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The Savage

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Renzo Salvatore
Capo, F1 Race Driver…Unhinged Kidnapper

I should be thinking about survival. Instead, I’m dying with her name on my lips. Giada Mancinelli—the girl who owned my heart at sixteen. The girl who pulled the trigger that killed my mother. The girl everyone believes is dead. I spent years trying to erase her, bury my desire, outrun her ghost on racetracks across the world. I failed.

Crashing my F1 race car leaves me broken, drugged, and barely holding on—but wide awake when I see her. A woman in a nun’s habit standing at my bedside. For one unhinged moment, I think I’m hallucinating. Until I realize the impossible truth. She’s real. And she’s finally mine.

Giada Mancinelli
Mafia Princess, Secret Keeper…Novice Nun?

My name is Sister Benedetta but he calls me Giada. He tells me I survived by disappearing. By hiding. By forgetting. I remember none of it.

Taken from a Sicilian convent and placed beside a man held together by scars and rage, I feel the weight of sins I can’t recall. Renzo Salvatore looks at me like I’m both absolution and damnation. The past wants me dead. The mafia wants me silent. And the man who should hate me most may be the only one ruthless enough to keep me alive. Because some loves don’t fade. They become lethal.

Escape into a world of dark and brooding protectors, warring rival mafia families, and morally grey romance that will steal your heart

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

20 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

About the author

Zara Cox

87 books925 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Kez Marie.
1,383 reviews83 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 11, 2026
This was a steamy mafia romance, following a FMC with amnesia living in a nuns convent, and an obsessed, ruthless and possessive capo MMC who will burn the world for her.
There are lots of buried secrets and dangerous truths, but Renzo is determined to help the woman he loves. She has haunted him for years, and now he just needs to help her remember her past and accept him.
Giada is torn by his dangerous allure, but the longer she stays as his captive, the more she feels like she's at home.
The Salvatore brothers are unhinged, brooding, and fiercely devoted to their women, and I enjoyed this latest morally grey journey.
Profile Image for VickydpBooks.
830 reviews13 followers
March 26, 2026
It’s the third book in the Mafia Rivals omg I loved this book wow

Escape into a world of dark and brooding protectors, warring rival mafia families, and morally grey romance that will steal your heart
Profile Image for Shelley.
164 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 24, 2026
ARC provided by NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for honest review.

Renzo Salvatore has been keeping a secret - Cesare was not the first Salvatore to fall for a Mancinelli sister. Six years previously, Renzo was prepared to risk it all to bring his relationship with Giada to light - but then his mother was murdered, and Giada disappeared. After Renzo is injured in a race, the mysterious Nightowl gets in touch with intelligence of Giada's whereabouts. She is a novitiate Nun, with zero memory of her past life. Renzo has her removed from the nunnery and hidden away in a remote bolthole, where he can recuperate, try to work on rebuilding their relationship, and most importantly, work on bringing her memories back - but will that ever happen? And if so, will the answers incriminate Giada more than ever?

I said at the end of The Enforcer that I couldn't work out which characters this book would be about, and I was genuinely shocked at the opening of this novel revealing that Cesare and Maddie were NOT the original star crossed lovers! How Renzo kept that quiet from his surveillance heavy family - especially from his twin, is beyond me. He has seemingly been focused purely on racing and capo activities in the previous books, so I found it fascinating to know he was yet another brother being led around by Nightowl (I am DESPERATE to know who that is!). His need to find Giada knows no bounds - he literally risks his life post-crash to get a mediflight transfer to her approximate location, going so far as to feign a coma when his brothers storm his location, and abducting a doctor (with promise of a giant payday) to monitor the both of them as he recovers in a safe haven. Whilst he respects the Doctor's insistence that she shouldn't be bombarded with potential memory joggers, he has absolutely zero respect for her religious position and what it means for bedroom activities. He never forces her, but he is incorrigible when it comes to encouraging her. I'm not entirely sure how I felt about that. His feelings have obviously not changed, despite knowing she may have killed his mother, but being a novitiate Nun is all she knows at that time, and it feels a little dark that she has trauma induced memory loss and he won't take no for an answer.

Giada is firmly of the belief that she is Sister Benedetta, a novitiate Nun who has memory loss, and that the Madre Superiora is the single person who can give her guidance. The sudden reappearance of Renzo is a huge shock to this once wild but now very meek and religious girl. She is slowly subverted from her innocence by Renzo, but also the bodyguards and mafia men surrounding him. As she opens up, she still doesn't revert to her original self, the loss of her memory keeping key parts of her suppressed, even when she reconnects with 2 of her sisters and her brother. There is always the sense that she will be much like her sisters - fierce and ferocious - but it is hidden beneath timidity and meekness. I understand that the plot dictated when she got her memories back, but I would have loved to have seen a bit more of her character post-reveal. It felt very limited to bedroom activity, whereas I would have liked to have seen more of her fire when conversing with her siblings, or with the other Salvatore brothers.

I was expecting a lot more F1 content when I first opened the book and saw Renzo - Furia Racing's first driver - was the lead character, but this was quickly shut down at the start of Chapter One, when he is involved in a horrific accident. After it becomes clear that this is serious, I did feel that his return to the track was incredibly quick considering his injuries and their severity, but that's artistic licence! To be fair his obstinacy would rival that of an F1 driver determined to get back in his seat! The mafia element of this series was in the background for quite a lot of this novel, with Renzo and Giada in a double header for large parts, but it was never far away, and you knew that danger was lurking at every corner.

The reveal of just who shot Isabella Salvatore was spectacular, and has really put the cat amongst the pigeons ahead of the next book (which looks set to be Bibiana and Narciso's story), tying up another strand of what seemed to be unrelated story into the plait of intrigue and drama going on throughout this series. I can't wait for the next book - the series is really building in intensity and I am DESPERATE to know exactly who Nightowl is. Their increased involvement in this book, going from simple tips and coordinates to full on instructions - leads me to believe that they are someone that no reader is ever going to expect, yet someone we've already met.

The Savage was another hit for Zara Cox!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
Profile Image for Mayville (Tourbiez Reads).
407 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 18, 2026
4.5 Stars✨
3 Spices🌶️

This book has been recommended to me by Boldwood, and I regret not having read this series since its release. I have always loved dark romance, which often involves Mafia elements. But to add a childhood sweetheart microtrope in it? I'm sold! This story is multi-layered, mysterious, suspenseful, and steamy! Adding some Romeo and Juliet vibes, the rivalry between the Renzo and Giada's families adds to the intensity and chaos of the story. All the ingredients I needed for the Mafia story.

The Savage is the third book in Zara Cox's Mafia Rivals series. It tells the tale of Renzo Salvatore, a mafia capo and professional F1 racer, and Giada Mancinelli, a young amnesic woman who has been abducted by Renzo.
Renzo only remembers Giada's name when his life is in jeopardy following a deadly F1 car accident. He eventually located her after six years, but her memory loss prevented her from providing him with the information he required regarding his mother's death. Will the liberating relationship they've been clinging to for so long be made viable by Giada's confession? Or will this be a means to putting an end to them permanently?

Beyond its romantic and suspenseful elements, Cox gives us a story that demonstrates a relationship in fragments, suggesting that memory preserves feelings more vividly than explanations, leaving readers to piece together meaning from moments rather than plot.
Giada's journey involves confronting the tragedy that nearly destroyed her identity in addition to retrieving her memories. She might not remember everything, but memory has its ways to unleash its power to reveal her true self. And boy, was she a fierce and strong woman!
Renzo's grief, anger, sorrow, exhaustion, and need are all intertwined in a way that is tense but inevitable to look at. His resolve led him to hunt for Giada, and it undoubtedly paid off. Because of his burning desire and possessiveness. Indeed, Giada is unable to resist his filthy mouth.
Although their path to their long-awaited HEA hasn't been effortless, their affection for and loyalty to one another have remained robust in spite of the barriers and those who have attempted to separate them.
And their chemistry? Straight up to the burning level hot!

The secondary characters also play an essential role in the ongoing ARC of this series. And Nightowl? This man is full of enigma. I seriously need to read the first 2 books of the series to get some answers I need.

At its heart, The Savage is a high-octane, action-packed, romantic suspense novel that delves into themes of vulnerability, fear, and the fight for dominance in a violent, money-driven world. It's also a reminder that the magic of everlasting love and true connections can endure through any barriers.

Receiving a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was an honour, and I'm presenting my candid opinion based on my own experience. I am eternally grateful to Zara Cox, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books for entrusting me with reading this book beforehand.
Profile Image for Caitlynn Burnaman.
212 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 19, 2026
A mafia prince kidnaps a suspect in his mother’s murder while recovering from an F1 racing accident. This isn’t just any suspect, though—it’s the daughter of a rival mafia family, a former fling, and a nun-in-training who has completely forgotten her past. As Renzo keeps Giada hidden away during his recovery, her memories begin to resurface, and he becomes increasingly convinced there’s more to the truth behind that night.

For a story centered around a mafia capo and F1 racing, I expected a more fast-paced, high-intensity plot. Instead, this leans into a slower, more introspective narrative. The author takes time to explore Renzo’s mindset and allows space for Giada’s experience as her world is turned upside down. While I can appreciate that character-driven approach, I found it a bit difficult to fully connect with the characters and remain consistently engaged—though that may have been influenced by my reading headspace at the time.

That said, the emotional focus does allow certain twists to land with more weight as the story progresses, and readers who enjoy a more internal, reflective pace may find this approach rewarding.

I do love a man whose hard exterior softens for one person, and this delivers on several familiar tropes:
- he falls first
- touch her and die
- forced proximity
- balanced spice and story

The Savage is perfect for readers who enjoy mafia romance with a more character-driven focus and touches of suspense. I would also recommend reading the series in order to fully understand the existing dynamics and history between the families.

Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley, and Zara Cox for the opportunity to read and review.
Profile Image for Minnie.
1,082 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 19, 2026
ARC review

4.5⭐|3🌶|11%🌶frequency

It's all so crazy 😁 And I absolutely love that.
Not just the combination of Mafia and Formula 1. I've never seen something like that before. But also the fact how crazy the Salvatore men and the Mancinelli women are 🤣 And I saw it coming. Or I hoped for it 😎 But not the way it was. That honestly shocked me, positively!

These two families are enemies. Rival families. But love is stronger than that. It's all a bit of Romeo and Juliet, except for the MCs who are definitely older, AND the books have HEAs 🩷

Renzo and Giada are so perfect for each other. Renzo is so extremely protective about her 😍 Especially because of their past, or even though of their past? It's tricky.
The 🔪 of the mother of the guys is still very present. I really was so curious what really happened 6 years ago...
And still, Renzo is soooo possessive and yes, also obsessed 😎 And OOOH so 🔥🥵 He has such a dirty mouth and mind!!!

You will get the whole shabang of a mafia romance. So be aware of it 😉

I really hope there will be another book in this series, I need a book for Jacinta and Dante 😎 oh, and also one for another potential couple 😁
I also need to know who the freak Nightowl is!!! It drives me crazy 🙈

Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for trusting me with an ARC 🩷


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1,211 reviews27 followers
Review of advance copy
March 26, 2026
Back in the world of the Mafia Rivals for book 3, getting to know Renzo, younger brother to the Underboss and Enforcer, race driver extraordinaire and just as susceptible to the Mancinelli women, but as we discover, he's the original brother to have crossed the Mafia lines as we FINALLY get to meet Giada who's whereabouts have been a great secret through the first couple of books.
While Renzo is powerful and fierce, just like his big brothers, we see a really soft and caring side here too which was lovely to discover.
Giada, the key to the past that we have been waiting for to unlock the truth, and eventually it appears that Renzo has met his match!
The storyline really ramps up with lots of new developments and the long-awaited truth of the day of Isabellas death becoming clear. We also see some great updates on the couples from the first two books which I always love to see in a series.
We meet lots of new characters too, who will undoubtedly play key parts to the rest of the series.
The story has plenty of spice, while also exploring some very upsetting topics for both families. I thought it was a great blend of light and dark.
With another brother and sister each for the Salvatores and Mancinellis, I have the feeling we have just another two books to come from this series, but I cant wait to read them and hopefully come to a conclusion about all Mafia related queries we still have to see, and will we finally expose the mysterious NightOwl? I sure hope so! I can't wait.
Profile Image for Rady Reads.
831 reviews20 followers
March 27, 2026
First of all I would like to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity for early access to read and review.

have to say, I haven't read a good mafia book in a while, and I loved this one immensely.
I would dare to say, it slightly reminds me of modern Romeo and Juliette, two rival families, the Salvatores and the Mancinellis. Thankfully, not with a morbid end, like the original.

The obsession, the shyness with the added humming of racing cars, danger, and adrenaline made the plot extraordinary.

The story tells about teenage sweethearts Renzo Salvatore and Giada Mancinelli, who were separated for 6 whole years after Renzo's mother had been killed.
It reveals love that burns for eternity and Renzo's willingness to go to the end of the world to find his lost girl.

When Renzo finally finds Giada, a novice in a convent, thanks to hacker Nightowl, who fortunately is useful for the famigghia, he wasn't prepared for Giada's amnesia.

But with Giada's release, hell breaks.... The Mancinellis want her for themselves to keep their secrets under the radar.

Will Renzo be able to bring Giada's memory back to rekindle their eternal love and to help solve the mystery of the death of his mother?

I don't want to spoil the book and reveal too much, so I just say that this book and its characters were truly amazing, and I enjoyed every single second of reading it.
Profile Image for Julie.
564 reviews6 followers
April 3, 2026
The third book in the Mafia Rivals series - this could be read as a standalone but makes more sense when the family dynamics from the previous two books are understood.

In this book, the focus is on Renzo Salvatore - 3rd of the Salvatore brothers. Following a disastrous crash during a F1 race, Renzo's life hangs in the balance. Yet all he can think about is Giada Mancinelli - daughter of the Mancinelli family and rivals of the Salvatore family. Giada has been missing for years following the shooting of Renzo's mother, for which Giada is blamed. But Renzo cannot stop thinking about their stolen moments of passion when they were younger and he is desperate to find her.

Giada has been hidden away in a convent since the shooting - she has lost her memory and has no recollection of who she is or what she is supposed to have done. Can they find each other again and escape from the family feud?

This was an ok read but it does feel slightly contrived that there are so many members of the Salvatore and Mancinelli families that fall in love with each other! The story meandered a bit and didn't feel quite as sharp as the earlier books. That said, if there was a fourth (bound to be - there's another brother and another sister!) I would still read it.

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

Author 1 book10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 18, 2026
Renzo is in a serious F1 car accident, his life is hanging in the balance, but the only thing that keeps his heart beating is the name Gaida.
But Gaida has been missing for the last six years, last seen with a gun in her hand and a body at her feet.

NightOwl will be be sending more cryptic messages, but their true identity will not be revealed, but are they friend or foe?

When Gaida comes back into the light, secrets will be revealed, but it does not mean everyone wants them exposed, and danger will be lurking nearby.

Cox gives us a different pace at the beginning of this novel, which builds us up emotionally for a reunion that we have been waiting for; this scene actually had me crying.

In this narrative, we hear back from previous characters, the interaction given between them all is well done as it keeps us engaged and the reader knowing these are all still main characters in this story.

I am very curious to see where this author takes us next, as there were several hints of what could come, but this author keeps me on my toes, and it just makes everything more enjoyable.
Profile Image for Joanna.
445 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 26, 2026
3.75 rounded to 4 stars for me.

Renzo Salvatore finally found Giada,the girl who's been missing for the past six years.Giada needs to answer what happened years ago,but she can't remember anything,and not only Renzo wants answers,his family demands it.Protecting her it's the only way,and no one will stop him because she always belonged to him.F1 Race Driver and almost nun have one thing in common,their mafia family's and the feelings that never go away.

What happened six years ago?
Who wants Giada and why?

It was a constant action filled mafia romance.Both characters so different but in a weird way it's working.Renzo was really obsessed with Giada,and her being so innocent was making him work for her feelings.So cold to the others,but so sweet only with Giada,showed me how much he loves and will not let go of her.A few mystries to solve,and a few goons to kill,I got a mafia romance that will not stop me at this book,can't wait for other brother or maybe a sister story.My first book by this author,and it won't be the last.

Thank you Boldwood books and netgalley for my arc,my review is honest and my own.
Profile Image for K.J. Sweeney.
Author 2 books48 followers
April 17, 2026
I've got to be honest, I didn't love this one as much as the previous two books in the series. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not convinced that brothers would all fall for sisters in a rival family, or if it's because, for the first half of the book, Gaida didn't know who she was, and I didn't really feel the chemistry between them. That said, things shifted in the second half, and I found that I was struggling to put it down.
With Gaida having lost her memory, she's almost like a non-entity in the first half of the book. She doesn't really have any personality, and while it's clear that Renzo has feelings for her, it doesn't really work as she isn't really the woman that he fell for. I also didn't fully understand why she had lost her memory, a trauma response, yes, but it seemed to be more than that somehow, yet nothing I could put my finger on.
That all sounds as though I hated the book, I didn't. The second half was much better and as mentioned, I struggled to put the book down once I got there.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
Profile Image for Heather Bunch.
19 reviews
March 4, 2026
Omg, Zara Cox absolutely destroyed me with The Savage! 🏎️🔥

If you are looking for a dark, unhinged 'enemies to lovers' mafia romance, this is the one. Renzo is a literal F1 driver AND a mafia capo, which is such a wild combo, but it works so well.

But we need to talk about Giada! She is hiding out as a novice nun (yes, a nun!!) and she completely stressed me out. She kept so many secrets and was so stubborn about pushing Renzo away, even when the tension between them was literally melting my screen. I spent half the book yelling at my e-reader, "Girl, just give in!" She made me so frustrated because he was practically losing his mind obsessing over her after thinking she was dead, and she just kept putting up walls.

The push and pull is intense, and the dirty talk is completely unhinged. I'm giving it 4 stars just because Giada's stubbornness dragged a tiny bit for me, but the payoff when they finally collide? Absolute fire. You absolutly need to read this if you want something dark and spicy.
Profile Image for Nia.
211 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐
I read this in my most agreeable mafia phase, the one in which I'm starving for one and I really enjoy a good second chance romance.

• Personally tho, since this was my first book by the author and in the series, I felt that the F1, mixing with mafia, amnesia, and an hidden past all these together made it too overwhelming.

• The F1 part also felt quite unrealistic at times, him being injured and then going back no mention of the test races, the practices or anything.

• I really enjoyed the chemistry between Giada and Lorenzo, the odes that this man was weaving -? He was such a goner for her!

• I did wish that there was something more into the climax, something shocking that could really bring this book to another height but alas....

• The initial 70% was really soo good, the rest was not so due to my expectation for something more!
But fear not!! I really enjoyed it.

💖 Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for CookesBooks.
1,000 reviews12 followers
March 28, 2026
Dark, dangerous, and deliciously addicting.
I'm immediately going back for the first two Salvatore brothers because Zara Cox had me hooked from beginning to end with Renzo and Giada. I'll take all the unhinged, morally gray that comes with Renzo and still ask for more. The pull between Giada and Renzo was magnetic, even if she didn't remember him. The heart wants what it wants, and there was no denying these two's hearts were only meant for each other. That man was as possessive and protective as they come for Giada, but she was no meek woman either, and I loved how fierce and strong she became. No one can blame her for her attraction to Renzo because, hello...that mouth! Wow!
I'm incredibly grateful to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Zara Cox for the ARC opportunity. I've found a new to me author that I know I'm going to love reading more of.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
1,103 reviews14 followers
February 17, 2026
Y'all this book had me SAT from the first page. We have F1 and mafia all in 1 book- I die. Why did I not know this combo could exist?

Renzo- does a hotter man exist? I think not. This is a man obsessed, possessed. He knows his girl is out there and he is going to find her and her secrets.

Giada, our FMC, she hit me right in the feels. I cried and yelled and was frustrated right along with her. Her character growth was perfection. It wasn't fast or easy and my god she worked so hard for each and every step along the way which made me fall even more in love with her.

I just loved the two of them together so much too. Like Renzo's clear love for her, like no matter what. He is her ride or die and gah I just love them.

I did not read The Mastermind or The Enforcer first and never felt lost (but yes, I have already downloaded both and will be reading those immediately)
Profile Image for Lucy.
57 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 27, 2026
The Savage

This is book 3, an interconnected standalone about the Salvatores. This book is about Renzo and his search for the truth about the night his mother was murdered and how the love of his life Giada fits into it.

Giada went missing on that night & she can’t remember her life before she disappeared.

Renzo is a typical morally grey MMC who is possessive about those he loves, whether they want to be or not. He stops at nothing to save them even if it’s from themselves.

Giada, goes on a huge journey to find herself with Renzo’s help.

I enjoyed reading this and I think if you like mafia romances, you’ll enjoy this.
As usual, do read the content warnings as there is tons of what you’d expect in a mafia romance.
Profile Image for Chryssa.reads.
172 reviews13 followers
March 27, 2026
This was an interesting plot, he The Capo and F1 racer and she a novice nun?!
Say no more!!! It is a must to read.
Renzo after suffers an accident fakes a coma and go to kidnap the woman he thinks killed his mom. But it happens that she is now a novice nun, and has amnesia.
Giada, or sister Benedetta, doesn't remember anything about her past. Only what the nuns from the convent tell her.
Renzo now wants to make everything possible so she can remember and also to keep her alive. Because she is also part of the family rivals and everyone wants her dead.
It is a good mafia romance. I liked the story and the characters.

Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book in advance. This is my honest and only opinion.
143 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 15, 2026
This is the final book in the Mafia Rivals Series, and in order to get the most out of the story, I would recommend reading both 'The Mastermind' and 'The Enforcer' before reading this book.

I really enjoyed reading 'The Savage', and the questions that were twisted through the previous books storylines are answered, although there are still a few questions remaining, so the story could easily be continued. I loved the way Giada's character changes as the story progresses. Renzo's possessiveness is constant throughout, and I liked that his character was stubborn and single-minded.

I would definitely recommend reading this series of books.
Profile Image for JANELLE.
889 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 16, 2026
Book 3 in the Mafia Rivals series - finally we get Giada and Renzo's story!

I've enjoyed the previous books, and did this one as well. Giada has amnesia and is stashed away in a convent. Renzo is in a life threatening F1 accident and keeps saying one word - Giada. The wise NightOwl is back with more information that leads to finding Giada and she's taken from the convent and ends up with Renzo during his recovery. There are a lot of secrets and twisty plot movements. I'm glad to read this story and am excited to see what the next chapter in this series is.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
Profile Image for Lisa reads alot  Hamer.
1,157 reviews31 followers
March 28, 2026
I’ve been waiting for this one! It certainly did not disappoint, book 3 in the Mafia Rivals series and we this time we get Renzo and Giada’s story, I loved the concept of this book.
Giada living as a nun with no memory and Renzo’s obsession with the girl that left. Full of tension and suspense I was kept on pins waiting to find out what was going to happen, a compelling read.
Although part of an interconnected series you could read as a stand alone but to get the full family dynamic you need to read The Mastermind and The Enforcer.
If you are a dark mafia romance fan like me you’ll love these books.

#Ad/pr #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeBookReview
776 reviews2 followers
April 5, 2026
The Savage is the third story in the Mafia Rivals series. It is well-written and suspenseful.

Renzo is in the mafia as well as a Formula 1 driver. He gets in an accident but remembers his love for Gaida. She has been missing for several years. When he finds her she can't remember anything. She has been living as a nun. His family wants to know what happened. He feels the only way he can help is by protecting her.

I loved the chemistry between Renzo and Gaida. He had been wanting her for years. They had such a connection. I look forward to more from this talented author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy.
3,127 reviews18 followers
April 5, 2026
Murder Mystery, Missing Person and Mafia Romance!!

Renzo is a senior capo, racing prodigy, and twin. Renzo has been searching for Giada for years. She was found standing over his dead mother with a gun in her hand, then disappeared. A secret communication from a source called “night owl” at times provides clues.

Renzo is badly hurt in an accident when he is given clues to Giada’s whereabouts. Giada is in a convent with no memory of her early years. Twists and turns, murder, war, relationships, racing and so much more.

***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
Profile Image for Molly Binfield.
205 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2026
Thankyou to the authors team and NetGalley for the ARC. Firstly I went into this quite blind and haven’t read the previous two books however it wasn’t necessary that I had but may of helped got continuity. At the start I felt apprehensive about the story as I’m not a big reader of mafia romance, but wow this book may have converted me. Now I LOVE the amnesia trope, and this was executed so well. The spice was in fitting with the book but the plot was still the main player. I look forward to future releases.
Profile Image for Dani 💚.
212 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 27, 2026
The Savage is a dark, steamy mafia romance featuring a ruthless capo, a heroine with amnesia, and a past full of buried secrets. When Renzo Salvatore finally finds the woman who has haunted him for years, she doesn’t remember him, or the dangerous history that binds them together.
Giada has been living a quiet life in a convent, preparing to become a nun, until Renzo abducts her and brings her back into his world. As her memories slowly begin to surface, so do long-buried truths about the night that changed both of their lives. Torn between fear and an undeniable pull toward the dangerous man holding her captive, Giada must confront a past she no longer remembers.
While the premise promises high-stakes mafia drama and F1 racing adrenaline, the story leans more toward a slower, character-focused exploration of Renzo’s obsession and Giada’s struggle to piece together her past.

What I enjoyed:
* 🖤 A ruthless, obsessive MMC who would burn the world for the woman he loves
* 🏁 The unique mix of mafia intrigue and F1 racing
* 🔥 Plenty of tension and dark romance vibes
* 🧩 Gradual revelations and twists as Giada’s memories return
* 👑 The unhinged, brooding Salvatore brothers and their fierce loyalty

Overall, this was an enjoyable addition to Zara Cox’s Mafia Rivals series, especially for readers who enjoy obsessive heroes, dark romance dynamics, and stories driven by secrets slowly coming to light.
59 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 19, 2026
This is a nice stalker/mafia romance, I really liked the characters and how the story goes. I feel like I would enjoy it more if I had read the other books first but I was still able to understand what's going on.
Renzo is very swoon worthy even though he is a little crazy and Giada is very sweet. They love survived a lot of struggles and that makes it more believable.
The only thing I didn't enjoy so much is the spice, I feel like there was more spice than it needed.
Profile Image for Tracy (tracy_readz).
89 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 15, 2026
✰✰✰⭑

The Savage is book 3 in the Mafia Rivals series... Offering a mix of high-speed F1 racing, mixed with dark, unhinged mafia rivalry, a splash of forced proximity, a pinch possessiveness blended together with a touch amnesia......

Renzo ~ F1 driver & Mafia Copo Hes dangerous, unhinged, obsessed, a ruthless kidnapper with a durty talking mouth!!

Giada a novice Nun.. she's stubborn, quit reserved, she's his captive, and she feels at home. I loved her character growth but had me up in all the frustrating feels!!

I love the Salvator brothers all unhinged but all fiercely love and highly devoted to their woman.

Secrets and truths come out.. The Savage is dark, it's spicy and totally unhinged..!!

Shout out to NightOwl 🦉

Thank you to Boldwood books, Netgally, and author for an ARC in return for my honest thoughts ♡
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,500 reviews146 followers
March 27, 2026
The Savage by Zara Cox.
Mafia Rivals Book 3.
This was a really good read. I love this series. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I got into it straight away. I read this book in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. I liked the writing style and the story. I did like Renzo and Dante. I did liked Giada. I loved the chemistry between Renzo and Giada. I loved how he spoke to her and protected her. I do hope there is more to come. I do recommend this book.
Profile Image for Sarah.
391 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2026
I received a copy of this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Zara Cox does dark romance SO WELL. I'm deeply invested in her Mafia Rivals series and this might be my favorite. Renzo and Giada have such a checkered past and so many obstacles between them. I was really struck by how strong and resilient Giada is and learning what happened THAT NIGHT at the same time that she does was some really powerful storytelling.
4 reviews
March 30, 2026
Really good follow on story to the series, loved the character development, not as spicy as the first two books would say a solid 🌶️🌶️🌶️ but the connection that the MMC and FMC have is what stands out here and the belief he has in her when she doesn’t have any in herself helps her get back to the person she lost in her own time and at that own speed. He doesn’t try to fix her but he helps her believe in herself again.
Really loving this series.
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