Filthy Little Lies: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Measha Stone

She doesn't belong in my world, but I’d burn it all down for her anyway.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 14, 2026

Reviews

[chi ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

˚₊‧꒰ა chi's mini diary ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

★ 3.5 stars
✩ no spoilers

➹ started: july 31
➷ ended: august 2

✦ thoughts + overall

starting off with a dark romance for the month and i don't regret it, but anyway, i enjoyed this book to an extent. gabriel and savvy were alright together and i enjoyed looking at their character development. i did wish that i'd get to see more of savvy's life when she's not with savvy or gabriel because she seems like an independent woman unlike some of the characters i've read in other books.

i think the biggest problem here was that there was a little too much smut. i mean, i'm all for steamy scenes but there wasn't a lot of balance with actual things vs. sex things and that kinda threw me off sometimes. it's kinda one of those lust or love scenarios and even though they do end up loving each other (obviously), it's hard to ignore what got them there in the first place.

also, totally not the author's fault, but sometimes it just got so hard to take gabriel seriously because most of the time his name made me think about other people named gabriel in media (mlb i'm looking at you 👀) and then i would just stop reading for the day. then again, it's just me and my media consumption, so this didn't affect my rating at all.

₊˚ thank you to the publisher and valentine pr for the arc!
₊˚ this book will be released on august 14!

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! So much to love about this story! It has Mafia! It has drama! It has all kinds of lust and love! Everything wrapped up in one neat package! Gabriel is a Mafia leader who comes upon Savvy one day unexpectedly. He is curious and enamored by her to the point he kidnaps her and brings her home. Of course there is more to that but no spoilers from me! Savvy is witty, funny, beautiful but has had a rough upbringing. Can Gabriel change her life for the better? She certainly keeps him on his toes and I loved how she constantly challenges him. They are perfectly imperfect for each other! The story is riveting and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout! A definite must read for all!

[Rene Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an eARC of this book and I finished it in 5 hours.

Savvy tried to con a pawn shop out if a lot if money for diamonds and she is a master forget. Sh3 forged papers so she could sell the diamonds. The guy who looked at the papers noticed a slight difference jn the seal and brought it to the attention of Gabriel the head of the Valenti mafia family.

He "kidnapps" her and has her work for him by forged papers for his illegal operations. Things start to get serious between them.

I can't wait for book 2

[Samantha Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping mafia romance packed with drama, passion, and plenty of tension! Gabriel is a commanding, compelling hero, and Savvy is the perfect match—sharp, witty, and never afraid to push back. Their dynamic is electric, and the story moves at a great pace, keeping you hooked from start to finish. A few beats felt a little rushed, but overall it’s an addictive, unputdownable read with all the heat and heart you’d expect. Highly recommended for mafia romance fans!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mafia mobster with a heart of gold and a young woman who has been discarded most of her life are an unlikely couple, but boy do they charm you as you read their story. Gabriel and Savvy meet when Savvy is trying to get some money to pay off a debt, unfortunately she picked the wrong pawn shop! As their relationship grows there are stumbling blocks but Gabriel is nothing if not tenacious and that makes the ending absolutely perfect.

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Savvy and Gabriel’s story ❤️
This couple met under bizarre circumstances and they immediately become attracted to each other. Savvy is just looking to belong somewhere, hoping she can stay. They go back and forth, Savvy earning her punishments, and everything is finally falling in to place. Will she find her happiness?
Read and find out 🩷

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot had a lot more potential to me then what was actually delivered. The severe degradation and "punishments" were a little over the top in my opinion. Gabriel seemed to be redeeming himself in Atlanta but then it all started again and it was disappointing. I did like Savvy's character though. She had a rough life and was a product of that. Glad she got her HEA.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so loved Gabriel's and Savvy's story. While Gabriel may have been heavy handed in the beginning, I liked how he was patient and more mellow in the end. Savvy was a strong woman, even though she was a forger and tried her hand at the wrong shop. This is more of a mafia lite read, but still a quick enjoyable read.