The final chapter in The Casella Brothers Series is complete.
A man who has buried his heart beneath years of violence and bloodshed, and a woman torn between the deadly secrets of Falcon’s Keep. Rafael and Nera fight for a love the world deems forbidden, surrounded by the merciless betrayals of her family. Nothing is safe within the walls of Falcon’s Keep, an island controlled by the ruthless Lucchese family.
Torn between his unyielding loyalty to the Della Torre's and a love that could destroy him, Rafael faces an impossible choice. Walk away from Nera to protect what's left of Falcon’s Keep, or risk losing everything to claim her as his own. When the world twists, bends and breaks, it comes down to one thing. His life or hers.
~
All books in the series are interconnected standalones. It is recommended to read the series in order, however not necessary.
All books in the series and their tropes: 1. The Casella King—Ezra & Aries. Marriage of convenience, touch her and die, mafia boss falls in love with an outsider.
2. The Casella Ruin—Darcy & Nicholas. Arranged marriage, TRUE enemies to lovers, betrayal, revenge, substance addiction and healing.
3. The Casella Sin—Rafael & Nera. Age gap, taboo, forbidden, jealous hero, survival and TRAGEDY.
C.B. Frey is a dark romance author from Sydney and the author of The Casella Brothers series.
She thrives in the dark, finding beauty in the twisted and forbidden. She writes dark romance with a raw edge, filled with brooding villains and love that burns with toxic obsession. Her readers have dubbed her characters as messy, flawed and irresistibly compelling.
4⭐️ I fucking flew through this book like it was my last day on earth.
*clears throat*
When she feels helpless and is about to follow through with her family's expectations but he's so DOWN FOR HER that never stops fighting for them. Even when it appears that all hope is lost. 👀😭
*"Think of me when you're walking down the aisle to him. Think of my come running down those thick, beautiful thighs just as you're about to say I do."*
The plot centers on Rafael Casella, a man hardened by years of violence, and Nera, a woman entangled in the deadly secrets of Falcon’s Keep, an island under the control of the ruthless Lucchese family.
Their love is forbidden because essentially Rafael was adopted by Nera's family and they were raised together so they face immense challenges, including family betrayals and the INTENSE dynamics of their criminal world. Like the action was giving nonstop..
Rafael is torn between his loyalty to the Della Torre family, the family that took him in when he was young, and his desire to be with Nera, leading to a heart-wrenching choice between love and duty.
Like guys.. Rafael is a brooding, intense, and fiercely loyal man shaped by years of violence and duty to his mafia family. His obsession with Nera runs deep—it's not just desire, but a consuming fixation rooted in both protectiveness and emotional vulnerability.
To him Nera represents something pure and personal in a life otherwise ruled by blood and obligation. Like I know his feelings border on possessive, (which is hot af duhh 🫠) yet they’re driven by a genuine need to shield her from the brutal world he inhabits.
And trust me.. their world is brutal. The things these two go through.. 🤧
And you know what?? Their love reflected exactly that! Their love was dark, desperate and raw and it totally fitted them because they were trying to survive in the mafia underworld.
ALSO THE SMUT. AAAA. Perfect mix of mmc obsession and absolutely filthy ways he loves to make her fall apart.
Tropes:
🖤 Mafia romance 🖤 Forbidden love 🖤 Obsessive love/possessive hero 🖤 Anti-hero 🖤 Forced Proximity 🖤 Slow burn with high tension 🖤 Sacrifice for love 🖤 Spiceeee
Thank you to Luna Literary and author C.B. Frey for the opportunity to read this ARC 💕
FMC - Nera: 4🌟 MMC - Rafael: 4🌟 Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Likes: I became attached to Rafael's character fairly quickly :p he has a very possessive and dominant personality, which I really love. Plus, there's a hint of taboo, being that he's technically an adopted brother to Nera. And the spice in this book was fantastic 👌
Nera is also a very strong character, but not in the sense of being a badass with weapons or as a fighter. She has a strong mental fortitude, and she's brave enough to put her own heart's desires aside to do what's right and protect her family as best as she can, which is very admirable
Dislikes: There were a couple of smaller plot points that I didn’t like. I enjoyed the book as a whole, but moments like the "broken souls" and the wedding scene were a little much
Favorite moment: Rafael and Nera in the church while her brother was there 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I adore this family!! There’s just something about The Casella brothers. This book follows Rafael, the once lost brother who resides with the Della Torre family on their very own island. Falcon’s Keep has a pull & although Nera Della Torre has been dragged back home unexpectedly from the US, the island holds secrets she is desperate to uncover. But attraction & family loyalty begins to complicate things.
This was a little more of slow burn that previous books, as Raf & Nera begin to develop & become aware of feelings that they know they shouldn’t hold for one another. Although, once the spice kicks in it’s does not hold back!!! Tissues at the ready, they will be needed as the story progresses. An enjoyable read from a book from a series that I highly recommend!!
Thank you so much to C B Frey for an advanced copy of this book!! This is my honest review
C. B. Frey honestly could stomp heart into a thousand pieces and I’d say thank you. So, I guess Thank You 💋 I cannot believe this is the last book in The Casella Brothers Series 🥺 If C. B. Frey writes it. I’m sat. I’m hooked. I’m in love. Raf. Holy Moly. Jaw dropped. This Man! 🔥 Nera. Principessa. This book, it’s dark, it’s hot, it’s emotional, and it had me hooked instantly. I was feeling the whole spectrum of feels. I will not lie this book had me on edge. I was NERVOUS 😬 I will need approximately 10-15 business years to recover. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
M O M E N T S
“And maybe we can explore what it means to dance in the grey together.”
The Casella Sin The Casella Brothers Series Book Three By C.B. Frey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶🌶
🖤 Dark Mafia Romance 💚 Age Gap 🖤 Forbidden Love 💚 Bullying 🖤 Taboo Romance (Step Brother) 💚 Jealous Hero 🖤🔫 Play
🎶 Has a Playlist 🎶
Aww this book broke me and then built me back up in a way I didn't expect, tears where shed, the end of an era has come upon us 😭
The Casella Sin follows Raphael (MMC) and Nera (FMC) in their taboo romance in the dark Mafia romance.
Nera the thriving and Fiesty FMC is living her life in the US studying with a side hustle of night work dancing 😉 when Raphael is sent to bring her back to her family home at Falcons Keep, and they fall hard for each other utterly enthralled. Other than being step siblings the issue they face is little do they know Nera has been promised to another to save the family in more ways than one.
Will love win against the war? Or will the rival family strike before they have their real chance at a happy ending?
ARC REVIEW The Casella Sin was definitely an experience—and I mean that in the best way. C.B. Frey's writing style was totally new to me, but something about the way she puts words together just pulled me in. It made me want to keep going, page after page, completely wrapped up in the story.
Each chapter had me on edge, heart racing, completely hooked. The anticipation was real, and honestly, I loved every second of it. The characters found their way under my skin and latched onto my heartstrings, and the plot? Unlike anything I’ve read before. So many secrets. So many lies. And all of it just worked.
If you're into dark, twisty reads with characters you can't stop thinking about, give this one a shot. It got under my skin in the best kind of way.
Huge thanks to C.B. Frey and Luna Literary for this ARC of The Casella Sin! This is book three in The Casella Brothers series, and while I haven’t read the first two, I really appreciated that it worked perfectly as a standalone.
This book is a dark, age-gap mafia romance wrapped in a tragic love story—and wow, what a ride. C.B. Frey’s writing style is truly something special. There’s a lyrical, almost poetic quality to her prose that brings such depth and emotion to the page. She doesn’t just tell a story—she makes you feel every moment of it.
Fair warning: you’ll need tissues. The ending and epilogue completely wrecked me—in the best way. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say the ending hit incredibly close to home, and I was left sobbing. But honestly, the heartbreak was worth it. The story was beautifully told, raw, and unforgettable.
And let’s talk spice—those scenes were SO FREAKIN’ SPICY I could not get enough. 🔥 Seriously, I was eating them up.
The family dynamics were also really engaging. Even without having read the first two books, there was enough context and backstory woven in to understand the underlying tension and relationships.
I absolutely loved this book. I’m already planning to go back and read books one and two because I need more of this world and these characters. Thank you, C.B. Frey, for this rollercoaster of emotions—you’ve gained a lifelong fan.
🖤 Dark Romance 🪴 Age Gap 🖤 Mafia 🪴 Forbidden 🖤 Taboo (Adopted Brother) 🪴 Found Family 🖤 Jealous Hero 🪴 Bullying
⚠️ Please Check Your Trigger Warnings ⚠️
I am a newbie to C.B. Frey, I know SHOCKER 🤣. I couldn't have been more excited about this book. Yes I read the blurb, and saw some trigger warnings, but per the usual I went in as blind as I could. And I am so glad that I did! I didn't want to see any spoilers from anywhere, so when I dove in head first I was totally immersed.
Nera and Rafael were from the same world but also living in different worlds. Nera had done everything she could so that she could have the life she wanted. Not what was expected of her. Unfortunately that didn't last long when she was quickly taken back home. Nera refused to take anything lying down, but was always there to make sure she wasn't too far in over her head. She just didn't know what was coming her way.
I loved getting to know Nera as the book progressed. You were able to see her personal growth and how much she truly cared. Even if those around her didn't deserve her love, she was still the one that cared. She had such a large heart ❤️ and she couldn't help who she fell for. It may be taboo but she fell for the perfect person for her! Nera had a journey that wasn't your typical mafia journey. She was held at arm's length for a good portion, but knew enough about everything going on.
Rafael had a journey unlike any I have ever read. It was a heart wrenching journey full of uncertainties and he was taken in by a family he never saw coming. Rafael definitely had a past with a family that he struggled with, but he knew where his loyalties were. It was always for her. Rafael didn't want her to suffer and would do anything for her. He proved himself time and time again without fail. I loved this about him. He refused to back down just because other people didn't like their situation.
Rafael took care of her until the very end. The last part of this book was hard to read. I have been in the emotional grips of Alzheimer's when my grandma had it. It is not a pretty or nice disease. Nera was such a beautiful person and when it struck her I felt so deeply for her and their families. She did as much as she could in order to try to keep her memories. Her and Rafael had their own saying to hopefully help being her back to him when it was tough.
This book wrecked me in those last 8% of the book. It is such an emotional place to be when you are brought back to that place you didn't want to be. It really gives your mind something to mull over as to how someone felt in her place. I don't regret being put back in that place, even if it was hard to be there.
I loved that Rafael and her family came back to give her what she needed before the end. It not only gave her some peace but them as well. I loved being able to see Rafael give his toast at Christmas.
Now I need to read the first 2 in the trio! C.B. I'm coming for those books! Let's hope I'm not a disaster emotionally with those too 🤣.
🔥 Let's Talk About Sex Baby 🥵: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 /5
⚠️ Please Check Your Trigger Warnings ⚠️
🍑 Play 🔫 Play 🌬 Breathe Play 🤬 Degradation ⚠️ Impact Play 🫂 in holy & unorthodox places
These are just to name a few...
Nera and Rafael were no strangers to having fun in and with new things! They kept it spicy and I loved seeing that she gave him her full trust. Without trust you cannot fully give your heart. Or other things 🤭.
Thank you so much to C.B. Frey and Luna Literary for the free copy 🫶🏻. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
🖤Mafia Romance ❤️🔥Forbidden Love 🫦Age Gap (23, 34) 🗡Touch Her and D1e
Review I actually really liked the internal family drama and how Raf's been taken into this dark life initially against his will but just had to become the k1ller he was. His backstory is sad and unique! Loved the prologue and flashbacks.
I think I feel it was a missed opportunity to have tiny moments in flashback with Raf and Nera. And I woulda liked a bit more build up to their connection, it felt a bit too "insta lust". At times his character seemed written at odds too, one minute he says how he's unworthy of her, but the next he's pawing all over her and talking so dirty. I loved former, more angsty version and felt that made more sense given the backstory we're given.
I still very much enjoyed the family dynamics though, the half brothers, the warring mafia family.
For me personally, the spice got too "extreme" (involving a gun entering a certain spot etc) and just couldn't see how him doing this stuff is enjoyable or a turn on.
The extended epilogue left me in quite a "downer" too. I guess it's bittersweet, but it was so long of a wrap up that it just me forgetting so much of what happened before.
Okay I refuse to believe that that’s the ending to this amazing trilogy because that ending ! Oh my god ! That ending CRUSHED me ! It was so good and devastating all rolled into one. I loved seeing the addition of the characters from the first two books, the Casella brothers are such interesting characters and it was cool to see them interact with the mmc. The underlying plot around what the mafia is doing on the island and for whom was so interesting and I really hope it is revisited in another book down the line cause that whole process was super engaging. The chemistry between the MCs was done really really well so the spice between them was so hot and beautifully dark. In terms of spice, it’s about a 3.5/5 for me, it starts off with a little bit of a slow burn that escalates to a lot more and frequently. Overall, this was an amazing addition to the Casella mafia world and it was so interesting and engaging and I just ATE IT UP! I will forever be recommending this series to literally everyone it’s a 5/5 read for me.
I've needed to at least wait 24 hours before writing this review to try to find the right words for it. First of C.B Frey please don't ever stop writing. Your writing style is absolutely perfection. I found this one a lot different from the first 2 books. But none the less I absolutely loved it. Once I dived in, I couldn't put it down. I was up until 2.30 am. in the morning, balling my eyes out crying like a baby. Nera Principessa is something special. She's a queen. And Raf, he's even more special. This book is one hell of a roller coaster with emotions. It hit every feel you could imagine in a heavy way. The things I didn't see coming with the twists and plots. Nailed it.
This is Book Three of the Casella Brothers series and although I hadn’t read the others in the series, I was able to read this book as a standalone. This book revolves around Nera and Rafael, and their forbidden relationship - after a rough start to life, Rafael spent his teenage years being raised by Nera’s dad - making him practically a brother to her.
This is definitely a spice filled book filled with longing stares, secret moments and touch her and die moments. If any of those float your boat, or you like dark mafia reads, then this is a book series for you.
I enjoyed getting to know the Casellas, Nera and Raf but felt some moments (like the wedding scene) were a bit too much happening but overall an enjoyable read.
*ARC reader honest review*
Thanks to C.B. Frey and Luna Literary for this ARC opportunity!
I wish I could rate this 10 ★. Seriously. C.B., thank you for the opportunity to read this. Your writing is *chef's kiss* and as a fellow author, you're an inspiration. This book had me fighting tears, and for an author to bring me to that point is rare. Phenomenal job 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Rafael and Nera's story is an incredible one, with romance and danger and spice and everything in-between that leaves the reader hungry for more. This series has been great, but this particular entry is my hands down favorite. I hate that this is the end for this family's journey. Maybe a future spinoff with a character? I'm begging you 😅
I look forward to any and all of your future books, and wish you nothing but success 🖤
The perfect ending to this trilogy. This book hits the hardest of the 3 in terms of that pure desperate, soul destroying love. Although these are interconnected standalones I think you really need to read them in order for this to hit the way it's intended to!
CB has an incredible way with words and through she writes dark romance it's often very poetic and lots of nods to real world situations.
I think it's series wrapped up in the most suitable way for the characters and the overall story.
Casella Sin dives readers into a gripping romance between Nera and Rafael, where forbidden love clashes with the deadly allure of the mafia underworld. With layered timelines and a forbidden age-gap romance between an adoptive-ish brother and sister, this story weaves an intricate tapestry of betrayal, desire, and redemption.
The alternating timelines breathe life into the characters, offering readers a window into Nera and Rafael's tumultuous journey—from their harsh beginnings to the present-day chaos. Each twist and turn unfurls shocking revelations, leaving readers gasping for more. The nuanced portrayal of their relationship—a delicate balance of longing and loyalty—adds an emotional depth that resonates long after the final page.
Set against the backdrop of opulent mansions and shadowy deals, the story explores themes of love versus loyalty, duty versus desire, and the crushing weight of societal expectations. The rich atmospheric details transport readers into a world where every decision has a consequence, and every glance could mean danger.
With a rollercoaster of emotions and surprises at every corner, this dark romance challenges conventions and delivers a tale both passionate and poignant. A must-read for fans of layered storytelling and high-stakes drama. A huge thank you to C.B. Frey and Luna Literary for the early copy!
This was a rollercoster of emotions from happy to sad, scared to relieved, smitten to content and understanding. I didn’t see the foreshadowing in the midst for the chaos around the Casella boys and Nera but when those final chapters came around, it really hit deep. For me, I understand the feeling of losing the one person that is like the glue of the family. Everything changes and it’s hard to cope and move on, but the way that C.B. Frey wrote the ending—it spoke volumes.
Thank you C.B. Frey and Luna Literary for this opportunity!
Rafeal and Nera - great plot/ spice, age gap. Once I started reading this I didn’t want to put it down. So well written. You’ll need tissues when you get to the epilogue. Add to your TBR, worth the read.
first of all, thank you sooooo much C.B. Frey for the opportunity to read the arc copy of "The Casella Sin." 😭😭💗
this is the first time i've read one of your books, and i clearly started with this one bcs of the arc copy... and honestly, i fuckin' loved it. it was so gorgeous and sentimental to read the book that i was between crying my eyes out and dying of love for the protagonists. rafael won my heart from the beginning, from the first chapter i adored him smmmm 💗 (especially in the spicy scenes 🫦 jdbsjs)
tkhis book has just the right amount of information to make you fall to the brink of madness and fall in love with both the book and the characters with every page you turn.
i'm not very good with words and i don't want to give spoilers, but i'm very grateful for the opportunity and i hope to have more opportunities in the future to read more of your books 💗💗
I am blown away once again. I cried so much in the second half of this book- it was dark, emotional and utterly beautiful. It was done so well- it took me on a rollercoaster of emotions- may need years to recover. It is very different compared to her first two but oh so worth it.
oh Raf- You have my whole heart. He is dark, unhinged and OTT Obsessive and I was utterly captivated by him. Oh and Nera- I can't even talk about her without spoiling it.
The Casella Sin is the third and final book in the Casella Brother series from CB Frey, and in my opinion, requires reading the two previous books in order to fully enjoy. That said, it is generally darker than the other books and was my undeniable favorite. Regarding the ending: I'm not sure what to say other than, if you want a Happily Ever After, stop before the final chapter and epilogues....
I devoured this! It has everything I love in a mafia romance, danger, passion, complicated loyalty, and a heroine who’s as tough as she is vulnerable. Rafael completely stole my heart, and the chemistry in this story? Off the charts. C.B. Frey’s writing is sharp and addictive. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. P.s the ending had me in tears!!
I’m speechless about this book. Idk how to explain what I felt while reading this book 😌. Nera and Raf gosh they broke me in a good way. Their story was on point. Every character’s from this book is just wow. It kept me on edge for every page I’ve read. There’s emotions, love, care, banter. Glad I could read this book.
this was the perfect ending to the series. There were some teary eyed moments. I absolutely loved this series. All 3 brothers bring something different, something swoon worthy. CB knows how to bring real emotions into her books which is what I love.
Absolutely honored to recieve an ARC of this book. The first 2 in the series are some of my favourite reads in recent memory!
'Falcon's Keep calls out to me, it calls me home like a song you've listened to on repeat, a melody so deeply engrained in your soul that it evokes memories of a place you truly belong'
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
The intrigue surrounding the Della Torres family and Falcon's Keep had me in a chokehold from the very beginning. Our MMC Rafael is darker and a little more unhinged than his half-brothers Ezra and Nico, owing no doubt to his upbringing, but his obsession with our FMC Nera is nothing short of captivating.
There is nothing he wouldn't do to save her, and we do LOVE the obsessive bad boys, don't we?!
The family dynamic intertwined with the organized crime element, the constant underlying emotional turmoil going on between all the characters just made such a good story I didn't want to put it down! I will say I was absolutely PEAKING for half this book because i could FEEL the angst and the darkness approaching.
The spicy scenes were SPICIN' 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥(the Mausoleum??!! whooooo lordy... IYKYK)
I will warn that tissues are advised. The ending and epilogue had me absolutely sobbing, but the broken heart was worth it because the story was brilliant.
C.B Frey writes with a certain level of expressiveness and emotion that I have rarely seen, the poetic nature of her work makes reading her books such an amazing experience.
If you haven't already, make sure you pick up the first 2 books in the series. You won't regret it.
WOW...... If you want your soul shattered omg this book is beautiful..
Sorry, I'm still crying....
Ok, characters i loved! Raf is a baddie, dammm couple 🌶 scenes, and you think, god dam, i can't breathe just reading this! He Bad.
The storyline was good, the betrayal and lies were good to follow.
Flashbacks helped with understanding the end plot twist so I enjoyed that.
But the curveball roller-coaster of emotions that you don't see coming at the end will make you fall in love with Raf & Nera all over again! My heart was shattered. I sobbed and sobbed more. I won't say more but yes, pick up the pool and read it! You get to read a little bit of Nicoholas banter aswell which i loved.
do you love a Dark Mafia romance? what about Taboos? if the answer was yes, then this book is for you!
This was my first time reading a book by C.B. and I was not disappointed. I loved the authors writing style. I was able to picture what was happening. At times, it felt like I was in side the book with the characters. I can't stop thinking about this book. This book had everything I looked for in a book. I look forward to reading more books from this author.