The Don's Requiem: A Forbidden Forced-Proximity Mafia Romance

by Jasmin Song

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2026

Reviews

[PAWS_AND_PAGES7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Jasmin Song for providing me with this ARC!

Mafia romance with age gap. The first chapter had me intrigued and from there I became more invested as each chapter went on. I really enjoyed all the mysterious aspects of Leone and Amina's lives. Between Amina trying to find her parents and Leone's mafia world, there were so many different people and places that were woven together, it made for an intricate plot with twists that I didn't anticpate. I am not a big of insta-love, so I did have trouble feeling a connection with Leone and Amina but I was more interested in finding out all the secrets and lies rather than their relationship. I do love me an older man trope and Leone was definitely giving off silver fox vibes. I did struggle a bit with Amina but I did like her perspective on the power of the female body and how she used that to show Leone her feelings.

[Jennifer Wiertel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Don’s Requiem by Jasmin Song

25 year old Amina was in Nice at a bar talking to a young man French-Canadian, the conversation was going well until a tattooed mafia looking man with salt and pepper hair walked in and owned the room. He overheard their conversation and Amina portrayed herself as a woman called Camille. She explains Camille is a vocal student at the Conservatoire de Paris with a small apartment near the Seine.

When the man-Leone gives the younger man a look, he takes the hint and leaves. Leone asks for her name from a few tables away and asks if he may sit with her. Leone and Camille hit it off right away discussing the opera. Leone shares that his mother trained as a girl in Reggio and that there was no money to send her to Naples. Leone explained his mother would sing in the kitchen every morning and took him to his first opera when her was 8.

After they leave the bar, they walk the Promenade and Leone takes Camilla for gelato. They end up back at Leone’s hotel and have passionate encounters. Leone asks Camille to stay the night, and once Amina knows he is completely asleep, she slips out and returns to her hotel.

Amina is from New York and was given up when she was a baby. Her Grandmother-Marguerite had called to have her come to attend her mother’s funeral. Marguerite sees someone she didn’t invite and is suspicious if her daughter- Solene was murdered so she changes her mind about presenting Amina to the family.

Amina sneaks upstairs when the private family dinner happens, and sees Leone at the head of the table. Leone is Solene’s husband! After the dinner, Marguerite discloses to Leone that she is actually Amina’s mother and she believes Solene was murdered. She asks two favours from Leone-the first is to investigate Solene’s death and the second is to move Amina into his home and protect her. Once the agreement is complete, they agree to dissolve their business relationship.

Three weeks after returning to New York, Leone agrees to protecting Amina, and when she walks through his dining room door, he realizes she is the Camille he has been looking for.

Just when you think you know what is happening, Jasmin completely blows your mind! This is an emotionally intense story of betrayal, forbidden mafia romance, danger and protection. One you want to read ASAP!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[InkedSirenXO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Author

Jasmin Song absolutely delivered with The Don’s Requiem, a dark, emotional, and dangerously addictive mafia romance that had me hooked from the very first chapter.

Leone is the kind of MMC I live for. Powerful, possessive, fiercely protective, and carrying enough grief and guilt to make every moment feel raw and authentic. Watching him struggle between honoring his late wife and resisting the undeniable pull toward Amina was pure emotional torture in the best possible way.

And Amina? She was incredible. Strong, resilient, and far more than a damsel in distress. Her chemistry with Leone practically crackled off the page. Every stolen glance, every moment of tension, every attempt to follow the “no touching” rule only made the attraction burn hotter.

The suspense woven throughout the story kept me turning pages long into the night. The mystery surrounding her sister’s murder, Amina’s hidden past, and the danger constantly closing in created the perfect balance between romance and intrigue.

What really stood out was the emotional depth. Beneath the mafia power plays, danger, and forbidden attraction is a story about grief, healing, trust, and finding love when you least expect it.

✨ Forbidden romance
✨ Mafia romance
✨ Protective alpha MMC
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Slow-burn tension
✨ Touch-her-and-die energy
✨ Suspense and mystery
✨ Emotional healing

Leone and Amina completely stole my heart. Their journey was heartbreaking, beautiful, and impossible to put down.

If you love dark mafia romance filled with angst, danger, sizzling chemistry, and a hero willing to burn the world down for the woman he loves, this book belongs on your TBR immediately.

[WinkingReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

And I will find my little songbird in every lifetime to live out every version of this story.

𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗼! 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁! 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗶!

Such a beautiful story with an equally beautiful beginning and ending🥹💜 ... Girl, i don't even know at this point if this is officially a series or something else, but the plot keeps getting better from each book. Personally this is fav book so far in the Don's series (if that even has a ring to it🤭).

I absolutely devoured this book from their first cute meet up to Leone finally on his knees requesting Amina to release him from the torture of not being able to call her his wife!

The articulation of everything in this book especially the plot, character development, and emotions was amazing. Hands down to the uniqueness of the plot because I'm still WOWED!

I don't want to get into the characters specifically because I won’t stop but you should know; Leon Valenti is Everything! I mean this man spend over seven figures to get his woman a stage at the Dubai Opera simply because he was desperate to make her happy and dreams come true. He literally had accompanist living in their house at her disposal for whenever she wants to practice her operas.

And girl, an appreciation to Amina because she always understood her man's power and never hesitated to run to him with everything! She never doubted his ability to protect her. I was so proud of her. She's talented, smart, multilingual, and deserves all the happiness!

Amazing read, it left me super content!

💜𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
Dark Mafia Romance
Age Gap Romance - 17yrs
Forced Proximity
Secret Identity
One Night Stand
Found Family
Touch Her and D!e

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.68
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓛𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Soft and Sinister Sisters Talita Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Don’s Requiem by Jasmin Song

This was my first book by Jasmin Song and it definitely won’t be my last! I absolutely loved this mafia romance and highly recommend adding it to your TBR.

We follow Leone, a powerful and irresistible mafia Don, and Amina, a brilliant FMC, whose chance meeting in Nice sparks an instant connection. What starts as a seemingly unforgettable one-night stand quickly turns into something much bigger when fate has other plans.

The chemistry is electric, the tension is addictive, and the story kept me hooked from start to finish.

Mafia girlies, trust me on this one—you need this book in your life! 🔥

You’re welcome. 😉

Tropes:
🖤 Mafia Romance
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 One Night Stand
🖤 Instant Attraction
🖤 Alpha MMC
🖤 Strong FMC
🖤 Protective Hero
🖤 High Stakes Romance

[Cicireads97481 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I want to thank the author for giving me an advance copy, I really appreciate it! So this is the 2nd book I've read by this author and wow!!! There were so many twist, truth, lies and secrets. I got hooked from the very beginning so this was definetly a page turner. Both MC’s were great, I loved them.. The way Leone was there for Amina 🥺🥺 and the spice was spicin 😉 it's a perfect book for introduction to Mafia in my opinion.. it's a quick read with short chapters! I will definetly keep reading more book from this author in the future, if you haven't read any if her books, your are missing out. Definetly recommend checking her out.

[Mary-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amina and Leone, what can I say?
I was pulled into their story from the very first page. It was so exciting, I didn't want it to end.
This was my first read from this author and
I am really looking forward to her next book.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense, moody finale‑style story closing a powerful crime‑family arc — mixing loyalty, revenge, grief, and slow‑burn passion. The Don faces enemies closing in and ghosts of his past, while his bond with the woman who challenges him drives every choice. Sharp dialogue, tense atmosphere, and high stakes all the way.

Strong, brooding tone; fast‑paced action; layered leads; satisfying emotional pay‑off

Dark themes throughout; some twists follow familiar mafia‑romance beats

Gripping pick if you like enemies‑to‑lovers, dangerous power dynamics, and dramatic, high‑emotion conclusions.

Sharp, moody mafia romance where power, vengeance, and love collide in a final requiem‑style showdown.

[KayCee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An age gap mafia romance with forced proximity? Yes please. Leone and Amina come from different worlds. Amina just wants to find her parents, and Leone is involved in the mafia world. But when their paths cross, it's instant. Leone is exactly what you're looking for in a dark mafia romance; he's possessive, a little crazy and extremely protective. Amina is just as strong, but in a much less in your face way. The tension between them, the no touching rule, the suspense and danger is all so wild. I really enjoyed this story.

[Kiare_books3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a read!

I found the story fantastic and captivating. The plot hooks you almost instantly. The first encounter between the main characters (Leone and Amina) is... wow, magical, intense, and full of sexual tension! OMG! I loved it! I loved it!

The twists and turns throughout the story kept me in suspense at every moment.

Because nothing is what it seems.

The romance that develops between Leone and Amina, as fate intertwined them, was extraordinary. How what begins as a one-time encounter collides the worlds of both characters, becoming a love full of obsession, passion, pleasure, and absolute devotion.

The contrast between the rough, raw, and violent world of the mafia and the fierce tenderness of the romance creates an unparalleled addiction.

Wow, what a read!

I found the story fantastic and captivating. The plot hooks you almost instantly. The first encounter between the main characters (Leone and Amina) is... wow, magical, intense, and full of sexual tension! OMG! I loved it! I loved it!

The twists and turns throughout the story kept me in suspense at every moment. Because nothing is what it seems.

The romance that develops between Leone and Amina, as fate intertwined them, was extraordinary. How what begins as a one-time encounter collides the worlds of both characters, becoming a love filled with obsession, passion, pleasure, and absolute devotion.

The contrast between the rough, raw, and violent world of the mafia and the fierce tenderness of the romance creates an unparalleled addiction.

[Caroline Reichardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story about Leone and Amina. When Amina meets Leone she is playing the part of another woman. Amina is raised as a foster child paid for by her mother who lives in France. Leone flies to France for the funeral of his wife and meets Amina the night before in a nightclub. Amina meets a woman who tells her she is her grandmother. Leone is asked by the grandmother to take Amina into his home to live for a year while she finishes her college degree. At the first night for supper Leone finds out that Amina is the woman he met in France and has been searching for ever since. Leone is tasked with finding out who killed his wife and in doing so Amina is kidnapped and used against him. Leone calls another man he works with and the man finds where she is being held and offers to help him retrieve her. Leone finds out who has murdered his wife and tells Amina’s grandmother because she has that person working for her. Leone also finds out while talking with the supposed grandmother, who is actually Amina’s mother, who Amina’s real father is. Leone makes arrangement for Amina to sing an opera in Dubai and her father will be in attendance along with a couple hundred people as well and after it’s over she is introduced to him. This story has a wonderful ending on all fronts and there are many happy endings to this story. I would recommend this book to adults.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed "THE DON'S REQUIEM" was given freely by the author for my honest review itvwas an intriguing, intense, emotional drama, with secrets, lies, violence, danger, steam keeping you hooked to the end.
Leone a powerful head of the Mafia grieving the death of his wife feeling guilty, he flies to France for her funeral & ends up meeting Amina in a nightclub pretending to be someone else she was in foster care.
Amina meets a woman who tells her she's her grandmother & she asks Leone to take care of her while there for College, she's who he's been searching for since their first meeting in France .
Leone is looking for his wifes killer who kidnaps Amina to use her against him, getting help from someone who knows where she is, Leone finds out the killer works for her grandmother.
Leone unravels some secrets about who Amina's parents really are & makes arrangements for her to meet her father after she sings in the Opera House in Dubai, meeting her real father was heartwarming
Will Leone & Amina get a HEA theres so many twists keeping you on edge to see how their journey ends wow!!! you won't be able to stop reading I loved it, well written.

[Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amina and Leone met one night built on lies. Then to discover that they were more intertwined than they thought. Leone is her dead biological mother’s husband. Well he’s a widow now. Amina grew up with foster parents until the news of her biological mother’s death lead her ending up to be in the care of Leone. Secrets unravel and their attraction for one another leads them to danger.

This is my 2nd read from Jasmin and it did not disappoint! This story had twists and turns. Many different elements involved. I loved the guessing game because there was so many lies told and I loved learning all the different secrets and truths.

Amina had such a sad upbringing and a lack of who is because of how she grew up. Her identity was confusing for her but she did the best she could to prepare herself for a future she thought she could maybe have with her family.

I love Amina’s and Leone’s dynamic. He takes care of her. Guides her. Supports her in the way she needs to be supported. The spicy scenes are high level spice!

I enjoyed the book very much. Will continue to read more from her!

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Don’s Requiem is a gripping forbidden mafia romance that blends passion, danger, and emotional depth in a way that keeps you completely hooked. Leone is a powerful, deeply layered hero—intimidating and ruthless in business, yet heartbreakingly vulnerable when it comes to the woman who upends his carefully controlled world. Amina is equally compelling, strong and resilient, with a past that slowly unravels into something far more complicated than she ever imagined. Their chemistry is intense and electric, especially given the forced proximity and the strict “no touching” rule that only makes every moment between them burn hotter. The story is filled with secrets, betrayal, and a murder mystery that adds real tension to the romance, keeping the stakes high throughout. Emotional, suspenseful, and full of forbidden desire, this is a mafia romance that hits hard and lingers long after the final page—4 stars.

[Theresa Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Jasmin Song but most definitely won't be my last. I love a good Mafia read & this book did not dissapoint. The FMC Amnia first meets the Mafia Don, Leone even without knowing who he is the night before her own "mother's" funeral which turns into unexpected night of spice. Then so many unexpected twists & turns with Amnia real life that she learns some of them at her mother's funeral including seeing Leone there as well and finding out who he is. When Amnias grandmother asks Leone to take Amnia in to keep her protected from an unknown enemy he did, not knowing who he was taking into his home cause the woman he spent a night with and couldn't stop thinking about lied to him and he couldn’t find but little did he know she was the same woman he was asked to protect. With broken trust at first and anger he let her stay & kept her safe and Amnia eventually leaning about her true background and her and Leone finally being together. Definitely a great story worth the read.

[Alisha Pascual · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I say this a lot but wow, I was not expecting to be so engrossed with this book! Like the plot was literally everything, there was a little bit of suspence, a little bit of mystery and so much spice. And from the very start as soon as Leone and Amina locked sights on each other there was a pull, a connection that grew the more they spent time in each others presence. Even if it was just less than half a day, it’s just not something they could fight. But after a spectacualr night and thinking they may never run into each other, they are thrust into the same orbit, she is under Leone’s care. After shocking truths their relationship is a little rocky and the back and forth was literally so agonizing for me because I just wanted then to get together lol. But when that F it moment happens after rules were laid down their attraction and feelings are too far gone to ignore it. And how devoted, caring, supportive, and obsessed he is of Amina is OMG, swoon worthy and panty melting. Freaking LOVED!!!! 10/10

[Annelise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that was hard to put down. It's about Amina who was placed in foster care because, basically, the pregnancy wasn't pragmatic at the time. So she grew up making up her own " background" until one day it found her.

On her trip to "go to her mother's funeral," she is making up a back story for herself in a bar and happens to catch the eye of the Leone, and he just has to have her. Little do they know they have a little more in common than they know.

He is the head of a Mafia family & she is the "bastard" daughter of one or more big wig families. This book has triggers in it... don't touch what is mine. Violence, depictions of rape, etc. But if you don't mind that it is a good good to read. I enjoyed the character development, quick burn romance, and fast action scenes.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking at times and heartwarming at others.  You'll love this story and it will have your head spinning with all the twists.  Leone and Amina met in a nightclub in France while he was in town for his estranged wife's funeral.   She was raised in the foster system but it is exposed who her real parents are.  Her grandmother asks Leone if she can stay with him while in college.   Her life is in danger and Leone tries to protect her.  He finds out who his wife's killer is.   No shortage of danger , spice or drama and a kidnapping to heat things up.  Eventually an HEA you'll like with no cliffhanger.  I read a free arc and voluntarily chose to write a review.

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

This is an intriguing book built on suspense and drama. Amina is invited to France to attend her mother's funeral and meet her grandmother along the way she connects with Leon whom she will learn later is her mother's husband. The death of her mother is under suspicion and now she is caught right in the middle of it with the danger coming at her and Leon as the protector. Will he be able to withstand the passion mounting between them and keep her safe. I loved how this story builds and the evolvement of their relationship.

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

[Jen Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I love Amina and Leone's story! There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming! Amina grew up in a different world than the one she ends getting thrown into when she goes to her "mothers" funeral. She's always lied about things in her life. There's so much that she ends up learning about her roots. Leon takes her in for her safety and in the process they slowly fall for each other. Amina goes through a roller coaster of events and it tests the relationship that's building between her and Leone. Such a great book! It had me hooked from the beginning!

[Kyla Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Mafia age-gap romance was addictive to say the least. Amina and Leone relationship starts as a one night stand but things turn into more. The way Leone was there for Amina and how he didn't let anyone hurt her, green flags all the way in my eyes. Amina is strong, fierce and the way she looks at the man is wow. The two of them perfect for each other and I couldn't stop reading this one. Remember to read your trigger warnings.

[Cathy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story. In many ways sad as what happened throughout her life. From being lied to...to being kidnapped...to finding love. It was a great ending with her finally knowing who her birth mom and her dad are and getting to know them. I really hope there's a second book about them. This was an ARC Read

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Don's Requiem is my first read by this author and what a great intro to her work. It's Leone and Amina's story and is filled with intrigue, drama, lies, twists, turns and surprises. This story is definitely page turner and completely enjoyable from start to finish. I can't wait to explore more from this author!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm seriously a HUGE fan of Jasmin's romance books and OMG this book right here blew me away. This romance book is not only beautifully written, but the characters have great chemistry that is magnetic from start to finish.
If you have never read a book written by Jasmin before let The Don's Requiem, be the start of a new addiction when it comes to reading 5-star books.

[B Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book. It is an age gap, secretive family mafia romance. So beautifully written with characters that leap off the page and become real. So wonderfully conceived that as soon as I had completed it in one sitting, I ordered Jasmine’s other two books from Amazon.
I can’t recommend this book enough. You need to read it!!!

[Sarah Redetzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by Jasmin. It did not disappoint. I am a huge mafia romance fan. It had all the right tropes for me. The main characters are written very well and I loved that it was a slow burn.
Tropes:
Secret Identity
Forbidden
Age gap
Forced Proximity
Protector
One night stand

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo and Amina were so good together. Both wanting one another but it could cause so many problems if they dog. So he tries really hard to start away. But having her under the same roof was impossible. The back and forth with these two was so hot. I loved the twists and turns, it kept me turning the pages. This was hot and spicy, with a lot of tension and chaos. A really good read.

[Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story who had it all... intrigue, betrayal, deep feelings, fast romance, lies, power imbalance, prejudice, violence, etc!

Is a great story. The characters are well developed, Leone as "The Don", Amina her alias "Camille". Recommended!

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leone and Amina's story pulled me in from page one and I couldn’t put it down. It’s engaging, intriguing and full of twists. It’s packed with spice, drama, violence, lies and betrayal. A gripping page turner. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. The main characters were engaging and interesting. There were times when the story seemed to lag but overall, I would read it again.