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Matteo
From New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Clarissa Wild comes a new STANDALONE, full-length MAFIA ROMANCE novel.
To save my mother after she falls dangerously ill, I’m forced into a marriage with Lucio Agostini, a corrupt and malicious Mafia lord set on making me his bride. Lucio’s only interest is to acquire my estranged father’s wealth, and I have no choice if I want my mother to live.
But Lucio’s plans to marry me are thwarted when a rival Mafia family crashes our wedding right before we exchange vows.
My hand in marriage is stolen, and the ring is put around my finger by none other than Matteo De Silva, sworn enemy of Lucio Agostini. He’s callous, headstrong, and dangerous.
In a stubborn quest to avenge his mother, he snatches me at my wedding to use me as a pawn in a devious game. He whisks me away to his mansion, which is nothing more than a luxurious prison for his newlywed wife.
His obsession with destroying Lucio is all that matters to him, even if it costs me my freedom. But I refuse to become collateral. Underneath all that rugged bravado is a wounded man who longs for affection, and I will use his attraction to me against him.
However, my past is laced in despair, and my secrets consume me from the inside out. When everything feels lost, Matteo’s arms offer solace, and his touch calms my mind and sets my senses ablaze. His wicked charms slowly creep their way into my heart until it’s no longer possible for me to deny the growing passion between us.
We both want what the other isn’t willing to give.
A sinful, dirty fight for control is all that’s left.
The only question is … how far are we willing to go?
From the Author of Sick Boys, MATTEO is an exciting new standalone spicy romance, featuring your favorite
💗 Mafia Romance
💗 Stolen hand in Marriage
💗 Enemies to Lovers
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 Revenge Plot
💗 Slow Burn
💗 Age Gap
💗 “Who Did this to you?”
💗 Billionaire Hero
💗 He falls first
💗 “Where is my Wife?!” Vibes
💗 No Cheating
💗 Complete Standalone
To save my mother after she falls dangerously ill, I’m forced into a marriage with Lucio Agostini, a corrupt and malicious Mafia lord set on making me his bride. Lucio’s only interest is to acquire my estranged father’s wealth, and I have no choice if I want my mother to live.
But Lucio’s plans to marry me are thwarted when a rival Mafia family crashes our wedding right before we exchange vows.
My hand in marriage is stolen, and the ring is put around my finger by none other than Matteo De Silva, sworn enemy of Lucio Agostini. He’s callous, headstrong, and dangerous.
In a stubborn quest to avenge his mother, he snatches me at my wedding to use me as a pawn in a devious game. He whisks me away to his mansion, which is nothing more than a luxurious prison for his newlywed wife.
His obsession with destroying Lucio is all that matters to him, even if it costs me my freedom. But I refuse to become collateral. Underneath all that rugged bravado is a wounded man who longs for affection, and I will use his attraction to me against him.
However, my past is laced in despair, and my secrets consume me from the inside out. When everything feels lost, Matteo’s arms offer solace, and his touch calms my mind and sets my senses ablaze. His wicked charms slowly creep their way into my heart until it’s no longer possible for me to deny the growing passion between us.
We both want what the other isn’t willing to give.
A sinful, dirty fight for control is all that’s left.
The only question is … how far are we willing to go?
From the Author of Sick Boys, MATTEO is an exciting new standalone spicy romance, featuring your favorite
💗 Mafia Romance
💗 Stolen hand in Marriage
💗 Enemies to Lovers
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 Revenge Plot
💗 Slow Burn
💗 Age Gap
💗 “Who Did this to you?”
💗 Billionaire Hero
💗 He falls first
💗 “Where is my Wife?!” Vibes
💗 No Cheating
💗 Complete Standalone
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2026
106 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Clarissa Wild
95 books8,680 followers**NOTE FOR LIBRARIANS: please check with me before making any changes - I generally make all necessary changes and updates myself. :)**
--- I generally do NOT check my messages on Goodreads, so if you want to contact me, please do so on my website: https://www.clarissawild.com/contact --
Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author with ASD, who was born and raised in the Netherlands. She loves to write Dark Romance and Contemporary Romance novels featuring dangerous men and feisty women. Her other loves include her hilarious husband, her cutie pie son, her two crazy but cute dogs, and her adorable kitties. In her free time, she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, playing video games, and cooking up some delicious meals.
Check out my books: https://geni.us/clarissabooks
Join my reader group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FanCl...
--- I generally do NOT check my messages on Goodreads, so if you want to contact me, please do so on my website: https://www.clarissawild.com/contact --
Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author with ASD, who was born and raised in the Netherlands. She loves to write Dark Romance and Contemporary Romance novels featuring dangerous men and feisty women. Her other loves include her hilarious husband, her cutie pie son, her two crazy but cute dogs, and her adorable kitties. In her free time, she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, playing video games, and cooking up some delicious meals.
Check out my books: https://geni.us/clarissabooks
Join my reader group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FanCl...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
Did not finish
March 21, 2026This hurts to write because I loved her other mafia books, but this one wasn't for me.
But hey, it might work for you.
But hey, it might work for you.
March 12, 2026
Matteo is a fast-paced mafia romance that follows Stella and Matteo. Stella's mother is diagnosed with cancer and does not have the finances to afford treatment, so she goes to her estranged father to ask for help, and he tells her he will not give her a single dime unless she does something for him: find a husband. That is how Stella ends up in the arms of Lucio. He is a dangerous man. Lucio brings Stella to one of his meetings with Mafia Don, Matteo, and that is how he sets his sights on Stella. She runs out onto the balcony, ripping the pearls off of her neck that were given by Lucio, and Matteo is immediately like, "Yeah shes gonna be mine." When a shootout happens during their meeting, Matteo throws a tracker into the vehicle Lucio and Stella are escaping in, and Stella holds onto it. During their wedding, she finds it in her dress, and Matteo and his crew show up. From there, Matteo makes Stella marry him, and there starts their complex relationship. There is a lot of push and pull between them. They love to hate each other, but they also hate to love each other. Stella is very hard-headed, and she is the type of woman who will do whatever she is thinking, so I definitely relate to her lol. Matteo has this hard exterior, but he is definitely a softy. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed their story, and this mafia story felt so nostalgic and definitely took me back to my mafia roots.
March 21, 2026
This just wasn't it. for me. I just can't get over fast-paced stories. they don't feel believable to me.
And i think, within the book, characters need to be believable and this wasn't the case. the FMC is so hot and cold in an annoying way.
she kinda wants him to save her from Lucio but then when he does she's mad. then she lets the reader know she thinks he's hot and attractive but still she tries to poison him. fine.
then literally 2 hours later she's rubbing his neck and shoulders cause he seems tense. it just to simple, to flat for me. the MMC is also suppose to be this bad ass mafia Don but that doesn't really show in the book. i think that a real mafia Don would never let his mothers killer live.
not buying it 😂.
this is kinda how it stays the entire book so its a no for me.
And i think, within the book, characters need to be believable and this wasn't the case. the FMC is so hot and cold in an annoying way.
she kinda wants him to save her from Lucio but then when he does she's mad. then she lets the reader know she thinks he's hot and attractive but still she tries to poison him. fine.
then literally 2 hours later she's rubbing his neck and shoulders cause he seems tense. it just to simple, to flat for me. the MMC is also suppose to be this bad ass mafia Don but that doesn't really show in the book. i think that a real mafia Don would never let his mothers killer live.
not buying it 😂.
this is kinda how it stays the entire book so its a no for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy, my review is completely my own.
I absolutely loved Matteo, the book and the character. I loved that Stella wasn't a weak little girl, yes, she had some moments where panic clawed it's way into her, but after everything she was put through, who could blame her. She was a strong FMC. Matteo for me was perfection, I love a MMC that would burn the world for his woman no matter the cost. He did not disappoint. I was gripped from the start of the book and finished it within a few hours, the plot was amazing, the spice was just the right amount without overpowering the actual plot. The book ended perfectly, and the entire book was well written. I personally have no faults. This was actually my first read of 2026 and I was not disappointed. Thank you for another amazing book Clarissa ❤️
I absolutely loved Matteo, the book and the character. I loved that Stella wasn't a weak little girl, yes, she had some moments where panic clawed it's way into her, but after everything she was put through, who could blame her. She was a strong FMC. Matteo for me was perfection, I love a MMC that would burn the world for his woman no matter the cost. He did not disappoint. I was gripped from the start of the book and finished it within a few hours, the plot was amazing, the spice was just the right amount without overpowering the actual plot. The book ended perfectly, and the entire book was well written. I personally have no faults. This was actually my first read of 2026 and I was not disappointed. Thank you for another amazing book Clarissa ❤️
March 10, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
I love Clarissa’s why choose romances but I also love when she writes a mafia romance and Matteo certainly didn’t disappoint.
Our FMC and MMC most certainly had an interesting meeting, Matteo was meeting with another rival head but while he was waiting he stumbled upon Stella who was in a fit of rage and threw her pearl necklace from the balcony. To say his interest was piqued was an understatement and Matteo wanted to know more about this fiery woman. He was soon reunited with Stella when she stood at the side of the man he was meeting, Lucio.
Now Matteo was out for revenge after the fall of his mother at the hands of Lucio’s family, and what no better way to start is to crash Stella and Lucio’s wedding. Of course he had some assistance from Stella, but she didn’t think she’d find herself at the mercy of another man so soon. Yes, Matteo decides that instead Lucio will watch Stella become Matteos wife and let’s just say I was living for every second of it.
From the moment these two met it was clear they were drawn to one another. Matteo’s obsession with his wife was full steam ahead and I absolutely loved it, there was absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do for her, well except give her the freedom she desired. With his enemies closing in it becomes even more evident he would sacrifice the world and not let a flame touch her 😩
I loved these two together, the banter and chemistry was impeccable and the spice? Well Clarissa certainly doesn’t miss on that.
Thank you so much to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
I love Clarissa’s why choose romances but I also love when she writes a mafia romance and Matteo certainly didn’t disappoint.
Our FMC and MMC most certainly had an interesting meeting, Matteo was meeting with another rival head but while he was waiting he stumbled upon Stella who was in a fit of rage and threw her pearl necklace from the balcony. To say his interest was piqued was an understatement and Matteo wanted to know more about this fiery woman. He was soon reunited with Stella when she stood at the side of the man he was meeting, Lucio.
Now Matteo was out for revenge after the fall of his mother at the hands of Lucio’s family, and what no better way to start is to crash Stella and Lucio’s wedding. Of course he had some assistance from Stella, but she didn’t think she’d find herself at the mercy of another man so soon. Yes, Matteo decides that instead Lucio will watch Stella become Matteos wife and let’s just say I was living for every second of it.
From the moment these two met it was clear they were drawn to one another. Matteo’s obsession with his wife was full steam ahead and I absolutely loved it, there was absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do for her, well except give her the freedom she desired. With his enemies closing in it becomes even more evident he would sacrifice the world and not let a flame touch her 😩
I loved these two together, the banter and chemistry was impeccable and the spice? Well Clarissa certainly doesn’t miss on that.
Thank you so much to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
March 21, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
This is a standalone mafia romance that fits beautifully into this genre! Stella is sassy as can be and wants nothing more than her freedom from Lucio, enter Matteo who wants to see Lucio suffer in every imaginable way and his weapon of choice? Stella!
What follows is a full bantered, vengeful plot with a stubborn FMC and typical Mafia Don MMC with actual rising chemistry and tension that doesn't feel like Stockholm Syndrome - I loved Matteo much more than Stella in this and I cannot wait for a book about Matteo's brother Angelo he had some funny lines and it'll be interesting to see if anyone can tame the playboy!
Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read, and the plot flowed in a way I didn't feel as if choppy or rushed - the spice scenes are well written, didn't make me cringe at being too much or too graphic - as Goldilocks says "just right"
Thank you @Clarissa Wild📚 and @The Author Agency ✨ for this ARC 🖤🖤🖤
#bookreview #mafiaromance #booksrecs #arrangedmarriage #forcedproximityromance
🌶️🌶️.5
This is a standalone mafia romance that fits beautifully into this genre! Stella is sassy as can be and wants nothing more than her freedom from Lucio, enter Matteo who wants to see Lucio suffer in every imaginable way and his weapon of choice? Stella!
What follows is a full bantered, vengeful plot with a stubborn FMC and typical Mafia Don MMC with actual rising chemistry and tension that doesn't feel like Stockholm Syndrome - I loved Matteo much more than Stella in this and I cannot wait for a book about Matteo's brother Angelo he had some funny lines and it'll be interesting to see if anyone can tame the playboy!
Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read, and the plot flowed in a way I didn't feel as if choppy or rushed - the spice scenes are well written, didn't make me cringe at being too much or too graphic - as Goldilocks says "just right"
Thank you @Clarissa Wild📚 and @The Author Agency ✨ for this ARC 🖤🖤🖤
#bookreview #mafiaromance #booksrecs #arrangedmarriage #forcedproximityromance
March 21, 2026
'My wife' vibes that will make you swoon 😍
Matteo by Clarissa Wild delivers a fast paced mix of “my wife” energy, revenge, and power plays where nothing is ever as simple as it seems. What starts with pawn-like manipulation quickly evolves into a deeper story about autonomy—about wanting a choice in a world that tries to take it away. Beneath the tension and intensity, there’s a strong thread of family loyalty, with characters willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people they love. Dark, emotional, and addictive, this one pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
Matteo by Clarissa Wild delivers a fast paced mix of “my wife” energy, revenge, and power plays where nothing is ever as simple as it seems. What starts with pawn-like manipulation quickly evolves into a deeper story about autonomy—about wanting a choice in a world that tries to take it away. Beneath the tension and intensity, there’s a strong thread of family loyalty, with characters willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people they love. Dark, emotional, and addictive, this one pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
to-be-read
March 21, 2026Pre-read review: The premise honestly seems so interesting but I don’t see any safety reviews so I’m contemplating whether to pick this up or not - I might just take one for the team hahaha🫣
March 20, 2026
After her mother becomes gravely ill and the medical bills start piling up, Stella is left with no choice but to agree to marry Lucio Agostini, a corrupt and malicious Mafia lord, a man she fears. Desperate to escape a life tied to someone so cruel, she searches for any way out of the arrangement.
Than everything changes on Stella’s wedding day. Just as she’s about to be bound to one man, she’s torn away and forced into a marriage with another, Matteo himself, plunging her into a dangerous game of revenge, power, and unexpected desire. Matteo is consumed by vengeance after his mother’s death, determined to make his enemy suffer. His plan? Take away what his rival values most.
Matteo is a standout character, cold, driven, and fueled by revenge, yet layered with just enough vulnerability to make his gradual emotional unraveling compelling.
The dynamic between him and Stella is a strong highlight, especially with the enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes done well. Their push-and-pull chemistry simmers throughout the story, making the slow burn feel earned and satisfying.
The plot is packed with drama, twists, and emotional conflict, though at times it leans a bit heavily on familiar genre beats. Some character backstory and emotional transitions could have been explored more deeply to add extra weight to certain moments.
That said, the story excels in delivering angst, passion, and tension, with a satisfying blend of romance and danger.
This story delivers exactly what mafia romance fans are looking for; high stakes, intense emotions, and a dangerously attractive antihero.
The premise immediately hooks you: a forced marriage gone wrong, a rival mafia boss stealing the bride, and a heroine caught in a ruthless power struggle. From the very beginning, the tension is palpable and keeps the pages turning.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to Clarissa & The Author Agency for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this one I had an amazing time; I blushed, I squealed, I gasped and I swooned over Matteo De Silva more times than I can count! I loved everything about this book from the tension between Matteo & Stella while they got used to being married as well as the amazing plot that had me hooked from the very start, I could not wait for Lucio to get what he deserved along with waiting for what his or Matteo's next move way going to be but I loved how the plot flowed and the pacing was perfect, while it kept me wanting more I could still easily keep up with all of the events that were going down in the battle of De Silva VS Agostini along with Stella & Matteo's developing relationship which I adored they were the perfect mix of fiery, sassy and smitten while still having the most electric & addicting tension while Stella came to terms with her Matteo being her new husband instead of Lucio like she planned.
I also absolutely adored all of the side characters within this one, they really added a sense of safety & comfort within the story because even when the chaos was going down & Stella was still unsettled from being in Matteo's house instead of Lucio's I could always count on Franco or one of the lovely house staff to come into the scene and create the most wholesome atmosphere ever and the way that Matteo's people all took care of Stella was so sweet, even from the moment she walked in like a massive ball of anger & upset they treated her like family regardless of what was going on and how she ended up in their house and it was just so sweet to see Stella be treated with such kindness even though the circumstances weren't exactly the best.
Now the one thing I loved most about this read HAD to be the level of respect and boundaries that Matteo had for Stella, like genuinely the way that this man would not make a single advance towards his wife without an enthusiastic 'I want this' was one of the most attractive thing ever, we LOVE a man who shows respect for their partner. Plus the way that Matteo cared for and looked after Stella even in the early stages of their relationship was the best, I adored seeing Stella being seen and understood as the independent badass that she is all while Matteo spent every day reminding her that while she is capable of doing anything she wanted too she didn't need to if it wasn't required because Matteo would be her protector for the rest of time and that in itself had me FOLDING for Matteo from the get go and I fear he now owns me for the rest of all time!
Overall, I could talk about this book for the foreseeable future and I am so grateful to Clarissa & TAA for allowing me to read this one early, I had the best time and as always Clarissa smashed it.
Thank you so much to Clarissa & The Author Agency for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this one I had an amazing time; I blushed, I squealed, I gasped and I swooned over Matteo De Silva more times than I can count! I loved everything about this book from the tension between Matteo & Stella while they got used to being married as well as the amazing plot that had me hooked from the very start, I could not wait for Lucio to get what he deserved along with waiting for what his or Matteo's next move way going to be but I loved how the plot flowed and the pacing was perfect, while it kept me wanting more I could still easily keep up with all of the events that were going down in the battle of De Silva VS Agostini along with Stella & Matteo's developing relationship which I adored they were the perfect mix of fiery, sassy and smitten while still having the most electric & addicting tension while Stella came to terms with her Matteo being her new husband instead of Lucio like she planned.
I also absolutely adored all of the side characters within this one, they really added a sense of safety & comfort within the story because even when the chaos was going down & Stella was still unsettled from being in Matteo's house instead of Lucio's I could always count on Franco or one of the lovely house staff to come into the scene and create the most wholesome atmosphere ever and the way that Matteo's people all took care of Stella was so sweet, even from the moment she walked in like a massive ball of anger & upset they treated her like family regardless of what was going on and how she ended up in their house and it was just so sweet to see Stella be treated with such kindness even though the circumstances weren't exactly the best.
Now the one thing I loved most about this read HAD to be the level of respect and boundaries that Matteo had for Stella, like genuinely the way that this man would not make a single advance towards his wife without an enthusiastic 'I want this' was one of the most attractive thing ever, we LOVE a man who shows respect for their partner. Plus the way that Matteo cared for and looked after Stella even in the early stages of their relationship was the best, I adored seeing Stella being seen and understood as the independent badass that she is all while Matteo spent every day reminding her that while she is capable of doing anything she wanted too she didn't need to if it wasn't required because Matteo would be her protector for the rest of time and that in itself had me FOLDING for Matteo from the get go and I fear he now owns me for the rest of all time!
Overall, I could talk about this book for the foreseeable future and I am so grateful to Clarissa & TAA for allowing me to read this one early, I had the best time and as always Clarissa smashed it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Stolen Vows & Dangerous Obsessions
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Tear Drops: 💧
📚EBOOK📚
I got this book as an ARC from the author—lucky me 😊 I’ve read several of Clarissa Wild’s books, so getting early access always feels like such a treat. And once again, she delivers, but in a way that surprised me a little. This is a mafia romance, but compared to her darker works, it felt a bit more “tamed”—still violent, still intense, but lighter than what I’m used to from her. Don’t get me wrong though, it was very good.
This fast-paced story follows Stella and Matteo in alternating POV, which I loved because it really lets you get into both of their heads. Stella starts off seeming quiet and sweet, but that illusion shatters pretty quickly—she’s fierce, stubborn, and strong in a way that makes you instantly root for her. And Matteo… yeah, I absolutely loved him. Possessive, protective, a little unhinged—but with that hidden wounded side that just hits right.
The story kicks off when Stella, desperate to save her sick mother, makes a deal with a dangerous mafia lord, Lucio Agostini—only to end up forced into an arranged marriage. But before that marriage can even happen, Matteo De Silva crashes the wedding and steals her for himself. Talk about an entrance 😏 From there, it’s a game of revenge, control, and survival, with Stella caught in the middle… except she refuses to stay a pawn.
Their dynamic is everything: push and pull, sharp banter, tension that simmers into something undeniable. Matteo wants control, Stella refuses to give it, and watching that power struggle evolve into something deeper was so satisfying. I also really appreciated that Stella wasn’t portrayed as weak—yes, she has moments of fear (and honestly, who wouldn’t in her situation?), but she stands her ground again and again.
Overall, a gripping, addictive mafia romance with strong characters, a solid plot, and that signature Clarissa Wild edge—just with a slightly softer bite this time. Definitely worth the read if you love possessive heroes, fierce heroines, and a whole lot of tension 🔥
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Tear Drops: 💧
📚EBOOK📚
I got this book as an ARC from the author—lucky me 😊 I’ve read several of Clarissa Wild’s books, so getting early access always feels like such a treat. And once again, she delivers, but in a way that surprised me a little. This is a mafia romance, but compared to her darker works, it felt a bit more “tamed”—still violent, still intense, but lighter than what I’m used to from her. Don’t get me wrong though, it was very good.
This fast-paced story follows Stella and Matteo in alternating POV, which I loved because it really lets you get into both of their heads. Stella starts off seeming quiet and sweet, but that illusion shatters pretty quickly—she’s fierce, stubborn, and strong in a way that makes you instantly root for her. And Matteo… yeah, I absolutely loved him. Possessive, protective, a little unhinged—but with that hidden wounded side that just hits right.
The story kicks off when Stella, desperate to save her sick mother, makes a deal with a dangerous mafia lord, Lucio Agostini—only to end up forced into an arranged marriage. But before that marriage can even happen, Matteo De Silva crashes the wedding and steals her for himself. Talk about an entrance 😏 From there, it’s a game of revenge, control, and survival, with Stella caught in the middle… except she refuses to stay a pawn.
Their dynamic is everything: push and pull, sharp banter, tension that simmers into something undeniable. Matteo wants control, Stella refuses to give it, and watching that power struggle evolve into something deeper was so satisfying. I also really appreciated that Stella wasn’t portrayed as weak—yes, she has moments of fear (and honestly, who wouldn’t in her situation?), but she stands her ground again and again.
Overall, a gripping, addictive mafia romance with strong characters, a solid plot, and that signature Clarissa Wild edge—just with a slightly softer bite this time. Definitely worth the read if you love possessive heroes, fierce heroines, and a whole lot of tension 🔥
March 15, 2026
In order to pay for her mother’s medical treatments, Stella found herself forced to marry a monster. Determined to obtain her father’s wealth that comes with strings attached, he drags her to a church for the ceremony, only to be ambushed by a rival seeking revenge, and Stella finds herself married to this Mafia leader instead. Looking to avenge his mother, he uses Stella as a pawn, locking her in a new prison, disguised as his home, but Stella refuses to stand by and watch yet another man control her life.
After his mother was killed, Matteo vowed to make Lucio Agostini suffer until the day he died, and when an opportunity arose to take his bride, he took it without hesitation. Now he has a wife, that he swore he wouldn’t touch, who is quickly invading his every thought. And while he is focused on getting back at Agostini, she is focused on getting away from them both. But when she comes to his rescue when his life is at risk, they both have to come to terms with new feelings brewing between them.
I received an early copy of this book from The Author Agency, and while I am obsessed with the author’s SpineRidgeU books, it felt like something didn’t quite fit in this one. The story itself was incredible, but the writing felt a bit awkward in the first few chapters, which may be what threw me off. I loved how Stella came in swinging right from the beginning, and wasn’t afraid to call Matteo out on anything. She also was able to realize that his anger came from a place of hurt, and connect with him on that level. Matteo came off as a powerful mafioso, but also allowed himself to be vulnerable with Stella, and once he realized just how he was trapping her, he gave her what she needed. Their connection grew fast and furious, and when they finally collided, it was explosive! The “don’t touch my wife” energy was big in this one, and the spice packed extra heat!
After his mother was killed, Matteo vowed to make Lucio Agostini suffer until the day he died, and when an opportunity arose to take his bride, he took it without hesitation. Now he has a wife, that he swore he wouldn’t touch, who is quickly invading his every thought. And while he is focused on getting back at Agostini, she is focused on getting away from them both. But when she comes to his rescue when his life is at risk, they both have to come to terms with new feelings brewing between them.
I received an early copy of this book from The Author Agency, and while I am obsessed with the author’s SpineRidgeU books, it felt like something didn’t quite fit in this one. The story itself was incredible, but the writing felt a bit awkward in the first few chapters, which may be what threw me off. I loved how Stella came in swinging right from the beginning, and wasn’t afraid to call Matteo out on anything. She also was able to realize that his anger came from a place of hurt, and connect with him on that level. Matteo came off as a powerful mafioso, but also allowed himself to be vulnerable with Stella, and once he realized just how he was trapping her, he gave her what she needed. Their connection grew fast and furious, and when they finally collided, it was explosive! The “don’t touch my wife” energy was big in this one, and the spice packed extra heat!
March 24, 2026
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
If you're looking for the perfect mafia palette cleanser that is super easy to follow, this is it. Stella is finds herself caught between two bad mafioso's after desperately trying to save her mother with cancer treatment payments, but in order to do so she's forced into marrying one mafioso to then be dramatically swapped for another last minute.
Now when I say this is fast paced, it's SUPER fast paced for your average mafia romance. I'm a huge lover of mafia romances so I was expecting quite a few twists and turns, but unfortunately it didn't quite give what I was hoping for in that aspect. There were a few missed opportunities for this to be really flushed out so it was disappointing to skim over parts where I felt we were going to get something great.
I loved the connection between Matteo and Stella, Matteo fell head of heals in love with Stella from the moment they met and treasured her so deeply. Stella is such a strong, fiesty character and I loved how she challenged Matteo given every chance she got. The only thing that frustrated me with Stella though after a while, was she could just never do what she was told. Yes, okay be a brat from time to time, but the entire ending could've been completely avoided if she had just listened to Matteo to protect herself. It got predictable from that point, knowing she was going to go back and get taken - I feel like everything that happened was entirely her fault and I was getting sick of people telling her it wasn't; I don't know, it was just a constant battle for her to just stop and listen for once instead of being a diva all the time, started to really grind on me.
The ending was super cute and I did really love how after all the time of hating each other, they grew stronger and developed genuine feelings for one another. I really think Matteo is such a sweetheart, I just wanted more of him.
Thanks to Clarissa for the e-ARC 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
If you're looking for the perfect mafia palette cleanser that is super easy to follow, this is it. Stella is finds herself caught between two bad mafioso's after desperately trying to save her mother with cancer treatment payments, but in order to do so she's forced into marrying one mafioso to then be dramatically swapped for another last minute.
Now when I say this is fast paced, it's SUPER fast paced for your average mafia romance. I'm a huge lover of mafia romances so I was expecting quite a few twists and turns, but unfortunately it didn't quite give what I was hoping for in that aspect. There were a few missed opportunities for this to be really flushed out so it was disappointing to skim over parts where I felt we were going to get something great.
I loved the connection between Matteo and Stella, Matteo fell head of heals in love with Stella from the moment they met and treasured her so deeply. Stella is such a strong, fiesty character and I loved how she challenged Matteo given every chance she got. The only thing that frustrated me with Stella though after a while, was she could just never do what she was told. Yes, okay be a brat from time to time, but the entire ending could've been completely avoided if she had just listened to Matteo to protect herself. It got predictable from that point, knowing she was going to go back and get taken - I feel like everything that happened was entirely her fault and I was getting sick of people telling her it wasn't; I don't know, it was just a constant battle for her to just stop and listen for once instead of being a diva all the time, started to really grind on me.
The ending was super cute and I did really love how after all the time of hating each other, they grew stronger and developed genuine feelings for one another. I really think Matteo is such a sweetheart, I just wanted more of him.
Thanks to Clarissa for the e-ARC 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you want a fast paced, stand alone mafia romance then this book should be on your TBR! I absolutely love Clarissa’s Spine Ridge U series so when I saw she was releasing a Mafia dark romance I couldn’t wait to read it!
The books checks off all the tropes I love in a mafia romance! Forced Proximity, Forced Marriage, Enemies to Lovers, “Where is my wife?!” & “Who did this to you”
Stella is so feisty and strong! Shes been through so much trying to hep her mother with her cancer treatments and lands in a bad situation being married off to a bad mafioso!
Matteo’s first encounter with her he was so taken by her fire and once he realized she was engaged to his enemy he knew he had to have her go himself!
Matteo falls first and hard and is so protective! He absolutely gives touch her and 💀 vibes! Him calling her Tesoro .. swoon!!!
𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘣𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺.
Matteo has a filthy mouth and I was here for it!!
“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄’𝙢 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙛-𝙘𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮,”
I love that Stella was a strong FMC who would fight back. She just wanted to be free! Once they not stopped dancing around their feelings and really gave in the chemistry was fire!!
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who likes fast paced, mafia romance!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
Mafia Romance
Slowburn
Force Proximity
Forced Marriage
Revenge plot
Fiesty FMC
Morally Grey MMC
Touch her & 💀
Age Gap
He falls first
Thank you to The Author Agency and author Clarissa Wild for allowing me to ARC read! All opinions are my own.
The books checks off all the tropes I love in a mafia romance! Forced Proximity, Forced Marriage, Enemies to Lovers, “Where is my wife?!” & “Who did this to you”
Stella is so feisty and strong! Shes been through so much trying to hep her mother with her cancer treatments and lands in a bad situation being married off to a bad mafioso!
Matteo’s first encounter with her he was so taken by her fire and once he realized she was engaged to his enemy he knew he had to have her go himself!
Matteo falls first and hard and is so protective! He absolutely gives touch her and 💀 vibes! Him calling her Tesoro .. swoon!!!
𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘣𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺.
Matteo has a filthy mouth and I was here for it!!
“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄’𝙢 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙛-𝙘𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮,”
I love that Stella was a strong FMC who would fight back. She just wanted to be free! Once they not stopped dancing around their feelings and really gave in the chemistry was fire!!
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who likes fast paced, mafia romance!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
Mafia Romance
Slowburn
Force Proximity
Forced Marriage
Revenge plot
Fiesty FMC
Morally Grey MMC
Touch her & 💀
Age Gap
He falls first
Thank you to The Author Agency and author Clarissa Wild for allowing me to ARC read! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
🌟ARC Read🌟
Matteo is a powerful mob boss driven by revenge against Lucio, the man responsible for his mother’s death. On the night of a tense meeting, he notices a woman on a balcony, emotional, furious, and throwing her pearls into the night. She runs before he can say a word.
Then he walks into the meeting and there she is again, Lucio’s fiancée.
Chaos erupts when an attack breaks out, and in the aftermath Matteo plants a tracker on Lucio’s vehicle. But instead of leading him straight to Lucio, it leads him to Stella.
Stella is trapped in a forced marriage to a man she despises. She only agreed to it because she borrowed money from Lucio to care for her sick mother. To make matters worse, her wealthy father has completely cut her and her mother off.
When Stella finds the tracker, she leads Matteo right to her wedding day. And Matteo? He crashes it and takes everything from Lucio by forcing Stella to marry him instead.
At first, it feels like she’s gone from one cage to another. But Matteo is not what she expects. He’s possessive, yes, but he doesn’t force her. He gives her space to be angry, to fight him, to question everything. And slowly, she starts to see the man underneath the reputation.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between these two. Matteo had so much more depth than Stella initially believed, and watching her realize that he wasn’t trying to cage her but protect her was my favorite part.
Also… I NEED a book for his brother 👀
Spicy chapters 🔥
6
7
13
16
22
23
29
3 🌶️
🌟ARC Read🌟
Matteo is a powerful mob boss driven by revenge against Lucio, the man responsible for his mother’s death. On the night of a tense meeting, he notices a woman on a balcony, emotional, furious, and throwing her pearls into the night. She runs before he can say a word.
Then he walks into the meeting and there she is again, Lucio’s fiancée.
Chaos erupts when an attack breaks out, and in the aftermath Matteo plants a tracker on Lucio’s vehicle. But instead of leading him straight to Lucio, it leads him to Stella.
Stella is trapped in a forced marriage to a man she despises. She only agreed to it because she borrowed money from Lucio to care for her sick mother. To make matters worse, her wealthy father has completely cut her and her mother off.
When Stella finds the tracker, she leads Matteo right to her wedding day. And Matteo? He crashes it and takes everything from Lucio by forcing Stella to marry him instead.
At first, it feels like she’s gone from one cage to another. But Matteo is not what she expects. He’s possessive, yes, but he doesn’t force her. He gives her space to be angry, to fight him, to question everything. And slowly, she starts to see the man underneath the reputation.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between these two. Matteo had so much more depth than Stella initially believed, and watching her realize that he wasn’t trying to cage her but protect her was my favorite part.
Also… I NEED a book for his brother 👀
Spicy chapters 🔥
6
7
13
16
22
23
29
March 22, 2026
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
This is the story of Matteo and Stella. The girl is in a mess and about to be married to a horrible man. She has met Matteo exactly one time at a function where she was throwing pearls over the balcony. He knew from that moment on that she the one he needed to spend more time with. Matteo however, is out for revenge. The man that killed his mother is going to suffer. It just so happens that that man is the man that Stella is about to marry. She does not want to, but she had no choice when her father refused to help her mother when she became sick. She has to find the money somewhere and this payment for that money. Now Stella is not a weak female. That girl has a mouth on her and at times she really got on my nerves. No doubt she has been though a lot, and she sure hasn't had good experiences with men, beginning with her father, but good grief. Sometimes her behavior got to me. Listen Stella, listen. Really hear the person who is talking to you and telling you things that are true. Matteo is a man who would burn the world down for her. But they don't get along so well at all, and this gets Stella into some dangerous situations because she believes what she wants to believe at times. That's about all I can tell you and now give something away. Just overlook Stella and you will be ok. She doesn't stay the she is driving me crazy way the entire book. Give her a chance and she will stop what she was doing.
This is the story of Matteo and Stella. The girl is in a mess and about to be married to a horrible man. She has met Matteo exactly one time at a function where she was throwing pearls over the balcony. He knew from that moment on that she the one he needed to spend more time with. Matteo however, is out for revenge. The man that killed his mother is going to suffer. It just so happens that that man is the man that Stella is about to marry. She does not want to, but she had no choice when her father refused to help her mother when she became sick. She has to find the money somewhere and this payment for that money. Now Stella is not a weak female. That girl has a mouth on her and at times she really got on my nerves. No doubt she has been though a lot, and she sure hasn't had good experiences with men, beginning with her father, but good grief. Sometimes her behavior got to me. Listen Stella, listen. Really hear the person who is talking to you and telling you things that are true. Matteo is a man who would burn the world down for her. But they don't get along so well at all, and this gets Stella into some dangerous situations because she believes what she wants to believe at times. That's about all I can tell you and now give something away. Just overlook Stella and you will be ok. She doesn't stay the she is driving me crazy way the entire book. Give her a chance and she will stop what she was doing.
March 24, 2026
Matteo is a new standalone mafia romance by Clarissa Wild. The story follows Matteo, a man driven by revenge after his mother is killed. Determined to make Lucio Agostini, a powerful mafia kingpin who is responsible... suffer in every way possible, Matteo waits for the perfect opportunity to strike.
That opportunity comes when Matteo learns Lucio is about to get married. After one brief interaction with the bride-to-be, Stella, Matteo decides to interrupt the wedding and steal Lucio’s bride and marries her himself right in front of him.
When Stella's mother falls dangerously ill, she borrows money from Lucio Agostini to pay for medical expenses. But Lucio isn’t the kind of man you simply repay with cash. To settle the debt, Stella is forced into an arranged marriage with him.
Matteo’s dramatic interruption changes everything. Now bound together in a marriage neither of them expected, Matteo is fully committed to keeping Stella as his wife. Stella, however, refuses to be locked up or controlled by anyone.
Their relationship is full of push and pull, sharp banter, and undeniable tension. Matteo is possessive, protective, and determined to keep what’s his, while Stella is stubborn, feisty, and unwilling to surrender her independence. Despite their differences, the chemistry between them keeps pulling them closer together.
𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤/𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙚 = Matteo De Silva and Stella Runner
𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 = No
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 = Yes
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚(𝙨) = Enemies to lovers • Mafia • Forced Proximity • Stolen Hand in Marriage/Forced marriage • Revenge • Slow Burn • Age gap • Billionaire / Mafia Don MMC • Feisty & Strong FMC •"Who did this to you?" • He falls first • Dual POV
"𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨" = Language • Sexual content • Gun & knife Violence / Death • physical Abuse (not by mc) • panic attacks •
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 = 🔥🔥
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 = ⭐️ 3.5 - 4
This was a fast-paced mafia romance with plenty of tension, drama, and banter between the main characters. I enjoyed Stella’s feisty personality and how she challenged Matteo instead of simply going along with him. Matteo’s protective and possessive nature definitely gives those classic dark mafia romance vibes.
That opportunity comes when Matteo learns Lucio is about to get married. After one brief interaction with the bride-to-be, Stella, Matteo decides to interrupt the wedding and steal Lucio’s bride and marries her himself right in front of him.
When Stella's mother falls dangerously ill, she borrows money from Lucio Agostini to pay for medical expenses. But Lucio isn’t the kind of man you simply repay with cash. To settle the debt, Stella is forced into an arranged marriage with him.
Matteo’s dramatic interruption changes everything. Now bound together in a marriage neither of them expected, Matteo is fully committed to keeping Stella as his wife. Stella, however, refuses to be locked up or controlled by anyone.
Their relationship is full of push and pull, sharp banter, and undeniable tension. Matteo is possessive, protective, and determined to keep what’s his, while Stella is stubborn, feisty, and unwilling to surrender her independence. Despite their differences, the chemistry between them keeps pulling them closer together.
𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤/𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙚 = Matteo De Silva and Stella Runner
𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 = No
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 = Yes
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚(𝙨) = Enemies to lovers • Mafia • Forced Proximity • Stolen Hand in Marriage/Forced marriage • Revenge • Slow Burn • Age gap • Billionaire / Mafia Don MMC • Feisty & Strong FMC •"Who did this to you?" • He falls first • Dual POV
"𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨" = Language • Sexual content • Gun & knife Violence / Death • physical Abuse (not by mc) • panic attacks •
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 = 🔥🔥
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 = ⭐️ 3.5 - 4
This was a fast-paced mafia romance with plenty of tension, drama, and banter between the main characters. I enjoyed Stella’s feisty personality and how she challenged Matteo instead of simply going along with him. Matteo’s protective and possessive nature definitely gives those classic dark mafia romance vibes.
March 16, 2026
My ARC review
I just finished this book and was hooked immediately; I couldn’t put it down. It’s the perfect read for fans of dark mafia romance with enemies to lovers tension, forced proximity, revenge, a slow burn, an age gap, and those intense “where is my wife?” moments. The story’s dynamics were so entertaining, especially the stolen marriage element and the well executed revenge plot. There’s plenty of action and a few twists that keep things exciting the whole way through.
Mateo and Stella’s story completely pulled me in. Mateo, the brooding Don, has that intimidating mafia presence but also shows a surprisingly softer side that made me love him even more. Stella is the perfect match for him; bold, feisty, and full of attitude. Their chemistry, the push and pull between them, and the constant tension made their relationship incredibly addictive to read.
As someone who already loved Clarissa’s Spine Ridge University series, I was really curious to see how she’d handle mafia romance, and she absolutely delivered. The story kicks off with intensity and never slows down. The spice is great, the plot is engaging, and the characters feel well developed. I also really enjoyed the side characters and their loyalty to Matteo; it added so much depth to the story.
I loved the ending so much, and honestly, I couldn’t get enough of Mateo and Stella. This book completely exceeded my expectations, and now I’m really hoping for more mafia stories from Clarissa.
I just finished this book and was hooked immediately; I couldn’t put it down. It’s the perfect read for fans of dark mafia romance with enemies to lovers tension, forced proximity, revenge, a slow burn, an age gap, and those intense “where is my wife?” moments. The story’s dynamics were so entertaining, especially the stolen marriage element and the well executed revenge plot. There’s plenty of action and a few twists that keep things exciting the whole way through.
Mateo and Stella’s story completely pulled me in. Mateo, the brooding Don, has that intimidating mafia presence but also shows a surprisingly softer side that made me love him even more. Stella is the perfect match for him; bold, feisty, and full of attitude. Their chemistry, the push and pull between them, and the constant tension made their relationship incredibly addictive to read.
As someone who already loved Clarissa’s Spine Ridge University series, I was really curious to see how she’d handle mafia romance, and she absolutely delivered. The story kicks off with intensity and never slows down. The spice is great, the plot is engaging, and the characters feel well developed. I also really enjoyed the side characters and their loyalty to Matteo; it added so much depth to the story.
I loved the ending so much, and honestly, I couldn’t get enough of Mateo and Stella. This book completely exceeded my expectations, and now I’m really hoping for more mafia stories from Clarissa.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4 ⭐ 'Matteo' ARC Review
💗 Mafia Romance
💗 Stolen hand in Marriage
💗 Enemies to Lovers
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 Revenge Plot
💗 Slow Burn
💗 Age Gap
💗 “Who Did this to you?”
💗 Billionaire Hero
💗 He falls first
💗 “Where is my Wife?!” Vibes
💗 No Cheating
💗 Complete Standalone
Stella a strong, feisty FMC. She has been through as lot and is very protective of mother, who has been dealing with her health. Which has brought Stella to her current predicament when forced to marry a horrid and cruel, scheming man by her father.
After a traumatic night on the run from brutal men, she comes across our MMC Matteo, who he and his men save her from a brutal end. Once he realizes her situation, he brings Stella back to his place once he finds its his enemy she's being forced to marry. Matteo has decided to claim Stella as his own.
This read had the perfect tropes, enemies to lovers, he falls first, forced proximity, 'where is my wife'. Easy, faced paced Mafia read!
Personally I have been reading a lot of Mafia reads lately and I found this read was quite similar, so this read didn't have that wow or different factor to empress me further, but I did enjoy it.
I loved how Stella didn't back down, always fought and gave back. Loved Matteo's protective and obsessive nature and of course his dirty mouth! They both had good banter and chemistry between them. For those who love a good Mafia Romance, this is a easy read.
💗 Mafia Romance
💗 Stolen hand in Marriage
💗 Enemies to Lovers
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 Revenge Plot
💗 Slow Burn
💗 Age Gap
💗 “Who Did this to you?”
💗 Billionaire Hero
💗 He falls first
💗 “Where is my Wife?!” Vibes
💗 No Cheating
💗 Complete Standalone
Stella a strong, feisty FMC. She has been through as lot and is very protective of mother, who has been dealing with her health. Which has brought Stella to her current predicament when forced to marry a horrid and cruel, scheming man by her father.
After a traumatic night on the run from brutal men, she comes across our MMC Matteo, who he and his men save her from a brutal end. Once he realizes her situation, he brings Stella back to his place once he finds its his enemy she's being forced to marry. Matteo has decided to claim Stella as his own.
This read had the perfect tropes, enemies to lovers, he falls first, forced proximity, 'where is my wife'. Easy, faced paced Mafia read!
Personally I have been reading a lot of Mafia reads lately and I found this read was quite similar, so this read didn't have that wow or different factor to empress me further, but I did enjoy it.
I loved how Stella didn't back down, always fought and gave back. Loved Matteo's protective and obsessive nature and of course his dirty mouth! They both had good banter and chemistry between them. For those who love a good Mafia Romance, this is a easy read.
March 20, 2026
Book Trope: Mafia Romance, Stolen hand in Marriage, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Revenge Plot, Slow Burn, Age Gap
Stella Runner is engaged to Lucio Agostini as a payment for a debt. Lucio threatens Stella if she makes any wrong sort of move / noise / statements to embarras him she will regret it.
Matteo De Silva is a rival of Lucio's. Once he sees Stella he can't forget her, and he wants her. He can't figure out why is she with Lucio to begin with? Matteo finds out that Stella is to marry Lucio. He goes to the wedding, interupts in the middle of the ceremony, forcing Stella away from Lucio and staking a claim that he is making Stella his wife! Matteo knows that Lucio wants Stella, and this is something he can take outright from him. Did Stella just become a pawn in the mafia war between Matteo and Lucio?
When Matteo steals and marries Stella in front of Lucio he knows he’s just started a mafia war. What will the rival families do? Go to War? Matteo takes Stella back to his mansion. Of course she begs to be released and he denies her. Will Stella be able to see her mom again? What will this marriage be like with Matteo - someone she doesn’t know and who doesn’t know her.
Will Lucio come for her? Will Matteo and his men be able to keep Stella safe? Or will Stella be able to escape both of these mafia men?
I did receive a free ARC Book Copy from The Author Clarissa Wild. I am freely leaving a honest book review.
Stella Runner is engaged to Lucio Agostini as a payment for a debt. Lucio threatens Stella if she makes any wrong sort of move / noise / statements to embarras him she will regret it.
Matteo De Silva is a rival of Lucio's. Once he sees Stella he can't forget her, and he wants her. He can't figure out why is she with Lucio to begin with? Matteo finds out that Stella is to marry Lucio. He goes to the wedding, interupts in the middle of the ceremony, forcing Stella away from Lucio and staking a claim that he is making Stella his wife! Matteo knows that Lucio wants Stella, and this is something he can take outright from him. Did Stella just become a pawn in the mafia war between Matteo and Lucio?
When Matteo steals and marries Stella in front of Lucio he knows he’s just started a mafia war. What will the rival families do? Go to War? Matteo takes Stella back to his mansion. Of course she begs to be released and he denies her. Will Stella be able to see her mom again? What will this marriage be like with Matteo - someone she doesn’t know and who doesn’t know her.
Will Lucio come for her? Will Matteo and his men be able to keep Stella safe? Or will Stella be able to escape both of these mafia men?
I did receive a free ARC Book Copy from The Author Clarissa Wild. I am freely leaving a honest book review.
March 20, 2026
If you love your romance dark, dramatic, and dripping with tension—Matteo absolutely delivers and Clarissa Wild doesn't disappoint.
This book had me hooked from the wedding crash heard around the mafia world. One minute Stella is being forced to marry one villain, and the next? She’s stolen mid-vows by an even more dangerous one. And honestly…....upgrade lol.
Matteo De Silva is every bit the morally grey, possessive anti-hero we crave—ruthless, obsessive, and completely unhinged when it comes to “his wife.” The “Where is my wife?!” energy? TOP TIER. He falls first, falls hard, and then spends the rest of the book pretending he’s still in control (he’s not). The chemistry between these two is a slow, simmering burn that builds into something intense and addictive. I loved that she wasn’t a pushover—she plays her own game, even when she’s trapped in his world. Their dynamic is very much a power struggle wrapped in desire, and it keeps things deliciously messy.
Tropes done right:
✅Enemies to lovers
🔥 Forced marriage (but make it chaotic)
✅Touch her and die vibes
🔥Broken hero with a soft spot
✅Tension you could cut with a knife
🔥He falls first and HARD!!
Urgh the angst, spice, and drama I want more and I can't wait to see what is gonna come next!! This was dark, addictive, and full of possessive energy—perfect for mafia romance lovers who want danger, obsession, and a hero who burns the world down for his woman. 🔥
This book had me hooked from the wedding crash heard around the mafia world. One minute Stella is being forced to marry one villain, and the next? She’s stolen mid-vows by an even more dangerous one. And honestly…....upgrade lol.
Matteo De Silva is every bit the morally grey, possessive anti-hero we crave—ruthless, obsessive, and completely unhinged when it comes to “his wife.” The “Where is my wife?!” energy? TOP TIER. He falls first, falls hard, and then spends the rest of the book pretending he’s still in control (he’s not). The chemistry between these two is a slow, simmering burn that builds into something intense and addictive. I loved that she wasn’t a pushover—she plays her own game, even when she’s trapped in his world. Their dynamic is very much a power struggle wrapped in desire, and it keeps things deliciously messy.
Tropes done right:
✅Enemies to lovers
🔥 Forced marriage (but make it chaotic)
✅Touch her and die vibes
🔥Broken hero with a soft spot
✅Tension you could cut with a knife
🔥He falls first and HARD!!
Urgh the angst, spice, and drama I want more and I can't wait to see what is gonna come next!! This was dark, addictive, and full of possessive energy—perfect for mafia romance lovers who want danger, obsession, and a hero who burns the world down for his woman. 🔥
March 25, 2026
R*A*N*T* in 3, 2, 1....
Unless I missed something in the storyline and Matteo sent his people in to Stella's homemade cell to remove every item of clothing, shoes, and make-up from her room. But then why leave a house robe?
Author Clarissa Wild made a huge mistake in chapter's 9 & 10. No woman be in her right mind or not would ever attempt escaping in nothing but a house robe unless they had nothing else to wear. However, Stella was in a room full of clothing, shoes, and make-up. It makes zero logical sense not to dress considering-
•One, it's rough climbing out a narrow window, clothing will provide protection. Not to mention clothes are in the connected room.
•Two, considering on at least the second floor, shoes would be needed for the landing & clothing for protection from the ground. Not to mention shoes are in the connected room.
•Three, it's cold outside. A person needs to be insulated against the cold weather, especially after a bath. Again, clothes and shoes in connecting room.
•Four, climbing a gate of any kind using your toes is doable but unnecessarily painful due to shoes being the the room.
•Five, absolutely any woman without a death wish would get in a vehicle full of males stuck in a no escape situation with nothing but house robe on. Especially, since we live in an evil world and as women expect nothing but the worst out of the male population.
R*A*N*T* OVER for now. Time to return to Matteo & Stella's story.
Unless I missed something in the storyline and Matteo sent his people in to Stella's homemade cell to remove every item of clothing, shoes, and make-up from her room. But then why leave a house robe?
Author Clarissa Wild made a huge mistake in chapter's 9 & 10. No woman be in her right mind or not would ever attempt escaping in nothing but a house robe unless they had nothing else to wear. However, Stella was in a room full of clothing, shoes, and make-up. It makes zero logical sense not to dress considering-
•One, it's rough climbing out a narrow window, clothing will provide protection. Not to mention clothes are in the connected room.
•Two, considering on at least the second floor, shoes would be needed for the landing & clothing for protection from the ground. Not to mention shoes are in the connected room.
•Three, it's cold outside. A person needs to be insulated against the cold weather, especially after a bath. Again, clothes and shoes in connecting room.
•Four, climbing a gate of any kind using your toes is doable but unnecessarily painful due to shoes being the the room.
•Five, absolutely any woman without a death wish would get in a vehicle full of males stuck in a no escape situation with nothing but house robe on. Especially, since we live in an evil world and as women expect nothing but the worst out of the male population.
R*A*N*T* OVER for now. Time to return to Matteo & Stella's story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It used to be all about my revenge. I didn’t care about anything else, not even my life. But now there is her. All there is … is her.
“I’m gonna c*me inside you, and you’re going to take every last drop of my c*m like the naughty girl you are, Tesoro.”
Stella was no wallflower, and the moves she kept pulling on Matteo kept him constantly on his toes. I loved that way too much and found myself laughing at some of the things she did. She had just the right amount of sass to make their dynamic really fun to read. Matteo was insta-obsessed with her, and I loved that mixed in with all the slow-burning tension between them. The revenge element added that extra dramatic spark to the story and kept the stakes high. I love Clarissa Wild’s writing style, and this one didn’t disappoint. The whole stolen hand in marriage thing was one of my fav moments for me. The mix of danger, passion, and emotional moments kept me hooked from start to finish.
If you enjoy a faster-paced mafia romance with a strong “who did this to you” vibe, this would be a story to read.
💗 Mafia Romance
💗 Stolen hand in Marriage
💗 Enemies to Lovers
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 Revenge Plot
💗 Slow Burn
💗 Age Gap
💗 “Who Did this to you?”
💗 B1llionaire Hero
💗 He falls first
💗 “Where is my Wife?!” Vibes
💗 No Cheating
💗 Complete Standalone
“I’m gonna c*me inside you, and you’re going to take every last drop of my c*m like the naughty girl you are, Tesoro.”
Stella was no wallflower, and the moves she kept pulling on Matteo kept him constantly on his toes. I loved that way too much and found myself laughing at some of the things she did. She had just the right amount of sass to make their dynamic really fun to read. Matteo was insta-obsessed with her, and I loved that mixed in with all the slow-burning tension between them. The revenge element added that extra dramatic spark to the story and kept the stakes high. I love Clarissa Wild’s writing style, and this one didn’t disappoint. The whole stolen hand in marriage thing was one of my fav moments for me. The mix of danger, passion, and emotional moments kept me hooked from start to finish.
If you enjoy a faster-paced mafia romance with a strong “who did this to you” vibe, this would be a story to read.
💗 Mafia Romance
💗 Stolen hand in Marriage
💗 Enemies to Lovers
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 Revenge Plot
💗 Slow Burn
💗 Age Gap
💗 “Who Did this to you?”
💗 B1llionaire Hero
💗 He falls first
💗 “Where is my Wife?!” Vibes
💗 No Cheating
💗 Complete Standalone
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
“I don’t want anyone to see the unholy things I’m about to do to your body. You’re all mine and mine alone.”
Love me an age gap, mafia romance! I also live for a “my wife” declaration and Matteo gives that and more. Matteo’s plan may have started as revenge, but stealing another man’s fiancé and making her his wife ended in a once in a lifetime kind of love. What starts as enemies to lovers, with Stella trying to unalive him turns into a story of devotion and possession as trust rather than control.
Stella is as feisty as they come and that is what Matteo is drawn to immediately from their first encounter. She may hate him but she can’t help but fall for him. Matteo is utterly obsessed with her and won’t push the boundaries until she truly means to stay, even if it pains him. Slowly she falls for him through his actions and can’t stand to be away from him. Matteo took is vows seriously the moment they left his lips and will do anything to show Stella he’s all in. He calls her “Tesoro” and I find that so freaking cute! She doesn’t know what it means at first and when she realizes she melts just a little bit more.
This is a spicy, fast paced, banter filled mafia romance! It’s action packed with slow burn tension and mafia themes that work incredibly well to tie the story together.
A huge thank you to Clarissa Wild and The Author Agency for the early copy!
Love me an age gap, mafia romance! I also live for a “my wife” declaration and Matteo gives that and more. Matteo’s plan may have started as revenge, but stealing another man’s fiancé and making her his wife ended in a once in a lifetime kind of love. What starts as enemies to lovers, with Stella trying to unalive him turns into a story of devotion and possession as trust rather than control.
Stella is as feisty as they come and that is what Matteo is drawn to immediately from their first encounter. She may hate him but she can’t help but fall for him. Matteo is utterly obsessed with her and won’t push the boundaries until she truly means to stay, even if it pains him. Slowly she falls for him through his actions and can’t stand to be away from him. Matteo took is vows seriously the moment they left his lips and will do anything to show Stella he’s all in. He calls her “Tesoro” and I find that so freaking cute! She doesn’t know what it means at first and when she realizes she melts just a little bit more.
This is a spicy, fast paced, banter filled mafia romance! It’s action packed with slow burn tension and mafia themes that work incredibly well to tie the story together.
A huge thank you to Clarissa Wild and The Author Agency for the early copy!
March 20, 2026
Wow, Clarissa has done it again. This couple, Stella and Matteo, I enjoyed their story. If you are going to be forced into a marriage that you don't want, Matteo is definitely who I would want. I love a good mafia romance. If mafia is one of your favorite genres, this book is a must read. Once you have had a taste of Clarissa's writing, she has a lot more books you can dive into.
Matteo is a 5 star read, a must read in my opinion.
Matteo is a 5 star read, a must read in my opinion.
March 24, 2026
I went into this book expecting a dark, dramatic mafia romance, and it definitely delivered on that.
The storyline was engaging from the start, especially with the forced marriage and the sudden twist at the wedding. That moment really hooked me and made me want to see how everything would unfold. I liked the tension between the characters and the constant push and pull between control, revenge, and growing feelings.
Matteo is a strong mafia hero—cold, driven, and focused on his goals—but there are moments where you can see there’s more beneath the surface. His obsession with revenge adds a lot of intensity to the story, and I enjoyed watching the layers of his character slowly come out. The heroine, on the other hand, is not as helpless as she first seems. Even though she’s trapped in a situation she didn’t choose, she tries to adapt and find her own way to survive.
Their relationship is complicated and built on power struggles, attraction, and emotional conflict. The slow build of their connection worked well, and I liked how the story didn’t rush their development.
Overall, this was an enjoyable dark romance with strong tension, familiar tropes, and enough twists to keep things interesting.
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book. I really appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.
March 25, 2026
It's a fast paced mafia romance. Based on the premises, I thought I would totally love it. It had some really promising tropes that I usually love. Arranged/forced marriage, light enemies to lovers, he falls first, my wife, who did this to you? and many more...
But sadly the chemistry between the two main characters fell flat for me. They also made decisions or acted in ways that contradicted their earlier behaviours/views.
(Spoiler: For example when Matteo was already sure she was the one and meant to be deeply in love with him one day, he suddenly openly gave her the fault for his actions and the resulting consequences (restaurant shootout))
But that's just one point of how the characters don't always seem to act or behave the way they were built up to previously. Her mother is another factor. But as she was just a small part of the story, I could mostly ignore the inconsistencies here.
Maybe I could have ignored the discrepancies, if the characters had felt like they truly mashed well. But for me sadly they had nearly zero chemistry at all and the relationship and spicy scenes between them felt rushed and perfunctory.
But maybe these two hold more chemistry for you, so don't let me stop you from giving it a go!
After all, loving a book or not is deeply subjective.
But sadly the chemistry between the two main characters fell flat for me. They also made decisions or acted in ways that contradicted their earlier behaviours/views.
(Spoiler: For example when Matteo was already sure she was the one and meant to be deeply in love with him one day, he suddenly openly gave her the fault for his actions and the resulting consequences (restaurant shootout))
But that's just one point of how the characters don't always seem to act or behave the way they were built up to previously. Her mother is another factor. But as she was just a small part of the story, I could mostly ignore the inconsistencies here.
Maybe I could have ignored the discrepancies, if the characters had felt like they truly mashed well. But for me sadly they had nearly zero chemistry at all and the relationship and spicy scenes between them felt rushed and perfunctory.
But maybe these two hold more chemistry for you, so don't let me stop you from giving it a go!
After all, loving a book or not is deeply subjective.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're looking for a standalone mafia story that has everything you would expect from the genre, as well as witty banter and a "she can save herself" FMC, look no further than Matteo by Clarissa Wild.
This had all the vibes of a dark romance with a mafia theme that will definitely tickle the fancy of any mafia romance reader. We had a no-nonsense mafia Don who is out for vengeance against a rival syndicate. We had a strong willed and definitely stubborn FMC who could give it as well as she could take it. (Pun intended). The banter between our FMC and MMC was absolutely hilarious and at times downright intoxicating.
This was a fun, easy and fast-paced read that kept me intrigued from start to finish. It was extremely easy to get lost in the vibe and in the romance. The spicy scenes were absolutely well done and did not feel cringe in anyway. They managed to be both steamy and romantic while definitely heating up the temperature
We had a really good use of tropes that are common for this genre. I really enjoyed this read overall if you're into mafia romance this is one you don't wanna miss.
This had all the vibes of a dark romance with a mafia theme that will definitely tickle the fancy of any mafia romance reader. We had a no-nonsense mafia Don who is out for vengeance against a rival syndicate. We had a strong willed and definitely stubborn FMC who could give it as well as she could take it. (Pun intended). The banter between our FMC and MMC was absolutely hilarious and at times downright intoxicating.
This was a fun, easy and fast-paced read that kept me intrigued from start to finish. It was extremely easy to get lost in the vibe and in the romance. The spicy scenes were absolutely well done and did not feel cringe in anyway. They managed to be both steamy and romantic while definitely heating up the temperature
We had a really good use of tropes that are common for this genre. I really enjoyed this read overall if you're into mafia romance this is one you don't wanna miss.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a delicious mafia romance! The pacing of this book was absolutely perfect, I devoured it in just a couple of hours because I simply couldn’t put it down. From the very first page, the story pulled me in and kept me completely hooked.
Surprisingly, this was my first book by Clarissa, but it will definitely not be my last. I completely fell in love with her writing style. It’s so smooth and engaging that the pages just fly by, and before you know it you’re already at the end.
The revenge elements and those amazing “who did this to you?” vibes made the story even better. It kept me entertained the whole time and never felt boring for a single moment. Stella was such a fun character; her sass, attitude, and strong personality made her stand out so much. And of course, the spice was definitely there and done really well. 🌶️
And the epilogue… I honestly laughed so hard. It was such a funny and perfect way to wrap up the story, and it left me with a huge smile on my face.
I really recommend this book if you love mafia romances with strong characters, revenge, tension, humor, and a good amount of spice. Definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Surprisingly, this was my first book by Clarissa, but it will definitely not be my last. I completely fell in love with her writing style. It’s so smooth and engaging that the pages just fly by, and before you know it you’re already at the end.
The revenge elements and those amazing “who did this to you?” vibes made the story even better. It kept me entertained the whole time and never felt boring for a single moment. Stella was such a fun character; her sass, attitude, and strong personality made her stand out so much. And of course, the spice was definitely there and done really well. 🌶️
And the epilogue… I honestly laughed so hard. It was such a funny and perfect way to wrap up the story, and it left me with a huge smile on my face.
I really recommend this book if you love mafia romances with strong characters, revenge, tension, humor, and a good amount of spice. Definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got some mixed feelings about this one. I liked the premise of the story, but there were some things along the way that just didn't feel right. Matteo was this alleged Mafia kingpin, but there were instances that made it feel like he just wasn't as powerful as he claimed to be. He claimed that the enemy (Lucio) wouldn't dare try to kill him because of the consequences, yet he made many attempts. His home/mansion was supposedly this safe place, like Fort Knox, with all the men who work for him there as security, yet the enemy was able to get in and someone escaped without notice. You'd think if he was this self-proclaimed Mafioso, he'd have security cameras all over the place. Things like that, that made it hard to believe he was as powerful or dangerous as he was supposed to be. The spicy scenes are pretty good. Stella's character was sassy and confident. She was smart, yet made several bad decisions, some of which almost cost her her life. The book is easy and quick to read. It alternates POVs. There is some violence. There is sexual content, that is intended for mature readers.
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