Choosing Rachel: A Second Chance Mafia Romance

by M.B. Smith

Second Edition This edition of Choosing Rachel has been revised to remove all sexually explicit content and strong profanity. While the storyline remains the same as the original edition, new scenes have been added in place of the intimate content.



Rachel

The right person at the wrong time is still the wrong person.

But that was years ago, and now he’s back.

My daughter’s father is moving back to the city we met all those years ago, and he’s also moving in.

With me.

I let him in once, gave him all I had, and believed everything would work out, only to walk away broken and scarred.

So, I swore that I would never let Ryder Bates near my heart again.



Ryder

Four years ago, I met the woman who changed everything for me.

Three years ago, I watched her walk away.

With my position in the Moreno Mafia family on the line, I’ve been sent back to Sacramento to prove my loyalty and worth.

But that also sent me back to her.

She thought she had escaped me when she walked away. She thought I’d accepted our co-parenting arrangement. She thought there was nothing more between us than our daughter.

She’s about to find out just how wrong she is.



Choosing Rachel is an American Mafia, second-chance romance. It is book two in the Love and Blood series, but can be read as a standalone, though it contains spoilers from previous books.

This book features torture, verbal threats of sexual assault, and mild language that may be triggering or offensive to some readers. Recommended for 18+.

Genres: Mafia Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2025

Reviews

[Lawlah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story with second chances, accidental pregnancy, forced proximity, and mafia romance (though it felt more like military romance at times). There were moments of miscommunication where I found myself thinking, “Just talk to each other and say ‘I love you,’” but overall, it was an engaging read.

Ryder’s character is so well done, and the internal dilemma he faces between choosing Rachael and Lyla or his mafia family was portrayed so effectively. You really feel the weight of his choices.

Rachael’s loss of faith in Ryder was completely valid and was written with depth and emotion.

The twist? I didn’t see it coming at all, and when it hit, I was genuinely shocked.

I definitely heard more military terms in this book than mafia-related ones, which threw me off a little, but still, it kept me hooked.

This is a 4-star read, and BookTok didn’t miss with this one.

[E.L. Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a dark romance and not clean. More fade to black than closed door, but wow, I think I liked this one better than the first one. Holy smokes.

[Nic Sosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel and Ryder
A little more romance wouldnt hurt

[Lunavera Casen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing Rachel completely swept me away. Rachel and Ryder’s second-chance love story is raw, passionate, and full of emotional depth. I loved how their history made every interaction so charged you could feel the hurt, the longing, and the pull between them. The mafia backdrop added danger and intensity without overshadowing the romance, and the co-parenting angle made it even more heartfelt. M.B. Smith’s writing is captivating, with just the right balance of heat, drama, and tenderness. By the time I turned the last page, I was both satisfied and craving more. An emotional, addictive read I couldn’t put down.

[Ansley Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first ever venture into Mafia romance. I've always stayed far away from that genre because it was always too smutty for my taste but I'm so happy I stumbled upon M. B. Smith on tiktok! This book had me laughing and crying and the ending was completely unexpected. Her dual POV and the jumping in timelines was executed perfectly and it was by far my favorite read of 2025! can't wait to read her other books.

[Adel Lavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down! Rachel’s strength and Ryder’s determination make for a romance you can’t help rooting for. The second chance element was done so beautifully, and the mafia backdrop added just the right amount of danger and suspense. Every chapter made me want more. If you love a blend of heat, emotion, and tension, this is absolutely worth the read.

[Brain Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one sitting! Rachel and Ryder’s story is so captivating full of love, betrayal, and the hope of a second chance. The push-and-pull between them had me on edge, and the mafia world made everything even more intense. The emotional depth and sizzling romance kept me hooked. M.B. Smith delivered a truly unforgettable read.

[Chezney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no words because this book was amazing!!

[Claire Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one too! Second chance romance, mafia, completely closed door. Really recommend this author!