Matteo

by Clarissa Wild

The Mafia boss I was forced to marry never got the chance.
His greatest enemy crashed our wedding... and married me instead.

Matteo De Silva claimed me at the altar and made me his wife… right in front of my fiancé.
To him, I'm the perfect weapon against the enemy he swore to destroy. I’m a bride stolen in broad daylight.
I agreed to sacrifice my freedom to save my dying mother, but I never imagined someone else would steal it first.
Now I’m a pawn trapped in his mansion until his revenge is complete.
Neither of us expected our war to become something far more dangerous...
Every argument between us becomes harder to walk away from, and each stolen glance feels more dangerous than the last.
Somewhere between prisoner and protector...
Spiteful wife and grumpy husband...
Falling in love becomes the sweetest revenge.

MATTEO is a standalone mafia romance by Clarissa Wild, featuring: Enemies to lovers, a stolen bride, forced proximity, a slow-burn, revenge, a possessive hero who falls first, and a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Billionaire Romance, M F Romance

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

About the author

**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:
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Reviews

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads)]

This hurts to write because I loved her other mafia books, but this one wasn't for me.

But hey, it might work for you.

[Bellatrix · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Penniesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.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

[Buffy・❥・ · Rating 2 out of 5]

SIGHHHHHH… this was a pretty anticipated read for me but alas I was left underwhelmed. This book had potential but it just ended up completely lack luster, the FMC lacked any back bone at all and overall the dialogue was very amateur.

On to the next one I guess 🤷🏼‍♀️

[phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Lea ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
this was a quick read in between some school work i did today. nothing really specific other than it was like any other mafia romance book 🤷‍♀️

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶


☠️ Dark Mafia Romance
⚫️ Stolen Hand In Marriage
☠️ "My Wife"
⚫️ Forced Proximity
☠️ Revenge Plot
⚫️ Enemies To Lovers
☠️ Slow Burn
⚫️ "Who Did This To You?"
☠️ Billionaire Hero
⚫️ He Falls First
☠️ Age Gap
⚫️ Touch Her & ☠️


⚠️ PLEASE CHECK YOUR CONENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS! PLEASE PROTECT YOUR MENTAL PEACE☮️ ⚠️

✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 REVIEW ✨️

I love me some mafia books and this one was a great read! I think that there could have been a few changes with how Matteo could have been a little more proactive and fought a bit better in some of the scenes. But don't let that dioscount what kind of man Matteo is! He is a touch her & ☠️ LITERALLY! I love that he was GONE for Stella even before he truly knew her!

Stella is one of the strongest FMC's I have seen and this book just proves how strong we as women can be! I loved that she was willing to be herself in every aspect of the book! She refused to just comply until she was willing to!

This was a fantastic slow burn with that slow glow that happened between the MC's. The tension was UNREAL along with the amazing banter that was shared! There honestly wasn't a part of this book I didn't love other than what is mentioned above. I am excited to read the previous books and future in this series!


Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Clarissa Wild ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📚. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.

[Danielle Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 ❤️

[Janice Dudley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Enjoyable read but not great in my opinion. Some of the writing was a little immature i felt.

[nikki]

Pre-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🫣

[Little monster · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. 🔥

[Katie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 💭

[Shyla S · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kristen Shipley · Rating 4 out of 5]

'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.

[Dani's Shelf Indulgence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh, Matteo, Matteo, Matteo..... 🥵🔥🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to The Author Agency and Clarissa Wild for the Advanced Reader Copy of Matteo.

I have not read a Mafia Romance in over 12 months, so to dive into this one was actually great timing, as it was very overdue!

As soon as I started reading from Matteo's POV I couldn't help but picture Mossamo from 365 Days, and if you didn't know it already, Michele Morrone is like hot as sin, so already I was hooked reading this from the very first chapter.

Matteo is waiting to exact his revenge on his arch rival for the death of his mother, but instead of killing him, he decides to take the one thing he really wants, his bride, Stella.

Stella was forced to marry Lucio, but instead of saying I do to him, our Mafia Daddy, Matteo storms the wedding, and bam, she is Mrs Mafia Daddy!
The stolen marriage trope was exactly what I wanted to read, and so that scene had me in an absolute chokehold!

Now while we know our girl is secretly wanting to bang Matteo, she absolutely has to show some attitude and give him the old middle finger, with some light cyanide poisoning on the side (I will never look at apricots the same again)...because then it wouldn't be a slow build romance with tension!

The spice was spicy. Matteo was ugh, so sexy, so bossy, and gave just the right amount of green flag alpha vibes to leave me giggling and blushing. "Are you mine?" Ahhhhhh IYKYK 🥵🔥🖤

Stella did frustrate me a bit, but she definitely grew on me as the story devopled. I always struggle to understand why the FMC wants to leave a mansion, money, a hot as sin husband, and literally has someone cooking and cleaning for them....like someone kidnap me and take me to their mansion, please 🙏 😅 but other than that and some slightly Cheesy dialogue, this was an excellent read!

If you love a Mafia romance, Michele Morrone vibes, a stolen marriage trope, forced proximity, touch her die vibes, and possessive green flag alpha energy, then you will love this book!

[Rima-Chan · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

it’s a pretty standard mafia romance, she hates him, and then she doesn’t, I ate it up

[Bookaholic blonde · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[vanne 🫩 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jesmin Nawaz · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was an overall let down. I had high hopes but I was so annoyed by the FMC. There's strong willed FMC's and then there's Stella. I found her to be insufferable and that really took away from the book for me. I even found some spelling errors and that is a huge pet peeve of mine. I know that's not entirely the authors fault because it goes through multiple stages of editing, but it still gets to me. As far as MMC's go, Matteo was ok but nothing special.

[Malischa Nijenhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry had to think about this one and will come back tonight with a full review! Stay tuned

[Michaela Harvey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I very rarely DNF a book, but I really did give up on this one. I love a good mafia book and really like other books by Clarissa, but this one was not for me. Kept coming back to it multiple times but in the end the characters just fell flat. She was annoying, he was supposed to be a mafia boss but seemed a bit, I dunno, soft maybe? 🤷‍♀️
Anyhoo, the poisoning part was daft, and the escaping in a bathrobe was just….also daft lol.
Skimmed forward a bit to see if it got any better. I didn’t think it did, so decided to give up.
I see a lot of ppl have given it a good star rating so each to their own, maybe it’s exactly the book you like to read?!
Just wasn’t for me.

[TRACI · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and Predictable

1 🌶️ Book .
I honestly think I’m done reading Clarissa Wild books . If it matters it’s nothing outside of a kiss until 68% of the book .

Nothing new to see here , forced marrige story to save sick mom , bride stolen at wedding .


Then I like her but even though I’m supposedly the most powerful man in the mafia , I can’t let my stolen bride outside to get some sunshine because she might be killed or taken .

It felt like a Mafia Lite Hallmark Channel movie .

[Zara Davey · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's hell to read, there is no cohesion, the characters have no chemistry and are so shallow, they switch up so often.
It feels like I'm reading an AI x Episodes story.
The ideas for the plot sound great but it is very rushed with too many sub-plots/tropes that aren't written well enough because of the fast pace.
Don't recommend unless easily entertained with reading standards that are at wattpad level

[Why Choose Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matteo is Clarissa Wild at her most dramatic, delivering a mafia romance that feels like someone handed a match to a man with unresolved trauma and said, “Go on then, make it everyone’s problem.” It’s chaotic, addictive, and entirely unhinged in a way that is both intentional and deeply entertaining. If you’re here for subtlety, you’re in the wrong genre. If you’re here for a man who sees a woman throw jewellery off a balcony and immediately decides she’s his destiny, congratulations, you’ve found your next obsession.
Our FMC Stella is a woman who has been backed into a corner so many times she’s practically living there. She’s stubborn, impulsive, and allergic to being controlled, which is unfortunate because she keeps encountering men who treat “control” like a romantic gesture. She’s trying to save her mother, survive the mafia, and maintain her sanity, and honestly she deserves a medal for not screaming every five minutes.
Our MMC Matteo De Silva is a mafia don with revenge issues, mother trauma, and the emotional availability of a locked vault. He sees Stella once and immediately decides she’s his problem now, which is very on brand for a man who treats obsession like a full‑time job. He’s dangerous, possessive, and somehow still manages to radiate green‑flag energy in the way only fictional men can get away with. Stella’s life is already collapsing when the story begins, and her attempt to save her mother drags her straight into the orbit of men who should come with hazard warnings. What starts as a desperate arrangement quickly spirals into something far more dangerous when she crosses paths with Matteo, a man whose entire existence revolves around power, vengeance, and making dramatic entrances at the worst possible moments. Their first encounter sets the tone for everything that follows. Stella is furious, Matteo is intrigued, and the universe clearly hates her. From that point on, her life becomes a tangle of mafia politics, dangerous alliances, and men who think “communication” means “issuing orders.” Matteo decides she’s the perfect pawn, the perfect weapon, and, inconveniently, the perfect woman to obsess over. Stella, meanwhile, is determined not to become anyone’s possession, even if the man in question is infuriatingly attractive and built like a sin. The tension between them is immediate and relentless. They clash, they provoke, they circle each other like two people who would absolutely kill one another if they weren’t so busy wanting to kiss. Their dynamic is a constant tug‑of‑war between power and desire, with neither of them willing to back down even when it would make their lives significantly easier. As the story unfolds, Stella is forced to navigate Matteo’s world, a world built on danger, loyalty, and consequences. Matteo’s enemies close in, Stella’s past refuses to stay buried, and their relationship becomes a battlefield of its own. The more they fight it, the more inevitable it becomes, and the slow burn between them turns into the kind of chemistry that could power a small city.
Matteo is dramatic, messy, and unapologetically over the top, which is exactly what a mafia romance should be. It knows what it is and leans into it with full commitment. If you want realism, look elsewhere. If you want a man who would burn down a city because his wife frowned, a heroine who will absolutely poison him for it, and enough tension to make your Kindle sweat, then this book delivers. It’s chaotic in the best way and scratches the exact itch it promises to.
This story contains mafia violence, captivity, forced marriage dynamics, parental illness, emotional manipulation, and revenge themes woven throughout. There are also scenes involving poisoning, threats, and the general level of danger expected in a mafia romance.

[Mirjam · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Simone ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[TinyVenusAfterDark · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 🔥

[Stacey(TotalBookAddicts) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Because that’s what you’re worth to me, Tesoro. You’re worth everything, and I would risk it all, even my life, to keep you out of his claws.”

This is the first book I've read from Clarissa and I absolutely loved it. I'm a sucker for mafia books. So when I saw on her IG that she would be releasing one I was like I need this in my life. I loved everything about it. I loved how much Matteo cared about Stella even though she hated him cos he imprisoned her in his house and stole her freedom away even though it was to keeping her safe.

I loved Matteo and Stella. Matteo is the Don and he's at a club getting ready to have a meeting with Lucio... the man who killed his mother. He's out on the balcony and this woman comes out throws her pearls over the balcony and is annoyed. He likes her because when they talk for all of a few minutes he thinks she's cute and spicy. She then leaves and he thinks he'll never see her again. That is until he walks into the room where Lucio is.. but he doesn't see him first.. he sees the woman from the balcony and she's also Lucio's fiancée...

The next day Stella is getting married to Lucio. She really doesnt want to because he horrible but after she borrowed money from him and she didnt have a good enough job to beable to pay him back he settled on marrying her. But he's only doing it because he knows her dad has money and he wants it. So she walks down the aisle and right when they're about to say the vows non other than Matteo shows up with his men. Then Matteo goes and steals Stella from Lucio and marries her right infront of Lucio. Stella doesnt want to marry Lucio but doesnt even know Matteo but when it gets to the I do's shes has to make a decision.. Lucio put her in this mess so she says I do to Matteo....

This book had everything... Age Gap, He Falls First, Where is my Wife?, Slow Burn, Revenge Plot, Slow Burn, Forced Marriage, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Touch her and die and Who did this to you.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!