Brutal Possession: A Steamy Enemies To Lovers Dark Mafia Romance

by Shira Knight

"Twisty, dark, sizzling and definitely spicy!" 5 Stars NetGalley Review
"Super phenomenal read! Had me feeling all the feelings." NetGalley Review
"Absolute fantastic book. Loved it from start to finish. Five stars." NetGalley Review
"The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat." NetGalley Review

Kidnapped By Brooklyn's Most Feared Mafia Boss

Will She Melt His Ruthless Heart?

TINO
I'll take her. Break her. Ruin her.
That's my deadly vow for Senator Matthews' spoilt brat daughter.
They call me the Ice King of Brooklyn for a reason.
I don't feel. I don't forgive. I don't forget.
Matthews wants to destroy my family's Mafia empire?
His sheltered princess will pay the price.
But my hostage doesn't cower.
She bites back.
With a fierce fire that burns through my ice.
She's my captive. My enemy. My weapon.
So why does her defiant spirit make me crave her completely?

CINDY
Being kidnapped by the head of the Marelli Mafia wasn't part of my plan.
Ruthless. Commanding. Utterly possessive.
He thinks I'm Daddy's pampered princess with no spine and no secrets.
He has no idea.
I'm nobody's victim. Not anymore.
His brutal touch makes me forget I should be running.
And the most terrifying part?
I want to watch his ice crack. His control shatter.
I want to make this heartless Ice King burn.

What to know about Brutal Enemies-to-lovers to all-consuming obsessionForced proximity/captive romanceTouch her and die, possessive AlphaTortured, morally grey Mafia bossPulse-pounding tension and steamy scenesShocking revelationsHEA guaranteedAll content warnings listed on Shira’s websiteBrutal Possession is a full-length, scorching, obsessive enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity DARK MAFIA ROMANCE with mature themes. Book 1 in the Brooklyn Brutal It can be read as a standalone.

Brooklyn Brutal Dark Mafia Romance Series
The Marelli Brothers
#1 Brutal Possession
#2 Brutal Surrender
#3 Brutal Desire
#4 Brutal Hunger

522 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2026

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is honestly everything a mafia romance should be 💯

Tino is ruthless, cold and completely obsessed once Cindy is in his grasp. He is not pretending to be nice, he is possession, control and violence wrapped in a suit 🫠Cindy pushes back, she has bit and she refuses to stay small and that tension between them crackles the whole timeee 🔥

I loved the power dynamic and chemistry. Every interaction feels charged and a little dangerous 🤭 The spice is heavy and it totally fits the story perfectly 🥵

I loved (and cried at) how broken they both are. The twists kept coming and the pacing never slowed down.

buckle up 🖤

Tropes
🖤 enemies to lovers
🔥 obsessive alpha
🔒 captive romance
🩸 morally grey mafia boss
🥀 power imbalance
💣 explosive tension

[jakes v · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First off, I want to thank NetGalley for sending me this ARC. So appreciative!!

Ok, it took me a minute to finish this one, partially because this was my first mafia romance, but also because I was simultaneously reading another dark romance, so a lot of the beats started feeling predictable. My fault for trying to double dip in the same vibe at once.
With all that being said, I loved the writing. I was hooked from chapter one. There’s something about Shira Knight’s pacing and the way she drops tension that just keeps you locked in. Honestly, I kind of wish I had been reading only this book at the time so I could’ve sunk deeper into it, because it definitely deserved my full attention. & yes, I will absolutely be reading more from this author.

The FMC? Love her. She did annoy my entire being at one point, but honestly, she ate with her persistency. She’s stubborn in the way that makes you want to yell at her and root for her at the same time.
The MMC… ugh. Love me an obsessed man. He’s unhinged, devoted, intense, exactly the flavor of chaos I go to dark romance for.

Overall, Brutal Possession gave me the drama, the tension, and the obsessive energy I was hoping for, even if my reading choices at the time made parts feel a little familiar. Still absolutely worth the read, and I’m ready for whatever Shira Knight drops next.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“I’ve been known to leave marks.”

Getting all hot and horny over the Mafia boss who kidnapped you like some twisted romantasy. What’s next? Writing your couple name in your Notes app? “Cino?” “Tindy?”

“Every door in this house opens for me. Including the one to your heart, while you’re under my roof.”

[Deana-Coffee, Books, Life Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Brutal Possession is a dark mafia romance that will hook you from the first page. Shira Knight is a new author to me, who has caught my attention.

Tino is a mob boss who gets what he wants, even if he has to make it happen himself. Better plans to put in a bill that will destroy his family’s empire, but Tino decides he is going to strike before his opposition even has the time to plan. He is the ice king of Brooklyn after all. What he doesn’t expect is for his plan to come with spitfire and bite.

Cindy is the senator’s daughter and most people think she’s a spoiled princess. Little do they know this woman has a backbone and knows how to bite back. Being kidnapped by the mafia boss was not on her bingo card, but here it is. As much as she should hate the man,she can’t help but feel something whether she wants to or not.

Brutal Possession is an extremely spicy, like fan yourself, hot dark mafia romance. Overall, this was a good book. It has character development, and twists you do not see coming. We get some extremely intense moments and some great banter. And that spice is truly spicy. I do feel some parts were repetitive. Making some parts of the book move slower while other parts are moving pretty quickly. I do like the writing style and I did find the story entertaining.

I personally didn’t think this was too dark of a dark romance. With that being said, please check the trigger warnings and remember that your mental health is always the most important.

[Chaos Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brutal Possession is a very spicy dark mafia romance that focuses more on power dynamics and erotic tension than on a complex plot.

The story follows a mafia boss who kidnaps the daughter of his rival and becomes entangled with her both physically and emotionally. While the plot itself is fairly simple, two major twists added tension and helped carry the story. The writing is direct and easy to read, making it accessible even for non-native English readers.

Despite being a page-turner, the book felt somewhat too long. The pacing drags in the middle with repetitive scenes, while some story-relevant moments could have benefited from more depth. The relationship development is clearly unrealistic, especially given the kidnapping trope, but this is something readers of mafia romance will likely expect.

The emotional impact of the book comes less from romance and more from heavier, psychologically distressing moments related to the FMC’s past abuse (trigger warnings apply). The spice, however, is the clear highlight: intense, visual, and very well written.

Overall, I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy extremely spicy dark mafia romances and are comfortable with dark themes, a lighter plot, and some flaws. As my first dark romance, it definitely sparked my interest in the genre.

[Bárbara Araújo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very first page. It’s a spicy, dark mafia romance that delivers far more than the genre typically promises. What truly stood out to me were the unexpected twists—just when I thought I had the plot figured out, the author surprised me again. I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting because I simply couldn’t put it down.

The character development is one of the strongest aspects of the story. Both main characters carry emotional wounds and complicated pasts, and the way their arcs unfold feels intense, raw, and deeply engaging. The MMC is obsessively devoted and incredibly demanding in a way that fits perfectly with the dark mafia vibe, while the FMC is determined, resilient, and refuses to be broken, no matter what she faces. Their dynamic is addictive, full of tension, chemistry, and moments that had me holding my breath.

If you’re looking for a dark romance with an obsessive MMC, a tough FMC who never gives up, and a plot filled with unexpected turns, this book will definitely be your next obsession.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Whispers of ink · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Thank you, NetGalley, for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

"Brutal Possession" is a spicy dark mafia romance focused on power dynamics and erotic tension rather than a complex plot. The story follows a mafia boss who kidnaps his rival's daughter, creating a complicated and intense relationship. While the plot is straightforward, surprising twists maintain the tension. The writing is clear and accessible, making it easy for readers, including non-native English speakers.

Though it's a page-turner, the book feels a bit lengthy, with slower pacing and some repetitive scenes in the middle. The relationship development may seem unrealistic due to the kidnapping, but fans of the genre will likely expect that.

The story touches on heavier themes, including past abuse (trigger warnings apply), but the intensity of the romance is the standout feature—it's vividly written!

Overall, I'd recommend this to fans of spicy dark mafia romances who are comfortable with darker themes and simpler plots. It sparked my interest in the genre!

[Read With Momma Shark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a longtime fan of dark mafia romance, so I went into Brutal Possession expecting this to be firmly in my wheelhouse. While it delivered heat and intensity, it didn’t fully land for me overall.
The pacing is fast and the possessive dynamic is front and center, but I found the story leaned more on repetition than escalation. The tension stayed on the surface instead of deepening, and I never quite felt the emotional pull I usually look for in this genre. I wanted more complexity beneath the obsession, more progression in the connection, and higher stakes as the story unfolded.
That said, the writing is smooth, the spice is plentiful, and the tone is consistently dark. This wasn’t a bad read — it just didn’t stand out for me the way I hoped, especially compared to other mafia romances that push harder on character depth and emotional impact.
A solid, readable entry in the genre, but not a personal standout.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[MaguiWorld · Rating 2 out of 5]

¿Qué me pasó con esta historia? De pronto se volvió tan bizarra que no podía casi continuar. Me gustó la premisa, pense que se iba a manejar de otra manera, tenia muchisimo potencial! Pero personalmente sentí que cada vez se ponía mas irreal. A ver, no es que estas cosas vayan a pasar en la vida real ni lejos, ni de esa manera... pero sentía que el vinculo entre ellos cada vez era mas bizarro y solo querian que tuvieran vinculos sexuales, que la manera de presionarla a ella era ridicula...

Siento que no fue para mi, pero estoy segura que muchas otras lectoras de este estilo de dark mafia romance pueden disfrutarlo y llevarse un buen rato de entretenimiento.

Es ligero de leer, entretenido, los capítulos se pasan volando y a final de cuentas es ideal para despejarse de la realidad.

Muchas gracias Mitchell & Joseph LTD por el ARC que leí en Netgalley a cambio de una reseña honesta.

[Sarah Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my intro to Shira Knight, and it absolutely packs a punch!

I really enjoyed the pace of this book, it felt like a rapid pulse, from the very first page you're thrust into the story of Tino and his brothers. The pages keep turning from there, the continuation of the story as Tino and his brothers have grown and become powerful members of the Marelli Family.

The plot evolves quickly from there between Tino and Cindy. It's intense, full of banter and spice, and the connection between them is undeniable - despite everything that Cindy does to pretend otherwise.

I loved Cindy so much, how determined she was in so many different aspects. She made me want to strangle her as often as she made me laugh. I think she's so incredibly relatable, she just wants to be loved and is willing to do whatever it takes to get that. She is truly resilient to her core, even at the detriment of herself. Tino, ohhhhh Tino, he is incredibly intense and so memorable. And while yes, he was damaged and understandably so, there is a string of pureness that runs through him when it comes to his family and those he loves and I eat that up every single time. I loved watching him find a new part of himself, outside of the Marelli Family and it's need for his leadership.

Tino and Cindy together are incredible together.

I wasn't expecting the twist, I was so engrossed in the plot that when it hit I was shocked. The reveal was so perfectly timed, keeping the pace going and the intensity high for Tino and Cindy.

This was fast paced, intense, with so many emotions and spice packed into it to keep the pages turning quickly.

[Allison Free · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brutal Possession is the story of Tino Marelli, head of the Marelli Mafia, kidnapping the senators daughter to get him to squash a legislative bill that targets his family. There are some good twists in the end of the book but it just wasn't enough to carry the story. The spice is good but the overall plot of the story is very basic and weak.

My two biggest hang ups with the book was how juvenile it sounded at times. Phrases like my bad girl pussy, girl cum, clitty-fabulous climax, and referring to her pubic hair as her girly hair down there. I know the FMC was 'undercover' and using a fake ditzy persona but these phrases were all used in her own inner monologue so it didn't feel to be part of her cover. The other big issue for me was Tino is described as having white hair through the entire book so not sure why the cover is a man with dark hair.

Thank you NetGalley, Mitchell & Joseph LTD, and Shira Knight for a copy of this book

[Amanda Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal Possession is the first book in the Brooklyn Brutal series by Shira Knight. This was my first read by Shira Knight and it won’t be my last. Brutal Possession is the perfect start of a series that I can’t wait to continue. As a mafia romance reader; this was a perfect mafia read. Brutal Possession is deliciously dark, twisty and spicy.
Let’s talk about Cindy and Tino. Tino is the perfect mafia boss; hes the perfect shade of morally grey and Cindy is his perfect match. The author did a good job with their character development. The tension between Cindy and Tino was chef’s kiss. Their back and forth lead to intense chemistry. And their spice had me blushing.
This book hooked me from the first page and kept my attention until the last word. I ended up reading this book Un one sitting. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat. Thanks NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[DeeG Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brutal Possession – Shira Knight
⭐ 3 stars

The Ice King of Brooklyn does not play. Tino Morelli is intense, obsessive, and absolutely feral for Cindy Matthews — the politician’s daughter he refuses to let go of. This one is dark, fast, chaotic, and impossible to look away from.

Tropes:
• Mafia / Organized Crime
• Stalker vibes
• Abduction / Captive
• Trauma
• Very, very dark
• Dual POV
• 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (and then some)

A wild, high-heat ride with strong backstories and twisty surprises. The MMC totally stole the show for me — intense, layered, and magnetic. The FMC… whew, she had her moments, but sometimes her communication had me wanting to shake her gently like a snow globe.

Fast read. Heavy spice. Big emotions. Dark romance lovers will eat this up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All views are my own.

[Lexi - LexJustRead · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book but I had to DNF around 50%. I found that some of the writing felt juvenile with phrases such as "girl nipples" and "girly hair". Why refer to the FMC's pubic hair as "girly hair" but use "pubic hair" for the MMC? I felt that there was a lack of character building for the FMC, there were a lot of repeated flashbacks for the MMC. Also, the MMC repeating his grandfather's name almost every time he mentioned him got old very quickly. The FMC lost her strength when the spice really started and I feel like her personality almost vanished? Like you do it with this guy and just completely forget who you are? Also, the cover art seems to be AI which is just as disappointing, it doesn't even match the character's description at all.

[☾⋆⁺yuli₊˚⊹♡ R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review. Well here it is:
Rating: 4.5/5 🌟

I loved this book! It was such a page turner and the twists and turns and the unexpected characters were unbelievable. I thought I knew it all but I didn't know there was a connection between Cindy and Angel. I loved the dark secrets between them and how they eventually were comfortable with each other to share that. Their relationship was very passionate and beautiful. The way they compliment each other and how Angel fits right into the family is so well done. I love the plot of how only Angel can melt his heart and make him come out of his shell.

I just wish we got to see the wedding and all but overall I loved this book!

[Victoria Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The twists and turns were good. The connections were good. The spice is A1. Super spicy.

I loved the main characters but I lowkey loved Sofia and Apollo. I’m excited to read their story next and get answers to this book’s cliffhanger. But I would have loved to hear about how she was able to tame his playboy self. Either way, I’m gonna be back for book 2!

That being said, I have an issue with one part in particular where the MMC, a tough killer mafia man, says “sit your behind down” I don’t feel like that’s accurate. He would def say “sit your ass down”. He cusses in other parts of the book so why not right there?

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up all night to read this book. I kept telling myself one more chapter but then there were some twists and turns, and before I knew it I had only five hours left until my alarm clock was supposed to go off. I have zero regrets though!
This is a very classic mafia romance that had just the perfect element of darkness and whole lot of smut. It was well paced and had some extra surprises along the way. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Whitney Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was MESSY! (But in a good way!)
I went in expecting your typical dark romance, and while it was, it was also more!
Tino and Cindy are just absolutely broken people from two different worlds but when the collide(well when he kidnaps her), they explode with lust, love, and messy, super messy emotions. And somewhere in between they heal what is broken in eachother’s hearts.
Super phenomenal read! Had me feeling all the feelings, and was just an excellent story!

[Lovetoread2023 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m honestly not really sure what I’ve just read. I found Brutal Possession very strange, and unfortunately, my overall experience wasn’t good.
While the writing itself wasn’t terrible, the story and characters never really came together for me. I often felt confused and disconnected, and the book just didn’t hold my interest. The tone and themes weren’t to my taste at all.
This may work for other readers, but it simply wasn’t for me.

[Sharon Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow! This book is unbelievable. What a fantastic read. I felt every feeling, every move of this book. Passion, Fire, Twists, Possession, Intrigue, it has it all. Brilliant mobster family, full of traditions but also feeling and humanity. My goodness, what a fabulous book to start the new year with. This book will catch your imagination, feel it with them as your reading it. Absolute genius. Loved loved loved, cannot wait for the next in this series. Brilliant 👏👏👏

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy mafia romances, especially those that feature power dynamics and erotic elements, and this one didn't disappoint. It's easy to read and a real page-turner, filled with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. You'll find yourself holding your breath during the tense moments. This is a fantastic start to a new series, and I will definitely be looking out for the second installment.

[Brooke Heston · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve read so many great mafia romances, and this, unfortunately, is not one of them.
I had to DNF at 80%. I kept hoping it was going to get better so I tried to push through, but I just couldn’t.
I honestly don’t know where to start.
The grammar, the writing, the language- it’s all over the place, not cohesive by any means.
It COULD be “steamy” but the lack of… everything (?) just does not do it.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

**An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) was kindly provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

The writing made this an absolute page-turner, I flew through it so quickly! While I enjoyed the writing and banter, the characters just didn't click for me. It was an entertaining read and I think it will do well with the right audience.

[Kellie April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book hooked me from the first chapter!
I kept thinking i had a handle on what was to come but then out of no where the twist went the other direction!
I love when something this dark and spicy has a plot that can keep up with it! No minor thing mentioned was for no reason and that’s what will bring us all back for book 2!

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 steamy hot stars what a book.Tino and Angel’s story is not a normal love story it’s a story of betrayal and trust and all the stuff what comes in between.what about parents are they always perfect??? the storyline is amazing it kept me hooked from start to finish it’s a very spicy book I would definitely recommend.

[clare sirrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Content warning is there for a reason! 🌶🌶🌶🌶

The characters  certainly get into your mind. It hits with all the spice of a dark mafia romance , with a twist in the plot that you don't see coming. The characters  run into the deepest parts of your mind

His famiglia is sacred and his name 🔥feared 

Can"t wait to see how the wildcard plays out ....

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading the engaging and intriguing story. When Tino, the head of the Morelli Mafia, kidnaps Cindy, the daughter of a. politician, he wants Cindy with a. passion. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of twists and turns, and a must read riveting romance story,

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was filled with plenty of spice! The characters were perfectly written and I loved how it had some twists I didn’t see coming. I couldn’t put it down and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book truly gave me a roller coaster of emotions, like I was not sure how everything was going to play out. There’s some great plot twists and the chemistry is crazy in this book. If there’s a second book I will be reading it, IMMEDIATELY.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There is nothing I like better than a dark romance with a storyline and a twist. I didn’t want to put it down. Highly recommend.

[Gina Burkart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is spicy mafia read that I enjoyed reading. This keep me on the edge of my seat.