The Beast Who Bought Me

Clemenza Family #1

by Leighton Greene

I used to be a mafia prince. Now I'm marked as prey.

Someone is systematically eliminating my Family bloodline, and I'm the last heir standing.

No money.
No allies.
No way out…except one.

An underground auction where the wealthy and the wicked bid on desperate, untouched men like me.

I expect to be sold to a stranger. Used and discarded.

Instead, I'm bought by a man with a two-decades-long vendetta against my dead father. A beast who drops ten million dollars to own me, then drags me home to a prison he built just for me.

He wants vengeance. He wants to break me. But I'm not as easy to break as he expects.
And when danger follows me into his territory, he becomes something I never expected.

A protector.
A possessor.
He keeps me safe, even while he keeps me caged.

I’m starting to think the most dangerous thing isn’t being owned by him.

It’s wanting him to keep me...


The Beast Who Bought Me is book 1 of an ongoing-couple trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. Expect dark dealings, obsession, possessiveness, toxic dynamics, and all the red flags. These antiheroes will earn their happily ever after, but they'll fight hard to get there.

Content guidance can be found on the author's website.

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Forced Proximity, Dark Romance, Romance, Crime

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2026

About the author

Leighton Greene has been writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Her first book was a choose-your-own-adventure style book about deciding what to eat for breakfast. It didn't shake the New York Times bestseller list, but she still has a copy of it.

After spending some time writing in academia, fanfiction and corporate reporting, Leighton decided she should probably do what she actually wanted to do, which was to write commercial fiction. So she did. She writes gay romance and, when the mood strikes, erotica as L.J. Greene.

Leighton lives with her partner and her cockatiel on the east coast of Australia.

(Source: Amazon.com)

Reviews

[Kiandra 🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOOOOOO, book two isnt out yet 😭

[Latty|The Creative · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I should've known better than to doubt Leighton because, as much as I was enjoying the story and its development, it felt more Romantasy compared to the other books. I realized it was the heavy politics, the system of betrayal, and conspiracy that I was missing.

I mean, when you've gone through what I've gone through with the Morellis and the Castellanis, that rush of war, violence, protection, and love from Damiano and Caligula felt more on the lighter side because this wasn't about the Clemenzas, per se, like I'm used to. I got the impression of two broken sons with their own agendas falling for each other.

BUT, like I said, I should've never doubted Leighton BECAUSE this is exactly why I'm OBSESSED with her mafia books! I didn't even realize this was a slow burn until the very end of the book, lol.

My goodness, the Clemenzas have always been scum in my eyes, but Caligula isn't like his family, and chiiiiiiile, I'm sooo looking forward to seeing where this will go.

Will the Clemenzas get a redemption arc and rise from the ashes? What happens next with Caligula? And Damiano, will he act on his revenge or follow what his heart is leading him to? Then again, he has bigger fish to fry, like explaining his shenanigans to Big Gee, especially Seb.

Delicious! Delicious! Delicious!

I think I'm rambling about my excitement for the story and not actually reviewing it properly, but what can I say? Leighton Greene tends to bring out my inner rambling queen because her stories are so well-written and developed that I can't help but ramble on.

The Clemenza Series is off to a marvelous start, and I look forward to what happens next.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

After his cousin was found dead, Caligula at twenty-one, was the only direct descendant left—the very last grandson of Don Louis Clemenza.
They want him dead, too. To stop running and to get out of this life, he auctioned himself with his virginity.

Twenty-one years of rage and now he got what he wanted. Damiano Orsini, the thirty-four-year-old, ruthless Enforcer of the Giuliano Crime Family, finally got him; Caligula Clemenza, son of his father’s killer! He will finally get his revenge!! He will break him.

‘I’m a Clemenza. We don’t submit. We don’t beg.’

What follows is super duper entertaining, with a lot of pining, cruelty, breaking spirits, manipulation, and action.
Other mafia families are involved and it’s all intriguing af!
The story ends with a big cliffhanger

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

He did damnit! Mafia Enforcer Damiano Orsino literally paid TEN MILLION dollars to own Caligula Clemenza, the last unexpected heir of the Clemenza Mafia Crime Family, for one whole year!

The Contract says that Orsini can't kill him, and that Caligula will get the money after the time is up. Caligula doesn't really have a choice because Orsini isn't the only one that wants him, but he doesn't know who the others are, why or what for. What he doesn't know is that Orsini's plans are a lot more sinister than killing him, and he has put a lot of preparation work into them.

CALIGULA is the last known Grandson of the Clemenza Don since he recently found the body of his murdered Cousin and just managed to escape with his own life, thanks to a stranger. His whole family; biological and pledged have been executed or removed.

He is a 21 year old virgin. He has bronze/blonde hair, honey eyes, and not meant to step into the role of a Mafia player. He was raised to be wealthy and sophisticated, to know about the Business and be Loyal but not on the Inside. Nobody wants to help a wanted man, with no money and no power. There is talk of Clemenza loyalists somewhere but are they even real. This winning bidder, the Stranger who previously saved him, is his only option.

ORSINI is the Enforcer for another Family. He is older. A man built for violence and intimidated, with scars and tattoos all over his body. A gay man on the Down Low who has all the sophistication of new, dirty money, and cares little about that. He does care about what he has in store for "the Clemenza" in the next 12 months.

I love Greene's books because I know that the plot will always be as exciting as the Spice. Infact her books would stand as thrilling on their own without the spice, that is how well plotted they are, and how well written.
However, that spice is imaginative, and written with perfect detail over several pages. The suspicion, hate, desire for vengeance and necessary dependency come up against inconvenient mutual sexual attraction. What develops is sympathy, gratitude, and anticipation but they can't get distracted from the original reasons that brought them together.

Some of these reasons lay in the past, and both characters have backstories that are slowly revealed but cannot be forgotten.

The supporting characters are so well developed and really come alive in the mind of the reader. They also allow additional parts of the two MMC to be shown, for better or worse. There are found family, traitorous acquintances, hurt love rivals, fair-weather friends and more than a few surprise guests.

The world building of secret basement nightclubs, glamorous galas, seedy offices, cold docks with dark warehouses and THAT house are so richly drawn and sensually evocative.

For those that are fans of Greene's previous two amazing Mafia series (The Morelli Family, and West Coast Mobsters) there are a couple of mentions to appease curiosity, but if you are not familiar then no prior knowledge is needed or even implied.

This is the first book in a Trilogy of the two MMC, which I always find worrisome because I fear that the story will lose pace, or become filled with irrelevancies but this one flew by in one sitting with enough cliffhangers to leave me frustrated in anticipation. This kind of 'edging' is not the kind I like from my spicy Mafia fiction Ms.Greene!

Best advice Dear Reader; take a month off work and read The Morellis, West Coast Mobsters and then this. Not because you need to, but because they are worlds I really want you to enjoy spending time in and you will be so very glad that you did.

[Jen (thisbeereads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s ok. dami is a little tamer than i was expecting, a lot of bark and little bite. but might check out the next one.

[rinia carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

these two. they’re so right for each other, they balance each other out so well.

unfortunately everyone is lying and it can only go downhill from here.

i don’t blame caligula for leaving because if i can’t trust you when you said you were protecting me but keeping secrets when i asked that we BOTH not lie…..yeah i’m gone!

killing grisha and knocking out the king….so suspicious…and sammy……MOVE ON!

[Adam Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot emphasize enough that this is the best of the genre. Oh my god. And I don’t mean Mafia Romance. I mean MM Romance. I wish I could give more than 5 stars. I CANT WAIT FOR BOOK 2.

Now time to explore the author’s backlog and see whether this story just went crazy for my taste or if they’re all amazing like this.

[Nicholas Cimato · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Ride! What a Cliffhanger!
This was an excellent read, the characters are well written and fully developed, from the MC’s to the supporting characters the storyline flows seamlessly. The writing is tight and the engaging, I was drawn in from page 1 and was oh so tempted to read the end to see the conclusion. I’m glad I exercised some patience and read it properly. The book ends on one heck of a nail-biter cliffhanger, setting the scene for book 2. I hope it is released soon as I NEED TO KNOW what happens with Dami and Caligula. My understanding is that this will be a 3 book series and I am in it for the long haul. Lately I have gravitated to the paranormal M/M universe, but I will put aside my dragons, vampires, and weres for these guys. I would set aside a full day or weekend to read cover to cover and immerse yourself in the dark underbelly of the NY mob scene.

[Ana Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

My original review is still the same, but I needed to add how much I enjoyed Michael Ferraiuolo’s narration. The story was already awesome but he made it a thousand times better!!!
~~~
Another thrilling mafia story from Leighton Greene. This is book one of her new series, the Clemenza Family; which centers around Caligula Clemenza. Cal is running for his life after members of his family are being unalived.

In order to survive, he offers himself up for auction and plans to use the money to leave the city. What he doesn’t know is that the man that buys him has a vendetta against his family and will stop at nothing to get his revenge.

Damiano Orsini has waited two decades to avenge his father. He has been biding his time for the perfect moment to exact his revenge and when the opportunity comes sooner than expected, he can’t let it pass by.

As the Giuliano family’s enforcer, Damiano was explicitly warned not to do anything against Cal. But his hate for the man is what prompted him to outbid the competition and purchase Cal for his own.

The goal was to make Cal pay, the result was Damiano starting to fall for the enemy. Despite his need to make Cal suffer, Damiano can’t help his attraction to Cal.

But just when they seemed to have found a common ground, Cal finds out a truth that changes everything. Whatever little progress they made was squashed by Damiano’s words.

Now Cal is back to square one but in more danger than before. We now have to wait what happens in the next book since there’s a major cliffhanger that I’m still haven’t recovered from.

I’m so invested in this story! Leighton just knows how to hook us from the very beginning. Compared to the previous mafia books, this one is very low heat but the little there is will have you reaching for a cold shower 🥵

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo

Thank you to Leighton Greene for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Someone is taking out Clemenza’s, despite a no kill order from the head families of New York. Caligula Clemenza is in hiding after his cousin’s murder leaves him the final heir to his grandfather’s crime family. With his options limited, an old acquaintance invites him to auction himself off at an underground billionaires club. Protection will be guaranteed and a large payment will be provided at the end of an agreed upon contracted timeframe. Damiano Orsini, enforcer for the Giuliano’s, has his own vengeful reasons for hunting down Caligula, so when an anonymous text sends him to the club just as the auction is heating up he knows it’s his chance. $10 million later, for a one year contract, both men are going to find their expectations stretched to breaking point.

The twisting darkness of this story was heightened by the exquisite vocal talents of Michael Ferraiuolo. There is a reason this man is one of my favourite narrators.

What I liked and what didn’t work for me: I usually split this part of the review in two, but my feelings are all over the place with this story. I knew going in that this is book one of a trilogy where the main characters will not receive their happy ending until they have suffered a lot, including at each other's hands. I know I can rely on Leighton Greene to get us there in the end but I’m very nervous about the journey. The characters are complicated and broken, and the side characters making up Damiano’s found family have me on edge as I’m not sure I can fully trust one of them not to add to their issues. The cliffhanger ending with the extra twist was a stab in my heart I did not expect and is going to live rent-free in my head until the next book is released! The romance element and spice aren’t fully there yet for me; I think it felt a bit too clinical due to the nature of the characters this early in their story. I’m sure I’ll want to reread it when the full trilogy is out and will appreciate these fledgling moments better then. The plot was simmering in the background, with a few exciting explosions of mafia mayhem, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes in the rest of the series.

Final thoughts: A dark, but at times, touching opening to a new mobster romance trilogy.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of dark contemporary romance with morally grey characters. Heads up, this first book has a cliffhanger ending, but the author has said all books will be out this year.

Note; this is a very dark romance for adult readers. Content guidance can be found at: https://leightongreene.com/the-beast-...

[Qiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are not a fan of dark romances then don’t pick up this book. If you are not a fan of MM romances don’t pick up this book. If you do not love Leighton Greene again I say do not pick up this book. As introductions to a new series goes this is excellent. It is a twisted version of Romeo and Juliet with lots of twists and turns you come to expect from Leighton. Damiano Orsini has spent his entire life planning revenge against Caligula Clemenza for the death of his father 21 years prior. The thing is Cal was only a baby at the time of Dami’s father’s death. But as with any traumatic event in ones childhood rationalizing what you saw, what actually happened and who to blame without therapy rarely if ever happens. In the world Dami grew up in that was not going to happen and his need for revenge becomes an obsession and that obsession leads Cal right into the fire.

Cal is the last living Clemenza (you will need to have read the Morelli Family series to understand the full scope of the demise of the Clemenza family) and he is on the run. Although Luca D’Amato has decreed no one can go after the Clemenza’s someone has ignored the Don. Cal has no one he can trust, friend or “family” and he would rather die than go to the Morelli’s for protection. He finds himself on the auction block staring down Damiano Orsini whom he doesn’t know hates him for the sins of his father. Cal believes he will be safe once bought by Dami since he is now owned by an enforcer of one of the four families. Dami thinks he will be able to easily break Cal now that he owns him, they are both so very wrong.

The assassination attempts continue the question is why and who? Cal wasn’t set to inherit the family business his grandfather was a cruel man and would not under any circumstances leave his empire to his queer grandson. So who is trying to kill Cal and will Dami see past his vengeful obsession and look at the man Cal really is? Will Cal look past the surface and see the man Dami is the man still mourning the loss of his father, can they find love while trying to stay alive?

Will Damiano and Caligula build their own empire? We have two more installments to go and I can’t wait.

[Thyrza · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ster
Positief:
Het boek is prima geschreven, zoals gebruikelijk door Leighton Greene.
Het verhaal sprak me aan en aangezien het een dark mm is, wist ik vooraf dat niet alles me aan zou staan en had ik me daarop ingesteld.
Ik wilde constant weten hoe het verhaal verder ging en heb daardoor de hele nacht doorgelezen.
Minpunten:
In de omschrijving staat niet dat het verhaal eindigt in een cliffhanger en dat de hoofdpersonen hun HEA niet bereiken in dit boek. Dat vind ik niet erg, zolang ik maar alle boeken achter elkaar kan lezen. Aangezien dit echter het eerste deel is en deze pas net uit is, zal ik nog erg lang moeten wachten op het volgende boek. Laat staan hoe lang ik moet wachten op mijn HEA, want volgens mij wordt dit een trilogie?
Qua personages het volgende: Cal vond ik op zich prima. Hij is aardig hoewel een beetje te simpel qua denkwijze aan het begin van het boek: hij besloot vrij snel om zich te koop aan te bieden via de veiling en zocht zijn heil bij mensen waarvan je bij voorbaat weet dat ze niet het beste met hem voorhebben. Naarmate het boek vordert, beviel Cal me steeds beter (tot het einde waarin hij weer een enorm puberachtige beslissing neemt).
Dami vind ik als onderdeel van de maffia helaas niet erg geloofwaardig:
- hij houdt 20 jaar vast aan wraak en richt zich daarbij op een jongeman die zelf niets heeft gedaan:
- hij is schijnbaar enorm rijk en kan vrijwel volledig zijn eigen naadje naaien, zonder gevolgen. (hIs hij nog beschikbaar?Is hij nog beschikbaar? Hoe komt hij zo enorm rijk???!
- aan de andere kant kleed hij zich niet naar zijn rijkdom en positie (goedkope pakken, i.p.v. maatpakken);
- hij laat zich veel te veel leiden door Cal in hun zoektocht naar informatie. Je zou denken als dat Dami als gehard lid van de maffia zelf ideeën heeft en dan met name betere ideeën.
- Verder verwacht ik van zo'n personage dat hij zich een stuk rationeler opstelt (bezitterig zijn is prima, maar zo iemand zal het grotere plaatje niet zomaar uit het oog verliezen).
Al met al een vermakelijk boek, die qua verhaal wel de moeite waard is om te lezen. De uitvoering had echter een stuk geloofwaardiger en overtuigender gemogen.

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beast Who Bought Me starts off this dark and twisted, psychological, mafia-esque, romance series. It'll make you question the characters, it's going to make you yearn for answers, and with the cliffhanger at the end of this book, it'll leave you yelling at the characters too.

I'm not super familiar with Leighton Greene's writing, but considering I haven't read a super dark book in a while, I figured I'd give this a go. And wow, this book did not skimp on the dark, gritty, and twisted parts. I don't want to talk about too much because a lot of it will be spoilers but I will say that the MC's relationship is.. unconventional. There is definitely a power play and power imbalance happening as well as dub-con, so if those might be triggering, or not something you'd enjoy, please proceed with caution.

Both of these men are alike in a lot of ways, both know the business they are in, both men are street smart, and they both are stubborn and grumpy. The angst in this book was through the roof! I liked that these two were sussing each other out, trying to find each other's blind spots, not to necessarily wound them but to have that information in case they needed it. I thought their banter was really entertaining to read about, especially when Cal kept taunting Dami.

The BDSM aspect of it all wasn't MY personal favorite, especially the heavy focus on spicy times, but I get why that was important to the story, and the characters themselves. I really enjoyed reading about the overarching plotline, all the twists and turns that slowly got revealed was very interesting and has just made me more excited to continue reading the series. I really want to know what's going to happen to Cal now. Especially because he's in BIG trouble with Dami...

~~I received an early copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.~~

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first instalment of this new dark mafia series. We have Caligula Clemenza who is own the run and trying lay low as his cousin Louie, next in line to take over the Clemenza Crime Family has just been killed. Someone is trying to kill off all of the remains Clemenzas. He doesn't know who to trust or where to hide so he can figure out his next move. He is also a closeted gay man who lived terrified what his grandfather would do if he ever found out that his grandson like men, so he never acted on his impulses. This all changes when Caligula is forced to do the unthinkable, auction himself off to the biggest bidder for a year in order to keep himself safe and alive.

Damiano is an enforcer for the Guiliano Family and has been planing his vengeance over the Clemenza Family ever since his father was killed in front of him by Caligula's dad, when he was only 13 years old. He has had years to think and plan so when he is tipped off that there is a very special 'auction' going on at the Bratva's private club, he finds himself with the best opportunity he has had in ages, to seek his revenge. Make Caligula pay for what his family did.

But things don't always go as planned and I loved having a front row seat to Damiano and Caligula's slow dance around each other. Damiano may be a beast who has amounted a fortune over the years being the enforcer of a famous mafia family but has no style and is quite brutish in his ways even if he cares for his close found family that works for him. Caligula may not be an active participant in the Clamanza Family but he has all of the pomp and poise and know how of someone who has been brought up like royalty. As they both try to find out who is trying to kill Caligula, the must find a ways to work together whilst being captor and prey. Being in such close proximity their attraction grows even if Damiano is blind to it.

I enjoyed the pacing of the book, how crumbs were dropped slowly, the fact that neither men could let their guard down for that long not knowing who to trus. I also like the extra drama the secondary characters bring to the book and I can't wait to see what Leighton has in store for us in book 2.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up for this one, because it’s a wild start to the new mafia series - be warned too, it does end on a cliffhanger but the story is well worth the suspense.

In the wake of Luca Morelli’s takedown of the Clemenzas, the last Clemenza heir finds himself at the mercy of his self-proclaimed enemy, an enforcer for the Giuliano family whose vow of vengeance quickly becomes sidetracked by the unexpected desire that blooms between owner and pet.

Caligula Clemenza may be a brat clinging to the last vestiges of his princely upbringing, but it doesn’t take long for his new master Damiano to realize the fiery, quick-thinking younger man is exactly his type. The heat level cranks up quick, as does the action - in between the burning stares and threats of violence that somehow never materialize, both men realize there is more going on behind the systematic destruction of the Clemenza empire than what Don Morelli set in motion.

As the two get closer to each other and the danger following Cal, we see their personalities flesh out in that satisfying way Leighton Greene has mastered throughout multiple mafia series - by the end of the story, my heart was in a vise because I just want this spoiled dilettante and his bruiser of a love interest to be safe and happy, ok?!

It’ll be a torturous wait until book two, but as with the Morellis and the West Coast mobsters, we’re at least assured of a happy ending. Reading the previous series isn’t necessary to enjoy this one, but I recommend it anyway because they’re just so darn good.

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh hottie and the brat! Gimme gimme!! Fine he is one scary hottie who (initially) has no trouble putting the brat in his place with a revenge plot to boot and he is brat running for his life with no where left to turn when the hottie BUYS him in The middle of shifting regime changes in the criminal mafia underworld of the city but hey that is what makes this book ADDICTIVE. It works like a dream.. fast paced writing, fantastic characters and pushing the plot to the edges makes for a spectacular reading experience.

I need to shout about this new series by Leighton Greene. It is phenomenal- all the lines are blurry or eradicated, no one wants to be redeemed and the grey is black tinted. Except when it’s white hot like the virgin who finds him self a slave and discovers he has a possible praise and degradation kink and loves being edged with forced orgasms. This book has darker themes than the previous series so if you need to please read the content warnings.

So there is a tonne of action, life and death situations, murky loyalties, strong found family and a possesive protective MC *growl*!

I need the next book after that cliffie so I hope it’s coming soon this series has started off with such a gripping first book. Damiano and Caligula are absolutely fire together the back and forth push and pull the animosity the resentment is just sublime.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beast Who Bought Me by Leighton Greene is set in the same world as the Morelli Family and the West Coast Mobsters spin-off. Even though this book takes place after the events in the Morelli Family books, I think that it would be ok to read without reading the original series. There might be some confusion over some characters and events, but the book is fairly contained and things are lightly explained as the story develops. That being said, I do recommend reading the Morelli Family series. It’s a good series and will help explain all the characters and prior events.

This is the first book in a trilogy and it was a ride! From a character that was desperate to a character devoted to revenge, this is a mix of truths, lies, family, enemies, danger and safety with plenty of heat spread throughout. Dami and Cal are a match steeped in mafia loyalties and family. It is not an easy relationship as they fight the family loyalties and ties to past events. This first book isn’t exactly a romance. The start of romantic feelings and the chemistry is there, but the HEA for Dami and Cal will not happen just yet, though it has been promised.

I listened to the audiobook and the performance by Michael Ferraiuolo was very good. He can really bring mafia type character to life.

I received a copy of this audiobook and this is my honest opinion.

[꧁•Zakiyya•꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when authors list ‘Dark’ MM romance as a trope then actually follows through on the darkness.

This story was brimming with excitement from the beginning.

Damiano is an enforcer for a mafia family - cold, disciplined, and carved from violence. He lives and breathes loyalty to his Family, and every move he makes is calculated.

Years ago, his father was murdered by a rival mafia boss, and Damiano has been carrying that blood debt ever since.

Enter Caligula, the beautiful, sharp-tongued son of that very boss.

With his father dead and enemies circling, he does the unthinkable—he puts himself up for auction, to the highest bidder to avoid being assassinated.

It’s a desperate gamble for survival.

And Damiano wins.

What follows is a vicious, slow-burn descent into obsession, revenge, and twisted devotion. Damiano doesn’t buy Caligula for protection. He buys him for vengeance. He wants the son to pay for the father’s sins. But Caligula seems nothing like the ruthless monster who raised him—and that creates confusion in Damiano’s carefully controlled rage.

I knew this story was going to span 3 books when I chose it, but the premise was too exciting to resist – I absolutely LOVED this first part and can’t wait for the next book.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of all the mafia stories by Leighton Greene. They are complex, engaging, violent and deeply human--and so are the characters. The world of her mafia feels completely real and authentic.

The Clemenza story shows us the New York mafia battle from a very different perspective. We've seen how the Morelli family wrested control from the other families, and now we see how that landed for the losing families. I love the politics of the situation, and I love how Caligula keeps his head even when he's not free, and maintains (and possibly leverages) all the relationships his family has established among the influential people of New York.

The relationship between Cal and Damiano changes pretty quickly, I think in part through the influence of Damiano's found family. It's good for a powerful person to have those around him who keep him humble! I am looking forward to seeing Cal and Damiano strategizing to keep Cal alive.

Even though this book does not end in an HEA (or really even an HFN), it doesn't feel like a cliffhanger. I'm willing to wait for the next installment in their story, because I know the plot is thickening! I highly recommend this book, and all of Greene's mafia stories.

[Ashley Carrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before you go into this story know that like orher Leighton Greene Mafia stories that it's going to be intense. Plus this is only book one of these two crime family stories and leaves off on a cliff hanger ready to dive in to the next book. Caligula finds himself to be the last heir to the Clemenza crime family and in danger of being a target. He then finds himself between a rock and a hard place and is bought by Damino for ten million dollars which he's resigned to as it seems there are other people who want him and one of the clauses of Damino buying him is that he can't be executed so it's a matter of the lesser of two evils. He has to survive the year in hopes of changing his life. What neither man expect though is the murkey waters Damino and Caligula find themselves in. There's hatred and vengence between them but is that all? There also seems to be a twisted sense of obsession and attraction as well but they can't have that. Especially when Caligula is locked up and not treated well at first until something shifts that neither man wants to confront. Yet there can't possibly be any trust between them with families at war and blood being shed. This is an adventure you really have to buckle up for and you never know what you're going to get next. So be prepared.

[SNik · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in series (Clemenza Family). Captor/captive. Forced proximity. Dub-con. Size difference. Age gap. Dual POV. Cliffhanger. Heed content warnings.

Caligula is on the run and has been marked for death, his last hope is to auction himself off in order to gain enough money to disappear. Damiano is an enforcer that wants revenge, and buying the Clemenza heir is a triumph, but keeping Caligula safe while plotting his torture becomes a hard task to juggle.

A fantastic start to a darker trilogy, where revenge and family loyalty are paramount. The power imbalance is acute, but Cal is a fiery, highly intelligent man, so their interactions are definitely push and pull. Both Cal and Dami want to manipulate and use the other, and outside forces come to bear on their interactions which disrupt Dami’s revenge plan as they try and find out who is out to kill Cal. The sexual tension is high, the peeks into Cal and Dami’s backgrounds are important, and the trust is thin. Knowing this is a relationship that will struggle was compelling, the characters interesting, the chemistry steamy, and seeing they actually work well outside of the bedroom was fully entertaining. 4.5 rounded up

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

STARTED: 4/22/2026
FINISHED: 4/26/2026
FORMAT: Audio🎧
LENGTH: 9hrs and 41mins or 374 Pages
GENRE: Dark Romance
STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5
STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 1 of Clemenza Family
POV: 1st Person Dual POV
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STAR RATING: 3 out of 5
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CATEGORY RATINGS
Score 1-5
Engagement: 4— Drawn in: Looked forward to reading; consistently engaging
Emotional Vibes: 4— Strong emotions: Several emotional highs.
Character Attachment: 3— Liked some but not strongly.
Vibe Consistency: 4— Steady: A couple dips but overall cohesive
Memorability: 4— Will remember core details clearly.
Total: 19
Rating Average: 3.8
(Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): Round Down
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What to Expect:
✨LGBTQ
✨Age Gap
✨Forced Proximity
✨Possessive
✨Dubious Consent

[Showarst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh!!!! Cliffhanger!!! I loved this.

The Beast Who Bought Me by Leighton Greene is a phenomenal book. I adore Leighton’s other series (West Coast Mobsters and of course, The Morelli Family), so it was very exciting to find a new trilogy set in the same world. Caligula Clemenza is the last of his line being hunted by many people who want to punish him or end him. He ends up having to put himself up for auction and is bought by the one person who hates him the most. I absolutely loved Cal. He was smart, funny, and a survivor. He knew what he had to do in order to live–even selling himself to his enemy. I understood Damiano Orsini, but at this point, I don’t like him a lot. I have a feeling that he will grow on me as we head into book 2 and 3. The ending is definitely a cliffhanger, but it is so good, you should still pick it up. This author has a way of making a large book speed by so quickly. I cannot wait to read book 2. I will be thinking of Cal and Dami quite often over the next months.

I received an ARC from the author for my honest review.

[S.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exciting!! I absolutely adored both of Leighton Greene’s mafia series and Luca/Finch hold a very special place in my heart – I was so pleased when they got a shout out.

Caligula and Damiano are absolutely obsessed with each other and I loved the imagery of the two of them: Caligula is a mafia prince, whilst Damiano is ‘just’ an enforcer – brain and the brawn. Caligula’s internal dialog was entertaining, insightful and showed that he wasn’t just a pretty face. I thought the family Damiano has created in his home was so touching, and the scenes where the four of them were ganging up on Damiano were lovely.

The underlying mystery and how the two of them work outside of the fact that Damiano owns Caligula were brilliantly written, with control between them shifting with the tides. I am here for the next instalment and wish it could be sooner. Very pleased with this, especially as I have been struggling to read non fanfiction lately!

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beast Who Bought Me by Leighton Greene is a dark, sexy, fast-paced, romance that kept me up reading late into the night! I would recommend checking out the content note at the beginning of the book, and if you choose to go ahead, you won't be disappointed. Caligula and Damiano are not your typical good guys, and they may not have the most promising of starts, but I was sure rooting for them by the end! Damiano wants so much for Cal to submit, and to have complete control over him, but at the same time feels such protectiveness and care. Cal knows he must submit, part of him wants to, but still he manages to find the strength and power in his position and will not be easily broken. With an added mystery to solve and an interesting secondary cast of characters, as well as a good amount of heat, I was along for the ride! Very much looking forward to the next book coming out, as I anticipate a very satisfying HEA

[Likes2Explore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall 5 STAR
Performance 5 STAR
Story 5 STAR


Absolutely thrilling start to the Clemenza Family series!

I enjoyed listening to this so much and looking forward to the series to continue. I usually do not like cliffhangers but I was warned going in that this ended on a cliffhanger and made sure that this was book 1 of this series so I knew what I was getting myself into! I will just have to re-listen to this one when the next one comes out to jog my memory but that will not be a burden because oh my goodness listening to Michael Ferraiuolo is such a treat. My ears were very happy!

There is plenty of twists and turns, action, secrecy, lies, deception, thrills, and slow-burn romance, to keep us on the edge of our seats!

I loved every minute!

The next book can’t get here fast enough!

*dark romance *mafia *virgin *age gap *vengeance

Thank You to Leighton Greene and team for the chance to listen to this ALC!

[S.M. Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio book Review
Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

This is a rivals to lovers with trepidation tale. I knew it was a cliffhanger but the end still felt abrupt, while also satisfying in the portion of the love story it told. These characters are complex and deep and the world building of the interwoven Mafia families as usual is phenomenal.

I found myself drawn into this complex tale, wondering how their feelings would play out while also intrigued by the mystery unraveling within the plot.

As usual the narrator is brilliant, awing me with his skills at craftily switching between characters so believably. Anyone who has previously enjoyed these MM mafia romance stories will fall in love with this story and the audio book.

I received an advanced copy of this audio book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beast Who Bought Me, by Leighton Greene, is loosely associated with her other mafia series (plural), and it’s great fun to spot the tie-ins. Revenge is a wonderful, yet petty, way to live. Damiano wants revenge for the death of his father at the hands of Caligula’s (love the nod to Roman history in this book) father. Caligula just wants to survive the destruction of his entire family. Seems simple on its face, but doesn’t play out that way. Delightful characters coming to grips with perspective, yet not quite getting there. One step forward, two steps back. I’ve read many of Greene’s books, and will continue to come back for more of her writing. Looking forward to the remaining books in this set. DISCLAIMER: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Metz874 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review
An amazing start to this new dark mafia triologi. Dami and Caligula is playing a dangerous game where everything can happen. I was captivated from the first page and didn't want to put the book down. The writing is perfect, the plot is excellent and the secondary characters, of which there are many, plays important roles in this tangled web. Everything just flows so naturally together and the author is creating a masterpiece for us to enjoy. And of course it ended in a cliffhanger. So now I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting for the next book, but Still I will highly recommend to start reading this new triologi. It's entertaining and have a lot of intriguing content to keep you occupied.

[Andrea Smedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything by this author, which generally all get 5 stars from me. This is a bit darker than their usual, as the relationship between Cal and Dami has an element of dubcon/noncon, given that Cal has sold himself to Dami for a year. The chemistry and sexy scenes were great, my only issue (where it lost a star for me) is how unlikeable Dami was for a big chunk of the book. His housekeeper summed it up perfectly when she told him he likes to make everyone else miserable because he's miserable himself. That was starting to change by the end, and the book pace really ramped up as Dami and Cal investigated who is killing off Clemenzas. I was thoroughly invested by the cliffhanger ending and now anxiously awaiting the next instalment!