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Feretti Syndicate #4

Ruined By Capture

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Some decisions change your life.
This one might end mine.
My wedding day was certain to seal my fate.
Bartered off in marriage to a monster, my existence merely a business deal to cement the aspirations of two crime families.
But I don't follow anyone's rules and had no intention of going into that dark night.
Instead of driving to a flashy cathedral ceremony, I plotted my disappearance, taking the evidence I've collected with me.
But I hadn't planned on the booby trap that scuppers all my plans
Abducted by mafia killing machine Alessio Gallo—ruthless, dangerous, intoxicating.
Extricated from one gilded cage only to be locked up in another.
Now we're both in peril. La Cosa Nostra always exacts vengeance. My fake fiance will come for me when he realizes what I have on him.
As I try to make my abductor see the threat we face, I struggle to maintain my loathing for everything he is.
There are one or two teensy obstacles holding me
His muscular physique makes my knees buckle.
His touch awakens parts of me I never knew existed.
His dark gaze breaches the walls I've built around my heart.
His possession has me questioning everything I was taught to believe.
As the line between captor and savior blurs I find myself facing an impossible choice.
Escape from yet another demon intent on holding me captive.
Or risk everything for a man who should be my enemy.

*Ruined By Capture is a full-length is a dark mafia, forced proximity, enemies to lovers romance loaded with vengeance, betrayal, secrets, lies and most of all, a ton of steam heat. No cheating and a guaranteed HEA.

This is the fourth book in Feretti Syndicate mafia series. Each book in this series features a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, follow the recommended reading order.

Feretti Syndicate Reading Order & Tropes 1. Ruined By Revenge (Damiano & Zoe)
Arranged Marriage, Age Gap, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male

2. Ruined By Blood (Enzo & Sienna)
Age Gap, Kidnapping, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male, Scarred hero, Who did this to you?, Good Girl/Bad Boy

3. Ruined By Rhapsody (Noah & Evelyn)
Age Gap, Kidnapping, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male, Scarred hero, Who did this to you?

4. Ruined By Capture (Alessio & Melania)
Age Gap, Kidnapping, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, OTT Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male, Tortured hero

5. Ruined By Protection (Matteo & Hazel)
Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Second Chance, OTT Possessive/Jealous Alpha Male, He Falls First, Who did this to you?

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

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Sherry Blake

18 books112 followers

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5 stars
439 (49%)
4 stars
285 (32%)
3 stars
127 (14%)
2 stars
21 (2%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
1,832 reviews9 followers
June 24, 2025
This is book 4 in the series and it doesn't disappoint.
Melania runs from her arranged marriage but ends up getting kidnapped by her fathers enemies.
Alessio can't believe the beauty that he has kidnapped. He was expecting a spoiled princess but got something more stunning.
Melania has evidence to bring her father and fiance down but can they succeed without getting caught.
The chemistry between the two is off the charts but can they have a future together?
A must read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Vicki Mckeegan.
27 reviews
September 10, 2025
I have enjoyed all the books 📕 so far in this series. I am now going to read book 📖 5.
Can’t wait to read book 📖 6 also, which is about Lucretia
Profile Image for maya.
121 reviews
June 25, 2026
Maya's Reads ♥︎

Okay, for some context i have had this series saved to read since December 2025. Another thing was that I actually found this series scrolling on Amazon. What caught my attention was the covers, and immediately I knew that they were mafia books, so I took a picture and finally got around to reading them, not knowing there were so many books, but I’m determined to finish this series!! So here it goes…

*Spoilers Ahead*

For this book, Alessio and Melania, I think aside from the first book, this has been one of the favs in my opinion. I truly enjoyed how this book was very similar to the last book with Noah and Evelyn because it involved kidnapping, but in this case, Damiano orders Alessio to do so, not on Alessio's own accord. Essentially, in summary, Melania has returned home from studying abroad only to be thrown into an arranged marriage. However, she has plans of her own; she plans to run away using a hard drive she took containing evidence to take down both her dad and fiancé as leverage. Alesso is the enforcer for his family, and kidnapping Melania is what he has been sent to do. Sparks fly between them when she wakes up in a place owned by his family. Its not long before they realize they want the same thing to take down her father and fiancé, and so they start working together. But what ends up happening is that they realize they are compromised and have to go on the run together. I think the turning point for the relationship was when they finally got to the gas station, and Melania killed the man who was gonna kill Alessio, essentially saving his life. Even though she knew it would traumatize her, she killed the man anyway, and it was great that Alessio took that as a shock as well because he realized that she protected him on instinct and had every reason to let the man shoot him, but that wasn't the case. I think it has been common for focred promixty couple after a traumatic event like this one, that when in shock, one of them prompts sex to essentially desensitize themselves, for example this happens with Noah and Evelyn, but Alession and Melania are completely different because for them Melania the next morning isnt regetting her decision, in this case for both of them it solidified their attraction and love for each other. And for them, it was super quick, like this entire book to me is the span of a week or more, but a super short time for a couple to gether, but as we have seen, these men get obsessed fast and can give a fuck about proper timelines. I think the best part of me was reading how sassy and well she got along with the boys and helping them with coding, and it was finally a breath of fresh air because we finally got a woman who was closely involved with the business aside from Zoe, Damiano's wife, but after the fact. I think the funniest part is when both Alessio and Melania came back to the house and had to interact with the family men, and how quickly, once seeing her brains and personality, there was no question that she was genuine and not the stereotypical spoiled mafia princess. I think the best thing was seeing her, no matter the very intimidating dinner she was having, she stood her ground on contacting her brother for help getting into their father's safe. Towards the end, I think there was much that actually happened that we didn't get to see but that we possibly might see if we ever get a book that involves her brother, like her brother killed their dad after finding out what was on the hard drive. BUT ASIDE FROM EVERYTHING, THIS WAS A GOOD BOOK AND I LITERALLY FINISHED IT IN A COUPLE OF HOURS!!!

Favorite Moments
~ “There's a motel off exit 14," Damiano says. "The Blue Pine. I'm sending Matteo to meet you there. Leave the car behind the building and stay hidden until he arrives.""Understood," Alessio says."We need laptops," I interject suddenly, leaning toward the phone. "At least three of them. Different makes, nothing traceable."There's a pause on the line."Hello, Melania." Damiano's voice drops an octave, dangerous and smooth.A chill runs down my spine at his tone."You'll have what you requested," he continues. "Matteo will take the Maserati. You'll take his car to the secondary location.”

~ “I follow Matteo and Enzo down the hallway to Damiano's office, the weight of what I'm about to do pressing down on my shoulders. The irony isn't lost on me. First Enzo with Sienna, then Noah with Evelyn. Now me. We've all fallen into the same trap—claiming women who should be untouchable, from people we're supposed to destroy. Damiano's office door stands open. Inside, Noah leans against the wall, arms crossed, while Daniel stands at attention near the window. Their eyes track us as we enter. Damiano sits behind his massive desk, fingers steepled, face unreadable. He doesn't look surprised to see us. Nothing ever surprises him. Enzo drops into one of the chairs facing Damiano's desk without invitation. The second chair-my usual spot-waits empty. I take it, my body is tense despite the familiar surroundings. The silence stretches, heavy with expectation. Everyone's waiting for Damiano to speak first, as protocol demands. Fuck protocol. "Melania is mine," I say, my voice cutting through the hush like a blade. The words hang in the air. I don't elaborate, don't qualify. There's nothing else to say. Damiano's expression doesn't change. His dark eyes bore into mine, searching for something-weakness, perhaps, or uncertainty. He won't find either."Fuck," Noah mutters from his position against the wall. "Not another one." Daniel shifts his weight but remains silent, ever the professional. Enzo leans back in his chair, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Told you," he says to Damiano. "Pay up." Damiano ignores him, still studying me with that penetrating gaze. I don't look away. I don't explain myself. I've made my declaration, and I'll stand by it, regardless of the consequences.

★★★★★ overall rating
Profile Image for Raecharmed.
9,325 reviews69 followers
June 18, 2025
Melania has returned home from studying abroad only to be thrown into an arranged marriage. However, she has plans of her own, but nothing goes as planned. Alesso is the enforcer for his family and kidnapping Melania is what has been sent to do. Sparks fly between them when she wakes up in a place owned by his family. Its not long before they realize they want the same thing and start working together. Melania has stumbled on something they need to take down her father and the man she was to marry. Yet every time they try to accomplish anything they have to run for their lives. Will they admit to how they feel for each other? Will they be able to take the bad guys down?

This is a great story that once I started it I couldn't put it down. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Bad Boy Update.
Profile Image for K. Soleil.
23 reviews
May 18, 2026
This book followed Alessio, the Feretti enforcer, and I really enjoyed his story. He’s sent to capture Melania before her arranged marriage, not realizing she’s already planning to escape her dangerous fiancé and the life her father has trapped her in. The situation quickly spirals into chaos once Alessio takes her, and the two are thrown into a dangerous journey together.

I liked the tension between Alessio and Melania, especially as the stakes kept getting higher and both her father and fiancé turned against her. The mix of danger, mafia politics, action, and romance kept the story entertaining, and Alessio’s protective side made him a great MMC. Overall, this was a really enjoyable mafia romance with plenty of suspense and chemistry.
Profile Image for Reva Parks.
1,776 reviews14 followers
June 19, 2025
This Feretti Series just gets better and better. In this story Melania has planned her escape from the marriage her father has arranged with his partner in crime. No one knows she became an expert at cracking security codes while getting her degree in London. She didn't expect to know the limousine driver she hired on the dark web, so she had no clue that the man she hired was tied and gagged in the rear with the bag containing her evidence, her laptop and new IDs. Only when Alissio does not follow her orders does she learned he's kidnapped her to force her father to pay his debts to the Ferettis. I was on edge as I read this book! I'm so glad there's another easy to be released.
2,649 reviews10 followers
June 17, 2025
Book 4 in this series and what another good addition. Alessio and Melania’s story starts off as an interesting one. She is running from her wedding and he just happens to be kidnapping her. The chemistry is super hot between these 2. They are on a mission to stop her father and her “fiancé” which is something they both want desperately as they are both into things that are horrific. I don’t like to give too much of the story away, but I would recommend this series. The storyline is written well, the characters are really good and the book is truly hard to put down. Enjoy. #badboyupdate
Profile Image for olivia V..
622 reviews6 followers
August 8, 2025
i read this first before book #1... where are all the good reviews coming from, I have no idea. This was terrible, the writing was off, it was lacking in coherency, I found myself re-reading paragraphs. It was just wierd writing,odd wording, odd word choices, the fmc's behaviour was inconsistent.. it was just too muc, too much wrong. I disliked the mmc, your typical innocent fmc/manwhore morally grey mmc.. I could get past that if the characters were somewhat likeable but everything was wooden, melodramatic and completely lacked depth.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.8k reviews263 followers
January 12, 2026
Great story!!

This is the fourth book in this phenomenal series and this is Melanie and Alessio's journey.
This is a well written easy to read, action packed story, with family dynamics, friendships, emotions, tension, making choices, danger, suspense, intrigue, secrets, soulmate's, revelations, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and unconditional love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
757 reviews15 followers
June 18, 2025
Melania is suppose to be getting married in an arranged marriage. She got some dirt on her fiance and decided to run. She was kidnapped as she was running from her wedding. Alessio wants to take down Melania’s father and fiance. There is incredible chemistry between Alessio and Melania. Alessio changes from captor to lover. Great book!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Bad Boy Update.

Fantastic Dark Mafia romance!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
2,705 reviews3 followers
July 8, 2025
loved this book! Alessio works for the feretti family and is tasked with getting to Melania before her wedding, Melania doesn't want to marry the man her father picked for her so she comes up with plan but it didn't go has usual. Will Alessio finally let someone in or continue to push away? Will Melania be able to stop her father and the man she was supposed to marry or will they get to her too?
Profile Image for Ann L.
5,058 reviews39 followers
June 17, 2025
When a runaway bride is taken by a rival enforcer, she finds herself caught between two dangerous worlds and unexpected feelings.

This is fast-paced and steamy dark mafia romance with danger, slow burn chemistry and plenty of twists it can also be read as a standalone in the Feretti Syndicate series.
Profile Image for Kristen Thomas.
45 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2025
Sherry Blake is AMAZING!! She did it again with Ruined by Capture! Completely OBSESSED with her books, I literally can't put them down and NEED to read them back to back! I highly recommend reading them in order so you know who is who in the series! This is the 4th book in the Feretti Syndicate Mafia Series and this one is Alessio and Melania's story. LOADS of spice, excitement, danger, hacking, and banter! LOVED IT!!!
17.3k reviews184 followers
June 17, 2025
Her marriage was all planned but she did not want it at all. She finds the evidence that would ruin her groom but she is taken captive by a man who will do anything to keep her with him. She tries to get him to realize how much danger they will be in. A great thriller
965 reviews6 followers
June 17, 2025
Running from your own wedding because you do not want to go through with your family's plans lead to a phenomenal story. Melania and Alessio's story is chef's kiss. Absolutely captivating and exciting. This dark Mafia romance was one of the best I have ever read.
Profile Image for Christine.
11k reviews34 followers
June 18, 2025
Arc review For a honest review in my own words on a book I read. Melania and alessio are trying to take down her father and the senator. This story is fantastic I loved the characters and action. In this book.
Profile Image for No Book Behind.
637 reviews21 followers
September 29, 2025
I had slight problem to fully connect with Alessio and Melania. There was sth missing for me. Until they weren't on 'the out of their run', finding solance and support, protection within Feretti's, their story was flat and boring. And then, just like the switch was pressed and things started looking more interesting.
Out of whole series, unfortunatelly this is my least favourite book.
Profile Image for Belle.
544 reviews7 followers
November 17, 2025
It was really unexpected, but somehow also funny. Like the fact that she tried to escape on her own, and he kidnaps her, and she doesn’t even realize it at first. Hacker skills are always a plus. But other than being on the run, not much really happened.
632 reviews2 followers
January 30, 2026
she had arranged running from her wedding

Excellent plan but kidnapped instead. Brilliant going from angry to plotting how to bring her father and her to be husband to justice, they needed destroying. With the help of the Feretti family she succeeds
Profile Image for Fluent in Romance .
371 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2026
Ruined by Capture was definitely a slower burn than the other books, but it really gave Melania a chance to shine. I loved that she was the one kicking ass with her own skills while Alessio mostly played backup. The found family vibes and her brother’s loyalty were a great addition to the story
Profile Image for dre.
149 reviews
March 28, 2026
okay

I’m sure there is an age gap but don’t know how big. She’s 21 and he is 36ish. Assuming he’s the same age as Damiano. I couldn’t understand her anxiety or her need for coping. If she was exposed to this lifestyle why was she so shocked by it?
Profile Image for Tay.
171 reviews
June 17, 2026
The series is a good one

Another decent book. A ok storyline that isn't as crazy as the others. It's simple and to the point. Never enough spice, however I would still recommend it and this series to others.
989 reviews9 followers
June 25, 2025
Melania was told by her father she is to marry. Then her intended told her he was worth a fortune. She hired a car and driver so she could escape getting married. She stole the USB that contained the money in cryptocurrency. It didn’t go as planned as Alessio had knocked the driver out and taken his place. When they didn’t go to the church Melania thought it was all going to plan until they went past the railway station. They are chased by her father’s men and Raymond’s men. Raymond wants the USB stick back. When Melania got changed in the back seat she didn’t look a bride. Alessio had to shoot men to keep them alive. This is a great story that you will not be able to put down. I would have done the same as Melania if I had to marry a man who was old enough to be my father.
Profile Image for Cat1.
236 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2025
Mafia Romance

Alessio and Melania story is intense and sexy. I enjoyed their suspenseful, love story. The Farretti Syndicate is an exciting series to read.
Profile Image for Maria Byrne.
403 reviews
October 15, 2025
Love this series

Omg love every bit of these books. Can't wait to read the next one. Highly recommend to friends. No regrets
45 reviews
October 25, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed the series plenty going on plenty of action
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Miriam.
100 reviews
January 4, 2026
Sterkste storyline tot nu toe, goede chemistry, vlot leesbaar
Profile Image for Jodie Lauren.
1,981 reviews4 followers
January 5, 2026
Melania knows the truth about her father. She plans to run from her arranged marriage and reveal the truth but she didn’t count on being kidnapped during her run away by Alessio

Xx
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews