The Don's Assassin

by Jasmin Song

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2026

Reviews

[Jennifer Wiertel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lian Ruan is a trained assassin for the Syndicate. She’s one of the their assets with 28 successful missions and a lifetime of training behind her. Syndicate rules state she must stay a virgin to not cloud her judgement. Waiting for her next assignment, Lian is at a local bar a few blocks from her own hotel when she notices a man who is clearly trained, and armed. Their eyes meet while scanning the room and the connection is like no other.

He invites her back to his room where their connection gets even hotter, while keeping her virginity. Before anything happens Dante tells her this is a one-time thing, no relationship and no feelings. They fall asleep beside each other and Lian sneaks out before Dante awakens.

Lian receives her assignment, to portray an exotic dancer for an elite party and her target is The Wolf. He is to be eliminated, and she is to remain undetected. No photo has been included. Lian has been trained to use beauty when necessary without crossing the line. She obtains her assigned outfit and buys makeup and spends two hours getting her hair just right. She arrives at the venue to find out she is dancing for the event organizer and has 15 minutes of dancing to complete and leave. Lian successfully smuggles in 2 knives and is prepared with her throwing knife. She enters the room of The Wolf and his back is to her.

She closes the distance, pulls her throwing knife and prepares to throw when he turns around and she sees it is the man from the night before-Dante, she freezes and has been made. The Syndicate will not be happy she failed and once her timeframe is up, they will send in reinforcements, to kill them both. Will they escape? Read to find out!

This novel follows what happens following this event. I could not put this down. From fight scenes to hot intimacy to self doubt and discovery. Jasmin has you hooked from the first few pages! It’s an absolute must read!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[WinkingReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chaotic. Interesting. Messy. Violent! But in the best way.

This was such a fun read! The plot had me taking breaks because what the hell was that about! It's development was so intriguing, and the ending was the best part, everything finally fall into place perfectly how it should.

Imagine planning your escape from the syndicate that has controlled your entire life, right after your final hit assignment..only for it to go side ways. Because not only is the target your one night stand from less than 24hrs ago but also the only man who has ever made you feel seen, appreciated, respected and worth cherishing in just the few hours you spent with him. Now the said man isn't afraid to start an all-out war just to protect you...yeah i was invested, not to mention the plot twists that came along with it. Amazing!

Perfect read for dark mafia romance lovers who enjoy forbidden love, chaos, and messy plots that serve.

Just saying...MEI needs her BOOK🫠

🎀𝕱𝖆𝖛 𝕼𝖚𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖘:
✨️Because I made an actual choice that isn’t just about some item or color or flavor in the face of a paralyzing array of options. It’s a choice about who I am. A choice to be someone different than who I was trained to be. I chose love over violence. My humanity over vengeance. I chose to be my mother’s daughter over their weapon.
✨️I think I fell in love with you right there at the bar. I wanted you to be mine right then and I haven’t stopped. And now, I love you so much, it fucking hurts sometimes just to think about it.”
✨️Because it was the first time anyone has made me feel like I mattered, even when I didn’t feel it myself.
✨️This woman walked into my suite tonight to kill me.  And I’m about to risk war with the Black Lotus Syndicate and everything I’ve built to keep her alive.

🩷Dark Mafia Romance
🩷Age Gap Romance - 22yrs
🩷One Night Stand
🩷V!rg!n FMC
🩷Forced Proximity
🩷Forbidden Love
🩷Mafia Boss/Assassin
🩷HEA

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓛𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Linda Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wolf & The Dangerous Red Notices
22 year old Lian has been planning her escape for 2 years. One last job before she runs! Unfortunately the night before her assignment she meets and intriguing man at the bar. Mr. Vescari and he's intrigued by her too. So she leaves the bar with him. She's been trained since childhood by Dr. Lin's rules for the Night Blossoms. It's the Black Lotus Syndicate that holds of their cards as well ! She hates it and she's done. Done being a number, just Night Blossom Fourteen ! So many lies, so many successful kills, and she's wondering what other manipulations have been in place by her handler, That means =Kill Lian! Jade is one vengeful, vindictive woman who desperately wants their "asset" Lian DEAD as a door nail !
Dante Vescari wants quite the opposite although at first he wonders why he is so involved. Especially when he realizes she's 20 years younger than him. But he keeps it up and takes some pretty bold risks ! I loved how much Dante enjoyed some of the outrageous theater that he performs against their enemies ! It's courageous and hilarious ! His housekeeper Elena is so special with a story of abuse herself and that makes her even warmer to those who enter the house having been abused. Starting with Lian.
People learned after a while that it was going to cost them Big Time when they mess with The Wolf and Lian who is under his announced protection. Some try anyway and end up dead ! Of course vengeful Jade keeps trying to upend their lives and kill them ! She puts several Red Notices on Lian, breaking all promises. I got the feeling it wasn't going to end well for Jade. Kept me on the edge of my seat !
This story was spectacular, tense, emotional, romantic and the ending was even better than I could have hoped for !!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing romance that hooks you right from the first page. The Don’s Assassin marries high-stakes danger with steamy forbidden love in a way that keeps you turning pages late into the night — so brace yourself for lost sleep! The story follows Lian Ruan, the Syndicate’s top assassin who’s counting down to retirement, but a one-night stand with a mysterious stranger turns deadly complicated when he becomes her target. Things get intense fast when she can’t throw the knife at him and suddenly they’re both on the run as the Syndicate’s wrath looms large.
Jasmin Song crafts likable, well-developed characters you’ll root for, and the tension between Lian and Dante sizzles without feeling gratuitous — think mafia danger meets pull-you-in emotional beats. The blend of action, intimacy, and self-discovery is a strength; I especially enjoyed how the fight scenes bumped up the stakes just as the emotional stakes were rising. The age-gap/forbidden trope is handled with flair, and there’s real internal conflict on display as Lian navigates loyalty, duty, and desire.
If there’s a weakness, it’s only that a few plot twists felt a smidge familiar — but honestly, the pacing and chemistry carried me right through. The author’s style is confident and cinematic, and while some moments flirt with over-the-top melodrama, it’s the kind of thrill ride mafia romance fans live for.
Verdict: If you love mafia worlds with danger, moral dilemmas, and a slow-burn romance that heats up at exactly the right pace, you’ll be glad you picked this one up. A highly enjoyable read that I voluntarily chose to review after reading a free arc — and I genuinely recommend it!

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨

• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - April 2, 2026 - Now Live

• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- dark mafia romance
- assassin heroine
- mafia don hero
- age gap
- enemies to lovers
- forced proximity
- touch her & die
- found family
- deadly bounty / hunted couple

• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This story follows a deadly assassin Lian, who is sent on a mission to kill a powerful mafia Don, but everything changes when she meets him because he is the one she had one night stand a day before. Instead of finishing the job, she finds herself protecting the man she was supposed to eliminate. Soon a huge bounty is placed on her head and assassins from everywhere start hunting her while the mafia Don becomes the only person she can trust. Their connection grows stronger as danger surrounds them from every side.
This book was such a fun dark romance ride. Lian is strong, sharp and honestly so cool to read about. I loved seeing her slowly discover freedom and emotions after living a life where she was treated like a weapon. Dante had that protective energy that made the story even better. His calm power and loyalty toward her felt very satisfying.
The action scenes kept the story moving and the constant danger added tension to the romance. I really liked the emotional growth of the Lian because she slowly realizes she deserves a life beyond being controlled by others.
The mafia world, assassins, betrayals and revenge created a very addictive vibe. Overall this was a dark, dramatic and spicy mafia romance that kept me hooked until the end.
Thank you author for the ARC!

[Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Don’s Assassin

We have Lian, who is a part of the Black Lotus Syndicate. This will be her final mission and then she is free. Turns out the man at the bar who she locked eyes with is the man she is meant to kill. But what happens when her heart is clashing with her job and then turns out that the people who she thought had her back, didn’t have it at all. And the one man who was suppose to be her road to freedom ends up being the one to save her instead.

Omg the way she saw him at their first meeting was hilarious. it’s exactly something I would do if I saw someone gorgeous and tried not to stare. I love how their night went. It didn’t need to be more than it was. What a gentleman Dante is.

This reminds me of the show Nikita and I love that. A female assassin is bada**. I really like the plot. The backstory had a lot of depth and it went deeper within the whole plot. I could totally see how everything played out in my head so Jasmin did a great job at describing the scenery and every moment.

It was a great read. There was one point in the book that I was like noooo and felt like Lian doesn’t deserve that but that’s what made the book good! It was a great emotional moment and reflection on the situation. Hate but love Jasmin for doing it!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed "THE DON'S ASSASSIN" gi ven by the author its a very interesting, intriguing, suspense filled intense journey with danger, steam, secrets, rivals, all keeping you on edge.
Lian Ruan is the Black Lotus Syndicate's best Assasin, wanting to escape after her last assignment she decides to go against their rules
of no attachments, having a one night stand not knowing he's her target, Wolf the man she's sent to eliminate, was her one night stand.
Dante is known as the Wolfe he meets Lian in a bar both very attracted to one another end up in very hot steamy night of passion, Lian sneaks out while Dante's sleeping, when she sees him again she realizes he is Wolfe her target & he recognizes her as well.
Will Lian survive when the Syndicate finds out who she was with & didn't complete her assignment, will Dante & Lian end up getting a HEA or both be killed a must read page turner to see what happens you won't be disappointed.

[Jennifer Amaral · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 This isn’t love… it’s possession 🖤

Mafia. Age gap.
He protects what’s his—
and destroys anyone who forgets it.

“Touch her and die” isn’t a warning… it’s a promise.

The Don’s Assassin had me in a chokehold from the start 😵‍🔥

I don’t want soft.
I want obsession. Control. Ruin.

This book delivers exactly that and more.

The tension is intense from the start, with a dark, possessive edge that keeps you hooked the entire time. The dynamic between the characters is consuming—driven by power, protection, and a connection that feels as dangerous as it is addictive.

What stood out most to me was how strong the obsession feels throughout the story. It’s not subtle, it’s not gentle—it’s all-consuming in a way that makes it impossible to look away.

For me, this is an easy 5 ⭐ because it was addictive, intense, and completely pulled me in from beginning to end.

Obsessive. Dark. Addictive. 🖤

[Celeste Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an amazing read. I was hooked from the beginning to the end! There in tension, emotions, romance and it’s action packed. Once you start this book you won’t want to put down!! I love mafia book but this book in my opinion was great. I feel like it concentrated more in the action than the actual romance and I love that, other books concentrate on the romance and forget all the action. Overall this book is great the only thing that I didn’t like was that the FMC was sent evidence on something and had to rewatch and share with the others to... I guess get an opinion or closure maybe, I’m not sure but I feel like it really was not necessary atleast for me but then again maybe it’s just a me problem lol but other than that the book was great! I highly recommend checking it out and supporting indie authors! I waint to thank the author for reaching out and sending me an e-arc. Thank you!

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing romance that will grab your attention right at the beginning.  Plan to lose a little sleep because once you start you won't be able to put this book down.  Liam is the syndicate's top assassin who plans to retire after her final hit.  Things take a turn when her one night stand turns out to be her assignment.  What happens when she's unable to throw the knife?   Wow, what can I say, but you won't regret reading this book.  Jasmin has outdone herself with this one.  Likeable, well developed characters and a sizzling story line.  I read a free arc via the author and voluntarily chose to write a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the choices! Lian is an assassin for the syndicate who has been told she must remain a virgin so that feelings do not cloud her judgement which is fine until she comes across Dante all it takes is one look and sparks ignite between them. It leads to one intimate encounter, but it leaves its mark because he is her next kill and when she hesitates not only is she compromised it places a price on both of them. This thrilling story kept me glued to the pages from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lian and Dante were so good in this story. She’s AB assassin and he’s The Wolf. She’s on a mission, Mets a guy at the bar. They spend an evening together. Nothing sexual. She gets ready the next day to go after her target. But when The Wolf turns around, it’s Dante, the guy from the night before. She can’t do it. She failed. Nor they want her dead. This story was steamy, intense, and filled with suspense. I was on the edge if my seat the entire time. It’s one that grabs you and keeps you reading until the very end. Great story.

[KayCee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age-Gap Mafia Romance where the heroin is an assassin for a rival syndicate. Lian has never known freedom, she's been trained to not be anything other than ruthless. So when she decides to do something for herself, she can't possibly know the handsome man in the bar, will change her entire world. Dante can't figure out why this woman is different; but then everything comes in to focus and he finally sees why he's so drawn to her and feels the need to protect her from everyone, including himself. Passion, danger, spice and a lot of action in this book. Another great book by Jasmin Song!!

[Samantha Flory · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Read

This was such a quick, addictive read. I loved the whole “assassin falls for her target” setup—especially when she realizes the guy she just hooked up with is literally the man she’s meant to kill 😩

The tension and chemistry are so strong 🔥 and the loyalty vs. feelings conflict had me hooked the whole time. It’s dark, a little messy, and very intense—but that’s what makes it fun. Some tropes are familiar, but it still hits.

[Catrina Reagan-Spalding · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wolf and The Assasin
The Wolf and The Assassin is the best wording for this book. The Wolf is Lian's assignment. She is planning her escape from the Syndicate so she goes through with her last assignment. Not knowing how her life is going to change. The twists and turns through their adventure are so gripping. Found myself hoping and wanting the best for them both. Such an emotional book. Such a great read.

[Kaaren Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ruined me in the best way Possible . Dante and lian are complex characters and the authors writes this story very well. There is a good balance between suspense, emotions, guilt and love. I have found a new author to read. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! The book kept me hooked! Lian and Dante's story is wonderful. Lian learns to come so far from the woman she was raised to be. It takes her time to trust, have faith and believe she's safe and capable of love. Dante falls for Lien and it's not something he typically does. When they first meet, the fire is there! I loved this book! Definitely recommend!

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic forbidden, age-gap romance. I was hooked from the first page. It’s action packed and intense. Filled with suspense passion, spice, steam and danger. I enjoyed Dante and Lian’s story. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! You feel so many emotions for the characters. The FMC had a tortured childhood where she was brainwashed into being as assassin. Her handler is a diabolical woman you want to throw your book at. The MMC is a better man than he believes. This book was sooooo good!