From bestselling author Oona Ryda comes a high-heat, over-the-top arranged-marriage mafia romance featuring an age-gap, virgin heroine, a downtrodden beauty who's lost everything, and a dangerously possessive JP/OTT antihero who never breaks his word.
Dante Corsini is a man of iron and ice—the ruthless Don who seized control of Chicago's Italian mafia from the ashes of the old regime. He doesn't do softness. He doesn't do mercy. And he sure as hell doesn't do damsels in distress.
Until he rescues a broken Bratva princess .
Polina has learned one of life's cruelest lessons—the people who should protect you are the ones who destroy you. Sold by her own father, passed between criminal empires like currency, she expects nothing from the ruthless Don who takes her as part of a deal. Just another master. Another cage. Another man who'll use her and throw her away.
Oona Ryda is the pen name for a collective of author friends who love helping readers escape into the world of hot book boyfriends, unexpected adventures, and happy-ever-afters. We publish sizzling contemporary romance in all your favorite themes and flavors.
I think I figured out why these are so addicting. These poor women are abused and hurt. And a man doesn’t let it keep happening AND takes care of her and her abuser. It’s so satisfying. Completely fake but satisfying.
Dante tries to stop a trafficking ring in his territory what he quickly realizes is one of the women is the daughter of a bratva man. How she ends up there is a twisted game . What he knows is that she will never feel anything other than safe and cared for from this point on
The Mafioso's Virgin by Oona Ryda is an intense mafia romance that blends danger, unwavering devotion, and a powerful journey toward trust. Set in a ruthless underworld where loyalty is earned and betrayal is costly, this story delivers a protective antihero whose actions speak just as loudly as his reputation.
Dante Corsini is everything his enemies fear—a powerful mafia Don who rules with strength, discipline, and absolute authority. Compassion isn't something anyone expects from him, making his immediate determination to protect Polina all the more compelling. What begins as a rescue mission quickly becomes something much deeper as Dante realizes he's willing to risk everything to keep her safe.
Polina has endured more than anyone ever should, leaving her convinced that every new place is simply another prison. Watching her slowly begin to believe that not every powerful man intends to hurt her becomes the heart of the story. Dante never sees her as a bargaining chip or a prize to possess; instead, he becomes the first person to offer her genuine safety and the chance to reclaim her future. Their growing trust makes their relationship especially rewarding.
The chemistry between Dante and Polina is undeniable, but it's the quiet moments of reassurance, protection, and patience that make their connection stand out. Beneath Dante's cold exterior is a man whose fierce loyalty extends completely to the woman he's determined to protect, creating a romance that's both captivating and deeply satisfying.
The mafia backdrop provides plenty of suspense, political tension, and danger without overshadowing the central relationship. Every threat from rival organizations raises the stakes, making Dante's determination to shield Polina feel even more meaningful.
If you enjoy protective mafia antiheroes, arranged-marriage elements, age-gap romances, possessive protectors, and stories where love grows from trust and unwavering loyalty, The Mafioso's Virgin is an engaging addition to the series. It's a gripping romance that reminds us sometimes the strongest fortress isn't built from power or fear—it's built by becoming the safe place someone never believed they would find.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fab start to a new series and I love the instant connection between Dante and Polina. She got sold by her father and rescued by Dante. However, the mafia didn't realize her bratva father actually is the reason she was taken/abused. Thankfully, Dante is all-in with her, and sets about getting her healed and having choices. This about broke my heart and I was thrilled that he learned quickly about how much autonomy she didn't have in her own home. Now things are about choice and she definitely chooses Dante. Expect to get caught up in this gritty read with action, drama, danger, connection, healing, heart and heat as these two work their way to a fab HEA. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book :D
I liked it. It’s very fast paced. The writing is good so it makes me wonder why the author doesn’t write a full length book. There isn’t much detail put into backstory but it’s done well so there really aren’t any information gaps. I would have liked to know what the FMC endured prior to being rescued. I would have liked the FMC to address the MMC about the conversation in the ladies bathroom. It’s very surface level with description which I liked at some points. I particularly liked that descriptions for travel weren’t long like MMC being told so and so is somewhere and he needs to go there, then he’s there. I like that. I don’t want to read about the sun coming up as he drives across state or whatever. Again, I liked the book.
Been excited for this book since it was hinted at in the Russian version of events. It didnt disappoint!
I love Oona's books but as always leave me wishing it was 100-150 pages longer as I really enjoy them.
She is sold off by her father. He is sent to get her to save Italian-Russian relations. But when he finds her can he face giving her back?...
Great start to a new series and excited for the next one.
Book quote: I look at her curled on filthy concrete in a torn ballgown, hair matted, skin bruised, and a thought slams into me—mine to protect; mine to keep; mine to care for.
Quickie Review: This was such a great, quick read. I had some things pop up, demanding my attention recently and didn’t have much time to read it. But once I dove in, I was sucked in and finished it in one sitting. Dante saves Polina from trafficking, and during that time discovers some gruesome secrets. But also realizes he is never returning her to her bratva family. I need to be sure to read any and all books related to this book. Well written and spicy, The Mafioso’s Virgin was a fantastic, quick read to pull me out of every day woes and into a different world. Even if for an hour or two. 5 Stars.
The Bratva in the author's Dark and Possessive play a role in this one. Polina is the main female character who shows up in Dante's territory. He rescues her and means to return her, so a war doesn't start. All isn't what it seems. It was a really good story. This one just rushed the emotion a bit too much between the two leads which is why it received the 4. It's really a 4.5 but I can't give 1/2 stars. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I so enjoyed this book from start to finish. This author keeps getting better and better. Dante went in to rescue Polina from a trafficking ring. As soon as he saw her he knew she was his. He would do anything to keep her safe. Dante became Polina's safe place. The chemistry between these two made for a hot spicy read, and I so enjoyed every moment of this book. I so cannot wait to see where this author take us with this series. This is a must read!!
Polina and Dante This is a great beginning of what I think is going to be a series. Polina was so broken down, but Dante being a ruthless Don was there to support her, to let her decide on what SHE wanted to do.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After getting a glimpse of Dante and Polina’s relationship in the final book in the Bratva series, I loved reading their whole journey! Im addicted to these books!
Dante falls first with Polina. She is young, broken and beautiful, even though Dante finds her in a locked cage. Spice, another woman and short and sweet. PERFECT.
Dante saves Polina from a sex trafficking gang and then finds out her father beat her then sold her to the gang. He refuses to give her back and marries her to keep her with him. He vows to stop her dad from ever hurting her again. Good story just to short.
Love this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read about Mafia life and their families and friends 🧡 and Oona Ryda is an amazing writer ❤️
I love Dante for Polina, they were made for each other! Such a powerful and beautiful healing love story! Soo soo good and soo soo H.O.T I absolutly loved ! 🥰❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️❤️😍
Started at 3⭐️ but bumped it to 4. I just wish there was more here. I know it’s a novella, but honestly this particular story could have benefited from being full length.
Polina and Dante were intriguing characters that had the potential for a lot of depth and layers. Polina alone had a ton of trauma in her past and her current circumstances before Dante saves her, and I would have gladly gone on that journey with her of healing and flashbacks etc. We get the logistics of her abuse but never the nuance or emotional damage, and we gloss over her healing.
Dante was pretty one dimensional which was a letdown being a don in Chicago. He seemed like a complex character from afar, so it would have been nice to get some backstory and motivations etc.
Didn’t mind the insta-love, it’s a 90 page book after all. The angst near the end felt contrived though, and one single conversation could have solved everything right up. It just didn’t feel genuine to the characters, and more a plot device to create conflict. But the way Dante handled it was top tier.
The elimination of the villain for too quick but again… only 90 pages to work with so 🤷🏼♀️. The epilogue was super sweet and only made me want more.