The Forbidden Husband: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance

by Emma J. Rose

Marrying Enzo Rissi was supposed to be my sentence…
But loving him became my greatest crime.

My father made me his
Marry the cold-blooded mafia underboss or watch my sister pay the price.

Enzo was everything I feared—ruthless, untouchable, and deadly.
Our marriage was a contract… until he spared me on our wedding night.

I wasn’t supposed to fall for him.
I wasn’t supposed to want him.

But each forbidden touch burned deeper.
Each stolen moment made me forget who the real enemy was.

Then I learned I was carrying his child…
And betrayal became inevitable.

Now, I’m trapped in a dangerous game between loyalty and love.
Enemies are circling, secrets are unraveling…
And walking away is no longer an option.

Because in this war…
The only thing more dangerous than loving Enzo Rissi…
Is becoming his.

The Forbidden Husband is a pulse-pounding mafia romance featuring an arranged marriage, surprise pregnancy, and enough twists to keep your heart racing.

This is the first book in The Forbidden Series—a full-length standalone thrilling love story with zero cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Buckle up—you’re in for one unforgettable ride.

Genres: Dark Romance

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2025

Reviews

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 💥🤔⭐️s

Part 1

Well written, predictable enough and the execution had some flaws…

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

This was just ok. I hate the betrayal trope where she’s being blackmailed to spy on her husband and report back, I’m too anxious a person for this shit.

Dual pov
Mafia arranged marriage
No owd/omd
Surprise pregnancy
HFN

[cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started fine actually but in the middle it became weak. Much more could have been done to develop the relationship between the MCs but 🤡

3.5 irritating h, Safe.

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Forbidden Husband” is the first book in “The Forbidden Series.” Aria Bianchi is a mafia princess and will do anything to protect her younger sisters Livia and Evelina. There are developments with her family situation with their rivals, the Rissi’s, and the only way to resolve this is by the families joining together in marriage. Aria has been chosen, aka blackmailed. She is to marry Enzo Rissi, the Underboss to Giovanni Rissi.

Once married to Enzo her father expects her to spy on the Rissi family and report back to him. If not, her younger sister’s lives are in danger! At their wedding, feelings started to change ….

“I pulled her against my body, and when she gasped, I devoured her mouth. The electricity flowing between us was immediate. She wrapped an arm around the back of my neck to hold herself upright, and I gave myself a few more seconds. And then I mustered up more strength than I ever would have thought necessary to pull away from Aria Bianchi-Rissi’s lips.
My wife’s delicious mouth.
I was screwed.”

The relationship between Enzo and Aria is deepening into more as they slowly begin to trust each other. Enzo swore he would never fall in love with his wife …. is it possible that this will change? This is such a beautiful love story that is so intense - a love that will last forever, in both good and bad times!

“The Forbidden Husband” is a pulse pounding mafia romance featuring an arranged marriage, surprise pregnancy and enough twists to keep your heart racing! The story is full of passion, intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, power, control, twists and turns around every corner. The book goes through moments of the thoughts or possibilities of what could happen, to extreme violence to the most beautiful tender moments! I’m very happily hooked! I did not want it to end! From page to page, chapter to chapter, I could not put it down - you will metaphorically be on the edge of your chair! Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[Soleil · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF... This book is not for me. It has the tropes I love but not the type of characters. I hate cold and unfeeling characters in the romance books that I read. Both Enzo and Aria are cold and unfeeling. I don't feel any chemistry between them. They prefer to live separately from each other and have sex with other people. Whether or not Enzo cheats on her I don't care. I just don't like Aria and her personality. A woman can be strong and nice at the same time. Being a cold and a B... is not my type of female character I like in the romance books I read. Aria spitting in Enzo's face was discussing and mean. Both characters got on my nerves with their bad attitudes. Where is the romance and relationship if they don't communicate and are enemies throughout the whole book. I don't like this book or story. There is no relationship development in. I also hate when the FMC feels like she has to sacrifice her life and happiness for her family members. I skipped a couple of the chapters and just couldn't read this book anymore. This is my first time reading a book by this author and probably the last. This book is boring to me!

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining arranged marriage romance. The main characters are Enzo and Aria. Aria has seen something her father did and she has kept it a secret. Her father is a cruel man and Aria has to do as he tells her. Aria knows she can't run or he will find her and then she will be punished. Aria's father has arranged a marriage for her to marry Enzo Rissi, who is a dangerous mafia underboss. This story has danger, violence, suspense and steamy chemistry.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, WOW, WOW. This dark and deviant romance read is a real page turner of a book. Aria is in an arranged marriage with Enzo that has your heart racing and pages turning quickly to see what ends up happening. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest at times due to the suspense and sometimes sadness Aria had to deal with her A$$ of a father, but in the end, she gets her HEA with Enzo and this book is a keeper of a read.

[Yoneidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Enzo and Aria get married to form an alliance but Aria's father has other plans, he wants to be the boss of bosses and for that he has to kill Enzo's family.
Enzo hates Aria's father and looks for the moment to kill him.
And Aria, poor thing, finds herself in the middle of this war.
Very entertaining, I really liked the rivalry between the families, a little more action would have been perfect and a little more drama. But overall highly recommended.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aria is placed in a difficult situation thanks to her father who married her off to use as his pawn in a rival mafia family. Enzo was not expecting the caliber of woman that he saw in Aria and when she betrayed him it cut deep until he found out the reasons behind it. This action-packed story is filled with twists that had me all caught up in the story and cheering on Aria and Enzo to get their chance for happiness.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo and Aria. She saw her fathers betrayal. Her father is using her sister to blackmail her. Enzo isnt what she thought he was. He will do anything to protect his family. She will sacrifice herself for her family. They just might be able to help each other. Theres suspense, mafia chaos, its intense and they have so much chemistry. This book will keep you on the edge till the end. Highly recommend.

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

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

TROPES:
~mafia
~age gap
~arranged marriage

This was my first read by Emma J. Rose and it won't be my last! This is an arranged marriage mafia romance full of tension, spice, and chemistry. I really enjoyed it!!

SAFETY:
Virgin/manwhore/celibate: virgin heroine, not a manwhore hero
OM/OW: no
Cheating/sharing: no
HEA?: yes!

My bookshelves may contain spoilers.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo and Aria’s Story

I just finished reading Enzo and Aria’s story and I couldn't put it down. This enemy, enforced marriage, Mafia book has it all. Compelling characters, marriage of two enemy families (married to form an alliance), suspense, betrayal, and all the lies, can it end with a HEA. You will definitely have to get the book to find out. Cannot wait to read the next book.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forbidden Husband is a pulse-pounding mafia romance featuring an arranged marriage, surprise pregnancy, and twists to keep your heart racing. And was Enzo and Aria’s story. Great story. I got a copy of the book and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mafia romance. Loved Aira's character. She is such a strong female main character. Enjoyed the story and found it was a pretty quick read.

[Diana Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia

When it comes to mafia is totally ok, Aria was a little to wrecked sand too much on her but I liked the story

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read from this author and I really enjoyed it. Lots of drama, twists and turns. As far as arranged marriages go Enzo and Aria were perfect together. Looking to more from the author.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read couple confusing parts but got it

[Elizabeth younger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how Enzo cared for Aria and how Gio knew all along what was happening. The strength Aria had to gain to ensure her sisters were never harmed because of something she did to disappoint her father was peak.