Bad Love: The Mobster and The Virgin

by Ashlyn Mathews

Collins Yeun has had two dreams since she jumped the wrong girl who trespassed into her dangerous neighborhood—to make a name for herself in the cutthroat world of the wealthy and to marry the man she’s crushed on since she was a teenager.

Collins’s dreams are thrown out the window when her life is in danger. Needing protection and the fear behind his family’s name, Collins presents a proposal to the newly appointed mob boss Granger Ward, a.k.a. her best friend’s ex-head of security, who isn’t shy about his dislike for her. Marry her, and she will help him win over the woman of his dreams.

Surprisingly, the brooding and dangerous man accepts.

He doesn’t believe in one true love. She saved her V-card for her dream man.

As their dislike for each other slowly turns into passionate desire, will two people with different dreams take a chance on one another for the long haul? Or will their differences cause them to part ways?

Genres: Romance

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2025

About the author

I'm an author of paranormal and contemporary romances. Blessed or cursed, depending on my mood and where I'm at on my current WIP, my overactive imagination guides my muse.

A big fan of Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I incorporate various weapons in my paranormal romances and use out of this world names just because I can.

You can find more about me and my books at https://www.ashlynmathewsauthor.com.

Reviews

[Marion Löw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this dark romance about a protective morally gray alpha hero and a sweet, caring and quirky heroine in danger with a troubled past. The plot is very well written, fast-paced and action-packed, full of angst, anguish, suspense, violence, danger and hot love scenes with light BDSM elements. The tropes are

- Bodyguard romance
- Mafia romance
- Organized Crime
- Enemies to lovers
- Hate to love
- Sham Marriage
- Close proximity
- Opposites attract
- Grumpy-sunshine
- V-Card
- Found family

I found the complexity of the characters very appealing. One moment Collins is shy, selfless and insecure, the next he is strong, confident and assertive. Granger is brutal, dominant and relentless, but also tender and has a soft heart. They are perfect for each other, even if they don't realise it for a long time. The enemies-to-lovers tension at the beginning, the sizzling chemistry between them and their suppressed feelings were palpable from the very beginning.

The book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting with the first part of the series to better understand the context and background.

Collins Yeun, who grew up in foster care and has a gang past, always feels like an outsider and invisible. Out of guilt, she works as a personal assistant to her wealthy friend Blaise and dreams of a career in ballet. The man she has been in love with for years does not reciprocate her feelings, and an evil shadow from her past reappears and stalks her to take revenge.
Granger Ward works as head of security for his half-sister Blaise. He despises Collins, whom he considers a social climber and blames for Blaise's kidnapping. He has long been attracted to Blaise's sister-in-law Gia, although he knows he has no chance with her.
When Granger's father and mobster boss Cillian McCabe ends up in hospital, it's up to Granger to take over the family business, and Collins makes him a surprising offer: a sham marriage. She helps him run the business and win Gia over, and in return he offers her the protection of his name to keep her stalker away. But soon they find themselves more attracted to each other than expected, and the boundaries and goals become increasingly blurred...

If you like gritty, action-packed mafia romance novels with likable protagonists, suspense, heart and heat, you’re sure to enjoy this book.

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star Review

Bad Love: The Mobster and the Virgin by Ashlyn Mathews is a deliciously messy, high-heat romance that pulled me in fast and refused to let go. This story thrives on tension emotional, romantic, and dangerous and delivers it in the best possible way.

Collins is such a compelling heroine. She’s determined, vulnerable, and quietly strong, with dreams that feel achingly real. Watching her step into the lion’s den and propose a marriage of convenience to the brooding, ruthless Granger Ward had me hooked immediately. Granger is everything you want in a mob romance MMC cold, intimidating, protective to a fault, and completely undone when he least expects it.

The enemies-to-lovers energy is chef’s kiss. Their mutual dislike, forced proximity, and simmering attraction create a slow-burn tension that explodes into scorching chemistry. What really stood out to me was the emotional conflict: two people with completely different ideas of love, loyalty, and the future, slowly realizing that what they’re building together might be worth risking everything for.
Ashlyn Mathews balances spice and emotion beautifully. The romance feels raw, the stakes feel real, and the character growth is deeply satisfying. If you love marriage-of-convenience tropes, mob bosses with soft spots they hate admitting to, and a virgin heroine discovering her own power, this book is an absolute must-read. Bad Love lives up to its name in the most addictive way. 🔥💔

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

[Tela Puente · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank the Author Ashlyn Mathews and her publisher for this amazing book Bad Love. I received this book as a goodreads giveaway.

I started this book a while ago and then got caught up with life and my own problems. I was finally able to fully read the book.

I restarted the book on the 12th of this month at 7:30pm and I was not able to put it down. I love the fact that it had the perfect amount of suspense, romance, lust, dreams coming to bare fruit. The writing is exceptional. I was able to visualize everything in my head while enjoying the literature.

I will admit that I did not read the first book but I will definitely read the full series when I get the other two.

Collins is a badass Ballerina who doesn't take crap from anyone but will melt at the hands of Granger. Granger is a badass mobster who will do anything to protect and care for the ones he loves. Josh is a psycho stalker from Collins past that haunts her.

I love how this book is not a typical suspense romance. If you have not read this book you need to. Ashlyn Mathews you are one of my favorite authors now.

[Kaylee Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I could not put this book down. Collin went through so much in her life and I loved to see how Granger became her safe space. They both went into the marriage as a business arrangement if you will but it quickly became more for each of them. This has some action and suspense in the book. Wonderful mafia dark romance that’s a must read. I really fell in love with Sawyer as well and I have no idea how I will wait for his and Gias story next year. I did receive this book as an ARC but this is my honest opinion.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Marry Me series. Can be read as a standalone.

'A marriage for business, grump/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers romance.'

The characters were very complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend


Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book from beginning to end!
I loved the plot and the characters!
Collins and Granger had undeniable chemistry. Going from the arguing and teasing to falling in love.
This book had danger, suspense, humor, tension, and spice.
I absolutely loved this book!! I can't wait to read more stories by this author!

[Linda Z]

I liked the book for it's complex characters and the plot twists that went well with the romance story and also kept it interesting throughout. The story was super fast-paced, even a bit of a stretch to believe how fast the leads feelings evolve, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book!!! The chemistry between Granger and Collin’s was off the charts good, a marriage as a business arrangement turned into so much more. I loved the way they were with each other. If you’re looking for a book that’s suspenseful and with spice, humor and danger then this book is for you and you wont be disappointed!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars for Bad Love by ( new for me ) author Ashlyn Mathews

Granger and Collins are like fire - crackling tension and chemistry!

Good read !.

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