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The Woman in the Hollow
Hazel just wanted a fresh start in a state where she got to see all four seasons. When she gets a job at a garden center and is tasked with setting up their fall extravaganza—hayrides, haunted trails, and pumpkin-spiced everything—she was thrilled.
She didn’t expect her boss’s mother to become her biggest fan… or to start matchmaking her with Dante.
Then Hazel stumbles over what she’s sure is a dead body in the haunted woods—and everyone insists it’s just another prop. But Hazel knows what she saw. And the deeper she digs, the more she realizes her cozy new job is hiding something rotten beneath the leaves.
Now someone wants her silence, and the only person who can keep her safe might be the one man she shouldn’t trust at all.
* this title can be read as a standalone
She didn’t expect her boss’s mother to become her biggest fan… or to start matchmaking her with Dante.
Then Hazel stumbles over what she’s sure is a dead body in the haunted woods—and everyone insists it’s just another prop. But Hazel knows what she saw. And the deeper she digs, the more she realizes her cozy new job is hiding something rotten beneath the leaves.
Now someone wants her silence, and the only person who can keep her safe might be the one man she shouldn’t trust at all.
* this title can be read as a standalone
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2025
89 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Gadziala
161 books5,384 followersJessica Gadziala is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in rural New Jersey with her parrots, dogs, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants. A lifelong dreamer, she’s been writing stories since childhood and published her first book in 2015. When not at her desk, she’s usually feeding backyard birds, rewatching crime dramas, period pieces, and 90s supernatural TV shows, or adding to her towering stacks of unread books.
You can find her on
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Jessica-Gadz...
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You can find her on
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Jessica-Gadz...
Newsletter: subscribepage.io/K4GPfj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicagadz...
Her Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/31454...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jessicagadz...
xx
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 26, 2025
For all mafia and Halloween romance lovers, this is a book for you.
Action-packed, creepy-thrilling, darkly exciting, and of course, romantic in a old-school mafia style.
I love the Grassi Family series.
You can read this book as a standalone.
You might miss some background information, but to be honest, that's not so important with this book.
The story is dark, mysterious, and set in a Halloween-creepy atmosphere.
Oh, and the chemistry between the characters is scorching hot from the beginning.
It's a perfect romance novel for the Halloween season.
I love all of Jessica Gadziala's books.
This one is another lovely surprise.
I enjoyed every second of this thrilling story.
Dante, a mafia capo.
Hazel, a woman searching for self-reliance and independence.
Don't fit together?
Oh, but only at first glance 😉
They fit together incredibly well.
From the very beginning, exactly what they were looking for in a future partner.
Yes, if it weren't for a few complications with the mafia world...
Read this book!
It's exactly what you need for a relaxing "bevor Halloween weekend".
Action-packed, creepy-thrilling, darkly exciting, and of course, romantic in a old-school mafia style.
I love the Grassi Family series.
You can read this book as a standalone.
You might miss some background information, but to be honest, that's not so important with this book.
The story is dark, mysterious, and set in a Halloween-creepy atmosphere.
Oh, and the chemistry between the characters is scorching hot from the beginning.
It's a perfect romance novel for the Halloween season.
I love all of Jessica Gadziala's books.
This one is another lovely surprise.
I enjoyed every second of this thrilling story.
Dante, a mafia capo.
Hazel, a woman searching for self-reliance and independence.
Don't fit together?
Oh, but only at first glance 😉
They fit together incredibly well.
From the very beginning, exactly what they were looking for in a future partner.
Yes, if it weren't for a few complications with the mafia world...
Read this book!
It's exactly what you need for a relaxing "bevor Halloween weekend".
Read
October 26, 2025NOW AVAILABLE!!
October 27, 2025
3.5 This seemed to be pitched as suspense…it was not. Still a good story.
October 27, 2025
Really liked Dante and Hazel’s story, especially like that it came out this time of year for the setting of the book
October 26, 2025
Another great story
I was sorry when the book ended .I loved Hazel and Dante .A great story and individual characters were great
I was sorry when the book ended .I loved Hazel and Dante .A great story and individual characters were great
October 25, 2025
A perfect blend of seasonal charm and suspense.
What begins as a fresh start for Hope, a native Florida gal in Jersey, who is working a perfect job at a garden center that goes all out on one of her favorite holidays - Halloween, - soon turns into something scarier than the haunted house they have on site.
Hope finds an actual dead body in the woods, not one of their fake ones for the haunted trails. She is confused when her boss Dante Grassi tries and convince her it was just a really good fake dead body. But her instincts tell her it was read and she is conflicted with her unexpected attraction Dante along with wondering why he is lying to her.
Another great mob romance. With its Halloween themed mystery, it was perfect for this time of year.
What begins as a fresh start for Hope, a native Florida gal in Jersey, who is working a perfect job at a garden center that goes all out on one of her favorite holidays - Halloween, - soon turns into something scarier than the haunted house they have on site.
Hope finds an actual dead body in the woods, not one of their fake ones for the haunted trails. She is confused when her boss Dante Grassi tries and convince her it was just a really good fake dead body. But her instincts tell her it was read and she is conflicted with her unexpected attraction Dante along with wondering why he is lying to her.
Another great mob romance. With its Halloween themed mystery, it was perfect for this time of year.
October 28, 2025
Loved it
These Grassi men just keep getting better and better.. I really hope Dom is the next...
Perfect book for me to read right before Halloween.. I now want to go to a haunted house..
These Grassi men just keep getting better and better.. I really hope Dom is the next...
Perfect book for me to read right before Halloween.. I now want to go to a haunted house..
October 27, 2025
Great story
Dante and Hazel fall in love in a garden centre over halloween, dead bodies and break-ins. As always it reads wonderfully with a bit of mafia thrown in. It's a really good story by Jessica with a HEA of course
Dante and Hazel fall in love in a garden centre over halloween, dead bodies and break-ins. As always it reads wonderfully with a bit of mafia thrown in. It's a really good story by Jessica with a HEA of course
October 26, 2025
Great mafia October read
This was a fun, quick read. I loved that it was Halloween-ish without being too ott about it. I love seeing all the mafia men get pushed into relationships by the moms. I will continue reading this series, patiently waiting for Smush's book.
This was a fun, quick read. I loved that it was Halloween-ish without being too ott about it. I love seeing all the mafia men get pushed into relationships by the moms. I will continue reading this series, patiently waiting for Smush's book.
October 24, 2025
I love all the Grassi books and characters, so I was thrilled that Dante & Hazel didn't disappoint. Love this story. Domenico really needs his own book and woman.
November 3, 2025
🇫🇷French & English reviews🇬🇧
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📖Genre & Tropes📖 : romance mafia x suspense plot x Halloween romance x cute heroine x sexy mobster x spicy
Une romance mafia spéciale Halloween à la fois sexy et mignonne que j’ai dévoré !!
Et pour conclure ce mois d’octobre, j’ai complètement succombé à cette romance d’Halloween ! J’ai adoré voir Dante tenter de résister puis succomber à ses sentiments pour Hazel <3
Et HAZEL !! C’est moi xD Obsédée par Halloween et Noël et tellement adorable, je l’ai adoré : tellement humaine et courageuse avec tous ses doutes ×
La romance était chaud bouillante et la fin tellement adorable <3
Bref, une romance mafieuse d’Halloween que je ne peux que recommander !
Pour plus de jolies chroniques 😘 : Mon Bujo tout en couleurs et en livres
⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐
A special Halloween mafia romance that's both sexy and cute, and I devoured it !
And to conclude October, I completely fell for this Halloween romance ! I loved watching Dante try to resist and then succumb to his feelings for Hazel <3
And HAZEL !! That's me xD Obsessed with Halloween and Christmas and so adorable, I loved it : so human and brave with all her doubts ><
The romance was scorching hot and the ending so sweet <3
In short, a Halloween mafia romance that I highly recommend !
For more pretty reviews 😘: My Bujo, all in color and books
[image error]
📖Genre & Tropes📖 : romance mafia x suspense plot x Halloween romance x cute heroine x sexy mobster x spicy
Une romance mafia spéciale Halloween à la fois sexy et mignonne que j’ai dévoré !!
Et pour conclure ce mois d’octobre, j’ai complètement succombé à cette romance d’Halloween ! J’ai adoré voir Dante tenter de résister puis succomber à ses sentiments pour Hazel <3
Et HAZEL !! C’est moi xD Obsédée par Halloween et Noël et tellement adorable, je l’ai adoré : tellement humaine et courageuse avec tous ses doutes ×
La romance était chaud bouillante et la fin tellement adorable <3
Bref, une romance mafieuse d’Halloween que je ne peux que recommander !
Pour plus de jolies chroniques 😘 : Mon Bujo tout en couleurs et en livres
⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐~⭐
A special Halloween mafia romance that's both sexy and cute, and I devoured it !
And to conclude October, I completely fell for this Halloween romance ! I loved watching Dante try to resist and then succumb to his feelings for Hazel <3
And HAZEL !! That's me xD Obsessed with Halloween and Christmas and so adorable, I loved it : so human and brave with all her doubts ><
The romance was scorching hot and the ending so sweet <3
In short, a Halloween mafia romance that I highly recommend !
For more pretty reviews 😘: My Bujo, all in color and books
October 25, 2025
Do you love Halloween, with all of its creepy, adrenaline-induced heart pounding activities? Well, new transplant to Navesink Bank, Hazel, sure does. It finally feels like everything is falling into place after leaving behind her cheating ex and her portion-obsessed, beauty pageant mother and right into a great job at the garden center that not only acknowledges the importance of Halloween but celebrates it in a massive way (and bonus points for the hot bosses). Until, of course, one night when clearing up vomit on one of the spooky woodland paths, she spots a fake corpse that isn’t in the right place. Only it’s not a mannequin, but a real dead human body.
As with all of the Grassi siblings, it seems like managing awkward and dangerous situations for a potential love interest is kind of a bad habit. Since the garden center is one of the mafia family’s legitimate businesses that just so happens to launder money for their less legitimate interests, Dante makes sure to keep a reasonably close eye on it. Having “hired” his cousin Domenico while he serves out his period of parole following his recent release from a period of incarceration, Dante knows that Dom’s foul-mouthed, snarling personality isn’t great for front of house. As such, he's grateful for Hazel’s cheerful efficiency. And her gorgeous face. And stunning other assets.
So when Hazel runs screaming from the woods that night, his protective Grassi instincts kick in and WOW what a great story! I couldn’t put this book down until I found out what happened.
As with all of the Grassi siblings, it seems like managing awkward and dangerous situations for a potential love interest is kind of a bad habit. Since the garden center is one of the mafia family’s legitimate businesses that just so happens to launder money for their less legitimate interests, Dante makes sure to keep a reasonably close eye on it. Having “hired” his cousin Domenico while he serves out his period of parole following his recent release from a period of incarceration, Dante knows that Dom’s foul-mouthed, snarling personality isn’t great for front of house. As such, he's grateful for Hazel’s cheerful efficiency. And her gorgeous face. And stunning other assets.
So when Hazel runs screaming from the woods that night, his protective Grassi instincts kick in and WOW what a great story! I couldn’t put this book down until I found out what happened.
October 24, 2025
Oh I love Hazel and Dante!.
Hazel is a sweet woman with a love of the holidays, a nack for creativity and need of somewhere to fit and call home. Shes sweet, independent and genuine. Zero frills she's just a really likeable, easy to relate to character.
Dante is just delicious. A whole lot of tall dark and tempting in all the right ways. He's also dependable, protective, growly and sweet. Thr perfect man really. Plus the suits and the man can cook?... come to momma.
I loved these two together. The forbidden feel for the coworker / boss troupe with the building tension the delectable combustion. EVERYTHING. They had their fair share of situations to navigate through their journey but no once did I question if they would work. The connection, the chemistry the foundation of them felt solid and by the end, the epilogue solidified just why they where meant to be. I love them and their journey. It was heart felt, at times action packed and suspenseful and oh so sweet and funny.
Jessie always gives an abundance of great characters that we ALWAYS want more of and this is no different. These mafia families leave me envious of their crazy match making shenanigans, family dinners, an over abundance of love, support and protection. It's a crazy place to be but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Loved it.
Hazel is a sweet woman with a love of the holidays, a nack for creativity and need of somewhere to fit and call home. Shes sweet, independent and genuine. Zero frills she's just a really likeable, easy to relate to character.
Dante is just delicious. A whole lot of tall dark and tempting in all the right ways. He's also dependable, protective, growly and sweet. Thr perfect man really. Plus the suits and the man can cook?... come to momma.
I loved these two together. The forbidden feel for the coworker / boss troupe with the building tension the delectable combustion. EVERYTHING. They had their fair share of situations to navigate through their journey but no once did I question if they would work. The connection, the chemistry the foundation of them felt solid and by the end, the epilogue solidified just why they where meant to be. I love them and their journey. It was heart felt, at times action packed and suspenseful and oh so sweet and funny.
Jessie always gives an abundance of great characters that we ALWAYS want more of and this is no different. These mafia families leave me envious of their crazy match making shenanigans, family dinners, an over abundance of love, support and protection. It's a crazy place to be but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Loved it.
October 30, 2025
The Woman in the Hollow is the ninth book in the Grassi Family series by Jessica Gadziala. This is Dante’s book.
Dante is a really great guy. He’s a mafia capo who owns a garden center that he uses as a cover to laundry the family’s money. His cousin Domenico also works for him.
Hazel moves to town and starts working at the garden center where she falls in love with her new job. She didn’t know anything about the Grassi’s being a crime family, but learns all about it when she discovers a dead body in woods.
Dante and Hazel are so sweet together. He’s so gentle and understanding and patient with her. Dante realizes she may not like him once she learns the truth, but it doesn’t stop him from being protective and wanting to care for her. His mother Giulia, immediately begins doing everything she can to match make the two of them together.
There's a little action with a dead body and someone trying to harm the family. Ant is introduced who I liked and hope becomes part of the family. Dom also needs to find his special someone as well as Dante's sister Valley.
Another good book in the Navesink Bank and world that author JG has created.
Dante is a really great guy. He’s a mafia capo who owns a garden center that he uses as a cover to laundry the family’s money. His cousin Domenico also works for him.
Hazel moves to town and starts working at the garden center where she falls in love with her new job. She didn’t know anything about the Grassi’s being a crime family, but learns all about it when she discovers a dead body in woods.
Dante and Hazel are so sweet together. He’s so gentle and understanding and patient with her. Dante realizes she may not like him once she learns the truth, but it doesn’t stop him from being protective and wanting to care for her. His mother Giulia, immediately begins doing everything she can to match make the two of them together.
There's a little action with a dead body and someone trying to harm the family. Ant is introduced who I liked and hope becomes part of the family. Dom also needs to find his special someone as well as Dante's sister Valley.
Another good book in the Navesink Bank and world that author JG has created.
November 1, 2025
Dante & Hazel. The latest Grassi Family story (released 10/25) has newcomer Hazel working at Dante's garden center with Domenico (who I hope gets his own book). Halloween haunted house, haunted trail, maze, build your own scarecrow fun. She finds a dead body in the woods one night and tells Domenico & Dante who have to lie to protect family business. So begins the mystery of who killed one of their men and why while protecting Hazel when she's attacked in the woods. A budding romance between her & Dante blows up into passion. I love these books and the cross over characters and family. Dante's mom is a hoot with her matchmaking tendencies along with Smush & Valley appearing. I'm reading Gadziala's books in "Navesink Bank Universe" order and am fully embedded. On to the next in the series!
November 9, 2025
ANOTHER WINNER!!🎃👻🍕👻🎃
I really enjoyed this story!! As usual as with all of Jessica's book....it was suspenseful, swooney, humorous, and totally impossible to put down once started. I always love to read about the Grassi family. They are all such colorful and interesting people! The dynamics between the family is so heartwarming and I love how loyal, nebby, and supportive they are towards each other! The relationship between Dante and Hazel was low angst and satisfying sweet and romantic!! The book was suspenseful with a few twist...I love, love, love, an author who gives us epilogues!!! They were perfect and made my heart smile!! I highly recommend this book to snuggle up with and just enjoy the work of a very talented author! 😇
I really enjoyed this story!! As usual as with all of Jessica's book....it was suspenseful, swooney, humorous, and totally impossible to put down once started. I always love to read about the Grassi family. They are all such colorful and interesting people! The dynamics between the family is so heartwarming and I love how loyal, nebby, and supportive they are towards each other! The relationship between Dante and Hazel was low angst and satisfying sweet and romantic!! The book was suspenseful with a few twist...I love, love, love, an author who gives us epilogues!!! They were perfect and made my heart smile!! I highly recommend this book to snuggle up with and just enjoy the work of a very talented author! 😇
October 22, 2025
This book is So good! I I couldn’t put it down. The mystery and who-done-it aspect of the story definitely kept me on my toes!
Hazel works for Dante Grassi at his gardening center. It is Halloween, and the haunted house is up and running. There is an instant connection. But when things start happening to Hazel at work, she starts to wonder if it’s a good idea to get involved.
This book should be a definite Halloween / Spooky season read! It is really good and has the perfect seasonal vibes!
Hazel works for Dante Grassi at his gardening center. It is Halloween, and the haunted house is up and running. There is an instant connection. But when things start happening to Hazel at work, she starts to wonder if it’s a good idea to get involved.
This book should be a definite Halloween / Spooky season read! It is really good and has the perfect seasonal vibes!
November 16, 2025
Mama Giulia knows best!
Dantes story is a perfect fall read with everything you could want.
Hazel is newer to the area of Navesink Bank. She doesnt know what a unique town she has moved to. She gets a job at a cute local garden center and loves every moment of it. After the day she meets her boss (the owner), her life changes with many twists and turns.
JG gave us exactly what we needed in Dante Grassi's story, plus mama Giulia even gets some love in this one. Awww!
Maybe we will have a future story in Ant? He's a bit of a mystery hmmmm....
Dantes story is a perfect fall read with everything you could want.
Hazel is newer to the area of Navesink Bank. She doesnt know what a unique town she has moved to. She gets a job at a cute local garden center and loves every moment of it. After the day she meets her boss (the owner), her life changes with many twists and turns.
JG gave us exactly what we needed in Dante Grassi's story, plus mama Giulia even gets some love in this one. Awww!
Maybe we will have a future story in Ant? He's a bit of a mystery hmmmm....
November 8, 2025
Season of Love
I can't believe how JG does this every single time. I know I'm a fan but the books are just that good. This love story was worth every bit. Don't you love a man that checks off all your complete list of gotta haves? It was good to see Hazel give everything to this family and friends to be included in everything!! You will want to settle in and enjoy another great read!!
I can't believe how JG does this every single time. I know I'm a fan but the books are just that good. This love story was worth every bit. Don't you love a man that checks off all your complete list of gotta haves? It was good to see Hazel give everything to this family and friends to be included in everything!! You will want to settle in and enjoy another great read!!
November 2, 2025
How JG can do it, I’ll never know but boy do I appreciate it! This was cozy cups of tea, crunchy fall leaves underfoot, flickering jack o’lanterns, and danger all rolled into one. This might just be on my read every year when the leaves start turning colors list…even if the use of the name Ashley in its context means Jessie might be off my Christmas card list lol
October 29, 2025
the woman series just keeps getting better
The Woman in the Hollow - Dante hires a woman, Hazel a transplant from Florida, for DG Greens garden center who submits a resume on halloween paper hoping she will be creative enough to create a Halloween themed event.
His moms meets Hazel and starts match making; while his cousin Dom tells Dante keep your hands off Hazel because we need her to run the business. Dante’s Mom throws them together every chance she gets. Then Hazel finds a dead body…..
The Woman in the Hollow - Dante hires a woman, Hazel a transplant from Florida, for DG Greens garden center who submits a resume on halloween paper hoping she will be creative enough to create a Halloween themed event.
His moms meets Hazel and starts match making; while his cousin Dom tells Dante keep your hands off Hazel because we need her to run the business. Dante’s Mom throws them together every chance she gets. Then Hazel finds a dead body…..
October 30, 2025
Wonderful as always
Smart girl ,hot guy, dead body and you have yourself a winner as usual. Got to love this author! There is plot and not just steam don't get me wrong there is definitely steam but also some Halloween scares and a real plot with side characters you will love.
Smart girl ,hot guy, dead body and you have yourself a winner as usual. Got to love this author! There is plot and not just steam don't get me wrong there is definitely steam but also some Halloween scares and a real plot with side characters you will love.
November 11, 2025
Easy, Quick Read.
Entertaining Halloween themed mafia romance although, the mafia portion of the book is fairly low-key. The banter between the hero, heroine and family members is quite humourous. Overall an easy, quick read.
Entertaining Halloween themed mafia romance although, the mafia portion of the book is fairly low-key. The banter between the hero, heroine and family members is quite humourous. Overall an easy, quick read.
November 11, 2025
Cute, Halloween-themed mafia romance with lots of family meddling and funny banter. The mafia angle is pretty light, but I loved the playful vibe. Dante’s mom matchmaking him with Hazel was hilarious and the dead body twist kept things fun. Quick, festive, and not too over the top!
November 30, 2025
Enjoyable cute story
Hazel gets a crash course introduction into a mafia family. Dante is immediately drawn to Hazel. There are some really funny scenes along with steam and action. I kind of wish we knew more about what happened to Ant.
Hazel gets a crash course introduction into a mafia family. Dante is immediately drawn to Hazel. There are some really funny scenes along with steam and action. I kind of wish we knew more about what happened to Ant.
October 24, 2025
I don't honestly know how Jessica Gadziala comes up with all these intriguing plots that make you sit down and gobble up a book in one sitting. But I hope we see many, many more!
Read
October 26, 2025DNF 38%
November 4, 2025
Yet another wonderful book in this series
November 6, 2025
Halloween Fun
This was such a fun steamy read! I loved the Halloween\fall theme. There was action to keep it exciting but this was simply a sweet love story with a beautiful HEA!
This was such a fun steamy read! I loved the Halloween\fall theme. There was action to keep it exciting but this was simply a sweet love story with a beautiful HEA!
November 25, 2025
Shallow story with forgettable characters. Typical fair for this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews