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MATELDA : In Silence We Forgive
She was my father's shadow. His secret. The one woman I was never supposed to want.
MIA
I returned to the Salvatore villa for a funeral, not a reunion. My father is dead, his empire is crumbling, and the woman who made herself indispensable in a house that was supposed to be mine is still haunting these halls.
Matelda is everything I was taught to hate: beautiful, calculating, and far too comfortable in a life she was never entitled to. I came to reclaim my legacy and drive her out.
I didn't expect the heat between us to be more dangerous than the war outside our gates.
MATELDA
I've spent years building a life out of marble and secrets. I survived the Salvatore men by becoming untouchable — but I wasn't prepared for Mia.
She has her father's eyes and a fury that threatens to burn down everything I've sacrificed to protect. In this world, love is a liability and desire is a death sentence.
But as the shadows close in, the girl I should be pushing away is the only one standing between me and the grave.
Some wars are fought with guns.
Some are fought in silence.
The most dangerous ones are fought in the space between hate and love.
Book One of The Matelda Series.
Contains: explicit sapphic romance, organized crime, age gap, slow burn, enemies to lovers.
MIA
I returned to the Salvatore villa for a funeral, not a reunion. My father is dead, his empire is crumbling, and the woman who made herself indispensable in a house that was supposed to be mine is still haunting these halls.
Matelda is everything I was taught to hate: beautiful, calculating, and far too comfortable in a life she was never entitled to. I came to reclaim my legacy and drive her out.
I didn't expect the heat between us to be more dangerous than the war outside our gates.
MATELDA
I've spent years building a life out of marble and secrets. I survived the Salvatore men by becoming untouchable — but I wasn't prepared for Mia.
She has her father's eyes and a fury that threatens to burn down everything I've sacrificed to protect. In this world, love is a liability and desire is a death sentence.
But as the shadows close in, the girl I should be pushing away is the only one standing between me and the grave.
Some wars are fought with guns.
Some are fought in silence.
The most dangerous ones are fought in the space between hate and love.
Book One of The Matelda Series.
Contains: explicit sapphic romance, organized crime, age gap, slow burn, enemies to lovers.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 2, 2026
Surprisingly Good
MATELDA: In Silence We Forgive by Jossef S., is an original and interesting novel that stands out for its unusual main characters. The heroines in the story are unexpected, and their presence brings a fresh twist to the plot. The author describes the characters’ thoughts and feelings in detail, making it easy for readers to understand their experiences and motivations. The writing style is clear and unique, giving the book a distinct voice.
One of the strengths of this book is how it explores forgiveness and silence. These themes are not just mentioned, they truly shape the story and the actions of the characters. The plot includes several surprises, which keep the reader engaged and curious about what will happen next. The story moves at a good pace and is easy to follow, while still offering thoughtful moments that make you reflect.
Overall, MATELDA: In Silence We Forgive is a moving and memorable novel. It is perfect for readers who want a story that is both simple to read and full of emotion and originality. I recommend it to anyone looking for something different and meaningful.
MATELDA: In Silence We Forgive by Jossef S., is an original and interesting novel that stands out for its unusual main characters. The heroines in the story are unexpected, and their presence brings a fresh twist to the plot. The author describes the characters’ thoughts and feelings in detail, making it easy for readers to understand their experiences and motivations. The writing style is clear and unique, giving the book a distinct voice.
One of the strengths of this book is how it explores forgiveness and silence. These themes are not just mentioned, they truly shape the story and the actions of the characters. The plot includes several surprises, which keep the reader engaged and curious about what will happen next. The story moves at a good pace and is easy to follow, while still offering thoughtful moments that make you reflect.
Overall, MATELDA: In Silence We Forgive is a moving and memorable novel. It is perfect for readers who want a story that is both simple to read and full of emotion and originality. I recommend it to anyone looking for something different and meaningful.
June 10, 2026
I have not cried at a book like this in years
I picked this up because someone in a sapphic romance group described it as "slow burn enemies to lovers but make it crime family and devastating" and I thought: yes, that is exactly what I need. I was not prepared.
Matelda: In Silence We Forgive opens in a cemetery in the rain. Mia Salvatore has just buried her father — the man who ran an empire — and the first thing she does is grab the wrist of the woman standing beside the grave and tell her she does not get to say goodbye. That woman is Matelda. Copper hair, green eyes, and the composure of someone who has learned to survive rooms full of dangerous men by becoming the most controlled person in them.
From that opening wrist grab, I was finished. I did not recover.
This is a sapphic age-gap romance — Mia is twenty-four, Matelda is forty-six — and the book earns every difficult inch of that gap. It does not pretend the years between them don't exist. It makes you feel them. Matelda's suffering is written from the inside — the humiliation of wanting someone and waiting all day for them to call, of lying in the dark pretending to be asleep, of pressing her forehead to a closed door and making promises into the wood. Jossef S. writes desire the way it actually feels in the body, not the way it looks from the outside.
The crime plot is real. Delon is genuinely frightening. The family — Sam especially, Sam above everyone — is vivid and specific and funny in exactly the right moments. But the heart of the book is Mia and Matelda in a villa, circling each other across twenty-three chapters of longing, and one night that finally closes the distance.
The ending made me set the book down and sit in the dark for ten minutes.
If you are looking for: sapphic slow burn, age-gap WLW romance, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, a crime family setting, a love story that actually costs something — this is the book. Read it. Then come back and tell me which chapter broke you, because I already know which one it was.
Tropes: enemies to lovers · age gap · slow burn · forced proximity · forbidden love · crime family · sapphic romance · older woman younger woman · grief · found family
I picked this up because someone in a sapphic romance group described it as "slow burn enemies to lovers but make it crime family and devastating" and I thought: yes, that is exactly what I need. I was not prepared.
Matelda: In Silence We Forgive opens in a cemetery in the rain. Mia Salvatore has just buried her father — the man who ran an empire — and the first thing she does is grab the wrist of the woman standing beside the grave and tell her she does not get to say goodbye. That woman is Matelda. Copper hair, green eyes, and the composure of someone who has learned to survive rooms full of dangerous men by becoming the most controlled person in them.
From that opening wrist grab, I was finished. I did not recover.
This is a sapphic age-gap romance — Mia is twenty-four, Matelda is forty-six — and the book earns every difficult inch of that gap. It does not pretend the years between them don't exist. It makes you feel them. Matelda's suffering is written from the inside — the humiliation of wanting someone and waiting all day for them to call, of lying in the dark pretending to be asleep, of pressing her forehead to a closed door and making promises into the wood. Jossef S. writes desire the way it actually feels in the body, not the way it looks from the outside.
The crime plot is real. Delon is genuinely frightening. The family — Sam especially, Sam above everyone — is vivid and specific and funny in exactly the right moments. But the heart of the book is Mia and Matelda in a villa, circling each other across twenty-three chapters of longing, and one night that finally closes the distance.
The ending made me set the book down and sit in the dark for ten minutes.
If you are looking for: sapphic slow burn, age-gap WLW romance, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, a crime family setting, a love story that actually costs something — this is the book. Read it. Then come back and tell me which chapter broke you, because I already know which one it was.
Tropes: enemies to lovers · age gap · slow burn · forced proximity · forbidden love · crime family · sapphic romance · older woman younger woman · grief · found family
May 13, 2026
"Matelda: In Silence We Forgive" is an intense novel that manages to transform pain and loss into a complete sensory experience.
Stylistically, the writing is characterized by a skillful use of rhetorical figures that make the narrative profound and evocative. The author uses powerful metaphors to describe moods: the cemetery becomes a "mirror of pain," and gravestones are described as "broken memories," images that weigh on the environment with an immediate emotional burden. The similes are also very effective, helping the reader visualize the characters and scenes; for example, Matelda's hair shines in the rain like "copper wires" and the steps of the villa shine like a "broken glass path," suggesting the sense of fragility and danger humans find themselves in in everyday life. Another distinguishing feature is personification: the family mansion is described as a "monster silhouette" with "yawning" gates as if "they were breathing a restrained breath," while the mud near the tomb appears "patient," almost as if waiting. These stylistic choices allow us to perceive the inner world of the protagonists through the environment around them.
The heart of the story is the complex relationship between Mia and Matelda. After the death of Gabriel, the powerful "Architect" of the family, the two women must learn to live together. Through simple everyday gestures —like trying to use a coffee machine or finding a white handkerchief — the initial tension slowly transforms into an authentic bond. The plot gradually reveals that Matelda is not just a mysterious figure, but a sharp and intelligent woman, capable of seeing details that businessmen have missed.
The novel's pedagogical message is an invitation to resilience and overcoming prejudice. The work teaches us that reality is never flat and that people we consider enemies can hide wounds and values similar to ours. The book suggests that forgiveness does not necessarily require great speech, but is born in silence and the ability to listen to the pain of others. Ultimately, it is a lesson in how you can rebuild yourself and your bonds even when everything seems to have been lost.
Stylistically, the writing is characterized by a skillful use of rhetorical figures that make the narrative profound and evocative. The author uses powerful metaphors to describe moods: the cemetery becomes a "mirror of pain," and gravestones are described as "broken memories," images that weigh on the environment with an immediate emotional burden. The similes are also very effective, helping the reader visualize the characters and scenes; for example, Matelda's hair shines in the rain like "copper wires" and the steps of the villa shine like a "broken glass path," suggesting the sense of fragility and danger humans find themselves in in everyday life. Another distinguishing feature is personification: the family mansion is described as a "monster silhouette" with "yawning" gates as if "they were breathing a restrained breath," while the mud near the tomb appears "patient," almost as if waiting. These stylistic choices allow us to perceive the inner world of the protagonists through the environment around them.
The heart of the story is the complex relationship between Mia and Matelda. After the death of Gabriel, the powerful "Architect" of the family, the two women must learn to live together. Through simple everyday gestures —like trying to use a coffee machine or finding a white handkerchief — the initial tension slowly transforms into an authentic bond. The plot gradually reveals that Matelda is not just a mysterious figure, but a sharp and intelligent woman, capable of seeing details that businessmen have missed.
The novel's pedagogical message is an invitation to resilience and overcoming prejudice. The work teaches us that reality is never flat and that people we consider enemies can hide wounds and values similar to ours. The book suggests that forgiveness does not necessarily require great speech, but is born in silence and the ability to listen to the pain of others. Ultimately, it is a lesson in how you can rebuild yourself and your bonds even when everything seems to have been lost.
April 25, 2026
I’d give Matelda: In Silence We Forgive about 3 stars. There’s something really strong in the atmosphere and emotional tension, especially between Mia and Matelda. I liked the scene: “And collided with her. Matelda’s body was suddenly right behind her. Warm. Solid.” And then, there were a few emotional lines: “I will not lose you… Not to my own fear. Not to anything.” It really showed how close their bond was!
That said, the structure didn’t always work for me. I’m really not a fan of the super short, broken line style. When it’s used sparingly, it can hit hard, but there’s a lot of it here, sometimes just one or two words like “Warm.” “Solid.” “Movement. Not away.” After a while, it starts to feel overdone, and instead of adding impact, it makes the writing come across as choppy and pulls me out of the flow.
I also struggled a bit with the dialogue. There aren’t many dialogue tags, so there were moments where I had to stop and reread to figure out who was speaking, especially in exchanges like “You’re not the person I thought you were.” / “No?” / “You’re kinder than you pretend to be.” It slows things down more than it should.
Another thing I noticed is that some of the emotional beats are really strong, but the pacing around them can feel uneven. You’ll get a powerful moment, then it lingers just a little too long or shifts too abruptly into the next scene.
Overall, there’s definitely something here. The writing has a very distinct style, and the relationship carries the story, but the formatting choices and pacing made it harder for me to stay fully immersed the whole time.
That said, the structure didn’t always work for me. I’m really not a fan of the super short, broken line style. When it’s used sparingly, it can hit hard, but there’s a lot of it here, sometimes just one or two words like “Warm.” “Solid.” “Movement. Not away.” After a while, it starts to feel overdone, and instead of adding impact, it makes the writing come across as choppy and pulls me out of the flow.
I also struggled a bit with the dialogue. There aren’t many dialogue tags, so there were moments where I had to stop and reread to figure out who was speaking, especially in exchanges like “You’re not the person I thought you were.” / “No?” / “You’re kinder than you pretend to be.” It slows things down more than it should.
Another thing I noticed is that some of the emotional beats are really strong, but the pacing around them can feel uneven. You’ll get a powerful moment, then it lingers just a little too long or shifts too abruptly into the next scene.
Overall, there’s definitely something here. The writing has a very distinct style, and the relationship carries the story, but the formatting choices and pacing made it harder for me to stay fully immersed the whole time.
July 16, 2026
I stayed up way too late finishing this book, and I have zero regrets. MATELDA: IN SILENCE WE FORGIVE is one of the best sapphic romances I have read in a long time. The love story between Matelda and Mia felt so real, tender, passionate, complicated, and healing all at once. I loved how the author did not shy away from grief, trauma, and the messiness of falling in love when both people carry heavy pasts.
Matelda's journey especially touched me. Her guarded heart, her slow process of trusting Mia, and the way she learns to forgive herself through love. It was beautifully written. The intimate scenes are explicit but never gratuitous. They are emotional and grounded in the characters' connection. I felt every moment.
The supporting cast (Sam and Janen especially) made the story feel rich and lived in. The mafia family elements add tension without overwhelming the romance. This is a book about chosen family, forgiveness, and finding safety in another person after surviving things that should have broken you.
If you love character-driven romance with heat, heart, and real emotional depth, read this. It is a debut, but it does not read like one. I will be thinking about Matelda and Mia for a long time.
Highly, highly recommend.
Matelda's journey especially touched me. Her guarded heart, her slow process of trusting Mia, and the way she learns to forgive herself through love. It was beautifully written. The intimate scenes are explicit but never gratuitous. They are emotional and grounded in the characters' connection. I felt every moment.
The supporting cast (Sam and Janen especially) made the story feel rich and lived in. The mafia family elements add tension without overwhelming the romance. This is a book about chosen family, forgiveness, and finding safety in another person after surviving things that should have broken you.
If you love character-driven romance with heat, heart, and real emotional depth, read this. It is a debut, but it does not read like one. I will be thinking about Matelda and Mia for a long time.
Highly, highly recommend.
May 1, 2026
I went into MATELDA: In Silence We Forgive not fully knowing what to expect, and wow… I was hooked almost immediately. This is one of those books where you tell yourself you’ll read a little and then suddenly you’re deep into it and can’t walk away. The writing pulls you in, but it’s the characters that really keep you there. They feel real, layered, and complicated in a way that makes you invested in every decision they make.
There’s so much packed into this story. Love, tension, family dynamics that are far from typical, and that constant question of whether love is ever really enough when everything seems stacked against you. I found myself thinking about that a lot while reading. The backdrop of the mafia world adds another layer to it, especially if you’re familiar with how different those environments can be, both publicly and behind closed doors.
One of the many things I loved is how believable everything felt. Nothing felt forced or overdone. It just flowed in a way that kept me turning pages. By the time I finished, I wasn’t ready for it to end. I need more of this story, and I need it soon.
There’s so much packed into this story. Love, tension, family dynamics that are far from typical, and that constant question of whether love is ever really enough when everything seems stacked against you. I found myself thinking about that a lot while reading. The backdrop of the mafia world adds another layer to it, especially if you’re familiar with how different those environments can be, both publicly and behind closed doors.
One of the many things I loved is how believable everything felt. Nothing felt forced or overdone. It just flowed in a way that kept me turning pages. By the time I finished, I wasn’t ready for it to end. I need more of this story, and I need it soon.
June 28, 2026
This is a well-crafted, literary sapphic mafia romance with genuinely beautiful prose and an atmospheric setting. Jossef S. writes with clear intentionality. The silence, the restraint, the slow unfolding of two women circling each other... It's all deliberate and technically accomplished.
That said, this book requires a very specific reader. If you love slow, introspective, emotionally measured stories where tension lives in glances and withheld words rather than explosive confrontation or forward momentum, this is for you.
For me personally, the pacing tested my patience. Matelda and Mia are compelling on paper: a marble-statue survivor and a fierce, grieving daughter of the mafia. But they spend so much time circling each other in beautifully written silence that I occasionally wished one of them would just do something reactive. Even a therapist would have given up waiting.
The craft is undeniable. The setting is gorgeous. The prose is genuinely lovely in places. But readers who need plot momentum or emotional release may find themselves as restless as I did.
That said, this book requires a very specific reader. If you love slow, introspective, emotionally measured stories where tension lives in glances and withheld words rather than explosive confrontation or forward momentum, this is for you.
For me personally, the pacing tested my patience. Matelda and Mia are compelling on paper: a marble-statue survivor and a fierce, grieving daughter of the mafia. But they spend so much time circling each other in beautifully written silence that I occasionally wished one of them would just do something reactive. Even a therapist would have given up waiting.
The craft is undeniable. The setting is gorgeous. The prose is genuinely lovely in places. But readers who need plot momentum or emotional release may find themselves as restless as I did.
May 14, 2026
I picked this book up intrigued by the themes of Mafia romance with the enemies to lovers trope which I particularly love. The story did not disappoint. The writing is beautiful, almost literary, with deeply developed characters and believable motives. The exploration of grief both with Mia, the daughter who lost her adored father, and her step mother who handles her emotions regarding the loss of her husband more quietly, is convincingly crafted by the author. The story begins with an atmospheric funeral scene and we quickly learn that Mia detests her step mother, Matelda, and has no problem hiding this. I enjoyed reading how the difficult relationship between these two women evolves. The organised crime background adds much needed tension to the story. I admit that in some parts I would have liked a little bit more of a faster pace. However, the delving into the emotions is extremely well done, and overall this is a very good read.
April 20, 2026
So not sure why this one popped up in the recommendations. Read some crime thrillers before, and the mob is involved in this love story. So is it a gripping crime thriller?
Nope. This is not one of those stories that doesn’t know what it wants to be. It’s clear fairly quickly that we are doing enemies to lovers with two women. Yes, there’s an age gap too. Don’t really care as long as the relationship is believable and the characters are interesting. And that’s a win on both counts. Matelda and Mia kept me turning the page.
Are there flaws? A few. The pacing wasn’t perfect. While good overall, a quick edit to streamline a few parts would have helped. But nothing particularly troubling. This one is a solid 4 out of 5. With another edit or two, it could easily be a 5. There is a sequel coming, and I will definitely check it out.
Nope. This is not one of those stories that doesn’t know what it wants to be. It’s clear fairly quickly that we are doing enemies to lovers with two women. Yes, there’s an age gap too. Don’t really care as long as the relationship is believable and the characters are interesting. And that’s a win on both counts. Matelda and Mia kept me turning the page.
Are there flaws? A few. The pacing wasn’t perfect. While good overall, a quick edit to streamline a few parts would have helped. But nothing particularly troubling. This one is a solid 4 out of 5. With another edit or two, it could easily be a 5. There is a sequel coming, and I will definitely check it out.
April 27, 2026
This story really pulled me in. Mia is dealing with her father’s death and all the dark secrets around his life, which makes her feel raw and guarded. Matelda comes across strong and mysterious at first, but you slowly see her softer side. Their relationship starts with tension and jealousy, but it grows into something genuine and emotional. I liked how both Mia and Matelda felt real, with clear growth as the story moves forward. The mafia setting adds danger and keeps the stakes high, especially in the more intense scenes. Overall, it’s a gripping romance with depth, emotion, and just the right amount of suspense. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy complex characters and a darker love story.
April 24, 2026
“Matelda: In Silence We Forgive” by Jossef S is an age-gap, lesbian romance and mafia crime thriller. I was intrigued by the book’s unique trope. The story begins at the funeral of Mia’s father, which immediately pulled me in. Mia had always been jealous of Matelda, her father’s mistress, but as the story progresses, a slow-burning love develops between the two women. I really loved Jossef’s attention to detail, which makes you feel like you’re there, watching the story unfold. Some punctuation adjustments and tightening are needed. There are several twists, and the ending will have you falling for Matelda and Mia. I look forward to reading the next book.
May 21, 2026
What stood out to me most was how layered and emotionally complex the characters are. Mia and Matelda’s relationship unfolds at a careful, gradual pace, with each moment carrying real weight and tension. The mix of emotional vulnerability, underlying resentment, and growing attraction is handled in a very natural way, without ever feeling rushed.
Set against a dangerous mafia world, the story maintains a constant sense of suspense while still keeping the focus on the characters’ inner world and connection. It feels intimate, intense, and deeply engaging throughout.
Set against a dangerous mafia world, the story maintains a constant sense of suspense while still keeping the focus on the characters’ inner world and connection. It feels intimate, intense, and deeply engaging throughout.
May 31, 2026
This was an engaging and emotionally rich romance with plenty of tension and depth. The relationships felt authentic, and the characters' struggles with loss, loyalty, and unexpected feelings were handled thoughtfully. The criminal underworld setting added intrigue throughout. A slower-paced story that rewards readers who enjoy strong character development and meaningful emotional journeys.
June 6, 2026
A funeral will bring two women together who will fight over a legacy which should be just for one of them. Watch them battle each other as they try to gain the upper hand on the other while battling against what is expected of them as women. See just how it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a powerful read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a powerful read
April 12, 2026
Loved it.
I’m honestly now sure how I came across this book. So often we get bombarded with the same Authors and the same type of books over and over, this was a refreshing read. I can’t wait until the next book arrives.
I love Mia and Matelda so much.
I’m honestly now sure how I came across this book. So often we get bombarded with the same Authors and the same type of books over and over, this was a refreshing read. I can’t wait until the next book arrives.
I love Mia and Matelda so much.
May 8, 2026
Wow, this is a really interesting twist on mafia romance. It starts with a young grieving woman who has a strange sort of obsession with her father's lover. As they develop a connection, it becomes clear that this is a romance, and it goes from there. Well-written, pacey, and good character depth.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews