Nico

Feretti Syndicate #9

by Sherry Blake

A debt. A lie. A love that could destroy them both.Kristen Thomas knows survival. After clawing her way out of a marriage that nearly broke her, she's building a new life for her daughter.
Saving a stranger's life at a gala wasn't part of the plan.
Finding out that stranger is the mother of Chicago's most ruthless crime boss? Even less so.
Nico Sartori has spent his entire life building walls no one can breach.
Love is a liability he can't afford.
But when the woman who saved his mother needs protection from a threat that could end her life, keeping his distance becomes impossible.
She's sleeping down the hall. Looking at him like he's more than the monster everyone says he is. Making him want things he swore he'd never have.
The rules were Keep her safe. Don't fall.
Some rules are made to be broken.

Some debts can never be repaid.

Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Kristen Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherry Blake did it again!!!! Nico and Kristen are absolutely AMAZING!… did y’all notice the FMC’s name is Kristen Thomas and do you notice my name? 😜 Sherry Blake is my all time favorite author and I can devour her books in hours! This book was beyond amazing and I completely fell in love with it! So, Nico is a strategist and looks for every possible outcome in every situation but he was NOT ready for Kristen to come into his life. Kristen is a single mom of a 4 yr old and her ex is a manipulative POS who threatens her constantly throughout the book. So, Kristen works odd ball jobs to make ends meet, and one night she is working as a server for a Gala and Nico’s mom (Aria) starts choking on a piece of shrimp. No one helps her and Kristen springs into action to save her life. The Sartori’s feel like they are in debt to Kristen for saving Aria’s life. They invite her to dinner and end up offering her a job as their housekeeper. This is where it gets SPICY 🌶️ 🔥! I’m not going to go into detail because I don’t want to spoil anything about this book, but it is a MUST READ!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and literally ALL of Sherry’s books. I also recommend reading them in order so you know who is who. Sherry Blake, you are AMAZING!!!

[McKayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherry Blake has done it AGAIN. 😍😍😍 Nico and Kristen are beautifully written.

Kristen is a single mother to adorable Lily. Lily is written like the perfect little four-year-old with wonder, imagination, and that ever-present ability that children have to embarrass the tar out of their mothers. I love that she wasn't just used as some blank, uninteresting sidebar character that was only present as window dressing. Kristen is a strong, determined, and capable woman whose only goal is to build herself back up after a draining marriage and for her daughter to grow up safe and happy. Nico is over-the-top, morally grey, and a total asshole but with Kristen, it seems his heart is at least in the right zipcode. I love that he's both aware and completely unaware of the different struggles between his life and the lives of others.

Loved it, A+, read it in a single day like I was starving for it (which I am with everything Sherry Blake writes). Already starving for Vittoria! ❤️

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristen, a hard working single mom suddenly finds herself in the wrong place at the right time and it changes her life in that instance. Nico isn’t quite believing what his cold dark heart is seeing, or is there a small crack that’s letting some light in? The drama and danger are real and Kristen finds herself having to fight off more than one enemy and one is even closer to home than she ever imagined. Under the protection of the Satori family Kristen and her precocious bunny loving 4 year old flourish and Kirsten can finally let down her guard, but her walls are a fortress and it will take more than extravagant gestures for her and Nico to get their HEA. This was a super addition to the series that kept the reader turning the pages. Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review her work.

[Charlii · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of romance books (600+ now) but I can honestly say Sherry’s books stick with me and there’s good reason. It’s not oh I fell madly in love with him and it’s all fixed because that isn’t real life. It’s the brutalness of loving again, trusting someone to not hurt you again and putting yourself back together. Sherry’s words resonate as a woman who has done that and it’s so raw and honest in the process. Like recognises like and that’s why it hits so hard. You cry happily and you think f**k yes I did the same as this woman.

Kristen is a strong woman who has been hurt before, putting her daughter first. Along comes Nico - alpha male energy who’s never loved before. Nico shows her that love can be the same actions but with good intentions behind it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (plus another hundred)

You won’t regret reading this or any of Sherry’s books.

[Cat1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Nico and his family's story. I've been waiting anxiously for this book. It has such an awesome storyline. The characters are so warm and caring. I love this story. Kristen comes to work at the Santori compound. Nico's attreaction to Kristen is strong from the start. The more Nico watches Kristen, the less grumpy Nico becomes. It is heartwarming to watch Nico fall in love with Kristen and her 4 year old daughter, Lily. Kristen and Lily seem to turn the house more into a home, and everyone seems happier. This is such an enjoyable read. I think this Mafia story and series is my favorite. I can't get enough of this family.

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

[Redcurlsangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review, thx Sherry Blake

A book is good when you can't put it down because you absolutely have to know what happens next. And "Nico" is exactly that kind of book.
I'm not usually a fan of storylines with single moms and young children, but in this story, it was so much fun to read about Kristen and Lily's development. And especially to see how much the two girls change Nico.
A man who can't get along with people, who doesn't show or allow himself to feel emotions, is completely charmed by Lily and Kristen... Even the side character, Bruno, softens.
Of course, there's plenty of suspense, plot twists, and smut. All in all, a fantastic read.
Highly recommended.
HEA, no cheating or sharing
⭐️ 4/5
🌶 3.5/5

[Pages With Teastains · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Nico is officially my favourite out of this series so far!

Kristin is a single mother who finds herself in a dangerous position that her ex-husband put her in. She needs help to get out of it, and Nico steps in to be her hero, and save her he does.

I love the drama and danger that comes with a mafia romance book and Sherry knows just how to give enough to keep you turning those pages.

Lily is absolutely adorable, and I love that Nico goes from a hardened man to a ball of goo for the little girl, giving her whatever she wants.

A closed-off, emotionally constipated man who opens his heart for his girl and her daughter! Count me in.

The chemistry, the banter, the spice, chef's kiss.

Highly recommend.

[Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️,5

I honestly don’t really know how to categorize how I felt about it. Nico is a strategist and emotionally very unreachable. Kristen is a single mother with no connection to the mafia world. She saves Aria, Nico’s mother, from choking at a gala where she’s working as a waitress, which is how she ends up on their radar. Everything felt very intense and consuming. Nico was really sweet with her daughter, but between him and Kristen, everything moved so fast. It just made me wonder, if they barely communicate and are constantly mistrusting each other, how can they suddenly be the couple, you know?

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nico is a fantastic read that offers so much more than the standard tropes. I loved the strength of the Kristen and how she fought to get by, and it was incredibly moving to see the Nico's siblings fully accept her child without hesitation. Even though this was my first book in the series, I never felt lost. Nico's endearing awkwardness as he fell head over heels was the perfect touch. He did not understand what it was but he struggled through it regardless.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️🌶️
Love love love! Nico was everything i thought he would be. Who knew that a single mother would steal his heart. I love when a MMC is grumpy and cold. Nick definitely was there. Kristen the FMC was perfect as well. I loved reading her scenes with her daughter. The banter between all family members was amazing. Character development as truly amazing and was not rushed. The plot to spice ratio was amazing. Definitely a re-read for me. Excited for the next book!

[Khou Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!

Oh my gosh the way I devoured this book is no joke! The chemistry, the banter, the spice was everything! Nico is the definition of grumpy, over protective and obsessed. I would recommend this over and over again!

[Janet Taylor-Crisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

NICO

Wow, just love this series. Loved Nico and Kirsten’s story. The gorgeous brooding silent mafia man and his beautiful stressed single mom story. 5 stars highly recommend

[Lisa Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the pleasure of been a Beta Reader for Sherry and this was my first one officially.

I have read the entire series so far and I am in the love , the Satoris are one of my favourite families. Sherry has written the plot and spice perfectly, definitely recommend