Mafia King's Redemption

Mafia Kings of Manhattan #3

by Mia Glass

For fans of Cassi Hart and Amanda Horton.

Elio Bellanti stopped pretending to be a good man years ago.

Then a pretty waitress smiled at him and ruined everything.

She's shy. Sweet. Too soft for the world he lives in.
Too soft for him.

Elio should stay away from her.

Instead he watches her. Follows her home to make sure she gets there safe. Learns every frightened look she tries to hide.

And when another man puts his hands on her?
Something vicious inside Elio wakes up.

Because Freida Jackson might just be the only good thing left in him.
And he'll kill to keep her safe.

Guaranteed HEA. No cheating. Standalone novella. 18+ only. Features obsessive stalker hero, age gap, curvy heroine, stalking as protection, stalker villain, kitchen confrontation, forced proximity, found family.

Genres: Novella

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2026

Reviews

[ashley ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i recieved a copy for free in exchange for an honest review.

no spoilers review // mafia king’s redemption by mia glass
— ( 🧷 ) first read
★★★★☆
౨ৎ ⋮ “some men don’t ask for forgiveness — they bleed for it.”

ᝰ.ᐟ tropes:
⤷ dark mafia romance
⤷ morally gray mmc
⤷ obsessive protector
⤷ age gap
⤷ forced proximity
⤷ secret obsession
⤷ found family
⤷ corrupt cop villain

— tw: violence, death, abuse, stalking, manipulation, sexual content, mafia-related themes

this book gave exactly what the title promised: a mafia man with blood on his hands trying to prove he still has a heart. i love a romance where the mmc is powerful, damaged, and morally questionable, but still has that one person who can bring him to his knees. the “redemption” part is what made this hit harder for me because it wasn’t just danger and obsession — it had guilt, emotion, tension, and that messy kind of love that feels like it should not work, but somehow does.

ᝰ.ᐟ plot summary:
in mafia king’s redemption, freida jackson gets pulled into elio bellanti’s dangerous world — a world full of power, secrets, obsession, loyalty, and violence. elio is not the kind of man anyone should trust easily, but his connection to freida makes everything more complicated. as danger closes in, their relationship becomes intense, emotional, and impossible to ignore.

꒰ 🖇 ⊹ ׁ݂"he wasn’t safe, but he made danger feel like devotion."

ᝰ.ᐟ characters:

𖣠 elio bellanti
⤷ mafia king / obsessive protector
elio gives full “touch her and die” energy. he’s dangerous, possessive, emotionally complicated, and definitely not innocent. what worked for me was that he didn’t feel like a perfect hero pretending to be bad — he felt like someone who had actually done damage and had to carry the weight of it. his redemption arc is messy, intense, and exactly the kind of morally gray chaos i expect from a mafia romance.

꒰ 🖇 ⊹ ׁ݂"redemption looks different when the devil is the one begging for it."

𖣠 freida jackson
⤷ waitress / curvy heroine
freida brought the softer emotional side to the story, but she wasn’t weak. i liked that she had vulnerability without feeling helpless. she’s the kind of heroine who makes the romance feel grounded because she gives elio something real to fight for, not just someone to possess. her connection with him had that dangerous “i should run, but i can’t look away” energy.

꒰ 🖇 ⊹ ׁ݂"loving him felt like standing too close to a fire."

ᝰ.ᐟ favorite quotes:
─ ⌗ "some sins don’t wash clean, but love still leaves a mark."

─ ⌗ "he was the monster everyone feared, but somehow he looked at her like she was mercy."

─ ⌗ "in his world, loyalty was survival — but with her, it became something softer."

ᝰ.ᐟ favorite scenes:

🖇️𖥻 [ the emotional tension ]
any scene where elio and freida’s connection slowed down enough for the guilt, longing, and vulnerability to show. that’s where the book was strongest for me. i love the danger, but i stay for the emotional damage.

🖇️𖥻 [ the protective moments ]
elio’s protective energy was eating. not in a sweet, fluffy way — more like “i will ruin anyone who touches what’s mine.” very mafia romance coded, very dramatic, very much my thing.

🖇️𖥻 [ the redemption arc ]
i liked watching elio struggle with who he was versus who he wanted to be for freida. that’s the kind of character work that makes a mafia romance feel more memorable instead of just being all violence and spice.

ᝰ.ᐟ overall thoughts:
mafia king’s redemption is for readers who like their mafia romances dark, possessive, emotional, and a little messy. elio and freida had that intense, dangerous chemistry that makes you want to keep reading even when everything feels chaotic. i do wish some parts had gone even deeper emotionally, but overall, this was addictive and easy to binge.

overall:
mafia king’s redemption
⤷ 4 stars ★

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a quick easy read this ticks all the boxes. Freida works hard as a waitress, long shifts and tired feet are normal. Going home to her gorgeous shy kitten Marmalade and her tiny apartment. But serving him is always the highlight of her work day. But she knows he'll never be hers Elio is out of her league. Leaving work and going to the karaoke bar with her friend she's nervous. Tonight she'll get up on the stage and sing her own song. Except he walks in and her mind and voice disappear. Elio and his brother own the bar and he enjoys sitting there just watching her. But he knows she's not from his world, she's too innocent, and he's not. Walking into the karaoke club he's surprised to see her up on the stage. He knows everything about her, why does he not know this. This is a story of finding your person, and the lengths you'll go to save them. Can Elio protect her, and still let her walk away. What will happen if she tells him what she's done. When she finds out who and what he is what will she do. Will she run or stay and choose him. This is the third book in this series and i can't wait to read Ruby's story

[Michi Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

And she's done it again!

Miss Glass wrote another delicious mafia MMC with the longing, the emotional tension and the possessive traits we all crave in our bookfriends. To quote him: "I'm the one they invite in before they realize they should have locked the door." *wipe drool*

Meanwhile Freida is the curvy relatable heroine many of us actually all are in our daily lives: a hard-worker that is looking for small joyful ways to brighten up her boring life.

If I can point out one thing I didn't like: the song she wrote, it felt rather childish to me.
But, other than that, the characters are all easy to love (except the Detective, he can go to hell), and I honestly wish this were longer cause I had so much fun reading it.

(I've received an ARC copy from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review)

[Shreya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I finished Cristiano's story, I knew I had to see what the next Bellenti brother had!

Elio and Frieda's story was hinted in Cristiano and Robyn's story, but I still found myself obsessed with them! I felt like Elio and Frieda had their characters changed a little bit, because in Cristiano's story, Frieda was more outgoing, and Elio was more playful, but that's probably because this story focused on the dangers surrounding them.

I loved how obsessed Elio was with Frieda. NOBODY touch his woman! I also loved the strong bond between the brothers! They're willing to drop everything for each other and it just made me love them even more.

I'm so excited for Ruby's story!! I have all these books on my list to buy!!

[Mikaela Ellesjö · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 my review for Mafia King's Redemption 🖤


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

This was a fast & fantastic read.
The story begins right away and is holding a perfect pace throughout the entire book!

I would say that this mafia book is on the lighter side so if you just started reading the mafia genre then this book is perfect!

Sweet, shy and kind FMC met this protective MMC who has been watching her from afar to protect her from his world. But when another guy lays a hand on her he couldn't watch from the sideline anymore. Breaking the guys jaw ended up with him wanting to kill her. The MMC brings her to his place to keep her safe.

There's definitely more going on in the book but I don't want to spoil it!!

Thank you Mia for gifting me this book!!loved reading and reviewing it 🥰

[Holly Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much I finished it in one sitting!!! Mia Glass gave us another incredible mafia romance. A light, quick read that gives you just the right amount of spice mixed with a bit of danger.
Freida is a shy, quiet waitress and Elio is the mafia man who protects what is his. He knows that she is too good for him but love over rides reason. Their relationship is so sweet. Who doesn’t love a tattooed man that can charm a grumpy kitten. This story is perfect for a slow summer day. I CANNOT wait for the next installment. I want to know every story of the Bellantis’.
I am leaving this honest review voluntarily after receiving an advance copy.

[Tracy Pulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

POV: Dual, First person
MCs: Elio and Frieda
OW(M)/Cheating: No
3rd act breakup: No
Instalove: Instalust
Series: Second in the Mafia Kings of Manhattan series
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Writing: I enjoyed the story/plot. It was short, sweet, and packed a lot into only 122 pages. My one flaw is that the book is set in Manhattan but there are some words and phrases that are not American. A few times it took me out of the story because I had to decipher what was being said.
Editing: pretty well edited, only a few errors.
Read this author before: Yes
Available on KU: Yes
Trigger Warnings: No
Should you read it: Yes it’s worth the time.

This is an ARC review.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read anything from this author before. In my opinion, the only negative of the book was its length; I wish it was a little bit longer. I feel like Elio Bellanti is more likely every girl's fantasy if they're being honest. I got frustrated with Freida when she left on her own. I'm glad that her stepfather got clean. I did not realize that there was a book prior to this one, so now I'm going back to hopefully get that one to read. Overall, I truly enjoyed this book, and I adore marmalade.



I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diana Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elio and Freida are the third couple to come out of La Scala restaurant. The men are all brothers who are very close and are one of 2 main mafia families in New York. The women are all chosen family and live paycheck to paycheck and know nothing of the Bellanti’s being mafia. This is a fast paced possessive, age-gaped insta love story and I do mean fast ! The one who steals the show in this story is a cute 4 pawed kitten named Marmalade ! 4✨’s for a quick read full of heat and heart. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[SuzieQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great quick mafia 'lite' read. MMC is obsessed with shy FMC, has watched her for a few months and when an incident happens MMC decides it's time to protect what is his. A fast paced easy read with a bit of humour and a whole lot of spice. I loved the interaction between Elio and Freida - who wouldn't love an Elio in their life - a brooding, tattooed mafia man with a hint of softness for his woman and a cat!

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It won't take you long to get caught up emotionally with Elio and Frieda. They say, opposites attract and she was sweet, sky and innocent. He was a mafia bad man with blood on his hands. He watches and protects her from afar while she works and when danger appears, he claims and protects her. A quick age-gap read that you will enjoy. The book ends with an HEA and no cliffhanger. I read a free arc via the author and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Chelsey Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

💀 Mafia
🖤 Instalove
💀 Mutual pining
🖤 Protective MMC
💀 Touch her and 💀
🖤 HEA

This is another one of the brothers who falls hard. Elio saved her and decides it was time to claim what is his. It is a simple mafia story but it has alot of the tropes you want in your mafia book boyfriends. Freida was a loyal woman who cares deeply for her loved ones. If you want a easy short story that has some spice with plot this could be worth a shot.

[Michelle Skojec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the interaction between Elio and Freida - Elio is a brooding, tattooed mafia man with a hint of softness for Freida and her marmalade kitten! I loved how obsessed Elio was with Freida. Nobody touches his woman, PERIOD! I also love the strong bond between the brothers! They're willing to drop everything for each other at basically anytime without any questions asked. I love that this series is short novellas that are fast paced, full of spice and guaranteed action.

[Ramona Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book I read from this author and her writing is really good.

I wish the book would have been a little longer and the story more in detailed. Putting a beautiful base line on a few pages felt like it wasn’t enough for me. I needed more. However this I believe is supposed to be a short story.

It’s easy to read and I was able to connect with the story.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story delivers everything you crave for a quick read on a rainy afternoon - a strong heroine and a hero who it a little gray around the edges but still manages to capture your heart. He will do anything to protect her even it means protecting her from him.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you BookSirens for the ARC!

I really liked this book! Its the second book from Mia Glass that I have read. I read it in 2 sittings, because I was so invested in it. Its the kind of story that draws you in, and you cant wait to see what happens next. For some reason, I like the books that have to do with the mafia. 😆
I cant wait to read another of her books!

[Yvonne Amarh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from the author.
My oh my! Ms. Mia Glass is an amazing authot! This book will grab you by the collar from the beginning, will take you on a roller-coaster, and will not let you go, even after you're done reading. All I'm going to say it, you'll not regret buying this book!

[Shelly Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Freida and Elio's story. Elio has been flirting with her at the restaurant. She goes to an open mic, chicken's out and gets accosted. Elio finally decides to make his move. It's a good little story. The ending is rushed at the end but otherwise a good brain break. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kim H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book features an obsessive stalker hero, age gap, curvy heroine, stalking as protection, corrupt cop villain, forced proximity, found family, secret obsession, lots of drama, tons of angst, and scorching chemistry!! Loved the characters and the way their story progressed!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[BookGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another “cute” mafia lite story. Had a good mafia storyline, it’s quite fast paced given how short the book is but I certainly enjoyed it and would def continue reading books from this author. 🌶️🌶️

[Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mafia man who fell hard. Elio's path start with him obsessively stalking Freida, for his protection. Is a good story with stalker vibes and age gap, throws in a slow burn love. The story is good without being overly mushy. Like it!

[Peggy Henstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read was wonderful. Elio has had his eye on Freida for awhile. When she is in danger, he saves her but makes a deadly enemy. There is much drama and I could not read this story fast enough. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Mafia Kings of Manhattan series. It’s a very enjoyable age gap, mafia romance. It’s a short read but filled with spice, danger and action. A very well written, enjoyable read. I am voluntarily leaving this review

[Peggy Henstra]

This quick read was wonderful. Elio has had his eye on Freida for awhile. When she is in danger, he sI received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.aves her but makes a deadly enemy. There is much drama and I could not read this story fast enough.

[Tracy McDonell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Mia Glass for this ARC of Mafia Kings Redemption. So far I have enjoyed all of the mafia books that you’ve written, and I cannot wait to read more..

Redemption was well written, good character development, love the plot, and a fast pace

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Mafia Romance

Elio falls for Freida and watches her every night in the club she works at. Then he catches the head chef slapping Freud's and hits him and takes her home with him but the crooked cop is still out to get Freud's and the Bellantia brothers. Great story.

[Lorraine Whiteley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet and hot! Get cosy, get wine, and forget all your troubles for a while. I received an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. Very quick. I appreciate the epilogue