𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, make you laugh, and then leave you breathless by the end, then this is exactly what you need. This book hit all the right notes for me, and I’m still reeling from how much I loved it. It has everything, a fiery heroine, a commanding mafia boss, a setting that practically oozes charm, and a twist that had me absolutely floored.
First of all, let me just say, I adore Remi. She is one of the most unforgettable characters I’ve read in a long time. I’m obsessed with her. From her sharp wit to her fearless attitude, Remi is a character who grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. She’s a pickpocket with a heart, but it’s more than just her criminal skills that make her stand out. Her personality is magnetic, she’s unapologetically herself, and I couldn’t help but root for her the whole way through. Her humor is on another level, and I caught myself smiling (or laughing out loud) more times than I can count. But what really stuck with me was the way she handles her vulnerability. She’s tough as nails, but there are these moments where you get to see her softer side, and that just made her even more real and lovable to me. I’m seriously obsessed with her. (And her cat, Nola? I swear, that "cat" stole every single scene. Iykyk).
Then, of course, we have Angelo, the don of New Orleans, and what a Don he is. At first glance, he’s everything you expect from a mafia boss…gruff, intimidating, and all about business. But there’s so much more to him. The more I learned about Angelo, the more I fell for him. Beneath the power and the cold exterior is a man who is loyal, protective, and deeply devoted to those he cares about. His dynamic with Remi was just electric. The tension between them is undeniable, and as their relationship unfolds, you can feel that the push and pull is driving them both crazy. Watching Angelo try to keep his hands off her while she’s clearly getting under his skin…priceless. But the real beauty of their connection is how Angelo doesn’t just want to control Remi, he wants her to choose him, and that made everything about their romance feel so much more layered and meaningful.
I’m also not going to lie, I fell in love with New Orleans as the setting. I’ve read plenty of mafia books, but I don’t think I’ve ever read one that’s set in the vibrant, colorful world of New Orleans. The city itself adds so much to the story, it’s gritty and beautiful, full of history and energy that practically jumps off the page. I could practically feel the heat of the streets, hear the jazz in the air, and smell the food wafting through the alleys. New Orleans as the backdrop to this mafia story gave it such a distinct flavor, and I loved it. It’s not just the perfect setting for this high stakes world of crime; it made the world come alive. It felt like another character, as alive and unpredictable as Angelo and Remi.
While Remi and Angelo completely owned my heart, it was Alessandra and Maks who made me fall even deeper into this world. Alessandra, Angelo’s sister, is absolutely hilarious. Every time she appeared, I found myself smiling like an idiot. She’s sassy, bold, and says exactly what she’s thinking, no matter how inappropriate or chaotic the moment is. She has that rare kind of energy that lights up a page, and I honestly hope she will have her own book. You can feel how much she loves her brothers, even when she’s rolling her eyes at him. Their banter added such a spark to every scene, they balance the darker, grittier parts of the story with humor that feels so natural.
Then there’s Maks. Quiet, loyal, and a little mysterious, he completely surprised me. He’s the kind of character who doesn’t need a lot of words to make an impression. His protectiveness and subtle humor made him impossible not to love. You can tell he’s got his own story hidden under all that calm strength. There were moments where he’d just give a small grin or a one liner, and somehow it hit harder than a whole speech. I genuinely hope Andrea gives him more page time in future books, he deserves it.
In short, because I practically talked your ear off, I loved this book. I adored every single character, I was captivated by the setting, and I was completely hooked by the plot.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions with all the right amounts of spice, suspense, and humor. It’s everything I want in a mafia romance and so much more.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Mafia romance, grumpy/sunshine, thief fmc, enemies to lovers, age gap, forced proximity