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Don's Flower: A Dark Age Gap Mafia Romance
In Matteo Moretti’s world, observation is power and attachment is a liability. He’s never crossed that line—until her. One look at the quiet florist who delivers to Notte Bianca with clockwork precision, who lingers at the bar like she’s waiting out a storm, and Matteo’s instincts lock in. She’s careful. Guarded. Afraid. And when he realizes someone else has been watching her too, Matteo decides she’s his.
Rose Brown has learned how to stay invisible. She arranges flowers, jokes with friends, and plans her nights so she’s never alone. A stalker has turned her life into a series of calculated choices, and surviving means not asking for help. The last thing she expects is another man watching her from the shadows. A dark, unreadable Don in a tailored suit, tattoos inked into his knuckles—Brooklyn’s most dangerous man. But when fear tightens its grip, Matteo is already there. Violent. Unwavering. Ready to burn down anyone who thinks they can touch what he’s claimed.
* This over-the-top, possessive mafia romance features an obsessive protector Don, stalking-as-protection, a sweet heroine in danger, forced proximity, intense instalove, and a guaranteed HEA. It can be read as a standalone or together with the rest of the books in the Five Borough Mafia series.*
Rose Brown has learned how to stay invisible. She arranges flowers, jokes with friends, and plans her nights so she’s never alone. A stalker has turned her life into a series of calculated choices, and surviving means not asking for help. The last thing she expects is another man watching her from the shadows. A dark, unreadable Don in a tailored suit, tattoos inked into his knuckles—Brooklyn’s most dangerous man. But when fear tightens its grip, Matteo is already there. Violent. Unwavering. Ready to burn down anyone who thinks they can touch what he’s claimed.
* This over-the-top, possessive mafia romance features an obsessive protector Don, stalking-as-protection, a sweet heroine in danger, forced proximity, intense instalove, and a guaranteed HEA. It can be read as a standalone or together with the rest of the books in the Five Borough Mafia series.*
- GenresRomanceMafia Romance
127 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 1, 2026
Good read. Reads fast and easy.
•No cheating.
•No ow drama. Blip of om drama.
•Virgin h.
•Blip of separation.
•Epilogue:5 years, then at 15 years
•HEA: Married with 2 kids and pregnant.
•No cheating.
•No ow drama. Blip of om drama.
•Virgin h.
•Blip of separation.
•Epilogue:5 years, then at 15 years
•HEA: Married with 2 kids and pregnant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2026
This is one of my favorite series.
This is third book in the Five Borough Madia series features Matteo and Rose. Rose has a past she is running from and when it catches up to her Matteo steps in to save her.
Rose is not easy to trust but that is OK because Matteo isn't either all he knows is that he needs to keep Rose safe at all costs.
There is plenty of suspense as well as twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seart. The sparks between Rose and Matteo are all consuming you are going to love the conclusion to this one.
This is third book in the Five Borough Madia series features Matteo and Rose. Rose has a past she is running from and when it catches up to her Matteo steps in to save her.
Rose is not easy to trust but that is OK because Matteo isn't either all he knows is that he needs to keep Rose safe at all costs.
There is plenty of suspense as well as twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seart. The sparks between Rose and Matteo are all consuming you are going to love the conclusion to this one.
March 28, 2026
Slightly better than the second book but again I had the feeling Matteo is just a blueprint and didn‘t have any own characteristics. Anyways this was entertaining and short. :)
May 1, 2026
Don's Flower (Five Borough Mafia) by Amanda Horton
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
Dark Romance * Mafia * Billionaire * OTT MMC * Forced Proximity * Stalking * Unaliving * Pet (Cats) * Insta Love * Hidden Identity * Virgin FMC * Secrets
📖127 pages
This story is a standalone within a series and will conclude their story with an epilogue 15 years down the road. As with most mafia stories, we have our virgin FMC, who our mafia Don falls heads over heels for instantly. But our sweet and innocent girl is holding onto some secrets. She's also aware that she’s being stalked and is terrified. And while yes, our Don does stalk her, he’s mainly stalking her… by stalking the stalker. Protection stalking, obviously. Totally different.
When her actual stalker manages to get her, our Don, who just so happens to arrive at the right time (you’ll get it when you read it), finds her going unconcious, so he takes her back to his mansion and immediately has his men clear out her place… including all her plants and her cat, ensuring it all moves to the mansion with her.
From there, the story leans into a bit of a Beauty and the Beast vibe, with a forbidden wing she’s not allowed to enter but freedom everywhere else, including a gorgeous library and stunning garden, she gravitates toward the botany books (as is her passion), and spends time learning and studying them.
A lot is packed into this short novella, which I appreciated. Quite a few twists and turns that kept things interesting and gave the story its own unique feel. That said, I would have loved a bit more depth and personality from the MMC. I get that he’s a cold, calculating mafia don, but I wanted just a little more intensity to really swoon over him.
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
Dark Romance * Mafia * Billionaire * OTT MMC * Forced Proximity * Stalking * Unaliving * Pet (Cats) * Insta Love * Hidden Identity * Virgin FMC * Secrets
📖127 pages
This story is a standalone within a series and will conclude their story with an epilogue 15 years down the road. As with most mafia stories, we have our virgin FMC, who our mafia Don falls heads over heels for instantly. But our sweet and innocent girl is holding onto some secrets. She's also aware that she’s being stalked and is terrified. And while yes, our Don does stalk her, he’s mainly stalking her… by stalking the stalker. Protection stalking, obviously. Totally different.
When her actual stalker manages to get her, our Don, who just so happens to arrive at the right time (you’ll get it when you read it), finds her going unconcious, so he takes her back to his mansion and immediately has his men clear out her place… including all her plants and her cat, ensuring it all moves to the mansion with her.
From there, the story leans into a bit of a Beauty and the Beast vibe, with a forbidden wing she’s not allowed to enter but freedom everywhere else, including a gorgeous library and stunning garden, she gravitates toward the botany books (as is her passion), and spends time learning and studying them.
A lot is packed into this short novella, which I appreciated. Quite a few twists and turns that kept things interesting and gave the story its own unique feel. That said, I would have loved a bit more depth and personality from the MMC. I get that he’s a cold, calculating mafia don, but I wanted just a little more intensity to really swoon over him.
August 9, 2026
Really liked this little novella. I wasn’t a huge fan of another Horton book I’d read recently, but gave this one a shot and it was much better.
Rose and Matteo had a sweet love story, both carrying secrets, vulnerabilities, and walls. Matteo refuses to let anyone see his true weaknesses, and even though he’s obsessed with the quiet florist, he’s determined not to taint her light with his darkness.
Rose has been on the run, and is now convinced someone is watching her. Maybe two someones. When her stalker makes a move to kidnap her and Matteo saves her, she realizes the broody mafia don is more complicated than she thought. Throw in some forced proximity, a mutual love of plants and libraries, some mild mafia side plot, and a spike of angst at two-thirds in, and you have a decent little love story.
Both MCs were likable and easy to root for. This one offered more depth than other Horton books, and we get to see some layers to our characters. The cats were a nice touch. Rose with quietly dignified, and when Matteo lashed out unreasonably in the third act, she held her head high. Thankfully we don’t sit in the angst for long as he pulls his head out of his ass quickly and realizes his true feelings.
The action at the end was a tad rushed but I also liked Rose “handling” things herself and how that all played out. The epilogues were extra sweet, and I really liked Matteo’s dad being a voice of reason and peace (just wish we had more scenes with him!!)
A good mafia-lite pallet cleanser with some decent spice and likable characters in a sweet vulnerable love story.
Safety:
-no ow/om drama
-*very* brief third act separation with decent grovel
-no cheating
-HEA with 2 epilogues, married/kids and pregnant
Rose and Matteo had a sweet love story, both carrying secrets, vulnerabilities, and walls. Matteo refuses to let anyone see his true weaknesses, and even though he’s obsessed with the quiet florist, he’s determined not to taint her light with his darkness.
Rose has been on the run, and is now convinced someone is watching her. Maybe two someones. When her stalker makes a move to kidnap her and Matteo saves her, she realizes the broody mafia don is more complicated than she thought. Throw in some forced proximity, a mutual love of plants and libraries, some mild mafia side plot, and a spike of angst at two-thirds in, and you have a decent little love story.
Both MCs were likable and easy to root for. This one offered more depth than other Horton books, and we get to see some layers to our characters. The cats were a nice touch. Rose with quietly dignified, and when Matteo lashed out unreasonably in the third act, she held her head high. Thankfully we don’t sit in the angst for long as he pulls his head out of his ass quickly and realizes his true feelings.
The action at the end was a tad rushed but I also liked Rose “handling” things herself and how that all played out. The epilogues were extra sweet, and I really liked Matteo’s dad being a voice of reason and peace (just wish we had more scenes with him!!)
A good mafia-lite pallet cleanser with some decent spice and likable characters in a sweet vulnerable love story.
Safety:
-no ow/om drama
-*very* brief third act separation with decent grovel
-no cheating
-HEA with 2 epilogues, married/kids and pregnant
May 30, 2026
Matteo built her a garden. A GARDEN. My standards have been reset. 😭
Don’s Flower is book three and Amanda Horton just keeps delivering. Her writing is so fluid and easy — novellas that pull you in immediately and don’t let go. I’m fully hooked on this series. 💃🏾
Rose is the softest, most adorable FMC and Matteo is that classic hard exterior, complete marshmallow inside combination that I will never get tired of. Their dynamic is just warm — genuinely sweet without being cloying. 🥹
And that garden. That man built her an entire garden. I’m not okay and my expectations for fictional men have officially been recalibrated. 😂
I had a feeling early on that Rose’s background was more complicated than she let on — a powerful family, a forced marriage, a name change to disappear. But her mother’s coldness caught me completely off guard. Poor Rose really deserved so much better from the people who were supposed to protect her. 😱
Soft, sweet, quick and genuinely lovely. Exactly what this series does best.
Cannot wait for the next book. 👀
Don’s Flower is book three and Amanda Horton just keeps delivering. Her writing is so fluid and easy — novellas that pull you in immediately and don’t let go. I’m fully hooked on this series. 💃🏾
Rose is the softest, most adorable FMC and Matteo is that classic hard exterior, complete marshmallow inside combination that I will never get tired of. Their dynamic is just warm — genuinely sweet without being cloying. 🥹
And that garden. That man built her an entire garden. I’m not okay and my expectations for fictional men have officially been recalibrated. 😂
I had a feeling early on that Rose’s background was more complicated than she let on — a powerful family, a forced marriage, a name change to disappear. But her mother’s coldness caught me completely off guard. Poor Rose really deserved so much better from the people who were supposed to protect her. 😱
Soft, sweet, quick and genuinely lovely. Exactly what this series does best.
Cannot wait for the next book. 👀
January 25, 2026
This was another day, but satisfying read from Amanda Horton. Rose is a simple flower arrangement, and lives with her cats and plants in a cheap apartment. She fears a stalker is following her, and tries to avoid him at all costs. Matteo is a Don for Brooklyn, and he's been watching Rose for some time, and knows that she has shadows following her as well. When the stalker finally tries to take her, Matteo is there to save her and scare the stalker away. He takes her away to his mansion to be safe, and these two eventually give in to the steamy passion someone below the surface.
This was another of the quick novellas the author has been working about the New York Don's. Even though they're quick reads, they're still quite interesting and enjoyable. I really like the turns that this one took, and the deep dive she takes in Rose's passion for plants. It really made the story more interesting.
Well done!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was another of the quick novellas the author has been working about the New York Don's. Even though they're quick reads, they're still quite interesting and enjoyable. I really like the turns that this one took, and the deep dive she takes in Rose's passion for plants. It really made the story more interesting.
Well done!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Matteo is a man of power, a life of an underworld , with watching and stalking a certain florist . Rose has her own secrets and she gets a second stalker her life seems nothing put darkness and worry. Oh but alpha Matteo and owner of Notte Bianca is not going to allow anyone hurt his flower. The woman who has taken his heart.
This book has one strong female, who has a past and falls for the man who passes in the world of darkness but gives her light.
Matteo can’t believe that his florist is happy to put light into his world.
I loved how both Matteo and Rose are honest with each other, not games, just chemistry and love.
Oh this book has drama, pure chemistry, steamy, action and romance.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book has one strong female, who has a past and falls for the man who passes in the world of darkness but gives her light.
Matteo can’t believe that his florist is happy to put light into his world.
I loved how both Matteo and Rose are honest with each other, not games, just chemistry and love.
Oh this book has drama, pure chemistry, steamy, action and romance.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2026
'This over-the-top, possessive mafia romance features an obsessive protector Don, stalking-as-protection, a sweet heroine in danger, forced proximity, intense instalove, and a guaranteed HEA. It can be read as a standalone or together with the rest of the books in the Five Borough Mafia series.'
The characters carried the story and they were very compelling and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters carried the story and they were very compelling and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2026
Don’s Flower is a magnificent blend of passion, purpose, danger, action, mystery, suspense, and undeniable chemistry. The best book in this series so far, Rose and Matteo each carry deep emotional wounds and heavy burdens. I loved getting to know Rose and watching her blossom under Matteo’s protection. His cold and calculating demeanor softens so much with her in his life. The tension and spark between these two grows incrementally as the pages turn, and when the passion ignites it is absolutely electric! I loved the twists and turns and the growth arc of the main characters. I could not put this one down, it was so good!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Don’s Flower is the third book in the Five Borough Mafia series by Amanda Horton. This was the first book that I have read by Amanda Horton and it won’t be my last. Now I want to go back and read the first two books. As a mafia romance book girlie; this book has everything that I’m looking for in a mafia book. Don’s flower was full of action, suspense and spice. Matteo is the perfect book Mafia don. He was the right combination of possessive, obsessive and morally grey. As this was a novella; this was a quick read for me that I ended up devouring in a day. I received a free copy of this book and an voluntarily leaving a review.
February 9, 2026
Rose and Matteo
Instalove novella. Part of a Mafia lite series that I didn’t read in order. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Matteo has been watching Rose for months but won’t approach her. Rose is running from something. She knows she’s being stalked. One of her stalkers is Matteo and one night when she was attacked and almost kidnapped, he finally rescues her. Their chemistry is intense and Matteo is all in and wants Rose in his life for good. It doesn’t take long for them to fall in love. Rose’s secrets are revealed and Matteo has to rescue her again. No 3rd act breakup, no cheating, dual POV, two epilogues, HEA.
Instalove novella. Part of a Mafia lite series that I didn’t read in order. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Matteo has been watching Rose for months but won’t approach her. Rose is running from something. She knows she’s being stalked. One of her stalkers is Matteo and one night when she was attacked and almost kidnapped, he finally rescues her. Their chemistry is intense and Matteo is all in and wants Rose in his life for good. It doesn’t take long for them to fall in love. Rose’s secrets are revealed and Matteo has to rescue her again. No 3rd act breakup, no cheating, dual POV, two epilogues, HEA.
January 20, 2026
This is the third book in the mafia novella series. Each is a standalone for the couple.
I loved both Rose and Matteo. Rose with her compassion and love of flowers. Matteo with his stalker/protector role played very well.
Nori and Wasabi were a great addition.
Loved the suspense and especially the twists. The chemistry between Rose and Matteo was hot.
I also liked that Amber was there to help support her. Always concerned but never pushing.
Can't wait to see who will be next to claim their love.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved both Rose and Matteo. Rose with her compassion and love of flowers. Matteo with his stalker/protector role played very well.
Nori and Wasabi were a great addition.
Loved the suspense and especially the twists. The chemistry between Rose and Matteo was hot.
I also liked that Amber was there to help support her. Always concerned but never pushing.
Can't wait to see who will be next to claim their love.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2026
Matteo Moretti has been watching Rose Brown for some time, she is guarded and afraid and he realizes someone else has his eyes on her. Little does he realizes someone from her past is about to make a move against his girl. When someone is about to force her to marry them, Matteo is determined to not let them stand.
This is a short, twisted and steamy read. It is not always the good guy that gets the girl bur the one who protects her.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a short, twisted and steamy read. It is not always the good guy that gets the girl bur the one who protects her.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was so good. Amanda just keeps hitting it out of the park with this series! I loved every moment of this book. The chemistry between these two was so much fun to read and kept me hooked from the very beginning. Throw in mystery as to her background and who she really is and you have non-stop action to keep you engaged. I loved every thing about this book and cannot wait till the next one!!
Review of advance copy
Another fantastic read from Amanda Horton. I am loving this series and Rose and Matteo's story is no different. Both Rose and Matteo compliment each other so well and feel thought out and well written for such a quick read. The addition of Nori and Wasabi was also a great light touch which endeared Matteo even more. Do yourself a favour and please read this book, you won't be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Give me a morally gray hero any day and I'm happy. Loved Rose and Matteo. Both have secrets but as they get to know each other they can finally come to terms that if you love you need to share. This is a spicy steamy love story with danger and intrigue. And I loved that Rose can take anyone on to keep true to herself. Well written, fast paced read and a great story with that morally gray hero that I love.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2026
This book was very much perfect for me. Matteo is a highly protective Don where Rose is concerned. Rose feels a dark presence and a different presence. The chemistry between the two of these characters is bewitching, I absolutely loved reading this book because the way Amanda Horton wrote their story had me fully immersed in these characters lives. I love that in a book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
This was my first time reading this author, and I loved it. It immediately pulled me in. Both main characters were awesome. Perfect mix of dominance and obsession for my no mafia book boyfriend ❤️ this was a quick and spicy read, but it was filled with suspense and was intense. Absolutely loved it. I’ll be going back to read the first two.
Review of advance copy
Matteo and Rose are my favorites so far in this series. I loved their storyline so much. Rose’s past was really interesting and added a lot to the story, and seeing everything unfold made it even better.
And Matteo 🔥 . The way he’s obsessed with her is just chef’s kiss. Their dynamic worked so well!!!
And Matteo 🔥 . The way he’s obsessed with her is just chef’s kiss. Their dynamic worked so well!!!
January 20, 2026
The perfect mix of action, danger, tension and chemistry, spice and love.
Matteo is the perfect book boyfriend. He is possessive, dominant, morally grey and hot.
And Rose is strong, has a past and is the perfect partner for Matteo.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Matteo is the perfect book boyfriend. He is possessive, dominant, morally grey and hot.
And Rose is strong, has a past and is the perfect partner for Matteo.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 2, 2026
Stars: ⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Ending: HEA
Notes: to me, this wasn’t long enough to portray the storyline - it needed so much more depth. There wasn’t a connection between the characters as they had 127 pages to do it, and with the storyline, and the plot twist, it needed way longer. Shame because it had some serious potential
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Ending: HEA
Notes: to me, this wasn’t long enough to portray the storyline - it needed so much more depth. There wasn’t a connection between the characters as they had 127 pages to do it, and with the storyline, and the plot twist, it needed way longer. Shame because it had some serious potential
January 17, 2026
Matteo story. He's been secretly watching Rose and making sure she's OK for a while. They have some serious chemistry and some push and pull as he tries to stay away from her. Great read, and I love these obsessive men.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2026
Phenomenal story
Oh my god what a story. Hated her mother but loved pretty much everybody else. Loved Matteo’s dad. I wonder what happened to him. I guess he passed by then. A must read
Oh my god what a story. Hated her mother but loved pretty much everybody else. Loved Matteo’s dad. I wonder what happened to him. I guess he passed by then. A must read
February 14, 2026
Amazing for a short read!
This author has me hooked that she can write such a short books with so much crammed into them! I love the action and the romance and the incredibly hot sex!
This author has me hooked that she can write such a short books with so much crammed into them! I love the action and the romance and the incredibly hot sex!
February 15, 2026
ok
She knows she is being stalked and the man that finds her fascinating also knows and intends to find out who and protect her. Story was slow ok seemed to be missing something that would draw you in better.
She knows she is being stalked and the man that finds her fascinating also knows and intends to find out who and protect her. Story was slow ok seemed to be missing something that would draw you in better.
February 19, 2026
loved it!
Such an incredibly cute story and I absolutely LOVED the ending. Only a couple of small inconsistencies but nothing that took away from my enjoyment. Totally worth the read!
Such an incredibly cute story and I absolutely LOVED the ending. Only a couple of small inconsistencies but nothing that took away from my enjoyment. Totally worth the read!
May 28, 2026
Another Don off the market
Saw what he wanted, wouldn’t claim or corrupt Rose, wouldn’t put her at risk, or risk loosing something he cared about but he could protect her, that’s how it started.
Saw what he wanted, wouldn’t claim or corrupt Rose, wouldn’t put her at risk, or risk loosing something he cared about but he could protect her, that’s how it started.
February 14, 2026
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING STORY LOVED IT.
📚🔥✨🔥✨🔥✨🔥✨🔥💞✨🔥📚
📚🔥✨🔥✨🔥✨🔥✨🔥💞✨🔥📚
March 11, 2026
I love Matteo and Rose together! Such a wonderful and beautiful healing love story! Soo soo good and soo soo H.O.T I absolutly loved it! 🥰❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️❤️😍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews