My Neighbor, the Assassin

by Michelle Heard

From USA Today bestselling author Michelle Heard comes a scorching yet deadly romance about a waitress who falls for a mysterious coworker—only to discover his lethal past.

I thought Rowan was just the quiet bartender who watched me too closely and made me feel things I shouldn’t.

Then his past catches up to him, and I’m in for a rude awakening.

One minute I’m living my normal life, and the next, I’m on a trip across the country with a man trained to kill without hesitation.

A retired assassin. Possessive, violent, and deadly enough to leave a trail of bodies behind us.

Every mile between us and the men hunting him drags me deeper into Rowan’s terrifying world, where violence means survival and bloodshed comes way too easy.

I keep looking for redeeming qualities in him but quickly realize there are none, and there’s no escaping a man like Rowan Teller.

Not even if I wanted to.

Genres: Dark Romance

283 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

Michelle Heard is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon #3 Bestselling romance author.

She writes emotional heart-shattering stories with a whole lot of Mafia & Romance that will leave you smiling with satisfaction. Every book has an unexpected twist that will show the strength of the characters.

Before becoming an author, Michelle had a career in banking. She lives in South Africa with her son, Sheldon, who's also her right-hand man when it comes to all things publishing, and her daughter-in-law, Tayla, who's her best friend.

Reading Order on AMAZON


STANDALONE NOVELS:
***Mafia & Bratva Romance (in order)***

THE SAINTS SERIES:
Merciless Saints - Damien Vetrov
Cruel Saints - Lucian Cotroni
Ruthless Saints - Carson Koslov
Tears of Betrayal - Demitri Vetrov
Tears of Salvation - Alexei Koslov

THE SINNERS SERIES:
Taken By A Sinner - Nikolas Stathoulis
Owned By A Sinner - Liam Byrne
Stolen By A Sinner - Gabriel Demir
Chosen By A Sinner - Luca Cotroni
Captured By A Sinner - Viktor Vetrov


THE CORRUPTED ROYALS SERIES:
Destroy Me - Misha Petrov
Control Me - Nikolai Vetrov
Brutalize Me - Armani De Santis
Restrain Me - Maxim Levin
Possess Me - Alek Aslanhov


SERIES (In Order):

ENEMIES TO LOVERS SERIES:
***College & New Adult Romance***

Heartless - Carter & Della
Reckless - Logan & Mia
Careless - Jaxson & Leigh
Ruthless - Marcus & Willow
Shameless - Rhett & Evie

TRINITY ACADEMY SERIES:
***College Romance***

Falcon - Falcon & Layla
Mason - Mason & Kingsley
Lake - Lake & Lee
Julian - Julian & Jamie
The Epilogue

THE HEIRS:
***College & New Adult Romance***

Coldhearted Heir - Hunter & Jade
Arrogant Heir - Jase & Mila
Defiant Heir - Kao & Fallon
Loyal Heir - Forest & Aria
Callous Heir - Noah & Carla
Sinful Heir - Tristan & Hana
Tempted Heir - Christopher & Dash
Forbidden Heir - Ryker & Danny


SOUTHERN HEROES SERIES:
***Suspense Romance***

The Ocean Between Us – Aiden & Emma
The Girl In The Closet – Cole & Birdie
The Lies We Tell Ourselves – Alec & Reece
All The Wasted Time – Wyatt & Scarlett
We Were Lost – Zac & Chloe


OTHER STANDALONE NOVELS:

Not My Hero - Dark YA Romance

Reviews

[Ayushi Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

*My Neighbour, the Assassin* is the perfect blend of heart-racing suspense, emotional healing, and unforgettable romance. Michelle Heard creates a story that keeps you on edge while still giving the characters room to grow, making every emotional moment feel just as impactful as the action.

What I loved most was the relationship between the main characters. Their romance develops naturally, allowing trust to build before anything else. Every conversation, quiet moment, and shared experience strengthened their connection, making it easy to believe in their relationship despite the dangerous circumstances surrounding them. Their chemistry was undeniable, but it was the emotional intimacy that truly stood out.

The hero completely stole the show for me. Beneath his intimidating, guarded exterior is a man weighed down by years of guilt and difficult choices. Watching him slowly open his heart and discover that he deserves happiness was one of the most rewarding parts of the story. His protective nature never crossed into overshadowing the heroine, which made their relationship feel balanced and respectful.

The heroine was equally compelling. She may have a gentle personality, but she's far stronger than people initially assume. I loved that she didn't try to change the man she fell for, choosing instead to understand him while staying true to herself. Her quiet resilience and compassion made her the perfect match for someone carrying so much emotional baggage.

The suspense was woven seamlessly throughout the story. Even during the softer romantic moments, there was always a lingering sense of danger that kept the pages turning. The action sequences were exciting without overwhelming the emotional core, creating a great balance between romance and suspense.

If I had one small criticism, it would be that I would have loved to spend a little more time exploring the lasting emotional impact of the hero's past. Even so, the character development, gripping suspense, and heartfelt romance made this an incredibly satisfying read.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, protective heroes, morally grey characters, slow-burning emotional connections, dangerous secrets, and stories about finding hope after darkness, My Neighbour, the Assassin is one I would absolutely recommend.

Thank you to the author, Michelle Heard, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Leesha Latchman · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I haven’t read any of Michelle Heard’s contemporary romances, I have read and enjoyed a lot of her mafia romances. Even though this one is more mafia-adjacent, it still has a lot of the things I’ve come to expect from her books. The chemistry between Annie and Rowen is immediate, but the romance itself is more of a slow burn. Once Rowen falls, he falls hard. He’s protective, possessive, and completely soft when it comes to Annie. I also loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between them.

One thing that felt a little different in this book was Annie. In a lot of Michelle Heard’s mafia romances, the heroine is usually trying to escape a difficult situation or has experienced some kind of hardship. Annie, on the other hand, is actually happy with the life she’s built and the found family she’s surrounded by. I liked that change because it made her story feel a little different from the author’s usual formula.

The second half of the book is definitely action-packed, with plenty of suspense, shootouts, and high-stakes moments that keep the story moving. Personally, I found myself much more invested in Annie and Rowen’s relationship than the action. I also wish Annie had struggled a little longer with leaving behind the life she’d built for herself. She has moments where she questions Rowen’s past as an assassin and mourns what she’s lost, but those feelings seemed to pass fairly quickly. I would’ve liked to see her emotional journey explored a bit more before she fully embraced her new life.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and still has the relationship dynamics I’ve come to expect from Michelle Heard. If you’re a fan of protective heroes, grumpy/sunshine, slow-burn romance, and stories with plenty of action, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 stars rounded up)

Thank you to the publisher/author for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was a really enjoyable, fast-paced read.

One of the things I appreciated most was that there wasn’t much waiting around for the story to get going. The plot moved at a quick, steady pace, and there wasn’t much lagging or unnecessary buildup. Something was always happening, which made this an easy book to fly through.

I also really liked that this wasn’t your typical “girl falls for the mafia man and slowly discovers who he really is” storyline. Instead, the FMC finds out pretty quickly that the MMC is so much more than he appears to be—and almost immediately, the two of them are forced to leave everything behind and run from the Bratva.

From there, the story takes on more of a road-trip/escape feel as they make their way south, trying to stay alive long enough to eventually disappear and start over. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other along the way and seeing them figure out what—and who—was actually worth fighting for.

Overall, this was an enjoyable 3.5-star read for me, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads. It was fast-paced, easy to follow, and different enough from the typical mafia romance formula to keep me invested. If you’re looking for a quick mafia romance with plenty of action and a relationship that develops while the characters are literally running for their lives, this is definitely worth checking out.

Read this book if you enjoy: mafia/Bratva romance, fast-paced plots, forced proximity, on-the-run romances, protective MMCs, and couples who have to figure out their relationship while trying to survive.

[The Dragon Den Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of My Nieghbour, The Assassin by Michelle Heard
* * * * *
A quirky sweet and spicy romance that blossoms in the quiet unquestionable pub that soon runs high with bullets, explosions and lots of bantering in the car.

Rowan has had enough of the dark slimy dealings and underbelly he was sucked into fifteen years ago, and has taken the only option out where gets justice and the chance to start anew.
He was cold. Aloof. Didn't let anyone get close because those who had in the past did things there were cruel and unkind.
Until Annie.
In a pub filled with everyday people, she's the only person to ever make him feel cared for and understood. Sweet and lovely Annie, tired from her own past and wants to find a life of happiness on her own terms. Gentle Annie who as no idea she has captured the heart of a killer.
When Rowan's past comes knocking, he takes Annie with him.
For the first time in his life, he had found something that made him happy, and he wasn't going to let her go.

Loved the story and characters, and have several things tied together. The connection between Rowan and Annie is adorable, and how they discuss their troubles and feelings is super sweet.
Lots of action and danger and fun shower scenes.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read anything Michelle Heard writes. Her books are great and I know I'm in for an amazing story. This story revolves a bit around a mafia male main character but it differs from her other books because he isn't the head of the mafia but the "wolf", a the hired hitman for the Bratva. When Rowan decides enough is enough he goes states witness and disappears into the witness protection program. While in it he meets Annie at the bar they both work at and he tries so hard to stay under the radar but she is irresistible. When one day Bratva soldiers recognize him and the threat is immediate he takes Annie, who has feelings for him as well, and they run. The story is them running and how after it all they want to choose each other. However, the Bratva may have other plans!

This is different from Michelle's typical mafia stories but it was written well and I enjoyed the character stories and backgrounds. It showed that Rowan had a conscience and risked his life to end the horrible people he worked for. Annie is innocent but tough and being together is what each other needs. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading for of her books!

Thanks to NetGalley, Michelle Heard and Montlake for allowing me to review this ARC!

[Dux [My week is Booked] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book! I read the blurb when I saw this book online and it sounded right up my alley and I am happy to report that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

They were times when the female main character was driving me crazy but in the end I was rooting for the couple so hard so she won me over.

Rowan was so likable - the wolf. This was action packed and had plenty of triggers so be sure to check into those if you need them! I will say there was no SA on page, but plenty of talk of traffic and what would happen if the FMC was caught by the mean bad guys.

There were a lot of declarations of love which isn’t my favorite, but I don’t think will bother everyone.

Overall I read this one in under a day and it was a delight.

If you like this book you might also enjoy a book called Hans by SJ Tilly

-mafia romance
-dark hero
-touch her and d!e
-witness protection
-forced proximity

[Laura (booksandbunnyhugs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

If there ever was a Heard novel ripe for a movie adaptation, this would be the one. This novel had an intriguing premise and a plethora of action and romance.

The book begins as a fish-out-of-water story with Rowan navigating his new life as a bartender in witness protection. He meets Annie and while he tries to stay away from her, she becomes the one person he can't lose. When his mafia past comes back to roost, he steals Annie away to road trip to safety.

This is a quick read with enough plot and spice to hold interest. The connection between Rowan and Annie could have been more fleshed out in my opinion as it felt slightly superficial. Other than Annie being a caring individual, I couldn't tell you why Rowan feels as drawn to her as he does. They are sweet to each other and his nickname for her is lovely, but I was left wanting more.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Erin U · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cringe city, oh my god. I did have a fun time reading, though.
Think of any dark romance mafia book you’d find suggested by BookTok, take their quotes, characters, plot, etc, put them in a blender, and My Neighbor, The Assassin is what you get. Deadass, I think I’ve read some of the same quotes in other dark romance books. This book felt like it was constantly “quote farming”, the overall tone of the story was overly dramatic and edgy. A lot of telling instead of showing went on. I knew the stakes were high at some points, but I didn’t FEEL they were high.
The romance moved so fast. One minute she doesn’t want to be near him, but then the next she’s in love with him because she realizes “their love is inevitable”. Every single cliche happens, I was almost surprised by the consistency.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Michelle Heard for the ARC ebook copy for this review!

[Aubrey Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a captivating book, it’s more like a 3.5 ⭐️, almost 4 stars for me!

It felt different and similar to other books from Michelle - it had mafia ties but from a new perspective! I love the characters - the MMC’s darkness and him fighting his demons. I love the FMC and her desire to help him heal. I loved their passion and the chemistry and the build up! Toward the end it felt a little rushed during all the action and I was sad to lose that connection between Annie and her “found family” back home!

Still a fun read and recommend you read it or explore other books from Michelle as she is one of my favorite mafia romance authors! I really enjoyed this book, just in comparisons to her other series, I felt a little less of a connection!

[Gina Burkart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very fast paced heart pounding read that is a story that I enjoyed reading. This has amazing plot and the storyline is really well written and had me on the edge of my seat.

🌶️romantic suspense
🔪morally grey characters
🖤slow-burning emotional
💀dangerous secrets
📚stories finding hope after darkness

Here comes a scorching yet deadly romance about a waitress who falls for a mysterious coworker—only to discover his lethal past.

[KDRBCK]

My Neighbor, the Assassin by Michelle Heard is book 3 in the series and is published by Montlake.
Rowan is a bartender in his current life. His past one is a bit more unsavory and soon it picks up with him and he and his loved ones are in grave danger.
An action packed fast paced drama laden story that took my breath away.
For better reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really loved this book. The characters were loveable, the story was exciting and the pacing was great.
This was my 31st Michelle Heard book and I don’t think I’ll ever get bored with one of her books. It was very fast paced and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next the entire time.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Algo que me gustó fue que, cuando Annie descubrió quién era realmente Rowan, le costó mucho aceptarlo, porque no era el hombre que ella creía conocer. Aunque le gustaba, luchó contra sus principios al saber que él era un asesino.