Leaving a Legacy

Rizzoli Family #5

by Jennifer Smith

Leaving a Legacy
A heart-wrenching, unforgettable finale to the bestselling Rizzoli Family Mafia Romance Series.

Matteo Rizzoli spent his life building an empire to protect the people he loved—through blood, sacrifice, and unbreakable loyalty. As the feared and revered head of the Chicago mafia, he was a king in a world of shadows. But behind the power was a man who lived for one thing his family.

In his final days, Matteo reflects on the love, pain, and choices that defined his legacy. From sons born of blood and brothers made by choice to the fierce women who held them all together, Leaving a Legacy is a soul-deep farewell to a family forged in fire. Through letters, memories, and one last goodbye, Matteo lays bare the truth behind the name—offering a glimpse into the heart of a man who never stopped loving, even when the world tried to break him.

This gripping mafia romance delivers all the raw emotion, fierce devotion, and unforgettable characters that readers have fallen for throughout the Rizzoli Family series.

✅ Found Family
✅ Protective Mafia Patriarch
✅ Emotional Goodbye
✅ Legacy, Loyalty, and Love
✅ Series Finale That Will Break and Heal You
✅ For Fans of Corrupt Underworld Romance and Powerful Family Sagas

If you've ever loved a broken man who built something beautiful from nothing... this book is for you.

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2025

About the author

I live in a beautiful river town in North Carolina with my husband, kids, in-laws and fur babies. I love to travel and books. If I am not reading one I am writing one. I love how a book can give you an escape from our normal world. You can be anywhere and become anyone.

I want anyone reading one of my books to remember this....
you are worthy, you are loved, you are wanted!

Reviews

[Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in tears every chapter

I was hoping we'd get to read the Matteo letters, and Jennifer delivered....with raw emotion, hope and inspiring words. I loved the memories recounted for each family member. Matteo's letters are the perfect ending to this series and it makes me want to start the series all over again! A truly heartfelt read.

[Niki N Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it, now in order for this one to be read I feel like you have to read her other books to understand fully the people that are mentioned in it, I feel like the books in themselves were interconnected standalones and you could read them by themselves but I would not read this one until at minimum right before the last Rizzoli series book, but this kind of gave an insight into the background the younger versions of the children kind of when they started coming into their roles or the people that weren't actually blood family when they kind of came into picture and the way the father of all the people in the other books felt about it how he saw it, it was a good set of extra information that I was happy was written.

[dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought me to tears

This is absolutely beautiful. The telling of a family from the man who started it all and all to say his final goodbye. The love poured into these letters makes you want to be part of the family.

[Kelly Winfree · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭

Im half tempted to tell everyone to avoid this one. It's heartbreaking. But honestly, it's beautiful, powerful, and impactful. Tears are streaming down my face, but I don't actually regret reading this one. I just wish it didn't make me sob like a baby.

[Marissa Bartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this blind and I have no regrets.

I have been left speechless. Every chapter gives you more insight into Matteo and Nina's story. Every word written describes the love Matteo for his family. For me, this is everything.

[Sara Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this, I have to say Matteo may just be my new favorite Rizzoli man. The way his letters were so beautifully written took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. This was probably the absolute best way to say goodbye. 💜

[Axia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect ending ❤️

[Shonna Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had to end somewhere ♥️
Great novella to conclude the love that Matteo started.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of the Rizzoli series had me in tears!! Thank you for everyone who rode on this incredible journey with me 🫶🏻