My Father's Enemy

by Jenny Pineapple

He’s my father’s sworn enemy—and the most dangerous man I’ve ever wanted.

Mason Romano is young, unprepared, and still nursing a broken heart. When his father sends him to negotiate with Vittorio Santini, a ruthless mafia boss and lifelong rival, he expects hostility, not temptation.

Vittorio should see Mason as nothing more than a pawn. Instead, he sees a challenge… and a desire he can’t ignore.
What begins as a tense business meeting spirals into a dangerous game of power, passion, and the one thing neither man ever expected.

My Father’s Enemy is a 16k word, fast-paced, forbidden age-gap MM romance short story with bi-awakening.

Genres: M M Romance, Novella, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Dark Romance, Contemporary, Gay

69 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You’re so fucking pretty, Mason. That’s why everyone wants you.”

Age gap (22 & 43) romance between a young man trying to prove himself by negotiating a business deal with his father's rival. When the rival turns out to be very hot, negotiations devolve somewhat 😂. The business rival thing didn't feel very accurate but the romance was very sweet. If you've been thinking about giving one of the Jenny Pineapple novellas a try, this one is a solid choice!

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story from start to finish. The tension between these two as their business meeting quickly erupts shows how their egos and determination in business swiftly shift into an unknown territory filled with passion, chemistry, and attraction.

Watching both of these powerful men circle one another waiting for the other to fold and show their cards creates a great amount of tension while you wait for one to finally give into their simmering chemistry that was just incredible to see.  

Discovering unknown feelings for your dad's enemy while trying to broker a deal is one heck of a fun premise. It fully delivered, and I couldn't get enough of this steamy romance. I highly recommend this novella.  

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[alex :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

i was expecting this to be more of an enemies to lovers trope, but it was more so insta lust/love. still enjoyed it, but wished the intimate scenes were a bit more steamier ;)

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Marco + Vittorio
Age gap | Bi-awakening | Brat


This story was less developed than some of Jenny's other novellas. I wish some parts were more detailed instead of brushed over. But it wasnt bad.


⚠️potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists






Tropes/content:
Father's business rival and enemy
Age gap (22 and 43)
Bi-awakening
Taunting
Brat
"Old man" taunts
"Little shit"
"See something you like?"
Business meeting turned shit talking and punching turned desperate making out and frotting
Vittorio takes a business call while balls deep in Mason, dares him to stay quiet
Strict roles
HFN
They tell Mason's dad after they've been together 2 months and agree to move in together. He doesnt love it but doesnt really fight it


Warnings:
Mentions of Marco getting cheated on previously
Marco punches Vittorio in the face during their first meeting

[Moraa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well put together in true JP fashion but this one lacked that… je ne sais quoi. Mason, the MC, was well rounded but I would’ve liked to see a little more character exploration on Vittorio’s side, just a tiny bit more given this was a short.

Expect
- Age gap
- Forced proximity
- Forbidden romance

Kindle freebie: 6.9.25

[Peppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay but this setup?! Immediately had me hooked. Your father’s enemy, mafia boss, tense deal…like hello?? The tension was already there before anything even happened.

Mason and Vittorio are basically circling each other the whole time and you can just feel it building. It’s all looks, power plays, who’s gonna give in first and when it finally does snap?? Yeah…it delivers!!

For such a short novella, it honestly packs a lot. You’ve got ego, control, attraction, all tangled together in the best way. I especially loved how Mason starts catching feelings he definitely didn’t expect, while Vittorio is just fully leaning into that dangerous, “I shouldn’t want this but I do” energy.

trops/kinks/safety
🖤age-gap
🖤forbidden romance
🖤mafia
🖤enemies to lovers
🖤power imbalance/play
🖤forced proximity
🖤bi awakening
🖤first time
🖤asshole sex mentioned

[Ninni · Rating 3 out of 5]

JP delivers another hot, insta lovey novel. This time young bratty guy and super hot enemy of dad's. 2.5 ⭐⭐⭐

[meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Father's Enemy: ★ ★ ★ ★ . 5

Jenny Pineapple

“I was yours the moment you had the audacity to call me ‘old man.’”

Hot and spicy. This was such a fun novella with all my favorite tropes: dad’s enemy, age gap, and bi awakening. Surprisingly sweet as well! A good, fun time.

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3 stars

Jenny Pineapple doesn't miss but this one hit... less lol. The setup was decent enough but the moment where the tension broke was too out of nowhere for me. The build up needed more imo. And I think she's done better in similar length shorts to flesh the MCs out more - here they didn't feel as real. I also didn't love anything to do with the dad, I thought things were gonna go differently than they did.

But they were still hot together and I will always love a scene where one MC is on the phone and the other has to keep quiet. I also loved that she put an epilogue in this one so we could see these guys a couple months out. I wish she did that in all of her shorts because it would allow for more love confessions in her stories and I'm a big ol' slut for those.

Pet names: baby

“I see someone out of his depth but too proud to admit it.” He pauses, his gaze sharpening. “And I see someone sent as a sacrificial pawn in a game he doesn’t understand.” The words hit like a slap. Sacrificial pawn. Out of my depth. I’ve heard variations of this my whole life. Mason isn’t serious enough. Mason isn’t ready. Mason is just a pretty face.

I study him for a long moment. The son of my enemy, with fire in his eyes. I should be cautious. I should be strategic. Instead, I find myself wanting to see how much pressure this beautiful, angry young man can withstand before he breaks—or before he pushes back.

“You don’t even know me.” “I know enough.” I reach out, cupping his cheek in my palm. He doesn’t pull away this time. “I know you’re smarter than you pretend to be. Braver than you should be. And fucking beautiful when you’re angry.”

“This is crazy,” I murmur. “We barely know each other.” “Then stay and let me know you better,” he says, as if it’s the simplest thing in the world.

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Safety (may contain spoilers)

SA/rape: None

Other person drama: None. Mason was recently cheated on by and broke up with a boyfriend but there's no drama, it just explains why Mason is feeling a little bitter.

[Raven || The Reader Identity · Rating 4 out of 5]

{My Father's Enemy by Jenny Pineapple}
📱 EBOOK - Kindle Unlimited
2026📚: 77/150
☆☆☆☆

💘 Vittorio + Mason

This one gets a SOLID 4 star rating for THAT entire scene sequence. Because good lord.

We've got a big age gap, a negotiation meeting turned into frantic frotting, a night of passion, and then a decent little ending.

I liked how bratty Mason was. I liked how much Vittorio liked how bratty Mason was. These two were SO sweet, honestly.

🅃🅁🄾🄿🄴🅂
🖤 mm forbidden romance
💋 age gap >20 years
🖤 bi-awakening
💋 father's sworn enemy
▪︎
▪︎
▪︎

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t bad. More sex than anything. We don’t really know much about the characters. I’m just confused as to why they even wasted time telling Mason’s dad about their relationship. He seemed like he didn’t give a shit about Mason and wanted to see him fail. He deserved a big F you instead of them wanting his blessing. That was weird to me.

Safe. No others. No virgins. Age gap 22/43. HFN (living together)

[Sara Husser · Rating 5 out of 5]

😏 No? You don't make a habit of seducing your father's enemies? 😉

"Vittorio Santini doesn't just walk into the room. He claims it. Like the air itself rearranges to accommodate him."

"This is the man my father has cursed at dinner tables for years. The competitor he wants to destroy. The enemy he's sent me to face alone. And I want to climb him like a tree. F***. I am so screwed."

"I expect him to beg for forgiveness and plead with me not to hurt him. Instead, his lips part, and I feel something hard press against my thigh. The realization hits me. He's turned on. This f****** kid is hard while I'm threatening him."

"This is what you wanted all along, isn't it? To climb into my lap and rub yourself against me like a cat in heat?"

"This isn't how I usually operate."
"No? You don't make a habit of seducing your father's enemies?"

"This isn't me. I don't lose control. I don't get hard for men, and I certainly don't jerk off with the spoiled sons of my business rivals."

I have loved everything this author has written, and now I think this story might be my favorite. This is a short, spicy, sweet, and snarky story. Add in a bi awakening and age gap, you have gold.

This story follows Vittorio and Mason. Mason is sent to make a business deal with Vittorio, who is his father's business rival. He was brought up to hate Vittorio. As soon as he lays eyes on him, he wants to climb him like a tree 😂. The business deal takes a turn when Mason punches him and then kisses him. Will he end up falling for his father's enemy?

I loved the chemistry and tension between these two. Mason was sweet but has fire. He wouldn't step down and took what he wanted. Vittorio was a ruthless older man people feared. He loved that Mason didn't fear him. He was so protective of Mason 🥹. The spice was spicing hard 🥵🥵🔥🔥🔥. I loved the smidgen of hurt/comfort in this, too. The ending and HEA in this story were perfect 🥰.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the world of business there can be some ruthless players. Mason's father is one as is his biggest rival, Vittorio. Vittorio is also a ruthless mafia boss and by all rights should be a man to be feared. Sending Mason to do his business for him, Mason's father is effectively sending his son into the wolve's den.

Mason is nursing a broken heart but is determined to do better for himself going forward and not just in the romance department but also in his father's eyes. He might be nervous but he wants to show he can stand up to the other man, Vittorio is not his enemy, the man is his father's rival and Mason knows he can do this, he can negotiate a deal. What he gets is so much more. And for Vittorio the outcome couldn't be more unexpected. For the reader it is a passionate, intense story, one that keeps you on your toes whilst falling head over heels for both men.

There are moments when you might feel able to smirk, after all I doubt any mafia are lurking to check your reactions but better to be safe. There are moments when your heart may be in your throat, after all throwing a punch at a bigger, older and more powerful man is not always advised but somewhere along the way, during the meeting, Mason finds his strength. He also finds that he might have a power over Vittorio and the other man is more than happy to play, to do so much more. The passion is hot, unexpected and blended with the other aspects of this story makes it impossible to put down. Another masterpiece of storytelling from Jenny Pineapple.

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

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

I’ve liked quite a few of Jenny Pineapple’s books, and My Father’s Enemy was another hit for me. From start to finish, I loved this short but fiery story.

The setup is deliciously forbidden—your father’s sworn enemy, a ruthless mafia boss, a tense business deal that spirals into temptation. Mason and Vittorio circle each other like predators, testing boundaries, waiting for the other to break. The tension is palpable, and when it finally snaps, the chemistry is explosive.

For a short novella, it packs in so much intensity—ego, power, passion, and attraction all tangled together. I loved watching Mason step into unexpected feelings while Vittorio leaned into a dangerous desire he couldn’t resist. The premise delivered exactly what I wanted: fast, forbidden, and hot. Highly recommend if you want a quick, steamy, age-gap, enemies-to-lovers ride.

Tropes: enemies to lovers · mafia romance · age gap · forbidden love · bi-awakening
Content Warnings: mafia violence, power imbalance, explicit scenes
Favorite Quote: “I’m done playing.” I lean in, my lips brushing his ear. “I want to feel you. Now.”

I received this book through Booksprout for my honest review

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I watch Mason over the rim of my wine glass, taking my time to truly see him. I’ve negotiated with hundreds of men, yet something about this boy has me shifting in my seat. He’s decidedly not my usual type. Yet here I am, cataloging the fullness of his lips, the way his throat works when he swallows his wine. This is a complication I didn’t anticipate.'

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Mason and Vittorio. The chemistry between them was scorching hot! I loved the power play. Vittorio was in a stronger position business-wise, but Mason didn't back down. And when things got physical... *fans self*

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Mason.”
“I’m done playing.” I lean in, my lips brushing his ear. “I want to feel you. Now.”
'This is different. My want for this man is so strong I can’t control it.'

Jenny Pineapple knows how to write chemistry fire between her characters! I was completely hooked! I wish this book was longer! 5 stars

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't ready for the intensity of this romance. This was a great read. Mason and Vittorio's chemistry was explosive from the start. This being a bi awakening was interesting and shows that sometimes you can't help who you are attracted to. I really didn't mind the age gap as much but I liked how the author kept it real with the relationship between Mason's dad and Vittorio. There's no love lost but all that matter's is the love between the MCs. Very Nice!

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

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Mason sent to negotiate with the thought that his father expected him to fail. I liked the unusual meeting that Mason and Vittorio had that eventually became love. As a bonus, they do make a deal.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man who takes his bi-awakening with fluid grace and acceptance. Usually there's a bit more self denial. It's a quick turn from enemies to lovers and full of steamy goodness.

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

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Father's Enemy is another wonderful book by Jenny Pineapple. This is a sexual awakening, age gap, fathers enemy to lover read about Mason and Vittorio. I just loved this story and it had my attention from the beginning.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When one mobster sends his young, nervous son to another mobster to broker a deal, things get intense. What with arguing a deal and trying to stay coherent, punching him in the face was not part of the plan. From then on it was intense, hot and intense. A short story that packs a punch.

[Wilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

Love, love LOVE these books! Always look forward to having one of these books to read! One of my favorite authors.

[Nehir16 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like jenny pineapples books🤭

[✨Shawna of the Shire✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually not a mafia type girly but this was lovely 🫶🏻

[Joanne Hatton · Rating 3 out of 5]

good quick easy read and enjoyed it

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

I’m enjoying this author writing style. Vittorio and Mason are such a juxtaposition to one another, but in the best way.

[Sarah Plant · Rating 2 out of 5]

hmmmm not good, or bad. just kinda needed… more

[Staniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm addicted to JP's stories

[Amy Crull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and steamy!

This is a short, steamy and the guys had incredible chemistry! I enjoyed reading this and how they interacted together!