La famiglia prima di tutto. Family above all else.
Remi
Larceny isn’t a crime, it’s an art form. Well, technically it’s a crime, but only if you get caught. And I pride myself on never getting caught. Until one day I chose the wrong mark. Angelo Calvani, the Don of New Orleans. Did you know New Orleans has a Don? Me neither. But I’m quickly learning the intense, sometimes terrifying man is my ticket out of my legal troubles. Sure, what Angelo wants me to do is illegal, and what the man does to me between the sheets should be illegal, but I can handle the job. And the man…assuming my heart will stay the hell out of it.
Angelo
Remi Landry stole my money, and if I’m not careful, she’ll steal my heart. Good thing I’m always careful. I’m also never one to miss an opportunity. The woman’s the most skilled pickpocket I’ve ever encountered, and I have plans for my little larcenist. The problem is I can’t seem to keep my hands off her, and she can’t seem to keep her hands off my valuables. Remi thinks this is a game, but what she doesn’t understand is, I’m the king of NOLA, and I make the rules.
Steal My Heart: NOLA Mobsters contains… Mafia boss and pickpocket Grumpy/sunshine Age gap (10 years) Forced proximity Spice Violence Pew pew play Found family Witty banter HEA
I would say it was more on the mafia “lite” side but the comedic banter back and forth b/t the MMC and FMC made up for that
Also as a fellow cat mom, nothing is more of a green flag in a man then when he loves cats and the MMC had such a cute bond with the FMCs cat Nola- even made the kitty a ramp for the pool after having to save it from almost drowning…. Straight melted my heart tbh
The only reason for my 4 out of 5 star rating is I prefer my dark romances actually dark and like I said this was definitely on the lighter side
If you have been looking for a new Mafia Romance, look no more. Author Andrea Hagan’s Italian Mafia 5 book Series has a variety of tropes that will appeal to just about everyone, from Enemies-to-Lovers to Arranged Marriage, Guardian/Ward, and Second Chances. And now she has started a new series, the Nola Mobsters, with Steal My Heart.
I would be doing a disservice to describe the FMCs as strong and sassy because they are more than that, especially in Steal My Heart. Remi is a thief—more specifically, she is a pickpocket. Angelo is the mafia boss, King of NOLA. The rapport these two have is more than just steamy. They are also hilarious together. The quick-wit dialogue that Andrea Hagan wrote was well done and did not overshadow the plot. Even with the addition of the “cat,” that may or may not be a cat.
There is never a shortage of spicy scenes in Andrea Hagan’s books, and there were plenty of memorable ones in Steal My Heart. Angelo is quite the dirty talker. There might be a smidge of a Br33ding and shmilky shmink talk too. You’ll have to read and see!
I’m so excited to see more from the Nola Mobsters series. Steal My Heart has me pumped for more!
15% DNF: Ik weet niet wat dit was, maar enemies to lovers was het zeker niet. Hoe zoen je al als je niet eens 1 goed gesprek hebt gehad met elkaar. Sorry je kent elkaar net twee minuten en enemies zijn ze echt niet. Het is meer strangers to lovers, ik haat het als schrijfsters tropes claimen voor hun boek en dat het totaal niet voorkomt er in.
When Remi pickpockets the wrong man, he hunts her down, and she suddenly finds herself tangled in his dangerous, irresistible world. Angelo is perfectly broody with a side of swoon. He knows what he wants and never hesitates to get his way with his high-handed ways.
This mafia romance leans on the lighter side of dark, with the expected mafia drama and violence balanced by witty banter, spice, and a touch of suspense.
The grumpy/sunshine vibes were strong with this one… add in a cat with an attitude (shhh, don’t let Nola hear me call her a cat) and a strong found-family element that teases even more to come in this world, and I was utterly addicted and I couldn’t put it down.
This was a lot of fun, it's been a while since I've read a mafia romance, and there is nothing that I love more, when there is a ruthless made man is absolutely, utterly obsessed and head over heels for a sassy fmc! Angelo and Remi had such great banter and chemistry; honestly, the characters, both main and side were great!
This is on the lite side of dark romance, which I was absolutely fine with. I did think the writing style felt a bit choppy and the pacing was a little all over the place, especially with how the villain came to be and then resolved, to be quite honest, I'm not even sure if it is.
I'm curious about the second book; Angelo's brother, Fabian and Remi's old boss, who her ex cheated on her with. Interested to see how that will play out!
Thank you so so much to the amazing author for sharing an ARC of this book with me !!!!
“I’m a man who prides himself on avoiding problems. And Remi Landry has problems written all over her”
“This woman has brought nothing but chaos in your life” “Maybe I need a little chaos in my life”
Mâfïa romance queen !!! I loved this book. Unpredictable meet cute (if that’s how we can call it). Of course they fall as fast as they make them but … am I really complaining? No, I am not. Because this book was devilishly spicy, addicting, on the lighter side of dark romance, and with family dynamics that are as messed up as they can come. But the Calvani family will be my next undoing because we do start from Angelo and Remi … but I’m scared to know the effect the other siblings’ romances will have on me. Especially Al’s one !!!! Remi is a badass and she is unapologetically attached to a dangerous man and able to provide for herself (and that’s how we love our FMCs) and Angelo … is a suffocating (iykyk) controlling, obsessive grump who should know better but really doesn’t. But when the good girl starts … it’s impossible not to fall. The banter was constant and the spice was spicying … honestly … I cannot wait for the next book !!
First time read by the author. I Really enjoyed the banter and light comedy in this book . Oh and not forgetting the "cat" Nola....she made the book all thd more enjoyable.
Overall this was a good book. It was a light mafia trope. Not dark and with comical characters. Personally I prefer mature mafia men.
However, I just despise other woman drama in books. It just ruins everything for me. The MMC keeps his former f#ckbuddy around because he needs her association with the mayor. Although her appearances remained limited and nothings happens with the MMC, it still annoys me.
Then the FMC's cheating ex shows up with the woman he cheated with. Why is the women her ex cheated with the FMC in the next book?? Couldn’t have come up with another character?! Really?! The world doesn’t need to be so small!
I also don’t like it when the villain is non-existent untill basically the last chapters of the book. It was pointless and there was no reason for him to be the villain.
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
☀️Grumpy/Sunshine 🎭New Orleans 🖤Mafia 🌶️Forced Proximity New Orleans is such a fun setting for a book. It really is a character itself and I absolutely love that it was the backdrop for this book. We have Remi, our New Orleans pickpocket as the FMC, and we have Angelo as our sexy mafia man MMC. Angelo didn’t want to be a mafia man. It is something his dad pretty much thrust upon him when his older brother had to be locked up and his dad was dying. Enzo wanted to live a little bit more of the straight and narrow life. He was on track to go to college but all of that changed when his brother got incarcerated. Unfortunately, for our girl Remi, she is trying to leave pickpocketing behind her but wants to do one last big heist before she retires. And her target just happens to be connected to our mafia man. I love the energy between these two. It is very much a grumpy/sunshine, and I love the way that Remi brought out Angelo‘s playful side. I also have a candle that I am holding for Maks and Alessandra to get together. I know right now she is just freshly 18 but I definitely see an age gap bodyguard romance in her future. I also wanna learn a little bit more about Angelo‘s brother Fabien. This is a really fun host of characters and an amazing setting and I’m really excited to hopefully see more in this series with some of other familiar faces that we have met. Also I need NOLA the cat, who isn’t a cat, to be in every book
Remi Landry is a pickpocket and grifter who cheats to survive. Just one more job and then she hopes to get out and turn things around. Too bad she steals something of importance from Angelo Calvani, the King of New Orleans. She didn't know this when she danced with the tall, dark, devastatingly magnetic man at the charity gala and she definitely wasn't following her own rules when she let him kiss her. But now she's caught his attention and ends up "politely" kidnapped to participate in his business.
Part captive romance, part dark comedy, and 100% spicy! Steal My Heart is another perfect pairing from the very talented Andrea Hagan. This author excels at witty banter, fascinating character development, and cheeky interactions. I loved Remi for her mischievousness, her razor sharp wit, and her resilience. I loved Angelo both for his ruthlessness and determination as a mafia boss and his obsession with his new "houseguest" Remi. These two were so incredibly fun to read. But it doesn't stop there. The secondary characters elicit that same depth of feeling and amusement. And not just the humans. Remi's cat, who doesn't think she's cat, steals the show more than a few times!
Steal My Heart is another book in my favourite genre of mafia romance that I would gladly read over and over. It's magical when you find that right mix of light and dark. This is it!
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✔️ Mafia Boss & Pickpocket ✔️ Age Gap (10 Years) ✔️ Heist Action ✔️ Grumpy/Sunshine ✔️ Forced Proximity ✔️ Found Family ✔️ 🔫 Play ✔️ Witty Banter ✔️ A Sassy Savannah House Cat ✔️ HEA
⚠️ Check trigger warnings; this dark content is for +18 readers
Mafia romance is not my go-to trope these days; it sometimes feels like so many of the books are too similar and involve too much Mafia politics, gore, and threats. Thankfully, I found Steal My Heart a more refreshing take on a mafia romance with the right balance of spice, storyline and mafia elements.
Remi is a pickpocket stealing to make ends meet when she accidentally encounters Angelo at a party and steals from the wrong man. She must face the consequences of her actions and is forced to live under Angelo’s roof, all while fighting their growing attraction.
Remi and Angelo had an interesting dynamic, and I loved the banter between them, which kept me engaged in the storyline. While Steal My Heart is the start of a new series, it can be read standalone. Don’t worry, there is no cliffhanger, so you will get the HEA you seek. I am giving Steal My Heart a rating of 4 / 5 stars.
I really enjoyed the plot, especially the beginning — I absolutely loved it. The banter is insane!! The dialogue between the two main characters is one of the strongest points of the book, and I genuinely adored the FMC. She’s fun, sharp, and well written.
That said, I’m giving it three stars because, while the characters themselves are solid and engaging, the writing style didn’t fully work for me. I found it a bit too simple and fast-paced, more focused on telling events rather than exploring the characters’ inner thoughts and emotional depth, which is something I personally missed.
As an Italian, the nickname “amorina” made me cringe a little, lol — it just didn’t suit Angelo at all. Another reason for the three-star rating is that, unfortunately, the ending felt somewhat rushed. The spark and intensity of the beginning slowly faded, which was a bit disappointing.
It’s also worth noting that this isn’t a true dark romance, but I didn’t see that as a completely negative thing — some dark romances can be a bit too much for me anyway. Overall, it was still an enjoyable and pleasant read.
Ps: if you liked Lights Out, I feel like this could be a good book for you!
I am a huge fan of Andrea’s since reading the Parisi Family series. When I learned she was starting a new series called NOLA Mobsters, I jumped right on board! I absolutely love Andrea’s writing style, and I can’t get enough. Her writing is laced with humor, and you get a lot of chuckles and LOL moments while remaining serious and sultry.
This book focuses on Remi, a tiny pickpocket with a heart of gold, and Angelo, the King of NOLA. When Remi’s mark works for a made man, things go sideways, and all plans go out the window. Catching Angelo’s attention is both the best and the worst thing to happen to her. You can’t stay hidden very long when dealing with the mob.
I am living for these characters and that bobcat (*grins*)!! The banter is hilarious and the steamy scenes were perfect! I love Angelo’s family and how quickly Remi fits right in with this lot. I loved it! I can’t wait to see what is coming next!
Thanks to Andrea Hagan for gifting me an eARC of Steal My Heart. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
i LOVEDDD this!! I wouldn’t say this is a dark romcom but i also can’t think of any other dark romance that has this kind of banter. Even side characters were funny and quite literally every convo between Remi and Angelo had the best banter.
Angelo is know for being ruthless, the second son of a mafia don with no interest in the family but called back when his father is on his death bed. Now, years later the new mayor is giving him issues and he’s at a gala trying to grease some palms when Remi shows up on the dance floor… and little does she know, Remi is about to steal from the king of NOLA
Aside from a small brush with an alligator 👀 Angelo has a soft spot for Remi pretty much immediately. He politely kidnaps her and because she used to a crappy apartment with a creepy landlord, she’s not even upset about it. AND he even goes to said crappy apartment and gets all of stuff and her cat, Nola, and brings it back to his house for her….and gets rid of her creepy landlord.
i’m just obsessed with them!!! i likely won’t read book 2 purely bc it’s second chance and i don’t like second chance but im hoping Al (the sister) gets her own book, possibly with Maks????
-mafia boss x pickpocket -grumpy x sunshine -age gap, 10 years -forced proximity -found family -banter!! -single guardian -slight OW drama -dark but not too dark
Oh my GOSH! I love this book. I devour this book! It was so funny! Remi with her witty comebacks to everything. She is such a sunshine and always optimistic! She is also a skilled pickpocket AND a palm reader. Oh the random things she's done. I'm so happy that I stumble to this book and love every second of reading this. I can imagine this turning to movie and I think I will die laughing so hard with their banter.
Angelo is this grumpy mafia boss, so it's giving this grumpy and sunshine trope which I LOVE! And add in a cat, Nola (which is not a bob cat.. and also NOT A CAT). I couldn't put this book down. The book is kind of fast paced and the plot was also plotting. I also love that Maks was determined to teach Remi how to swim. I suspect theres a whole other story for Maks which I really hope there is and I want to read it!
Thank you Andrea Hagan for this magnificent book! Will put it in my "BOOKS I WILL NEVER FORGET" list.
Steal My Heart by Andrea Hagan is the first book in the Nola Mobsters series and follows Angelo and Remi.
The story opens ten years ago with Angelo becoming the new mob boss after his father’s death. In the present, Remi is a pickpocket trying to survive. When she steals from Angelo at a party, her life changes fast. She’s forced to live under his roof, and their slow-burn attraction turns into something much more.
I loved these characters. Their chemistry, banter, and emotional pull kept me hooked. The mix of dark tension and humour made this book stand out. Remi brought out Angelo’s softer, playful side in a way that felt natural. The steamy scenes were balanced with strong character development. I also loved Nola and have my fingers crossed for Maks and Alessandra’s story next.
Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Dark Mafia Romance, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Sassy FMC, Age Gap, Curvy FMC.
You basically have a fun, loving but murdering MC, mafia boss, witty, a hardass but not derogatory, and a boss just trying to do his best. The FC was one of my faves, funny, witty, not murdering but not a scary cat, and not part of the mafia world (but in the low ranks of the criminal world) AND THE CAT, WHO DOESN'T LOVE A SHIT ASS SPOILED LITTLE CAT 😺 lol
The plot was nice, it had their twists but a little cliché if you have read these types of books before. The romance was amazing, the smut too and the characters were just amazingly well written. I devoured this book in 1 day and a half.
Also I was really pleased with the sibling rivalry and banter, it was different and it didn't feel forced or overused. %100 dysfunctional but with promises to become better in the next book, we'll see.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Overall a fun, not angsty, smutty mafia romance with a fluffy little cat in the middle.
Andrea does it again with a deliciously spice mafia romance that will have you begging for more and never wanting joie de vivre to end. I feel for Angelo and Remi for the start. She picked the wrong pocket and he may be a wall of broody muscle but they could both use a little trouble and spicy in their life. These two just go together like the gumbo recipe, everything just blends together perfectly leaving you feeling warm and cozy with little tingling with the spice. I feel for all of the characters and can't wait for more in this series to get their stories as well. Also I love love NOLA so that just made this story even better. Oh and let us not forget the twist in this mafia business that will keep you guess. Get ready for you heart to melt over the MMC that will take cat of your cat in more than one way.
I am fairly certain that this is my favorite book by Andrea to date. I LOVE mafia books, but also love laughing out loud whilst reading, and she nailed this one down with both of those! Angelo is ruthless to everyone, aside from Remi; his little pickpocket. Remi is independant and has been on her own for a while. The sarcasm and banter between these two were top-tier and had me chuckling and grinning like a fool. Her cat, Nola, was basically the other FMC in this book, and My God was she a RIOT. The bobcat and jungle cat comments had me rolling. The chemistry they had was elite. This story was pure perfection, and I loved reading Angelo gradually begin to feel for the first time in forever. I am already wanting more! LOVED IT!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Remi is a thief who steals to survive. During a party, she takes something valuable from Angelo, forcing her to face the consequences of crossing the wrong man.
𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖.
She’s now his captive, but neither of them can deny the feelings that have been simmering since their kiss at the charity gala.
𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 💦.
These two have some of the best witty banter ever, and I absolutely loved it.
Steal My Heart was such a fun, steamy read and an excellent start to this new series. I can’t wait to dive into Unlock My Heart—second chance mafia romance? Yes, please!
Pickpocket Remi just stole from the wrong man. Angelo Calvani is the Don of the New Orleans crime family. So when he decides he can use her skills, she’ll end up forced into his world. Now if only they could stay out of his bed.
In this forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine mafia romance, things are getting hot and bothered as Remi and Angelo are driven into each other’s lives with off the scale chemistry. If you love mafia romances, you aren’t going to want to miss this one.
Steal My Heart by Andrea Hagen is now available 🫶🏻
Oh I loved it! It was strangely endearing how they met, how fate brought the two of them together. They are such a great match, with steamy scenes and some fairly comical and entertaining situations, this book got me in its grasp! The characters Andrea weaves are always awesome. They have such spunk and personality that you can't help but fall for them. I am excited to read the stories for the rest of the family!
This book is going to keep you reading from the moment that you pick it up and start reading the first chapter. The pace at which it moves is perfect for the flow of the story, which makes for an easy and enjoyable read. The characters are so real that you feel as though you know them and no matter what happens you can 't help but love them. This book will not disappoint, it is a must read that needs to be at the top of your TBR list, no doubt about it.
Another perfect mafia read from Andrea Hagan! If you liked this one, check out her Parisi family series!
I loved being transported to New Orleans and I actually loved that the MMC was trying his hardest to be the “good” guy. The FMC was super fun and I loved her flightiness and positivity and absolute refusal to back down from anything. The story is perfectly paced and I am SO excited for book 2!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Andrea sure knows how to write a m@fîa book! I loved her Parisi Family series and I am already in love with these NOLA men! Angelo and Remi meet in one of the most unconventional ways, but it starts a series of events that no one can stop. I love the way that Angelo claims her, and I love that she didn’t make it easy. There were twists and turns that I kept trying to figure out and was shocked when those were revealed. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
This book is fast paced and downright HOT! It's not just a romance; it's a novel that has a great storyline. I almost couldn't put the book down because I couldn't wait to read what was happening next. I fell in love with the characters so much that I could ignore all of the killing going on. The author only killed off the bad people. I would highly recommend this book to anybody wanting a hot book that keeps you on your toes!
I really like the character being a pickpocket and going up against the mob but felt it move to quick. She immediately got jealous like they were in a relationship already it didn’t really make sense. Clearly they liked one another but didn’t really date or become an official until later. I enjoyed the plot but it felt a bit rushed through. I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing it seemed more banter than anything else which I don’t mind but there wasn’t much depth to it. Overall not a bad read
I absolutely love this author's books, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. The characters are so well written that you feel like you are there in the book with them. I would like to know more about the puzzle Maks kept giving Remi after her incidents. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes mafia romance.
Funny with nice bunter and family dynamics. Fast and simple and a little over the top with the shenanigans and the trigger-happy MMC. I liked that the heroine was a pickpocket and how she spoke her mind, i just found all the characters a little charicature-like and just too convinient for the plot.