The Lawyer

by Jeannette Elizabeth

Finding out you have a brother is all fun and games until you need to marry his best friend.
Vanessa
All I want is for this to be worth it, from becoming a nurse to moving to New York. I moved here for my father, and he still hasn't shown his face since I arrived. One night in the hospital changes everything; I have a brother, a brother no one told me about, and he has a best friend I can't keep my eyes off of. Diving right into my father's business will be more than I ever thought.
Mateo
My best friend is going to get me killed. I became a lawyer to help him run his business and not to become his second in his New York Mafia syndicate, but that is exactly what I have become. Finding out he has a sister is just icing on the cake. Luckily, she seems to know more about our lives than we thought she did. But now I need to marry her for her protection, and the big question is, will she agree?

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Lovelettelore · Rating 3 out of 5]

⚖️🩸 A secret daughter, a dead don, and a marriage decided by the mafia—not love.

📖 The Lawyer by Jeannette Elizabeth
⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️
Mafia Romance

Tropes:
⚖️ Lawyer x Nurse
🤝 Brother’s best friend
🏠 Forced proximity
👨‍👩‍👧 Found family
💍 Arranged marriage
🤰 Surprise pregnancy

Vanessa has spent her entire life hidden away—her existence kept secret to protect her as the daughter of a powerful mafia don. After graduating school, she moves to New York under the assumption that her father will reunite with her once it’s safe. What she doesn’t know is that he died the same week she graduated. Two years later, she finally learns the truth—and discovers she has an older brother who has taken over as Don. Once the mafia world becomes aware of her existence, pressure mounts to secure her future through marriage. To honor a deal her father put in place, her brother marries her off to his best friend and trusted lawyer, Mateo.

This book wasn’t as long as I expected. The beginning started off strong and felt well-developed. I was genuinely interested in where the story was heading. Unfortunately, after the halfway point, everything began to feel rushed and underwhelming, like the story was trying to wrap itself up too quickly.

I also struggled to connect with Vanessa and Mateo as a couple. Their chemistry didn’t fully land for me emotionally. I understood the forced proximity and arranged marriage aspect, but their feelings felt more assumed than built. It leaned into insta-lust territory without enough emotional groundwork for me to really buy into their connection.

That said, the book definitely had potential. I truly didn’t see the twist coming, which I appreciated, and it kept me entertained overall. This leans more toward a very light dark romance. There isn’t much moral grayness, and the plot stays fairly surface-level. While that made it an easy, quick read, I do wish the story and character dynamics had been explored more intricately.

Thank you Jeannette Elizabeth for this ARC.

[LeeAnn Hynden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC and I absolutely loved it. Vanessa is a secret daughter of a mafia don and she finds herself thrown right into the mafia life when she meets Mateo and it turns out that there is a contract for an arranged marriage between the two things quickly take a turn and Mateo and Vanessa‘s lives are both turned upside down.

I absolutely loved the chemistry between Vanessa and Mateo from the start. She is such a strong and independent female main character, but also just wants true love and trust and wants people to be honest with her for the first time in her life.

“Good girl” 🤤
“Baby” 😍
“Sweetheart” 💕

This whole book was wonderful and I found myself hooked from the start!
Thank you Jeannette Elizabeth for the ARC and I can’t wait to see what’s next!!

[Chyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC from Jeannette. I really enjoyed it. I loved the found family moment of Vanessa and Gino learning they are siblings and very quickly creating that sibling bond. I also loved the quick burn to Vanessa and Mateo's romance. Definitely a good book to read if you want a fast burn Mafia romance. I can't wait for the second book to get Gino's love story.

[darkreadswithnalieee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lawyer is an emotional mafia romance that blends marriage-of-convenience, family secrets, and unwavering devotion in a way that really pulls at your heart.

Vanessa moves to New York chasing a future she hopes will finally be worth the sacrifices she’s made, only to discover her life is far more complicated than she imagined. Not only does her father still remain distant, Vanessa’s world is shaken when her father’s best friend—the man who has quietly looked out for her since she was little—reveals a life-altering truth: she has a brother she never knew existed. Even more dangerous? His world is deeply tied to the mafia. Enter Mateo—her brother’s best friend, a lawyer who didn’t just advise the business, but became deeply entangled in it.
Mateo is protective, controlled, and already carrying the weight of responsibility when circumstances force him into a marriage with Vanessa for her safety. What starts as necessity quickly turns into something much deeper. Their connection feels intense and genuine, especially as Vanessa proves she’s far stronger and more aware of their dangerous world than anyone expects.
The most gut-wrenching part of the book comes when Mateo leaves for what should be a short business meeting and never returns. He’s drugged, kidnapped, and brutally tortured for a year. While Mateo endures unimaginable pain, what keeps him alive is Vanessa—her strength, her love, and the family he hopes to return to. Meanwhile, Vanessa discovers she’s pregnant just days after he disappears and refuses to give up on finding him, even as time passes and hope fades.
When Mateo is finally rescued, the emotional payoff is huge. Learning he has twins waiting for him is powerful, and watching him adjust to fatherhood after everything he’s endured is surprisingly tender. The later chapters focus on healing, rebuilding, and the quiet strength of a family formed through trauma and love. Their story continues to grow as they expand their family even further, reinforcing the theme that survival and love can coexist.
The Lawyer is emotional, painful, and deeply satisfying. It’s a story about endurance, loyalty, and choosing love even when everything is stacked against you. If you enjoy mafia romance with high stakes, emotional suffering, and a rewarding family-centered ending, this one is worth the read.

[Mache · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lawyer by Jeannette Elizabeth is a gripping mafia romance that blends danger, devotion, and emotional depth in a way that feels both intense and heartfelt. From the start, the story pulls you into a world where loyalty and protection come at a high cost, and where love is often found in the most unexpected circumstances.

Vanessa is a standout heroine. She is smart, determined, and fiercely independent, shaped by her career as a nurse and her deep desire to belong. Her move to New York and the sudden revelation that she has a brother she never knew about changes her life in ways she never could have imagined. Watching her adapt to a dangerous reality while still holding onto her compassion and strength made her incredibly easy to connect with.

Mateo is just as compelling. As a lawyer tied closely to the mafia through his best friend, he walks a careful line between legality and criminal life. His longing for stability, family, and children contrasts sharply with the world he is trapped in, adding depth and vulnerability to his character. His relationship with Vanessa sparks instantly but develops at a steady pace, allowing their bond to feel natural, genuine, and emotionally grounded.

The marriage of convenience element is well executed and grounded in necessity rather than convenience alone. The stakes surrounding Vanessa’s safety are clear, and the found family aspect of the story adds warmth and support during the darker moments. The emotional weight of separation, endurance, and resilience is handled well and gives the story a strong emotional core.

My only reason for rating this book slightly below five stars is the lack of transparency regarding certain fated situations. While the intent to protect Vanessa from additional stress is understandable, withholding information from her for such an extended period felt unfair, especially given her strength and resilience. Even so, this did not significantly detract from my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, The Lawyer is a well written and engaging mafia romance with strong character development, heartfelt chemistry, and meaningful emotional stakes. I thoroughly enjoyed Vanessa and Mateo’s journey and am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ✨(4.5/5)

[Namretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 The Lawyer by Jeannette Elizabeth
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️,5
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
* Lawyer x Nurse
* Found Family
* Brother’s best friend
* Arrange Marriage
* Surprise Pregnancy

Vanessa has been kept hidden by her father for most of her life, only seeing him once a year. After graduating, she moves to New York to reunite with him — but instead, she uncovers the truth about his past. She learns that she has a brother, and suddenly becomes part of a world she never knew existed. Determined to protect her, her brother assigns his best friend and lawyer, Mateo, as her protector. Soon, they discover that Vanessa’s father had arranged a deal long before his death, a deal that will change everything.

This book was shorter than I expected, and I finished it in one day. From the very beginning, I was intrigued and eager to learn what had truly happened to Vanessa’s father. I suspected early on that he might have had another family, which made the reveal satisfying rather than predictable.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt that the pacing became rushed halfway through. I would have loved more depth in the relationship between Vanessa and Mateo, as their connection was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Overall, this book has a lot of potential. The plot twist genuinely surprised me, and I am very interested in continuing the series. I am especially looking forward to reading Gino and Juliet’s story.

Thank you to Jeannette Elizabeth and her team for providing me with this ARC.

[Ashleexcellent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for granting me an ARC of this work!

⭐️⭐️⭐️2.75 stars rounded to 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

While I think this had an interesting foundation, this book just wasn’t for me. I tried SO hard but didn’t connect with the characters. Vanessa gives pick-me energy (and is also often infantilized) for the majority of the book, and I didn’t understand why Mateo was so deeply entrenched in the Italian mafia as a lawyer. The insta-love trope was challenging (immediate platonic love between the siblings, and romantic attraction between the FMC and MMC) especially paired with a frequent hot/cold back and forth. The tone/exchanges didn’t always feel believable, and a lot felt overly explained/details felt excessive. There were plot holes throughout that left me with questions.

I enjoy mafia romances and I think this one had quite a few moments that were compelling. I enjoyed that Vanessa really wanted to keep her job, and that she was good at it. I truly loved her character arc because I do think she grows beautifully from start to finish in this piece. I also really enjoyed Juliette as a character. The found family trope was incredibly sweet here overall. I think this would be a good place to start for someone interested in getting into the genre.

[Tiffany Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC read from Jeannette Elizabeth. I really enjoyed this book, finished in one day. Vanessa moves to New York with the understanding that she will work for her father. She has been kept in the dark other than knowing her father was in the mafia but she didn't know how high up he was. Two years later, she learns that he has passed away and she has a secret family. After demanding that she know everything, she was still missing details and figured now was the perfect time to seek answers. She learns that Gino's, her brother, didn't know of her existence either. Gino feels like she is in danger and needs a "bodyguard" and puts Mateo by her side for the foreseeable future. Little does she know that it's because her father and Mateos's father made a deal for a arranged marriage to take place. Mateo has to go close a deal but ends up being tortured for a year before he is found by his brothers. When he returns home he realizes how much he missed when he finds out he has twins. They got their HEA and I can't wait to see what comes next.

[Andrea Hendry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. I really enjoyed reading it. Vanessa has spent her entire life left in the dark. Her identity kept secrets as a way to protect her since her father was a powerful mafia don. She graduates and moves all the way to New York in hope of finding her father. Two years later she finally gets the answers she has been looking for. She also finds out she has an older brother who doesn’t even know about her either. Mateo is Vanessa brother right hand man. Mateo becomes protected over Vanessa. Unforeseen circumstances happens and Mateo is gone for a year only to return to find out his life will change forever. His love for Vanessa was the only thing that kept him going. This book wasn’t as long as I was hoping it would be. It started off strong but halfway through I felt like Mateo and Vanessa story was rushed. The twist I didn’t expect at all. It was a really quick read and i enjoyed every minute of it.

[Priscila Aramburo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I loved the found family element in it. And brother’s best friend is one of my favorite tropes. I love how Gino and Vanessa practically accepted each other as siblings right away and both parties wanted to develop a close bond with each other. You could really see how they both put in an effort and how much Vanessa appreciated having someone in her life who actually was making an effort to be in it. Mateo was such a sweet and protective MMC. I love him, and I love his friendship with Gino. I loved seeing Gino go all protective big brother on him and Mateo just brushing him off because he knew that even if Gino was his big Mafia boss, that he wouldn’t hurt him because he knew that Mateo wouldn’t hurt his sister. I love Alonso’s friendship with Vanessa. And the little teasers of tension we get with Gino and Juliet. Ugh I cannot wait to read their book!

[Amber Falleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

I love mafia books.
Vanessa is the secret daughter of a mafia don. She moves to New York after she graduates nursing school. Two years later she finds out her father is dead and that she has an older brother named Gino.
Mateo a lawyer, her brother’s best friend/ right hand man. Find out his father and Vanessa father arranged their marriage.
They get married and about a week later Mateo has to go to Italy for business. There he goes missing for a year. While he is missing she find out she is pregnant.. TWINS.
He finally returns home to his wife and finds out he has kids. He is happy about being home with his wife and kids.
They have there HEA.
Excited for book 2- Gino and Juliet

[Tracy McDonell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
OK… First, The Lawyer was a pretty good, sloooowwww burn, beginning mafia romance. Thank you Jeanette Elizabeth for the opportunity to read your first novel as an ARC. I cannot wait to see your writing get more complex..

The Lawyer was definitely your beginning, mafia readers type of book. The spice was slow burning. The story was not bad. And the characters and their development could use some work. I think if we saw more depth between Vanessa and Mateo, but also Vanessa and Gino.

The Lawyer has potential to be a family base mafia romance, and continue on with the building of the relationship and the connections of the main characters.

I hope this was not a one and only novel for Jeanette Elizabeth… she has great potential.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting as an advanced reader. While I love the tropes of forced proximity and marriage of convenience which this book has, I felt that it wasn't pulled off as well as it could have been. I felt like it started super strong and fell apart in the last half. The last half of the book felt rushed and undetailed. I felt like the characters were stagnant and contradicted themselves at times from what the reader was told they were supposed to be like. I felt if the second half of the book was paced and given the time it deserved, the book would be a home run. I enjoyed the side characters, the spice and romance, and the golden retriever energy the MMC had.

[Elizabeth Hayman · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read The Lawyer by Jeannette Elizabeth as an ARC, and it was such an enjoyable read. Mateo was everything I want in a book boyfriend; confident, intense, and completely captivating; while Vanessa was smart, grounded, and easy to root for. Their chemistry built nicely and kept me turning pages.

The pacing was strong overall, and I really liked the balance between romance and plot. A few moments felt a bit predictable, which is why this lands at four stars for me, but it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story. Definitely worth the read if you love a lawyer romance with great banter and tension.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy from author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

I love mafia and brothers best friends. Also has found family, arranged marriage and forxed proximity.

I enjoyed this book, it was really cute. Started off strong, but felt it was lacking some later. I don't know, I feel lile it could have been more. I still really enjoyed it.

Loved Vanessa and Mateo, they had great chemistry from the start. Vanessa is a strong independent woman. Mateo, can I just ask....can I have one? Lol

Can't wait for the next book!

[caffe.and.books (Aimee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This book had a lot of potential, as a dark mafia reader I was eager to read this based on the tropes. I was a bit underwhelmed with the story overall BUT I did enjoy the characters as they were there was just a lot more development that could have been done with them and the story overall.

There was a lot of times that events were underwhelming and I caught myself skimming, there is a decent plot twist at the end but it felt a bit rushed.

I do think this is a good starter book for readers who want to get their feet wet with mafia romance.

[Angela Hankins Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

I absolutely loved this book, I’m normally not a huge fan of brothers best friend tropes, but this one was so sweet I had to give it a chance. I’m so happy I did! Vanessa and Mateo became my two new favorite characters. I will admit, I got really upset towards the middle of the book, just because I don’t like secrets and I wasn’t a fan of Gino and Mateo hiding things. But I got over it quickly. I would love more of Vanessa and Mateo’s story.

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has humor, love, fear, and passion all tied into a mafia romance. The way she just rolls with everything and accepts it, is amazing. The strength she showed when he was gone. And the love that he held onto. This was a quick but good read!

This is a free ARC review sent to me by the author agency.

[M Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mafia, a lawyer, a nurse and the unexpected sums up this book. Her brother didnt know about her until Vanessa showed up on his doorstep. Mateo is his best friend. They get pushed together for her safety. Little did we know his safety would become the biggest concern. The HAE was well deserved! Its spicy but has plenty of plot.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story with brothers best friend and forced marriage. More on the fast paced side of things but that isn't necessarily a bad thing! I am a little invested in the characters and look forward to book 2!

[Patricia Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book to read if you want a mafia romance that is a fast burn that has marriage of convenience, found family, twist, suspense, family secrets, danger, betrayal, that will pull at your heart with all the devotion and love.