What do you think?
Rate this book
Tell Me Lies: The Irish Rogues
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2026
About the author
Katie Ashley
77 books9,045 followersKatie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Three Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She's written rockers, bikers, manwhores with hearts of gold, New Adult, and Young Adult. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her rescue mutts, Belle and Elsa, and her two cats, Mama Kitty and Luna. She has a slight obsession with The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.
Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix whenever her toddler daughter isn't monopolizing the TV with Paw Patrol or Frozen.
CONNECT WITH KATIE
➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (ASHLEY'S ANGELS): facebook.com/groups/ashleyangels
➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv
With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.
Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix whenever her toddler daughter isn't monopolizing the TV with Paw Patrol or Frozen.
CONNECT WITH KATIE
➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (ASHLEY'S ANGELS): facebook.com/groups/ashleyangels
➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 22, 2026
I have received an advanced ready copy for my honest opinion
Tell Me Lies is pure chaos in the best way a mafia princess thrown into an arranged marriage. but she has a secret she is being forced to keep.
The tension is lethal, the secrets are explosive, and every chapter feels like a dare. It’s betrayal, desire, and danger wrapped in one breathless ride.
Tell Me Lies is pure chaos in the best way a mafia princess thrown into an arranged marriage. but she has a secret she is being forced to keep.
The tension is lethal, the secrets are explosive, and every chapter feels like a dare. It’s betrayal, desire, and danger wrapped in one breathless ride.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4.5 stars
Drea Caruso tried rebelling against her Philadelphia Mafia Boss father and paid the price. So now she is supposed to do what he says and marry the man he has chosen for her alliance, Raphael Neretti of the New York Mafia.
Drea and Leo's initial meeting was kind of an inappropriate meet-cute in a tenuous situation, but the reaction was strong. And any other interactions they had just seem to have this natural rapport, banter, and zing of attraction that they can’t deny. But the problem is, they need to deny it because it’s a forbidden attraction. Drea Caruso is the future bride of Leo's Capo brother. Their marriage has been arranged for a year. It doesn’t matter that his brother is in love with somebody else, there is a contract.
Leo never thought he would find a woman who would fascinate him enough to care. He can’t get her out of his mind. He’s always been a womanizer, but Drea is strong, and she challenges him, and he likes her feistiness and fire. She’s always supposed to be the demure, submissive mafia princess, and neither of them really wants that in real life.
So it’s a complex situation with mafia family ties involved, feelings that aren’t supposed to be there, and obligations. I really loved Leo and Andrea together because they just had this chemistry and banter that just seemed effortless. They knew what they wanted and what they didn’t want, but some of the choices were out of their control.
My heart broke not only for Leo and Drea, but also for Rafe and Maeve. We’ve known about some of the stuff going on from previous books, but this is the first time we’re getting it through Leo and Drea's points of view. And especially seeing Leo, who was never attached to any woman before, feel like he’s finally found someone and know that that person is completely off-limits is so hard. And neither of them wants to hurt anyone, but they’re also being hurt themselves just by the circumstances.
And then there’s the secret, unresolved feelings, the jealousy, the guilt, and generally feeling bad because the situation is also hurting people that they care about. And Leo has always seemed so unaffected and funny, but there’s a deeper side to him, and we get to see that as he struggles with this. Drea struggles too because she doesn’t want to be the cause of anyone’s pain, and her hope of happiness is completely out of her control and run by the patriarchy of the mafia. And there’s a real fear component about what her unhinged father might do to get his way.
There are secrets in the background and some lies. And the fact that it’s in the mafia world with the possibility of real consequences adds to the intensity of the situation. But I loved Leo and Drea together. They just brought out the best in each other, and I loved their sense of humor, their chemistry, and their compatibility. I hurt for them when they felt like it was impossible, and I worried about them until everything was laid bare and throughout all the events that followed.
Even though we know from other books some of their situation, we didn’t know all of this story. It kept me interested in their story and invested in them as a real couple, not just a manufactured mafia alliance. In this situation, they managed to manipulate some things to get what they wanted, but it was still complicated, messy, and part of a dangerous world with threats around them.
Follow Me: Blog: Reviews by Tammy, Kim, Rachel | Facebook | X | Pinte
rest | Instagram
Drea Caruso tried rebelling against her Philadelphia Mafia Boss father and paid the price. So now she is supposed to do what he says and marry the man he has chosen for her alliance, Raphael Neretti of the New York Mafia.
Drea and Leo's initial meeting was kind of an inappropriate meet-cute in a tenuous situation, but the reaction was strong. And any other interactions they had just seem to have this natural rapport, banter, and zing of attraction that they can’t deny. But the problem is, they need to deny it because it’s a forbidden attraction. Drea Caruso is the future bride of Leo's Capo brother. Their marriage has been arranged for a year. It doesn’t matter that his brother is in love with somebody else, there is a contract.
Leo never thought he would find a woman who would fascinate him enough to care. He can’t get her out of his mind. He’s always been a womanizer, but Drea is strong, and she challenges him, and he likes her feistiness and fire. She’s always supposed to be the demure, submissive mafia princess, and neither of them really wants that in real life.
So it’s a complex situation with mafia family ties involved, feelings that aren’t supposed to be there, and obligations. I really loved Leo and Andrea together because they just had this chemistry and banter that just seemed effortless. They knew what they wanted and what they didn’t want, but some of the choices were out of their control.
My heart broke not only for Leo and Drea, but also for Rafe and Maeve. We’ve known about some of the stuff going on from previous books, but this is the first time we’re getting it through Leo and Drea's points of view. And especially seeing Leo, who was never attached to any woman before, feel like he’s finally found someone and know that that person is completely off-limits is so hard. And neither of them wants to hurt anyone, but they’re also being hurt themselves just by the circumstances.
And then there’s the secret, unresolved feelings, the jealousy, the guilt, and generally feeling bad because the situation is also hurting people that they care about. And Leo has always seemed so unaffected and funny, but there’s a deeper side to him, and we get to see that as he struggles with this. Drea struggles too because she doesn’t want to be the cause of anyone’s pain, and her hope of happiness is completely out of her control and run by the patriarchy of the mafia. And there’s a real fear component about what her unhinged father might do to get his way.
There are secrets in the background and some lies. And the fact that it’s in the mafia world with the possibility of real consequences adds to the intensity of the situation. But I loved Leo and Drea together. They just brought out the best in each other, and I loved their sense of humor, their chemistry, and their compatibility. I hurt for them when they felt like it was impossible, and I worried about them until everything was laid bare and throughout all the events that followed.
Even though we know from other books some of their situation, we didn’t know all of this story. It kept me interested in their story and invested in them as a real couple, not just a manufactured mafia alliance. In this situation, they managed to manipulate some things to get what they wanted, but it was still complicated, messy, and part of a dangerous world with threats around them.
rest | Instagram
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well that was an experience. And while I do appreciate receiving an arc from the author herself, this one was not a favorite for me. It may be a favorite to others, but for me, this was not it.
There were multiple errors, but I'll blame the editors. Other than that, the writing itself wasn't terrible in the slightest.
In my opinion, the first half of the book was crazy quick, but then the last half was slow and kinda dragged a tad. You obviously see Drea and Leo meet, read about the alliance between her and Rafe, and know they fall in love. Then she gets pregnant (to be spoiler free here), before everything goes down with Leo. But once she gets with Leo, that's when things start to slow down a bit.
The relationship between the two of them after they get together is adorable, and the way he treats her is so sweet. Leo was 100000% a fuck boy, but after getting with Drea he turns into a gentleman. He may still have his kinks (that are not my cup of tea, but to each their own), but he really is a good man. The way he acted at the end is completely understandable, and I honestly would've down the same thing with the same reaction.
Drea had her moments, and while I personally do not relate to her, I find her to be a kind woman with a good heart. She has good intentions, and it's extremely unfortunate she ended up in a position that she came to be in. Her actions at the end of the book were also understandable, and I don't blame her one bit for doing what she did - though I do wish it was handled differently/earlier (naturally).
There are some scenes that I wished we got to see mostly because I'm slightly crazy and wanted to see justice happen 😆
There were multiple errors, but I'll blame the editors. Other than that, the writing itself wasn't terrible in the slightest.
In my opinion, the first half of the book was crazy quick, but then the last half was slow and kinda dragged a tad. You obviously see Drea and Leo meet, read about the alliance between her and Rafe, and know they fall in love. Then she gets pregnant (to be spoiler free here), before everything goes down with Leo. But once she gets with Leo, that's when things start to slow down a bit.
The relationship between the two of them after they get together is adorable, and the way he treats her is so sweet. Leo was 100000% a fuck boy, but after getting with Drea he turns into a gentleman. He may still have his kinks (that are not my cup of tea, but to each their own), but he really is a good man. The way he acted at the end is completely understandable, and I honestly would've down the same thing with the same reaction.
Drea had her moments, and while I personally do not relate to her, I find her to be a kind woman with a good heart. She has good intentions, and it's extremely unfortunate she ended up in a position that she came to be in. Her actions at the end of the book were also understandable, and I don't blame her one bit for doing what she did - though I do wish it was handled differently/earlier (naturally).
There are some scenes that I wished we got to see mostly because I'm slightly crazy and wanted to see justice happen 😆
Review of advance copy received from Author
Drea is a daughter of a Mafia Leader and her father wants her to be pure for her future husband when he decides he has found one. Drea does not want her life picked out of her and ends up sleeping with one of her body guards until one day her father finds out and approaches her (Be prepared for a shocker right in the beginning of the book) She decides to go to school and try to move on with her life. After a few years pass her father wants to form a alliance with another man. One the day she is meeting her future husband she runs into his brother Leo and it is a instant connection between the two. Her future husband tells her he is only marrying her for certain reasons there will be no love and for her to raise their babies. The wedding is not right away and she is not ready to settle down with someone she does not care for. Until one night she runs into Leo with another women, Drea needs to get him off her mind and has a one night stand with a random guy. She finds out a few weeks later that she is pregnant and her father knows. He demands that the wedding will be the following weekend and she will pretend she got pregnant on her honeymoon and never tell her husband. During the wedding nothing goes right and Leo shouts out that he will marry Drea since his brother is in love with someone else. Drea and Leo love each other and decide to go on with the wedding. She is so ready to get away from her father and her past. She is excited to have a life with Leo. She also never mentioned to Leo that she is pregnant until one day he finds out and thinks its his. She continues to lie all about her pregnancy making Leo believe its all his. Then one day he finds out and everything changes.
I was hooked right away when I started reading up until the one shocking part I was not ready for but I was excited to see what was gonna happen with Drea and Leo. I was excited they got to be married but it did drag on with the pregnancy a little bit on how she wouldn't tell him the truth. I really hated her father was happy when she got away. I did read this book first of the series and can be read as a stand alone.
I received this E-ARC from Katie Ashley and Nerd Fam. Everything is my own opinion.
I was hooked right away when I started reading up until the one shocking part I was not ready for but I was excited to see what was gonna happen with Drea and Leo. I was excited they got to be married but it did drag on with the pregnancy a little bit on how she wouldn't tell him the truth. I really hated her father was happy when she got away. I did read this book first of the series and can be read as a stand alone.
I received this E-ARC from Katie Ashley and Nerd Fam. Everything is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Get yourself a man who is as heroic as Leo. Drea is supposed to be a tamed and submissive mafia princess, when she is anything but that. The book starts off strong with Drea rebelling only to suffer an extreme consequence (yes it's the mafia world but to actually have it happen right in front of her was crazy), I honestly loved the little gory part to it tho and wish there was more of that throughout the book (I was expecting it, considering it's the mafia). I love how the Neretti brothers will stand up against those who hit or abuse women. At the beginning you kinda think oh Drea and Leo are definitely going to end up together. But then there's the arranged marriage and all this other stuff (plot twists) happens to the point they have the wedding rehearsal, so you're kind of sad and think you were wrong all along. And then the plot twists again with drama and you're like wait a minute, maybe.... you'll just have to read to find out.
On a side note the writing was done well but there are a lot of errors, specifically the quotation marks being in the wrong spots. I'll be reading and then see a random quotation mark and think wait a minute was this said out loud, so it got me confused and I reread only to figure out it's another error. Feel like this falls onto the editor for that though.
On a side note the writing was done well but there are a lot of errors, specifically the quotation marks being in the wrong spots. I'll be reading and then see a random quotation mark and think wait a minute was this said out loud, so it got me confused and I reread only to figure out it's another error. Feel like this falls onto the editor for that though.
June 24, 2026
I received an ARC of this book for an exchange of an honest review. I was super excited for this however, I am sad that it didn't live up to what I hoped.
The way that Leo loved Drea was beautiful. The fact that he was mentioning the "lightening bolt" of love when they met was beautiful, and I loved the concept of the arranged marriage and all of the events that eventually lead to their HEA. There was a great amount of action and spice, but the pacing was a bit awkward, in my opinion.
I am having a lot of mixed feelings about this book. It seemed like there was a ton of action, then none, then a ton. I felt like there was a lot of back and forth that made it difficult to really get the full effect of the story. And, with the constant errors, it made it hard to fully get into the story. I get that there are going to be edits needed on ARCs, however, there was something wrong in every chapter.
However - this book will be perfect for others. The concept was wonderful, and Katie really gives a great example of the "only soft for her" trope. If you love to read accidental pregnancy books, or are someone who wants to see and appreciate a man who is truly in love, this is a great book for you.
The way that Leo loved Drea was beautiful. The fact that he was mentioning the "lightening bolt" of love when they met was beautiful, and I loved the concept of the arranged marriage and all of the events that eventually lead to their HEA. There was a great amount of action and spice, but the pacing was a bit awkward, in my opinion.
I am having a lot of mixed feelings about this book. It seemed like there was a ton of action, then none, then a ton. I felt like there was a lot of back and forth that made it difficult to really get the full effect of the story. And, with the constant errors, it made it hard to fully get into the story. I get that there are going to be edits needed on ARCs, however, there was something wrong in every chapter.
However - this book will be perfect for others. The concept was wonderful, and Katie really gives a great example of the "only soft for her" trope. If you love to read accidental pregnancy books, or are someone who wants to see and appreciate a man who is truly in love, this is a great book for you.
June 24, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tell Me Lies is a dark mafia romance filled with secrets, betrayals, forbidden love, and chaos. I thought this was a fun and entertaining read. And by fun I mean complete chaos in the best of ways. A mafia princess forced into an arranged marriage she doesn’t want but has no choice in the decision. She learns the hard way not to cross her father and to do exactly what he says. She has secrets that could be her undoing, and she has to decide whether to keep them or be honest and risk the consequences. I felt the raw emotion and heartbreak for Drea and Leo when secrets come to light. Overall, I thought this was a quick and entertaining read with some plot twists I didn’t see coming or turn out the way I thought they would.
If you love mafia romance, forbidden romance, arranged marriage, brothers fiancé, secrets & betrayals, and slow burn this is for you.
Tell Me Lies is a dark mafia romance filled with secrets, betrayals, forbidden love, and chaos. I thought this was a fun and entertaining read. And by fun I mean complete chaos in the best of ways. A mafia princess forced into an arranged marriage she doesn’t want but has no choice in the decision. She learns the hard way not to cross her father and to do exactly what he says. She has secrets that could be her undoing, and she has to decide whether to keep them or be honest and risk the consequences. I felt the raw emotion and heartbreak for Drea and Leo when secrets come to light. Overall, I thought this was a quick and entertaining read with some plot twists I didn’t see coming or turn out the way I thought they would.
If you love mafia romance, forbidden romance, arranged marriage, brothers fiancé, secrets & betrayals, and slow burn this is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an advanced reader copy from Katie Ashley and I am so thankful for this opportunity. There were quite a few errors in editing that made things a bit confusing at times, but not unreadable. The storyline was great and the spice level was fantastic for me.
The beginning was definitely a lot more fast paced than the second half of the book. At times it was difficult to remember who everyone mentioned was as some were mentioned briefly at the beginning and then didn’t reappear until a lot later in the book. There were some spots where it felt like there could have been more put into the story to kind of pull everything together but overall I throughly enjoyed the book and hope there will be more books in the future expanding on the other family members. Highly recommend if you like spicy mafia romances!
The beginning was definitely a lot more fast paced than the second half of the book. At times it was difficult to remember who everyone mentioned was as some were mentioned briefly at the beginning and then didn’t reappear until a lot later in the book. There were some spots where it felt like there could have been more put into the story to kind of pull everything together but overall I throughly enjoyed the book and hope there will be more books in the future expanding on the other family members. Highly recommend if you like spicy mafia romances!
Review of advance copy received from Author
When Drea is sold into marriage with the Caruso family , she's less than pleased. When she falls for the wrong brother, disaster follows.
Drea - funny , talented , big sister who's kind and caring. So easy to relate to her protective side.
Leo - OMG. Charismatic , rakish (we love a lil man wh**e), possessive , but kind and decent. The bad boy we all want.
I loved how their relationship wasn't just physical, but they cared about each other's hopes and dreams.
The overall plot was great. I felt some things were glossed over quite quickly and I wanted more back story for some of the supporting characters ( well I want them all to have their own books haha )
Tropes
-Forbidden love
-Mafia daughter
-Family secrets
-Betrayal
Highlights
- The yearning
- The sketching
- Retribution
Overall 4/5
#mafiaromancebooks #forbiddenlove #spicyromance #indieauthor #bookrecs
Drea - funny , talented , big sister who's kind and caring. So easy to relate to her protective side.
Leo - OMG. Charismatic , rakish (we love a lil man wh**e), possessive , but kind and decent. The bad boy we all want.
I loved how their relationship wasn't just physical, but they cared about each other's hopes and dreams.
The overall plot was great. I felt some things were glossed over quite quickly and I wanted more back story for some of the supporting characters ( well I want them all to have their own books haha )
Tropes
-Forbidden love
-Mafia daughter
-Family secrets
-Betrayal
Highlights
- The yearning
- The sketching
- Retribution
Overall 4/5
#mafiaromancebooks #forbiddenlove #spicyromance #indieauthor #bookrecs
June 19, 2026
Tell Me Lies by Katie Ashley delivers a solid 3.5-star contemporary romance that serves up plenty of genuine emotional tension and undeniable chemistry between the leads. The story does a great job of building a fast-paced narrative filled with authentic stakes, keeping you invested in whether these two will actually figure things out. However, it gets held back from a higher score because the plot leans on some familiar miscommunication loops that can test your patience. It is a completely worthwhile pick if you are in the mood for a grounded, high-angst drama with real emotional weight, even if a few of the roadblocks feel a bit manufactured.
Thank you Netgalley . All opinions are my own.
Thank you Netgalley . All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Katie Ashley for this Arc of Tell Me Lies I do love a good mafia romance book and is one it not disappointed I absolutely love this book i had me hook from the start. The characters were well written I really connected with this characters Drea had a kind heart I love how she she cared for the one she loved I aboulutely love Leo the man he is the reformed playboy I love how protective he is with Drea from the moment they met there chemistry is undeniably I have not readed any of the others books in this series but I will be definitely will be reading them I want read about the other characters this was definitely a 5 star read for me
My favorite quote Leo Don't you get it I'd do anything for you I'd cut myself and bleed out if it meant you wouldn't feel pain
My favorite quote Leo Don't you get it I'd do anything for you I'd cut myself and bleed out if it meant you wouldn't feel pain
June 27, 2026
Thank you to the author/publisher for the advanced copy.
I went into Tell Me Lies not realizing it was the sixth book in the series, so I was a little nervous that I would feel lost. Thankfully, it was actually really easy to jump into, and I did not feel like I was missing too much.
This was an entertaining read with enough drama and tension to keep me interested. I liked the storyline and the characters, but I do think I would have felt more connected to everything if I had read the previous books first. Some parts hit, while others did not fully pull me in the way I wanted them to.
Overall, this was a solid read and made me curious about the rest of the series. I would recommend it if you enjoy romance with drama, secrets, and a little bit of chaos.
I went into Tell Me Lies not realizing it was the sixth book in the series, so I was a little nervous that I would feel lost. Thankfully, it was actually really easy to jump into, and I did not feel like I was missing too much.
This was an entertaining read with enough drama and tension to keep me interested. I liked the storyline and the characters, but I do think I would have felt more connected to everything if I had read the previous books first. Some parts hit, while others did not fully pull me in the way I wanted them to.
Overall, this was a solid read and made me curious about the rest of the series. I would recommend it if you enjoy romance with drama, secrets, and a little bit of chaos.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a quick, fast paced Mafia romance where the younger generation is trying to make changes from the older generation. The FMC is trying to rebel before she’s tied down via arranged marriage for the rest of her life. In comes her future brother in law in a meet cute where he shows he has a backbone. I read it basically in one sitting, I really enjoyed it. I haven’t read the others in the series, but this makes me want to! I’m interested to know all the characters and what I missed previously. There are some killings off page and I would have liked to read the scenes because those people were AWFUL.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book will appeal to readers of dark mafia romance with a morally grey MMC, a sassy FMC, and a forbidden romance trope.
This book started so strong for me with romantic tension through the forbidden romance, high stakes with the dangerous family and mafia connections, and some dark backstory. It took a turn though with a pregnancy trope that plays a significant role in the story and a big portion of the plot hinges on some dishonesty. The lying isn’t a far enough step away from the miscommunication trope for me, and I am not into a pregnancy trope at all. It really requires knowing there’s a pregnancy storyline early on to enjoy this. Personally, this wasn’t for me.
This book started so strong for me with romantic tension through the forbidden romance, high stakes with the dangerous family and mafia connections, and some dark backstory. It took a turn though with a pregnancy trope that plays a significant role in the story and a big portion of the plot hinges on some dishonesty. The lying isn’t a far enough step away from the miscommunication trope for me, and I am not into a pregnancy trope at all. It really requires knowing there’s a pregnancy storyline early on to enjoy this. Personally, this wasn’t for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of Advanced Readers Copy received from the author
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tell Me Lies was an enjoyable read with plenty of drama, tension, and of course romance.
It felt like a very standard mafia romance, including many of the familiar tropes and dynamics that readers of the genre will easily recognise.
While the story kept me engaged and the chemistry between the characters was enjoyable, I found some parts a little predictable and the pace of the story to be very fast.
Overall, it was a nice read that people who typically enjoy mafia romance will likely enjoy, even if it didn't stand out from others in the genre for me.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tell Me Lies was an enjoyable read with plenty of drama, tension, and of course romance.
It felt like a very standard mafia romance, including many of the familiar tropes and dynamics that readers of the genre will easily recognise.
While the story kept me engaged and the chemistry between the characters was enjoyable, I found some parts a little predictable and the pace of the story to be very fast.
Overall, it was a nice read that people who typically enjoy mafia romance will likely enjoy, even if it didn't stand out from others in the genre for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The ending?! 🥹🤧 I was not okay ..
Drea is a mafia princess forced into an arranged marriage. The problem? She’s in love with her fiancé’s brother, Leo.
& on top of that… she’s hiding a secret that could absolutely destroy everything and everyone. 😅
My heart broke for everyone involved. So many lives were at stake and the secrets & lies had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The tension between Leo and Drea?? 🥵 The longing, the restraint, the forbidden love had me HOOKED!
This was my first book by Katie Ashley and I really enjoyed her writing style. The slow burn and tension were everything♥️
Overall, this one delivered angst, tension, and heartbreak in the best way 😭❤️
Tropes:
💍 Arranged marriage
🚫 Forbidden romance
👀 Brother’s fiancé
👶 Not his baby
🔥 Slow burn
🖤 Mafia
Thank you so much for the ARC 🫶
Drea is a mafia princess forced into an arranged marriage. The problem? She’s in love with her fiancé’s brother, Leo.
& on top of that… she’s hiding a secret that could absolutely destroy everything and everyone. 😅
My heart broke for everyone involved. So many lives were at stake and the secrets & lies had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The tension between Leo and Drea?? 🥵 The longing, the restraint, the forbidden love had me HOOKED!
This was my first book by Katie Ashley and I really enjoyed her writing style. The slow burn and tension were everything♥️
Overall, this one delivered angst, tension, and heartbreak in the best way 😭❤️
Tropes:
💍 Arranged marriage
🚫 Forbidden romance
👀 Brother’s fiancé
👶 Not his baby
🔥 Slow burn
🖤 Mafia
Thank you so much for the ARC 🫶
June 29, 2026
⭐️ 3.5
If you like mafia romance, forbidden romance, secrets & betrayals, then this book is for you.
Although I see a lot of potential in this book and loved the concept (you generation trying to rewrite the rules), the book didn’t do it for me. There were a few errors in editing, that made things confusing at times. The story and characters were all over the place at times, going from very mature to downright childish and back.
That said, if you are looking for an easy mafia romance read that will entertain you, this is your book!
Thank you to Katie Ashley and The Nerd Fam for this gifted ARC.
If you like mafia romance, forbidden romance, secrets & betrayals, then this book is for you.
Although I see a lot of potential in this book and loved the concept (you generation trying to rewrite the rules), the book didn’t do it for me. There were a few errors in editing, that made things confusing at times. The story and characters were all over the place at times, going from very mature to downright childish and back.
That said, if you are looking for an easy mafia romance read that will entertain you, this is your book!
Thank you to Katie Ashley and The Nerd Fam for this gifted ARC.
June 17, 2026
I did not realize that this was the 6th book in a series when I started it. That being said, I was fully able to follow the storyline without going back to read the other books, although I probably will at some point. I enjoyed this quick mafia romance read. It was easy to follow and enjoyable. I loved Drea’s sassiness and Leo’s protectiveness of her. Her father is a horrible man 😳. The book started out with a bang, literally. If you enjoy mafia romance, you would enjoy this read. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. Thank you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
This was a 3.75⭐️ for me.
This was entertaining to say the least. It started of very strong but towards the middle and the end, you could really tell the editing was off. The timeline didn't seem to match up and it was kind of hard to follow at certain points. I feel like the book was kept at a good pace until the last 15%. It went from everything being okay, to a shitstorm, to a climactic plot, to everything being resolved in a matter of two or three chapters.
All in all, not a bad read. It had a good storyline that kept my attention.
This was a 3.75⭐️ for me.
This was entertaining to say the least. It started of very strong but towards the middle and the end, you could really tell the editing was off. The timeline didn't seem to match up and it was kind of hard to follow at certain points. I feel like the book was kept at a good pace until the last 15%. It went from everything being okay, to a shitstorm, to a climactic plot, to everything being resolved in a matter of two or three chapters.
All in all, not a bad read. It had a good storyline that kept my attention.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a very classic Mafia story where the female main character stands up for herself against the social norms of her society. Some of the younger characters feel the same way she does. They do not wish to adhere to the archaic rules and regulations of Mob society.It was a quick read, occasionally predictable, but overall, it delivered a solid narrative with no loose ends by the conclusion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tell Me Lies — Katie Ashley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was hooked from the start and really enjoyed this one. Katie Ashley’s writing kept me invested, and the story had me laughing one moment and crying the next. I did feel like some parts were a little rushed and that a few moments could have been explored more, but overall it was a great book with plenty of emotion. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this as an ARC, and I thoroughly enjoyed
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was hooked from the start and really enjoyed this one. Katie Ashley’s writing kept me invested, and the story had me laughing one moment and crying the next. I did feel like some parts were a little rushed and that a few moments could have been explored more, but overall it was a great book with plenty of emotion. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this as an ARC, and I thoroughly enjoyed
Review of advance copy received from Author
You always want what you can’t have right?
Drea Caruso was essentially sold into an arranged marriage due to mafia contracts/alliances. This was not the plan she had in mind for herself nor would she have picked Raphael Neretti - he’s in love with another woman.
Leo is Rafe’s brother and is off limits but they cannot deny the attraction between them. He’s possessive and was known as a womanizer prior to meeting Drea. She challenges him she’s feisty (which I loved about her). She’s not just going to roll over and be a wife.
The family ties just complicate everything and being on the mafia, one doesn’t cross lines. I really liked the story from their POV…the touches from previous book was also nice to have the tie ins. I love a good mafia romance and my heart went out to the characters - they weren’t unkind and didn’t want to hurt anyone as the story played out. Thank you Katie for the early read! All opinions are my own.
Drea Caruso was essentially sold into an arranged marriage due to mafia contracts/alliances. This was not the plan she had in mind for herself nor would she have picked Raphael Neretti - he’s in love with another woman.
Leo is Rafe’s brother and is off limits but they cannot deny the attraction between them. He’s possessive and was known as a womanizer prior to meeting Drea. She challenges him she’s feisty (which I loved about her). She’s not just going to roll over and be a wife.
The family ties just complicate everything and being on the mafia, one doesn’t cross lines. I really liked the story from their POV…the touches from previous book was also nice to have the tie ins. I love a good mafia romance and my heart went out to the characters - they weren’t unkind and didn’t want to hurt anyone as the story played out. Thank you Katie for the early read! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a mafia romance. I really enjoyed how realistic it was about the mafia. The older generation is exactly how I think a real mobster would act and treat others. I love that the fmc was someone who didn’t agree with the lifestyle and was strong for herself and others.
Thank you to the author for the gifted e arc.
Thank you to the author for the gifted e arc.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a great fast-paced mafia romance! It had everything I love- arranged marriage, forbidden love, MMC & FMC banter! I also enjoyed the dark elements of the mafia world and the “will they, won’t they” trope! I could not out this one down!!! ❤️🔥 I rate it a 3-4 level for spice- open door but just the right amount of spice for the plot! 🌶️🌶️🌶️-🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a very classic Mafia, misogynistic story of a strong-headed lady going against the patriarchy! But I cannot read about a freshly turned 18 year old hooking up with a man who waited until she was "legal". That's creepy, gross, and severely problematic.
Disgusting
Disgusting
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this book. It was fun and unexpected. There is a lot of Spice. This is a good Mafia Romance. I will be reading more Katie Ashley books.
Thank you to Katie Ashley a gifted copy of the ebook.
Thank you to Katie Ashley a gifted copy of the ebook.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thought this was a pretty good mafia story. Mafia princess, arranged marriage. A touch of blood from mafia activity. Spice and more. But this really needs to be ran through another round of editing. Other than that. I thought this was a great story. Loved the ending
June 13, 2026
Solid mafia romance with some pretty good twists and turns. It’s a great beach read for the summer.
Did Not Finish
June 16, 2026Just nope
June 26, 2026
This is an amazing Mafia romance i love how she loves the brother to her arranged marrige fiance I love the baby but the happy ending is the best its a nice paced book and never got bored
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews