Mafia and Scars: Special Edition

Marchiano & Petrov Mafia #3

by Isa Oliver

His obsession. Her Ruin...
Alessio Marchiano
As a Mafia Underboss, my first loyalty is to my family.
So, why do I find myself so conflicted by this daughter of a traitor?
In a different life, we could have been happy together.
But this is the Mafia life...and here dreams don’t come true.
This is a dark romance featuring the Italian Mafia.
A full length, standalone novel within the interconnecting Marchiano Mafia Series, with a HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Romance, Dark, Dark Romance, Contemporary, He Falls First, Forced Proximity

506 pages, Paperback

First published December 11, 2025

Reviews

[SGetch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isa Oliver's Mafia And Taken is an excellent addition to the Marchiano Mafia Romance series!

The story follows Cate Russo, who has distanced herself from the Mafia world after the tragic loss of her mother. However, when she is kidnapped and rescued by Alessio Marchiano, a member of the Fratellanza, her carefully constructed life begins to unravel.

Despite his ruthless reputation, Alessio is drawn to Cate and behaves protectively toward her. As their relationship develops, Alessio's obsession with Cate leads him to make mistakes.

Will Alessio be able to gain Cate's trust and convince her that they belong together?

Mafia And Taken is an enticing and angsty romance with a flawed hero consumed by his love. If you enjoy possessive heroes or bully romances, you will appreciate the caveman-like behavior Alessio exhibits to make Cate his... I know I did!!

Dual POV
While it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first book in the series Mafia And Captive to fully appreciate the secondary characters, particularly Juliana and Marco. Their relationship progression is absolutely adorable and adds a delightful touch to an already enjoyable story.

Safety Info / Content Warning: Mafia violence/murder, captive elements, somnophilia, forced breeding/pregnancy, use of sedation and trackers, profanity, on-page sex (virgin h). No cheating. No OW/OM drama. HEA/Epilogue.

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

[Cristhy Barrantes · Rating 1 out of 5]

They're both so fucking annoying. Oh and he like to fuck her when she's powerless (he drug her)
I don't know if I'm seeing it from a psychological pov or what, but he is a first-class manipulator and she is either very innocent or very stupid or maybe both. In each chapter I thought it couldn't get worse... it does get worse 😭😭😭 I wassoooo flabbergasted

[Alina Kravets · Rating 3 out of 5]

ця книга теж 3,5.
це вже була нова історія не схожа, на якихсь інших авторів так сильно.
в принципі мені сподобалось.
Алессіо - реально порадував, своїм відношенням, але мафіозі як на мене не зовсім такі.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alessio and Cate

Things start off quite early as Cate and her father get taken. However Alessio comes but not out of the kindness of his heart. Once he sees Cate is pretty much over for him anyway. Cate tends to fight it. Let's say Alessio does many questionable things. However it does end in a HEA!

[Joud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alessio was completely unhinged, and it's pretty clear Cate was showing signs of Stockholm syndrome.

[Phia Schiele · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not dubious consent it was just no consent. I hate liars so the fact he would act all sweet and like he cares about her consent and then just violate her pissed me off.

[Udvita · Rating 1 out of 5]

why did i even bother to read this? 😭

[Kathyjacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken By The Mafia

Isa Oliver

Cate and Alessio
Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✅Mafia romance
✅Captive
✅Arranged marriage
✅Drugs her has a tracker placed
✅Drugs her again and gets fertility implant to get her pregnant
✅βrεεdιηg forced
✅ Uηαlινεd someone just for seeing too much of his wife uncovered
✅ Crαζγ possessive


Cate really bugged me hating on Alessio. She talked to him in a way no one in her position who is scared of the mafia would have done. I am talking about the beginning when she first met him . She also was withdrawn and stubborn. She acted like he treated her awfully when he was actually good to her aside from the forced breeding . She constantly fought him but didn’t know why. There was no real reason. It made no sense to me. She had a flat affect most of the time and no emotion. I would have liked to see her emotions and feelings . She said she loved her grandmother but she showed now emotion for anyone else .

Cates plan to run away from Alessio was stupid imo. If she went to her grandmother that would he the first place Alessio and his men would look and the grandmother wanted her to stay with her husband.

He had also drugged her in the beginning and had a tracking device installed. No other mention of that device. I would have liked for Cate to find out he what he had done and that she had a tracker . This was addressed and I think it needed to be.

The hero drugged the and had a fertility device implanted to get her pregnant asap . Still it was the end of the book. 10 months later after the end before she for pregnant. Such a missed opportunity because we need some pregnancies during the book !!!! Not all at the end. I loved seeing frazzled and over protective Alessio but I wanted to see more of that .

Also why when they aren’t using birth control and in this case on fertility enhancers and they get morning sickness are they always shocked ? They don’t even suspect pregnancy and when someone suggest they are pregnant they act floored. I want to yell at my kindle and tell them you had sex ALOT! Unprotected ! With fertility devices installed. And you still thought throwing up every morning was the stomach flu??? 😂🙄Here’s your sign! 🤣

Near the end Cate smartened up and stopped acting like a brat.I was glad to see them get their HEA.

[Chrissy Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is fast becoming one of my favorites and I enjoyed this book the most out of all of them. I loved Alessio and Cate, they had such fabulous tension between them and their relationship was interesting with all of its ups and downs. I hate when heroines give in to their Heroes right away and with Cate she was always pushing back and not letting Alessio walk all over her. I also loved how obsessed he was with her, he did everything he could do that she would be his and his alone. Plus he was so dedicated and faithful, like all of Isa’s other Heroes. No OW drama either, which was another bonus. I like that the action and mafia stuff in the story doesn’t overwhelm the romance. Everything about this book was well rounded. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

[Kellie Forney]

I think I saw a tiktok about this and I was like sure I need a little mafia in my life. This is book 2 in the series. I didn’t read book 1 and you don’t have to for the story. This made man had all the ocd quirks I like. The FMC was a kindergarten assistant so I was like huh that tracks. The story had good build but once we said I love you it was just a race to finish the book as fast as possible. Check your trigger warnings for this one.

[annasbook nookk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alessio Marchiano goes and rescues Cate from the clutches of the Russian mafia and instantly falls for her. He tries to wheedle his way in with her, and she's not having it, constantly keeping him at arm's length. He takes drastic measures, and wowzer, are they drastic. The sparks and tension flying around were 🔥🔥. I loved the dynamics between the characters. The plot was great, and the world-building descriptive. I loved reading it through Cate's eyes.
Another good read Isa.

[Angelic Sunshine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly don't know why I bothered to pick this book. Everything about it was cliche and predictable.

Cate is a whiny bitch who moans and complains about everything, like a stroppy teenager first hitting puberty. She could have just saved herself the "torture" and answered Alessio's questions, her reasons for not saying anything sooner literally made no sense. She was stubborn for the sake of being stubborn without any particular reason.

Alessio was just pathetic. One minute he wants to be kind and protective the next he's taking away her choices and being horrible and manipulative.

The author kept repeating certain lines over and over again in the beginning of the book I don't know if that was a mistake or just her writing style. This book annoyed the hell out of me and I ended up skimming from about 40% onwards. I really don't like leaving bad reviews but since this book was hyped quite a bit I'm pretty disappointed.

[evana.on.books · Rating 1 out of 5]

wtf is wrong with this man ?
WHO PUTS A FERTILITY IMPLANT IN HER WIFE WITHOUT A WOMAN CONSENT
WHAT THE FUCK
NO
TOO WRONG
HE NEEDS FUCKING HELP AND MAYBE A CASTRATION

[Brandy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness gracious! This book had me hooked. It can be read as a standalone, which I love. The characters are just fantastic. Cate and Alessio definitely didn't start off with a conventional relationship and had to learn from mistakes along the way but that just made them even more relatable. Their chemistry was strong, even when being enemies. Alessio was very dominant and protective. Cate was stubborn and sweet. It was everything I expect from a dark romance. Suspense, hot romance and dangerous situations. A great plot to keep me glued to the pages till the very end. Do be warned that some parts could be a little triggering to some.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Zunaira · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the smut hehe i also love a good forced proximity/marriage storyline. something about men being freaky obsessive what can i say….. but i wish there was more of a plot to this more like a 3.8 but solely for the smut i just wish there was like another issue besides they’re relationship yk? and when she says ily back i was lowkey off put because girl cmon the timing was so off she’s i’m also bothered by how she never found out about the tracker but oh well

[Jennifer Gentile · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay

Meh… it was okay. The dialogue was rough in spots… it didn’t sound/feel natural. The way Cate kept pushing Alessio away so hard and did a 180 bothered me a bit. I don’t mind a slow burn, but that’s usually a gradual build. This was a tug of war until the end.

Not my favorite.

[MandaC86 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slower

This was slower then the previous one I read and I read them out of order but it didn't seem to matter to much there easy to follow it's a good group of books all brooding men and romance what's not to like

[Amanda Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I could give it more than 5 stars! The way the author writes from a neurodivergent pov is AMAZING! I had my adult daughter read a few passages from his pov when he talks about his reality with autism and she got teary and said “Mom, it’s like she knows!” Thank you so much for representing not only the autistic community but for the people who love them!

[Delina Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by this author. I LOVED IT! I love the way characters click and the forming of the relationships. Viktor is the sweetest without realizing it and Avelina loves him for him. The relationship between the brothers is so strong and pure and the their understanding is amazing. There were LOL moments I didn’t expect and I look for forward to reading other titles from this author. I have to say Viktor has made this list of my top 10 book boyfriends.

[GKP2460 · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's done it again! This author has brought another fantastic, gritty story that pulls you in. Cate Russo is the daughter of a made man in the Fratellanza Mafia in Chicago and Alessio Marchiano is the Consigliere to the Capo of the Fratellanza Mafia. Mafia And Taken is thier story and it's intense, intriguing and so, so steamy. Alessio finds himself completely obsessed with Cate. And I do mean COMPLETELY OBSESSED. This couple carries us on quite a ride. I can't wait to see what's next.

[Tiffany]

DNF @ 57%

Review mentions rape.

I was really losing my focus on this book. I thought I would really like Alessio's book but it turns out his is the absolute worst. There is one thing to involve rape but he actually rapes her when she is unconscious due to the sedative so that he can implant a fertility whatever into her. I think that there is something when a book mentions rape but when the mmc does it that is an absolute hard pass. Also, he never got her absolute consent at any point he did anything sexual with her. He just coerced her into a lustful state and continued to do what he pleased. At no point was he doing anything for her for his actual consideration. I didn't believe him.

[Mihaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've already met Alessio in his brother's book. We know that he is a man devoted to Fratellanza, a man who loves his family, but also how troubled he is after what happened to his mother. In this book we get to know him and the inside of his heart. Cate is a new adition to this world, a fresh one. She is very different from Juliana and Jessica. And i believe this is a strong point, because the author doesn't repeat the same heroine over and over again. Alessio is a lot like Marco, but not as stubborn i'd say. He was willing to meet Cate halfway, opposed to Marco's my way or the highway (but i still love him haha). Cate's background is a little different. She too was raised in Mafia world, but unlike the other girls, she never wanted that life for herself. She tried everything she could to distance herself from it. When a bad deal gets her in Alessio's way, sparks fly. Mostly on his side, but what's wrong with a man trying to conquer a woman?? He was relentless in his pursuit, but at the same time respected her boundaries and gave her time to come to him on her own terms. I think they are more "on equal foot" than M&J. Cate was a bit too stubborn, i would admit that and i think that was the only flaw the character had. But at the end of the day she was very young and got to see her world crash around her more than once. She was very strong too, maybe even stronger than Alessio. She only had her grandmother in her corner, but she managed to reach her goals nonetheless. Alessio was all in, he was in love with her almost from the start and knew that they were destined to be together.

We also got to see Marchiano family again, especially my man Marco (yes, i called dibs on him, he is mine), we saw more of Camilo and of course Mr Fluffy. We got to meet the newest member of the family too and let's just say Marco got what he deserved hahaha.

I think that the reason why i like this series, and i've mentioned this before, is how different each couple is. Is very hard to write different couples in mafia arranged romance, because in that world is not much room for imagination. Men have to be alpha, and the women must be submissive and quiet (boy, was cate none of those..). So it's a pretty restricted genre. Yet, the 4 books released already in this series, the 4 couples were very different.

I strongly recommend this series to any mafia arranged marriage fan out there.

I apologize for my bad grammar. I received an ARC in exchange for a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in The Marchiano Mafia Series and it is Cate and Alessio’s story. Cate is the daughter of Ovidio Russo who is a made man and captain in the Fratellanza Mafia and Cate didn’t have a easy childhood after witnessing her mother and brothers murder so she doesn’t get attached to anyone because of the possibility that she will lose them, she also lives in her own apartment and works as a teachers assistant in a kindergarten which she loves as it gives her independence so while at dinner with her father she is shocked when he tells her that it is time to do her duty and marry so that she can produce an heir and also further the business connections but it is not what she wants to do but unfortunately she has no choice in the matter and then she is woken up by shouting in her father’s house where she is taken by Dmitri Petrov who is a violent man and head of the Chicago bratva. Alessio is second in command and has a really dark, possessive and violent side to him so when there is a continuing problem with there supplies and find out that it is one of there captain’s Ovidio Russo who is taking money from them they decide to deal with him only he has been taken captive along with his daughter so now Alessio needs to rescue them from Dmitri so that they can be questioned to see if they are both involved in the deception. The more time that Cate and Alessio spend together the stronger there feelings for each other grows but Cate has put up walls so high around her so that she can’t be hurt by Alessio’s constant games and possessiveness so now Alessio will somehow have to find a way to break down those walls and get Cate to let him in so that he can show her his true feelings for her but it will not be easy and patience isn’t one of his strongest things to have but he wants a chance of a future with Cate so he will need to try harder. Danger is all around them watching and waiting for the right time to strike and take them all out but will they be able to eliminate the threat before anymore lives are taken. Wow I absolutely love this book and series so much as it is absolutely amazing and so addictive and I can’t wait to read more books in the future. I definitely recommend you read this book and series and you will not be disappointed.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catarina Russo is a young, determined, and independent mafia princess that dreams of a life away from the mafia. She witnessed her beloved mother and brother die at the hands of mafia rivals and has been a shell of her former self. Cate has managed to get her own apartment and work a career she loves. It is all a pipe dream, however, because no one really ever leaves the mafia behind unless it’s through death. One night, Russian men enter her father’s home while Cate is there. She’s rescued by the Fratellanza Mafia captain, Alessio Marchiano. A cruel and ruthless King of Chicago feared by most. "Long live the Kings"

Alessio whisks Cate away and treats her as his captive. He saved her from a terrible fate at the hands of the Russians, but he’s no savior. He manipulates her emotionally so she’ll reveal secrets, but when that doesn’t work, he resorts to more intense tactics. It’s obvious that Alessio and Cate share a connection. As brutal as Alessio can be, he was affectionate and tender. I definitely felt his pain and regret when he had to threaten and hurt Cate physically.

The chemistry between Cate and Alessio was so well written. The pace of their relationship felt so genuine and I was incredibly proud that Cate made Alessio work to earn her trust. He doesn’t necessarily grovel, but through his actions and words, it is obvious he is remorseful. Cate fought hard to escape his grasp and it wasn’t until a major wake-up call that she finally realized Alessio is her home… even as a mafia underboss. They share a rare connection.

Alessio was the BEST kind of possessive. He was firm but tender. He is definitely my favorite Marchiano man! The steam was delicious and I was giddy reading some of the perfectly written scenes. So good! I’m excited for future installments in this series and hope it never ends! I love this author’s work and this world she has constructed.

Tropes: Mafia romance, captive romance, enemies-to-lovers, age gap, virgin heroine, happily-ever-after
Heat: 4/5

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of MAFIA AND TAKEN
OMG!!!! I was hooked right from the start your pulled right in so much emotional turmoil, secrets, lies, betrayal, suspense, intrigue, danger, murder, kidnapping, steam, angst, twists that keeps you turning the pages.
Alessio Marchiano rescues Cate & her father Ovidio a Captain in the Fratellanza he's been working with the Russians a traitor to his family he was attracted to Cate when he found her unconcious on the floor of the warehouse where the Russians took them.
Cate Russo doesn't want anything to do with the Fratellanza after what happened to her mother & brother who she idolized & hates her father for what he's done.
Alessio does something unconcionable making Ovidio sign a contract giving Cate to him as his wife without her consent then kills him, when Cate finds out she has to do it because of her Nonna whos been in Fratellanza for years her son Ovidio has embarrassed the Russo family her Uncle now took over tells her its done.
Alessio takes Cate to Italy with Marko, Julianna his pregnant wife & Mr. Fluffy her dog as well as Camillo be because the FBI are after them for all the deaths involving their drugs.
Cate trys to escape only to he caught by Dimitri Petrov the Russian her father worked with something goes horribly wrong she almost lose Alessio making her realize she truly loves him & wants to make it work.
I definitely recommend to get this phenominally well written story Alessio & Cate take you on such a wild crazy emotional rollercoaster ride, will these two make a go of it after he finds out she tried to escape, its a must read you absolutely don't want to miss.
I hope Camillo get his own story I really liked his character especially at the end of this story some lol moments with his neice's & nephew's.
FANTASTIC TWISTED MAFIA ROMANCE 🖤 🖤 🖤

[Woodatsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hm, this one left me a bit in a limbo. I absolutely adore this series and have loved each and every book since I started. I love the mafia trope and especially the way all the men are so possessive and protective about their women. But in my honest opinion I have to say that Alessio took it a bit too far in one particular scene. I'm not going to spoiler here, but I do want to state that I wasn't ok with that scene.

Other than that this was yet another great book. Alessio is Consigliere of the Marchiano Family and he and his men save Cate when she and her father are attacked by the Russian Bratva. Her father has been playing a double game and has been ripping the Marchiano's off.

Upon seeing Cate, Alessio falls head over heals and is obsessed with having her as his wife. He takes Cate to his home to heal and to find out if she's in some way accomplice to her father dealings. When he finds out she isn't he forces her father to give Cate in marriage to him in order to save his live. Cate doesn't want anything to do with the Mafia world and fights Alessio tooth and nail. On the other hand she's attracted and can't resist him.

All things come to a big fight and it's only when Alessio saves her again and nearly loses his life that she sees how much he really means to her.

This was a great story apart from that one scene. If you love overprotective, obsessive men who would do anything for their lady then this is your book.

I can't wait for the next book in the series and really hope it'll be Camillo's story.

*I kindly received a copy of this book from the author via Bookfunnel. This is my honest opinion.*

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmmm. I veered between 3 and 4 stars for this one but my particular penchant for a dominant, obsessive alpha anti hero won the day.

When Alessio, the brooding Mafia second in command, rescues the heroine Cate from the Russian Bratva it is instalove/lust for him. Ever the manipulator, he forces her father to sign a marriage contract ensuring Cate will be his.

It's an odd tale of 2 halves. We have the puppeteer pulling Cate's strings and forcing her into an arranged marriage and the mafia life that she is so anxious to escape from, and then we have the Alessio who is wonderful with his little sister and goes on dog walks; I really wanted to be spared the pointless inclusion of a large fluffy dog to be honest. Boring as hell

The first half shows his deeply caring side, 'allowing' her to work and stay in her own apartment and then in the second half he crosses so many fundamental boundaries, suddenly and without warning, that I had to reread this sudden 180 twice…..

Much of the writing I found very stilted without the level of flow to really convince the reader of Alessio's true passion for Cate. For much of the book, the chemistry, for me at least, just wasn't there.

What i will say though, is we have a strong heroine here, who pushes back against her lot in life with claws out. It's that, and my weakness for this type of trope (beware of triggers) that ultimately made me click on the 4….

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

[TrishAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cate Russo was a mafia princess by birth but she desperately wanted to leave her mafia life, leave her father's house, leave the memories of the killing of her mother and brother but deep down Cate knew that no one could leave the mafia alive, and daughters were just possessions to be married off to whoever would provide the most lucrative alliance.
Cate had got herself an apartment and a job as a teaching assistant that she loved but this wasn't to last, Cate's father, Ovidio, had been greedy, the Russian mafia wanted answers, Cate and her father's lives were in danger.
The powerful Italian Marchiono mafia family also wanted answers, to get them they needed to rescue Cate and her father from the Russians and extract answers from them in the usual brutal mafia way. When Alessio saw Cate, dirty and dishevelled in the damp, dark basement he was struck by her beauty and he knew then that he could never hurt her.
This story follows the tempestuous romance between feisty Cate and controlling Alessio, Cates inability to love because everyone that she loved she had lost, her yearning to return to her life outside the mafia, Alessio's frustration, despite everything that he did, things that went against his mafia beliefs, he couldn't get Cate to love him, he knew that he would put his life on the line for her but could he let her go ?
This is the third book in Isa Oliver's "Marchiano Mafia" series and , although it is a standalone, I would encourage reading the series in sequence.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.

[Meme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be sure to read the triggers and warning before you read this story. I read them and still had a little bit of an issue with one particular situation/scene, even though I knew about the warnings and was ok still reading the story it still gave me pause. I have come to love reading the Marchiano series, this author has done a great job writing these stories. I had a difficult time with liking Alessio, which happens every Marchiano story with the lead male character. Alessio did several things to make things easier for Cate. In the beginning I started to like him then stuff happed and I didn't like him, then I liked him again. I was drawn into this story and kept reading, there wasn't much action or suspense, although there was some. I think what drew me in and kept me reading was to find out what was going to happen with them in their relationship. There is some violence and death in the story, but it didn't seem to be a focal point. I found several parts of the story humorous, it added levity to some dark or heavy situations. I think you could probably read this story and still enjoy it if you have not read the other stories. The author refers to past events but gives enough information that you would not be confused. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark, kinky, hot read with a lot of relationship turmoil.

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

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a mafia man!🔥🔥 This book gave me all the vibes I was looking for with some 🌶️ scenes. Made men, a mafia man’s daughter, pregnancy, taken, and mix it all together and you get Mafia Taken.

Cate Russo, despite her being born into a mafia family wants nothing to do with it after what happened to her mother and brother. Her father has other plans as she’s 21 and needs to get married soon.

While her father has been involved in things he shouldn’t have been. It results in him and her being taken but then rescued by Alessio.

Finding out her father has been a traitor for years. Alessio made him sign a marriage agreement so that Cate would have to marry Alessio to repair the family name.

Alessio, being 26 and the Consigliere of the Fratellanza. He is struck with love at first sight when he sees Cate. Even though his job is to get information out of her, he can’t help how he feels.

Alessio isn’t just the tough-made man that you would think he is. He’s very smart, nurturing, and has a soft spot. While some of his actions can be quite questionable. In the end, all he wants is to be happy with Cate.

Will they work things out after all that Alessio did to Cate or will they move past it and fall in love? You will have to grab the book to find out!

Thank you to Isa Oliver and BookSirens for the EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram (@Alexandriavwilliams_) shortly.