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Valentina
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26Surrounded by death... they brought her to life.
Running the local funeral home has taught Valentina Civella three things about the men of the Rossi Mafia Family:
They’re dangerous.
They’re ridiculously attractive.
And she has a rule to never date any of them.
The problem is, she’s having a hard time staying away from Rocco Vitale, the charming, adorably sweet mobster with dimples.
The bigger problem? She can’t seem to resist his boss, Michael Valentino, either—the Family’s head of security and the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.
These made men don’t exactly follow the rules—and they’re determined to make Valentina break hers.
Valentina is a steamy why choose romance about discovering what- and who- you really want, and having the courage to claim it.I
Running the local funeral home has taught Valentina Civella three things about the men of the Rossi Mafia Family:
They’re dangerous.
They’re ridiculously attractive.
And she has a rule to never date any of them.
The problem is, she’s having a hard time staying away from Rocco Vitale, the charming, adorably sweet mobster with dimples.
The bigger problem? She can’t seem to resist his boss, Michael Valentino, either—the Family’s head of security and the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.
These made men don’t exactly follow the rules—and they’re determined to make Valentina break hers.
Valentina is a steamy why choose romance about discovering what- and who- you really want, and having the courage to claim it.I
ebook
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 star review ✨️
Ok hear me out! Is it possible to add more book boyfriends to my list because omg these men smoking hot!!!
Tgis is a why choose Mafia romance And I swear the author knows how to pull you into a story and leave you wanting more.
The writing style is amazing and its a fast paced, full of drama, romance, and oooh yeah spice.
This book kept me saying just one more chapter at 2am and just wanted to keep reading.
I would advise you to read Serafina first as this story is a cross over of characters.
Highly recommend this Mafia why choose loved it.
My views and opinions are my own.
Ok hear me out! Is it possible to add more book boyfriends to my list because omg these men smoking hot!!!
Tgis is a why choose Mafia romance And I swear the author knows how to pull you into a story and leave you wanting more.
The writing style is amazing and its a fast paced, full of drama, romance, and oooh yeah spice.
This book kept me saying just one more chapter at 2am and just wanted to keep reading.
I would advise you to read Serafina first as this story is a cross over of characters.
Highly recommend this Mafia why choose loved it.
My views and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As usual you did amazing with this book. If you haven’t read Serafina yet it’s not required but would be helpful for character reference.
Valentina is a strong woman who knows she does not want to be involved with made men. Too bad they are involved with her as her family runs the funeral home the mafia uses.
Valentina and Michael were pretending they had no interest in each other and it took fun loving Rocco to cause anyone to make any moves.
She was so hesitant to have a relationship yet could not be apart from them. Add in her crappy father and I was so glad to see her embrace her men.
Michael and Rocco’s love and protection shone through in every interaction with her. Although Michael was very much the grumpier protector of the two 😆
The spice is 🔥🔥 and the first scene when they are all together 🥵
You need to read all of Carrie’s books, they are so good and I think this one is my new favorite.
Valentina is a strong woman who knows she does not want to be involved with made men. Too bad they are involved with her as her family runs the funeral home the mafia uses.
Valentina and Michael were pretending they had no interest in each other and it took fun loving Rocco to cause anyone to make any moves.
She was so hesitant to have a relationship yet could not be apart from them. Add in her crappy father and I was so glad to see her embrace her men.
Michael and Rocco’s love and protection shone through in every interaction with her. Although Michael was very much the grumpier protector of the two 😆
The spice is 🔥🔥 and the first scene when they are all together 🥵
You need to read all of Carrie’s books, they are so good and I think this one is my new favorite.
October 11, 2026
This was such an amazing read! But before you dive in, you MUST read Serafina first!
After losing her brother in a mafia-related incident, Valentina returns home to help run the family funeral business, only to feel unwanted and unappreciated by the very people who should love her most. She swears she’ll never date a made man, but Michael and Rocco have other plans!
These two make her feel loved, valued, and wanted in ways her own family never did. Valentina realizes she wants them BOTH, and together, they figure out how to make their relationship work.
An all-or-nothing kind of love, and I absolutely ate it up!
After losing her brother in a mafia-related incident, Valentina returns home to help run the family funeral business, only to feel unwanted and unappreciated by the very people who should love her most. She swears she’ll never date a made man, but Michael and Rocco have other plans!
These two make her feel loved, valued, and wanted in ways her own family never did. Valentina realizes she wants them BOTH, and together, they figure out how to make their relationship work.
An all-or-nothing kind of love, and I absolutely ate it up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ARC REVIEW✨
Who doesn’t love a good Mafia Why Choose??
She runs the funeral home and they are basically body guards for the mafia. This was such a good and quick spicy read!!! This was my second book by Carries and I just love her writing, I will be going and reading her whole catalog asap!!! I strongly recommend reading Serafina first before you start Valentina!!
“Baby, you’ve gotta stop acting shocked every time two men obsessed with you act obsessed with you”
“Yeah, that’s literally been the weirdest part of all of this. Discovering you’re secretly into botany or whatever” 😂😂☠️
This book comes out November 3, 2026!!!!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
𝐌𝐅𝐌
𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐩𝐬
𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 🥵
𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 & ☠️
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 😎
Who doesn’t love a good Mafia Why Choose??
She runs the funeral home and they are basically body guards for the mafia. This was such a good and quick spicy read!!! This was my second book by Carries and I just love her writing, I will be going and reading her whole catalog asap!!! I strongly recommend reading Serafina first before you start Valentina!!
“Baby, you’ve gotta stop acting shocked every time two men obsessed with you act obsessed with you”
“Yeah, that’s literally been the weirdest part of all of this. Discovering you’re secretly into botany or whatever” 😂😂☠️
This book comes out November 3, 2026!!!!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
𝐌𝐅𝐌
𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐩𝐬
𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 🥵
𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 & ☠️
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 😎
October 1, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The spice, the tropes, the humor! 🥵🔥
Valentina is an incredible, dark, and deeply addictive mafia romance.
Carrie Ward did it again! Valentina serves up the ultimate dark mafia reverse harem with a funeral home twist. The protective, possessive alpha energy is off the charts, but the banter kept me laughing out loud. Carrie Ward blends a unique protagonist, an obsessive age-gap MFM dynamic, and that perfect "touch her and die" energy into an addictive read. It is witty, incredibly spicy, and impossible to put down!(Note: Definitely read Serafina first!)
Valentina is an incredible, dark, and deeply addictive mafia romance.
Carrie Ward did it again! Valentina serves up the ultimate dark mafia reverse harem with a funeral home twist. The protective, possessive alpha energy is off the charts, but the banter kept me laughing out loud. Carrie Ward blends a unique protagonist, an obsessive age-gap MFM dynamic, and that perfect "touch her and die" energy into an addictive read. It is witty, incredibly spicy, and impossible to put down!(Note: Definitely read Serafina first!)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Listen… If there’s one thing this book knows how to do, it’s entertain me. 😂 And honestly, my responsibilities should be thanking the author for giving me a reason to procrastinate.
Valentina is a why-choose mafia romance with a strong-willed FMC and two MMCs who are absolutely OBSESSED with her. Like, guys this level of dedication is concerning… please continue. 😂 It’s told from three different POVs, which I think was done really well because we get everyone’s side of the story. And let’s be honest, I’m not complaining about getting inside the heads of these two men. 👀
First, there’s Michael, the strong, dominant MMC who takes his job and the safety of his woman VERY seriously. And by seriously, I mean nobody better even look in her direction wrong. 😂 But underneath all that tough-guy energy, he has a softer side that usually only comes out around Valentina. Who knew the scary mafia man had feelings?!
Then we have Valentina, our strong-willed FMC who absolutely refuses to be kept out of the loop. And honestly, good for her because if two men are going to be this obsessed with me, I’m going to need to know what’s going on, too. 😂 When she loves, she loves HARD, and she definitely holds her own.
And last but certainly not least, we have Rocco, our sweet, kind cinnamon roll. 🥹❤️ He’s in the mafia, but honestly, someone get this man a blanket and a hot chocolate because he sounds like he belongs in a cozy little cottage somewhere. The man is DOWN BAD for Valentina, and I love that for him. 😂
This book has the spice, the drama, and the found family that make it so worth reading. And apparently, it also has the power to make me ignore my entire to-do list. 🤷♀️😂
Five stars because I had a great time, these characters entertained me, and clearly, I have a weakness for fictional men who are a little bit unhinged about their woman. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Valentina is a why-choose mafia romance with a strong-willed FMC and two MMCs who are absolutely OBSESSED with her. Like, guys this level of dedication is concerning… please continue. 😂 It’s told from three different POVs, which I think was done really well because we get everyone’s side of the story. And let’s be honest, I’m not complaining about getting inside the heads of these two men. 👀
First, there’s Michael, the strong, dominant MMC who takes his job and the safety of his woman VERY seriously. And by seriously, I mean nobody better even look in her direction wrong. 😂 But underneath all that tough-guy energy, he has a softer side that usually only comes out around Valentina. Who knew the scary mafia man had feelings?!
Then we have Valentina, our strong-willed FMC who absolutely refuses to be kept out of the loop. And honestly, good for her because if two men are going to be this obsessed with me, I’m going to need to know what’s going on, too. 😂 When she loves, she loves HARD, and she definitely holds her own.
And last but certainly not least, we have Rocco, our sweet, kind cinnamon roll. 🥹❤️ He’s in the mafia, but honestly, someone get this man a blanket and a hot chocolate because he sounds like he belongs in a cozy little cottage somewhere. The man is DOWN BAD for Valentina, and I love that for him. 😂
This book has the spice, the drama, and the found family that make it so worth reading. And apparently, it also has the power to make me ignore my entire to-do list. 🤷♀️😂
Five stars because I had a great time, these characters entertained me, and clearly, I have a weakness for fictional men who are a little bit unhinged about their woman. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Valentina runs her family buisness, the funeral home however its always from the shadows, she is overlooked and never appreciated, all on par for being part of the mafia. Growing up in this life Valentina has one rule for herself, she will never date a made man.
What our fiery strong willed FMC doesn't know is that she has caught the eye of 2, they see her and are intrigued.
Rocco is the new guy in town, he is all dimples and charm, then their is his boss the head of security michael who is darker, older and has always noticed Valentina.
She gets caught up in the passion and excitement of it all, when she cant decide who her heart wants and tries to end it they have one very intriguing proposition... why choose... and i couldn't agree more why choose, damn 🥵.
Their chemistry and connections run deep, I loved the very different relationships and personalities, however im always here for the older grump 🤣.
What our fiery strong willed FMC doesn't know is that she has caught the eye of 2, they see her and are intrigued.
Rocco is the new guy in town, he is all dimples and charm, then their is his boss the head of security michael who is darker, older and has always noticed Valentina.
She gets caught up in the passion and excitement of it all, when she cant decide who her heart wants and tries to end it they have one very intriguing proposition... why choose... and i couldn't agree more why choose, damn 🥵.
Their chemistry and connections run deep, I loved the very different relationships and personalities, however im always here for the older grump 🤣.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(ARC REVIEW)
When I picked up this book for an arc review I hadn’t read the part where it started it was a why choose, and normally I wouldn’t tend to go for books with MFM romances however this book was well written. I liked how the romanxe between the characters was explained and each of the perspectives given. They didn’t jump into the relationship and have everything work out rather the author showcases there struggle and development of the relationship. I will say it is quite fast paced and there isn’t plot aside for the love story. For some that maybe what they prefer, personally I’m more fond of a plot based book. Overall, I think the story is well written and the romance is approached well however I don’t think it’s a book that’s I’d deem exceptional or a fav read. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good read, the smut is pretty good but aside from that there isn’t much else going on which makes the book feel lacklustre for me.
When I picked up this book for an arc review I hadn’t read the part where it started it was a why choose, and normally I wouldn’t tend to go for books with MFM romances however this book was well written. I liked how the romanxe between the characters was explained and each of the perspectives given. They didn’t jump into the relationship and have everything work out rather the author showcases there struggle and development of the relationship. I will say it is quite fast paced and there isn’t plot aside for the love story. For some that maybe what they prefer, personally I’m more fond of a plot based book. Overall, I think the story is well written and the romance is approached well however I don’t think it’s a book that’s I’d deem exceptional or a fav read. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good read, the smut is pretty good but aside from that there isn’t much else going on which makes the book feel lacklustre for me.
October 1, 2026
Review of ARC I received
I absolutely loved Valentina! Following up on Serafina, Carrie Ward delivers another fantastic mafia romance. It's a why-choose story featuring two guys supporting a heroine on the outskirts of the family, and the found family dynamics are so good!
While I enjoy a purely smut-driven why-choose as much as the next person, I really loved that this book took a different approach. It prioritised actual plot and character growth, telling a real story about the characters, their struggles, and how they overcome everything together, rather than just jumping from one scene to the next.
Carrie’s writing style is phenomenal, effortless and comfortable to read without ever feeling dumbed down. Plus, the cover art is gorgeous! I genuinely hope we get a book for the other friend next. Add this to your TBR immediately - you won't regret it!
I absolutely loved Valentina! Following up on Serafina, Carrie Ward delivers another fantastic mafia romance. It's a why-choose story featuring two guys supporting a heroine on the outskirts of the family, and the found family dynamics are so good!
While I enjoy a purely smut-driven why-choose as much as the next person, I really loved that this book took a different approach. It prioritised actual plot and character growth, telling a real story about the characters, their struggles, and how they overcome everything together, rather than just jumping from one scene to the next.
Carrie’s writing style is phenomenal, effortless and comfortable to read without ever feeling dumbed down. Plus, the cover art is gorgeous! I genuinely hope we get a book for the other friend next. Add this to your TBR immediately - you won't regret it!
Review of advance copy
Valentina Civella basically runs her father's funeral home after her brother was killed while collecting a body for the local mafia. Even though she has known members of the Family, she had decided that made men are not for her.
That is until she becomes entangled with Michael Valentino, the head of security and Rocco Vitale, the personal bodyguard to the Don's daughter-in-law, Serafina.
Try as she might Valentina can't fight her feelings for both men. Michael likes to be in control and after having spent the last few years having to be in charge of everything at her father's business, it's nice to just let go. Rocco gives her a softer, gentler love and the 2 combined are everything she's been looking for.
I'm starting to really love Carrie Ward's why choose books! They have everything I like, plenty of spice, a splash of danger, found family and a HEA without huge amounts of angst.
That is until she becomes entangled with Michael Valentino, the head of security and Rocco Vitale, the personal bodyguard to the Don's daughter-in-law, Serafina.
Try as she might Valentina can't fight her feelings for both men. Michael likes to be in control and after having spent the last few years having to be in charge of everything at her father's business, it's nice to just let go. Rocco gives her a softer, gentler love and the 2 combined are everything she's been looking for.
I'm starting to really love Carrie Ward's why choose books! They have everything I like, plenty of spice, a splash of danger, found family and a HEA without huge amounts of angst.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely devoured this book. The tension between Valentina, Michael and Rocco was absolute perfection. What I enjoyed immensely, was the fact that it felt like a continuance of Serafina. So even though you are getting a new story with characters you met in Serafina, you still get tidbits of what's going on with her and her men too.
Valentina was fantastic, it expressed her fears but her wants and desires too. To be born into the life she was, she worked hard to distance herself as best as she could, but love caught her in the end.
I do love me a good age gap, but make it why choose and I'm freaking SOLD.
Valentina was fantastic, it expressed her fears but her wants and desires too. To be born into the life she was, she worked hard to distance herself as best as she could, but love caught her in the end.
I do love me a good age gap, but make it why choose and I'm freaking SOLD.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed how much tension there was from the very beginning between Valentina and Michael and then of course Rocco too. I really liked that it was all set in the same world as Serafina and we already had some idea of their work and backgrounds and a little bit of their characters.
Michael and Rocco both have so much charm in completely different ways. I loved the protectiveness of both Michael and Rocco with Valentina even when she was pushing them away. Valentinas character growth and realising her true worth as the story unfolded was just so good to read. Who doesn't love a queen finally seeing the amazing things she can have and achieve with the right support behind her.
Michael and Rocco both have so much charm in completely different ways. I loved the protectiveness of both Michael and Rocco with Valentina even when she was pushing them away. Valentinas character growth and realising her true worth as the story unfolded was just so good to read. Who doesn't love a queen finally seeing the amazing things she can have and achieve with the right support behind her.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Valentina gave up everything to help run her families funeral home after ger brothers death. But Michael and Rocco (yes both) totally obsessed with her, won't let her give up everything she loves. Between Mafia dangers and their growth throughout the book, you are completely consumed. The authors writing makes you want to know what happens next. I love how all the characters fall together so well and the found family. If you love Mafia books and why choose, I definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the author.
This was my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be reading the rest of her work.
Loved the writing style, drama, romance, and the SPICE!
This was my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be reading the rest of her work.
Loved the writing style, drama, romance, and the SPICE!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 star review coming soon!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews