What do you think?
Rate this book
Morelli Family #2
A Love Most Brutal
Maxim Orlov is running out of time. At 38 years old, he’s spent the last decade trying to turn the Orlovs into a respectable crime family, but if he doesn’t make an heir, and quick, his horrid cousin is the next in line. With two failed engagements under his belt, Maxim is starting to feel desperate.
Meanwhile, Mary Morelli is floundering. As the youngest daughter and top enforcer of the Morelli crime family, Mary is a force to be reckoned with, but she’s beginning to crumble under the weight of trying to keep her sisters’ growing families safe. In a fit of anxiety, Mary comes up with the perfect solution: marry the Russian. The calculated union will be mutually beneficial, offering protection and power both ways, and conveniently passionless. To cement the deal, she vows to him that she will never, ever fall in love with him.
Maxim has been watching Mary for months, both fascinated and thrilled by her. A no-feelings-attached marriage to Mary Morelli is like a dream, but keeping his heart neutral proves harder than he expected as she worms her way under his skin and into his life. Can their marriage remain a business deal without feelings getting in the way?
Meanwhile, Mary Morelli is floundering. As the youngest daughter and top enforcer of the Morelli crime family, Mary is a force to be reckoned with, but she’s beginning to crumble under the weight of trying to keep her sisters’ growing families safe. In a fit of anxiety, Mary comes up with the perfect solution: marry the Russian. The calculated union will be mutually beneficial, offering protection and power both ways, and conveniently passionless. To cement the deal, she vows to him that she will never, ever fall in love with him.
Maxim has been watching Mary for months, both fascinated and thrilled by her. A no-feelings-attached marriage to Mary Morelli is like a dream, but keeping his heart neutral proves harder than he expected as she worms her way under his skin and into his life. Can their marriage remain a business deal without feelings getting in the way?
378 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2025
194 people are currently reading
7425 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 751 reviews
September 8, 2025
Long and spoiler-ish below (what's new?)...
I’ve got to be honest and say that I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would, and it’s mostly because of Mary. 🫣 She has OCD and constantly worries about bad things happening to her loved ones. It all started when her dad passed away. This loss also made her not believe in love, or rather, not want to be in love because that would mean letting other people in, caring for, and worrying about them.
She's short-tempered, rude, sometimes careless, in denial, immature, and struggles with compromise. She couldn't or wouldn't see where Maxim was coming from. She's tough to be with, hard to love, and exhausting overall. And she's self-aware of these negative things.
I'm not saying she doesn't have good qualities; she's loyal and protective of those people she truly cares about. And once you get in her good graces, you have an ally for life. Despite the good parts, her bad ones are more prominent, so it was hard for me to like her. Tbh, I didn't even warm up to her even at the end. I don't mind headstrong heroines. In fact, I cheer them on because they're freaking rare in romance books. But there should be a good dose of understanding and compassion too. It doesn't need to be all about being tough or showing off to prove she can take care of herself.
For most of this book, she was mindless of the things she was saying or doing. Especially when it comes to Maxim. She hurt him multiple times over this story and that man, idk if he's just a saint or what, took all of that and always accommodated her wants and needs. Mostly, it was Maxim who was adjusting to their situation, probably because he's older. But Mary's a grown adult herself, even if she doesn't always come across that way sometimes.
She only came around the last quarter, I think. I really hoped for something better because her character from the first book intrigued me so much. She made me look forward to their book, only to have this character instead. She drained the ever-loving crap out of me, sorry, and by the time she finally admitted her feelings, I just didn't care anymore. All I was wishing was for Maxim to find someone who really deserves him.
As for Maxim, I'm intrigued as well because it was very obvious from the first book that he's smitten with Mary. But that didn't live up to the expectations as well. Idk, I'm probably so used to reading red flags in these mafia romances that having to read about a gentleman MMC is something I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around. He said he's been obsessed with her since early last year, but this man didn't do anything with that obsession. Again, this is probably because of the morally questionable men I've inhaled, but he was so beta. 🫣
He's a gentleman (love that, truly), but he's also passive. So passive that he watched her be with god knows how many of his patrons and see them leave his bar. He watched her live her life and indulge in things like dancing with other people and making out with them. Idk, some of the fictional MMCs I read who proclaim to be obsessed with their FMCs wouldn't even let anyone get near them (men mostly), but since Maxim didn't want to impose anything or control her life, he just let these things happen in his club. I didn't like it, and if the roles were reversed, I wouldn't like it either.
Then there's the supposed yearning. I read it, I understand it, but I didn't feel it. The chemistry was not even in the room. I initially thought that maybe this just has a slow build-up and maybe things will pick up at a later part, but nope, that didn't even happen. Sure, they have tension when getting physical, but outside of that? Nada. I was so bored with their interactions that it made me want to skim so bad, but I didn't do so because, again, I was hoping it'd get better.
I think it didn't help that Mary kept on insisting that she will never love him and touching his insecurities with her insensitive actions and words. Maxim was more than happy to take all of that because then at least he'd finally have the woman he's been pining for forever.
I don't think there's anything romantic when there's disrespect and hurt in the relationship. He should've called her out when she was going too far and not gone along when she was being difficult. It's not invalidation when we let people get accountable for what they're doing intentionally or not. And people should learn to improve themselves and not use the shitty excuse "that this is me, you signed up for this, and I'm not going to change." That's toxic, maaan. I can't understand why you would subject other people to that kind of attitude, especially when they have shown you time and again that they care about you and will always have your back.
And probably my last issue was the making of an heir. 😅 Am I expecting more smut? Yes and yes. Did I get any of that? Actually, not much. I was really excited about that, thinking this was going to be spicier than the first one. In reality, I can only count using one hand the number of times they did it. 🫣 I feel so robbed. 😂
That said, their dynamic made me so annoyed and sad at the same time that I can't even find it in me to enjoy this romance. It was even marketed as a rom-com, but there's nothing funny here. Well, the side characters are, but the MCs were the most serious leads I've ever read about. So I'm confused because I'm sure the rom-com part is definitely not referring to them.
Anyway, like I said, I didn't enjoy it. I did like the suspense part and the betrayal in the end, though. Also, the side characters and the MMC from book 1. I think those are the things that made me power through. I loved the first installment, so having to read about the previous MCs again, happily married, makes me so giddy for them. I was so excited about their pregnancy. I ate up all their scenes. 🤣
Anyhoo, I really, really felt so bad for not enjoying this. But I'm still thankful for having the chance to be an ARC reader of this book. While the story didn't work for me, I'm sure some readers will find this more up their alley.
Book info:
- Marriage of convenience
- Age gap (12)
- Violence, death
- Panic attacks
- Loss of loved one (past, off page)
- Child abuse (past, off page)
- No cheating, OW*/OM*, separation
- No V (seems to me both experienced)
- Pregnancy
- HEA (mos later, still married and with twin boys)
Notes:
- OM/OW. There was a scene in chapter 1 where Mary danced with a couple and made out with them. Maxim witnesses all of this and didn't do anything, because again, gentleman. I don't remember if he even felt a pang of jealousy. Maybe he didn't; after all, he's so used to seeing her with OP in his club. 🫠
- Maxim was engaged before, and it was only mentioned once. I think the ex emotionally cheated on him, but he still wishes her the best. I don't even know if he loved her or not.
- Celibacy. I think Maxim has been celibate since he laid eyes on Mary. While it had only been three months for her. The last action was that makeout scene with the couple.
- I can't believe I'm going to say this, but while I don't love virgin heroines (unless it's dual V), it turns out I also didn't like too sexually active FMCs. I'm so over and done with this stuff when it comes to men. But having to read almost the same running thought about hookups and one-night stands only in the FMC's POV is making me icky and uneasy. I understand that the author wanted to incorporate sexual positivity here, but the way I read and understand it didn't make me feel comfortable at all.
Thank you, Ms. Richards, for providing the ARC.
I’ve got to be honest and say that I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would, and it’s mostly because of Mary. 🫣 She has OCD and constantly worries about bad things happening to her loved ones. It all started when her dad passed away. This loss also made her not believe in love, or rather, not want to be in love because that would mean letting other people in, caring for, and worrying about them.
She's short-tempered, rude, sometimes careless, in denial, immature, and struggles with compromise. She couldn't or wouldn't see where Maxim was coming from. She's tough to be with, hard to love, and exhausting overall. And she's self-aware of these negative things.
I'm not saying she doesn't have good qualities; she's loyal and protective of those people she truly cares about. And once you get in her good graces, you have an ally for life. Despite the good parts, her bad ones are more prominent, so it was hard for me to like her. Tbh, I didn't even warm up to her even at the end. I don't mind headstrong heroines. In fact, I cheer them on because they're freaking rare in romance books. But there should be a good dose of understanding and compassion too. It doesn't need to be all about being tough or showing off to prove she can take care of herself.
For most of this book, she was mindless of the things she was saying or doing. Especially when it comes to Maxim. She hurt him multiple times over this story and that man, idk if he's just a saint or what, took all of that and always accommodated her wants and needs. Mostly, it was Maxim who was adjusting to their situation, probably because he's older. But Mary's a grown adult herself, even if she doesn't always come across that way sometimes.
She only came around the last quarter, I think. I really hoped for something better because her character from the first book intrigued me so much. She made me look forward to their book, only to have this character instead. She drained the ever-loving crap out of me, sorry, and by the time she finally admitted her feelings, I just didn't care anymore. All I was wishing was for Maxim to find someone who really deserves him.
As for Maxim, I'm intrigued as well because it was very obvious from the first book that he's smitten with Mary. But that didn't live up to the expectations as well. Idk, I'm probably so used to reading red flags in these mafia romances that having to read about a gentleman MMC is something I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around. He said he's been obsessed with her since early last year, but this man didn't do anything with that obsession. Again, this is probably because of the morally questionable men I've inhaled, but he was so beta. 🫣
He's a gentleman (love that, truly), but he's also passive. So passive that he watched her be with god knows how many of his patrons and see them leave his bar. He watched her live her life and indulge in things like dancing with other people and making out with them. Idk, some of the fictional MMCs I read who proclaim to be obsessed with their FMCs wouldn't even let anyone get near them (men mostly), but since Maxim didn't want to impose anything or control her life, he just let these things happen in his club. I didn't like it, and if the roles were reversed, I wouldn't like it either.
Then there's the supposed yearning. I read it, I understand it, but I didn't feel it. The chemistry was not even in the room. I initially thought that maybe this just has a slow build-up and maybe things will pick up at a later part, but nope, that didn't even happen. Sure, they have tension when getting physical, but outside of that? Nada. I was so bored with their interactions that it made me want to skim so bad, but I didn't do so because, again, I was hoping it'd get better.
I think it didn't help that Mary kept on insisting that she will never love him and touching his insecurities with her insensitive actions and words. Maxim was more than happy to take all of that because then at least he'd finally have the woman he's been pining for forever.
I don't think there's anything romantic when there's disrespect and hurt in the relationship. He should've called her out when she was going too far and not gone along when she was being difficult. It's not invalidation when we let people get accountable for what they're doing intentionally or not. And people should learn to improve themselves and not use the shitty excuse "that this is me, you signed up for this, and I'm not going to change." That's toxic, maaan. I can't understand why you would subject other people to that kind of attitude, especially when they have shown you time and again that they care about you and will always have your back.
And probably my last issue was the making of an heir. 😅 Am I expecting more smut? Yes and yes. Did I get any of that? Actually, not much. I was really excited about that, thinking this was going to be spicier than the first one. In reality, I can only count using one hand the number of times they did it. 🫣 I feel so robbed. 😂
That said, their dynamic made me so annoyed and sad at the same time that I can't even find it in me to enjoy this romance. It was even marketed as a rom-com, but there's nothing funny here. Well, the side characters are, but the MCs were the most serious leads I've ever read about. So I'm confused because I'm sure the rom-com part is definitely not referring to them.
Anyway, like I said, I didn't enjoy it. I did like the suspense part and the betrayal in the end, though. Also, the side characters and the MMC from book 1. I think those are the things that made me power through. I loved the first installment, so having to read about the previous MCs again, happily married, makes me so giddy for them. I was so excited about their pregnancy. I ate up all their scenes. 🤣
Anyhoo, I really, really felt so bad for not enjoying this. But I'm still thankful for having the chance to be an ARC reader of this book. While the story didn't work for me, I'm sure some readers will find this more up their alley.
Book info:
- Marriage of convenience
- Age gap (12)
- Violence, death
- Panic attacks
- Loss of loved one (past, off page)
- Child abuse (past, off page)
- No cheating, OW*/OM*, separation
- No V (seems to me both experienced)
- Pregnancy
- HEA (mos later, still married and with twin boys)
Notes:
- OM/OW. There was a scene in chapter 1 where Mary danced with a couple and made out with them. Maxim witnesses all of this and didn't do anything, because again, gentleman. I don't remember if he even felt a pang of jealousy. Maybe he didn't; after all, he's so used to seeing her with OP in his club. 🫠
- Maxim was engaged before, and it was only mentioned once. I think the ex emotionally cheated on him, but he still wishes her the best. I don't even know if he loved her or not.
- Celibacy. I think Maxim has been celibate since he laid eyes on Mary. While it had only been three months for her. The last action was that makeout scene with the couple.
- I can't believe I'm going to say this, but while I don't love virgin heroines (unless it's dual V), it turns out I also didn't like too sexually active FMCs. I'm so over and done with this stuff when it comes to men. But having to read almost the same running thought about hookups and one-night stands only in the FMC's POV is making me icky and uneasy. I understand that the author wanted to incorporate sexual positivity here, but the way I read and understand it didn't make me feel comfortable at all.
Thank you, Ms. Richards, for providing the ARC.
November 5, 2025
I have a special appreciation for a book that draws me in within the first few sentences and this book is exactly that. The feels I felt from just the prologue - amazing.
I know this says it’s dark romance but, it feels more like a romcom — yes they are in the mafia, yes there are murders but also it’s fun and sweet and swoony and funny! Don’t let the dark romance tag scare you away - the romance in this is sweet, their professions, less so.
What’s to love…
- age-gap, marriage of convenience between a mafia enforcer FMC and the head of a crime family MMC
- he is ridiculously, utterly, absolutely worthlessly down bad for her
- she’s hard to love, but really just has a hard shell on her massive heart
- family is everything
- bisexual FMC
- they need to make an heir 😏
- perfect blend of mystery, romance, and humor!
- mental health rep (OCD & anxiety)
- easy to binge and unputdownable!
Whats not to love…
- occasionally the prose reads a little too formal, I would like to make a formal request for the use of more contractions.
- This is absolutely a personal issue and not a book issue - but I have a little bit of wedding planning trauma so I wasn’t super into the extended scenes revolving around that.
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you the author for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
I know this says it’s dark romance but, it feels more like a romcom — yes they are in the mafia, yes there are murders but also it’s fun and sweet and swoony and funny! Don’t let the dark romance tag scare you away - the romance in this is sweet, their professions, less so.
What’s to love…
- age-gap, marriage of convenience between a mafia enforcer FMC and the head of a crime family MMC
- he is ridiculously, utterly, absolutely worthlessly down bad for her
- she’s hard to love, but really just has a hard shell on her massive heart
- family is everything
- bisexual FMC
- they need to make an heir 😏
- perfect blend of mystery, romance, and humor!
- mental health rep (OCD & anxiety)
- easy to binge and unputdownable!
Whats not to love…
- occasionally the prose reads a little too formal, I would like to make a formal request for the use of more contractions.
- This is absolutely a personal issue and not a book issue - but I have a little bit of wedding planning trauma so I wasn’t super into the extended scenes revolving around that.
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you the author for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
August 16, 2025
જ⁀➴ ♡ Kath Richards continues to make me fall in love with her stories and writing જ⁀➴ ♡
I'm so unbelievable lucky to have gotten this book this early. One of my favorite books is the first book in this series, A Love Most Fatal, and I was so very excited to read the second one since the moment I finished it. You do get a little sneak at the end of who was going to be the couple and how it was going to be, so I was ready!
And let me tell you: It's everything you want in a book. SO AMAZING.
♡ A Love Most Brutal tells the story of Mary, the Morelli's enforcer, and Maxim, the Orlov's boss. They agree to have a marriage of convenience to protect each other (and also because Maxim needs an heir so his horrible cousin doesn't get his mob boss position), but what Mary doesn't know is that Maxim has been yearning and longing after her FOR MONTHS.
I'm so happy to say that this book made me go feral since I started it. Every single chapter was like serotonin straight into my veins. I was screaming, living, swooning - THIS BOOK MADE ME FEEL EVERYTHING. I loved everything about it and I can seriously hands down say that this book is one of my favorites as well. Of this year, of forever. And this series is one, if not THE best mafia romance series out there. It has everything inside it: comedy, mystery, action, thriller, and romance. I feel that every reader of any genre could easily love it.
If you're a fan of yearning, slow-burn romance, marriage of convenience, strong heroine/hero, deadly couple combo, and a beautiful family/friendship group, read this when it's out.
I'm so unbelievable lucky to have gotten this book this early. One of my favorite books is the first book in this series, A Love Most Fatal, and I was so very excited to read the second one since the moment I finished it. You do get a little sneak at the end of who was going to be the couple and how it was going to be, so I was ready!
And let me tell you: It's everything you want in a book. SO AMAZING.
♡ A Love Most Brutal tells the story of Mary, the Morelli's enforcer, and Maxim, the Orlov's boss. They agree to have a marriage of convenience to protect each other (and also because Maxim needs an heir so his horrible cousin doesn't get his mob boss position), but what Mary doesn't know is that Maxim has been yearning and longing after her FOR MONTHS.
I'm so happy to say that this book made me go feral since I started it. Every single chapter was like serotonin straight into my veins. I was screaming, living, swooning - THIS BOOK MADE ME FEEL EVERYTHING. I loved everything about it and I can seriously hands down say that this book is one of my favorites as well. Of this year, of forever. And this series is one, if not THE best mafia romance series out there. It has everything inside it: comedy, mystery, action, thriller, and romance. I feel that every reader of any genre could easily love it.
If you're a fan of yearning, slow-burn romance, marriage of convenience, strong heroine/hero, deadly couple combo, and a beautiful family/friendship group, read this when it's out.
September 18, 2025
4.5/5 🌟
I loved this book even more than the first book and that one was also a good read. This was a cute cozy mafia rom com that had good mafia and romance plot. I loved the fmc idk but she reminded me of myself minus being a strong af mafia enforcer lol. I liked the mmc he's the mafia boss and loved how obsessed he was with her even before the arranged marriage. Both main characters agree to get married for a heir and to protect their families. There was so much yearning and chemistry between them and i loved it. The fmc thinks she can never love anyone and it brings so much to the dynamics as they start falling for each other. There are some steamy scenes and overall this was fun with great found family and romance.
Read if you like:
- Rom-coms
- Mafia plots
- Black cat fmc
- Mafia enforcer fmc and Mafia boss mmc
- Arranged marriage
- Age gap
I loved this book even more than the first book and that one was also a good read. This was a cute cozy mafia rom com that had good mafia and romance plot. I loved the fmc idk but she reminded me of myself minus being a strong af mafia enforcer lol. I liked the mmc he's the mafia boss and loved how obsessed he was with her even before the arranged marriage. Both main characters agree to get married for a heir and to protect their families. There was so much yearning and chemistry between them and i loved it. The fmc thinks she can never love anyone and it brings so much to the dynamics as they start falling for each other. There are some steamy scenes and overall this was fun with great found family and romance.
Read if you like:
- Rom-coms
- Mafia plots
- Black cat fmc
- Mafia enforcer fmc and Mafia boss mmc
- Arranged marriage
- Age gap
November 11, 2025
Second read went great — basically unable not to finish this book in under 24 hours.
Spectacular give me 14 of them right now
Spectacular give me 14 of them right now
September 4, 2025
Kath Richards soared in this book!! her voice comes alive on the pages. so much so that i stayed up until 4am finishing this book. i could not put it down and when i did, it's all i was thinking about.
As for the characters, i adore maxim and mary together. maxim and mary are tender in their own individual way with the same worries about their loved ones and their self image. i can honestly say i have not been invested in a happily ever after like this in a very long time. then there is the very best part of the book (apart from maxim's yearning), mary and nate's frienship. i found their whispered screaming to each other highly entertaining and i loved how nate was seamlessly woven into the story. i was afraid that nate and vanessa would just fade into the background but i was pleasantly surprised when nate made it to the forefront. it was also really lovely to see how much he's grown since we last saw him and how his new life of crime has not turned his heart to stone (as if he could ever fully commit to the mob boss bit. the man still drives a baby blue prius!) all in all nate is more endearing than ever!
Overall, Kath did an even more fantastic job with this second book and i am so very thankful to have the privilege of being selected to participate in reading this ARC. i can only expect for Kath's writing to keep getting better and better and better. and by the looks of it she is well on her way to shatter every glass ceiling above her! now i have to do the hardest part of being a kath richard's groupie, (impatiently) wait for the next book!
As for the characters, i adore maxim and mary together. maxim and mary are tender in their own individual way with the same worries about their loved ones and their self image. i can honestly say i have not been invested in a happily ever after like this in a very long time. then there is the very best part of the book (apart from maxim's yearning), mary and nate's frienship. i found their whispered screaming to each other highly entertaining and i loved how nate was seamlessly woven into the story. i was afraid that nate and vanessa would just fade into the background but i was pleasantly surprised when nate made it to the forefront. it was also really lovely to see how much he's grown since we last saw him and how his new life of crime has not turned his heart to stone (as if he could ever fully commit to the mob boss bit. the man still drives a baby blue prius!) all in all nate is more endearing than ever!
Overall, Kath did an even more fantastic job with this second book and i am so very thankful to have the privilege of being selected to participate in reading this ARC. i can only expect for Kath's writing to keep getting better and better and better. and by the looks of it she is well on her way to shatter every glass ceiling above her! now i have to do the hardest part of being a kath richard's groupie, (impatiently) wait for the next book!
January 28, 2026
4.5***
THE YEARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE YEARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 23, 2025
Thank you to Kath Richards for the arc ❤️🔥🎀
I was so excited for this book after listening to book one and adoring it. This did not disappoint. We follow Mary Morelli as she is grappling with the events after book one and trying to protect her family. To do so, she gets into an arranged marriage with Maxim Orlov, Russian mob boss, to provide extra protection to her family.
Maxim is down badddd from the start truly and the forced proximity just enhances the tension so much. Mary is very much not looking to get feelings because she is scared to care about anyone for fear of them getting hurt. This book had a lot of mob boss drama and i ate it all up. Mary is a badass and we see both her and Maxim fight to keep their people safe.
I loved Mary’s relationship with Nate (from book one) and seeing the whole family again as well. This series has the perfect amount of family and drama. Maxim was so obsessed with Mary, I ADORE THAT MAN!!!!! I find it so hard to explain and express my thoughts on a 5 star read, WHY!!!!2!::$3&2&
I was so excited for this book after listening to book one and adoring it. This did not disappoint. We follow Mary Morelli as she is grappling with the events after book one and trying to protect her family. To do so, she gets into an arranged marriage with Maxim Orlov, Russian mob boss, to provide extra protection to her family.
Maxim is down badddd from the start truly and the forced proximity just enhances the tension so much. Mary is very much not looking to get feelings because she is scared to care about anyone for fear of them getting hurt. This book had a lot of mob boss drama and i ate it all up. Mary is a badass and we see both her and Maxim fight to keep their people safe.
I loved Mary’s relationship with Nate (from book one) and seeing the whole family again as well. This series has the perfect amount of family and drama. Maxim was so obsessed with Mary, I ADORE THAT MAN!!!!! I find it so hard to explain and express my thoughts on a 5 star read, WHY!!!!2!::$3&2&
September 16, 2025
A Love Most Brutal is one of the most aptly named books ever LOL. This book was brutal in so many ways—I know the MCs are in organized crime families, but it was way more violent than A Love Most Fatal. Also, somehow funnier? Which is an accomplishment because book 1 was hilarious!
Mary? A perfectly imperfect angry little goblin who thinks she's broken but is capable of some of the most ride-at-dawn love I've ever seen. She is brutal and soft and funny and unshakable, and I truly enjoyed her book. Maxim is a huge loverboy who accepted the challenge of making Mary fall for him with the gusto of someone who'd been asked by the entire world to take that task on.
This is ultimately a story of two people who marry for duty and responsibility, accidentally fall in love, and spill a bunch of blood protecting each other and the ones they love. I adored getting to see more of the Morelli family—especially Nate, and his unexpectedly hilarious and balanced friendship with Mary. Am I being greedy if I want to see more stories from this family, even if that means generation 2 books?!
Thank you to Kath Richards for sending me an ARC!
5 ⭐️s
2 🌶️
Mary? A perfectly imperfect angry little goblin who thinks she's broken but is capable of some of the most ride-at-dawn love I've ever seen. She is brutal and soft and funny and unshakable, and I truly enjoyed her book. Maxim is a huge loverboy who accepted the challenge of making Mary fall for him with the gusto of someone who'd been asked by the entire world to take that task on.
This is ultimately a story of two people who marry for duty and responsibility, accidentally fall in love, and spill a bunch of blood protecting each other and the ones they love. I adored getting to see more of the Morelli family—especially Nate, and his unexpectedly hilarious and balanced friendship with Mary. Am I being greedy if I want to see more stories from this family, even if that means generation 2 books?!
Thank you to Kath Richards for sending me an ARC!
5 ⭐️s
2 🌶️
July 23, 2025
5 big fat wonderful stars!!
KATH RICHARDS I LOVE YOUR BRAIN!! god this was good. i adore the first book in this series and with each book kath just gets better! maxim and mary are 2 BAD BITCHES and i want them at the same damn time!!!
as soon as i got this arc i downloaded it and refused to put it down i just couldn’t, mary and maxim were calling to me! whatever’s in this book just inject it into my veins!
mary loves her family more than anything and just wants to protect them, but as her family is growing she isn’t sure how to do it on her own. enter maxim orlov (an absolute unit) and a mob boss in need of an heir. they agree to a marriage of convenience that allows maxim to get his heir and mary to get security for her family. although this is an arranged marriage mary and maxim are learning that even mob bosses and enforcers need love.
i absolutely LOVED mary and related to her so much. she’s a badass, effortlessly funny, serious, and grumpy, my ideal woman! she’s struggling with grief and anxiety after the passing of her father and she’s carrying the world and her family on her shoulders. her love for her family was so evident and i loved seeing her softness come out around them. if maxim is the president of the mary morelli fan club then i’m the vice president! maxim was so generous, kind, and caring under his hard façade. the way that he talked about mary!??? IM IN LOVE IM OBSESSED! he was so obsessed with and in awe of her. maxim showed through his words and actions that he just wanted to help her carry her load and she wouldn’t be alone when she was with him. he’s been down bad for her and he has been since day one. yearning was off the charts crazy!!!! he had BIG MY WIFE ENERGY!
mary and maxims relationship was built on trust and communication and it took a while to get there and i loved every second. they’re put into this forced proximity situation and i loved seeing them try to get comfortable with and understand each other. their domestic moments had me squealing!!! god i love them so so much! seeing them learn to love and lean on each other got me GOOD! the way mary was trying to fight her feelings was so understandable but i just wanted to say GIVE IN GIRL HES A GOOD MAN!!! watching her slowly accept her feelings has me emo!
i loved seeing some of my favorite characters from book 1. morelli family you are so loved by me!! this book was the best time! i laughed, i cried, i swooned and considered joining the mob if i could find a man like maxim. a girl can dream.
as someone with ocd and anxiety i felt so seen by mary and it made me so emotional to see her go through these compulsions and not fully understand what was happening. the representation felt so raw and authentic and made me feel less alone. the scene in the kitchen with maxim made me sob, i adore them!!
this book is everything to me its sexy and laugh out loud funny and maxim is for the YEARNERS!!
KATH RICHARDS I LOVE YOUR BRAIN!! god this was good. i adore the first book in this series and with each book kath just gets better! maxim and mary are 2 BAD BITCHES and i want them at the same damn time!!!
as soon as i got this arc i downloaded it and refused to put it down i just couldn’t, mary and maxim were calling to me! whatever’s in this book just inject it into my veins!
mary loves her family more than anything and just wants to protect them, but as her family is growing she isn’t sure how to do it on her own. enter maxim orlov (an absolute unit) and a mob boss in need of an heir. they agree to a marriage of convenience that allows maxim to get his heir and mary to get security for her family. although this is an arranged marriage mary and maxim are learning that even mob bosses and enforcers need love.
i absolutely LOVED mary and related to her so much. she’s a badass, effortlessly funny, serious, and grumpy, my ideal woman! she’s struggling with grief and anxiety after the passing of her father and she’s carrying the world and her family on her shoulders. her love for her family was so evident and i loved seeing her softness come out around them. if maxim is the president of the mary morelli fan club then i’m the vice president! maxim was so generous, kind, and caring under his hard façade. the way that he talked about mary!??? IM IN LOVE IM OBSESSED! he was so obsessed with and in awe of her. maxim showed through his words and actions that he just wanted to help her carry her load and she wouldn’t be alone when she was with him. he’s been down bad for her and he has been since day one. yearning was off the charts crazy!!!! he had BIG MY WIFE ENERGY!
mary and maxims relationship was built on trust and communication and it took a while to get there and i loved every second. they’re put into this forced proximity situation and i loved seeing them try to get comfortable with and understand each other. their domestic moments had me squealing!!! god i love them so so much! seeing them learn to love and lean on each other got me GOOD! the way mary was trying to fight her feelings was so understandable but i just wanted to say GIVE IN GIRL HES A GOOD MAN!!! watching her slowly accept her feelings has me emo!
i loved seeing some of my favorite characters from book 1. morelli family you are so loved by me!! this book was the best time! i laughed, i cried, i swooned and considered joining the mob if i could find a man like maxim. a girl can dream.
as someone with ocd and anxiety i felt so seen by mary and it made me so emotional to see her go through these compulsions and not fully understand what was happening. the representation felt so raw and authentic and made me feel less alone. the scene in the kitchen with maxim made me sob, i adore them!!
this book is everything to me its sexy and laugh out loud funny and maxim is for the YEARNERS!!
September 6, 2025
We love a down bad man.
I was such a big fan of Richard’s first book, and this one definitely lived up to the first installment. We still get to see lots of the Morelli family who I adore!—with more of a focus on Angel. I love interconnected romance books! I ate this book up and loved every second of it!
*spoilers*
Family is everything to Mary. Her initial arrangement with Max relied on the fact that Max has
strong men who can help protect the Morelli’s. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders. After the events of the first book and what happened to her father she feels like she has to be strong enough to protect the whole family. And with all that weight she starts to have panic attacks about not being strong enough. I loved exploring Marianna’s more vulnerable side. I liked watching Maxim help her through panic attacks. He was so patient with her, and he doted on her. Watching her open up and learn to lean on Maxim was exciting to read. The mutual respect was beautiful. The man was obsessed with the ground she walks on. It was so endearing that Max was the only one who called her Marianna. It was so adorable that they both tracked the other through jewelry 😂
I loved seeing Nate and Mary’s relationship grow. And the fact that Nate was the first person she told she was pregnant?!? Their relationship was so darn cute!
*end spoilers*
I can't wait to see what Kath Richards does next!
4 Stars
---
Pre-read
If Kath Richards has no fans I’m dead. I will be counting down the hours until I can get my hands on this.
I was such a big fan of Richard’s first book, and this one definitely lived up to the first installment. We still get to see lots of the Morelli family who I adore!—with more of a focus on Angel. I love interconnected romance books! I ate this book up and loved every second of it!
*spoilers*
Family is everything to Mary. Her initial arrangement with Max relied on the fact that Max has
strong men who can help protect the Morelli’s. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders. After the events of the first book and what happened to her father she feels like she has to be strong enough to protect the whole family. And with all that weight she starts to have panic attacks about not being strong enough. I loved exploring Marianna’s more vulnerable side. I liked watching Maxim help her through panic attacks. He was so patient with her, and he doted on her. Watching her open up and learn to lean on Maxim was exciting to read. The mutual respect was beautiful. The man was obsessed with the ground she walks on. It was so endearing that Max was the only one who called her Marianna. It was so adorable that they both tracked the other through jewelry 😂
I loved seeing Nate and Mary’s relationship grow. And the fact that Nate was the first person she told she was pregnant?!? Their relationship was so darn cute!
*end spoilers*
I can't wait to see what Kath Richards does next!
4 Stars
---
Pre-read
If Kath Richards has no fans I’m dead. I will be counting down the hours until I can get my hands on this.
September 17, 2025
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“You pretend you want me, I pretend to be the wife you wanted.”
We're back with the Morellis in this second installment and this time we follow Marianna, the impulsive and emotionally-distant sister AKA the Morelli Shadow, who takes matters into her own hands and strikes a deal with the head of the Orlov crime family: a marriage of convenience with a man 12 years her senior—through Orlov she supplements her family with more protection and in exchange she provides the long-awaited Orlov Heir for Maxim Orlov.
Two of the most dangerous people in Boston tying the knot would likely unleash fear among their enemies. They're a force to be reckoned with!
However... the intimidating Head of the Orlov family happens to be a doting mob boss who is secretly infatuated and soft for the little Morelli firecracker.
“You’re a boss, and I respect that title,” she finally says after her deliberation. “But I’m a made man just as much as you are, and if you treat me like a little wife, I will kill you.”
Since [A Love Most Fatal] I could sense the intense chemistry between Mary and Maxim, I just underestimated how obsessed Maxim was with our favorite Enforcer. I was excited to see how it will all unfold and I was not disappointed.
The sexual tension was INTENSE and the yearning on both sides was sweet tinged with a little melancholy.
It was such a fun read and I'm obsessed with this family.
“You pretend you want me, I pretend to be the wife you wanted.”
We're back with the Morellis in this second installment and this time we follow Marianna, the impulsive and emotionally-distant sister AKA the Morelli Shadow, who takes matters into her own hands and strikes a deal with the head of the Orlov crime family: a marriage of convenience with a man 12 years her senior—through Orlov she supplements her family with more protection and in exchange she provides the long-awaited Orlov Heir for Maxim Orlov.
Two of the most dangerous people in Boston tying the knot would likely unleash fear among their enemies. They're a force to be reckoned with!
However... the intimidating Head of the Orlov family happens to be a doting mob boss who is secretly infatuated and soft for the little Morelli firecracker.
“You’re a boss, and I respect that title,” she finally says after her deliberation. “But I’m a made man just as much as you are, and if you treat me like a little wife, I will kill you.”
Since [A Love Most Fatal] I could sense the intense chemistry between Mary and Maxim, I just underestimated how obsessed Maxim was with our favorite Enforcer. I was excited to see how it will all unfold and I was not disappointed.
The sexual tension was INTENSE and the yearning on both sides was sweet tinged with a little melancholy.
It was such a fun read and I'm obsessed with this family.
July 26, 2025
MAXIM AND MARY HAVE MY ENTIRE HEART 😭
Mary is stubborn and kind and just so damn lovable, I adored her. And Maxim?? He is down BAD for her from the beginning. He’s just so pathetically in love with her it makes me sick, I loved it. Kath’s writing style just makes my brain so happy. It’s fast paced, fun, spicy, and full of great romantic moments. She is definitely one to watch! This book, much like A Love Most Fatal, is such a unique and stellar addition to mafia romance. I’m frothing at the mouth for her next book already!
*I received an arc from the author in exchange for my honest review*
Mary is stubborn and kind and just so damn lovable, I adored her. And Maxim?? He is down BAD for her from the beginning. He’s just so pathetically in love with her it makes me sick, I loved it. Kath’s writing style just makes my brain so happy. It’s fast paced, fun, spicy, and full of great romantic moments. She is definitely one to watch! This book, much like A Love Most Fatal, is such a unique and stellar addition to mafia romance. I’m frothing at the mouth for her next book already!
*I received an arc from the author in exchange for my honest review*
September 10, 2025
I NEED THIS BOOK RN!!
August 7, 2025
Thank you so incredibly much Kath Richards and BookFunnel for giving me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I can't even tell you how grateful I am for Kath Richards... yes for the ARC but also for writing this exceptional book!!! I had so much fun that I actually read this book in one sitting, during a 2 month old reading slump!!!
A love Most Fatal was definitely a big surprise for me this year as I didn't expect to love it that much... but this, this was sooo fucking good that I could have read another 500 pages about Mary and Maxim.
You have to read this if you love: down bad MMC, mental health rep, marriage of convenience, age gap, forced proximity and yearning (you haven't seen an MMC yearn until reading about Maxim!!!)
I can't even tell you how grateful I am for Kath Richards... yes for the ARC but also for writing this exceptional book!!! I had so much fun that I actually read this book in one sitting, during a 2 month old reading slump!!!
A love Most Fatal was definitely a big surprise for me this year as I didn't expect to love it that much... but this, this was sooo fucking good that I could have read another 500 pages about Mary and Maxim.
You have to read this if you love: down bad MMC, mental health rep, marriage of convenience, age gap, forced proximity and yearning (you haven't seen an MMC yearn until reading about Maxim!!!)
September 18, 2025
I'm very picky with my mafia romances, because I'm not a huge lover of cliches or the tropes that come with mafia romance books. I think a lot of times, these men are portrayed as misogynistic and overbearing, but this book was done SO well. It has elements of dark romance but it feels more like a romcom because of the interactions. The romance is sweet, and funny and very swoony. I was immediately obsessed since chapter one, and I just couldn’t put it down. I finished this book in 24 hours!!!!
Our girlypop Mary here is a hardcore lover, and her main focal point in life is to protect the ones she loves. She’s a little deranged after a series of shocking events that threatened the safety of the ones she loves. She feels the only way to protect them is to get into an arranged marriage with our hot pumpkin Maxim Orlov, a Russian Mob, but what she thinks of a business transaction is so much more to him. Something that feels like a deal from both parties blossoms into something so precious honestly. ✨✨✨
Maxim is so down bad for Mary for a long time, so this deal that falls into his lap feels like fate to him. He's such a different character, because while he is all mob business and powerful, he's also not afraid to be gentle with her and caring. Mary is also a BADASS, mob mommy if I shall say! I absolutely loved their dynamic, the forced proximity and the banter between them.
What to expect:
💙 Marriage of Convenience
💙 Age gap (12)
💙 Mental Health Rep (OCD & anxiety)
💙 Forced Proximity
💙 MMC Pathetically Down BAD
💙 Mafia Romance
Thank you Kath Richards for the ARC! I can't wait to go back and read A love most fatal!
Our girlypop Mary here is a hardcore lover, and her main focal point in life is to protect the ones she loves. She’s a little deranged after a series of shocking events that threatened the safety of the ones she loves. She feels the only way to protect them is to get into an arranged marriage with our hot pumpkin Maxim Orlov, a Russian Mob, but what she thinks of a business transaction is so much more to him. Something that feels like a deal from both parties blossoms into something so precious honestly. ✨✨✨
Maxim is so down bad for Mary for a long time, so this deal that falls into his lap feels like fate to him. He's such a different character, because while he is all mob business and powerful, he's also not afraid to be gentle with her and caring. Mary is also a BADASS, mob mommy if I shall say! I absolutely loved their dynamic, the forced proximity and the banter between them.
What to expect:
💙 Marriage of Convenience
💙 Age gap (12)
💙 Mental Health Rep (OCD & anxiety)
💙 Forced Proximity
💙 MMC Pathetically Down BAD
💙 Mafia Romance
Thank you Kath Richards for the ARC! I can't wait to go back and read A love most fatal!
August 11, 2025
Thank you for the ARC Kath!
“I’ve loved you for longer than I could admit to myself, and I tried so hard not to, I really did. But you are the most perfect man, frustratingly loyal, and intensely forgiving.”
WHAT AN AMAZING STORY. Mafia rom-com? Sign me up every single time!!!
I was completely enamored with the story of Maxim and Mary. I can relate so much to her tough exterior but soft heart type of personality. I felt so seen!!! The way how Maxim ferociously fell so hard for our girl before she could even comprehend what was happening. I was most definitely kicking my feet up giggling throughout this entire book. She couldn’t help herself, and it was so frustratingly exciting going through the chapters with her struggling to come to terms with her OBVIOUS emotions towards him. What a beautiful relationship.
I must admit that the friendship between Nate and Mary was so UNEXPECTED. A friendship I didn’t know that I needed! They compliment each other so well. Nate was perfectly woven into the story and I didn’t expect that. I thought that he would become a background character due to his opposite upbringing but boy was I WRONG?!
Lastly but definitely not least. The common issues of OCD and anxiety being mentioned was chef’s kiss. In the first book, Mary was portrayed as a perfect baddie. She kept everything under control, she was composed. Her only goal was to protect her loved ones but she did it effortlessly. It felt so realistic to see that her character actually struggled with certain issues that we face on a daily basis.
Kath Richards is an exceptional writer. I unexpectedly fell inlove with the Morelli family from the first book. Well written. I can’t wait to see more work from her!
“I’ve loved you for longer than I could admit to myself, and I tried so hard not to, I really did. But you are the most perfect man, frustratingly loyal, and intensely forgiving.”
WHAT AN AMAZING STORY. Mafia rom-com? Sign me up every single time!!!
I was completely enamored with the story of Maxim and Mary. I can relate so much to her tough exterior but soft heart type of personality. I felt so seen!!! The way how Maxim ferociously fell so hard for our girl before she could even comprehend what was happening. I was most definitely kicking my feet up giggling throughout this entire book. She couldn’t help herself, and it was so frustratingly exciting going through the chapters with her struggling to come to terms with her OBVIOUS emotions towards him. What a beautiful relationship.
I must admit that the friendship between Nate and Mary was so UNEXPECTED. A friendship I didn’t know that I needed! They compliment each other so well. Nate was perfectly woven into the story and I didn’t expect that. I thought that he would become a background character due to his opposite upbringing but boy was I WRONG?!
Lastly but definitely not least. The common issues of OCD and anxiety being mentioned was chef’s kiss. In the first book, Mary was portrayed as a perfect baddie. She kept everything under control, she was composed. Her only goal was to protect her loved ones but she did it effortlessly. It felt so realistic to see that her character actually struggled with certain issues that we face on a daily basis.
Kath Richards is an exceptional writer. I unexpectedly fell inlove with the Morelli family from the first book. Well written. I can’t wait to see more work from her!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2025
I feel like I barely came up for air with this one.
I LOVE MARY and MAXIM so much!
A grumpy female character will get me EVERY SINGLE TIME! I really enjoyed A Love Most Fatal but I’m feral for this one!
Things I loved:
- marriage of convenience
- “hard to love” FMC
- SIMP MMC
- soft only for him 🥹
This one is the second in an interconnected mafia romcom series and follows the youngest sister Mary Morelli as she marries mob boss Maxim Orlov, in hopes for more protection for her family. But Maxim has already been a goner for Mary for a minute now. Truly a killer combination.
I might add more thoughts later but truly had such a great time with this one.
Thank you to the author, Kath Richards, for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!
3 open door scenes.
I LOVE MARY and MAXIM so much!
A grumpy female character will get me EVERY SINGLE TIME! I really enjoyed A Love Most Fatal but I’m feral for this one!
Things I loved:
- marriage of convenience
- “hard to love” FMC
- SIMP MMC
- soft only for him 🥹
This one is the second in an interconnected mafia romcom series and follows the youngest sister Mary Morelli as she marries mob boss Maxim Orlov, in hopes for more protection for her family. But Maxim has already been a goner for Mary for a minute now. Truly a killer combination.
I might add more thoughts later but truly had such a great time with this one.
Thank you to the author, Kath Richards, for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!
3 open door scenes.
October 23, 2025
4 ⭐️ only for the last 20% cause the author managed to pull through.
This had so much potential to be an amazing book with these trope especially the age gap but it fell flat.
She always had to make the first move and i just wish he would have taken initiative but no he was perfectly content with just watching her from a distance. Even when they were already married he said he wouldn’t initiate anything between them so she had to make the first move. ALWAYS. 🙄 I really need my mmc’s to be more alpha. He mentioned often how desperate he is for her but he never acted on it so where is the desperation really? He would have spent his whole life away from her had she not asked him to marry her. That really screams infatuation. Not.
They kept having these small talks, never really had a serious conversation and there was no tension between them like it usually is in these type of books.
Them constantly mentioning how young she is and him in his thoughts always referring to him self as an “old fuck” and her the youngest Morelli. Like yes there is a 12 year age gap but she is 26 a fucking adult and he is 38 again yes he is older but 38 isn’t old ffs you’re the one making it weird. Though he did start to come clean to her about his feelings at about half the book i just wish he was more intense.
Safety: she is bi and in the first chapter she was gonna hook up with a couple but that never happened. No owd/omd after that.
He’s not a virgin but he wasn’t giving manho either. He said its been a while before she even came to his club for the first time so im guessing he was celibate since meeting her. No owd from his side either. The book is safe.
Overall the general impression the book gives is that it’s missing more emotion. It never delves deeper into their feelings and just felt very flat, superficial and all business like. But the end kinda redeems it and I gotta admit i almost shed a few tears.
This had so much potential to be an amazing book with these trope especially the age gap but it fell flat.
She always had to make the first move and i just wish he would have taken initiative but no he was perfectly content with just watching her from a distance. Even when they were already married he said he wouldn’t initiate anything between them so she had to make the first move. ALWAYS. 🙄 I really need my mmc’s to be more alpha. He mentioned often how desperate he is for her but he never acted on it so where is the desperation really? He would have spent his whole life away from her had she not asked him to marry her. That really screams infatuation. Not.
They kept having these small talks, never really had a serious conversation and there was no tension between them like it usually is in these type of books.
Them constantly mentioning how young she is and him in his thoughts always referring to him self as an “old fuck” and her the youngest Morelli. Like yes there is a 12 year age gap but she is 26 a fucking adult and he is 38 again yes he is older but 38 isn’t old ffs you’re the one making it weird. Though he did start to come clean to her about his feelings at about half the book i just wish he was more intense.
Safety: she is bi and in the first chapter she was gonna hook up with a couple but that never happened. No owd/omd after that.
He’s not a virgin but he wasn’t giving manho either. He said its been a while before she even came to his club for the first time so im guessing he was celibate since meeting her. No owd from his side either. The book is safe.
Overall the general impression the book gives is that it’s missing more emotion. It never delves deeper into their feelings and just felt very flat, superficial and all business like. But the end kinda redeems it and I gotta admit i almost shed a few tears.
September 18, 2025
feeling so grateful for miss kath richards, yes for the arc but also for writing maxim orlov!!!!
a love most fatal was one of my biggest surprises from earlier this year so i couldn’t wait to read this book!! mary is so interesting to me and even after reading this i want more from her. this is a series of mafia “rom coms”, they’re serious but not too serious and overall just a fun time!!!
mary and maxim have seen each other in passing and at events but the only thing to come of this is an obsession on maxim’s part. he’s kinda enamored with her but she doesn’t believe in love and wants nothing to do with him. that is until she brings up how a marriage could be beneficial for them and their legacies. this fake marriage was sweet because maxim likes her the whole time but i wish we saw more emotional development between them. there was kinda a lot to overcome given mary’s anxieties about the people she loves and it felt kinda brushed over toward the end. i also think it would’ve been nice to see just some more interactions between the characters before the engagement and during it. that part of the book went by so fast and it could’ve brought in more tension, which i love.
yeah the drama can be a big outlandish but it’s addicting to read about. mafia romance’s with a female main character who isn’t afraid to kick some ass are always superior. maxim and mary got their happy ending and i was happy so all is well. i can’t wait for every fan of this series to see its next installment come september!!! thanks once again to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!!!
a love most fatal was one of my biggest surprises from earlier this year so i couldn’t wait to read this book!! mary is so interesting to me and even after reading this i want more from her. this is a series of mafia “rom coms”, they’re serious but not too serious and overall just a fun time!!!
mary and maxim have seen each other in passing and at events but the only thing to come of this is an obsession on maxim’s part. he’s kinda enamored with her but she doesn’t believe in love and wants nothing to do with him. that is until she brings up how a marriage could be beneficial for them and their legacies. this fake marriage was sweet because maxim likes her the whole time but i wish we saw more emotional development between them. there was kinda a lot to overcome given mary’s anxieties about the people she loves and it felt kinda brushed over toward the end. i also think it would’ve been nice to see just some more interactions between the characters before the engagement and during it. that part of the book went by so fast and it could’ve brought in more tension, which i love.
yeah the drama can be a big outlandish but it’s addicting to read about. mafia romance’s with a female main character who isn’t afraid to kick some ass are always superior. maxim and mary got their happy ending and i was happy so all is well. i can’t wait for every fan of this series to see its next installment come september!!! thanks once again to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!!!
October 2, 2025
5 stars and a top tier read!!!!
I enjoyed the first book in this series, A Love Most Fatal, but it was definitely giving mafia romcom whereas I found this book *intensely* romantic.
Maxim (MMC, head of the Russian mob) was steady, patient and absolutely reverent with Mary (FMC, enforcer for the Italian crime family) — even when she proposed marriage while making it clear that she was damaged and wouldn’t be able to love him.
With these two, actions definitely spoke louder than words. Sure, there was spice, but what got me was the kissing, the intimacy, and the tenderness. SO MANY FEELS.
My heart felt like it was vibrating as I read this book, which is how I knew it was definitely going on my top tier shelf. I’ll be re-reading this one for sure, and probably will before the year is out!
I enjoyed the first book in this series, A Love Most Fatal, but it was definitely giving mafia romcom whereas I found this book *intensely* romantic.
Maxim (MMC, head of the Russian mob) was steady, patient and absolutely reverent with Mary (FMC, enforcer for the Italian crime family) — even when she proposed marriage while making it clear that she was damaged and wouldn’t be able to love him.
With these two, actions definitely spoke louder than words. Sure, there was spice, but what got me was the kissing, the intimacy, and the tenderness. SO MANY FEELS.
My heart felt like it was vibrating as I read this book, which is how I knew it was definitely going on my top tier shelf. I’ll be re-reading this one for sure, and probably will before the year is out!
September 8, 2025
this series is one of my top reads this year. it's cozy yet has the perfect mafia vibes, sweet romances and the smut is hot!
♡marriage of convenience
♡age gap
♡he's the russian pahkan; she's an enforcer
♡grumpy×grumpy
♡he's a simp and absolutely obsessed with her
♡she thinks she can't love or be loved
i love maxim×mary soo much!! i have like 135 highlights on my kindle🤭
× tbh, i didn't love the last 20% but other than that it was great!!!
♡marriage of convenience
♡age gap
♡he's the russian pahkan; she's an enforcer
♡grumpy×grumpy
♡he's a simp and absolutely obsessed with her
♡she thinks she can't love or be loved
i love maxim×mary soo much!! i have like 135 highlights on my kindle🤭
× tbh, i didn't love the last 20% but other than that it was great!!!
September 23, 2025
⋆˙⟡ 4.5 stars ˙⊹
⋆˙⟡ — i love this <33 ଘ(੭◌ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚
one marriage of convenience—he's in love with her and she wont fall for anyone—will this be just a business deal or something more?
thank you so much to kath richards for sending me an ARC as part of the street team! this does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. out now!
almost a year ago when i finished reading a love most fatal in a day, i just knew anything miss kath writes, i would devour. and with that ending in book 1?!?! i needed this book like air!! and ahh this book exceeded all my expectations!
⋆˙⟡ — plot ˙⊹
first off, this isnt a dark romance or anything lol. its a rom-com where the mcs happen to be part of the mafia. so let me start with everything that will get u excited about this absolutely insane book: marriage of convenience. yes and she asks for it (and he's too downbad to say no about anything hehe :)) she's the mafia enforcer!! he's the mob boss, and ahhh this dynamic was everything!! also this features a misunderstanding so epic its absolute comedy!! like its so freaking hilarious how these two see the same scene in two very different lights 😂
⋆˙⟡ — characters ˙⊹
mary was such an amazing character! i loved how she was so committed to protecting her family, and the insight into how her job and circumstances influences her. her anxieties, her fear of losing control of situations. and yet she makes it through every single issue along with her family and husband 🥹🤭 and seeing her learn to love and accept maxim was soo wholesome, like yes girl!! you also deserve to be loved like your sisters!! 🥹😭🫶🫶
maxim... oh maxim. man he's a lost cause. 🤭 he was safe for the first half cause she definitely didnt realize, but after that even god couldnt save him and his loserism. and i have definitely understood that the best kind of fictional man is: the yearner!!
⋆˙⟡ — final verdict ˙⊹
this book reads like a rom-com movie/drama, and it’s soo very well written with the most interesting and engaging characters! and as an interconnected novel, it was soo much fun to see vanessa and nate and the others pop in from time to time 😆 i wont yap anymore, but ahhhh just go read and experience this absolute delight of a book hehe <333
.☘︎ ݁˖ “this time when i smile, it’s quieter, and when he smiles back, i think this whole sham marriage might not be so impossible.”
⋆˙⟡ — i love this <33 ଘ(੭◌ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚
one marriage of convenience—he's in love with her and she wont fall for anyone—will this be just a business deal or something more?
thank you so much to kath richards for sending me an ARC as part of the street team! this does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. out now!
almost a year ago when i finished reading a love most fatal in a day, i just knew anything miss kath writes, i would devour. and with that ending in book 1?!?! i needed this book like air!! and ahh this book exceeded all my expectations!
⋆˙⟡ — plot ˙⊹
first off, this isnt a dark romance or anything lol. its a rom-com where the mcs happen to be part of the mafia. so let me start with everything that will get u excited about this absolutely insane book: marriage of convenience. yes and she asks for it (and he's too downbad to say no about anything hehe :)) she's the mafia enforcer!! he's the mob boss, and ahhh this dynamic was everything!! also this features a misunderstanding so epic its absolute comedy!! like its so freaking hilarious how these two see the same scene in two very different lights 😂
⋆˙⟡ — characters ˙⊹
— marianna morelli ˙⊹ "love has never made me tender, though. something isn't right about me, everyone can see that much. love’s never made me softer, never given supreme peace and contentment. it doesn't pacify, it adds stress, a constant vigilance, a weight that is ever-pressing and unending.
loss is inevitable. life—love—it's a game of who you can keep alive the longest. so, love has never made me tender. if anything, it's made me into something brutal. a weapon.”
mary was such an amazing character! i loved how she was so committed to protecting her family, and the insight into how her job and circumstances influences her. her anxieties, her fear of losing control of situations. and yet she makes it through every single issue along with her family and husband 🥹🤭 and seeing her learn to love and accept maxim was soo wholesome, like yes girl!! you also deserve to be loved like your sisters!! 🥹😭🫶🫶
— maxim orlov ˙⊹ "as she approaches, my mind settles on one truth: Marianna Morelli is not a woman, she is a cataclysm. a natural disaster bound straight for me, and i will be as powerless to stop what she stirs up as someone in the path of a hurricane.”
maxim... oh maxim. man he's a lost cause. 🤭 he was safe for the first half cause she definitely didnt realize, but after that even god couldnt save him and his loserism. and i have definitely understood that the best kind of fictional man is: the yearner!!
⋆˙⟡ — final verdict ˙⊹
this book reads like a rom-com movie/drama, and it’s soo very well written with the most interesting and engaging characters! and as an interconnected novel, it was soo much fun to see vanessa and nate and the others pop in from time to time 😆 i wont yap anymore, but ahhhh just go read and experience this absolute delight of a book hehe <333
December 3, 2025
5⭐️
I really adored both Maxim and Marianna by themselves, and together? *chef's kiss* adorable. I loved how sweet Maxim was- he's this 38 year-old, huge Russian mobster who is "built like a fridge" but think's he's like a two? Seriously this man can't believe that anyone would want him, meanwhile everyone the entire book is like "damn he's hot". I loved how caring he was with Marianna. He just wants her to be safe and while he knows she can take care of herself no problem, he still wants to protect her. He reads novels and has a pet cat named Greta, how could anyone not want him?
I found Marianna so relatable because I too, am Not Soft. Mary has been fighting and working as an enforcer since she was young. She's brash, stubborn, occasionally rude and tough as tails. All of this has led her to believe that she's also hard get along with, and difficult to love. But basically she's just a prickly exterior covering an incredibly soft heart- she cares so deeply about her family and cannot endure the thought of them being hurt. She doesn't know how to love openly and be vulnerable without feeling weak, so when she proposes to Maxim she insists it will always be a business deal.
For those of us who read romance novels, we obviously know that this marriage of convenience will not stay a marriage of convenience. Maxim for his part has been harbouring a crush on Mary for a while, and so is ecstatic when she proposes. Of course the two get married and fall in love, and it's a hell of a ride while they do
"I love you in a way that is intense and overwhelming. I think I'll die from the presence you have in my chest, from the worry that something could happen to you when I'm not there."Absolutely LOVED this. A five star for me from start to finish- the kind of book that I finish and immediately just want to read over again.
I really adored both Maxim and Marianna by themselves, and together? *chef's kiss* adorable. I loved how sweet Maxim was- he's this 38 year-old, huge Russian mobster who is "built like a fridge" but think's he's like a two? Seriously this man can't believe that anyone would want him, meanwhile everyone the entire book is like "damn he's hot". I loved how caring he was with Marianna. He just wants her to be safe and while he knows she can take care of herself no problem, he still wants to protect her. He reads novels and has a pet cat named Greta, how could anyone not want him?
I found Marianna so relatable because I too, am Not Soft. Mary has been fighting and working as an enforcer since she was young. She's brash, stubborn, occasionally rude and tough as tails. All of this has led her to believe that she's also hard get along with, and difficult to love. But basically she's just a prickly exterior covering an incredibly soft heart- she cares so deeply about her family and cannot endure the thought of them being hurt. She doesn't know how to love openly and be vulnerable without feeling weak, so when she proposes to Maxim she insists it will always be a business deal.
For those of us who read romance novels, we obviously know that this marriage of convenience will not stay a marriage of convenience. Maxim for his part has been harbouring a crush on Mary for a while, and so is ecstatic when she proposes. Of course the two get married and fall in love, and it's a hell of a ride while they do
January 15, 2026
I’ve realised that one of my favourite types of romances are mafia/dark romances that read like a contemporary romance. And that perfectly encapsulates the essence of this book. This book HIT the spot, UGH, I literally feel as if it was made for me in mind.
A strong, stubborn and fierce FMC like Marianna paired with a soft-hearted and protective MMC like Maxim were the perfect main characters for this book. It almost felt like the reverse archetypes of your usual dark romance which honestly made me love this story even more. Maxim’s softness clashed so well with Mariana’s hardness and made their budding romance the utmost unbearably gut-wrenchingly best thing to read about.
So often the mafia side-plot can overrule the romance in a dark romance, yet Kath Richard’s made it so that it complimented it instead. The high stakes paired with the constant pushing and pulling (more so on Marianna’s side) had me LITERALLY geeking out in public. It was so intriguing to read about a dark romance FMC constant pull away and refuse to feel whilst the MMC was attempting to do the complete opposite. And with the addition of their flawed and dimensional character profiles, I was rooting SO hard for their happily ever after.
I read another review call this book cliché and it honestly so is but in the best way possible. Kath Richard’s had somehow utilised the standard dark romance marriage of confidence draft, and still transformed it into a story with two characters that felt like no other. Oh I ate this up so freaking good!!!!
Okay Goodreads, you ate this one time with this recommendation 🤭
A strong, stubborn and fierce FMC like Marianna paired with a soft-hearted and protective MMC like Maxim were the perfect main characters for this book. It almost felt like the reverse archetypes of your usual dark romance which honestly made me love this story even more. Maxim’s softness clashed so well with Mariana’s hardness and made their budding romance the utmost unbearably gut-wrenchingly best thing to read about.
So often the mafia side-plot can overrule the romance in a dark romance, yet Kath Richard’s made it so that it complimented it instead. The high stakes paired with the constant pushing and pulling (more so on Marianna’s side) had me LITERALLY geeking out in public. It was so intriguing to read about a dark romance FMC constant pull away and refuse to feel whilst the MMC was attempting to do the complete opposite. And with the addition of their flawed and dimensional character profiles, I was rooting SO hard for their happily ever after.
I read another review call this book cliché and it honestly so is but in the best way possible. Kath Richard’s had somehow utilised the standard dark romance marriage of confidence draft, and still transformed it into a story with two characters that felt like no other. Oh I ate this up so freaking good!!!!
Okay Goodreads, you ate this one time with this recommendation 🤭
January 3, 2026
4 ⭐️
“Nothing has ever been so simple as loving you,” he says. “Nothing is so natural or inevitable. There’s nothing about you that’s hard to love, not a single thing, Marianna.”
“But I’ve learned that loving people doesn’t make you fragile; if anything it grows your capacity to love more.”
what i love about this book is the intimacy between mary and maxim — an aching desire to love without expecting to be loved in return; and learning how love doesn’t make one fragile, but rather, it’s an extraordinary thing that makes you more powerful.
mary loves hard. to the point that she would die for her family and so she thought that there would be no extra room for maxim in her heart since it’s already been filled with her loved ones she vowed to protect forever.
maxim loves mary even from a distance— it was enough for him— until she asked him to marry her for an extra protection for the morelli family, something he couldn’t refuse since he’s also in need of a wife and an heir.
this book is not flawless but it made me feel things about how special love is. i wish this book dived deeper about their trauma, but at the same time, i liked how light and sweet this book felt despite the mafia theme and violence that came with it.
i have a soft spot for this series and i wanna read more books by kath richards. i’m excited to see her grow more as a writer; she is someone to watch out for.
“Nothing has ever been so simple as loving you,” he says. “Nothing is so natural or inevitable. There’s nothing about you that’s hard to love, not a single thing, Marianna.”
“But I’ve learned that loving people doesn’t make you fragile; if anything it grows your capacity to love more.”
what i love about this book is the intimacy between mary and maxim — an aching desire to love without expecting to be loved in return; and learning how love doesn’t make one fragile, but rather, it’s an extraordinary thing that makes you more powerful.
mary loves hard. to the point that she would die for her family and so she thought that there would be no extra room for maxim in her heart since it’s already been filled with her loved ones she vowed to protect forever.
maxim loves mary even from a distance— it was enough for him— until she asked him to marry her for an extra protection for the morelli family, something he couldn’t refuse since he’s also in need of a wife and an heir.
this book is not flawless but it made me feel things about how special love is. i wish this book dived deeper about their trauma, but at the same time, i liked how light and sweet this book felt despite the mafia theme and violence that came with it.
i have a soft spot for this series and i wanna read more books by kath richards. i’m excited to see her grow more as a writer; she is someone to watch out for.
September 10, 2025
This book was so worth the wait. Mary stole my whole heart from the very beginning. The push and pull, the quiet moments, the fire between them; it all just worked. I absolutely loved reading it.
August 24, 2025
arc review to come!! ❤️ this one was so good 😭
paused
July 22, 2025SQUEALING, cannot wait to read this arc!!!
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:*: ﾟ･
I can't wait to see what dreamy cover art comes out for this book. This may just be a birthday present to me in September.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:*: ﾟ･
I can't wait to see what dreamy cover art comes out for this book. This may just be a birthday present to me in September.
August 6, 2025
A mafia romance but she’s a mafia enforcer. He’s the head of a different crime family and stays away from the violent parts of his job, except when it comes to protecting her. Age gap. He was supposed to marry her sister last book. Marriage of convenience. Like... WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?! I truly adored this sequel just as much as the first book. Mary and Maxim were so well fleshed out. My heart ached for how their pasts were holding them apart from one another. Their romance was everythinggg but the plot outside of it was super great as well. Can’t wait for whatever Kath has planned for us in the future!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 751 reviews