A Dark Bloom: Mafia Captor/Captive Dark Romance

by Analee Giancoala

From author Analee Giancoala comes Book 2, a captor/captive dark mafia romance in The Donati Famiglia interconnected stand-alone series.

Every action has a consequence. . .

Imogen Murphy, daughter of The Murphy Family, is an Irish Mob Princess. But never say that to her face. She has always known she’s been destined for more.

Due to the death of her brother she is arranged to marry a man her pa deems worthy to carry on the crime family legacy. A title that was always meant to be hers.

Refusing to go through with the marriage she does the only she can do; make her escape the night before the wedding.

But there’s a grave mistake in her plan. One she never saw coming. His name? Rico Maroni. Consigliere to The Donati Famiglia.

Captured. Bound. Held prisoner by the hands of a man known for being cold and terrifying.

As the weeks bleed into months Imogen knows one thing to be true, Rico is not the man the world claims him to be. She comes to understand him in a way no one else ever has or ever will. She doesn’t see the face men fear; she begins to see the face of a man she could love.

With families that have been enemies for over a century and a war that has come to its head Imogen wonders where Rico will stand. Will he choose his Famiglia or her?

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 28, 2025

Reviews

[Ashley C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dark Bloom is a thrilling story that kept me on the edge of my seat and was hard to put down. It has great characters, a nice pace, lots of tension, steamy moments, good banter, and plenty of passion. The way Imogen and Rico’s story unfolds is so beautiful with the way they truly see one another. Rico caught her and now he wants to keep her 😈

Imogen is the Irish mafia princess who’s fiery, a fighter, and a total baddie. Refusing to follow through with her arranged marriage, she flees in the dark only to run straight into a shadows arms. Rico is meticulous, ruthless, and feared but there’s something about Imogen that brings out a side he’s never shown before. As a war begins and the steamy tension grows between them, sides need to be chosen and interesting alliances are made. The strong bond between Imogen and Rico is something they will do anything to keep, no matter the cost 🫠

Thank you so much Analee Giancoala & Luna Literary for this ARC 🫶🏻

[Becky Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I am so thankful that I read this book.

This follows MMC Rico and FMC Imogen. Rico kidnaps Imogen to get back at her father, but turns out her father is a nasty piece of work who doesn't care.
I really appreciate that Analee write Rico as an mmc that didn't know how to feel, as well as writing Imogen's character as a total badass and the one who was able to bring feelings out of him.

The side characters Gino and Pietro were a wonderful part of this story. Pietro antics had mmc in stitches at times and I hope that he ends up getting his own book!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this wonderfully written arc @authoranaleegiancoala and @luna.literary.management

I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Story: 5⭐️
Characters: 5⭐️
Character Growth: 5⭐️
Spice : 3🌶️

[Katie Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

🇮🇹 🖤 🇮🇪🧠 ARC Review 🧠🇮🇪🖤🇮🇹

Yes. Yes. YES!!! The instant connection I had to both the FMC and MMC is wild. Let me just say, Imogen… bad bitch. Rico… loooovee him forever. Together… POWER COUPLE that should be feared‼️
.

The growth. The build-up. Family vs The Family. The banter. The “Teach Me” moments. 🥵🫠 I was a puddle mentally, maybe physically? when the FMC gave the MMC her soul and then later took something of his…This book had everything. One moment I was kicking my feet, the next I was squeezing my thighs shut.

Every time I had to put this book down to be an adult, I was genuinely mad. I haven’t yet read the first book in this series, ‘A Beautiful Crime’, but I definitely will be after this one.

Thank you LunaLiterary and Analee Giancoala for this piece of art 🥰

[Maria Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing!!

This book was totally worth the wait!! Rico and Imogen are amazing!!! Imogen and Rico meet when Imogen tries to escape an arranged marriage and Rico ends up kidnapping her and bringing her to the Familigia. Rico instantly warms up to Imogen and connects with her a in a way he was never connected with anyone before. Rico has trouble with empathy and has taken to mimicking emotions.

Rico starts to see Imogen as his and protects her and stands up for her in front of his Don and Donna.

To help further protect her Rico asks Imogen to marry him. They love each other deeply and Rico sees what Imogen’s father didn’t see, how strong she is.

They are an asking couple and I can’t wait for the next book! I hope Kirill gets his.

[Laura (booksandbunnyhugs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mafia romance is perfect for fans of Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger. I loved every moment of the captor/captive dynamic. Imogen is no wilting flower; she takes matters into her own hands which only attracts Rico to her more. Rico is navigating a flurry of new emotions but what wins out is his instinct to protect and love Imogen ahead of his familigia.

Giancoala's series puts strong, female characters at the forefront. While the MMCs in this world are great, it is the FMCs that will pull you in.

Tropes:
Captor/Captive
Neurodivergent Rep
Mafia Romance
Badass FMC
Virgin MMC
Touch Her & Die

I received an ARC from the author via Luna Literary. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[GoodLittleLibraryMouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

With such a fascinating MMC in Rico, and an interesting story of a mob princess who is kidnapped by a rival mafia, A Dark Bloom is a great followup to the first book in this series. I really loved how strong of an FMC Imogen was, especially when paired with the quirks of Rico.
A great read for those who enjoy a mafia romance!

Thank you for gifting me an advanced reader copy. Review reflective of my personal opinions

[Lauren Curley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5 Stars
🌶🌶 - Spice Level

Imogen and Rico are an unlikely pairing, but as the relationship unfolds you see her understanding of his autism and he finds out what love is or able to identify it.

Imogen is not weak. She was betrayed by her father's empire when not considered the heir to inherit. She's running away from an arranged marriage only to be captured by Rico "the Grimm reaper" for the same mob who her father is enemies with. It may be a short courting to Instalove, but it was meant to be. Now the shibari was spicy! I loved that this was Nico's outlet even if he was a virgin.

I enjoyed this second book in this series and can't wait for the next.

Thank you, author, for the ARC!
Release Date: December 28, 2025

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️
Rico is such an interesting character while Imogen is definitely another queen, just like Carina was in the first book in the series. I definitely enjoyed seeing how Carina’s protective side came out to play, alongside Rico’s obsession and possessive attitude when it comes to her.

This was another amazing book in the series and I can’t wait to read the next book.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟
3.5🌶

Thank you to Analee Giancoala and Luna Literary Management for the outburst to read this thrilling love story.

If you love enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and an over the top obsessed man, may I introduce you to Rico Maroni and Imogen Murphy.

full ARC Review to come.

[Readingwithdesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giancoala's series puts strong, female characters at the forefront. While the MMCs in this world are great, it is the FMCs that will pull you in.

Tropes:
Captor/Captive
Neurodivergent Rep
Mafia Romance
Badass FMC
Virgin MMC
Touch Her & Die