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Maid to the Mafia #1

Totally Captivated

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“I’ll do anything. Cooking, cleaning, even making coffee. I’m good at making coffee.” Upon uttering the word coffee, Jenny Stone, the smart, resilient, and sharp-tongued girl somehow finds herself paying off her father’s debt by working as a maid to the mafia boss, Giovanni Dente, the obsessive-compulsive coffee drinker with movie star good looks.And this is just the beginning of Jenny’s new life.Between serving the man his brew at ungodly hours and doing his dirty work, she also has to attend college, ace her exams, and find a way to contact her father and sister who have abandoned her. But within the intricate web Giovanni binds around her, when it comes time for her to leave, she isn’t sure if she can make it out alive, especially when somewhere along the way, she realizes her heart is totally captivated. Maid to the Mafia is a lighthearted romantic comedy mafia romance series. This first book ends in a cliffhanger.Amelia, from The Mafia and His Maiden series, and Jenny, from Maid to the Mafia series, are sisters. Their stories run parallel to each other. For a better reading experience, read these books in the following 1: (Jenny and Giovanni) Book 1: Maid to the Totally Captivated (free to download)2: (Jenny and Giovanni) Book 2: Maid to the Totally (Jenny and Giovanni) Book 3: Maid to the Totally (Jenny and Giovanni) Book 4: Maid to the Totally (Amelia and Lorenzo) Book 1: The Mafia and His Beautiful Hell (free to download)6: (Amelia and Lorenzo) Book 2: The Mafia and His Beautiful (Amelia and Lorenzo) Book 3: The Mafia and His Beautiful Lie 8: (Amelia and Lorenzo) Book 4: The Mafia and His Beautiful Love

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 18, 2016

625 people are currently reading
964 people want to read

About the author

Wanitta Praks

27 books146 followers
Wanitta Praks was born in Thailand in the Cambodian refugee camp to Cambodian parents, but grew up in New Zealand, where she now calls home.

Wanitta is a dental hygienist by day, working in the University Dental School and private practice, but by night, she’s an avid romance writer. Her love of writing steams from when she was young, reading the many romance novels that kept her late into the night, and her sister, Alexia Praks, who is also a romance author.

Wanitta likes to write about love issues relating to today’s society, whether they be age-gape, gender issue, or racial issue, she tackles them all, usually with an added dose of comedy, angst and some spice. Her main books are contemporary romance fiction but she can also be seen writing YA, new adult, paranormal and fantasy.

Subscribe to her mailing list for new releases, free reads and advance reading copy (ARC).

http://www.wanittapraks.com/#!contact...

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5 stars
206 (38%)
4 stars
115 (21%)
3 stars
113 (20%)
2 stars
61 (11%)
1 star
47 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for ren ♡ .
402 reviews1,004 followers
October 11, 2022
"Well, I say he's being disrespectful for always shouting and swearing at us like some mad person. Lunatic. That's what he is. Always using the F-word. F this. F that. Don't you guys hate it when he swears at you all the time?"

"That's just the boss' way of saying he cares for us," Bobby explained.


Note: I've decided to write a series review, instead of 4 separate reviews for each book.

In Totally Captivated, freshman student Jenny Stone is offered up to the mafia boss, Giovanni Dente, to pay off her father's 3 million dollar debt. She becomes his maid and coffee-maker and basically a series of hilarious things ensue...

😂😂😂 I don't think I've ever read a mafia comedy romance before, so this turned out to be quite a pleasant surprise. The humor is very childish and over the top (my kind of humor, don't judge me...) and I found myself laughing a lot and having a really good time, so much so, that I blazed through this series in one day!

I loved the heroine, Jen (18)! She's very naïve and sweet... kind of like a cute puppy. And I think she was the perfect amount 'innocent' because she didn't annoy me at all. She's insecure... but strangely enough, I found it quite endearing. The hero, Giovanni (28), cracked me up with his bossy behavior. He's super sexy and it was so fun watching him fall in love with Jen and pursue her. I laughed so hard when he tried to be romantic.

"Look who's lecturing me." Giovanni clicked his tongue in distaste. "To be named my coffee machine is a privilege in my book. You know how I'm obsessed with coffee."


I really liked the over-arching plot of Giovanni trying to find his childhood friend, it was very very sweet. There were definitely a few twists and turns there that made the story even more intriguing. And his relationship with his henchmen was HILARIOUS. Bobby was the highlight of this book - he definitely had the best lines!

I do have a few criticisms about this series though. I feel like all 4 books could've been condensed into 1 book. The cliffhangers felt very unnecessary and very abrupt considering that not much happened in books 2 & 3 besides the development of the MC's relationship. Book 4 is where the important stuff happens and when we get to see more of the action. I also wouldn't really say this is a 'mafia' romance, as there's barely any mafia business going on. They were more like loan sharks to be honest...

But overall, if you're looking for a good laugh, I highly recommend this series! I don't think I stopped laughing from beginning to end. I also think readers will get the most out of this series if they don't take the mafia plotline too seriously and have a sense of humor. So, don't go in expecting a dark romance (as you might expect judging from the cover) or you'll be sorely disappointed!

┏━━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━━━━━━━━━┓
Maid to the Mafia Series

#1: Totally Captivated: 4/5
#2: Totally Alluring: 4/5
#3: Totally Intoxicated: 4/5
#4: Totally Devoted: 5/5

Overall Series Rating: 4/5
┗━━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━━━━━━━━━┛
Profile Image for Apoorva .
166 reviews236 followers
September 20, 2020
I was intrigued by the plot and the cover is so nice, I admit but I regret it for me. This book was nothing that I expected. The writing was choppy and the characters were immature to say the least. Their story started in childhood but it never goes deeper into their friendship time and in my opinion, if the author had done that, the foundation would've been stronger and at least I would have felt more attached to the characters. I know in some stories we keep wishing that the author would stop with all the last flashbacks, but in most cases, they're an integral part of the story as well. I actually liked the childhood bonding the most and wouldn't have minded reading that only, probably because it was written with a child like innocence, which is great for a childhood POV but if the same writing style is used for their adult versions too, well then....

Another thing that I didn't anticipate was the...leniency with the writing style and the terminology used (example: so many times she refers to his *ahem* penis as 'banana'. I felt so wierded out by that alone and if it's in a joking tone, it's one thing to bear it but if she's being completely serious, even for an eighteen year old, it's just not mature, imo).

Usually mafia romances, even if it's being marketed as 'light hearted', have a certain dangerous backdrop or something along the same lines. I never, for once, felt the intimidation or the power in the main character. It's good to deviate from the usual but not so much that it becomes unbelievable or just plain parody of the other ones.

The way Jenny talked was a major turn-off too because instead of coming across as innocent and young, she came off as naive and immature, which is, as I said earlier, unbelievable if you put her in a mafia world.

There were a few more problems with this one (including the ones with male character) but since I'm writing this after so long, I have blanked out on a lot of them, rather retaining just the obvious ones, so I apologize for it.

The idea behind the story was good but the story? I am afraid to admit, not something I expect from a published author. That said, I saw some other reviews that classify this as 'good' and I don't know, maybe it could turn out that way for someone else but if you look for content, character and plot, probably not.
Profile Image for chaity.
544 reviews411 followers
July 7, 2025
2 stars

first of all, no one ends a book like that. now i have to buy the second book to know what happens next? NOT COOL -_- have mercy on the broke students please. second of all, i finished this entire book in one sitting- it was ridiculously short. last of all, im too busy lazy to write an actual review.

almighty, save me from these ✨sunshines✨ in books.
Profile Image for Judy ♡.
129 reviews59 followers
October 31, 2023
3.5 ☆

what in the wattpad did I just read 😭
133 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2019
MADE ME SICK

No where does the author LeBron this is the first installment and the book ends in a cliff hanger. But don't worry you won't want the second book because this one is terrible. There is something wrong with the writing style. It feels very jagged. I thought the heroine might have brain damage because she is weird on thought and speech. The hero is supposed to be a mobb boss but he's somewhat incompetent and his gang are more like a bunch of bumbling idiots. This book was odd and pretty awful. Save yourselves.
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,524 reviews321 followers
May 25, 2019
This was a pretty good read that I liked. This book was a different type of mafia read for me it read more like a romantic comedy. Jenny Stone's family offered her up to a mob boss because they owe him 3 million dollars. Jenny agrees to be a maid for Giovanni Dente he is a hot sexy alpha male who loves his coffee. Jenny Stone is smart and sassy with a sharp-tongued who is a somewhat plain jane who has a good heart and will do anything to help her family who have left her. This was my first time reading this author this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Profile Image for Shel Griffin.
816 reviews
August 11, 2019
OMG this is soooo funny

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are wonderfully written and totally humorous. There are so many scenes here that will have you LOL all over the place. So Giovanni is this tough mob boss. He lives in a mansion with his four henchmen. Jenny's father owes Gio 3 million dollars. Now of course he doesn't have this money and sends his sweet, smart, silly, and lovable clumsy daughter to his home with a letter. Well guess what the letter says; "here use my daughter as collateral for my debt." This sweet girl does more harm to Giovanni while trying to help. And it's all too funny. Please read this one. It's free to download and thoroughly enjoyable. There is no sex in this first one and I still laughed my butt off. I also paid to own the second one. Which I'm reading right now. Well done Wanitta. ☺
Profile Image for Tianna✸loves books✸.
1,084 reviews
abandoned
December 17, 2019
The first meeting itself the H tells the h that she is ugly.

Yeh, FO idiot. Ain’t gonna read about such assholes.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,316 reviews38 followers
July 20, 2020
When I read the synopsis I thought "Why not?", then I read the book and I'm disappointed. Totally Captivated is the story of a Jenny and Giovanni. Jenny's family has a dept to Giovanni. Giovanni is a coffee-addict mafia boss that choose to use Jenny's coffee making skills to pay the dept.

Everything would have been wonderful if the protagonists didn't act like a bunch of preschoolers... Do you know any 28-year old who will say: "You kiss like a dog." Seriously?

puppy love

On top of that, it ends on a CLIFFHANGER! Yay!
Profile Image for Belinha.
87 reviews
September 17, 2023
1/2 star rating only because i laughed a few times.

so bad. everyone who rated this book more than 2 stars needs some serious therapy.
Profile Image for Madelin Drew.
35 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2024
I cannot believe this is my first book of 2024… starting this year off embarrassed!
Profile Image for Keri.
44 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2018
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Sick of the age old damsels in distress “I’m not pretty but everyone says I am” heroine? Tired of billionaires being playboys until he finds ‘the one’? Then look no further.

What’s a girl to do when her family offers her as collateral in exchange for their 3 million dollar debt to the mafia?

Jenny is a girl who is plain but knows she has beautiful points, too and isn't afraid to give anyone a piece of her mind. Giovanni is more than your typical bad boy hero; he's dark, he's hurt and he has gone through what no young boy should have gone through ever. Little do they both know, they are closer than mere strangers. Love the glimpse of Crispin.

I especially love the subtle hints given throughout the story that I was right!

There are heavy profanities in some places. But the rest is filled with angst, drama, comedy and be sure to have a box of tissues handy for the emotional roller-coaster climax.

This is easily my favourite series to date. This first volume totally blew me away! Can’t wait for what Wanitta has in store for us. Can’t wait for the sequel.



Profile Image for Aulia  Rofiani.
326 reviews4 followers
April 8, 2019
Bhaiq. I must be crazy to finish it wkwk. Ya mayan lah nemu gratisan di Play Book. Gio ini adalah karakter mafia tersholeh yang pernah gue tau wkwk. Gila sih diceritainnya ga playboy gtu, salut dah sama doi haha. The story was fun but meaningless, sorry. Gue ga dapet aja gtu nilai2 moralnya wkwk. Ku suda gila emang mengharapkan nilai moral dari novel model gini 😂😂. Entahlah ini gue mau lanjut beli buku ke-2 sama ke-3 nya ga ya 😂. Mungkin setelah baca free sampel bisa terlihat jawabannya. Okay 👌.
Profile Image for Sharon Eikenberry-Deary.
732 reviews5 followers
January 31, 2020
Who is this girl

Jenny is sent out with believing she is just delivering letter. What she finds out is disturbing. But because of whom she is she'll take it in stride and make the best. Her nervous mouth will irritate the boss. But the boss Gio can't understand what this girl is doing to him. But will the past come to Jenny or will Gio find his Jennifer.
56 reviews
April 27, 2019
On My

This was A very good tail it hints at romance and love. It depends on who you are as to what you make of it. This book was a departure from what I usually read and I'm still deciding if I like this genre.
Profile Image for Kanani .
1,398 reviews
March 14, 2020
Cliffhanger

This is a cliffhanger. Not a full story. I wish the author was required to state that this is not a complete story or maybe mention that it ends abruptly. Very frustrating.
Profile Image for Helen.
545 reviews4 followers
April 27, 2020
Enjoyable and funny

Refreshingly different style of mafia romance. The story was really funny in places. However, the henchmen were too weak to be involved with the mafia. Enjoyable book all the same.
Profile Image for hadessinners.
180 reviews58 followers
December 13, 2019
Jenny and Giovanni

Jenny is a funny, crazy, cool character where else Giovanni is harsh and strict. A good book to read and totally recommend it.
931 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2019
Good

This was a goobook with a good storyline and was well written. It kept your interest. The only bad thing is it is a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Haz.
1,016 reviews8 followers
April 11, 2019
A very worthable read hot and dangerous
Profile Image for Tracy Postiglione.
457 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2019
Amazing

My first book by this author and I loved it. The characters and their story line were great. Book got me from the very beginning. A must read.
Profile Image for Tianna✸loves books✸.
1,084 reviews
abandoned
December 17, 2019
The first meeting itself the H tells the h that she is ugly.

Yeh, FO idiot. Ain’t gonna read about such assholes.
13 reviews
January 19, 2020
Loved this read

As usual another superb read! Loved the hot main characters and storyline! Love the works by this author!! A++++++++ HOT HOT HOT
Profile Image for Shanice.
86 reviews
December 23, 2020
This book was so strange for me, reading the blurb, I was excited and then I started to read and ohhh boy 😐

A few things....

Jenny was sincerely immature on a number of things. Calling a penis a banana gave me second hand cringing. Constantly falling over or tripping up or messing up, no one is a clumsy as she is.
This “mafia” boss is keeping her hostage until her father pays his debt and yet, she acts like one of “the boys” even Gio refers to her as this in amongst all his remarks about the way she looks...one word...rude.
Gio is supposed to be this scary mafia dude...I’ve been scared more by my pet chihuahua.
The story just didn’t mesh together enough for me, it was just, weird! I feel the author was trying to convey the mafia in a different way with some comedic value but the funny stuff just wasn’t...funny! It was childish humour, something I’ll save for my children at bedtime.
Also...the flashbacks made me uncomfortable. 14 year old Gio tells a 5 year old Jenny that when she’s older he’ll make her his lover. I have a 5 year old daughter and if a 14 year old boy said this to her, I’d have poked his eyes out!
Strange is the best word to describe this book, however, I couldn’t put the bloody thing down! 🙈 stupid “I must finish what I start” mentality 🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jay Madeleine.
671 reviews
May 21, 2020
I AM SO PISSED!

I HATE ENDING LIKE THIS!

IT ANNOYS THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF ME OMG!

Okay like I loved this book. I thought it had a very nice twist to her not remember who this man is. Because at first, it starts off very predictable. But when she gets into this car accident when she was six years old and now doesn't remember her Gio. DAMN! I DIDNT SEE THAT ONE COMING.

But he doesn't even remember her when he lets her stay but he coming to find out that he likes her. But honestly shame on him, she said some facts that should have jogged his memory way before. So half of me feel that there should have been something else to stir the pot.

So in honestly Goodreads rating 4.0
actual rating a 3.8!
Profile Image for DeAnn.
949 reviews7 followers
July 10, 2021
Such an Appropriate Title

I was totally captivated, and you will be, too. This story is the romantic comedy of the mafia genre readers have been waiting for. Jenny, the heroine cracks me up! She is hyperactive and is the most adorable when she ticks off Gio, the mob boss, love interest. There's also a prelude story line that is so poignant and heartbreaking, and yet it too has its funny, whimsical moments. It is this backstory that ties Jenny and Gio's lives irrevocably together. They just can't see it yet.

I recommend you buy the boxed set, so you can enjoy the story without stopping. This series is more than worth your time!
Profile Image for Magwan.
680 reviews6 followers
March 23, 2021
Disappointing

You could say I am being unfair but three chapters in, I'd had enough. A five year old doesn't talk like that. Then Jenny became the most irritating character ever after she hand delivered the letter. It was juvenile and just poor. A on site coffee maker. I stopped because I didn't want to waste any more of my time when there are far superior and grittier stories out there with characters that leap off the page and dialogue which flows effortlessly.
Disappointing.
Profile Image for Amelia.
514 reviews29 followers
February 20, 2024
DNF 27%

I liked the opening chapter, setting up a pre-established meeting in childhood, I liked Jenny for like maybe half of the next chapter.. Until she opened her mouth in front of Gio and then it sort of went downhill from there. He's an utter dick like how he talks to her instantly, insulting her in every breath for no real reason. She's suuuuper immature, and not only in the way she was talking, but thinking and acting, and it just flip flopped from being semi normal behavior until she talked and then it was weird and childish, and I'm done, I can't.
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