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Shots Fired: A Sapphic Mafia Romance

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Chiara Bianchi has always known her role in Saint Marin’s violent world would be anything but easy. As the Donna of the Bianchi famiglia, she fights every day to prove her strength in a ruthless, male-dominated underworld. But the greatest battle she faces isn’t waged in blood—it’s in her heart. Torn between her duty and her forbidden love for Emilia Moretti, her childhood best friend now promised to another, Chiara walks a dangerous line where one misstep could mean the end of her family and herself.

As the violence escalates, Chiara faces impossible decisions. To prove her worth as Donna, she must make unimaginable sacrifices—sacrifices that could destroy her, even as they save those she loves. Chiara must decide whether she can still hold onto the pieces of her shattered heart—and the woman who has always owned it.

Chiara Bianchi has always known her role in Saint Marin’s violent world would be anything but easy. As the Donna of the Bianchi famiglia, she fights every day to prove her strength in a ruthless, male-dominated underworld. But the greatest battle she faces isn’t waged in blood—it’s in her heart. Torn between her duty and her forbidden love for Emilia Moretti, her childhood best friend now promised to another, Chiara walks a dangerous line where one misstep could mean the end of her family and herself.

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2025

19 people are currently reading
126 people want to read

About the author

K.G. Smith

2 books6 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for manu.
78 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2025
Justice for Chiara 🥺 I can’t even write my review yet I’m still mad about how she’s treated the entire book ugh queen deserves to be pampered ALWAYS
Profile Image for Bookishemx.
81 reviews9 followers
February 4, 2025
If you like an action packed and drama filled dark romance then look no further, Shots Fired is a sapphic dark mafia romance about the strength of women in a world dominated by men. Chiara is the head of the mafia family and she is in love with her childhood friend Emilia, who is supposed to be marrying someone else.

Right off the bat Chiara is a strong and chaotic FMC, she is consistently trying to prove her worth as a leader while staying true to herself. The relationship between her and Emilia is messy! I felt like I was on a rollercoaster with how many different emotions this gave me. The writing and world building were both really good in this, there are a lot of characters but I didn't find myself overwhelmed with who is who.

The twists in this are EXCELLENT, I was left reeling after learning about the various betrayal's we uncover and I highly recommend reading it in a few sittings!

Thank you to the author for a eARC of this book.
Profile Image for Amber Batchelor.
46 reviews12 followers
January 23, 2025
I sure do enjoy a good sapphic romance, and Shots Fired didn't disappoint me in that area. This book follows Chiara, who is now the Donna of her Bianchi Familiga and protects other families in her area. There is another family, the Lupinos, who have a very crazy drug addictive son who sets off a chain of events that sparks Chiara to hunt him down. Not only is she dealing with this situation, but she is now having to contend with an upcoming marriage of the woman she is in love with: Emilia Morreti. Being a woman in a man's world of the mafia is quite hard, but Chiara is one badass woman, who battles her feelings for Emilia and one of her guy friends who is willing to marry her for a powerful alliance. Who does she end up with? Read it and find out!

Tropes:
Mafia Romance
Forbidden Love
Sapphic Romance
Found Family
Touch Her & D!e

Triggers:
Violence
Sexual Content


My Opinion:
At first I didn't know if I would like this book because of the back and forth between Emilia and Chiara. It got very annoying to me because Emilia wouldn't stand up for herself with her family and the arranged marriage. However, that got overshadowed by all the violence, politics, and twists that went throughout the whole book. The final blow up scene was amazing and I was shouting in my house because I got so mad and sad. I can't wait for the next book already and see who one of the main characters ends up with.

If you are debating this book and you enjoy mafia vibes and queer identities, then this book is for you!
Profile Image for Jasmine Dawn.
20 reviews6 followers
January 13, 2025
I had the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this book! It releases on February 14, 2024 so added it to your tbr list!! Let’s get into the actual book review now..

Let’s be honest, I KNEW early on that this was going to be a five star read for me. It had me in a chokehold the entire time. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down!!! This book has The forbidden love. It has the founded family. It has a badass FMC. And the BETRAYAL. Like what?? I didn’t expect it at all. The plot was definitely plotting in this book and whewwww the twists just popped out of no where. I didn’t expect to cry reading this book but chapter 35 had tears rolling down my face. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!
Profile Image for Danielle Ellis.
2 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2025
“What if I lose it all?”

“What if you get everything you’ve ever dreamed of, amore?”

I was lucky enough to get this book as a part of the ARC team and i couldn’t be more thrilled! If you want fast paced, action packed, edge of your seat thrills and angsty, yearning, sapphic romance, this is the book!!! The world building is so vivid and imaginative, I could actually picture the Amalfi Coast in the scenes and the characters are flawed and interesting, all with their own conflicting motivations. Our leading ladies, Chiara and Emilia, are both so captivating in their own right! Chiara is the strong, stubborn, surefooted Donna who does what it takes to protect her famiglia. While Emilia is softer, her dedication to her own family is nothing to scoff at. Shes willing to sacrifice everything for them, at the expense of her own happiness. It’s truly unlike anything I have ever read before!! If you’re looking for a spicy, bloody, romantic ride, look no further!!
Profile Image for Jamie Lynn.
6 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2025
“You haven’t gone home?”
“You’re my home, amore.”

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Shots Fired by K.G. Smith and it is a stunning debut novel! The story follows the forbidden romance between Chiara, the new Donna of the Bianchi Familiga, and her childhood love Emilia Moretti. When Emilia’s family sets up an arranged between her and a son of the rival Lupino family, the two grapple with whether to do their duty to their families… or burn down everything so they can be together.

The brutality of this world is nothing new to people who love mafia romance, but the twist of having a powerful female Donna is very fun. Chiara is no-nonsense and tough, but is also down BAD for Emilia (I love when a tough main character is unashamedly romantic!!). Emilia is tough in a different way than Chiara- she’s more cerebral and strategic, thinking about the big picture and the repercussions her actions could have on the people she loves. Though the circumstances between the two of them tear them apart, it’s clear their feelings for each other are deep and genuine. The scenes between the two of them are swoon-worthy!

The plot of this story is also incredibly engaging, though I don’t want to reveal much about it because the twists and turns NEED to be a surprise. Every character, even the side ones, feel very fleshed out - I know this book is the first in a series (thank God!) but every character could have their own book and it would make sense. I love how nothing in this world is one-dimensional.

Shots Fired comes out on February 14 on Kindle Unlimited, and I think everyone who loves mafia romance, powerful female characters, and plot twists that have you literally screaming and waking up your family at 3 in the morning because OH MY GOD! should give it a read.
Profile Image for Kimberly (Bookblurbist).
395 reviews6 followers
Read
February 6, 2025
Description:
As the first Donna of the Bianchi famiglia, Chiara has always known she would have much to prove in a world dominated by men. However, her toughest battle is one of the heart. She must choose between her duty to her family and her forbidden love and childhood best friend, Emilia. When Emilia is pressured into an arranged engagement, but girls must decide what they’re willing to fight for.

Recommended for:
Anyone who is looking for a fun and fast moving plot with an action flick feel.

Highlights:
➤ Saint Marin’s character and family list - love when a book starts with a run down on who is who. This usually tells me I’m getting thrown in - so catch up!
➤ External conflict! I love when romances have conflicts that are primarily external. I love that it was never a question of Emilia and Chiara loved one another - only a question of whether they were willing to stand up to their families and community in order to fight for their love.
➤ Action scenes - Smith writes clear and easy to follow fast-paced scenes. It can be easy in reads like this to lose track of who is where and who grabbed, punched, shot, or stabbed who. But Smiths writing brings these scenes to life so I m not spending time trying to sort out logistics.
Profile Image for amber nicole.
153 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2024
I had the absolute pleasure of beta reading this book, and with permission, I wanted to share my review with you!

Shots Fired is a sapphic mafia romance full of bad ass women who take no shit from a man, staying true to your heart and doing what you have to do to protect your family.

Right off the bat, I was in love with Chiara, one of our leading ladies. She's the Donna of the family after forcing her dad to step down, and defending her right to be there as an unmarried woman hasn't been easy.

Chiara is ready to show these men how powerful a woman can truly be, and there will be nothing standing in her way.

Except maybe a certain firey red head who has laid claim to her heart...

Will Chiara be able to have the one she loves AND be the Donna?

Yall, this book was AMAZING. I had so much fun getting to know this world and these characters. I love it when I find myself connecting with more than one character in a book! These characters have my entire heart, especially a certain 2nd. IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW!!
95 reviews
January 22, 2025
*ARC READ*

Shots Fired by @shelvesofkaycee | Book one in the Saint Marin series

📚 : Ebook avalible on KU (currently for preorder)
📚: Mafia Romance
📚: Found Family, Childhood Lover, Secret/Forbidden Love, Protective FMC, touch her and you 💀, LGBTQ love, morally grey FMC, small love triangle, marriage of convience
⭐️:4
🌶: 2
Book comes out in 23 Days

The book follows two relatable & loveable FMCs 🏳️‍🌈

Chiara is the head of the Mafia, with a mysterious traumatic backstory and a forbidden love with the other FMC Emilia (who has an arranged marriage). Both girls face the challenge of upholding their duties to their families while also listening to their hearts desires, and keeping an eye out for enemies.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster, which has you hooked from the first page. This book has a winding mystery plot which keeps you guessing with every page and questioning everyone you read about. 📚

The writing style paints a gorgeous picture in your mind of the world, the charcter, the dynamics and everything in between. Which also keeps you wanting to know more
Profile Image for Jessica Allen.
178 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2025
I do love a good mafia book and Shots Fired did not disappoint! On top of this story being a mafia book, giving a woman the spot of head of the mafia family, the Donna, was *chefs kiss*. This story was filled with strong women in a man dominated world who did not back down in a fight. Shots Fired had so many twists at the end that had me reeling with each page. You truly did not know how Chiara's story was going to end... was she going to end up with Emilia? or Stefan? or was she going to meet her fate of death that so many of the Mafia families wanted?
Profile Image for Aussie.
1,382 reviews36 followers
March 6, 2025
i love how this was packed with action and drama which i aboustly love! It is a sapphic dark mafia romance. The FMC Chiara , she is chaotic but strong. She always trying to prove her worth as a leader . I adore Chiara and Emilia's relationship as it is messy . I couldnt get ebough of this story
Profile Image for kaila.
327 reviews19 followers
January 17, 2025
i love a good sapphic mafia romance!
Profile Image for Nanii’s Book Corner.
225 reviews26 followers
March 6, 2025
• 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⇝ ★★★.5

I really wanted to like this book considering that it is my first sapphic mafia romance. I went into it intending to love it 100% and then Emilia entered the chat and showed her true colors. The audacity of that woman to choose everyone else but Chiara and then ask her to be by her side every step of the way (for her wedding) while Chiara suffered in silence was sealed the deal. Emilia was selfish. She wanted to have her cake and eat it too. The further I got into the story the more I hated her.

Stefan deserved better and if he turned out to be an absolute asshole after Chiara was so cold to him and then called off their engagement (because Emilia finally decided that she wanted to choose her because “Angelo couldn’t protect her the way Chiara could”) I wouldn’t have blamed him. No one will ever change my mind that if she (Emilia) hadn’t been kidnapped she never would’ve called off her engagement to Angelo. The plot itself was good and the writing style was even better, if it weren’t for Emilia and how much she irked my soul, this would’ve been rated higher.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫 ↴
This is an Advanced Reader copy. Although this book was given to me as an ARC my thoughts are my own. Thank you, K.G. Smith and BookishBubbly PR for the ARC opportunity!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 ↴
🔫 Found Family
🌹 Mafia Romance
🔫 Forbidden Love
🌹 Touch Her & Die
🔫 Sapphic Romance

🌹 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 📖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alyssa Scheltema .
44 reviews
February 18, 2025
Shots Fired had me at the edge of my seat for about 80% of the book. With so many twists and turns, you never really know where you’re headed next. Having a female in charge of the families isn’t something you really ever get to see, so I very much enjoyed that. Chiara was an incredible FMC who took approximately zero shit and stood her ground regardless.
The story line kept me interested and I do love a good love triangle! But my heart strings were definitely pulled for poor Stefan and everything he had to go through too. I can’t wait to see where this world takes us next!!
Profile Image for Carrington.
325 reviews
February 12, 2025
Thanks to Bookish Bubbly PR for the arc! Loved so much! Great character development & pacing. Will definitely continue the series.
Profile Image for Rachel.
408 reviews16 followers
February 20, 2025
Shots Fired is a sapphic mafia romance and the first in this author’s Saint Marin series! This follows two FMCs, Chiara and Emilia and their roles in the mafia world. They face every adversity imaginable—from torturous enemies to unrequited love, unwanted arranged marriages, and even some jealous comrades.

These characters have my heart. I cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next and can’t wait to follow the characters on the next amazing journey!

Read for:
🖤sapphic mafia romance
🖤strong & ruthless FMC x brave & empathetic FMC
🖤 forbidden love
🖤 high stakes & action
🖤 childhood sweethearts
🖤 loyalty & sacrifice
Profile Image for Dan Lasco.
107 reviews9 followers
February 15, 2025
shots fired was my first mafia romance, and i was so thankful it started with a breakdown of all the families involved. nothing takes me out of a book faster than being lost in a sea of unfamiliar names, but k.g. smith made it easy to keep up. the writing itself was also super accessible, so once i got my bearings, i was fully locked in. once i got past the introductions, i was completely immersed in the world of saint marin and the constant push and pull of power that chiara had to deal with.

chiara bianchi, our donna, is exactly as badass as you’d hope. she’s out here running an entire mafia family in a world that does not want her to succeed, and she does it with both brute force and sharp strategy. watching her navigate this violent world while constantly having to prove herself was both exhilarating and heartbreaking. i don’t usually read books with this much violence, but her fight scenes? absolutely riveting. every moment felt high-stakes, and the tension was so well done that i found myself completely glued to the page. i was surprised by how much i wanted more of them.

then there’s emilia moretti, chiara’s childhood best friend and the love of her life. she’s chiara’s opposite—soft, delicate, but still dangerous in her own way. i loved that contrast, but i really wish we got to see more of her in action. there were so many moments where it was hinted that she could be just as dangerous, just in a different way, and i kept waiting for a moment where we’d see her truly step into that power. it would have been incredible to see more of how she and chiara could work together, side by side, as two formidable women navigating their mafia lives. i just know they would’ve been unstoppable. fingers crossed we get more of that in the next book, even if the focus shifts to a male character.

as for the plot? whew. high stakes, betrayals, action—this book delivers. it’s dramatic in the best way, and every character, even the side ones, is so well-developed that they all feel distinct and memorable. it’s a total feat, especially in a story with this many moving parts. the relationships, both romantic and familial, add so much depth to the narrative, making it more than just a high-action mafia story. you can feel the weight of every choice chiara makes, and that emotional pull kept me hooked just as much as the action.

overall, shots fired is a wild, thrilling ride with a sapphic romance at its core. if you love badass women, intense action, and the kind of drama that keeps you glued to the page, this one’s definitely worth checking out.
Profile Image for Mars Rads.
479 reviews11 followers
February 17, 2025
4.5 Stars

There are so many mafia romances out there and I am a big fan of the genre. But in all of the mafia romances that I have read, I don’t know if I have read any with a Donna instead of a Don. Typically, females in the mafia romances out there are mafia princesses from rival families, and we do kind of have that here as well, but you almost never read a story where the head of the families is a woman. This story was full of action and emotions. I felt emotional invested in the characters, and not just the main ones. At the very beginning I was a little confused when it was going over all of the families and the history. But as soon as I got deep into the story, I was hooked. I felt the hurt that the characters felt, I was stuck on their sense of duty, I could feel the love they had for each other. It was also so refreshing to see a queer relationship in a mafia romance. It’s so nice to have queer representation in stories like this.

The mafia world that these characters live in is so full of a sense of duty and loyalty that it completely shapes the lives of these characters. Chiara is the Donna that is a complete and utter bad*ss. She struggles to gain the respect that her status deserves, but it doesn’t come easy as a woman. She is bisexual, but her heart belongs to Emilia. But Emilia was promised to someone else years ago. Chiara and Emilia know that their hearts belong to each other, but Emilia feels like she can’t let her family down by breaking her engagement and Chiara doesn’t want to start a war by upsetting the families in the agreement. Chiara is also forced to think of what will make her stronger as Donna and how she will gain respect. They are both torn apart by their loyalty. The other characters in the story all fit into this world of duty and are also torn by what they are required.

This was such a different twist on the mafia romance story. There was some spicy scenes between a few different characters, but the spice was never too much. What was stronger in this story was the feelings that the different characters had for each other and how they all fit into the world that they lived in. I am excited to see where this world goes with the next book and I’m glad that this one included a sapphic couple as the leads.
Profile Image for SullenSapphic.
100 reviews4 followers
February 11, 2025
Spice Level: 2/5 Open Door

TW: Guns, Death, Stabbings, Cutting

Chiara Bianchi is a Mafia Family Donna (female version of a Don) for the Saint Marin Families. She is single and her parents want nothing more than for her to settle down and marry to solidify the Bianchi family power. Emilia Moretti is the daughter of the leader of the Moretti family and has been promised to another. However, the man she was promised to has been missing since the age of twelve. Chiara and Emilia are in love but, figuratively, cannot pull the trigger because Emilia hasn’t been released from the promise to Angelo.

Surprise, surprise. Guess who appears after all this time to throw a wrench into Chiara and Emilia’s love life. Angelo. This causes Chiara to be very devastated and very suspicious. Not only does Chiara have to deal with heartbreak, she has to deal with the ever-dangerous Marco who is still on the prowl. Marco loves getting a hold of women and carving them to pieces. Will Chiara’s and Emilia’s love survive? Better yet, will Chiara survive?

This book does contain some dark themes. I included content/trigger warnings so please heed these before reading. My small synopsis doesn’t even begin to describe all the happenings in this story. I will leave those for the reader to discover because this book is a great read. Stefan is Chiara’s right-hand man and I love their relationship. Their relationship goes beyond duty. They feel like they’re family (this might change later in the story), just not blood-related.

The author lists this book as fast-paced journey and that is not a lie. There are so many intricacies to this book but it doesn’t seem overbearing and it doesn’t lose you. Everything ties nicely together in a bow at the end. Frankly, with my ADHD and attention span, if there is this much going on in a book and I don’t get lost, it keeps me interested and turning pages, then it’s a keeper for me. And if you couldn’t tell, I liked it. Lol.
Profile Image for Erin Saulpaugh.
526 reviews15 followers
February 23, 2025
I was excited to read this one! This book has a vibe of its own. This book was fast-paced and action-packed! You are littery thrown into the middle of a gun fight. Badass women are in charge. There were so many elements.. This book has so much depth that I couldn't see what was coming next. I was blown away by the twists and turns.
To be completely honest, it took me a minute to get into the book. The middle and end, though. They were so good I couldn't contain myself.. The badass women kept me interested along with the violence. The whip lash from the twist and turns was insane. Not at all what, I expected or was I distracted by the action.

For the first few chapters, I recommend reading with absolutely no distractions. The writer is very descriptive. That is also what helped me. There was a cheat sheet at the beginning of the book, so don't get discouraged by the names and families. I made the mistake of trying to read this before bed. I fell asleep while reading, and then when I woke up, I'd get myself all confused. So, I found times during the day so that way I wasn't tired while I read. It's not easy when you're a parent... but is what I needed to in order to allow myself to be able to give this book my complete attention. I was going to read this book one way or another. I was looking forward to reading this, and I'm so glad I pushed through. Once you get through the explaining, everyone and their positions. This was such a good book. Don't get intimidated by all the characters and words. I promise it's worth getting through.The author did an amazing job. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
Don't let what I said intimidate you, please. it's worth reading. Once you get past the world building. It's an amazing read. You won't regret it!
As always, check your trigger warnings.
Profile Image for Readerwithacamera.
234 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2025
I was so excited to read this!!! You never see a sapphic mafia romance and this just hit the spot!

I think my favourite part of this was the characters. The author wrote them so well, I felt a connection with all of them! Even marco! I really just wanted to kill him myself! I loved Chiara and how she proved everyone wrong who doubted her! She was such a good main character and I loved that she was hard but also soft around the edges! She truly cared for her fiends and family. I am sooooo curious around angelo… I was very sus of him but now… 👀

And don’t get me started on Stefan!!! I felt so bad for him and I honestly can’t wait for the next book because he need his happily ever after! I’m ngl I do wish Chiara and him ended together. I felt like they just had more chemistry but I do see why she ended up with Emilia but I just felt like Emilia only focused on her after a near death situation. She never chose Chiara and picked everyone else over her whilst stefan always chose her first… I also felt bad that she kept going back like girl you can’t have your cake and eat it too… let her move on!

I think my only complaint really was the plot felt a little rushed and it fell flat. I feel like I lost the majority of the plot and what was happening. It felt like this was a secondary book and you didn’t get to see what Chiara went through and you didn’t get to see her growth. I would love to have gotten to dog deeper into her past and the challenges she faces. And since her and Emilia was already together you didn’t get much of the yearning.

But overall I really enjoyed and I am already wanting the next book!!

Thank you for Kaycee for letting me read this arc in exchange of my honest review!! Keep writing! I knew you would smash it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Olivia Menegotto.
5 reviews2 followers
February 8, 2025
ARC READ
Shots Fired is a gripping sapphic dark mafia romance that pulls readers into a world of power struggles, forbidden love, and high-stakes betrayal. From the very first page, this book delivers action, drama, and emotional intensity, making it impossible to put down.

At the heart of the story is Chiara, the formidable Donna of the Bianchi Family. As a woman leading in a male-dominated mafia world, she constantly battles for respect while staying true to her own values. But her biggest challenge isn’t just her enemies, it’s her heart. Chiara has been in love with her childhood friend, Emilia, Their relationship is beautifully messy, filled with tension, longing, and moments of undeniable chemistry.

Beyond the romance, Shots Fired is packed with twists and betrayals that keep me on edge. The mystery elements are woven seamlessly into the plot, making every revelation even more shocking. Just when you think you have everything figured out, the story throws another curveball, leaving you reeling. The emotional depth in this book is undeniable, and certain moments especially in Chapter 35 hit particularly hard.

The world-building is immersive, painting a vivid picture of the mafia underworld and the power dynamics at play. The found family trope adds a layer of warmth to an otherwise dark and dangerous world, and the love triangle adds even more complexity to Chiara’s journey.

If you’re a fan of dark romance with strong female leads, morally grey characters, and a fast-paced plot, Shots Fired is a must-read. With its explosive twists and deeply emotional storytelling, this book sets the stage for an unforgettable series. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!






This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sachin Karnik.
Author 2 books6 followers
February 17, 2025
A Sapphic Mafia Romance by K.G. Smith is a high-octane rollercoaster of violence, betrayal, and forbidden love. In a world where power is taken, not given, two women stand at the crossroads of passion and destruction. This book is a gripping and passionate novel that delves into the complexities of forbidden love set against the backdrop of organized crime. The story centers around Chiara Bianchi, the powerful Donna of the Bianchi Famiglia, who finds herself caught between her loyalty to her family and her deep, unyielding love for Emilia Moretti, her childhood best friend.

🔫 The brutality of the mafia is unflinching—every gunshot, every betrayal is a chilling reminder that loyalty comes at a deadly price. Power-hungry crime lords, ruthless assassins, and a world where love is the most dangerous gamble of all.

❤️ But amidst the chaos, love refuses to die. The tension, the stolen moments, the raw passion—this isn’t just romance, it’s survival. Can love thrive in a world built on violence? Or will the mafia tear them apart before they even have a chance?

If you love:
⚡ Mafia drama with no mercy
🔥 Sapphic romance with intense chemistry
💔 Morally gray characters fighting for love & power
Then this book is a MUST-READ.

📖 Tag your dark romance bestie & add this to your TBR NOW!

#ShotsFired #SapphicMafia #DarkRomance #LGBTQReads #ForbiddenLove #MafiaObsession #Bookstagram #ReadWithCaution #EnemiesToLovers #RomanceWithBite
Profile Image for Spencer Lee.
27 reviews
March 23, 2025
I really wanted to like this book bc sapphic mafia romance is scarce. But there were a few things that just bothered me too much. First of all Stefan was kind of a massive jackass. Chiara was never really into him. At all. She saw him as a friend and nothing more but he clearly wanted more. She was very heartbroken because of Emilia's unwillingness to end her engagement and I feel like she needed comfort and Stefan jumped in to play hero and lend a shoulder. She did sort of "lead him on" but I feel like it was so forced. Especially with the way she was like "What have I done to him?" And sort of blamed herself when he's the one who was pining after her and acted immature when she wasn't super interested.

And then Emilia... She felt like a stereotype of a damsel in distress. At the end she ended up choosing to end her engagement because Chiara could protect her better. She also wasn't really able to unlearn a lot of the patriarchal standards she'd been taught in my opinion, because during her argument with Stefan in her inner monologue there's a comment about being embarrassed at how unladylike she's behaving. I don't know, it felt weird. Not to mention Stefan deliberately intimidated her and even threatened her loosely. Then after Chiara and Emilia are married he is "a shell of himself"

He also seemed less bothered than one would expect when his twin sister betrayed them by handing Emilia over. I called Stella's betrayal pretty early on because it was like Stella was always showing up at weird times and Chiara comments about it in her monologue quite a bit. The foreshadowing was overdone I think. But the way Stefan was so willing to just kill his twin didn't sit right with me. Like it was confusing because Emilia almost died, Chiara's father did die, and yet she's the one who wanted to give Stella the benefit of the doubt and opted to spare her life. I also just was kind of disappointed that Stella's the one who betrayed them. I mean she seemed to really care for Stefan and Chiara. She also treated Chiara poorly for 'leading Stefan on' so maybe that played a role too. That subplot wasn't fully explained and I'm sure the questions left unanswered will be answered in the next book.

Overall I just was kind of disappointed with the direction of this book. It just rubs me wrong how Stefan is put on a pedestal despite this being a sapphic romance, and judging by the other reviewers they disliked Emilia so much and wish Chiara had chosen Stefan instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chasity Trimble.
466 reviews20 followers
February 11, 2025
As a first time reader of K.G. Smith, I am a fan! I enjoyed this mafia romance with a badass FMC. Chiara took over the role of Donna over her family and families in their area, after forcing her father to step down due to his age. She was strong and fearless having to prove she could fulfill her role as the new Don or in her instance Donna.

Chiara struggles with her love for her childhood best friend Emilia and her duty to her family. Emilia’s hand in marriage is promised to another by her family and Chiara is not upset about it when he goes down missing. Will they be able to end up together even though their love is forbidden?

This story is engaging right from the beginning and is packed full of action, twists and tense at times. And the betrayal had me!! I am now hanging on waiting for the next book to drop so I can find out where things go for these characters.

If you like a mafia romance where there’s a lot of action and especially when there is a strong and fierce FMC then this book is for you.
Profile Image for Roxy.
123 reviews
February 20, 2025
This was my first mafia romance read and I can see the appeal! The story was fast paced and really kept me on my toes...it's hard to know who to trust when rivals are always trying to get back at each other. I'll also note that the author was not afraid to let go of characters...

It was refreshing to see a woman in what is normally a male dominated role of mafia Don(na). Chiara took over the family when her father stepped down and she must be ruthless to gain respect. On top of navigating daily threats to her family and allies, Chiara is also challenged with a complicated love life. Will she choose love over her families safety? You can also except a little bit of spice, but only in about 2 scenes.

The story had a equal amount of romance and action to keep the reader interested. My only criticism is that there was some repetitive writing when it came to the character development. The characters reiterated who they were through dialogue versus actions.

Overall, this was a fun read and I would recommend it.
Profile Image for Katieeee.
8 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2025

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️
This was my first true mafia book that I’ve read & truly, I think I might have a new trope favorite. Smith has a natural talent for writing. The book flowed perfectly and had just enough plot to keep you intrigued throughout the book. It wasn’t too long and I can’t remember a time during the book that I was uninterested or bored. Not only was there a business (mafia) side to the book but also a romance side. There was a perfect mixture of both in the book.

Chiara was a freakin badass. A natural born leader thrown into the role of Donna to continue on her father’s legacy. She’s fit for the role of being the boss. Honestly, her character was who I aspire to be as a person. Strong, fearless, and intelligent. Her ability to stand up for herself and the people that she loves and cares about just made her even more lovable.

I would 1000% read anything by Smith again. If you want to try out her work, this would be a fantastic introduction to it!
Profile Image for Jody Moran.
84 reviews5 followers
February 17, 2025
"Shots Fired" is an enthralling sapphic dark mafia romance that envelops readers in a world rife with power struggles, forbidden love, and intense betrayal. The world-building is rich and immersive, offering a striking portrayal of the mafia underbelly and its intricate power dynamics. Beyond its romantic elements, the story is filled with unexpected twists and betrayals that keep you on the edge of your seat. The mystery unfolds seamlessly within the plot, making each revelation all the more startling. Just when you think you've unraveled the story, another twist leaves you breathless. The emotional resonance in this book is profound, with particularly impactful moments in Chapter 35 that linger long after reading. From the opening page, it delivers a thrilling mix of action, drama, and emotional depth, rendering it impossible to set aside. I eagerly anticipate more works from this talented author!
Profile Image for Mandy.
32 reviews
January 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

First of all, who doesn’t love a character index? 😍 At first, I was super intimidated by all the families and characters, but Smith made it surprisingly easy to follow. Chiara is the ultimate badass FMC—she takes noooo bull and commands every scene she’s in. The alliance between Stefan, Stella, and Chiara? Chef’s kiss 🤌🏻😚

I felt like I was watching an action movie with perfectly timed explosions of romance and tension, especially between Stefan, Emilia, and Chiara. The banter, the drama, the chemistry—it’s all there. And don’t even get me started on the writing style; K.G. Smith knows how to pack in emotions and high-stakes drama effortlessly.

While I loved the Emilia-Chiara connection at first, Emilia’s indecision and disloyalty made me lose patience with her later on. I couldn’t help but stay firmly #teamstefan the whole time (sorry, Emilia)
Profile Image for Leah Christiaens.
63 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2025
3.5⭐️
ARC review:

This was my first sapphic mafia romance and In the beginning I wasn’t sure I would like it but I got pleasantly surprised by how good the plot was. In the beginning I had some difficulty to get into the story, because there where a lot of names and families to remember but it became easier the more i progressed in the story. Towards the middle I found myself confused who to ship because of the back and forth between the main couple and the way her second was just so loyaal and sweet. But towards the ending any confusion or difficulty I had was gone the main couple was my only ship, the story became tense and had me holding my breath to see what would come next and how it would end…

I can’t wait for the next book and see how the story will progress with the pov of her second Stefan!
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