Reaper's Wrath: A Mafia Captive Romance Tribute to The Princess Bride

by Jill Ramsower

I thought he was dead … until he kidnapped me from my wedding..

Isa
They look identical in every way.
I had no way of knowing it wasn't my childhood friend who came to warn me.

It was his twin brother—a man we all thought was dead.

Instead of walking down the aisle at my arranged wedding,
I ran willingly into the hands of my family's greatest enemy.

He spent years building a ruthless criminal empire, keeping his identity a secret.
The boy I knew as Elio is now the vicious monster known as the Reaper.

And he hasn’t come to save me.
He’s come for revenge.

Now, I’m trapped with a dangerous stranger wearing a familiar face.

I should fear him.
Hate him.
Do anything to escape him.

Instead, I’m falling for the monster who stole me.

Because I can still see the boy I knew beneath his hardened exterior.
And now, I’m starting to wonder if I ever want him to let me go.


A tribute to the 1987 film The Princess Bride, Reaper’s Wrath is a mafia captive adventure romance by Amazon Top 35 Bestselling author Jill Ramsower.


What to expect in Reaper’s Wrath:
- Second chance
- Amnesia
- Kidnapped/Forced Proximity
- Tragic past
- Touch her and die
- Has an HEA
- Can be read as a standalone
- Dual POV
- Content warnings— Loss of loved one, infertility and pregnancy issues, reference to child SA/trafficking

Note from the For those of you who are new to me, I write what I'd call "mafia lite." My heroes are hardened criminals with soft spots for their heroines. There may be violence and cruelty in my books, but never between the main characters. Enjoy!

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance, Second Chance, Audiobook, Kidnapping, Second Chance Romance

456 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2026

About the author

Jill is a Texan, born and raised. She manages the hectic social calendars for her three active children and occasionally spends an evening with her dashing husband. Aside from being an author and a mom, she's a travel junkie and loves to read when she is not lost in her own stories.

With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.

Find her on Facebook here-->https://www.facebook.com/jillramsower...
Never miss a release! Sign up for her newsletter here-->https://jillramsower_234b.gr8.com/
Check out her website here-->https://www.jillramsower.com/

Reviews

[AvidReader · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This was so good that I finished it in a day!

4.5🌟

Mysterious and dangerous, we have heard of The Reaper since book 1 and finally it’s his turn for HEA.

I enjoyed the way the story unravelled. It had suspense, unpredictable characters, friendship, an underlying sombre tone and deep unforgettable love.
Both Elio and Isa were amazing. They deserve the second chance they got.
Elio was the my kinda hero- obsessed, protective and a little unhinged. Isa was his opposite in everything but somehow they fit.

I was really surprised by The Reaper’s identity- that was a pleasant twist and done well. Especially the backstory and how The Reaper was born out of trauma and necessity.

Safety: there’s years of separation and it’s unclear if H was celibate or not. But I think he was. Heroine was celibate.

TW has minor spoilers so I’d recommend going in blind. This could be read as standalone but highly recommend reading it in order for maximum enjoyment and to understand the secondary characters better.


-Second chance.
-Older protagonists.
-Morally grey hero.
-KU, TW and recommended.

I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rebecca Merlene · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

2.5. Rated R. Mafia Romance

It was just ok. I was disappointed. It got good reviews overall. 🤔
It started out good. The more I read the stars started dropping. By 50% I was having eye rolls. 🙄
At best…it was just average……for me….

It went back and forth between present day and 17-20 years ago. Too much…IMO. Somewhat boring.

Ok I’m done with this book, and the “review”.

[Melanie Dubois · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

OMG im obsessed with El!!! He was such a badass Mafia man(Our reaper😍) while also having the softest heart😭 he felt so betrayed and broken, and it tore up my soul!

I didnt expect to be so hooked, but I was from page 1! I didn't want to put the book down at all, Isa was such a sweet soul and her having Amnesia tore me up!

I was genuinely addicted to each word, like I wanted her to remember so bad and also felt for Elio when he started to question if he made it up!

Omg it was SO good.

Evie was such a great friend, I was living for the banter between Michael and Elio.

I lowkey wish Maz got a worse ending then he did, I hate that man🤣😭

ISA'S DAD! omgg my heart, he is so precious🖤

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5🌟 | 3🌶️

I started this wanting to uncover the mystery behind The Reaper and ended up finishing the whole book in a day!

The suspense, unexpected twists, and complicated history between the main characters kept me hooked, but the second chance romance was what really got me invested. After so many years apart, Elio and Isa had a lot of lost time to make up for.

Elio is absolutely my kind of hero: obsessive, possessive, fiercely protective, and just a little unhinged when it comes to his woman. Learning about his past gave me a better understanding of the man behind his dangerous reputation. Isa was a lovely counterpart to him, with a gentle nature and quiet strength that stood out despite everything she’d endured. Their connection felt special, and watching them find their way back to each other was so satisfying.

The reveal behind The Reaper was genuinely surprising, and I especially enjoyed discovering how his past shaped him. Alongside the mafia intrigue, there’s a lovely thread of family, friendship, and finding your way back to the people you’ve lost.

I was invested in both the mystery and the romance, and seeing Elio and Isa finally get their chance at happiness made this such an enjoyable read.

~~~~

A sincere thank you to Jill Ramsower and Valentine PR for the ARC! 🥰📚

I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨

[Travelogged Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read! Elio & Isa's childhood connection, their past and all the secrets made the story much more interesting! There was emotional depth and mystery, and the chemistry between them was intense. Some twists were really unpredictable. So overall, this was an engaging read for me, and I finished it in one sitting! If you love second chance romance with angst, then I recommend reading this book!

I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review

[Buffy・❥・ · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This book was very good. The trauma was dark b/t the FMC and MMC but tbh that made the story beautiful. There was a deep passion b/t them that was buried that they then got to reignite together. The fact that the FMC was older (37) I thought was an interesting twist to the usual FMCs in these dark mafia romances
The spicy scenes were alright, I do wish there was more context but it is what it is overall I enjoyed it

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book so much. I 10/10 recommend reading this book.

TROPES ✨
🤔 Amnesia
✌🏻 Second Chance
☠️ Touch Her and Die
⛓️‍💥 Kidnapped
😤 Jealous / Possessive
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Eva · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

What a finale!

I’d been waiting for Elio’s book since meeting the Reaper…without knowing who he was. The hidden identity reveal was so good.

This book had a bit of everything, angst, second chance, jealousy, and a very hooking plot that wrapped up the mafia connections and problems from past book.

Elio was complicated. His past was terrible and he thought he was betrayed by those he loved most, but he had to fight for the truth and I’m happy he had not only his girl, but also his family waiting on the other side.

Isa? She was a fighter. After all the pain she went through, she was never bitter. She was always true to herself and loyal to a fault. Her friendship with the girls was so sweet. And how her romance with Elio bloomed again even in those circumstances, just went to show how much they meant to each other.

Jill, thank you so much for the arc!

[Katie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the final chapter of Hunters Keep I was itching to get my hands on Reapers Wrath because Jill decided to drop the largest cliffhanger in which a Isa goes missing on her wedding day and a person who was presumed gone through Hunters Keep makes it known they are very alive.

Jill does give a brief update of what has happened throughout the series so that was a nice refresher. This book follows Elio and Isa and these two knew each other as kids, these two basically grew up together and eventually fell for one another only this love story was short lived after Elio was taken and never to be seen again. We get an insight of what has happened to Elio throughout the years and how the reaper came to be. Let’s just say the years were not kind to him that’s for sure, and on top of this he harbours a deep feeling of abandonment towards his family that they never came looking or tried to get him back. But of course Elio isn’t aware of all the facts, and that this isn’t even close to the truth. If you have read DiAngelos book you will understand the pain he carries in regards to losing his twin.

Now Isa, oh sweet Isa, she is a gentle soul and in Hunters Keep she decides to put herself forward for an arranged marriage as the family needs an alliance. Other than her bestfriend Terina, Isa’s father is her support system. After losing her mother, brother and also Elio he was her strength. Now her father tries to talk her out of it but she is insistent.

Call it wedding jitters or stress but Isa starts to have weird dreams about a man who looks like DiAngelo and she also has strange encounters with him. But the man she encounters is not DiAngelo, it is Elio. This man has been obsessed with Isa since they were young and despite them being separated that love didn’t fade. For the first time in years he is back on his home soil and of course he checks in, only to find out that she is intended to marry another. Elio is at war with his mind and he does the only logical thing he can think of, he steals the bride. Well she walks out because he in facts masquerades as DiAngelo.

Now while Isa remembers who Elio is, she has no recollection of their history and this is due to amnesia that she didn’t even realised she had. When her brother passed due to a car accident she was also in the car with him and the impact caused her to lose a portion of her memories. Throughout this book Elio is desperate to remind Isa of what they shared and even though she couldn’t remember it was very clear that beneath the surface the memories and that love was ever so present.

My heart absolutely breaks for this couple as they lost so much time together. The one fact that I adore is that they were each others only’s (even if Isa wasn’t aware of the fact). The reconnection and the love blossoming once again is an ever so beautiful thing.

What ever was left of my shattered heart splintered even further for Elio as he had so much feelings for work through in regards to his own family. While he may have been apart from him he also built a family of his own through Kai, Tessa and even Michael and Eva.

Overall I absolutely loved this book, I would have to say it would be my favourite of the series. This couple were each others missing puzzle pieces and while they can’t repeat the past they look forward to the future and cherish every moment they have together.

Thank you so much to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

[S .Kh.Aziz · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 2.5⭐ (2.5/5)

💭 Thoughts:
First of all, I LOVE this author’s writing style. Her writing flows like water. It’s so easy to read, smooth, and effortless. I genuinely enjoy her books because she always makes them feel light and easy to get through.

Even though her books have mafia and dark romance elements, they’re never too heavy or intense. Everything feels pretty light, even the spice.

I was actually looking forward to Elio and Isa’s story ever since I read The Hunter’s Keep. THAT ENDING DESTROYED ME. OH MY GOD. It was the first time I’d seen this author end a book on such an open note, and I desperately wanted to know what would happen next.

So when this book finally came out, I was really excited to read it. And honestly, it was a nice, light read. I enjoyed the main characters and their story, even if it wasn’t anything particularly unforgettable.

Overall, I liked it, and I’m glad I finally got to read Elio and Isa’s story.

📌 Tropes:
✦ Mafia Romance
✦ FMC Kidnapping
✦ Amnesia
✦ Childhood Friends to Lovers
✦ Second Chance Romance

[Jennifer Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The Princess Bride. I grew up watching it then reading it. I fell in love with Westley, cheered for Inigo, and laughed with Miracle Max. Of course I’m going to jump at the chance to read a The Princess Bride coded mafia love story. Ramsower blends The Princess Bride into the mafia beautifully. There is a mixture of overt, in your face, this is The Princess Bride moments in Reaper’s Wrath that I loved. There are also quiet odes to The Princess Bride that are subtle and could be missed if you’re not paying attention. I did enjoy Ramsower’s take on, “I shall never love again” even though I thought, “Really?” at the beginning.

Elio and Isa are an interesting take on Westley and Buttercup. Elio is much harder and scarred, inside and out. And Isa is too. We don’t get a Buttercup that is a shrinking violet. She’s been through stuff and has had to deal with it. But then you add in all the extras… Kai, Tessa, Michael, Evie… a found family. And something I didn’t know I wanted until I read it… all the MCs were over the age of 28. Every one of them was a grown ass adult. I didn’t know I wanted that in characters until I did the math and realized I was dealing with full-fledged adults.

I liked that Ramsower gives us a dual timeline, so we can see what happened with Elio. I would’ve liked some insight into what Isa was doing at the same time, but I also understood Elio’s transformation was more important.

This has one of my favorite micro-tropes… drugging to tattoo to claim. I don’t know why I LOVED him drugging her to tattoo his knife at the back of her neck. I don’t know why I love this micro-trope. I’ve loved it since S.J. Tilly’s DOM. I know for a fact if I woke up to find someone tattooed me without my consent, I’d cut the tattoo off. I’d call the cops, slash some tires… something violent. So, I have zero clue why I find this so damned attractive on the page.

I read and listened to this book and really enjoyed James Cassidy and Michelle Barr. They did such a good job bringing these characters to life. I have to admit that when I started reading this book, Cassidy’s voice popped in my mind, so when I started listening, I was absolutely ecstatic. Michelle Barr does a great job with Isa. This is the first book I’ve listened with her narration, and I was not disappointed!

I’d absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes mafia romance (though I’d call this one mafia light because they’re there, but not the main point) and loves The Princess Bride.

[GinasDarkBookshelf · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 stars | Immersive Read - ARC & ALC

This is book 4 in The Moretti Men series by Jill Ramsower. It’s designed as interconnected standalones and I went in without having read the first 3 and had no trouble following along.

First off, the cast is FANTASTIC. And getting this in duet narration? So good. James Cassidy absolutely kills it with distinct voices for every character.

The hook had me instantly: Our FMC Isa is dreaming about her best friend’s man... or is it his twin brother who is supposed to be dead? From page one I had questions, and every answer just gave me more questions. I could not stop turning pages / listening.

Elio is our MMC who is supposed to be dead and has been living as his alter ego, The Reaper, the ghost identity that both the Italian and Russian mafia have been desperate to unmask. We get his story in two timelines, present day and his past, which made his whole journey hit so much harder.

Check your trigger warnings before diving in, this one touches on some pretty heavy topics. But for how heavy it gets at times, it’s also such a sweet story at its core about family, both blood and found, and second chances. The way Elio loved Isa before, during, and after their time apart? Fairytale devotion.

Favorite quote: “the next time you look at me like that, I won’t stop until I’m c*ming inside you”

Immersive, twisty, dark mafia romance with heart. I need to go back and read the rest of the Moretti men now

Thank you Hambright PR & Jill Ransower for the opportunity to read this e-ARC and listen to this ALC.

[Honeybadgerreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
🌶️🌶️
Dual POV
Book 4- interconnected standalone
ALC 🎧
Duet Narration
Narrators: James Cassidy & Melissa Barr

Reaper’s Wrath is a dark mafia romance inspired by The Princess Bride, which makes for such an interesting twist on a classic love story!

Elio (MMC) is a dangerous man known as the Reaper, and after nearly twenty years away, he’s returned to reclaim the woman he never stopped loving. But their past is complicated. With secrets, betrayal, and danger lurking around every corner, their second chance at love is anything but simple.

I had a really good time with this audiobook! The action, suspense, and mystery kept me interested! I especially enjoyed Elio’s character and his heartbreaking backstory.

My biggest struggle was honestly how so much drama was packed into the story. At times, it felt a little like watching Days of Our Lives because just when you thought things couldn’t get any more complicated, something else would happen! While I enjoy a good twist and plenty of suspense, there were parts where it felt like a little too much was going on.

That being said, I still found the story entertaining and wanted to see how everything would unfold!

The narrators, James Cassidy and Melissa Barr, were fantastic! James brought the perfect amount of darkness and intensity to Elio, while Melissa did a wonderful job portraying Isa. Their performances complimented each other beautifully and the duet narration made the listening experience even more enjoyable!

Overall, Reaper’s Wrath was an entertaining listen! If you love morally grey men, second chances, possessive MMC, and mafia romances with plenty of twists the this one might be right up your reading alley!

Tropes + atmosphere:
Mafia romance
Characters in their 30’s
Childhood connection
Amnesia
Second chance
Slow burn
Obsessive MMC
Touch her and 💀
Hidden identity
Found family

Thank you to Hambright PR for the complimentary ALC 🎧

[Jeong Sieun Alexandrine · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

ARC& ALC review thanks to the SmuthoodPR team and the author ☆

I am discovering Isa & Elio as a standalone as I haven't read the books that precede it in this connected series ; while I agree that it can be read as a standalone.... now I want to know everybody's business and understand why some of the characters are acting the way they are 👀

Elio is definitely morally dark grey and being an identical twin was an interesting plot point. Man has been yearning for his Isa since his youth and as we all know ; A man who yearns is a man who earns.

The choice of narrators was impeccable and truly fit how I imagined both main characters to sound 👏 Astonishing work !

I was on the edge of my seat , refusing to sleep until I knew Isa and Elio both got the HEA they deserved 😤 🙌

The only little downside that made me not rate it 5☆ is that, I think, the least 5ish chapter unravels a bit too easily for such an awaited happy ending.

Truly a good mafia romance book with main characters that are not in the beginning of their adulthood !

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Elio and Isa absolutely broke my heart. These two have endured so much pain and loss, and their pasts are heartbreaking in completely different ways. Isa’s trauma after the devastating car wreck and the loss of her child had me hurting for her, while Elio’s kidnapping at just 17 years old showed how cruelly his life was stolen from him. The fact that he was able to find his family again after everything he survived was emotional enough, but watching him and D rebuild their bond as twins made it even more special. Beneath the darkness, violence, and heartbreak, this story is about survival, family, healing, and finding love when life has given you every reason to stop believing in it. Elio and Isa deserved so much happiness after everything they went through, and I was rooting for them every step of the way. 🖤😭

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely excellent! Elio delivers everything I wanted, everything I needed, and more that I didn’t realize I was waiting to find out, while Isa brings the sugar and sprinkles with the cherry on top. I mean, they both made me so sad at times, mainly because of the cruel twists of manipulative men that kept them apart for so long, as well as the worry that one or both of them was imagining things, but I can confirm that every second of angst is well worth it in the end.

Add in some much-loved references and lines that never get old, as well as the truth of how all came to be as it is now, and I was hooked from the very start. I do wonder about a certain gentle giant and how he’ll pop up again, but I think I can be patient enough to wait to see what comes next.

[Romance_book_obsessed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for this ARC 🫶🏻

Isa is entering a marriage for an alliance. She’s had a life of tragedy and doesn’t have interest in romance. When a man she thought was dead captures her and takes her onto his boat, she’s oddly attracted to him!

Elio and Isa were in love 20 years ago, but there was an incident capturing Elio. He is ready to take his love back before she’s married off, but she doesn’t remember their romance! She knows he is her friend’s twin and feels attraction, but has no memory of them before!

As there are mysteries and secrets to uncover, Elio is hoping her memories return! Their HEA is well deserved!

Spoilers for trigger warnings!
Pregnancy loss
Infertility
Trafficking

[Dara Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review: Thank you to Jill Ramsower and The Smuthood for sending me an advanced copy of Reaper’s Wrath to listen to and review.

This was my first Jill Ramsower book, and it won’t be my last! I loved picking up on all of the Princess Bride parallels. This book felt a lot like a contemporary swashbuckling adventure.

I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance. Add in the fact that she has partial amnesia and only remembers their friendship rather than their romantic relationship and I’m sold! The author wove bits and pieces of Elio and Isa’s history into the story that showed the sweetest side of Elio.

The audiobook was narrated in duet by Melissa Barr and James Cassidy. This was my first time hearing Melissa Baer’s narration. She was so good as Isa! I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more books that feature her as a narrator. James Cassidy is always a treat to listen to. He is a master of accents. This book features Greek, Italian, and Russian accents. He nailed them all!

[Stormie Valdivia · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I entered the series without reading the previous four books so I didn’t know what to expect, but I was happy to not feel like I was missing out on anything. There was a little bit of suspense to go with the second chance romance and it left me enjoying this read.

The duet narration with James Cassidy and Melissa Barr added extra depth and helped really bring the story to life!

Thank you Jill Ramsower and The Smuthood for the ALC/ARC. 💙

[Brooke Chambers · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Thank you HambrightPR and Jill Ramsower for the ARC!
This was sooooo good!
The little bits of princess bride bleeding through this mafia story worked so well.
Like modern day pirates!
Elio and Isa were perfect!
I don’t want to give any spoilers but let’s just say I was very satisfied with how the open plots were closed up neatly!
🌶️🌶️
❤️❤️❤️

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a read! I would consider this a dark emotional read as kidnapping and human trafficking are at play here. My heart went out to Elio and all he endured after he was taken. Lord, very heartbreaking. I would consider this a very slow slow burn, but given the storyline, it made total sense. This was a dark, second chance romance that I'd certainly recommend. It was great that El and Isa could find their way back to one another!

[Casey Severin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this dark romance. I don’t usually love an amnesia trope but this was done really well. It made me want to read more in this interconnected series! I loved this MMC, he’s definitely up there as one of my favorites of all time. I highly recommend if you like mafia and slightly dark romance.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isa and Elio’s story was a complete surprise. Their chemistry was insane and once a twist was unearthed it made so much sense and further heightened their connection. And the spice, it was such a long burn, yet so damn hawt.

I loved the twists and surprises. It was a perfect ending to a great series.

Thank you Jill and Valentine PR for an advanced copy.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

PSA: I am not great at articulating my thoughts. This is just my opinion. Love what you love!

Actual Rating: 6 Stars

This book! Of all the Ramsower books, this is my favourite. There is so much that I just eat up in genres like this, all of it in this one. We have a long lost love, twins and swapping places, kidnapping, amnesia...chefs kiss. It was all done in a way that was just so captivating and Elio is probably the first guy in a book I literally squealed and kicked my feet after reading about him in the previous book. I was SO excited that my theories of him being the Reaper came true. The way this man yearns for his girl, how bad ass he is and it is backed up. I adore this book and ever mafia book needs to live up to this one now.

Previous Reviews:
Devil's Thirst - 5 Stars
Death's Favour - 4 Stars
Mistletoe Masquerade - 5 Stars
Hunter's Keep - 5 Stars

~*~*~*~Character Reviews~*~*~*~

The FMC:
Isa Costa - 6 Stars
What a great FMC. Not only was Isa older than a lot of them in books like this, but she had a great history from her mother and brothers deaths, her relationship with her father, her interest in the rescue organization, her gardening and her amnesia. It all really made her a well rounded character. She didn't even make crazy choices or jump into things, she didn't just lustfully throw herself at someone. She was a girls girl and had a tragic back story that really made my heart go out to her. I think Isa felt like the most realistic female character in these books. It was just nice to see an older, rational and smart woman in one of these books.

The MMC:
Elio Farina - 6 Stars
I really didn't think that someone could best Nico but here we are. I think Elio has been the embodiment of the perfect mafia MC that I have read. He was tough, sexy, capable and he didn't just think with his dick. That he was something of a romantic, his whole life, thinking about and loving Isa was just so perfect. He was bad ass and we actually got to SEE him being a bad ass, not just people bolstering him up. On top of all the Reaper gossip from previous books, we can see Elio taking out a lot of bad guys - from Mazzi, Stravos and and Ruben. Not to mention he holds his crew to high standards and is forceful but understanding. I love to see his growth as well, from a teenager who wet himself to the bad ass who doesn't flinch. What is more, he waited for Isa to remember him before being intimate and held off for her benefit. I love this man. Not even mad about the tattoo thing either!

The Antagonist(s):
Mazzi Antonelli, Stavros, Vadik Ruban

The Supporting Cast:
I am not going to touch on any of the characters that already had their own books/novellas since they can be experienced in their own stories. I did love to see more of Michael/Evie though since I really did enjoy their story in Guilty Stars. The new characters I really did like include Kairos, Tessa, Fedele and Wolf. If if could get books on any of them, even a novella I would be super excited. Fingers crossed before they all piqued my interest.

~*~*~*~The Little Details~*~*~*~

The Plot:
When the Reaper, Elio Farina, discovers that his long, lost love is getting married, he decides it is time to come out of hiding. Isa has taken on an arranged marriage to help two of the Five Families in New York. When her best friends husband starts to give her weird vibes, she never thinks that it was actually his identical twin everyone thought was dead. Running off with him on the day of the wedding, Isa has no memories of them as teenagers, brought on amnesia from a car accident. As Elio starts to navigate his dangerous world and go after human traffickers, their worlds further collide until Isa finally remembers.

I didn't do this summary justice. It was just so perfect, all the tropes in this one, spun together in such a perfect way. I love the whole missing twin thought dead idea. Elio switching places with his brother to trick Isa from time to time. The mistaken identity. The kidnapping on the wedding day. Amnesia. Betrayals....the pregnancy. The way Ramsower was able to write them out in one book and not make it seem over the top was just so good. I ate it all up.

The Spice:
The spice in this book was top tier. One of my biggest pet peeves in mafia books is the insta-love/lust that happens in the books. When you have men who live in the mafia world, I just can't see them all acting in the way some authors/stories portray them. Generally, Ramsower is good with managing this but sometimes it still happens. I kind of accept it after awhile, but when you have gems like this book it just hits soo much better. I love there is a history between the characters. They were in love as teenagers. They were together as teenagers. This lays important ground work and explains how/why the tension works. The idea that Elio was a respectable king sent me. He didn't want to be intimate with Isa until she remembered him and he STUCK TO IT. It wasn't just about sex for him, he respected her and he held off for her benefit. The spice was passionate and sexy and while it was explicit it definitely felt more romantic and sweet considering the genre. I give this 3/5 peppers.

Emotional Damage:
Listen, I cried in this one. There were a couple moments that really got to me and hit in the feels. This is why it is important to have actual deep and fleshed out characters. Both of the MCs had some rich history that shaped who they were and it was very clear. When Isa got into the second car accident towards the end of the book, it triggered her memory. Everything she forgot came rushing back and the realization that she was pregnant when the accident happened, hit me hard. It was just such a great twist and a gut punch at the same time. What was more, all of the interaction with Elio/DiAngelo, their parents and Elio learning his parents never stopped looking was really well done.

Reading Experience, Book Length & Pacing:
I had a great reading experience with this book. Even if personal life stuff made it take longer to read than usual, the content was great. I was so invested in the story and how everything would play out. The pacing was good too. A lot of new characters introduced who were interesting and some world building that I hope is fleshed out in future books. The book was a bit longer than usual though at almost 500 pages. I didn't mind since I really did enjoy this story.

~*~*~*~Questions to Consider~*~*~*~

Would I Buy the Book?
Yes. This one for sure I can see myself getting. This is my first six star mafia romance book.

Would I Re-Read the Book?
Yes. I think this one in tangent with Hunter's Keep would be great re-reads.

Will I Continue the Series?
Yes! Ramsower is my favourite mafia romance author and love anything she puts out.

“Baby girl, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. No lines I won’t cross. No mountain I won’t climb. Being with you is the only thing that matters.”

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an angsty must read!

The love on the pages between Elio and Isa is so beautiful and such an emotional adventure!

Elio and Isa’s story is one of secret love, hidden desires, and finding the truth in order to set things right!

I don’t like to give spoilers and I feel the more I say the more I will reveal. What I will say is that there is a lot for these two to overcome but the love that Elio holds for Isa is what drives him. Even in his anger he knows the woman he loves is still there! He doesn’t stop showing her who he is, what they once were and finding a way to have the forever they should’ve always had!

I love that this is a Princess Bride retelling because I have never seen one and the Princess Bride is my fave movie and one of my top books! This is such a good retelling but stands on its own!

This has got to be one of my top Mafia series with this book in particular at the very top! Jill is a go to must read author for me and if you haven’t read her yet then you must start!

[Christina Loshikian · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review: Reaper’s Wrath
 
Reaper’s Wrath
By: Jill Ramsower
Part of The Moretti Men Series {Book 4}
 
5⭐️4🌶️
 
❥ amnesia
🌼second chance
❥ touch her and die
🌼kidnapped
❥ jealous/possessive
🌼slow burn
❥ dark mafia romance
🌼childhood sweethearts
❥ hidden identity
 
My girl Jill Ramsower has done it AGAIN with Reaper’s Wrath, I could NOT put this book down. I was hooked from the first page alllllllll the way to the very end! First things first I knew I was going to LOVE Elio’s story, when you found out in Hunter’s Keep {book 3} that DiAngelo’s twin brother Elio was kidnapped and killed I knew he was so not dead and was going to be the next and final book in this amazing series and I knew I was going to love every page of his book and it did NOT disappoint! And when we were left with that heart stopping cliff hanger at the end of Hunter’s Keep when we are given a glimpse of Elio had me on the edge of my seat waiting for Reaper’s Wrath. We hit the ground running on page one, chapter one my girl Isa is dreaming about her best friend’s boyfriend DiAngelo. Isa is a fighter and has a heart of gold, she truly cares about the people she loves and would give you the shirt off her back. She is set for an arranged marriage to Mazzi Antonelli who let’s face it is a boob, Isa’s dad agreed to the marriage alliance but you can tell within the first few pages he is regretting it, why because Mazzi is a boob. Elio finds out that Isa is marrying Mazzi and he is not going to let that happen, why you ask well it’s because they were childhood sweethearts, they were once in love and you guessed it, he is still just as in love with her as he was 20 years before.

Now the problem is that everyone in Elio’s past believes that he is dead, he was kidnapped at 17 years old and his twin brother DiAngelo spent months looking for him. Elio isn’t the same person he once was before he was kidnapped, instead he is the infamous ghost, the Reaper that no one knows anything about but fears. When Elio shows up at Isa’s wedding and pretends to be DiAngelo who is her childhood friend to stop the wedding, she believes him and why would she not because he is her childhood best friend. She trusts him, she doesn’t question anything and why should she. The only issue is that Isa has no memory of Elio, she doesn’t remember much since her accident which is heart breaking. Elio does reveal himself to her as to who he really is and the more time, they spend together Isa feels safe with him and when her memories return….it’s bittersweet.
 
Reaper’s Wrath was such an emotional rollercoaster ride but in the best way, you felt all the feels and your heart broke and got put back together. This was a bit of a slow burn which I am not a fan of BUTTTTTTT it was done so well I ate it up and could not get enough. There were on the edge of your seat moments that stopped my heart at times, there was angst, there were twist, there were turns and so much healing. Such a great ending to not only a great book but an amazing series and I cannot wait for the next adventure that Jill Ramsower will take us on. Reaper’s Wrath should be at the TOP of your TBR, I promise you will NOT be disappointed. ✨Please check your trigger warnings✨ Thank you to author Jill Ramsower and Hambright PR for this opportunity to read this eARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#HPRReapersWrath #JillRamsower #HambrightPR

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
2.5🌶️
💙Dark Mafia
🌼Morally Grey MMC
💙Tragic Past
🌼Amnesia
💙Second Chance
🌼Jealous/Possessive
💙Touch Her & ☠️
🌼Kidnapped
💙Redemption
🌼Slow Burn
💙Dual First Person POV

This is Jill’s love letter to Princess Bride, with fun references throughout. After the shocking ending to Hunter’s Keep we finally get answers about Ellio. Everyone thought he had died when he was tragically kidnapped 20 years ago. Except he survived, only to be held captive and manipulated into thinking his family didn’t want him anymore. The flashbacks were interwoven into the story showing us how he became the man he is today, the Reaper. No one knew that he and Isa were in love and in a secret relationship for a year.

He’s found himself back in the city and he hears Isa is going to marry for an alliance. He can’t let that happen, so he kidnaps her from the wedding. Isa is shocked when he reveals he’s Ellio, not his twin DiAngelo. Poor Ellio was so confused when he thinks she’s pretending not to remember their time together. Their past unraveled slowly, piecing together more of his past and about the car accident she was injured in. I was completely invested and turning the page needing to know what happened and how they end up together. I loved how posessive he was of her from the start and the touch her and ☠️ vibes he gave off to everyone around.

When Ellio learned how bad her accident was, he realized she has amnesia. He knows the woman he loves is still in there and decides he’ll just have to make her fall in love with him alll over again. This is a deeply emotional second chance at love. Watching their love blossom over again was so sweet, but oh so angsty. Ellio is a very layered and complicated character with an even more complicated history. Isa is a fighter and very strong. After everything she lost she was never bitter and was loving and warmhearted.

Their love story was 20+ years in the making. A pure love that endured being separated and so much tragedy. Ellio was always gentle and patient with Isa, proving his love to her. All of that made the slow burn and tension was worth the wait. I loved how the darker parts of their story was blended so well with the sweet and fun parts of their love.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.

Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5

Thank you Jill Ramsower and Valentine PR for the gifted advanced copy.

📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦‍🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦‍🔥

A Few Favorite Quotes:
“Kairos and I relied on one another to survive for years. We’re a team. Yet it’s all erased with his simple glance at Isa.”

“I feel like if I can help her find her way back to me, the world will be right again.”

“Am I crazy? Maybe. But if hating him is sane, I’m not sure that’s who I want to be.”

“Your wish … is my … command.”

“My heart was empty without you, El.”

“Don’t ever leave me,”
“Never,” he breathes. “So long as you’ll have me.” I squeeze him tight. “Always.”

“Regardless, with Elio at my side, every new day is another happy memory in the making.”

“Isa Costa, you have been my light in the storm more times than I can remember,” I tell her earnestly, my cheek close to hers. “We’ve overcome herculean odds to be together, and I never want to know another day without you. Please, do me the incredible honor of being my wife.”

“My heart has only ever known you, Elio Farina. I love you.”

[Sandy S · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25stars-REAPER’S WRATH is the fourth instalment in Jill Ramsower’s contemporary, adult THE MORETTI MEN erotic,Mafia romance series, a spin off, set in the author’s Byrne Brothers and Five Families worlds. This is Elio ‘The Reaper’ Farina and thirty-seven year old, Isa Costa’s story line. REAPER’S WRATH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading Hunter’s Keep for background and cohesion where Isa is first introduced.Elio is DiAngelo’s brother (Hunter’s Keep).


NOTE: Although the author notes that her Mafia series is ‘light’, due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.


Told from dual first person perspectives (Elio and Isa) REAPER’S WRATH focuses on the return of our story line hero. Twenty years earlier, Elio Farina was abducted and presumed dead, and spent his life raised by a violent man wherein he would become known as ‘The Reaper’. Fast forward to present day, Elio is determined to reclaim the woman he has always loved, a woman whose father sold her to the highest bidder. Isa Costa lost everything when her best friend, the man with whom she fell in love, disappeared, and in the ensuing days more losses and grief would follow. Forced to marry a man she does not love, Isa will quickly find herself a prisoner in a gilded cage when Elio Farina returns from ‘the dead’, abducts our heroine, determined to reclaim her as his own but all is not as it appears to be when memories from the past are blurred or missing all together.


The world building focuses on loss, power hierarchies, family, forced marriage and reconciliation. From New York to Greece to the Caribbean, Elio believed he was betrayed but the reality would prove betrayal came in many forms.


The relationship between Isa and Elio is one of second chances. Isa lost everything the day Elio disappeared, and the grief would build upon more losses in the days following his disappearance. Desperate to save the woman he never stopped loving, Elio will return ‘from the dead’, only to discover the past refuses to let go, taking aim at the man at the top. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


The colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters include the return of Elio’s twin brother DiAngelo and his wife Terina, their parents, Isa’s father
Cosimo Costa, as well as the introduction of Michael Savin, Kairos, and Tessa. The requisite evil has many faces.


REAPER’S WRATH is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, grief and loss, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, edgy and emotional; the rekindling romance is seductive and impassioned; the characters are desperate, determined, dangerous and charismatic.


Copy supplied for review

[My Toxic Library · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

★★★★½

Reaper’s Wrath by Jill Ramsower was such an emotional, intense, and captivating second-chance romance! I absolutely loved Elio and Isa’s story, and I’m definitely interested in continuing this series.

Imagine believing the love of your life is dead, trying to move forward with your life, and then having him show up on your wedding day to take you away. THAT is how you start a story! I was immediately intrigued by their complicated past and the secrets surrounding Elio’s disappearance.

Elio had spent years believing he had lost everything, surviving circumstances that forced him to become someone different while holding on to his desire for revenge. What he never expected was to return and find Isa preparing to marry someone else. And when he finally gets her back in his life, he has to face the fact that the woman he loves doesn’t remember everything they shared.

Isa’s amnesia added such a heartbreaking layer to their relationship. She had lost memories of their love and the life they once shared, while Elio carried those memories, the pain of their separation, and everything that had happened between them. Watching their connection slowly resurface as Isa spent time with him again was one of my favorite parts of the book.

And Elio? That man is OBSESSED with his woman. 🖤 His jealousy and possessiveness were definitely memorable, and his actions sometimes crossed lines that made me understand why Isa was furious with him. Their relationship wasn’t always easy or healthy, but the intensity between them kept me invested in their journey.

What made their story especially emotional for me was the tragedy they had experienced before being separated. Isa had endured so much, including the devastating loss of the baby she had been carrying and the consequences of her accident. Their past was filled with pain, misunderstandings, and memories that had been taken away from her, making their second chance feel even more significant.

I also loved the revelations about their past and the things neither of them could have imagined were happening around them. There was so much more to their story than a simple reunion, and discovering the truth made their journey even more compelling.

My favorite thing about this book was the idea that love can find its way back, even after years of separation and unimaginable heartbreak. Elio and Isa had to rediscover each other, confront their past, and learn how to move forward together. Their story reminded me why I love second-chance romances so much: there’s something incredibly powerful about two people finding their way back to a love they thought they had lost forever.

I gave this book 4.5 stars because I genuinely loved their story. It was emotional, intense, full of twists, and gave me the kind of second-chance romance I enjoy so much.

I’m excited to continue the series and discover what Jill Ramsower has in store for the other characters! 🖤

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG JILL RAMSOWER!!! 😭❤️ I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ELIO AND ISA’S STORY AND HOLY FREAKING HELL WAS IT WORTH THE WAIT!!! THIS WAS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!! 😍🔥

I knew I was going to love this book, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much I would fall in love with these two!! I was hooked from the very beginning and there was absolutely NO WAY I was putting my Kindle down!!

ELIO!!! 🥵🖤 THE FREAKING REAPER!!! This man!! His past, his pain, everything he’s been through and the monster he’s been forced to become!! MY HEART!!! 😭💔 He’s dangerous, ruthless, completely lethal, and yet when it comes to Isa?! UGH!!! The way this hardened man has such a soft spot for his woman absolutely DESTROYED ME!! 😍❤️

And ISA!!! 🥹❤️ I absolutely adored her!! The confusion, the secrets, the heartbreak and everything surrounding their past!! I just wanted to wrap her up and protect her!!

AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT WEDDING KIDNAPPING?! 😱🔥 Being taken by a man she believes is someone else, only to discover there’s SO MUCH MORE to the story?! I WAS OBSESSED!! The identical twin twist, the secrets, the amnesia, the forced proximity!! EVERYTHING!!!

The chemistry between Elio and Isa was absolutely ELECTRIC!! 🥵🔥 The tension, the possessiveness, the emotional moments, the way their story slowly unfolds!! I was eating up every single second!!

But it was the emotional side that really got me!! 🥹😭 Elio’s tragic past, the pain, the love, the longing and the lengths he’s willing to go to claim the woman he wants!! This man might be known as the Reaper, but underneath all that darkness is a heart that had me absolutely MELTING!!

And the TOUCH HER AND DIE vibes?! 🥵🖤 YESSS PLEASE!!! Give me a dangerous mafia man who will burn the entire world down for his woman EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!

Jill Ramsower has absolutely nailed the perfect balance of suspense, danger, romance, heartbreak and spice!! I laughed, I swooned, I got emotional and I fell completely head over heels for Elio and Isa!! ❤️

I’ve been waiting for their story and I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything better!! It was everything I hoped for and SO MUCH MORE!!!


ELIO AND ISA!!! 🥹❤️ YOU TWO WERE ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!! Jill Ramsower, you completely stole my heart with this one!! 🖤🔥😍