His Forbidden Obsession

Forbidden Mafia #1

by Silvia Violet

From the moment I see Lorenzo, I want him. He’s dangerous, part of the infamous Theriot family who runs the New Orleans crime scene.

I have no doubt he’d enjoy destroying me. He hates my father almost as much as I do.

The danger I’m in at home frightens me, but when Lorenzo sends shivers down my spine, it turns me on. He becomes my fantasy, the man I long for, the one who might save me.

My father tries to sell me to the highest bidder, but I escape. I have no one to run to except Lorenzo.

He agrees to protect me… for a price.

I’m more than willing to pay with my body, but when my heart gets involved, I no longer know if I’ll survive my time with him.

Genres: M M Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, BDSM, Crime, Dark Romance, Audiobook

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Silvia Violet writes fun, sexy stories that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. Silvia's stories include sizzling contemporaries, paranormals, and historicals. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, and curling up with her favorite books. Keep up with her latest ventures by signing up for her newsletter.

For insider information, early looks at works-in-progress, and other rewards, join Silvia on Patreon.

Reviews

[raccoon reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jesus Christ. No.

On one page the MC1 pov shows: I heard footsteps, and then the door flew open. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Then the next page, the MC2 pov shows him opening the door and saying: I hurried down the hall and flung the door open. “What are you doing here?”

In the first sentence I immediately was like- harsh. wtf are you doing here? That’s an asshole thing to say. But then to have the author CHANGE the saying to a much more subdued normal reaction? Please get someone to proof your stuff.

And that’s not the first faux pas in the book, it was just the last one I can handle. Life is too short to waste on authors you hope will have potential only to find them not even trying to proof, edit, or invest in their works. I like mixing in unknowns with my standard “I would read their grocery lists” authors. But 2026 is the year of Going To The Cottage and for me that includes packing light and cutting dead weight.

[NitaBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rtc, still got health issues 😩

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Forbidden Obsession is the story of Nikolai(Niko) and Lorenzo. I love these dark mafia romance stories by Silvia Violet. I loved the characters and story line. Silvia does an amazing job of making even bad guys feel lovable. I loved this book so much that I couldn't put it down once I started it. I loved all the danger, steam, and challenges in the story. This was just the perfect way to spend a day. I would definitely recommend this book as a 5 star read.
received a free review copy

[FHR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lorenzo is part of the Theriot family and is entrenched in the mafia world. When he sees Niko at Niko’s engagement party he is captivated with him and a plan forms as he realises that Niko is his father’s pawn in a world he is not suited for.
So begins their journey to get their HEA as they face danger, help from the Theriot family and make some allies and enemies along the way.

This was an okay read for me. The story was low in angst but the characters were a bit hard to connect with. The writing was a bit off for me in comparison to the authors previous work.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Such a good book.
I loved them and how they didn't want to give on each other.
Nikolai had been mistreated all his life by his father and he deserved to have someone who loved him unconditionally.
Lorenzo tried not to care but he couldn't get Nikolai out of his head. He wanted him to much and he knew they belonged together

[DeniReadsMostlyMM · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC Review***

This is my honest and voluntary review.

I was a fan of this age gap, mafia, hurt/comfort romance by Silvia Violet. Nikolai lives under his father’s thumb. His dad is cruel and oppressive. Lorenzo hates Dimitri, Niko’s father, with a passion. However, his (rival crime) family needs to secure a business deal with Dimitri. In an attempt to one up Dimitri, Lorenzo makes a move on Nikolai, but surprisingly finds that he is drawn to the younger man in ways that he did not expect.

Lorenzo and Nikolai have an intense, almost instant, chemistry. Niko admires Lorenzo. There is a fierce need to protect Nikolai on Lorenzo’s part. Both MCs develop a deeper connection and romantic pull towards one another. It becomes clear that Lorenzo isn’t willing to give Niko up. The possessive vibes are top tier.

New Orleans serves as an enticing backdrop to this story. It was nice seeing other members of the Theriot family again. Lorenzo and Niko have to overcome some difficult and dangerous conflicts in order to achieve their HEA, but they manage to do it in style. This book will keep you on your toes from the first chapter until the end. (The epilogue is delightful).

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

From jump...I wasn't feeling this book. Lorenzo turned me off with his entire attitude towards to Nico. His willingness to use that sweet boy for revenge...nope wasn't feeling it. But then things happened...more of Lorenzo back story came out and his overall demeanor changed...his relationship with his brothers...his love of family and most of all his love and devotion for Nico took center stage. My entire view of him changed and I was rooting for Lorenzo and Nico. If you haven't read the other books on the Theriot brothers, it's OK...this could be a standalone but knowing the other character will make your enjoyment of the overall dynamics better. This is a mafia romance...so know there is violence and mayhem with a lot of spicy heat and some humor. Overall I enjoyed this so I'm glad I ultimately finished and didn't end up NOT finishing due to my attitude at the beginning. Wonderful HEA. I recommend if you like mafia romances with the hurt/comfort.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne in VA]

DNF. The dialogue was awkward to me and there were quite a few typos in just the few pages I read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise and should have been really into it, but the scenes felt generic - focused on thoughts, dialogue and movement. I couldn’t really picture much but the two main characters.

[m · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this was an okay but not very memorable mafia romance. The set up was ripe for high drama and angst but I just didn’t feel like it delivered what I was expecting. If you’re looking for a lower angst mafia book this might be a fantastic fit!

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the premise here and things move fairly quickly in the beginning to set the story up. Nikolai is a pawn in his father’s plan for power. He makes a deal with another rival in a power move which marries Nikolai to the rival’s daughter to get an heir. The darker part of the exchange is that Niko would then be the plaything for that father. Life is not looking good for Niko at this point and he pays the price for attempting to go against his father’s wishes.

Lorenzo is from another crime family monitoring the situation between the other families. It’s all about power, and Lorenzo’s boss does not want any alliances forming that could become a problem for them. But Lorenzo gets a little distracted by Niko and when the announcement is made and opportunity arises, Lorenzo takes advantage and pushes things further with Niko.

Fast forward to Niko managing to escape his father and ending up at Lorenzo’s for protection. There is a bit of backstory involving Lorenzo and his brothers, and it is Lorenzo’s commitment to protecting them that prevents him from accepting and believing in having a relationship with Niko. Lorenzo’s brothers get there ahead of him and end up pushing him in the right direction. This push and pull from Lorenzo concerning Niko gets a little tiresome at times, but once he commits, he’s all in. The other aspect that bugged me at times was the dialog between Lorenzo and Niko, mostly during sex. It just felt stilted and unnatural and ended up pulling me from the story. Likewise, the way the story played out at times, like the ending of Niko’s father, just seemed to happen rather abruptly, as though it should have been a bit more fleshed out. I felt this way a number of times throughout this story which held me back from a higher rating.

That said, I enjoyed many aspects of this, especially some of the other characters which intrigued me enough to want to delve into their stories. A number of them appear in another series, and I now want to go read their stories to get more of their background and how they got to where they are in this story. While This book has darker themes, it stays somewhat on the surface, as it does with the D/S aspect, so don’t let that scare you off if that’s a concern. If you aren’t looking for something more involved, this might be just what you’re looking for.

Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.

[ash-reads-romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Review! His Forbidden Obsession by @silvia.violet

Not my first book by Silvia but my first in her Dark Romance and it is very much the delicious dessert 🧁 that one craves in this category. Indulgent. SP1cy and full of knky forbidden tropes that you could just nibble on like candy 🍭 NOM NOM NOM

I didn’t even realize that it was such a good entry point in her mafia boss series because it’s a launch point for a whole new “family” and kicks off a delicious set of f0rbidden pl3asures.

Lorenzo is the head of his Family, and cousin to the Theriot family of New Orleans (gonna put a pin in that and go back and read THOSE books… cause once you start you can’t stop) and Lorenzo is the seggsy eldest of four brothers who take care of their own business, dealing with their enemies. One of which he needs to make a deal with and at an engagement party for his enemy’s son, Nikolai, who Lorenzo has lüsted after for a long time.

He gets Nikolai alone and seduces him, all under his enemy’s nose. Only then does he find out that Nikolai is actually a pris0ner, being sold to an abüs3r in a fake arranged marriage.

Lorenzo’s heart aches and he’ll risk life and limb to save Nikolai from this fate, even if it means bringing war to his family.

It’s your usual “Touch him and D1e” storyline but I love @silvia.violet ‘s style. It’s fun, the characters are UBER hot and nothing is taken too seriously. I don’t feel like I’m going to drown under the angst or anything. It’s hot guys in suits, tons of D/s, däddy/bôy, “FAMILY BUSINESS”, and growly possessiveness in all the best ways. Again. It’s delicious popcorn style reading and I need like ten more.

Lorenzo is so so so so hot and gosh, Nikolai is a smoking hot twink and the way they fight for one another is precious and cute and I LOVE Lorenzo’s brothers so much. I cannot WAIT for their books. Gonna be fab.

I didn’t know about your mafia game Silvia, but I *adore* it. Mad respect. 🫡

4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Mirjam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot has all the ingredients of an addictive forbidden-romance read: strong chemistry, high emotional stakes, and a possessive dynamic, starting off with a compelling setup.
The connection between Lorenzo and Nikolai is passionate, and their dynamic has a certain intensity, both emotional and physical.

Lorenzo has a mission to carry out, and getting entangled with Nikolai, the son of a powerful Russian crime boss, is definitely not part of the plan. But the moment their eyes meet, his focus slips, and every rule he’s lived by starts to fracture.
Nikolai feels the pull just as strongly. His father has never seen him as anything more than leverage, a pawn to be traded for influence or profit. When the man decides to auction off his own son to the highest bidder, Nikolai realizes he has only one chance to escape the life that’s been closing in on him for years. With the help of an unexpected ally, he breaks free and runs straight to the one person who both terrifies him and makes him feel alive: Lorenzo.








Where the novel fell short for me was in its pacing and character development.
Some moments felt rushed, while others lingered longer than necessary, which made the overall flow somewhat uneven.
I also found myself wanting a deeper exploration of Renzo & Niko's characters and motivations, the emotional consequences of their choices. The bones of a powerful story are there, but certain arcs felt like they could have been fleshed out more to create a stronger impact.

Overall, the plot had real potential, but the execution fell short. The dialogue felt overly rigid, and the character interactions came across more like scenes from a low-budget action film than a natural conversation.

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niko and Lorenzo's story was a darkly suspenseful yet sweet romance. Niko, a mafia rival's son, was everything Lorenzo wasn't supposed to want for himself. They'd caught each other's eye years ago but decided there was no future together, and neither of them challenged the status quo until news of Niko's impending nuptials spurred Renzo into action. A single night of stolen passion was all it took to ignite a fire in Lorenzo's heart and send the wrath of their families crashing down. The two of them had to fight for each other with everything they had, and it still sometimes felt like that wouldn't be enough. Niko was very much a victim of his father's cruelty, but that didn't make him a doormat. He knew who and what he wanted and had an innate sunniness that attracted Lorenzo like a moth to a flame. Lorenzo's protective instincts were dialed up to a million any time Niko was at risk, and Niko melted under that care. Their chemistry was insanely good, and I found it easy to buy into the depth of their connection despite how short their time together was. Between the running around and strategizing, it was fun for me to see Lorenzo and his brothers interact and get to know Alina, my surprise favorite female character. I wouldn't say the actual plotline was the most developed (for example, I would love to know how Dmitri kept figuring out exactly where they were in all of their super secret safe houses), but I thought the action sequences were satisfying and there was a healthy helping of vengeance in the end. I do think that Niko and Renzo are far happier together than they were when they were apart, and I'm intrigued to see where the rest of this series heads.

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Jessie Coughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I devoured this book in one sitting, heart in my throat the whole time. Lorenzo and Niko’s story is everything I love about dark romance when it’s done well: danger and tenderness interwoven, revenge tangled with longing, and a world that feels larger than the page. From the moment these two lock eyes you know you’re in for something intense. He’s part of the infamous Theriot family who rules New Orleans’ underworld. Niko is trapped in a gilded cage, his father bartering him off to the highest bidder. When he runs, he runs to Lorenzo the very man who might destroy him or save him.
What follows is a heady mix of action-movie spectacle and deeply emotional stakes. Yes, the romance is insta-intense, but it works; it’s magnetic watching a need for vengeance turn into something protective, then tender, then all-consuming. Their chemistry burns, but underneath it is the ache of two men realising what’s important and what they’re willing to risk for it. Seeing the wider Theriot crew again Ambrose, Remington, Tony and all their teasing and shenanigans felt like coming home to characters I’d missed. Those connections ground the violence in found-family warmth and make the world feel rich and lived-in.
This story is over-the-top in the best way, full of danger, love, and a promise of safety that feels hard-won. By the end I was breathless, swooning, and already longing for the next adventure in this universe. It’s dark, dramatic, and deliciously romantic and it left me feeling grateful to have been swept up in its storm.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

This book is amazing! It’s the story of Lorenzo and Niko and it’s filled with danger, love, revenge and is an absolute must read! Both are members of different crime families and a party for Niko’s birthday will bring them together again. At the party, it’s announced that Niko is to be married off to the daughter of another family and Lorenzo, who is there to make a business deal with Dmitri, Niko’s father, doesn’t want that to happen. And neither does his cousin, Remington Theriot, when he finds out. Lorenzo is drawn to Niko and a need for revenge turns into so much more when he finds out just how drawn to Niko he is. It will put Niko in danger but Lorenzo and his family are determined to keep him safe. Feelings will grow between Lorenzo and Niko and while Remington wants Lorenzo to stay away, he just can’t seem to do it. It soon becomes obvious that there is no way Lorenzo will be able to let Niko go and that is just fine with Niko as Lorenzo is everything he’s ever dreamed of. There will be danger when Dmitri tries to get Niko back but the family will come together to keep Niko safe and eliminate the threat. It will allow Niko to get the happily ever after he’s always wanted with Lorenzo, who promises to always keep him safe.

I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Marilyn (yuu.nemi_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an easy and enjoyable read. It was just the perfect blend of hints of Dom/sub; they are present but subtle, and it was done well.

Nikolai has lived a sheltered life because his father is part of the Russian organization, and he has planned to marry Nikolai off and take advantage of that new family union. Niko has lived a rough life, being abused by his father and losing hope of one day escaping that type of life that no one deserves.

Lorenzo is also part of an important family and has to secure a deal with Niko’s dad, but the pull he feels towards him is inevitable and hard to deny. He makes a move on Niko, and that night is impossible to forget.

These two were everything. I loved how Lorenzo is very protective of Niko; he is angry with Niko’s father because of how he sees him as an asset and wants to do everything in his hands to protect Niko, but there is a past that’s hunting him, and his loyalty to protect his family is stronger.

Niko Oh sweet boy, you deserve all the love in the world, and that way, he finds that Lorenzo is perfect for him. He is fighting to regain his confidence in himself and see that he is worth it.

Overall, I loved Niko and Lorenzo's love story and how they were able to grow individually and be together finally. They had to overcome many obstacles, but it was worth it.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikolai is drawn to Lorenzo, a dangerously alluring member of the powerful Theriot crime family, despite—or perhaps because of—their shared hatred for Nikolai’s abusive father. When his father attempts to sell him, Nikolai escapes and turns to Lorenzo for protection. Their arrangement begins as transactional, with Nikolai offering his body in exchange for safety, but as deeper feelings emerge, the line between desire and destruction blurs. Caught between peril and passion, Nikolai must navigate a treacherous path where love could either save him—or break him completely.

I loved this story with the complexity of mafia family dynamics and politics, and the attraction between the two men. I loved the relationship between the families and the way that there was dependence and deference, but also love could sometimes bypass that with understanding and tolerance. I love the men of the Theriot family, and it was great to experience them again. This could be a great start to a new series by the author. Lots of emotions and feelings were involved, but some of them could be described a bit more as some of them came as a surprise. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for His Forbidden Obsession by Silvia Violet
This is a 41/2 star review

I was so excited to be given the chance to receive this fantastic book, so I could review it before it came out. Silvia Violet has been a top 5 read for me for years. I lost track of her for a little bit, but I'm back now. I need more. As I knew before I started this book, I would fall in love with Lorenzo & Nilo. I loved the Theriot series so much that I need more, and Silvia gave us more with this story. I loved seeing Remington Theriot also. I loved seeing him again. Now I have to say he was a butt head at times lol, but still loved him. The pain and torture that Niko goes through is not just from his father, but the fear he feels when he finds out his father Dmitri SOLD him to an even more evil man. I wanted to cry. Lorenzo wants to protect his family no matter what, but once Niko shows up again in his life, all he wants to do is protect him from the evils he has lived. I loved this story; the gifted way Silvia writes it just pulls me in, and I feel like I'm there. I need more lol.

Nicole Harvey
Received this ARC for an honest review

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lorenzo has a job to do and it does not include seducing Nikolai, the son of the head of a Russian crime family. Somehow, one look and he forgets. Nikolai has the same problem. He father has little use for him but as an asset. He has decided to basically sell Nikolai to the highest bidder. With a little help, Nikolai escapes and runs to Lorenze. There is a cost for his protection and Nikolai will gladly pay it.

Nikolai had never been given a chance to make a decision, never asked what he wanted. His infatuation with Lorenzo was his and his alone. The two had met when he was still too young. But Lorenzo and Nikolai had not forgotten each other. Lorenzo wanted to do what was right for the family and for Niko. Lorenzo was sure he was not good enough for Niko but Niko had other ideas. It was amazing to see (through beautifully written words) how these two were right for each other. Delicious and dangerous with desire as a side dish, His Forbidden Passion is sure to be a book to devour.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting, it had my heart racing the entire time.
Lorenzo and Niko’s story is everything I want in a dark mafia romance: danger, obsession, heartbreak, and a love that feels impossible but completely inevitable.

Niko’s been treated horribly his whole life, trapped in his father’s brutal world, and all he wants is freedom and love that doesn’t come with conditions. Lorenzo’s the last person he should run to, he’s powerful, dangerous, and part of the infamous Theriot family but he’s also the only one who truly sees him. The moment they meet, it’s electric, like two broken souls recognising each other in the dark.

This one has it all:
- Mafia danger and revenge
- Intense chemistry and off-the-charts spice
- Damaged heroes who heal together
- Found family with the Theriot crew (so good seeing them again!)

Silvia Violet somehow makes you fall for the “bad guys” every single time. The mix of tension, loyalty, and forbidden love is addictive, and by the end I was breathless, emotional, and totally ready for the next book in this world.

If you love dark, dramatic, can’t-look-away romance, this one’s an easy recommendation.

[Elana Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Niko, the son of a mob family head, has been used as a pawn his whole life. At a party to announce his engagement to his father's associate's daughter he meets Lorenzo again, the man he met 4 years ago and fell in love at first sight. Lorenzo, wanting revenge on Niko's father, seduces Niko, only to realize he may also have feelings. Before anything can happen, they are almost interrupted and Lorenzo flees. After Niko's father learns of the triste, he beats Niko and locks him in his room until the wedding. The day before the wedding Niko escapes and runs right to Lorenzo. From there, there is a lot of pinning from both of them and Lorenzo bounces between wanting to keep Niko and pushing him away. This aspect of the plot started to get a little annoying but they did figure their shit out. The plot was decently paced with spice that fit the story. As another review said, there were typos in some spots where names were swapped out and POVs changed from one sentence to another. While the story was entertaining the lack of active participation of the main characters to push the plot forward was a drawback for me, hence 3 stars. Spice level: 3

[Crystal Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Forbidden Obsession is a continuation of the Theriot mafia family with the start of a new branch of the family. If you've read other Silvia Violet's books, you know starting out that you are in for some prime mafia bad boy goodness.

After having met briefly four years earlier, this time when they meet Lorenzo saves Niko from his father's brutal plan to sell him and marry him off to the daughter of a rival Ivanov mafia family, the head of which is evil and likes young, pretty boys like Niko. Lorenzo immediately stakes his claim and protects what is his. I always eat the protective touch him and die trope up!

Working with his family to find Niko's dad and Ivanov, Lorenzo hides Niko away with friend Alina, who also happens to be Ivanov's daughter and Niko's previously betrothed. She was a real badass, and I liked her a lot.

All in all, it was a decent book. Not Violet's best work, but I enjoyed it, and I am intrigued enough to want to read Dante's book, which is next.

I was provided this book by GRR in exchange for an honest review.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

HIS FORBIDDEN OBSESSION is the first book in the Forbidden Mafia series. Although this is the first book in this series, I believe it's a spin-off series, and so has other characters, plus family relationships, in it that I don't know.

Niko is the sweet, innocent in all of this, with a secret submissive side that comes out to play with Lorenzo. Lorenzo is the protective grump who is more than happy to show Niko just exactly what he wants and what Niko enjoys.

Add to this a not-so-nice(!!!) couple of families, plus the family that Lorenzo works for, and you have a fast-paced Mafia romance full of action and wanting what shouldn't happen.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, but I do wish I had read the other series first. Definitely recommended by me.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 9, 2025

[Lula Brielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, before you read His Forbidden Obsession, you must read the entire Theirot family series, in order. There are a few running gags that makes the book that much more enjoyable. Once you finish with the original series, and you've becomed captived with this powerful New Orleans mob family, meet this new branch of cousins.

Lorenzo will do anything for his younger brothers, but he always follows the head of the Theirot's family's orders. And no one ever crosses Remington Theirot. One of those orders is to stay away from their Russian rival's son Nikolai.

Niko is set to be married to another Russian family's daughter, but secretly he's being sold off to pay for his abusive father's debts. The moment Renzo and Niko lay eyes on each other, their desire was unavoidable. With danger coming at them from both sides, can they withstand the feud or is an incoming war inevitable?

Special thank you to Silvia Violet and Gay Romance Reviews for providing me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ana Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more!

Where have I been this whole time that I didn’t know about this series!? I’m annoyed at myself for not knowing what an amazing series I was missing out on.

Violet is a new to me author and I can’t wait to read all the other books!

I love forbidden love stories and this one was as forbidden as they come. Lorenzo wanting Nico from the moment he saw him and getting him was all kinds of swoony and hot.

There’s something so sexy about a mafia man falling for the enemy that just makes my heart melt. Especially when said enemy is such a sweet, beautiful man.

Nico deserved better parents but especially a better father. That man deserves to burn in the deepest pits of hell😡 I’m glad his new found family saw how precious he was.

Lorenzo had no defenses whatsoever against Nico’s charm. There was no way he would let him go no matter what his boss said. They were just perfect for each other.

I really loved this story. I’m definitely gonna check out the rest of the books because if they’re as good as this one, I’m in for a treat.

[Michelle N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silvia Violet brings us back to New Orleans and the Theriot family with His Forbidden Obsession. We are introduced to Theriot cousin Lorenzo and his brothers in this new novel. There is nothing more important to Lorenzo than his family and taking care of his brothers is his primary concern. This has always been the focus of his life until he meets Niko at a rival crime family gathering. Lorenzo is captivated by Niko and the two men are drawn to each other.
When Lorenzo realizes the danger Niko is in, he not only risks himself to protect him but he risks his place within the Theriot family. The deeper Lorenzo falls for Niko, the more he is willing to risk.
This was a wonderful story set in the Theriot family universe. I love the dynamic between Niko and Lorenzo. Silvia Violet introduced us to several new characters, who I hope have books soon. She also brought in many characters from her previous novels. You do not have to read any of the other books to understand the dynamics in this story.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re fucking bossy. Does that come from being the oldest?”
“Yes and no, but I’m only bossy with those I care about.”
'He sucked in his breath, and I rushed out the door. What the fuck made me say that?'

I loved this book. Good world building and wonderful characters. I liked Lorenzo, but I loved Nikolai. There was something precious about him to me that really drew me in. I liked the dynamic between them and the pacing of their developing relationship. Their chemistry sizzled. This story was fast-paced with suspense, intrigue, danger, and action. I wasn't entirely crazy about Lorenzo's attitude/view of Niko at first, but then I was all in. I loved Lorenzo's brothers, Dante and Rafe, and how supportive they were of their oldest brother and his budding relationship. I think they could tell Lorenzo's feelings for Niko more than Lorenzo himself could. There was also a sharp contrast in the relationship between Lorenzo and his brothers from Nikolai and his father. I was hooked. 5 stars

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story so much. I haven't read a lot of mafia romance, though I think this will be changing for me, and I really enjoyed this story.

Lorenzo meets Niko for the second time at Niko's engagement party. But Lorenzo knows that the marriage is an alliance, there is no love between Niko and his fiancee, that it's to merge two Russian mafia families together. So he feels no compunction about seducing Niko. Of course it's nowhere near that simple. Lorenzo tries to deny it but he falls in love with Niko almost immediately. Niko is kept away from the world but his mother helps him escape and sends him to Lorenzo, who tries to keep away from him and protect him, but the pull is too much.

Lots of near misses, intrigue and action ensue, and a (very) eventual happy ending works out after a lot of twists and turns. Great story and I can't wait to read more by this author.

I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read quite a few books by this author that I've enjoyed. This one, unfortunately, fell flat for me.

Things happened way too fast, and Lorenzo's frequently throwing out 'you owe me' didn't having me liking him a whole lot. He also put Niko in a really bad and dangerous position by being seen in the hallway outside of Niko's door and by leaving his tie in his room.

For Lorenzo and the others - including the main boss - to be so-called mobsters, they didn't do a very good job of protecting or keeping people out.

Too much sex at the worst possible times.

I didn't realize this was a spin-off of sorts of another series. Throughout the entire book I felt like I had been dropped into a world without backstories. Now I know why. The others did have backstories, but I wasn't aware of that before I picked up the book.

Doubtful I'll read Dante's story. He and Rafe are really the only characters I liked in this book, but I'm not feeling this world.