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Engaged to the Enemy
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26In this dark, steamy rom-com perfect for fans of Brynne Weaver, a woman finds herself working alongside her best friend’s new brother-in-law—one of the most notorious mafia bosses in New York and her worst nightmare.
Michelle Hanson is swearing off men forever. After her last truly disastrous date, she’s ready for a fresh start in her new job. Unfortunately, the freaking universe has other plans, because on her first day she accidently flashes her new boss… who just so happens to be one of New York’s most dangerously handsome mafia kingpins.
The last time Dante Luciani saw her, Michelle was dragging a dead body into an alley. Cute, right? So when he asks her to pose as his fake fiancée for the next few months, Michelle can’t exactly say no, thanks. After all, they both know she can keep a secret. She’ll just have to get through this strictly business engagement without falling for Dante’s charms.
But when your fake fiancé is a notorious mobster, "just friends" is never really an option.
Michelle Hanson is swearing off men forever. After her last truly disastrous date, she’s ready for a fresh start in her new job. Unfortunately, the freaking universe has other plans, because on her first day she accidently flashes her new boss… who just so happens to be one of New York’s most dangerously handsome mafia kingpins.
The last time Dante Luciani saw her, Michelle was dragging a dead body into an alley. Cute, right? So when he asks her to pose as his fake fiancée for the next few months, Michelle can’t exactly say no, thanks. After all, they both know she can keep a secret. She’ll just have to get through this strictly business engagement without falling for Dante’s charms.
But when your fake fiancé is a notorious mobster, "just friends" is never really an option.
- GenresDark RomanceRomance
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Lucy Smoke
76 books3,125 followersLucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC. Unfortunately, I am not a fan and had to give up at 32%. I found the characters to be very flat and the pace of the story to be too slow moving.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy of Engaged to the Enemy by Lucy Smoke!
Engaged to the Enemy follows Michelle, who is forced into an arranged engagement with Dante, a powerful mafia heir. As the two navigate their dangerous families, power struggles, and undeniable attraction, what begins as a reluctant alliance slowly turns into something more which could have been really juicy but unfortunately fell flat.
Before I get into my thoughts, I should mention that I didn’t read the first book in the series, so I wasn’t comparing this one to anything that came before it. This was my first Lucy Smoke novel.
Overall, I thought this book was just okay. Dark romance is very hit-or-miss for me because the overly possessive alpha male trope can start to feel more comical than intimidating. After a while, the constant “she’s mine” and “no one can even look at her or else” energy just loses its impact.
Ironically, though, Dante wasn’t my biggest issue with the book…Michelle was. I understand wanting to write a strong, prideful heroine, but her stubbornness became frustrating instead of compelling. There were multiple moments where it felt excessive, and rather than rooting for her, I found myself getting more and more annoyed by her.
One thing I personally don’t enjoy in dark romance is if the main couple ever physically hurt each other. I was especially uncomfortable during the scenes where Michelle punched and bit Dante. Those moments didn’t work for me and made it harder to enjoy their relationship.
The writing itself was fine overall, but there were a few moments that completely pulled me out of the story. I actually laughed when Michelle’s internal reaction to Dante confessing that he loved her was, “that’s pretty awesome.” It just felt oddly casual for such a significant emotional moment.
It felt like Michelle fell in love with Dante simply because they slept together which I wish was different. I wanted to see a stronger emotional foundation develop between them before that shift happened. Their relationship needed more convincing moments that showed why they belonged together beyond physical attraction.
In the end, this one just wasn’t for me. I can definitely see why fans of darker mafia romance might enjoy it more than I did, but I never fully connected with either the characters or the romance.
Engaged to the Enemy follows Michelle, who is forced into an arranged engagement with Dante, a powerful mafia heir. As the two navigate their dangerous families, power struggles, and undeniable attraction, what begins as a reluctant alliance slowly turns into something more which could have been really juicy but unfortunately fell flat.
Before I get into my thoughts, I should mention that I didn’t read the first book in the series, so I wasn’t comparing this one to anything that came before it. This was my first Lucy Smoke novel.
Overall, I thought this book was just okay. Dark romance is very hit-or-miss for me because the overly possessive alpha male trope can start to feel more comical than intimidating. After a while, the constant “she’s mine” and “no one can even look at her or else” energy just loses its impact.
Ironically, though, Dante wasn’t my biggest issue with the book…Michelle was. I understand wanting to write a strong, prideful heroine, but her stubbornness became frustrating instead of compelling. There were multiple moments where it felt excessive, and rather than rooting for her, I found myself getting more and more annoyed by her.
One thing I personally don’t enjoy in dark romance is if the main couple ever physically hurt each other. I was especially uncomfortable during the scenes where Michelle punched and bit Dante. Those moments didn’t work for me and made it harder to enjoy their relationship.
The writing itself was fine overall, but there were a few moments that completely pulled me out of the story. I actually laughed when Michelle’s internal reaction to Dante confessing that he loved her was, “that’s pretty awesome.” It just felt oddly casual for such a significant emotional moment.
It felt like Michelle fell in love with Dante simply because they slept together which I wish was different. I wanted to see a stronger emotional foundation develop between them before that shift happened. Their relationship needed more convincing moments that showed why they belonged together beyond physical attraction.
In the end, this one just wasn’t for me. I can definitely see why fans of darker mafia romance might enjoy it more than I did, but I never fully connected with either the characters or the romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There’s something about Lucy Smoke’s writing that flows well and makes it so easy to binge read. I’m new to this author, so I hadn’t read the first book in the series, but had no problems reading this, as whatever context you need is provided as a recap or flashback. I’m actually a little glad not to have read it, because from what I can see in this one, Daisy (the protagonist in book one) is pretty annoying. I do recommend reading the trigger warnings just in case. But is it strange that based on reading them, I expected the book to be darker?
The pacing is good, establishing the premise a fifth of the way through. I love dual point of view narration, so seeing from both Michelle and Dante’s perspectives was great. That said, sometimes the writing feels heavy handed; you can feel the author’s intent in their writing. Like “let’s show how unaffected he is by a dead body by writing this scene”or “oh, show the reader that he’s already interested in Michelle” or “let’s really underline how he isn’t interested in love”. Or, in the case of Michelle, “see, her internal dialogue shows she WANTS a darker hero.” Early on, I wondered if the book would ever stop saying “men like me” (thankfully yes). And random, but why was Michelle wearing stockings with jeans? And as hyped up as the summit is (it’s what prompts the whole scheme after all), it’s over pretty quickly; one of their dates has more words devoted to it. The whole book can feel a bit thin - we don't dive deep into anything, whether it's the climactic scene or a core character trait like Dante's fear. The two leads don't communicate with each other about what they're truly feeling or their worries. Nevertheless, it's a fun read, especially with Michelle's humor.
Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Lucy Smoke for this ARC!
The pacing is good, establishing the premise a fifth of the way through. I love dual point of view narration, so seeing from both Michelle and Dante’s perspectives was great. That said, sometimes the writing feels heavy handed; you can feel the author’s intent in their writing. Like “let’s show how unaffected he is by a dead body by writing this scene”or “oh, show the reader that he’s already interested in Michelle” or “let’s really underline how he isn’t interested in love”. Or, in the case of Michelle, “see, her internal dialogue shows she WANTS a darker hero.” Early on, I wondered if the book would ever stop saying “men like me” (thankfully yes). And random, but why was Michelle wearing stockings with jeans? And as hyped up as the summit is (it’s what prompts the whole scheme after all), it’s over pretty quickly; one of their dates has more words devoted to it. The whole book can feel a bit thin - we don't dive deep into anything, whether it's the climactic scene or a core character trait like Dante's fear. The two leads don't communicate with each other about what they're truly feeling or their worries. Nevertheless, it's a fun read, especially with Michelle's humor.
Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Lucy Smoke for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay… this book was a whole mafia romance circus and I happily bought a front row ticket. This book follows Michelle and Dante and their fake engagement starts as a simple arrangement… except we all know nothing is ever simple in a mafia romance. Dante needs a fiancee, Michelle has her reasons for saying yes and suddenly these two are stuck pretending they don’t care while everyone (including me) is watching the tension build.
Michelle had me laughing because her inner thoughts were pure chaos. She’s stubborn, sarcastic and definitely had moments where I wanted to yell “girl, please think this through!” But honestly, that’s what made her fun to follow. Dante is the classic grumpy, morally gray guy who acts like he has no feelings… until Michelle starts getting under his skin. Watching him slowly soften was probably my favorite part because those little moments where he dropped the “I’m a scary Don” act were everything. The banter? SO good. The arguments, the teasing, the little moments where they tried to convince themselves this was “just business”… yeah, okay. Sure. We believed you.
I did wish we got a little more depth in certain parts, especially after their relationship shifted, because I wanted more of that emotional connection. A few things moved a little faster than I would have liked, but overall, this was a fun, quick, entertaining read. If you love fake engagements, grumpy morally gray men, mafia drama and couples who are basically one argument away from admitting they’re obsessed with each other… add this one to your list.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Lucy Smoke for allowing me to read this eARC before its release through NetGalley. Engaged to the Enemy releases on November 17, 2026.
Michelle had me laughing because her inner thoughts were pure chaos. She’s stubborn, sarcastic and definitely had moments where I wanted to yell “girl, please think this through!” But honestly, that’s what made her fun to follow. Dante is the classic grumpy, morally gray guy who acts like he has no feelings… until Michelle starts getting under his skin. Watching him slowly soften was probably my favorite part because those little moments where he dropped the “I’m a scary Don” act were everything. The banter? SO good. The arguments, the teasing, the little moments where they tried to convince themselves this was “just business”… yeah, okay. Sure. We believed you.
I did wish we got a little more depth in certain parts, especially after their relationship shifted, because I wanted more of that emotional connection. A few things moved a little faster than I would have liked, but overall, this was a fun, quick, entertaining read. If you love fake engagements, grumpy morally gray men, mafia drama and couples who are basically one argument away from admitting they’re obsessed with each other… add this one to your list.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Lucy Smoke for allowing me to read this eARC before its release through NetGalley. Engaged to the Enemy releases on November 17, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one had such a fun setup. Michelle agrees to pretend to be engaged to Dante, the new head of his mafia family, so he can get through an important gathering without everyone trying to arrange his marriage. Of course, putting two people who already know how to push each other’s buttons into a fake engagement is asking for trouble 😂. I liked the mafia setting, the banter, and the whole “this is only pretend” situation when we obviously know where this is going.
But somewhere along the way, it started losing me a little. I wanted more time to actually feel Michelle and Dante falling for each other. Their chemistry was definitely there, especially earlier in the book, but their feelings seemed to move from attraction to something serious way faster than I expected. I kept thinking, wait… are we already here?? I also wanted Michelle to push back against Dante a little more because that fire between them was one of the things I enjoyed. Some of the bigger mafia moments also felt surprisingly quick, when I was expecting more tension and drama from them.
Still, this was an entertaining, spicy, easy read and I had fun with parts of it. Dante’s softer moments were probably my favorite, and I liked the friendships and family relationships around them too. I think readers who love fake engagements, possessive mafia men, lots of spice, and a romance that moves quickly will probably have a much better time with this than I did. For me, it was enjoyable while I was reading it, but I wanted a little more emotional depth to make the romance really stick with me.
But somewhere along the way, it started losing me a little. I wanted more time to actually feel Michelle and Dante falling for each other. Their chemistry was definitely there, especially earlier in the book, but their feelings seemed to move from attraction to something serious way faster than I expected. I kept thinking, wait… are we already here?? I also wanted Michelle to push back against Dante a little more because that fire between them was one of the things I enjoyed. Some of the bigger mafia moments also felt surprisingly quick, when I was expecting more tension and drama from them.
Still, this was an entertaining, spicy, easy read and I had fun with parts of it. Dante’s softer moments were probably my favorite, and I liked the friendships and family relationships around them too. I think readers who love fake engagements, possessive mafia men, lots of spice, and a romance that moves quickly will probably have a much better time with this than I did. For me, it was enjoyable while I was reading it, but I wanted a little more emotional depth to make the romance really stick with me.
July 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think I’m still trying to process the absolute fever dream that this series is… but you know what? I’m having a ridiculously good time anyway.
This installment follows Michelle, a 24-year-old temp worker who’s trying to save her parents’ farm while chasing her big NYC dreams. Naturally, those plans get completely derailed when her best friend’s brother-in-law needs a fake fiancée to keep the other mob bosses from throwing their eligible daughters at him.
Oh… and he’s the newly appointed Don of the Luciani syndicate.
Totally normal fake dating setup, right?
Engaged to the Enemy leans much more into the mafia romance than the Butcher & Blackbird-esque vibes of the previous book, but it still delivers on the over-the-top chaos that makes this series so much fun. At this point I’ve stopped asking questions and have simply accepted that these books run entirely on vibes, questionable decision-making, and somehow making me enjoy every minute of it.
This was a solid 3.5-star read for me. The romance was fun, the banter kept me entertained, and then the author hit me with a completely out-of-pocket Gaston reference at the end. I actually laughed out loud. That joke earned the extra half star all by itself, and I refuse to elaborate.
Lucy just keeps getting better with each installment, and honestly? I’m fully invested in whatever wonderfully unhinged plot she comes up with next.
I think I’m still trying to process the absolute fever dream that this series is… but you know what? I’m having a ridiculously good time anyway.
This installment follows Michelle, a 24-year-old temp worker who’s trying to save her parents’ farm while chasing her big NYC dreams. Naturally, those plans get completely derailed when her best friend’s brother-in-law needs a fake fiancée to keep the other mob bosses from throwing their eligible daughters at him.
Oh… and he’s the newly appointed Don of the Luciani syndicate.
Totally normal fake dating setup, right?
Engaged to the Enemy leans much more into the mafia romance than the Butcher & Blackbird-esque vibes of the previous book, but it still delivers on the over-the-top chaos that makes this series so much fun. At this point I’ve stopped asking questions and have simply accepted that these books run entirely on vibes, questionable decision-making, and somehow making me enjoy every minute of it.
This was a solid 3.5-star read for me. The romance was fun, the banter kept me entertained, and then the author hit me with a completely out-of-pocket Gaston reference at the end. I actually laughed out loud. That joke earned the extra half star all by itself, and I refuse to elaborate.
Lucy just keeps getting better with each installment, and honestly? I’m fully invested in whatever wonderfully unhinged plot she comes up with next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Michelle is done with men but could use some cash. Dante has no desire for a wife but needs a "fiancée" for the big mafia meeting. The can't really stand each other, but surely they can deal with each other long enough to get what they need from each other and not fall in lust/love, right?
I went into this with high hopes. I love a good mafia/dark romance, big fan of Brynne Weaver's works, and the cover really got me! I hadn't read anything by the author, but everything else looked great and the blurb was vague but sounded like a fun time; unfortunately, it did not quite meet the expectations set for it... The plot itself was fine - sufficiently entertaining but nothing really memorable. There were some inconsistencies of details in a few spots (like one scene where Michelle is in jeans one moment but in stockings a few moments later) that could be mostly overlooked but were still obvious. The larger issue for me were the main characters. At best, I though the were both fairly one dimensional, at worst, annoying. The snarky epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter ended up being my favorite parts of the book.
While a standalone, it is connected to another book by the author. It is not necessary to read the other first, but Michelle and Dante appear to have actually met for the first time in it and the couple from the first book appear quite often in Engaged to the Enemy. So if you enjoyed one, you'll likely appreciate the other. As for me, I'll be moving on from this series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Grand Central Publishing, and the author for providing an early copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I went into this with high hopes. I love a good mafia/dark romance, big fan of Brynne Weaver's works, and the cover really got me! I hadn't read anything by the author, but everything else looked great and the blurb was vague but sounded like a fun time; unfortunately, it did not quite meet the expectations set for it... The plot itself was fine - sufficiently entertaining but nothing really memorable. There were some inconsistencies of details in a few spots (like one scene where Michelle is in jeans one moment but in stockings a few moments later) that could be mostly overlooked but were still obvious. The larger issue for me were the main characters. At best, I though the were both fairly one dimensional, at worst, annoying. The snarky epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter ended up being my favorite parts of the book.
While a standalone, it is connected to another book by the author. It is not necessary to read the other first, but Michelle and Dante appear to have actually met for the first time in it and the couple from the first book appear quite often in Engaged to the Enemy. So if you enjoyed one, you'll likely appreciate the other. As for me, I'll be moving on from this series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Grand Central Publishing, and the author for providing an early copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At a mafia summit held once every ten years, powerful families gather to negotiate alliances and strengthen their influence, sometimes through marriages. To help Dante Luciani avoid the political pressure of entertaining those alliances, Michelle agrees to a fake engagement after her best friend sets the plan in motion at a family dinner. As the newly appointed don of his family's syndicate, Dante views the arrangement as a practical solution that benefits them both. But keeping their relationship strictly business becomes more difficult as genuine feelings begin to develop.
This is a hate to love, dark rom-com, mafia romance, and a fake engagement at its core. While the story explores the darker side of the mafia world, it balances the tension with well-timed humor. The highlight for me was the author's clever use of wordplay in Michelle's dialogue, which consistently added some of the funniest moments in the book.
I do recommend that readers review the content and trigger warnings before picking this one up, as it contains themes that may not be suitable for all readers. This book can be read as a standalone but may contain some spoilers for Married to the Mafia if not read first.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced copy.
This is a hate to love, dark rom-com, mafia romance, and a fake engagement at its core. While the story explores the darker side of the mafia world, it balances the tension with well-timed humor. The highlight for me was the author's clever use of wordplay in Michelle's dialogue, which consistently added some of the funniest moments in the book.
I do recommend that readers review the content and trigger warnings before picking this one up, as it contains themes that may not be suitable for all readers. This book can be read as a standalone but may contain some spoilers for Married to the Mafia if not read first.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm not one to be interested in dark romance—they're usually blurry on consent, focus too much on cruelty, and generally just unpleasant. But I'm usually good with the mafia murder stories. Engaged to the Enemy is no exception. I didn't realize how much I'd love a dark rom-com. The humor, one-liners, and cozy vibes (between murder, of course) absolutely did the trick for me.
This book was so much fun to read. I hadn't read the first book—which I'm going to rectify immediately—but the author does a phenomenal job filling in the gaps, giving the pertinent backstory, and making sure the reader it's caught up and bought in on our pre-existing characters.
Michelle, our FMC, is just the right mix of funny, a little insecure, but mostly confident and independent, with just a little, or medium, sense of adventure. Dante, MMC, was our stereotypical mobster- with-a- heart-of- gold. Somehow the trope didn't come across as too cliche, and he remained a sexy, brooding, guard-dog of a (fake) boyfriend.
Spice in this is a solid 3.5🌶️/5, with about four high quality scenes. And pleasantly all mostly vanilla (though no less hot).
I really need more humorous dark romance, and I'm begging Lucy Smoke to keep going.
Thank you to Forever/ Hatchette for this ARC.
This book was so much fun to read. I hadn't read the first book—which I'm going to rectify immediately—but the author does a phenomenal job filling in the gaps, giving the pertinent backstory, and making sure the reader it's caught up and bought in on our pre-existing characters.
Michelle, our FMC, is just the right mix of funny, a little insecure, but mostly confident and independent, with just a little, or medium, sense of adventure. Dante, MMC, was our stereotypical mobster- with-a- heart-of- gold. Somehow the trope didn't come across as too cliche, and he remained a sexy, brooding, guard-dog of a (fake) boyfriend.
Spice in this is a solid 3.5🌶️/5, with about four high quality scenes. And pleasantly all mostly vanilla (though no less hot).
I really need more humorous dark romance, and I'm begging Lucy Smoke to keep going.
Thank you to Forever/ Hatchette for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this ARC read through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warning: Men - This had me!
Michelle’s inner monologue and the things she said were beyond amazing! She had me laughing from the get go. Even if she could be a little shy she stood her ground and didn’t let Dante run her life. She was caring, and did so much for her family.
Dante, the Alpha Wolf. I would not have been surprised if this would have been a book about werewolves. He was strong-willed and would do anything to protect what was his (real or fake).
While I loved the dynamic between Michelle and Dante I felt like their relationship was a bit rushed, or we just didn’t get enough pages of their time together to feel like they were building something strong. When I thought things were going to get really good and have this giant conflict and Dante would wreak havoc on the world, it fell a little flat.
What I Liked
*Michelle’s inner monologue.
*Michelle’s protectiveness of India (the screaming Shih Tzu)
*The banter.
What I Didn’t Like
*Felt a little rushed
*Anticlimatic
Trigger Warning: Men - This had me!
Michelle’s inner monologue and the things she said were beyond amazing! She had me laughing from the get go. Even if she could be a little shy she stood her ground and didn’t let Dante run her life. She was caring, and did so much for her family.
Dante, the Alpha Wolf. I would not have been surprised if this would have been a book about werewolves. He was strong-willed and would do anything to protect what was his (real or fake).
While I loved the dynamic between Michelle and Dante I felt like their relationship was a bit rushed, or we just didn’t get enough pages of their time together to feel like they were building something strong. When I thought things were going to get really good and have this giant conflict and Dante would wreak havoc on the world, it fell a little flat.
What I Liked
*Michelle’s inner monologue.
*Michelle’s protectiveness of India (the screaming Shih Tzu)
*The banter.
What I Didn’t Like
*Felt a little rushed
*Anticlimatic
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m always a sucker for a good mafia romance, and this one was a really entertaining read. Michelle and Dante had such a fun dynamic, especially with all the arguing, teasing, and obvious tension between them. Michelle brought a lot of personality to the story, and I loved how her humour kept things from feeling too heavy.
The mafia setting, romance, and spice worked really well together, and Dante’s protective side was definitely a highlight for me. I also enjoyed watching their relationship shift from something that was supposed to be temporary into something neither of them could really ignore. There were a few moments where the romance felt like it moved faster than I would have liked, and I would have enjoyed more time seeing their emotional connection grow.
This was a fun, easy read with plenty of banter, chemistry, humour, and mafia drama. It was a little predictable at times, but I still had a great time with it and definitely flew through the book. If you enjoy mafia romances with a lighter, more playful feel, this one is worth checking out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The mafia setting, romance, and spice worked really well together, and Dante’s protective side was definitely a highlight for me. I also enjoyed watching their relationship shift from something that was supposed to be temporary into something neither of them could really ignore. There were a few moments where the romance felt like it moved faster than I would have liked, and I would have enjoyed more time seeing their emotional connection grow.
This was a fun, easy read with plenty of banter, chemistry, humour, and mafia drama. It was a little predictable at times, but I still had a great time with it and definitely flew through the book. If you enjoy mafia romances with a lighter, more playful feel, this one is worth checking out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This cheeky story has a mafia-flavored fake fiancé, great banter, all kinds of sass, with solid ribbons of "wtf?" running through it. It was a really fun read. Engaged to the Enemy tells the story of the ride-or-die bff we met in the first book, Married to the Mafia. While Michelle, our FMC, is the steady to her bff Daisy's crazy, in this second installment we get to see her step out and have someone else help share the burden of keeping everyone on the rails. Dante, our MMC, tries to emotionally stay away from his fake fiancé with concerns about bringing anyone he cares about into the dangerous place of a crime boss spouse. He proposes being friends with benefits during their contracted fake engagement with the thought that it will give them an outlet for their incredible chemistry until they part ways. But, we all know how that goes, and he can't resist her selflessness, grit, and determination, even with Michelle's demonic dog tearing up his house.
All-in-all this was another super fun read from Lucy Smoke.
This cheeky story has a mafia-flavored fake fiancé, great banter, all kinds of sass, with solid ribbons of "wtf?" running through it. It was a really fun read. Engaged to the Enemy tells the story of the ride-or-die bff we met in the first book, Married to the Mafia. While Michelle, our FMC, is the steady to her bff Daisy's crazy, in this second installment we get to see her step out and have someone else help share the burden of keeping everyone on the rails. Dante, our MMC, tries to emotionally stay away from his fake fiancé with concerns about bringing anyone he cares about into the dangerous place of a crime boss spouse. He proposes being friends with benefits during their contracted fake engagement with the thought that it will give them an outlet for their incredible chemistry until they part ways. But, we all know how that goes, and he can't resist her selflessness, grit, and determination, even with Michelle's demonic dog tearing up his house.
All-in-all this was another super fun read from Lucy Smoke.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Lucy Smoke, Net Galley, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was going to be my first Lucy Smoke read but I started it and noticed this might be related to another book so I looked it up and sure enough, there is a book that is first in the timeline. I stopped reading Engaged to the Enemy and quickly caught up by reading Daisy and Guilio's story first. It can be read as a standalone though.
Michelle is a fierce, strong, independent woman trying to make it in New York. Dante is the first born recently named Don Luciani. The two became acquainted when Michelle and her bestie Daisy found themselves in a precarious situation in Married to the Mafia. Michelle has terrible dates, Dante doesn't want a relationship although his dad just wants him settled and happy. Dante blackmails Michelle into a fake engagement. You can probably see where this is headed...they move in together.
I thought the storyline was fitting for a rom com. He is your typical possessive mafia man and she tries to resist her attraction. I enjoyed their banter, especially Dante's thoughts about the dog Michelle rescues
This was going to be my first Lucy Smoke read but I started it and noticed this might be related to another book so I looked it up and sure enough, there is a book that is first in the timeline. I stopped reading Engaged to the Enemy and quickly caught up by reading Daisy and Guilio's story first. It can be read as a standalone though.
Michelle is a fierce, strong, independent woman trying to make it in New York. Dante is the first born recently named Don Luciani. The two became acquainted when Michelle and her bestie Daisy found themselves in a precarious situation in Married to the Mafia. Michelle has terrible dates, Dante doesn't want a relationship although his dad just wants him settled and happy. Dante blackmails Michelle into a fake engagement. You can probably see where this is headed...they move in together.
I thought the storyline was fitting for a rom com. He is your typical possessive mafia man and she tries to resist her attraction. I enjoyed their banter, especially Dante's thoughts about the dog Michelle rescues
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun, fast, and undeniably sexy read. Michelle’s sassy attitude and sharp inner monologue kept me laughing, and the chapter headings were absolutely hilarious—they set the vibe and delivered every time.
Although the Mafia backdrop adds some intrigue, the heart of the story is the playful chaos between Michelle and Dante as they wrestle with their insecurities and fail spectacularly at keeping their fake engagement fake. Daisy, Michelle’s best friend, is the life of the party and expertly stirs the pot, adding even more spark to their banter.
Be sure to check the trigger warnings if certain themes might hit close to home. For me, the Mafia elements stayed firmly in “romance fantasy” territory rather than anything grounded in real-world grit.
Overall, this was a 3.5/5 stars. Engaged to the Enemy delivers exactly what it promises—a lively, entertaining romance romp—but it doesn’t aim for realism.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and the author for the advance reader’s copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Although the Mafia backdrop adds some intrigue, the heart of the story is the playful chaos between Michelle and Dante as they wrestle with their insecurities and fail spectacularly at keeping their fake engagement fake. Daisy, Michelle’s best friend, is the life of the party and expertly stirs the pot, adding even more spark to their banter.
Be sure to check the trigger warnings if certain themes might hit close to home. For me, the Mafia elements stayed firmly in “romance fantasy” territory rather than anything grounded in real-world grit.
Overall, this was a 3.5/5 stars. Engaged to the Enemy delivers exactly what it promises—a lively, entertaining romance romp—but it doesn’t aim for realism.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and the author for the advance reader’s copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For me, this was a good palette cleanser! Overall, I found it to be a simple, mindless read. The prose was a bit juvenile for my taste, but I picked this book up wanting a spicy, silly, quick read and it gave me exactly that. Fans of the genre (dark romance, mafia romance, etc.) will probably really enjoy this, while people like me who are more "mafia romance when I'm in the mood" will likely have a good time but will also finish with nothing to rave about.
All in all, this standalone, dark romance gave me exactly what I wanted. Compared to other dark romance novels I've read (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Brutal Birthright series) I actually thought this was a bit lighter/not as violent! So, if you are someone wanting to get into the genre but feel intimidated by the dark nature of these stories, I actually like this would be a great book to start out with. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Expected publication is 11/17/2026.
All in all, this standalone, dark romance gave me exactly what I wanted. Compared to other dark romance novels I've read (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Brutal Birthright series) I actually thought this was a bit lighter/not as violent! So, if you are someone wanting to get into the genre but feel intimidated by the dark nature of these stories, I actually like this would be a great book to start out with. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Expected publication is 11/17/2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want to thank Lucy Smoke for giving me the opportunity to review this book. This is my first approved NetGalley read!
I’ll start by saying that this book had me laughing so hard with all the sass and wit between Dante and Michelle. My favorite part was when Michelle found her dog and Dante asked what mix she was. Michelle said she was a "Shih Tzu mix and that she used to be owned by royalty." Dante responded, “Good, we can ship her back.” 😂 I had the absolute best laugh at this! That type of banter is sprinkled throughout the entire book.
I really enjoyed the lesson that love can come with loss, but it’s better to experience love and loss than to never experience love at all. Michelle has spent her life feeling unworthy of love from men, while Dante is afraid of experiencing loss.
I enjoyed watching both characters develop and work through their individual struggles as they found their way toward each other. Their banter, character development, and the emotional themes made this a really enjoyable read!
I’ll start by saying that this book had me laughing so hard with all the sass and wit between Dante and Michelle. My favorite part was when Michelle found her dog and Dante asked what mix she was. Michelle said she was a "Shih Tzu mix and that she used to be owned by royalty." Dante responded, “Good, we can ship her back.” 😂 I had the absolute best laugh at this! That type of banter is sprinkled throughout the entire book.
I really enjoyed the lesson that love can come with loss, but it’s better to experience love and loss than to never experience love at all. Michelle has spent her life feeling unworthy of love from men, while Dante is afraid of experiencing loss.
I enjoyed watching both characters develop and work through their individual struggles as they found their way toward each other. Their banter, character development, and the emotional themes made this a really enjoyable read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun and entertaining book! I read the previous book (Married to the Mafia), which had overlapping characters, but this could also be read as a stand-alone. I loved the stubbornness and independence of both Michelle and Dante, and how Michelle wasn’t afraid of Dante (even though he was a mafia boss that everyone else was terrified of). I also loved that Daisy and Guilio (plus other mafia/family members) were part of this book, and really supported Michelle and Dante, and helped them work out their relationship issues. I appreciated the dual POV chapters, and thought the mini quotes starting off each chapter were spot-on. The plot was fresh and exciting, the dialogue smooth and realistic (and full of hilarious banter!), and I’d love to read the next book in the series if there is one!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced copy - this is my honest and voluntary review.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced copy - this is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of an advance copy received from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This was a good, quick read that I think will be especially enjoyable for fans of mafia romance. Who doesn't love a morally gray hero? The banter between the characters was one of my favorite parts, and there were even a few moments that genuinely made me laugh.
I also really enjoyed Michelle's relationships with Daisy, as well as Dante with Guilio. However, I especially loved the chemistry between Michelle and Dante before they became intimate. After that point, it felt like the main plot took a backseat in favor of other scenes, which made the story lose some momentum for me.
I did notice a few minor inconsistencies in the character descriptions, but they didn't significantly impact my overall enjoyment.
Overall, this was a solid 3-star read for me. While it wasn't a favorite, I would definitely be interested in checking out more books by this author.
This was a good, quick read that I think will be especially enjoyable for fans of mafia romance. Who doesn't love a morally gray hero? The banter between the characters was one of my favorite parts, and there were even a few moments that genuinely made me laugh.
I also really enjoyed Michelle's relationships with Daisy, as well as Dante with Guilio. However, I especially loved the chemistry between Michelle and Dante before they became intimate. After that point, it felt like the main plot took a backseat in favor of other scenes, which made the story lose some momentum for me.
I did notice a few minor inconsistencies in the character descriptions, but they didn't significantly impact my overall enjoyment.
Overall, this was a solid 3-star read for me. While it wasn't a favorite, I would definitely be interested in checking out more books by this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for my ARC of Engaged to the Enemy!
This was so much fun! I blacked out and flew through it in 24 hours. The writing was witty, the chemistry (and resulting spice) was hot, and the main characters' inner monologues had me laughing out loud.
I was honestly surprised that the humour in this mafia rom-com landed so well for me. It certainly mentioned some violence, but it was never over the top, and there was no gore humour. My only complaint is that I wanted more with the ending. After such a fun build-up, everything wrapped up a bit too quickly. Although the ending knocked the wind out of me a bit at how fast it wrapped up, it wasn't enough to take away from the blast that I had reading it.
I actually didn't know it was the second book of a series of interconnected standalones, and I'll definitely be going to back to read the first one.
This was so much fun! I blacked out and flew through it in 24 hours. The writing was witty, the chemistry (and resulting spice) was hot, and the main characters' inner monologues had me laughing out loud.
I was honestly surprised that the humour in this mafia rom-com landed so well for me. It certainly mentioned some violence, but it was never over the top, and there was no gore humour. My only complaint is that I wanted more with the ending. After such a fun build-up, everything wrapped up a bit too quickly. Although the ending knocked the wind out of me a bit at how fast it wrapped up, it wasn't enough to take away from the blast that I had reading it.
I actually didn't know it was the second book of a series of interconnected standalones, and I'll definitely be going to back to read the first one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book follows Michelle and Dante. Dante needs a fiancée to bring to an important syndicate meeting and Michelle needs the money he’s offering to help her parents. Together, they come to an agreement that helps them both.
The one-liners at the beginning of each chapter are funny. I thought Michelle’s inner dialogue was entertaining and Dante trying to be grumpy about Michelle but secretly being soft for her was cute. It was also nice seeing more of Daisy and Michelle’s friendship. Even though I think this is technically a standalone, I’m glad I read the first book before getting into this one to get backstory on Daisy and Giulio.
I had a lot of fun with this book! Just wish we would’ve seen more of Dante and Michelle after they officially got together.
Tropes/details:
* Fake dating
* “Hate” to love
* Grumpy x grumpy(ish)
* Forced proximity
* 1st person dual POV
Thank you netgalley, Lucy Smoke, and Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The one-liners at the beginning of each chapter are funny. I thought Michelle’s inner dialogue was entertaining and Dante trying to be grumpy about Michelle but secretly being soft for her was cute. It was also nice seeing more of Daisy and Michelle’s friendship. Even though I think this is technically a standalone, I’m glad I read the first book before getting into this one to get backstory on Daisy and Giulio.
I had a lot of fun with this book! Just wish we would’ve seen more of Dante and Michelle after they officially got together.
Tropes/details:
* Fake dating
* “Hate” to love
* Grumpy x grumpy(ish)
* Forced proximity
* 1st person dual POV
Thank you netgalley, Lucy Smoke, and Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Look, sometimes what you just need is a mafia romance. And this delivered.
I hadn't read Married to the Mafia first, because I didn't realize the books were interconnected, but I'l definitely be reading that now! I don't think you need to have read it to understand what's going on in this one, for the most part, but I definitely liked Daisy enough to want to read her story.
In terms of this one, I loved that Dante was so against falling in love but fell so hard and so fast. I wish there was a little more vulnerability between the two -- for instance, I think it could have been a really great moment for the two if Michelle did confide in him about her worries for her parents -- but I still think that the way that things went down for the two of them made a lot of sense and really worked for them.
Overall, exactly what I wanted from this book!
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Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC!
I hadn't read Married to the Mafia first, because I didn't realize the books were interconnected, but I'l definitely be reading that now! I don't think you need to have read it to understand what's going on in this one, for the most part, but I definitely liked Daisy enough to want to read her story.
In terms of this one, I loved that Dante was so against falling in love but fell so hard and so fast. I wish there was a little more vulnerability between the two -- for instance, I think it could have been a really great moment for the two if Michelle did confide in him about her worries for her parents -- but I still think that the way that things went down for the two of them made a lot of sense and really worked for them.
Overall, exactly what I wanted from this book!
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Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC!
August 14, 2026
Okay, the banter in this book! 😂 I was here for every bit of it. The chemistry, the back-and-forth, and the way these two could push each other’s buttons made this such a fun read. And somehow, in the middle of all the chaos, I walked away with a growing vocabulary. Who knew reading Lucy Smoke would double as a vocabulary lesson? 😂
I loved the enemies-to-lovers energy and the tension that comes with two people who absolutely should know better but just can’t seem to stay away from each other. The characters kept me entertained, and there were plenty of moments that had me laughing and shaking my head.
Lucy Smoke is always a good time for me, and she definitely delivered with this one. If you enjoy sharp banter, chemistry, chaos, and an entertaining romance that keeps you turning the pages, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the enemies-to-lovers energy and the tension that comes with two people who absolutely should know better but just can’t seem to stay away from each other. The characters kept me entertained, and there were plenty of moments that had me laughing and shaking my head.
Lucy Smoke is always a good time for me, and she definitely delivered with this one. If you enjoy sharp banter, chemistry, chaos, and an entertaining romance that keeps you turning the pages, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2026
I absolutely DEVOURED this book! Engaged to the Enemy gave me everything I wanted from a dark mafia romance, especially that addictive frenemies-to-lovers dynamic. The tension, chemistry, and constant push and pull between the characters had me hooked and flying through the pages.
I loved the darker mafia elements and how the relationships developed throughout the story. There’s just something about two people who can’t decide if they want to fight each other or fall for each other that gets me every time. 😂
This is definitely a dark mafia romance, though, so please read the trigger warnings before going in. There are heavier themes that won’t be for every reader, and it’s better to know what you’re getting into beforehand.
Overall, this was such an addictive read, and I’m really hoping Lucy Smoke continues developing this world because I am READY to dive into more of this series!
4.25 ⭐️ 4 🌶️
I loved the darker mafia elements and how the relationships developed throughout the story. There’s just something about two people who can’t decide if they want to fight each other or fall for each other that gets me every time. 😂
This is definitely a dark mafia romance, though, so please read the trigger warnings before going in. There are heavier themes that won’t be for every reader, and it’s better to know what you’re getting into beforehand.
Overall, this was such an addictive read, and I’m really hoping Lucy Smoke continues developing this world because I am READY to dive into more of this series!
4.25 ⭐️ 4 🌶️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.75 stars, rounding to 3
This e-arc was received in exchange for my honest review!
If you’re a fan of dark romance, morally grey (morally black?) men, murder, and lots of chilli peppers, you’ve got a winner. You’ll love Dante and Michelle.
Sadly, I didn’t love this one. Dark romance just might not be for me, guys. I felt like our main characters had so much potential to grow in their relationship, but any development just took a backseat to the spice. They went from hate to lust to “in love” so quick, I had whip lash. I wish we saw more tender moments between them, where they weren’t just having sex or *thinking* about having sex. The story ultimately ended up feeling super shallow to me. If you’re looking for a “good time, not a long time” book to binge read, this is probably up your alley! I just wanted more depth.
This e-arc was received in exchange for my honest review!
If you’re a fan of dark romance, morally grey (morally black?) men, murder, and lots of chilli peppers, you’ve got a winner. You’ll love Dante and Michelle.
Sadly, I didn’t love this one. Dark romance just might not be for me, guys. I felt like our main characters had so much potential to grow in their relationship, but any development just took a backseat to the spice. They went from hate to lust to “in love” so quick, I had whip lash. I wish we saw more tender moments between them, where they weren’t just having sex or *thinking* about having sex. The story ultimately ended up feeling super shallow to me. If you’re looking for a “good time, not a long time” book to binge read, this is probably up your alley! I just wanted more depth.
August 20, 2026
💍Fake engagement
🔪Dual POV 1st person
💍Touch her and die
🔪Mafia romance
💍Edging
🔪Explicit and plentiful 🌶️🌶️🌶️
💍Romcom
🔪HEA
I really enjoyed this quick read and found it hard to put down! I felt all the characters were likable in their own unique way and I would love to go back and read Daisys story now, which I have not read yet! I am not usually a fan of mafia romances bc the MMC is usually too possessive for my taste but Dante was a solid balance between intense mafia Don and normal relatable dude. The dialogue between him and Giulio was so funny too. His mental crash outs too made me laugh as well. I also found Michelle’s internal dialogue to be humorous and relatable. Overall I enjoyed the plot progression, the romance and the spice was too notch but maybe a little too much of it!
Thank you for the ARC Forver (Grand central publishing) provided through NetGalley!
🔪Dual POV 1st person
💍Touch her and die
🔪Mafia romance
💍Edging
🔪Explicit and plentiful 🌶️🌶️🌶️
💍Romcom
🔪HEA
I really enjoyed this quick read and found it hard to put down! I felt all the characters were likable in their own unique way and I would love to go back and read Daisys story now, which I have not read yet! I am not usually a fan of mafia romances bc the MMC is usually too possessive for my taste but Dante was a solid balance between intense mafia Don and normal relatable dude. The dialogue between him and Giulio was so funny too. His mental crash outs too made me laugh as well. I also found Michelle’s internal dialogue to be humorous and relatable. Overall I enjoyed the plot progression, the romance and the spice was too notch but maybe a little too much of it!
Thank you for the ARC Forver (Grand central publishing) provided through NetGalley!
July 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
5/5 stars
I literally couldn’t put this book down. I am sorry to my husband and kids while I hid out to finish this.
This was such a fun refreshing read. Michelle needs money and Dante needs a fiancé. So it’s a perfect solution. I loved that they already knew each other and the best friend helped be a matchmaker.
The characters were goofy and real. I couldn’t help but laugh at Michelle’s antics. I appreciated Dante being unapologetically himself. Him carrying Michelle caveman style had me laughing out loud.
Overall this was a cute romcom that instantly pulled me. I want to go read book 1 and see what I missed!
5/5 stars
I literally couldn’t put this book down. I am sorry to my husband and kids while I hid out to finish this.
This was such a fun refreshing read. Michelle needs money and Dante needs a fiancé. So it’s a perfect solution. I loved that they already knew each other and the best friend helped be a matchmaker.
The characters were goofy and real. I couldn’t help but laugh at Michelle’s antics. I appreciated Dante being unapologetically himself. Him carrying Michelle caveman style had me laughing out loud.
Overall this was a cute romcom that instantly pulled me. I want to go read book 1 and see what I missed!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Engaged to the Enemy is a fun, steamy mafia romance and a great follow-up to Married to the Mafia. I loved getting another story set in this world, and Dante and Michelle make a fantastic pair.
While Daisy in Married to the Mafia had more of a Harley Quinn-style energy, Michelle is her opposite: steadfast, practical, and much more grounded. I really enjoyed seeing her thrown into the chaos of Dante's world.
The fake engagement is especially well done, with plenty of fun tension between them. It's a delight watching their relationship shift as their connection deepens, and what starts as an arrangement becomes something much more genuine.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While Daisy in Married to the Mafia had more of a Harley Quinn-style energy, Michelle is her opposite: steadfast, practical, and much more grounded. I really enjoyed seeing her thrown into the chaos of Dante's world.
The fake engagement is especially well done, with plenty of fun tension between them. It's a delight watching their relationship shift as their connection deepens, and what starts as an arrangement becomes something much more genuine.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought this book was just okay. The story is a dark mafia rom-com that follows Michelle, who accidentally flashes her new boss on her first day of work. It turns out her boss is Dante, a New York mafia kingpin, and he ends up forcing her into a fake engagement.
The general premise is funny, and I liked the mix of workplace comedy with dangerous mafia drama. The banter between Michelle and Dante was decent, and there was plenty of steam. My main issue with the book was that the pacing felt a bit uneven. It tries to balance being a lighthearted comedy and a dark mob story at the same time, and those two styles didn't always blend smoothly for me. It had some entertaining moments, but it ultimately felt a bit disjointed. It is a decent read, but it didn't completely click with me
The general premise is funny, and I liked the mix of workplace comedy with dangerous mafia drama. The banter between Michelle and Dante was decent, and there was plenty of steam. My main issue with the book was that the pacing felt a bit uneven. It tries to balance being a lighthearted comedy and a dark mob story at the same time, and those two styles didn't always blend smoothly for me. It had some entertaining moments, but it ultimately felt a bit disjointed. It is a decent read, but it didn't completely click with me
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ANOTHER ONE. I'm telling you, Lucy is such a slept on author who deserves all the praise. I could read her grocery list and be entertained at this point.
Engaged to the Enemy is technically an interconnected standalone, however I highly encourage you to read Married to The Mafia first. In this book, we follow the best friend on her journey to love. Fake engagement, mafia ties, he falls first, all the things that make a great romance book are included in this book. It again, is a dark rom-com but does not give that cringy trying too hard to be funny feelings. Lucy does rom-com so well, but I never want to lose her from Dark Romance/Romantasy either.
She is just such a well rounded, well versed, well written author. I can not recommend her books enough!
Engaged to the Enemy is technically an interconnected standalone, however I highly encourage you to read Married to The Mafia first. In this book, we follow the best friend on her journey to love. Fake engagement, mafia ties, he falls first, all the things that make a great romance book are included in this book. It again, is a dark rom-com but does not give that cringy trying too hard to be funny feelings. Lucy does rom-com so well, but I never want to lose her from Dark Romance/Romantasy either.
She is just such a well rounded, well versed, well written author. I can not recommend her books enough!
August 1, 2026
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would say this was a very typical mafia romance, and it was an okay time. I thought the chemistry between Michelle and Dante was good, and really enjoyed the family dynamics. Some of the humor was hit or miss, but for the most part the writing was funny. I wish we got to see more of the actual mafia plot, it definitely had less than I would personally prefer. However, I think there are a lot of struggles with the pacing. The 40-80% mark felt slow, but then the last 10% was really rushed with an anticlimactic ending.
I would say this was a very typical mafia romance, and it was an okay time. I thought the chemistry between Michelle and Dante was good, and really enjoyed the family dynamics. Some of the humor was hit or miss, but for the most part the writing was funny. I wish we got to see more of the actual mafia plot, it definitely had less than I would personally prefer. However, I think there are a lot of struggles with the pacing. The 40-80% mark felt slow, but then the last 10% was really rushed with an anticlimactic ending.
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