The Don's Reluctant Bride

by Lucille Byrne

Kidnapped by the kingpin. Forced into marriage. Now, we’ll either conquer the empire—or burn it to the ground.

When I was kidnapped by Valentino Morelli, I never expected to feel anything but fear.

He’s dangerous, untouchable—my enemy in every sense.

Too ruthless, too controlled—too irresistible.

One forbidden kiss, and everything changes. Secrets surface, and hearts collide.

Now, I’m his wife, caught in the crossfire of a Mafia war, and fighting to protect the love we never saw coming.

But as the past rises with a vengeance, an unexpected rival emerges—my brother, the heir no one knew existed.

He wants to tear down the empire we’ve built, and he’ll stop at nothing to claim what he believes is his.

The line between loyalty and betrayal blurs with every heartbeat.

With enemies closing in and love on the line, Valentino and I must risk it all. Together, we'll rise from the ashes or let the flames consume us.

Because in a world of shadows and secrets, only one rule

No one takes what belongs to us.

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2024

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might want to hang on don’t blink and you might want to make sure to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified possessive, oh so gorgeous, brooding all three makings of a story consisting with the three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, darkness, secrets revealed, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love somewhere along the way! Valentino, head of one the crime families of course he is used to dealing with rival families trying to take over his territory but he is dangerous, ruthless on a good day, deadly every day, protects those he loves, and when he is owed a debt he intends on collecting which is why we start out with him taking Elise her father owed a debt couldn’t pay made a deal. Elise is sweet an innocent in his world but the moment she meets her soon to be husband the magnetic pull is there no amount of logic can make her ignore it especially after her father’s debt and the harder they try the stronger the pull but with his enemies coming for him hoping to their hands on her as leverage but will he protect her, will the be able to navigate the twist/turns thrown their way, and will they get their happiness somewhere on the adventure?

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written story that has drama, suspense, intrigue, action, and a steamy romance it also has the beginning of a happily ever after ending to it. The pages have amazing characters and it’s also a page turner that will make you want to read it straight through.
A story about a woman kidnapped for leverage by a Mafia don who forces her to marry him but they wind up falling in love.
Throughout this story the couple are faced with many things such as betrayal and conflicts that lead them into deciding to build a new family that will stand the test of time.
During this time they have to fight amongst the family and once their rivals hear about what happened they want to be part of what the couple is trying to build. The couple knows that there will be another fight to come.
At the end the fight comes from someone who the couple never knew about but the fight is short lived.
Five years later the couple had two children. The alliances are still holding strong and everyone is happy. The couple and their little family are happy and the two are still in love with one another. The couple has a visitor that tells them of a new threat that will try to upset what they have built.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hooked me right from the opening. When Valentino abducts Elise and declares they’re destined to marry, I braced myself for a fiery battle of wills, expecting a slow-burn romance. But instead, I got an intense, “instalove” connection that took me by surprise! Despite Valentino's dangerous edge, there's an undeniable pull between him and Elise, drawing them together even as the world around them spirals into chaos. What I loved most was how quickly they grew close, defying all odds and their initial enmity. This isn’t just another enemies-to-lovers romance—it’s a rollercoaster packed with unexpected twists, pulse-pounding tension, and sizzling chemistry. Their love story burns hot, with steamy moments that add fuel to the fire, and each challenge they face only strengthens their bond. I was captivated by how, with enemies circling, Valentino and Elise stay fiercely united, choosing each other above all else. Fast-paced and utterly engrossing, this book will have you glued to the pages, eager to see if these two can conquer the odds and find their way to a hard-won happily-ever-after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Don’s Reluctant Bride is definitely suspenseful and a page-turning mafia romance book. I absolutely adore reading this amazing book to the point where I did NOT want to set down this book for a second. I loved getting to know both Elise and Valentino as well as seeing their story unfolding before my eyes. Elise is kidnapped by Valentino and forced into a marriage. Elise is now Valentino’s wife who is caught in the crossfires of a Mafia war, and fighting to protect the love they never saw coming. I do love that Elise and Valentino have a happily ever after even though it started out as a forced marriage. The Don’s Reluctant Bride is a mafia romance that I would certainly recommend for anyone to read. Author Lucille Byrne has created another fabulous mafia romance that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I can’t wait to read more amazing books by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kristina_book_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took off right from the start with my kidnapping and forced marriage. You will never ever even believe who is kidnapping me it is none other than the reluctant don. The one thing I never expected happening what’s two fall for this ruthless, irresistible controlled man that will conquer empires and burn them to the ground. however, you will never guess who is trying to destroy everything we built and will do nothing until everything. He leaves his is claimed and that is none other than my brother. A brother no one ever knew existed until now.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mafia story this time we follow Elise and Valentino, he is the head of a crime family and is about to marry Elise. There is a rival crime family that tries to take the territory that Valentino dominates and not only that if they have collateral they assume that Valentino will give in if they can kidnap Elise. What they have not thought about is that Valentino is possessive and that they do not know what they have brought upon themselves. A great storyline with strong characters and enough steam.



I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review..

[Júlia Orbán · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶️

In a world of lies, secrets, and deception, the stakes are high. This wasn't just a fight for survival—it was a reckoning. This was a war of blood, and we are fighting for the future we dared to dream of.

Elise:
He is my captor, my protector, and my husband. Our love is a true legacy, the promise of forever that no one could ever take away from us.❤️‍🔥

Valentino:
She is my future, my heart and my strength. She is the reason I would never falter again.🥀

The Don’s Reluctant Bride is a dark mafia romance with intrigue that tangles deeply.


(I received this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.)

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily

I absolutely loved reading this book I couldn't put this book down, the story was written well and the characters were amazing. This story had so much going on between Valentino Morelli, and Elise, Elise was kidnapped these two are not aloud to fall for each other, there is too many secrets, a few times I had a moment of I didn't see that coming, but it's the twist, deceit, vengeance, lies, betrayal, add to the h e story that made it exciting.

I received a free copy of this book

[Chris06 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts off with a bang and a lot of promise but by chapter 14 it starts going off kilter.

Character names get mixed up .. they are in places they actually physically can’t be from scene to scene. A letter is found that can’t be there as it isn’t even the FMCs house. The secret around her father makes no sense cause in the beginning she is kidnapped for his debts but then he becomes someone else.

Great potential but ultra confusing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Frani Zumwalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elise has been protected by her father most of her life. She has no clue her father is in the mafia. Valentino Morelli is don of his mafia. He has Elise kidnapped and bought to his home for her protection. He informs her they are to be married.
Elise falls in love with the don and tries to help him in seeing who is trying to destroy what he has built. Only problem there is is a rat giving out info as to what they plan on doing.
This is a must read book. The characters and story line are great.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all. Instalove, obsession and touch her and die. It starts with a kidnapping and he falls in love with her . She chooses him over everyone and he says he will burn the city down to keep her safe. As he takes down enemy after enemy, a shock makes him doubt all he believes. You have to read this book. It's amazing. So worth a read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Valentino and Elise. The author does a great job developing the story and paints her scenes perfectly. She takes you into their lives with kidnapping, chemistry and steam and kept me turning the pages with the twists along the way. She moves the story fluidly and delivers an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a great plot that will pull you in from the beginning until the end. Elise is going to marry Valentino, the head of a crime family. A rival family is also trying to take over Valentino's territory and kidnap Elise. They know they will have leverage over Valentino if they can get Elise. This book is intense and dramatic. Excellent book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burning it All

Although Elise was forced into a marriage of convenience, her attraction to Valentino was indescribable. Their pull to each other could not be resisted and they would burn everything in their path just to stay united. The twists and turns to this story only added to the suspenseful and exciting plot. I could not put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Don's Reluctant Bride is a steamy, enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity, forced marriage, mafia romance. Elise and Valentino belong to rival Mafia families. Valentino kidnaps Elise for leverage, but they end up falling in love. Their chemistry was pure fire. This was a wild ride that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Don's Reluctant Bride is a suspenseful and thrilling Mafia forced marriage romance between a Mafia don, Valentino, and Elise who he kidnaps and marries as a means to strengthen his power base against his rivals. Their intriguing enemies to lovers romance has plot twists, well defined characters, deceit, Mafia action, danger, and steamy passion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling story jumps off right from the beginning. Elise is kidnapped and informed by Valentino that they are getting married, and it starts their electrifying journey filled with twists and turns that had me glued to the pages. Will their journey lead them to happiness and victory.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JM G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading The Don's Reluctant Bride. The characters are well developed and the storyline hooked me from the start. Once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down. Valentino and Elise's story is steamy hot! I ended up reading late into the night.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining mafia, force, marriage, force, proximity romance book that captures your attention and hold it from beginning to end. The storyline is intriguing and dramatic as the elements unfold. The characters have steamy magnetic chemistry together and are well written. I enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valentino & Elise: Enemies to lovers/ forced marriage/ kidnapped bride/ mafia romance: Lucille Byrne has written an intense action packed mafia romance with plenty of twists, secrets, spice, and romance. This is a fast paced standalone that will hook you in and keep you entertained.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action starts immediately w/ Valentino kidnapping Elise and informing her they are getting married. Buckle in for a intense wild ride w/ secret agendas, plenty of spice and electrifying and unexpected twists that will have you falling for Valentino as much as Elise did.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does someone describe how AMAZING of a mafia romance read this truly is without giving anything away. You just tell romance lovers that this book is what you should be reading next. I think that the way Lucille writes the storyline, and characters makes this one of the best books ever.

[Pam B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elise was kidnapped by Valentino and was told she would be marrying him due to debt from her father.

This is a must read! She was not raised in the Mafia life!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read that you will not put down. The story pulls you in from the beginning and keeps you there till the very end. The characters fit well together. The story is full of suspense, drama, action, Mafia and much more. You will enjoy this book.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book I couldn't put it down. It was well written and I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Elise and Valentino's story. I found the book well written. The story itself pulled me in and held my interest from beginning to end.
This is a voluntary review.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a fast-paced and standalone book that will keep you engaged from start to finish. This story is about Valentino kidnapping Elise. I throughly enjoyed this book. It has everything your needing.

[Carla · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book made zero sense.