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Santoro Mafia #3
Massimo
I’m his enemy’s daughter.
His captive.
His revenge.
Until he becomes my weapon to wield against the monsters in my world.
Nova
I am the Mancini Princess. A pawn in my monstrous father’s game. His key to an alliance worthy of a king.
However, I end up under the control of a new monster - Massimo Santoro. A lethal man whose hate, wrath, and malice toward anyone with the Mancini name is palpable.
I’ve had years of learning not to fight the monsters in my world, and I try to hide behind my meek and obedient facade, but Massimo sees through it instantly. Where my life with my father was filled with brutal lessons designed to condition and mold me into what he wanted me to be, with Massimo, he unravels them all.
Until I’m unfurling and blooming into the woman I’ve always wanted to be.
But Massimo has the power to do what my father never could… Completely break me.
Massimo
I was born to lead my family. As the Don, it’s imperative that I’m calm, in control, and unyielding.
So when my enemy strikes at my family, I steal his ultimate bargaining chip – Nova, his precious, virginal daughter. I ruin his plans to use her to forge the alliance he covets.
I take Nova as a pawn in this deadly game to destroy her father, but I discover that his sins against her may be greater than against me.
Now, instead of Nova being a pawn, I’m determined she’ll be my queen. And together, we’ll cut off the head of the villainous monster who has ruled her world.
Because she’s mine. Mine to protect. Mine to help heal. And if Mancini thinks I’ll relinquish my claim, I’ll burn his world to the ground.
Hell… I’ll burn it all to ash either way.
--
Dive into Massimo , the enthralling 3rd book in the mafia romance Santoro Mafia series, which features Massimo and Nova’s story. It includes an MMC with possessive, “touch her and I’ll smite you from the face of the earth” vibes. There’s no cheating, no cliffhanger, and a HEA is guaranteed. This is a standalone book; however, for the best reading experience, it’s suggested to read the books in order.
Things to know about Massimo :
Italian mafia It is MFCaptive romanceTrauma romanceHe takes care of her and helps her healOver-the-top (OTT) protective male main character (MMC)Female main character (FMC) with a spine of steelPast trauma for the FMCHealing and transformation arc for FMCAge gapV!rgin FMCPregnancy“My wife”Dual POVReaders are strongly advised to check the content warning inside.
His captive.
His revenge.
Until he becomes my weapon to wield against the monsters in my world.
Nova
I am the Mancini Princess. A pawn in my monstrous father’s game. His key to an alliance worthy of a king.
However, I end up under the control of a new monster - Massimo Santoro. A lethal man whose hate, wrath, and malice toward anyone with the Mancini name is palpable.
I’ve had years of learning not to fight the monsters in my world, and I try to hide behind my meek and obedient facade, but Massimo sees through it instantly. Where my life with my father was filled with brutal lessons designed to condition and mold me into what he wanted me to be, with Massimo, he unravels them all.
Until I’m unfurling and blooming into the woman I’ve always wanted to be.
But Massimo has the power to do what my father never could… Completely break me.
Massimo
I was born to lead my family. As the Don, it’s imperative that I’m calm, in control, and unyielding.
So when my enemy strikes at my family, I steal his ultimate bargaining chip – Nova, his precious, virginal daughter. I ruin his plans to use her to forge the alliance he covets.
I take Nova as a pawn in this deadly game to destroy her father, but I discover that his sins against her may be greater than against me.
Now, instead of Nova being a pawn, I’m determined she’ll be my queen. And together, we’ll cut off the head of the villainous monster who has ruled her world.
Because she’s mine. Mine to protect. Mine to help heal. And if Mancini thinks I’ll relinquish my claim, I’ll burn his world to the ground.
Hell… I’ll burn it all to ash either way.
--
Dive into Massimo , the enthralling 3rd book in the mafia romance Santoro Mafia series, which features Massimo and Nova’s story. It includes an MMC with possessive, “touch her and I’ll smite you from the face of the earth” vibes. There’s no cheating, no cliffhanger, and a HEA is guaranteed. This is a standalone book; however, for the best reading experience, it’s suggested to read the books in order.
Things to know about Massimo :
Italian mafia It is MFCaptive romanceTrauma romanceHe takes care of her and helps her healOver-the-top (OTT) protective male main character (MMC)Female main character (FMC) with a spine of steelPast trauma for the FMCHealing and transformation arc for FMCAge gapV!rgin FMCPregnancy“My wife”Dual POVReaders are strongly advised to check the content warning inside.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2025
175 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
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May 9, 2025
QUICK STATS
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔: ❤️❤️❤️
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔: Mafia Heir x Mafia Heiress, Touch her & Die, Virgin FMC, Good Girl x Bad Boy
𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸ℯ ℒℯ𝓋ℯ𝓁: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼: Sexual content, Graphic Violence, Family Abuse, On-Page Death
╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝
Massimo, Book 3 of the Santoro Mafia Series, is a standalone, dark romance novel following the 'beast', Massimo Santoro, who kidnaps and becomes obsessively in love with Nova Mancini, daughter to a ruthless Don and Massimo's enemy. It's a soft enemies-to-lovers, as Massimo thinks that Nova is feigning her fear since she's "the snake's spawn", when really she's just immensely traumatized by her father's cruelty. The darkness in this book isn't tampered, and what I loved was that Massimo and Nova stuck to their character descriptions. Nox did an incredible job not deviating from how their characters behaved. While I found the first third of the book investing, the other two thirds, in my opinion, fell flat, and the action dragged on. Despite that, Massimo and Nova have undeniable chemistry and I loved how Massimo became completely, utterly obsessed with Nova!
CHARACTERS
NOVA: Nova is the protagonist of the story, or one of them. She's 20, I believe, and is the daughter of the Mancini Crime Family. She's described as having 'fire and fight', something that the author repeats a lot throughout the story, but I didn't see it in her until the end when she fights against her father, and even then, I felt like it came suddenly. Nova had a lot of internal monologue about how she would become better, but nothing really encouraged that train of thought. I will say, though, that I LOVED Nova's character. She was cunning in her own way, and she wasn't being timid for timid's sake. I liked that she wasn't wimpy or just gave in for submission's sake. She had reasons after her father . Nova is a protagonist I think deserved more of the story time, because I would have loved to see how her relationship with Gemma mended and how she became confident in herself and her abilities, not only with Massimo's help, but also by herself.
MASSIMO: Massimo is the second protagonist in the story and Nova's love interest. The story is written in a dual POV, and I found that I enjoyed a lot of Massimo's chapters, probably because that's where all the action was. Massimo is dominant and expects obedience from everyone except Nova, and lemme say, I LOVE a man who's weak for his woman. Massimo worships Nova and I love how protective he is over her. If I were Gemma, though, I would've smacked him because if my cousins ever talked to me like Massimo did... 😂In any case, I loved how supportive he was of Nova and how he encouraged her to seek redemption on her own terms. He never forced her into anything (except for a scene at the beginning - but he groveled and I LOVE a groveling man LOL).
THE PLOT
I will admit, I was a little confused by the plot. I know there was something happening with the Chinese Mafia, but I think I'd have to read Creed and Vito's story to understand exactly what. The central plot, apart from Massimo and Nova's relationship, is about Nova's trauma all caused by her father. I was CHEERING when Massimo and Nova gave her father what he deserved. I could practically see his smirk being wiped off his face! Also, this is a tangent, but Creed reminds me of Creed from The Office and I keep picturing him to look like Creed 😅
One thing I noticed in the story is that there was a lot of telling. Nova often said that she had a 'fire and fight' in her, but I didn't really see it until the end of the book, and even then, it wasn't as explosive as I was expecting. Nox did an INCREDIBLE job depicting Nova's trauma and how she began to accept and heal, but I wish I'd seen some more feminine rage on her part, because I could sense that Nova had it in her; she didn't get much of an outlet to explore that, though.
I was also confused about the accidental pregnancy plotline, because I didn't quite understand what it added to the story. Maybe it would raise the stakes and make Massimo more anxious about Nova, but he was already incredibly overprotective of her, so I'm not sure. I hope we get to see the baby, though! Massimo gives me HUGE girl dad vibes ✨😋
THE SPICE
Ooh the spice was intense! I was shocked when Nova bit Massimo's neck, and he ENJOYED it! I was worried he'd get angry but it led to an intense make-out scene. Nox doesn't shy away from Massimo worshipping Nova, and seeing Nova learn about pleasuring herself was something I loved for her character development. I wish we had that scene in front of Massimo instead of over the phone, because I would have loved to see him break composure! There is a power dynamic between them, but Massimo respects Nova's boundaries and always asks if she's doing okay.
THE TRIGGERS
One of the biggest triggers in this book, apart from the mafia violence and the way that Massimo treats Nova in the beginning of the story (since he thinks she's cunning and vicious like her father), is Nova's father. It's stated that he was physically and verbally abusive to Nova, and there are scenes depicting marital violence - not between the MCs, but between Nova's parents. Please keep yourselves safe and check the author's list of triggers before reading ❤️
╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝
Overall, I enjoyed this book! Massimo and Nova's dynamic is something you don't see a lot anymore and I liked that Nova had her moments where she would take what she wanted without thinking of her father. Massimo is a total book husband and I hope to see their family soon!
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔: ❤️❤️❤️
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔: Mafia Heir x Mafia Heiress, Touch her & Die, Virgin FMC, Good Girl x Bad Boy
𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸ℯ ℒℯ𝓋ℯ𝓁: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼: Sexual content, Graphic Violence, Family Abuse, On-Page Death
╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝
Massimo, Book 3 of the Santoro Mafia Series, is a standalone, dark romance novel following the 'beast', Massimo Santoro, who kidnaps and becomes obsessively in love with Nova Mancini, daughter to a ruthless Don and Massimo's enemy. It's a soft enemies-to-lovers, as Massimo thinks that Nova is feigning her fear since she's "the snake's spawn", when really she's just immensely traumatized by her father's cruelty. The darkness in this book isn't tampered, and what I loved was that Massimo and Nova stuck to their character descriptions. Nox did an incredible job not deviating from how their characters behaved. While I found the first third of the book investing, the other two thirds, in my opinion, fell flat, and the action dragged on. Despite that, Massimo and Nova have undeniable chemistry and I loved how Massimo became completely, utterly obsessed with Nova!
CHARACTERS
NOVA: Nova is the protagonist of the story, or one of them. She's 20, I believe, and is the daughter of the Mancini Crime Family. She's described as having 'fire and fight', something that the author repeats a lot throughout the story, but I didn't see it in her until the end when she fights against her father, and even then, I felt like it came suddenly. Nova had a lot of internal monologue about how she would become better, but nothing really encouraged that train of thought. I will say, though, that I LOVED Nova's character. She was cunning in her own way, and she wasn't being timid for timid's sake. I liked that she wasn't wimpy or just gave in for submission's sake. She had reasons after her father . Nova is a protagonist I think deserved more of the story time, because I would have loved to see how her relationship with Gemma mended and how she became confident in herself and her abilities, not only with Massimo's help, but also by herself.
MASSIMO: Massimo is the second protagonist in the story and Nova's love interest. The story is written in a dual POV, and I found that I enjoyed a lot of Massimo's chapters, probably because that's where all the action was. Massimo is dominant and expects obedience from everyone except Nova, and lemme say, I LOVE a man who's weak for his woman. Massimo worships Nova and I love how protective he is over her. If I were Gemma, though, I would've smacked him because if my cousins ever talked to me like Massimo did... 😂In any case, I loved how supportive he was of Nova and how he encouraged her to seek redemption on her own terms. He never forced her into anything (except for a scene at the beginning - but he groveled and I LOVE a groveling man LOL).
THE PLOT
I will admit, I was a little confused by the plot. I know there was something happening with the Chinese Mafia, but I think I'd have to read Creed and Vito's story to understand exactly what. The central plot, apart from Massimo and Nova's relationship, is about Nova's trauma all caused by her father. I was CHEERING when Massimo and Nova gave her father what he deserved. I could practically see his smirk being wiped off his face! Also, this is a tangent, but Creed reminds me of Creed from The Office and I keep picturing him to look like Creed 😅
One thing I noticed in the story is that there was a lot of telling. Nova often said that she had a 'fire and fight' in her, but I didn't really see it until the end of the book, and even then, it wasn't as explosive as I was expecting. Nox did an INCREDIBLE job depicting Nova's trauma and how she began to accept and heal, but I wish I'd seen some more feminine rage on her part, because I could sense that Nova had it in her; she didn't get much of an outlet to explore that, though.
I was also confused about the accidental pregnancy plotline, because I didn't quite understand what it added to the story. Maybe it would raise the stakes and make Massimo more anxious about Nova, but he was already incredibly overprotective of her, so I'm not sure. I hope we get to see the baby, though! Massimo gives me HUGE girl dad vibes ✨😋
THE SPICE
Ooh the spice was intense! I was shocked when Nova bit Massimo's neck, and he ENJOYED it! I was worried he'd get angry but it led to an intense make-out scene. Nox doesn't shy away from Massimo worshipping Nova, and seeing Nova learn about pleasuring herself was something I loved for her character development. I wish we had that scene in front of Massimo instead of over the phone, because I would have loved to see him break composure! There is a power dynamic between them, but Massimo respects Nova's boundaries and always asks if she's doing okay.
THE TRIGGERS
One of the biggest triggers in this book, apart from the mafia violence and the way that Massimo treats Nova in the beginning of the story (since he thinks she's cunning and vicious like her father), is Nova's father. It's stated that he was physically and verbally abusive to Nova, and there are scenes depicting marital violence - not between the MCs, but between Nova's parents. Please keep yourselves safe and check the author's list of triggers before reading ❤️
╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝
Overall, I enjoyed this book! Massimo and Nova's dynamic is something you don't see a lot anymore and I liked that Nova had her moments where she would take what she wanted without thinking of her father. Massimo is a total book husband and I hope to see their family soon!
Read
May 30, 2025I couldn’t get into the story mostly because the FMC is meek-ish… sorry ya’ll I know she’s been through a lot with her father.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2025
5/5 This book was oh so good.
TROPES:
-dark mafia
-enemies to lovers
-he takes her captive
-size difference
-"my wife", "mine", "touch her and die"
Let me start off by saying I HATEDDDDDD the MMC Massimo for the first few chapters. But honestly, I can kinda understand why he acted the way he did and kidnapped Nova the FMC. Their families are mortal enemies, her father is pure evil, and Massimo wants revenge. So he takes his enemies daughter.
He's 100% convinced that she's not meek and submissive, and he is right but not for the reasons he thinks. After a few days in captivity without her eating, he realizes And when he realizes that, he LOSES. HIS. MIND. She's no longer his captive, she is under his protection.
So, things change. He gently tries to change the rules that are ingrained into her mind. He discovers he has a "caretaking kink" (PSA- NOT a daddy kink, he just genuinely loves taking care of her). That eventually leads to other things... like him hand feeding her while she's warming his cock, lol.
I loveddddd this book, omg. It was so incredibly good! The way he broke down her defenses. Took care of her. Helped her during her PTSD and panic attacks, it was so sweet. He really redeemed himself by the end. 5 stars!
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate/manwhore?: virgin heroine (super innocent, she's never even had an O. her dad was obsessed with keeping her "pure" for marriage), not a manwhore hero
OM/OW drama?: none
Cheating/sharing? none
Triggers: abuse/childhood abuse (from FMC's dad), PTSD, panic attacks, anxiety, kidnapping, captivity, murder
Kinks: breeding, cockwarming, dirty talk, "good girl", praise, he pushes it back inside multiple times ;), rough sex
HEA?: yes! <3
My bookshelves may reveal spoilers.
TROPES:
-dark mafia
-enemies to lovers
-he takes her captive
-size difference
-"my wife", "mine", "touch her and die"
Let me start off by saying I HATEDDDDDD the MMC Massimo for the first few chapters. But honestly, I can kinda understand why he acted the way he did and kidnapped Nova the FMC. Their families are mortal enemies, her father is pure evil, and Massimo wants revenge. So he takes his enemies daughter.
He's 100% convinced that she's not meek and submissive, and he is right but not for the reasons he thinks. After a few days in captivity without her eating, he realizes And when he realizes that, he LOSES. HIS. MIND. She's no longer his captive, she is under his protection.
So, things change. He gently tries to change the rules that are ingrained into her mind. He discovers he has a "caretaking kink" (PSA- NOT a daddy kink, he just genuinely loves taking care of her). That eventually leads to other things... like him hand feeding her while she's warming his cock, lol.
I loveddddd this book, omg. It was so incredibly good! The way he broke down her defenses. Took care of her. Helped her during her PTSD and panic attacks, it was so sweet. He really redeemed himself by the end. 5 stars!
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate/manwhore?: virgin heroine (super innocent, she's never even had an O. her dad was obsessed with keeping her "pure" for marriage), not a manwhore hero
OM/OW drama?: none
Cheating/sharing? none
Triggers: abuse/childhood abuse (from FMC's dad), PTSD, panic attacks, anxiety, kidnapping, captivity, murder
Kinks: breeding, cockwarming, dirty talk, "good girl", praise, he pushes it back inside multiple times ;), rough sex
HEA?: yes! <3
My bookshelves may reveal spoilers.
February 22, 2026
So I actually enjoyed the story but it was way too long. There were many parts that dragged on and felt redundant. Many points that were made over and over again. I was pretty over it by about 70%.
It was safe though. She’s a V. He’s experienced but it’s barely mentioned. No cheating/sharing/etc. mild OW drama with a random woman coming onto him but he turns her down and FMC never even knows about it.
It was safe though. She’s a V. He’s experienced but it’s barely mentioned. No cheating/sharing/etc. mild OW drama with a random woman coming onto him but he turns her down and FMC never even knows about it.
May 29, 2025
just when you thought the series couldn't get any better! This is book 3 and lora doesn't not disappoint with this one !!! it's definitely getting hard to pick a favorite Massimo ties with Creed right now 😅
love a spicy I mean spicy mafia romance then my God please read Nova and Massimos story because he falls for the enemies daughter and he'd do anything to help her grow a backbone again her father that she's fear half her life she is nothing like him and Massimo supports her in every step.
Massimo oh where to begin 🥵 I loved his character and his weakness for Nova 🫠
ma'am you did it again and I can't wait to see what's in store next
*❤️🔥 Mafia Romance
*touch her and ☠️
*virgin Fmc ( charge your toys ladies it's about to get hot &"steamy)
*good girl x bad boy
* Mafia Heir x Mafia Heiress who find her backbone !
love a spicy I mean spicy mafia romance then my God please read Nova and Massimos story because he falls for the enemies daughter and he'd do anything to help her grow a backbone again her father that she's fear half her life she is nothing like him and Massimo supports her in every step.
Massimo oh where to begin 🥵 I loved his character and his weakness for Nova 🫠
ma'am you did it again and I can't wait to see what's in store next
*❤️🔥 Mafia Romance
*touch her and ☠️
*virgin Fmc ( charge your toys ladies it's about to get hot &"steamy)
*good girl x bad boy
* Mafia Heir x Mafia Heiress who find her backbone !
May 16, 2025
I loved this story so much! The back story for the fmc was so heart wrenching and her journey of healing was so beautiful
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
March 10, 2026
ALC Review
I am one of those listeners who likes to jump into a series based on either the tropes & plot line…or the narrators. Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden are a duo I love to see listed on a mafia romance, and Massimo is a brilliant performance from both of them.
Lucy voices Nova — a mafia princess who has lived a life of trauma at the hands of her overlord of a father. Lucy characterizes Nova’s voice exactly how I’d expect a woman who has suffered and has lost all hope and trust. There were so many scenes that felt emotionally dimensional and vulnerable - I found myself holding my breath as she recounted memories and projected her fear into this situation she finds herself in with Massimo.
Nova is the story — and it is her situation that truly drives the story. She is a victim and also, her greatest asset. She has been paying attention and is both smart and resourceful. My favorite scenes are when Nova makes incremental improvements in both her trust and recognizing her own power.
Overall, this is one of the best Lucy performances I’ve heard. She brings so much emotional depth to a woman who has been broken — allowing her to be gently pieced back together.
Massimo is the enemy turned savior that she needs to survive, and Joe Arden delivers him with a balance of dark power and a surprisingly charming sense of intuition and care. Joe manages to capture the intensity that the head of his mafia family requires — and is critical to any good mafia romance.
Massimo is complicated and calculating, and when he learns to ease his guard around Nova, Joe’s performance showcases what he never fails to bring to any character— duality. He earns his space at Nova’s side as he helps her battle her demons, and this is the heart of the story.
I can’t wait to explore the other stories in this series.
I am one of those listeners who likes to jump into a series based on either the tropes & plot line…or the narrators. Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden are a duo I love to see listed on a mafia romance, and Massimo is a brilliant performance from both of them.
Lucy voices Nova — a mafia princess who has lived a life of trauma at the hands of her overlord of a father. Lucy characterizes Nova’s voice exactly how I’d expect a woman who has suffered and has lost all hope and trust. There were so many scenes that felt emotionally dimensional and vulnerable - I found myself holding my breath as she recounted memories and projected her fear into this situation she finds herself in with Massimo.
Nova is the story — and it is her situation that truly drives the story. She is a victim and also, her greatest asset. She has been paying attention and is both smart and resourceful. My favorite scenes are when Nova makes incremental improvements in both her trust and recognizing her own power.
Overall, this is one of the best Lucy performances I’ve heard. She brings so much emotional depth to a woman who has been broken — allowing her to be gently pieced back together.
Massimo is the enemy turned savior that she needs to survive, and Joe Arden delivers him with a balance of dark power and a surprisingly charming sense of intuition and care. Joe manages to capture the intensity that the head of his mafia family requires — and is critical to any good mafia romance.
Massimo is complicated and calculating, and when he learns to ease his guard around Nova, Joe’s performance showcases what he never fails to bring to any character— duality. He earns his space at Nova’s side as he helps her battle her demons, and this is the heart of the story.
I can’t wait to explore the other stories in this series.
March 10, 2026
Book 3 in the Santoro Mafia series: Massimo and Nova. This is an enemies to lovers, captor x captive, age gap, OTT protective and obsessed MMC, hate to love, innocent and sweet FMC, found family, healing journey, revenge plot, mafia Don x rival mafia princess, he falls first and hard, mafia romance.
This man went from hating every breath she breathed to that same breath being his very oxygen. This book gave me Beauty And The Beast vibes. This author writes amazing mafia romance books and this book is my new favorite in her series. There is no better MMC than Massimo and Nova’s character development was beautiful to read. Such a great read and I can’t wait for her next book!
The audiobook narration was perfection! Such amazing voice actors and in complete duet narration. I totally recommend this audiobook!
This man went from hating every breath she breathed to that same breath being his very oxygen. This book gave me Beauty And The Beast vibes. This author writes amazing mafia romance books and this book is my new favorite in her series. There is no better MMC than Massimo and Nova’s character development was beautiful to read. Such a great read and I can’t wait for her next book!
The audiobook narration was perfection! Such amazing voice actors and in complete duet narration. I totally recommend this audiobook!
May 30, 2025
Massimo is on my top book boyfriend lists because he is ruthless, he is caring, he knows how to love and show it, and he literally tore down a rival empire down to the ground for her! This enemies to lovers is so different but so heartfelt and good. This book had me tackling so many emotions that I keep rushing to get back to the book just to know what happens next. I'm so that this series is over but I'm so excited for the next interconnected series. Her writing is so good that you want to know the stories of all the secondary characters! I want to know about all of their stories!
Read
July 21, 2025hii anyone has safety info?
April 3, 2026
ALC Review
Massimo by Lora Nox
Narrated in Duet by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden
Produced by Blue Nose Audio
Story:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Lora Nox is a new to me author, but after this book, I’ll be reading more from her. Massimo is a dark mafia romance with some of my favorite tropes: kidnapping, enemies-to-lovers, a morally grey man, a possessive MMC, and more. Lora weaves a story of tension, drama, obsession, and healing, and I ate it all up, leaving no crumbs. Massimo is the story of Nova, the daughter of an enemy who is not who Massimo thinks she is, and Massimo, a possessive, dangerous mafia don who might have bit off more than he could chew when he kidnaps his enemy's daughter looking for revenge.
Not only is this story so good, but the narration is perfect as well. Team Jucy is one of my favorite narrator pairings, and this one did not disappoint. Both Lucy and Joe performed Nova and Massimo’s story flawlessly. There were some really tough parts in this story, with some really heavy emotions, and they both executed their performances with talent and skill that demonstrate they are among the best at what they do.
Massimo by Lora Nox
Narrated in Duet by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden
Produced by Blue Nose Audio
Story:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Lora Nox is a new to me author, but after this book, I’ll be reading more from her. Massimo is a dark mafia romance with some of my favorite tropes: kidnapping, enemies-to-lovers, a morally grey man, a possessive MMC, and more. Lora weaves a story of tension, drama, obsession, and healing, and I ate it all up, leaving no crumbs. Massimo is the story of Nova, the daughter of an enemy who is not who Massimo thinks she is, and Massimo, a possessive, dangerous mafia don who might have bit off more than he could chew when he kidnaps his enemy's daughter looking for revenge.
Not only is this story so good, but the narration is perfect as well. Team Jucy is one of my favorite narrator pairings, and this one did not disappoint. Both Lucy and Joe performed Nova and Massimo’s story flawlessly. There were some really tough parts in this story, with some really heavy emotions, and they both executed their performances with talent and skill that demonstrate they are among the best at what they do.
December 15, 2025
I was expecting a lot more from a book with such a high rating but this really fell short. I almost couldn't continue beyond the 10% mark because there were 2 phrases/expressions that the author wrote on basically every god damn page and it was driving me insane.
Please if I ever see a book with the pet name "princess" I will gauge my eyes out now. Thnx Lora. I mean even the other Don's were calling this girl the Mancini Princess it was so f-ing cringey.
Also comparing the Mancini family to snakes/vipers at every opportunity. Got old so quick and I wanted to throw something every time I came across that phrasing again.
The plot was fairly straightforward with the exception of the other mafia family dynamics - maybe that's on me for not reading the other books before this but I feel a decent story shouldn't leave you confused even if you read the connecting books out of order.
I enjoyed the MMC at first but then he became a bit dopey. Like he caught feelings for the FMC REALLY fast and had like a personality transplant. The author also tried to convince us that he was this badass monster feared by so many people - but it was always telling vs showing. And so many of this dude's men/inferiors straight up gave him attitude that he did nothing about 💀 it was hard to respect him or see him as a Don after that (especially bc he had to basically keep reminding people he is a Don).
The FMC... eeh. I actually really enjoyed seeing a soft gentile main girlie - I think I have badass heroine fatigue - but I also didn't really believe the extent of her struggles. The author should have shown us more of her childhood and the abuse she suffered tbh bc at times I was cringing at this girl for being so dramatic. And the constant fainting got old eventually too. And she was so convinced everyone was out to trick her and like yeah I get it she was psychologically tormented but let's still apply some critical thinking skills no?
All in all this started out fairly strong but as soon as the characters got together I lost interest quickly, and I found the storyline of the other mafia families/the FMCs dad and who he was working with really confusing to the point I just skimmed the end pretty much.
Please if I ever see a book with the pet name "princess" I will gauge my eyes out now. Thnx Lora. I mean even the other Don's were calling this girl the Mancini Princess it was so f-ing cringey.
Also comparing the Mancini family to snakes/vipers at every opportunity. Got old so quick and I wanted to throw something every time I came across that phrasing again.
The plot was fairly straightforward with the exception of the other mafia family dynamics - maybe that's on me for not reading the other books before this but I feel a decent story shouldn't leave you confused even if you read the connecting books out of order.
I enjoyed the MMC at first but then he became a bit dopey. Like he caught feelings for the FMC REALLY fast and had like a personality transplant. The author also tried to convince us that he was this badass monster feared by so many people - but it was always telling vs showing. And so many of this dude's men/inferiors straight up gave him attitude that he did nothing about 💀 it was hard to respect him or see him as a Don after that (especially bc he had to basically keep reminding people he is a Don).
The FMC... eeh. I actually really enjoyed seeing a soft gentile main girlie - I think I have badass heroine fatigue - but I also didn't really believe the extent of her struggles. The author should have shown us more of her childhood and the abuse she suffered tbh bc at times I was cringing at this girl for being so dramatic. And the constant fainting got old eventually too. And she was so convinced everyone was out to trick her and like yeah I get it she was psychologically tormented but let's still apply some critical thinking skills no?
All in all this started out fairly strong but as soon as the characters got together I lost interest quickly, and I found the storyline of the other mafia families/the FMCs dad and who he was working with really confusing to the point I just skimmed the end pretty much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2026
Massimo (Santoro Mafia #3) by Lora Nox – Audiobook Review
Massimo has easily become my favorite book in the Santoro Mafia series so far. I expected intensity from Massimo as a character, but experiencing his story in audiobook form—especially with duet narration—took everything to another level entirely.
Lora Nox crafted something truly powerful with this installment. The emotional weight she gave both Massimo and Nova felt authentic and deeply layered, making their journey feel raw, difficult, and ultimately healing. The story doesn’t avoid darker themes, yet it handles them thoughtfully by focusing on growth, recovery, and transformation. Watching Nova slowly reclaim her voice and strength while Massimo balances his ruthless reputation with unwavering devotion was incredibly compelling. Their connection builds through tension, pain, and gradual trust, and it keeps you emotionally invested the entire time. The pacing, the angst, and the redemption arc all blend together beautifully, making this book impossible to stop listening to.
And then there’s the duet narration, which honestly elevates the entire experience. Having Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden perform together instead of simply alternating chapters creates a much more immersive atmosphere. Every interaction feels immediate and charged with emotion. The tension becomes sharper, the vulnerability more personal, and the chemistry between the characters practically leaps out of the headphones.
Lucy Rivers delivered an exceptional performance as Nova. She captured Nova’s internal struggle in a way that felt incredibly real—every trace of fear, conditioning, quiet strength, and vulnerability came through clearly. You can hear the hesitation in Nova’s voice, the moments where trauma still holds power over her, and the slow but steady evolution as she begins to reclaim her independence. Lucy’s ability to convey that emotional complexity made Nova’s story feel intensely personal, almost like stepping inside her thoughts rather than simply hearing them.
Joe Arden’s portrayal of Massimo was equally unforgettable. He doesn’t just narrate the character—he embodies him. His voice carries the commanding presence and controlled danger that fits Massimo perfectly. But what truly stands out are the softer moments beneath that intimidating exterior. When he calls Nova “my wife” or murmurs praise like “good girl,” the tone shifts into something possessive, protective, and deeply intimate. Those lines are delivered with a level of intensity that makes the character feel alive.
Because of the duet format, the dynamic between them evolves in a way you can actually hear. The imbalance of power at the beginning, the guarded tension between them, and the gradual shift toward emotional equality all come through clearly in their performances. This audiobook isn’t just spicy—though it absolutely has those moments—it’s also emotionally engaging and completely absorbing.
The story itself is gripping. Massimo becomes convinced early on that Nova is stronger than she appears, and eventually he realizes why she behaves the way she does. Years of manipulation and psychological abuse from her father taught her to respond only to direct commands. When Massimo figures out that she won’t even eat unless she’s specifically told to, he absolutely loses it. From that point forward, everything changes. Nova stops being his prisoner and becomes someone he is determined to protect.
What follows is a gradual and heartfelt process of him helping her break free from the rules that were forced into her mind for years. He discovers that he genuinely enjoys caring for her—developing what can only be described as a caretaking instinct rather than anything paternal. Watching him support her through panic attacks, PTSD triggers, and moments of vulnerability while encouraging her to stand up to the fear instilled by her father was incredibly moving. Their relationship grows through patience, protection, and trust.
Massimo is easily one of my top book boyfriends now. He’s ruthless when it comes to his enemies, fiercely loyal to the woman he loves, and willing to destroy entire empires for her. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between him and Nova feels unique and emotionally satisfying, especially as he helps her rebuild the confidence her father tried to take away.
This story pulled me through so many emotions that I kept rushing back to continue listening just to see what happened next. While I’m sad the Santoro Mafia series has come to an end, it also makes me excited for the next interconnected world Lora Nox is planning because her writing makes you want to know every secondary character’s story.
Massimo is currently tied with Creed for my favorite hero in the series, which says a lot because each book keeps raising the bar. If you enjoy dark mafia romance with fiercely protective and possessive heroes, emotional healing arcs, strong enemies-to-lovers tension, and the unforgettable “touch her and die” energy—this audiobook is absolutely worth your credit.
I was hooked from the opening chapter and honestly didn’t want the story to end.
And one final recommendation: listen with headphones. Trust me—you’ll understand why.
Massimo has easily become my favorite book in the Santoro Mafia series so far. I expected intensity from Massimo as a character, but experiencing his story in audiobook form—especially with duet narration—took everything to another level entirely.
Lora Nox crafted something truly powerful with this installment. The emotional weight she gave both Massimo and Nova felt authentic and deeply layered, making their journey feel raw, difficult, and ultimately healing. The story doesn’t avoid darker themes, yet it handles them thoughtfully by focusing on growth, recovery, and transformation. Watching Nova slowly reclaim her voice and strength while Massimo balances his ruthless reputation with unwavering devotion was incredibly compelling. Their connection builds through tension, pain, and gradual trust, and it keeps you emotionally invested the entire time. The pacing, the angst, and the redemption arc all blend together beautifully, making this book impossible to stop listening to.
And then there’s the duet narration, which honestly elevates the entire experience. Having Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden perform together instead of simply alternating chapters creates a much more immersive atmosphere. Every interaction feels immediate and charged with emotion. The tension becomes sharper, the vulnerability more personal, and the chemistry between the characters practically leaps out of the headphones.
Lucy Rivers delivered an exceptional performance as Nova. She captured Nova’s internal struggle in a way that felt incredibly real—every trace of fear, conditioning, quiet strength, and vulnerability came through clearly. You can hear the hesitation in Nova’s voice, the moments where trauma still holds power over her, and the slow but steady evolution as she begins to reclaim her independence. Lucy’s ability to convey that emotional complexity made Nova’s story feel intensely personal, almost like stepping inside her thoughts rather than simply hearing them.
Joe Arden’s portrayal of Massimo was equally unforgettable. He doesn’t just narrate the character—he embodies him. His voice carries the commanding presence and controlled danger that fits Massimo perfectly. But what truly stands out are the softer moments beneath that intimidating exterior. When he calls Nova “my wife” or murmurs praise like “good girl,” the tone shifts into something possessive, protective, and deeply intimate. Those lines are delivered with a level of intensity that makes the character feel alive.
Because of the duet format, the dynamic between them evolves in a way you can actually hear. The imbalance of power at the beginning, the guarded tension between them, and the gradual shift toward emotional equality all come through clearly in their performances. This audiobook isn’t just spicy—though it absolutely has those moments—it’s also emotionally engaging and completely absorbing.
The story itself is gripping. Massimo becomes convinced early on that Nova is stronger than she appears, and eventually he realizes why she behaves the way she does. Years of manipulation and psychological abuse from her father taught her to respond only to direct commands. When Massimo figures out that she won’t even eat unless she’s specifically told to, he absolutely loses it. From that point forward, everything changes. Nova stops being his prisoner and becomes someone he is determined to protect.
What follows is a gradual and heartfelt process of him helping her break free from the rules that were forced into her mind for years. He discovers that he genuinely enjoys caring for her—developing what can only be described as a caretaking instinct rather than anything paternal. Watching him support her through panic attacks, PTSD triggers, and moments of vulnerability while encouraging her to stand up to the fear instilled by her father was incredibly moving. Their relationship grows through patience, protection, and trust.
Massimo is easily one of my top book boyfriends now. He’s ruthless when it comes to his enemies, fiercely loyal to the woman he loves, and willing to destroy entire empires for her. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between him and Nova feels unique and emotionally satisfying, especially as he helps her rebuild the confidence her father tried to take away.
This story pulled me through so many emotions that I kept rushing back to continue listening just to see what happened next. While I’m sad the Santoro Mafia series has come to an end, it also makes me excited for the next interconnected world Lora Nox is planning because her writing makes you want to know every secondary character’s story.
Massimo is currently tied with Creed for my favorite hero in the series, which says a lot because each book keeps raising the bar. If you enjoy dark mafia romance with fiercely protective and possessive heroes, emotional healing arcs, strong enemies-to-lovers tension, and the unforgettable “touch her and die” energy—this audiobook is absolutely worth your credit.
I was hooked from the opening chapter and honestly didn’t want the story to end.
And one final recommendation: listen with headphones. Trust me—you’ll understand why.
March 4, 2026
Massimo (Santoro Mafia #3) by Lora Nox is my favourite so far! I already knew Massimo was going to be intense… but the audiobook in duet narration took it to a completely different level.
Lora Nox truly outdid herself with Massimo. The emotional depth she gave both characters, especially Nova, was powerful and layered which made their journey feel raw, intense and ultimately healing at the same time. She doesn’t shy away from the darker themes but she handles them with purpose, showing not just pain but growth and character transformation. Massimo’s possessive, ruthless exterior balanced with his protective devotion was written so compellingly and the tension between him and Nova felt real every step of the way. The pacing, the angst, the redemption arc, it all came together in a way that kept me completely invested from beginning to end. Like I said my favourite so far!
First of all the duet narration just hits different and is my fav way to listen. Having Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden performing their lines together instead of alternating chapters made everything feel immediate, raw and very intimate. The tension? Thicker. The emotion? Sharper. The chemistry? Absolutely undeniable... just amazing!
Lucy Rivers delivered an absolutely outstanding performance as Nova. She made you feel the FMCs battle. Every ounce of fear, conditioning, vulnerability and quiet strength came through in her voice with stunning clear emotion. You could hear the hesitation in Nova’s silences, the tremble behind her composure and the gradual shift as she begins to reclaim pieces of herself. Lucy’s emotional range made Nova’s trauma and resilience deeply personal, almost intimate, as if you were living inside her head rather than simply listening to a story. It was a powerful narration that elevated the entire audiobook experience.
And then there’s Joe Arden as Massimo!
The man does not simply narrate but he commands! His voice carries that controlled, dangerous authority that makes Massimo feel larger than life. But what really got me? The softer possessive moments. When he says “my wife” or growls “good girl”… I swear it radiated through my headphones. It wasn’t just hot, it was layered. Protective. Intense. Completely in character. Those lines in his voice? HOOOT… I always melt but in this book it really really got me!
The duet format made their dynamic feel so real. The power imbalance, the tension, the slow shift in emotional footing you could hear it evolving. And that’s what made this audiobook stand out. It wasn’t just spicy (though yes, it absolutely delivers on that front). It was emotional and so very immersive. The speed I listen to it was 1x and it was just perfect. I have nothing but praise!
If you love dark mafia romance with OTT protective, possessive MMCs and trauma healing vibes alongside “Touch her and die” energy.. A redemption arc that feels earned and duet narration that makes everything feel 10x more intimate then this audiobook is 100% worth your credit and like me your keep going back.
I was hooked from the first chapter and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend listening with headphones… for reasons your get.
Lora Nox truly outdid herself with Massimo. The emotional depth she gave both characters, especially Nova, was powerful and layered which made their journey feel raw, intense and ultimately healing at the same time. She doesn’t shy away from the darker themes but she handles them with purpose, showing not just pain but growth and character transformation. Massimo’s possessive, ruthless exterior balanced with his protective devotion was written so compellingly and the tension between him and Nova felt real every step of the way. The pacing, the angst, the redemption arc, it all came together in a way that kept me completely invested from beginning to end. Like I said my favourite so far!
First of all the duet narration just hits different and is my fav way to listen. Having Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden performing their lines together instead of alternating chapters made everything feel immediate, raw and very intimate. The tension? Thicker. The emotion? Sharper. The chemistry? Absolutely undeniable... just amazing!
Lucy Rivers delivered an absolutely outstanding performance as Nova. She made you feel the FMCs battle. Every ounce of fear, conditioning, vulnerability and quiet strength came through in her voice with stunning clear emotion. You could hear the hesitation in Nova’s silences, the tremble behind her composure and the gradual shift as she begins to reclaim pieces of herself. Lucy’s emotional range made Nova’s trauma and resilience deeply personal, almost intimate, as if you were living inside her head rather than simply listening to a story. It was a powerful narration that elevated the entire audiobook experience.
And then there’s Joe Arden as Massimo!
The man does not simply narrate but he commands! His voice carries that controlled, dangerous authority that makes Massimo feel larger than life. But what really got me? The softer possessive moments. When he says “my wife” or growls “good girl”… I swear it radiated through my headphones. It wasn’t just hot, it was layered. Protective. Intense. Completely in character. Those lines in his voice? HOOOT… I always melt but in this book it really really got me!
The duet format made their dynamic feel so real. The power imbalance, the tension, the slow shift in emotional footing you could hear it evolving. And that’s what made this audiobook stand out. It wasn’t just spicy (though yes, it absolutely delivers on that front). It was emotional and so very immersive. The speed I listen to it was 1x and it was just perfect. I have nothing but praise!
If you love dark mafia romance with OTT protective, possessive MMCs and trauma healing vibes alongside “Touch her and die” energy.. A redemption arc that feels earned and duet narration that makes everything feel 10x more intimate then this audiobook is 100% worth your credit and like me your keep going back.
I was hooked from the first chapter and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend listening with headphones… for reasons your get.
March 11, 2026
Lora Nox’s latest instalment is a masterful exploration of trauma and healing, capturing the intricate dynamics between Massimo and Nova with remarkable depth. The story delves into darker themes without flinching, portraying the harrowing impact of Nova’s past under her father’s manipulative control. Her conditioned response to commands, including something as fundamental as eating, is handled with sensitivity and insight. Massimo’s transformation from captor to protector is a poignant journey, driven by his recognition of Nova’s hidden strength and his determination to help her reclaim her autonomy. His role evolves into one of genuine care, providing a safe space for Nova to confront her fears and begin healing from her psychological scars. Their relationship unfolds with an affecting blend of patience, empathy, and resilience, as Massimo supports Nova through her struggles with PTSD and helps her find her voice. This gradual redemption arc, underscored by a palpable tension and burgeoning trust, keeps readers thoroughly engaged. Nox’s storytelling is both gripping and tender, weaving together themes of growth, recovery, and transformation in a narrative that’s as compelling as it is heartfelt.
The audiobook brought to life by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden in a duet format is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, where every interaction between the characters is charged with palpable tension and vulnerability.
Lucy Rivers’ portrayal of Nova is nothing short of extraordinary, as she skilfully conveys Nova’s internal struggles, capturing the nuances of fear, resilience, and the gradual journey toward self-reclamation. Her performance makes Nova’s narrative incredibly intimate, allowing listeners to feel as if they are partaking in her emotional journey rather than merely observing it.
Joe Arden delivers an unforgettable performance as Massimo. His narration does more than just tell Massimo’s side of the story; it breathes life into him. Arden’s voice encapsulates the character’s commanding presence and latent danger, yet he masterfully unveils the softer, more intimate layers of Massimo’s personality. The tenderness in his voice when interacting with Nova adds a complex depth to their relationship, making the moments of vulnerability and protection particularly impactful.
The duet format amplifies the evolving dynamics between the characters, highlighting the initial power imbalance and the subsequent journey towards mutual understanding and emotional parity. This audiobook is not only filled with moments of suspense and passion but also offers a rich, emotionally engaging experience that captivates the listener from start to finish.
The audiobook brought to life by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden in a duet format is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, where every interaction between the characters is charged with palpable tension and vulnerability.
Lucy Rivers’ portrayal of Nova is nothing short of extraordinary, as she skilfully conveys Nova’s internal struggles, capturing the nuances of fear, resilience, and the gradual journey toward self-reclamation. Her performance makes Nova’s narrative incredibly intimate, allowing listeners to feel as if they are partaking in her emotional journey rather than merely observing it.
Joe Arden delivers an unforgettable performance as Massimo. His narration does more than just tell Massimo’s side of the story; it breathes life into him. Arden’s voice encapsulates the character’s commanding presence and latent danger, yet he masterfully unveils the softer, more intimate layers of Massimo’s personality. The tenderness in his voice when interacting with Nova adds a complex depth to their relationship, making the moments of vulnerability and protection particularly impactful.
The duet format amplifies the evolving dynamics between the characters, highlighting the initial power imbalance and the subsequent journey towards mutual understanding and emotional parity. This audiobook is not only filled with moments of suspense and passion but also offers a rich, emotionally engaging experience that captivates the listener from start to finish.
April 8, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 stars (Book) | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Audiobook)
Lora Nox really said, let me take your heart, bruise it, and then gently piece it back together… and I let her.
Massimo is everything I crave in a mafia romance, dark, possessive, emotional, and completely consuming. This enemies-to-lovers, captor/captive story delivers that intense push and pull where hatred slowly melts into something far more dangerous… devotion.
Nova absolutely stole this story for me. She’s not just a victim of her past, she’s layered, intelligent, and quietly resilient. Watching her grow, reclaim her strength, and slowly step into her power was honestly beautiful. Her journey felt raw and real, especially with the trauma she carries. Every small moment of trust she gives feels earned.
And then there’s Massimo…
Cold, calculated, and ruthless, but when it comes to Nova? Completely undone. The shift from seeing her as a pawn to claiming her as his queen was everything. That obsessive, “touch her and I’ll burn the world down” energy? Yeah… it hits exactly the way it should. Hard.
Their relationship gives major Beauty and the Beast vibes, but darker, sharper, and more emotionally intense. He doesn’t just protect her, he sees her, breaks down the walls built by her past, and helps her rebuild herself in a way that feels empowering rather than controlling.
Now let’s talk about the audiobook, because wow.
5 stars, no hesitation.
The narration brought this story to life in the best way possible.(Lucy Rivers) Nova’s vulnerability, fear, and quiet strength were portrayed with so much emotional depth, while (Joe Arden) Massimo’s voice carried that perfect balance of dominance, control, and underlying care. The dual narration made every scene more immersive, more intense… more real. It elevated an already amazing story into something unforgettable.
Overall, this is one of my favorite books in the series. It’s dark, emotional, and deeply addictive—with characters that stay with you long after you finish.
If you love possessive mafia men, broken-but-strong heroines, and a romance that heals as much as it destroys… this one is absolutely worth it.
Lora Nox really said, let me take your heart, bruise it, and then gently piece it back together… and I let her.
Massimo is everything I crave in a mafia romance, dark, possessive, emotional, and completely consuming. This enemies-to-lovers, captor/captive story delivers that intense push and pull where hatred slowly melts into something far more dangerous… devotion.
Nova absolutely stole this story for me. She’s not just a victim of her past, she’s layered, intelligent, and quietly resilient. Watching her grow, reclaim her strength, and slowly step into her power was honestly beautiful. Her journey felt raw and real, especially with the trauma she carries. Every small moment of trust she gives feels earned.
And then there’s Massimo…
Cold, calculated, and ruthless, but when it comes to Nova? Completely undone. The shift from seeing her as a pawn to claiming her as his queen was everything. That obsessive, “touch her and I’ll burn the world down” energy? Yeah… it hits exactly the way it should. Hard.
Their relationship gives major Beauty and the Beast vibes, but darker, sharper, and more emotionally intense. He doesn’t just protect her, he sees her, breaks down the walls built by her past, and helps her rebuild herself in a way that feels empowering rather than controlling.
Now let’s talk about the audiobook, because wow.
5 stars, no hesitation.
The narration brought this story to life in the best way possible.(Lucy Rivers) Nova’s vulnerability, fear, and quiet strength were portrayed with so much emotional depth, while (Joe Arden) Massimo’s voice carried that perfect balance of dominance, control, and underlying care. The dual narration made every scene more immersive, more intense… more real. It elevated an already amazing story into something unforgettable.
Overall, this is one of my favorite books in the series. It’s dark, emotional, and deeply addictive—with characters that stay with you long after you finish.
If you love possessive mafia men, broken-but-strong heroines, and a romance that heals as much as it destroys… this one is absolutely worth it.
February 2, 2026
⭐ 3/5 Stars
Once again, a promising plot was sacrificed at the altar of unbearable main characters. In this case, my issue with both leads boils down to one massive, impossible-to-ignore problem: the romance is built on abuse and then framed as love.
Massimo’s behavior toward Nova when they first meet is not just “rude” or “harsh”—it crosses into mental and emotional abuse. He kidnaps her, humiliates her, yells at her, and treats her as disposable. Yes, he is horrified by his actions once he learns the truth—but the fact that Nova can still feel attraction toward him almost immediately is deeply unsettling. There is no time lapse, no space to heal, no believable emotional processing between trauma and desire. One moment she’s being degraded, the next she’s swooning. That is not romance—that’s conditioning.
What makes this even worse is the message it sends. When stories portray this kind of behavior as forgivable or even desirable in the name of love, it risks normalizing dynamics that should be absolute deal breakers.
And then… it gets worse.
Massimo switches Nova’s birth control without her consent, disguising it as “for her protection.” This is a gross violation of bodily autonomy—full stop. And yet, the FMC is barely upset. Instead of being horrified, she’s hurt that he “made” her take birth control that turned out to be prenatal vitamins.
Ma’am. This man made a reproductive decision for you without your knowledge.
Nova is still deeply traumatized, just learning how to exist without asking permission, barely trusting the world—yet we’re supposed to believe she’s ready for motherhood and a lifelong bond with the man who controlled her body? The emotional logic collapses completely.
This story could have explored healing, accountability, and growth. Instead, it rushed past the damage and romanticized it. For me, that was impossible to look past.
A messy, troubling read that confused control with care and trauma with chemistry.
Once again, a promising plot was sacrificed at the altar of unbearable main characters. In this case, my issue with both leads boils down to one massive, impossible-to-ignore problem: the romance is built on abuse and then framed as love.
Massimo’s behavior toward Nova when they first meet is not just “rude” or “harsh”—it crosses into mental and emotional abuse. He kidnaps her, humiliates her, yells at her, and treats her as disposable. Yes, he is horrified by his actions once he learns the truth—but the fact that Nova can still feel attraction toward him almost immediately is deeply unsettling. There is no time lapse, no space to heal, no believable emotional processing between trauma and desire. One moment she’s being degraded, the next she’s swooning. That is not romance—that’s conditioning.
What makes this even worse is the message it sends. When stories portray this kind of behavior as forgivable or even desirable in the name of love, it risks normalizing dynamics that should be absolute deal breakers.
And then… it gets worse.
Massimo switches Nova’s birth control without her consent, disguising it as “for her protection.” This is a gross violation of bodily autonomy—full stop. And yet, the FMC is barely upset. Instead of being horrified, she’s hurt that he “made” her take birth control that turned out to be prenatal vitamins.
Ma’am. This man made a reproductive decision for you without your knowledge.
Nova is still deeply traumatized, just learning how to exist without asking permission, barely trusting the world—yet we’re supposed to believe she’s ready for motherhood and a lifelong bond with the man who controlled her body? The emotional logic collapses completely.
This story could have explored healing, accountability, and growth. Instead, it rushed past the damage and romanticized it. For me, that was impossible to look past.
A messy, troubling read that confused control with care and trauma with chemistry.
March 8, 2026
Massimo – Santoro Mafia Series
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5) | 🌶🌶🌶
Wow. Just wow.
I loved this book from beginning to end. Massimo was already an intriguing character in the previous books, but seeing his story unfold was something else entirely.
Nova’s journey is honestly one of the most powerful character arcs I’ve read in a long time. When we first meet her, she’s deeply conditioned by years of psychological abuse from her father. Watching her slowly reclaim her voice, her strength, and her fire was incredibly emotional. There were moments that genuinely broke my heart — especially when Massimo realizes just how wrong he was about her in the beginning. That scene really hit me.
What I loved most is that Nova isn’t simply “saved.” She grows. She heals. With time, support, and her own inner strength, she becomes someone completely different from the frightened princess her father tried to shape her into.
And Massimo? He absolutely earned the crown for favorite Santoro brother for me. Protective, strategic, fiercely loyal to his family, and capable of recognizing when he’s wrong. The dynamic between him and Nova is intense, emotional, and incredibly satisfying to watch unfold.
The mafia storyline is engaging and full of tension, with secrets, alliances, and power struggles that keep the plot moving at a strong pace.
And I have to give a huge shout-out to the audiobook performance.
Lucy Rivers was absolutely phenomenal as Nova. Her narration was flawless. She captured Nova’s vulnerability, fear, and quiet strength beautifully. You can hear every layer of emotion in her voice as Nova slowly grows into her own power.
Joe Arden was fantastic as Massimo as well, bringing the perfect mix of control, intensity, and protectiveness to the character.
This audiobook completely pulled me into the story.
If you enjoy mafia romance with strong character development, emotional depth, and a powerful heroine, this one is absolutely worth the read (or listen).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5) | 🌶🌶🌶
Wow. Just wow.
I loved this book from beginning to end. Massimo was already an intriguing character in the previous books, but seeing his story unfold was something else entirely.
Nova’s journey is honestly one of the most powerful character arcs I’ve read in a long time. When we first meet her, she’s deeply conditioned by years of psychological abuse from her father. Watching her slowly reclaim her voice, her strength, and her fire was incredibly emotional. There were moments that genuinely broke my heart — especially when Massimo realizes just how wrong he was about her in the beginning. That scene really hit me.
What I loved most is that Nova isn’t simply “saved.” She grows. She heals. With time, support, and her own inner strength, she becomes someone completely different from the frightened princess her father tried to shape her into.
And Massimo? He absolutely earned the crown for favorite Santoro brother for me. Protective, strategic, fiercely loyal to his family, and capable of recognizing when he’s wrong. The dynamic between him and Nova is intense, emotional, and incredibly satisfying to watch unfold.
The mafia storyline is engaging and full of tension, with secrets, alliances, and power struggles that keep the plot moving at a strong pace.
And I have to give a huge shout-out to the audiobook performance.
Lucy Rivers was absolutely phenomenal as Nova. Her narration was flawless. She captured Nova’s vulnerability, fear, and quiet strength beautifully. You can hear every layer of emotion in her voice as Nova slowly grows into her own power.
Joe Arden was fantastic as Massimo as well, bringing the perfect mix of control, intensity, and protectiveness to the character.
This audiobook completely pulled me into the story.
If you enjoy mafia romance with strong character development, emotional depth, and a powerful heroine, this one is absolutely worth the read (or listen).
March 10, 2026
📖 Massimo by Lora Nox
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🎙️ Narrators: Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden
🗣️ “Please don’t break me…”
READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS
Non-Spoiler Audiobook Review
Massimo is book 3 in the Santoro Mafia series but can be read as a standalone. There is so much to unpack with this book. First, it was much darker than I expected. I don’t know why, as I read the TW’s but what Nova went through, was hard to hear, and it hurt my stomach at times. Second, this audio was told in a duet narration by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden; so, I knew it was going to be phenomenal. That vocal duo is incredibly talented at pulling heart strings along with all the emotions. I laughed. I was appalled. And of course, fanned my face.
BE STILL MY HEART! The patience Massimo had for his enemy’s daughter, went above and beyond. She was psychologically and emotionally abused, not to mention severely conditioned. Everything from food, to lights, even love and affection were used against her, her entire life. She was not the mafia princess he assumed her to be. Every time her “conditioning” kicked in, my heart shattered. Quickly, the “beast” became enamored and obsessed while planning her future… with him.
Massimo is a dark mafia romance that’s the perfect mix of enemies to lovers and touch her & die all while incorporating an incredible redemption arc. The character development was beautiful and organic, allowing us to watch Nova grow into a true queen. I’m not sure what was hotter, the actual spice or the dirty talk, but neither were for the weak *fans face, while clutching pearls* From start to finish, I enjoyed this storyline and the characters. All the YES’s for this one!
Thank you, Blue Nose Audio, for the ALC.
Audiobook Releases 3/11
Tropes:
🖤 Mafia Romance
🖤 Touch Her and Die
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Grumpy Villian x Mafia Princess
🖤 “MY WIFE”
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🎙️ Narrators: Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden
🗣️ “Please don’t break me…”
READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS
Non-Spoiler Audiobook Review
Massimo is book 3 in the Santoro Mafia series but can be read as a standalone. There is so much to unpack with this book. First, it was much darker than I expected. I don’t know why, as I read the TW’s but what Nova went through, was hard to hear, and it hurt my stomach at times. Second, this audio was told in a duet narration by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden; so, I knew it was going to be phenomenal. That vocal duo is incredibly talented at pulling heart strings along with all the emotions. I laughed. I was appalled. And of course, fanned my face.
BE STILL MY HEART! The patience Massimo had for his enemy’s daughter, went above and beyond. She was psychologically and emotionally abused, not to mention severely conditioned. Everything from food, to lights, even love and affection were used against her, her entire life. She was not the mafia princess he assumed her to be. Every time her “conditioning” kicked in, my heart shattered. Quickly, the “beast” became enamored and obsessed while planning her future… with him.
Massimo is a dark mafia romance that’s the perfect mix of enemies to lovers and touch her & die all while incorporating an incredible redemption arc. The character development was beautiful and organic, allowing us to watch Nova grow into a true queen. I’m not sure what was hotter, the actual spice or the dirty talk, but neither were for the weak *fans face, while clutching pearls* From start to finish, I enjoyed this storyline and the characters. All the YES’s for this one!
Thank you, Blue Nose Audio, for the ALC.
Audiobook Releases 3/11
Tropes:
🖤 Mafia Romance
🖤 Touch Her and Die
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Grumpy Villian x Mafia Princess
🖤 “MY WIFE”
May 19, 2025
🖤 Mafia Romance
🥺 Tr@uma FMC
❤️🩹 Comfort/Healing
🫂 Forced Proximity
💪 Protective/Possessive MMC
A good captor/captive mafia romance that also carries some suspense with the warring family drama, though I must admit it confused me a bit (reading the previous books would be helpful to this but one could still read this as a standalone).
Massimo has taken her as a pawn against his enemy and expects a spoiled princess but in fact she's damaged from abus3 from her father. Massimo can be very tender and is sensitive to Nova's queues when she's being triggered. But I liked that when he's in "Don Mode", he's very much a man of action and always calculating.
Nova was locked away at times by her father; he controlled her, threatened her etc. But internally she says how she's actually a more boisterous personality that's been tempered. I like knowing that her true self will come alive through Massimo. But on occasion her reactions felt too bold considering the abus3 in the early stages of her captivity. It's very much a cat and mouse game between them of who will break at first. Each believes they are showing a different face to the other, playing a part.
As the walls come down, we see how they are quickly attracted to one another (maybe a bit quicker than I would've liked...I love more angst). But we get an evolution of their relationship that show how fast they click. He's OTT protective REALLY fast. Again, maybe too fast? Overall it's a "heightened" mafia romance I'd say when it comes to the Romance aspect. I'm sure some will love that part. Pacing felt slowed too as we entered the second act.
I have to admit I want Gabe and Gemma's story. I'm a sucker for the scarred bodyguard who saved her life.
🥺 Tr@uma FMC
❤️🩹 Comfort/Healing
🫂 Forced Proximity
💪 Protective/Possessive MMC
A good captor/captive mafia romance that also carries some suspense with the warring family drama, though I must admit it confused me a bit (reading the previous books would be helpful to this but one could still read this as a standalone).
Massimo has taken her as a pawn against his enemy and expects a spoiled princess but in fact she's damaged from abus3 from her father. Massimo can be very tender and is sensitive to Nova's queues when she's being triggered. But I liked that when he's in "Don Mode", he's very much a man of action and always calculating.
Nova was locked away at times by her father; he controlled her, threatened her etc. But internally she says how she's actually a more boisterous personality that's been tempered. I like knowing that her true self will come alive through Massimo. But on occasion her reactions felt too bold considering the abus3 in the early stages of her captivity. It's very much a cat and mouse game between them of who will break at first. Each believes they are showing a different face to the other, playing a part.
As the walls come down, we see how they are quickly attracted to one another (maybe a bit quicker than I would've liked...I love more angst). But we get an evolution of their relationship that show how fast they click. He's OTT protective REALLY fast. Again, maybe too fast? Overall it's a "heightened" mafia romance I'd say when it comes to the Romance aspect. I'm sure some will love that part. Pacing felt slowed too as we entered the second act.
I have to admit I want Gabe and Gemma's story. I'm a sucker for the scarred bodyguard who saved her life.
June 5, 2025
This is the third and final installment in the Santoro Mafia series, and in my opinion, it’s the most powerful one yet.
Massimo Santoro was born to lead. As the eldest son, he was raised to inherit the title of Don—and when his father dies, he steps into the role without hesitation. To exact revenge on his longtime enemy, Sylvestro Mancini, Massimo kidnaps Sylvestro’s daughter, Nova. At first, Nova seems like nothing more than a pampered, spoiled brat—perfect leverage for vengeance.
But as Massimo gets to know her, his perception begins to shift. Nova isn’t just a pawn; she’s a prisoner in her own life, molded and manipulated by her father’s ruthless ambitions. Beneath her polished exterior lies a deeply broken woman desperate for freedom. As Massimo helps her unravel the trauma inflicted by her father’s so-called "lessons," something unexpected happens—he falls for her. And with that love, his mission changes. It's no longer just about revenge; it's about protecting Nova and giving her the power to rise.
Before diving in, please read the content warnings—this book contains difficult and emotionally intense themes. That said, it’s also the most compelling and emotionally raw entry in the series. Massimo is a cold, calculated Don, never one to show emotion—until Nova. With her, he becomes a different kind of monster: the one who slays hers.
I ugly cried through so many scenes. What Nova endures is heartbreaking, but her journey from victim to empowered queen is unforgettable. Their story is one of redemption, healing, and the fight to reclaim one’s life from those who tried to control it.
An unforgettable conclusion to the series. Nova and Massimo’s story will stay with me for a long time.
Massimo Santoro was born to lead. As the eldest son, he was raised to inherit the title of Don—and when his father dies, he steps into the role without hesitation. To exact revenge on his longtime enemy, Sylvestro Mancini, Massimo kidnaps Sylvestro’s daughter, Nova. At first, Nova seems like nothing more than a pampered, spoiled brat—perfect leverage for vengeance.
But as Massimo gets to know her, his perception begins to shift. Nova isn’t just a pawn; she’s a prisoner in her own life, molded and manipulated by her father’s ruthless ambitions. Beneath her polished exterior lies a deeply broken woman desperate for freedom. As Massimo helps her unravel the trauma inflicted by her father’s so-called "lessons," something unexpected happens—he falls for her. And with that love, his mission changes. It's no longer just about revenge; it's about protecting Nova and giving her the power to rise.
Before diving in, please read the content warnings—this book contains difficult and emotionally intense themes. That said, it’s also the most compelling and emotionally raw entry in the series. Massimo is a cold, calculated Don, never one to show emotion—until Nova. With her, he becomes a different kind of monster: the one who slays hers.
I ugly cried through so many scenes. What Nova endures is heartbreaking, but her journey from victim to empowered queen is unforgettable. Their story is one of redemption, healing, and the fight to reclaim one’s life from those who tried to control it.
An unforgettable conclusion to the series. Nova and Massimo’s story will stay with me for a long time.
March 12, 2026
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧ALC Review🎧
Wow I loved Vito and did not think Massimo could compete but I was wrong! Massimo the powerful head of the family taking his enemies daughter only to find out everything he knew about her was a lie! Nova was such a misunderstood woman in the beginning of this story. Everyone let their views of her father pass to her and they were wrong! Watching Massimo go from super protective of his family with the enemy to changing everything for one woman was perfect! He was so patient and reassuring to Nova. He gave her the safety she never had before! I loved Watching nova break out of the shell she was trapped in. Seeing the relationship between Nova and Massimo bloom from nothing was absolute perfection. Massimo did everything he could to protect his queen. The way the santoros defended their own even given everything novas family put them through just shows how great they are even with their “monster” sides. This was the perfect ending to this series.
Joe Arden was a fantastic Massimo. I love Hearing him narrate the characters he voices. The way he can really get into character is outstanding. He does such a great job narrating and bringing characters to life. He did not disappoint in this story! The emotions he brings to light in his stories is top tier! Lucy rivers. Gosh I love when I see she’s narrating a story. She does such a great job with every story I hear And this story did not disappoint. She did a fantastic job narrating the timid side of nova, the internal thoughts as well as the queen coming out of the flames. This paring is one I love To hear. They were perfect casts for this story!
🎧ALC Review🎧
Wow I loved Vito and did not think Massimo could compete but I was wrong! Massimo the powerful head of the family taking his enemies daughter only to find out everything he knew about her was a lie! Nova was such a misunderstood woman in the beginning of this story. Everyone let their views of her father pass to her and they were wrong! Watching Massimo go from super protective of his family with the enemy to changing everything for one woman was perfect! He was so patient and reassuring to Nova. He gave her the safety she never had before! I loved Watching nova break out of the shell she was trapped in. Seeing the relationship between Nova and Massimo bloom from nothing was absolute perfection. Massimo did everything he could to protect his queen. The way the santoros defended their own even given everything novas family put them through just shows how great they are even with their “monster” sides. This was the perfect ending to this series.
Joe Arden was a fantastic Massimo. I love Hearing him narrate the characters he voices. The way he can really get into character is outstanding. He does such a great job narrating and bringing characters to life. He did not disappoint in this story! The emotions he brings to light in his stories is top tier! Lucy rivers. Gosh I love when I see she’s narrating a story. She does such a great job with every story I hear And this story did not disappoint. She did a fantastic job narrating the timid side of nova, the internal thoughts as well as the queen coming out of the flames. This paring is one I love To hear. They were perfect casts for this story!
June 6, 2025
Massimo is book three in the Santoro Mafia series and is the story of Massimo and Nova. This is a dark mafia, touch her and die romance full of spice.
Taught to submit and listen and not fight the monsters that surround her, Nova is a mafia princess that has been groomed by her father to be a good mafia daughter and wife. Massimo is the Don of the Italian mafia and as his enemy strikes at his family, he must steal the one thing his enemy possesses that will gain him leverage, their daughter Nova. Massimo wants to use Nova against her father but soon learns that she may have more reason to hate her father than he does and instead of a pawn, Massimo wants Nova as his Queen.
The beginning of the story showed Massimo's misguided disdain for Nova when he thought she was manipulative and cunning like her father, but once he got to know her, he understood that she had been mistreated by her father and that she was a bigger victim than anyone. Please read the content warnings as there are some dark themes that may be unsuitable for some readers. This is a story of redemption, love and learning to stand up for oneself with the power of someone who has your back behind you. This story is a spicy mafia romance that has a lot of emotional growth for Massimo and his feelings for Nova and her love for him and learning to be the Queen Massimo sees her as.
Taught to submit and listen and not fight the monsters that surround her, Nova is a mafia princess that has been groomed by her father to be a good mafia daughter and wife. Massimo is the Don of the Italian mafia and as his enemy strikes at his family, he must steal the one thing his enemy possesses that will gain him leverage, their daughter Nova. Massimo wants to use Nova against her father but soon learns that she may have more reason to hate her father than he does and instead of a pawn, Massimo wants Nova as his Queen.
The beginning of the story showed Massimo's misguided disdain for Nova when he thought she was manipulative and cunning like her father, but once he got to know her, he understood that she had been mistreated by her father and that she was a bigger victim than anyone. Please read the content warnings as there are some dark themes that may be unsuitable for some readers. This is a story of redemption, love and learning to stand up for oneself with the power of someone who has your back behind you. This story is a spicy mafia romance that has a lot of emotional growth for Massimo and his feelings for Nova and her love for him and learning to be the Queen Massimo sees her as.
March 10, 2026
I have enjoyed the Santoro Mafia series from the start and Book 3 might just be my favorite. Each book is complicated with lots of players and Ms. Nox lays out the various layers of the interconnected storylines in an intriguing and intelligent manner. In Books 1 and 2, Massimo is the stoic oldest brother who becomes Don at the death of his father. In this book, we learn all about this complicated leader and his devotion to his family. Massimo’s internal struggle at the beginning of the book makes his realization about Nova’s painful past and his feelings for her all the more meaningful. Nova’s underlying strength as she battles her monsters is so beautiful to witness. Throughout it all, Ms. Nox wove together a final mafia battle for control for the ages. I enjoyed the audio production of this book performed in duet style by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden. I cannot say enough about Lucy River’s performance in this book. She does such an amazing job portraying Nova’s trauma and strength. Joe Arden’s ability to portray the powerful Mafia Don and the tender man who wants to comfort her and help her through her trauma is top-notch. Oh, and he plays about 95 other men throughout the book (or so it seemed). Overall, a 5-star read, 5-star performances, and 4 spicy peppers. Don’t forget to head to the Blue Nose Audio app for the extended epilogue!
May 26, 2025
Massimo is book three of the Santoro Mafia Series.
I loved book one. Book two was marvelous. But this one blew both of those out of the water. I really believed going into this one that it would be my favourite because the bits and pieces we saw of Massimo made him seem like he would be my favourite. And it exceeded my expectations. This was perfection!
I was invested from the start and loved everything about this. Massimo is really hard set on getting his revenge and makes a lot of mistakes at the start. He really makes a lot of dumb decisions which cause some more damage to Nova. She has already been through so much in her life and the psychological trauma she has faced really plays a key part of the first half of this book. While Massimo thinks she is stubborn, Nova is really just conditioned to act in certain ways. The pain we feel from her was felt off the page so well. I was so upset with her and was begging her to try to break her conditioning. When Massimo finally smartens up and starts acting like a civilized person, I clapped and congratulated him for being a decent human being.
This book gave me all the feels. I am sad the series is done, but we do get a bit of a teaser for the spin off series which I am eagerly awaiting.
I loved book one. Book two was marvelous. But this one blew both of those out of the water. I really believed going into this one that it would be my favourite because the bits and pieces we saw of Massimo made him seem like he would be my favourite. And it exceeded my expectations. This was perfection!
I was invested from the start and loved everything about this. Massimo is really hard set on getting his revenge and makes a lot of mistakes at the start. He really makes a lot of dumb decisions which cause some more damage to Nova. She has already been through so much in her life and the psychological trauma she has faced really plays a key part of the first half of this book. While Massimo thinks she is stubborn, Nova is really just conditioned to act in certain ways. The pain we feel from her was felt off the page so well. I was so upset with her and was begging her to try to break her conditioning. When Massimo finally smartens up and starts acting like a civilized person, I clapped and congratulated him for being a decent human being.
This book gave me all the feels. I am sad the series is done, but we do get a bit of a teaser for the spin off series which I am eagerly awaiting.
May 26, 2025
I love this, it was honestly really sad throughout but it was worth it seeing both characters grow and fall deeply in love with each other. I was crying through most of it actually, but there were just some parts that made me swoon. The plot was amazing, Nova has been mentally and physically abused by her father all her life and when she gets kidnapped by Massimo she believes he’s the same. And I’ll be honest he was stubborn and treated her terribly at first, but he realises his mistakes and spends the rest of the book grovelling. And I mean hardcore grovelling. For a mafia Don, he’s such a caretaker it’s so cute. I love how he knows her strength from the start and spends the rest of the book helping her find it. It was really sad watching her struggle to find her way and struggle to accept Massimo. But it just made the ending more heartwarming. I loved both the characters, but I really to want read Vito’s book, he seems so unhinged and totally my type. I seriously need therapy because I love the birth control tampering trope, and it was done well in this book. This kind of Mafia boss finds a broken girl and heals her/strengthens her is a pretty popular trope but this one is one of the best written ones I’ve read so far. I give this a 4.5/5
May 26, 2025
Talk about perfectly imperfect—Massimo. He is one sexy, caring, nurturing, … deadly man. Just what Nova needed. That poor girl. Good thing someone is able to see past her walls. Someone that recognizes her trauma. Someone that wants to Theirs was one rough, scary, nail biting, heart stopping, thigh clinching, love filled, beautiful story.
My absolute favorite Nova quote:
"Don't fight the monsters, father. Because the monsters always win."
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
* Massimo
FMC:
* Nova
HEA/Cliffhanger:
* HEA
Series:
* Santoro Mafia — Book 3
Epilogue:
* Nova
Tropes:
* Mafia Romance
* Enemies to Lovers
* MMC redeems hisself
* Pure love, care, protection for FMC
* MF
Triggers:
* 18+
* Sex
* Mafia violence, torture, gore
* Profanity
* Death
* Abuse
* From Parent to FMC
* Psyc, torment, food control
* Water control, locked in cold cell,
* Locked in pitch dark room ext
* Watched Father beat/torture Mom
* Kidnapping
* Immuring
* Birth control tampering
Burn Speed:
* Medium
Spice Level:
* 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 1/2 - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
* Depending on your level of pearl clutching 😉
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My absolute favorite Nova quote:
"Don't fight the monsters, father. Because the monsters always win."
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
* Massimo
FMC:
* Nova
HEA/Cliffhanger:
* HEA
Series:
* Santoro Mafia — Book 3
Epilogue:
* Nova
Tropes:
* Mafia Romance
* Enemies to Lovers
* MMC redeems hisself
* Pure love, care, protection for FMC
* MF
Triggers:
* 18+
* Sex
* Mafia violence, torture, gore
* Profanity
* Death
* Abuse
* From Parent to FMC
* Psyc, torment, food control
* Water control, locked in cold cell,
* Locked in pitch dark room ext
* Watched Father beat/torture Mom
* Kidnapping
* Immuring
* Birth control tampering
Burn Speed:
* Medium
Spice Level:
* 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 1/2 - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
* Depending on your level of pearl clutching 😉
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 4, 2025
Massimo by new-to-me author Lora Nox is a roller coaster and a must-read for mafia romance fans. The story kicks off with Massimo using his cousin Gemma to trick Nova into trusting her—only to abduct Nova and bring her to his estate.
Nova, already scarred from years of psychological abuse by her father, is understandably terrified and deeply triggered by the kidnapping and isolation. At first, Massimo thinks she’s faking it—playing scared—but those close to him quickly urge him to look deeper. Once he realizes Nova isn’t who he thought she was, things between them escalate fast. She still doesn’t fully trust him, but her desperation to escape her father keeps her close.
Massimo becomes obsessed—he just can’t stay away. And once they finally start connecting, their relationship turns surprisingly solid. The way fathers treat their daughters in this series is honestly heartbreaking, but it adds depth to the emotional stakes.
I would’ve loved more time with the extended family and their partners, but the pacing didn’t really allow for it. By the end, Nova has grown so much—stronger, more confident—and Massimo plays a big role in helping her get there.
Overall, this was a wild and emotional ride. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Lora Nox!
Nova, already scarred from years of psychological abuse by her father, is understandably terrified and deeply triggered by the kidnapping and isolation. At first, Massimo thinks she’s faking it—playing scared—but those close to him quickly urge him to look deeper. Once he realizes Nova isn’t who he thought she was, things between them escalate fast. She still doesn’t fully trust him, but her desperation to escape her father keeps her close.
Massimo becomes obsessed—he just can’t stay away. And once they finally start connecting, their relationship turns surprisingly solid. The way fathers treat their daughters in this series is honestly heartbreaking, but it adds depth to the emotional stakes.
I would’ve loved more time with the extended family and their partners, but the pacing didn’t really allow for it. By the end, Nova has grown so much—stronger, more confident—and Massimo plays a big role in helping her get there.
Overall, this was a wild and emotional ride. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Lora Nox!
March 12, 2026
‘The Beast who loves his beauty’
I went into this book blind I saw that Lucy and Joe was narrating and it was a mafia romance and that sold me straight away.
Lora Nox is a new to me author and what a book to start with I love a mafia book and this had everything i love about a mafia series and I cannot wait to back and listen to the author stories in this series.
Massimo is the Don of the Italian mafia and Nova is the princess of an enemy so to get revenge he steals her but what he didn’t know is that Nova has lived through so much trauma at the hand of her father.
Wow is Lucy good in this book!! I mean she is outstanding all the time but she really made her performance with Nova so powerful. Nova deals with so much trauma and the way Lucy delivers it made me really connect and feel so much for her I felt her pain especially when she would deliver Novas flashbacks and then when she became stronger in herself it was so beautifully written and performed. This is one is going into my top Lucy performances!!
Joe mafia is one of my favourites he always showcases so much passion into his performance and the way he delivered Massimo was full of that. Massimo was both demanding and caring and this was delivered in his performance so perfectly.
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