When the world falls apart, only the strongest love survives.
This third installment of Surrogate to an Unhinged Mafia Boss is nothing short of a gut-wrenching, blood-soaked symphony of grief, love, betrayal, and survival. The Black Flame Mafia is unraveling—and with it, the very foundations that once held these characters together. But through the chaos, the book never lets go of its central truth: love, even when scorched by pain, remains the fiercest weapon.
Giovanni’s descent into madness continues to be both painful and infuriating to watch. His inability to process grief has made him a danger not just to his enemies, but to his own children. The way he nearly destroyed Aria’s gallery opening—something so sacred and long-awaited—was heartbreaking. That moment really cemented just how far gone he is. And honestly, the rage I felt was real.
Aria’s growth, however, is one of the book’s strongest pillars. Her confrontation with Drea was long overdue, and while I’m glad she got to lay hands on her, Drea deserved worse. Claiming to love Aria while playing a part in her becoming an orphan? Unforgivable. This chapter showed that Aria’s heart belonged to Neari, and while we’ll never get to see that story play out fully, the emotions were palpable. That letter Neari left Moni? Absolutely soul-stirring.
Bankston and Moni continue to be a force—unbreakable, even when everything around them is crumbling. Their bond is raw, protective, and real. The moment Moni knocked Lena out? Iconic. Add Bankston giggling and rubbing his feet like a kid at a magic show? Hilarious. It’s moments like that that give this dark tale its much-needed levity.
Now Lena… where do I begin? She’s the embodiment of the scorpion in that fable—beautiful, charming, but fatally poisonous. She betrays those closest to her without remorse, and at this point, I can’t even muster surprise. She’s consistent in her chaos. Dante, on the other hand, is loyal to a fault. He deserves better than both Lena and the family he’s trying so hard to protect. His arc is quietly devastating.
Shoutout to Grimm and Braze—arguably the MVPs of this book. Their dynamic brings the humor and edge that balances the darkness. Braze, especially, is unhinged in the best way. Breaking into a man’s house and sleeping with his wife? Audacious. Wild. Unforgettable.
In all, Surrogate to an Unhinged Mafia Boss 3 delivers layered character development, emotionally charged storytelling, and a pace that never lets up. Every chapter forces you to confront the ugly truths about love, loyalty, and legacy. Not everyone makes it out alive. Not every heart makes it out whole. But those who do? They’re forged in fire.
I’m already bracing myself for Book 4.