite her Best Efforts is included in a binder full of women offered as perspective brides to an Irish mob boss to keep a truce. It's Mafia Rules, don't think too hard. No one knows that these two met during her Best Effort, but BOY is Rian psyched to see her as his option.
Sobjakken does a fantastic job of showing the chemistry and obsession these two have with each other. It feels like two hot young people who are super into each other, and into consummating their marriage as much and as often as possible. Isabelle has a hard time letting go of her Chef Dream, and resists falling for her husband, yet is also super happy with the brotherhood of the Irish and her new home. I liked the push/pull of her character, where she loves being in her new situation, and feels conflicted that she so easily moved on from the old.
There were some minor character inconsistencies that kept this book from completely hitting for me. Rian is obsessed with Isabelle from their first meeting, and they are completely drawn to each other, yet at some point fairly late in he is kind of, what does she want, I [perform husbandly duties] every morning and make a "gracious effort to be home for the dinners she prepares" like its just an arrangement. Similarly, even given the push/pull she feels, from her POV they are building intimacy and affection and then she'll think how she hates him and hates the marriage. It feels like things got moved around a little in editing, but minor quibble because as a whole their dynamic worked really well. Also the Irish family went from "well she might be a plant or a spy, lets be careful" to "but she looks so honest, can't fake that" pretty quick, especially when one of their own *has* acting as a plant and spy on several occasions, AND they were recently betrayed from the inside. Oh well, they know best, I'm sure.
Naturally the independent and feisty bride is going to do something that shows she never read her copy of The Gift of Fear about listening to your little voice telling you something is off. It's time to turn the "my wife" levels up to feral, and have a really well-written action sequence. There's a lot of talk in the book about public and private-facing behaviors, and the masks of the role of leadership, and really, better communication about general and specific risk, when Rian has said she can question in the home would have saved everyone a lot of trouble.
Sobjakken did a great job setting up a future series, I can think of several characters I want to know more about right now.
Oct 2025 reread to remind myself of convoluted Mafia Business plot to read the arc of the next one.
Sobjakken does a fantastic job of showing the chemistry and obsession these two have with each other. It feels like two hot young people who are super into each other, and into consummating their marriage as much and as often as possible. Isabelle has a hard time letting go of her Chef Dream, and resists falling for her husband, yet is also super happy with the brotherhood of the Irish and her new home. I liked the push/pull of her character, where she loves being in her new situation, and feels conflicted that she so easily moved on from the old.
There were some minor character inconsistencies that kept this book from completely hitting for me. Rian is obsessed with Isabelle from their first meeting, and they are completely drawn to each other, yet at some point fairly late in he is kind of, what does she want, I [perform husbandly duties] every morning and make a "gracious effort to be home for the dinners she prepares" like its just an arrangement. Similarly, even given the push/pull she feels, from her POV they are building intimacy and affection and then she'll think how she hates him and hates the marriage. It feels like things got moved around a little in editing, but minor quibble because as a whole their dynamic worked really well. Also the Irish family went from "well she might be a plant or a spy, lets be careful" to "but she looks so honest, can't fake that" pretty quick, especially when one of their own *has* acting as a plant and spy on several occasions, AND they were recently betrayed from the inside. Oh well, they know best, I'm sure.
Naturally the independent and feisty bride is going to do something that shows she never read her copy of The Gift of Fear about listening to your little voice telling you something is off. It's time to turn the "my wife" levels up to feral, and have a really well-written action sequence. There's a lot of talk in the book about public and private-facing behaviors, and the masks of the role of leadership, and really, better communication about general and specific risk, when Rian has said she can question in the home would have saved everyone a lot of trouble.
Sobjakken did a great job setting up a future series, I can think of several characters I want to know more about right now.
Oct 2025 reread to remind myself of convoluted Mafia Business plot to read the arc of the next one.
May 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Insanely excited I got an ARC of Brooke’s first full length book! If you know me, you know I’ve been obsessed with her spicy asf novellas, so imagine how hard I screamed when I got my hands on this!
I loved being immersed into this new world and meeting all the players. There’s plenty of scheming, found family, betrayal, and plenty of spice to keep you hooked.
Isabella and Rian were a strong couple to start with for the Made Men series and really liked how this wasn’t your typical mäfia princess meets máfía prince.
When we meet Isabella, she’s a force in her own right but is very sheltered and even a bit naive about the world she’s a part of. Meanwhile, Rian is the definition of confidence and determined to get what he wants, when he wants it.
Cue the seggsual chemistry, y’all. Because through the ups and downs and journey of this book, that is one part that never fades.
I can’t wait for the next book and couple!
Insanely excited I got an ARC of Brooke’s first full length book! If you know me, you know I’ve been obsessed with her spicy asf novellas, so imagine how hard I screamed when I got my hands on this!
I loved being immersed into this new world and meeting all the players. There’s plenty of scheming, found family, betrayal, and plenty of spice to keep you hooked.
Isabella and Rian were a strong couple to start with for the Made Men series and really liked how this wasn’t your typical mäfia princess meets máfía prince.
When we meet Isabella, she’s a force in her own right but is very sheltered and even a bit naive about the world she’s a part of. Meanwhile, Rian is the definition of confidence and determined to get what he wants, when he wants it.
Cue the seggsual chemistry, y’all. Because through the ups and downs and journey of this book, that is one part that never fades.
I can’t wait for the next book and couple!
May 15, 2025
MADE MEN OF MANHATTAN -BOOK 1 - B.Sobjakken ABSOLUTELY KILLED THIS BOOK ! IT WAS SOOO GOOD AND I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN ! :)
Isabella is a daughter of one of the italian famiglia families, a chef's apprentice who wants to one day take over her family's restaurant... She is informed that she needs to keep her virtue in tact and they are looking for an arranged marriage to form an alliance... She decides to take matters into her own hands and she ends up in a bar in enemy territory ... having a ONS with a handsome stranger... or so she thinks ... fast forward to the arrangement meeting.. The head of the irish mafia , Rian O'Callaghan .. He recognizes her from that night and chooses her !!! neither wants to get married but they do in the name of alliances... each kiss is electrifying , HE IS INSATIABLE FOR HER ! As much as she wants to go back to her life , she wants him MORE !
heavy br33ding
MINE !! MY WIFE !!
independent FMC
OTT possessive MMC
he tattoos her finger while she is asleep
V FMC
HEA
Isabella is a daughter of one of the italian famiglia families, a chef's apprentice who wants to one day take over her family's restaurant... She is informed that she needs to keep her virtue in tact and they are looking for an arranged marriage to form an alliance... She decides to take matters into her own hands and she ends up in a bar in enemy territory ... having a ONS with a handsome stranger... or so she thinks ... fast forward to the arrangement meeting.. The head of the irish mafia , Rian O'Callaghan .. He recognizes her from that night and chooses her !!! neither wants to get married but they do in the name of alliances... each kiss is electrifying , HE IS INSATIABLE FOR HER ! As much as she wants to go back to her life , she wants him MORE !
heavy br33ding
MINE !! MY WIFE !!
independent FMC
OTT possessive MMC
he tattoos her finger while she is asleep
V FMC
HEA
January 20, 2026
ehem. so dirty i love it.
May 24, 2025
Let me preface this review by saying I don’t like mafia books and didn’t realize that’s what I was reading. I didn’t know what a “Made Man” was and had to ask ChatGPT. And then had to ask ChatGPT to give me a regency equivalent to what a Made Man was bc I still couldn’t wrap my mind around it. Suffice it to say I know very little about this genre. But if you like mafia books this might be for you. I am however a big fan of this author and so I persisted with the book. Her spicy scenes don’t disappoint (with one notable exception) and so I ended up skimming past the mafia parts and focusing on the spice and the relationship development. The FMC became more likeable once she decided to choose in to her marriage. But that wasn’t until the last 20% of the book. The rest of my review contains significant spoilers:
I didn’t really understand the FMC. Why is she mad about being “forced” to marry a hot, rich, powerful man? She picked him up at a bar (before she knew who he was). So it’s not like she doesn’t want him. The conflict seems contrived. Also, I just really don’t understand the desire to be a chef at a restaurant over being a trophy wife. No one will convince me that working my ass off in a hot kitchen until late into the night is a better gig than being married to a hot mafia dude that wants me to sit around at home and wait for him to come home and screw my brains out. Hashtag goals. This FMC needs to think about her life choices.
Pros:
Spicy scenes were spicy!
Love an OTT FMC
New kinks unlocked (pg 153-154)
She’s weirdly obsessed with him killing people. Like she thinks that’s the only thing a mob boss does. She grew up in the mafia. How does she not know what they do?
I don’t have a lot of patience for an FMC who can’t accept her fate. Especially when her fate is to be bred by a hot rich powerful mob boss. Why are you complaining honey? Quarrelsome isn’t a personality.
“The man has taken the future I’ve always dreamed of away.” Believe me when I tell you girl, the future you were dreaming of was mid at best. Wife of hot mob boss > chef at restaurant. (No offense to chefs. I don’t like to cook.)
I think being mean just to be mean rubs me the wrong way. Look lady, you agreed to the marriage. Being petulant about it is immature. Make the best of the situation.
“I’m not an untrained child who doesn’t know how to speak in public, but I deserve the right to speak my mind in my own house.” I mean, look, that sounds a lot like something an untrained child would say. Why do you want to shit talk your husband to his employees? You sound like a whiney complainer. Here’s a hot tip for you: they don’t need to know your fucking business. If you need to complain, get a therapist. Don’t dump your problems on the help.
Ok. I wasn’t loving the FMC anyway, but the dinner table scene was the nail in the coffin. “I’m not a child. Would a child do this?” (Not an exact quote, but she was definitely thinking it.) Proceeds to dump a plate full of food into his lap. Yes. Isabelle. That is exactly what a child would do. Ugh. Petulant brat child is my very least favorite personality trope. Also, what a waste of good food. That’s worth divorcing her over right there!
“I do, I want his babies more than I thought I would. But I hate what I have to give up to achieve that. I resent the fact I don’t dislike being married to him or the idea of raising a family. Not after how hard I worked to be more than that.” Nice little bit of internalized misogyny there. Barf. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a parent and choosing that over a career. Paid labor isn’t the only valuable labor.
“I only saw Rian in the mornings when he’d fuck me before leaving, and I received a few texts here and there to forgo dinner this week. It hurt my feelings a bit, but I tried not to take it personally…” You should definitely take that personally. It is about your person. Specifically your god-awful personality. I don’t understand how you don’t understand dumping food into people’s laps will result in them not wanting to have dinner with you.
Alright Rian, I was ok with you until pg 285. Couldn’t really come back from that. It’s like he’s never heard of a blood-borne pathogen. Exposing your wife to unsafe human blood is like the literal opposite of protecting her. And the dub-con in this scene was not sexy. All I could think was how many diseases he was potentially exposing her to.
The restaurant again?!?! You’re literally washing blood off your murderous husband and asking “Ok yeah. Tough day at work for you clearly. Had to murder a friend. But what about the restaurant?” I can’t even with you anymore.
The link for the artwork… ok. It wasn’t as horrific as what my imagination created when I read the scene. But I stand by my original ick and my very valid concerns about contaminated blood product.
Couldn’t really stay interested and sped read the remainder of the book. Like I said, FMC gets more likeable and the bonus epilogue is enjoyable. Still a fan of the author but this genre is maybe not for me.
I didn’t really understand the FMC. Why is she mad about being “forced” to marry a hot, rich, powerful man? She picked him up at a bar (before she knew who he was). So it’s not like she doesn’t want him. The conflict seems contrived. Also, I just really don’t understand the desire to be a chef at a restaurant over being a trophy wife. No one will convince me that working my ass off in a hot kitchen until late into the night is a better gig than being married to a hot mafia dude that wants me to sit around at home and wait for him to come home and screw my brains out. Hashtag goals. This FMC needs to think about her life choices.
Pros:
Spicy scenes were spicy!
Love an OTT FMC
New kinks unlocked (pg 153-154)
She’s weirdly obsessed with him killing people. Like she thinks that’s the only thing a mob boss does. She grew up in the mafia. How does she not know what they do?
I don’t have a lot of patience for an FMC who can’t accept her fate. Especially when her fate is to be bred by a hot rich powerful mob boss. Why are you complaining honey? Quarrelsome isn’t a personality.
“The man has taken the future I’ve always dreamed of away.” Believe me when I tell you girl, the future you were dreaming of was mid at best. Wife of hot mob boss > chef at restaurant. (No offense to chefs. I don’t like to cook.)
I think being mean just to be mean rubs me the wrong way. Look lady, you agreed to the marriage. Being petulant about it is immature. Make the best of the situation.
“I’m not an untrained child who doesn’t know how to speak in public, but I deserve the right to speak my mind in my own house.” I mean, look, that sounds a lot like something an untrained child would say. Why do you want to shit talk your husband to his employees? You sound like a whiney complainer. Here’s a hot tip for you: they don’t need to know your fucking business. If you need to complain, get a therapist. Don’t dump your problems on the help.
Ok. I wasn’t loving the FMC anyway, but the dinner table scene was the nail in the coffin. “I’m not a child. Would a child do this?” (Not an exact quote, but she was definitely thinking it.) Proceeds to dump a plate full of food into his lap. Yes. Isabelle. That is exactly what a child would do. Ugh. Petulant brat child is my very least favorite personality trope. Also, what a waste of good food. That’s worth divorcing her over right there!
“I do, I want his babies more than I thought I would. But I hate what I have to give up to achieve that. I resent the fact I don’t dislike being married to him or the idea of raising a family. Not after how hard I worked to be more than that.” Nice little bit of internalized misogyny there. Barf. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a parent and choosing that over a career. Paid labor isn’t the only valuable labor.
“I only saw Rian in the mornings when he’d fuck me before leaving, and I received a few texts here and there to forgo dinner this week. It hurt my feelings a bit, but I tried not to take it personally…” You should definitely take that personally. It is about your person. Specifically your god-awful personality. I don’t understand how you don’t understand dumping food into people’s laps will result in them not wanting to have dinner with you.
Alright Rian, I was ok with you until pg 285. Couldn’t really come back from that. It’s like he’s never heard of a blood-borne pathogen. Exposing your wife to unsafe human blood is like the literal opposite of protecting her. And the dub-con in this scene was not sexy. All I could think was how many diseases he was potentially exposing her to.
The restaurant again?!?! You’re literally washing blood off your murderous husband and asking “Ok yeah. Tough day at work for you clearly. Had to murder a friend. But what about the restaurant?” I can’t even with you anymore.
The link for the artwork… ok. It wasn’t as horrific as what my imagination created when I read the scene. But I stand by my original ick and my very valid concerns about contaminated blood product.
Couldn’t really stay interested and sped read the remainder of the book. Like I said, FMC gets more likeable and the bonus epilogue is enjoyable. Still a fan of the author but this genre is maybe not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
From the author who has dominated the smutty novella scene, Bartered Innocence is B. Sobkakken’s first full length book and she knocked it out of the park. Mafia is not an easy trope to write and she did it with such finesse. It was spicy, heart warming, swoony, and had amazing side characters. I loved Isabella and her independent nature while also being stubborn but understanding as well. Rian… well holy shit the mouth on him. Ugh I am a huge sucker for mafia men who have soft spots for their women.
⠀
I am so excited to see what side characters get their own stories. The found family aspect of this book was amazingly written and there was just enough to make us love them and wanting to know their backstory. Just the sneak peek of the prologue for the next book has me on the edge of my seat! If you are a fan of Michelle Heard’s mafia books, I think you will really enjoy this one!
⠀
Thank you so much for the ARC!
⠀
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
-Forced/Arranged Marriage
-Breed!ng
-Touch her and 💀
-Found Family
-One Night Stand
-Virgin FMC
⠀
I am so excited to see what side characters get their own stories. The found family aspect of this book was amazingly written and there was just enough to make us love them and wanting to know their backstory. Just the sneak peek of the prologue for the next book has me on the edge of my seat! If you are a fan of Michelle Heard’s mafia books, I think you will really enjoy this one!
⠀
Thank you so much for the ARC!
⠀
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
-Forced/Arranged Marriage
-Breed!ng
-Touch her and 💀
-Found Family
-One Night Stand
-Virgin FMC
May 17, 2025
4.25⭐️|3🌶️
I know I’ll never be disappointed by a Brooke Sobjakken book and once again, she delivered!
Rian and Isabelle meet one night when she decides to lose her virginity. She’s determined to take control of her life before her family can marry her off. What she doesn’t realize is the sexy stranger she hooks up with is none other than the leader of the Irish mafia & the head of a rival family. Plot twist, he’s now the man she’s being forced to marry to form a truce between their families.
The banter, the tension &spice was so damn HOTTTT. I devoured this.
Isabelle is anything but timid. She’s fiery, extremely opinionated & she’s constantly challenging Rian. She definitely tested my patience at times, especially when she pushed back on things she knew came with the life she was raised in. But she stayed true to herself & that made her feel real.
I will say there were moments where the plot had me a little confused. I think a bit more detail or context would’ve helped certain scenes land better. But overall, I really did enjoy this book.
I absolutely love the side characters! I am completely intrigued by them and cannot wait to read their stories.
Thank you so much, B. Sobjakken for the ARC! 🤍
I know I’ll never be disappointed by a Brooke Sobjakken book and once again, she delivered!
Rian and Isabelle meet one night when she decides to lose her virginity. She’s determined to take control of her life before her family can marry her off. What she doesn’t realize is the sexy stranger she hooks up with is none other than the leader of the Irish mafia & the head of a rival family. Plot twist, he’s now the man she’s being forced to marry to form a truce between their families.
The banter, the tension &spice was so damn HOTTTT. I devoured this.
Isabelle is anything but timid. She’s fiery, extremely opinionated & she’s constantly challenging Rian. She definitely tested my patience at times, especially when she pushed back on things she knew came with the life she was raised in. But she stayed true to herself & that made her feel real.
I will say there were moments where the plot had me a little confused. I think a bit more detail or context would’ve helped certain scenes land better. But overall, I really did enjoy this book.
I absolutely love the side characters! I am completely intrigued by them and cannot wait to read their stories.
Thank you so much, B. Sobjakken for the ARC! 🤍
May 21, 2025
Bartered Innocence 👰🏻♀️🖤🩸🥃
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★.5
Spice: 4 🌶️
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
I’m getting back into my mafia era and oh baby did I love this! Rian was the perfect MMC — He’ll kill anyone who dares touch touch his girl, but at the same time he’s such a softie for her 🥹 I mean get you a man who can do it both!!
There were so many things that worked really well for me in this book! The plot was engaging, the characters had great chemistry, and I loved the found family vibes within the Brotherhood. And of course, the spice!!! Brooke knows how to write some damn good spice… add in breeding kink and it was *chefs kiss* 🌶️
Overall, I definitely recommend this one! It was a wonderful start to B’s new full length Made Men of Manhattan series and I am really excited for Gianna & Sebastian’s story! Thank you @brookelynnebooks for the opportunity to read an early copy & for the generous PR box ❤️
What to expect:
• mafia romance
• forced/arranged marriage
• OTT protective MMC
• breeding kink
• one night stand to lose v-💳
• touch her & d!e
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★.5
Spice: 4 🌶️
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
I’m getting back into my mafia era and oh baby did I love this! Rian was the perfect MMC — He’ll kill anyone who dares touch touch his girl, but at the same time he’s such a softie for her 🥹 I mean get you a man who can do it both!!
There were so many things that worked really well for me in this book! The plot was engaging, the characters had great chemistry, and I loved the found family vibes within the Brotherhood. And of course, the spice!!! Brooke knows how to write some damn good spice… add in breeding kink and it was *chefs kiss* 🌶️
Overall, I definitely recommend this one! It was a wonderful start to B’s new full length Made Men of Manhattan series and I am really excited for Gianna & Sebastian’s story! Thank you @brookelynnebooks for the opportunity to read an early copy & for the generous PR box ❤️
What to expect:
• mafia romance
• forced/arranged marriage
• OTT protective MMC
• breeding kink
• one night stand to lose v-💳
• touch her & d!e
May 16, 2025
5/5🎧duet style narration
3,75/5 🌶️ with lots of “breathing”kink😜 because it is a B. Sobjakken story
No cheating and no OP drama
They start with ONS and then it turns into something unexpected! The alliance they form will result in many unexpected events, steamy situations, mafia rivalries and feuds and will set the scene for future couples.
3,75/5 🌶️ with lots of “breathing”kink😜 because it is a B. Sobjakken story
No cheating and no OP drama
They start with ONS and then it turns into something unexpected! The alliance they form will result in many unexpected events, steamy situations, mafia rivalries and feuds and will set the scene for future couples.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2025
RTC - once I get my wits about me 🫠
May 22, 2025
4⭐️ 4.5🌶️
thay was hot
thay was hot
November 1, 2025
dnf 80%
2 ⭐️ for rian, his breeding kink and him spelling his name on her stomach in white
everything else i will forget by tomorrow morning.
2 ⭐️ for rian, his breeding kink and him spelling his name on her stomach in white
everything else i will forget by tomorrow morning.
May 6, 2025
I legitimately devoured this book in about 24 hours. I don’t know what Brooke puts in her books but they are addicting!! I know she was worried about this book since it is her first full-length book but I swear it read just as quick and easy as all her novellas. Isabelle and Rian were so well matched and I loved the tension between them. Having a book with both the Irish and Italian mafia was perfection. For me, there was just the right balance of spice, plot, drama, and danger. I only wish the book had been a little longer because I was eating it up! The narrators were great and really brought the story to life. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!! Proud of you, B!
November 8, 2025
Bartered Innocence is an arranged marriage/mafia romance between the Irish mafia head (Rian) and his chosen bride (Isabelle). These two met before their wedding day, with Isabelle attempting to make herself less of a “traditional” wife by losing her virginity. She had no idea the man she spent the night with would be the one she met at the altar.
The premise and tropes sounded promising, but I was so underwhelmed. The plot and timing was disorganized. I had so many questions. I’m not sure I’d read the next book in the series. If I did, it’d be because Sebastian (book 2 hero) was hilarious in this book.
The premise and tropes sounded promising, but I was so underwhelmed. The plot and timing was disorganized. I had so many questions. I’m not sure I’d read the next book in the series. If I did, it’d be because Sebastian (book 2 hero) was hilarious in this book.
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