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Cosa Nostra #1
Cosa Nostra
Bound by the Mafia’s code of honour, loyalty and silence, Maria Lombardo has always dreamed of another life. But when her father dies, she must take over from him as head of the Lombardo clan, the most powerful member of the Sicilian Mafia, La Cosa Nostra.On the other side of Palermo, the Amato family’s growing lust for power presents a dangerous problem. Maria is forced to take action that goes against every fibre of her being, or she will lose the respect of her clan. Falling for Simone complicates an already complex situation. As the two women’s attraction for each other deepens, secrets are revealed that threaten their future together.Will Maria choose loyalty to the Cosa Nostra or will she risk it all for love?Best-selling lesbian romance author Emma Nichols weaves a breath-taking story of love, loyalty and honour that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
277 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2020
About the author
Emma Nichols
14 books187 followersEmma Nichols lives in Buckinghamshire with her partner and two children. She served for 12 years in the British Army, studied Psychology and an MBA, and published several non-fiction books under another name, in sports peak performance, before dipping her toes into the world of lesbian fiction.
Emma's bestselling lesbian romance books are: Finding You, Remember Us, The Hangover, Forbidden, Ariana and Madeleine.
Emma's bestselling lesbian romance books are: Finding You, Remember Us, The Hangover, Forbidden, Ariana and Madeleine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 13, 2020
I saw someone rate this and put it on their 'insta-love' shelf. I'd just like to clarify a few things so that folks aren't turned off by that. This is NOT an insta love book. One MC declared at the 60% mark while the other declared at the 90% mark. So I'm not sure what the other reviewer was thinking. Perhaps it was insta-lust which would be more accurate. But who's going to get through a boring book with zero chemistry. Not me.
Anyway, it's not easy writing a book centered on organized crime. The only other book series that worked for me with that type of plot arc was the Cain Casey series by Ali Vali.
I found this very entertaining and difficult to put down.
Anyway, it's not easy writing a book centered on organized crime. The only other book series that worked for me with that type of plot arc was the Cain Casey series by Ali Vali.
I found this very entertaining and difficult to put down.
September 6, 2020
I really fluctuated on my thoughts about this book. I thought the writing was strong but there were just so many times when I was really bored which I feel like shouldn't happen in a mafia story. This book felt like it was way longer than 200 pages and it took me way longer to read than I was expecting because I just never felt like I got into the story. The relationship also just felt very underdeveloped and unbelievable. Even though no one declares their love until at least halfway through, Maria and Simone had only interacted like four times at that point so I was having a hard time actually feeling the emotion in the story. There just wasn't enough drama for my taste and if I'm reading a mafia boss story, I want there to be a good amount of plot and tension.
May 18, 2020
2.5 stars, I had to push myself to finish this book. I could not connect with the main characters. The villains were too stereotypical. The story seemed to drag. Others may enjoy this, but I did not.
November 6, 2020
It took me awhile to get into this book. Once I got into the book, I couldn’t put it down. I am a big fan of the author and her other books. I think the topic of the book may have been my issue. It’s hard to write a book about organized crime. Looking forward to the second.
April 27, 2020
I loved the cover. That was it. I wanted Maria to be tough, dominant, a boss, but in my eyes she was weak and submitting to Patrina. That was off putting. Did not finish after 32%
August 20, 2020
Author writes well. In my opinion, a huge part of the book were spent on describing the attraction and love between the MCs, instead of building the story. New author that I chance upon, and she has a collection of other titles which I would like to try reading.
December 6, 2021
3.5 Stars for me.
I loved the gangster story here. From the beginning I adored Maria and understood that she wanted out of the life she'd been born into, and the job she had unwillingly inherited.
I was less impressed with the insta-love of the characters. I understood what the authors was wanting to achieve here but for me it felt like there were no moments between the two characters that showed me why it was anything more than lust. A little too much telling of events and not enough showing their growing attraction beyond the physical.
The writing was interesting and I really enjoyed the lines of family, love, responsibility, and friendships.
I enjoyed the gangster story, but if I were to read it again I would skip a lot of the repetitive love story that stated the two were in love with each other without showing how lust grew to love.
I loved the gangster story here. From the beginning I adored Maria and understood that she wanted out of the life she'd been born into, and the job she had unwillingly inherited.
I was less impressed with the insta-love of the characters. I understood what the authors was wanting to achieve here but for me it felt like there were no moments between the two characters that showed me why it was anything more than lust. A little too much telling of events and not enough showing their growing attraction beyond the physical.
The writing was interesting and I really enjoyed the lines of family, love, responsibility, and friendships.
I enjoyed the gangster story, but if I were to read it again I would skip a lot of the repetitive love story that stated the two were in love with each other without showing how lust grew to love.
April 21, 2020
What’s the saying, ’Don't judge a book by it’s cover?’ Well in this instance please do!! From the minute you see the cover of Cosa Nostra to reading the first page right the way through to the end you are in for an edgy lesfic novel with a superbly woven love story.
If you have read an Emma Nichols novel you can expect a well thought out solid plot, the occasional twist, strong authentic characters, an exquisite love story and of course a beautiful setting, Cosa Nostra has it all.
Cosa Nostra is another compelling read from the brilliantly talented Emma Nichols.
If you have read an Emma Nichols novel you can expect a well thought out solid plot, the occasional twist, strong authentic characters, an exquisite love story and of course a beautiful setting, Cosa Nostra has it all.
Cosa Nostra is another compelling read from the brilliantly talented Emma Nichols.
June 16, 2020
A thing that really bothered me throughout the book: I struggled to know who was talking sometimes due to the formatting of the conversations. Hopefully it's just a kindle transcription error. A thing I really enjoyed: A more butch character!!! They seem to be few and far between. I really really wanted to love this book but it just fell kind of flat. It could have been a great book. While I did like the book, the romance seemed quick and forced, and took a full back seat (like, work van back seat, where it's closed off from the front) to the story. The story itself is the only thing that kept me going, with its (semi predictable) plot twists. I just had a hard time feeling anything for the characters. My most liked characters weren't even mains - Giovanni and Roberto. I enjoyed their parts the most. Marina submitting to Patrina was annoying, Alessandro was too evil to be believable, Patrina too predictably manipulative, Simone too weepy/fragile. Matri just grated on my nerves. Everyone was just a half-formed character. It's a fast read, though, and if you're bored I'd give it a shot.
Did Not Finish
December 1, 2020dnf'd at 13%
I would usually give a book a longer chance for me to get invested in it, but I was just feeling absolutely nothing for this book and these characters. It was my understanding that this was a romance, but there was so much set-up and by this point the love interests hadn't even met yet. I mostly picked this up because it was on kindle unlimited AND I was writing a crime/mafia romance for my NaNoWriMo 2020 project, but I just couldn't get into this book.
I would usually give a book a longer chance for me to get invested in it, but I was just feeling absolutely nothing for this book and these characters. It was my understanding that this was a romance, but there was so much set-up and by this point the love interests hadn't even met yet. I mostly picked this up because it was on kindle unlimited AND I was writing a crime/mafia romance for my NaNoWriMo 2020 project, but I just couldn't get into this book.
April 25, 2020
I loved it. Enticing beginning to a fascinating story. Perfect blend of danger and of tender love. I loved the beautiful love scenes at the beach house. Maria is a favourite character and of course Pesto the dog. Hugely entertaining can’t put down book in a picturesque setting, so well written by Emma Nichols. A book to be re-read again.
November 8, 2025
Finally done. What a fucking slog. Where was the editor? I can’t believe this is the same author I read not long ago. This reads like a rough draft. Don’t know that I’ll read the sequel to see if it’s any better.
July 5, 2020
Pleasantly surprised.
I was drawn to the cover immediately. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a woman in suspenders and trousers ;)
The last year or so, I've been gravitating toward mafia/crime lord/outlaw type stories, and this one paired with the alluring cover, caught my eye. I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved this story. For one, I feared it would have been femme/femme, and I have a hard time relating to characters who are femme; they tend to think differently than I would like. Fortunately, it wasn't. Two, this was my first Emma Nichols book, so I was not familiar with her writing style.
Nichols painted an elaborate, vivid, and beautiful picture of the story she told us. I could very easily imagine myself in the rich and old cultured cities, and eating the luscious food and drinking the bold bodied wines made from the ripe grapes off the vine. Magnifico! Surprisingly, I was more interested in the mafia side of the story than the romantic aspect of it. Don't get me wrong, I loved Maria and Simone, they were sizzling yet beautiful together. I respect the author for not writing overly explicit details during the intimate scenes. I believe too much would have ruined the romance and tenderness. Brava for reining it in. Nichols flawlessly weaved a tale between the dark and light creating a beautiful and almost sensuous prose. If I had one nit pick, it would have been the lack of physical character description toward Maria and Simone. I didn't feel I knew what these two women really looked like, and it kind of distracted me. I loved the ending, even though I knew it was coming. It was the kind of ending that has been done before, but Nichols wrote it brilliantly. And I love, love the slap!
All in all, great story that I highly recommend.
I was drawn to the cover immediately. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a woman in suspenders and trousers ;)
The last year or so, I've been gravitating toward mafia/crime lord/outlaw type stories, and this one paired with the alluring cover, caught my eye. I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved this story. For one, I feared it would have been femme/femme, and I have a hard time relating to characters who are femme; they tend to think differently than I would like. Fortunately, it wasn't. Two, this was my first Emma Nichols book, so I was not familiar with her writing style.
Nichols painted an elaborate, vivid, and beautiful picture of the story she told us. I could very easily imagine myself in the rich and old cultured cities, and eating the luscious food and drinking the bold bodied wines made from the ripe grapes off the vine. Magnifico! Surprisingly, I was more interested in the mafia side of the story than the romantic aspect of it. Don't get me wrong, I loved Maria and Simone, they were sizzling yet beautiful together. I respect the author for not writing overly explicit details during the intimate scenes. I believe too much would have ruined the romance and tenderness. Brava for reining it in. Nichols flawlessly weaved a tale between the dark and light creating a beautiful and almost sensuous prose. If I had one nit pick, it would have been the lack of physical character description toward Maria and Simone. I didn't feel I knew what these two women really looked like, and it kind of distracted me. I loved the ending, even though I knew it was coming. It was the kind of ending that has been done before, but Nichols wrote it brilliantly. And I love, love the slap!
All in all, great story that I highly recommend.
August 18, 2020
I did the unthinkable and skipped(stopped at 60% and flew to 90%). P.S. I feel scandalized.
Theatrical is the best word for this read. In my notes while reading I stated that it felt like an old movie, and it unfortunately did. Drama filled. Choppy editing that threw you and the characters' emotions/actions from 0 to 100 with passion. Sex/lust and premeditated violence abound. Instant soulmate-y stuff.
Everyone had murder on the mind at some point of this. Maybe I have a weak stomach for violence, but it was no doubt a tele novella roller coaster. I felt like it dragged with everyone's perspectives and constant yearning, Patrina's included. Paragraph after paragraph of intense misplaced attraction.
So much emotion, but it felt also like a lot of 2D caricatures. It was supposed to be sexy, but honestly it was mostly tragic for all involved. Not sure if I consider it a HEA.
Not for me, but by all the rave reviews perhaps it is for you.
Theatrical is the best word for this read. In my notes while reading I stated that it felt like an old movie, and it unfortunately did. Drama filled. Choppy editing that threw you and the characters' emotions/actions from 0 to 100 with passion. Sex/lust and premeditated violence abound. Instant soulmate-y stuff.
Everyone had murder on the mind at some point of this. Maybe I have a weak stomach for violence, but it was no doubt a tele novella roller coaster. I felt like it dragged with everyone's perspectives and constant yearning, Patrina's included. Paragraph after paragraph of intense misplaced attraction.
So much emotion, but it felt also like a lot of 2D caricatures. It was supposed to be sexy, but honestly it was mostly tragic for all involved. Not sure if I consider it a HEA.
Not for me, but by all the rave reviews perhaps it is for you.
August 12, 2020
Amazing story
I was addicted to the connection between Maria and Simone. Even though there is so much between them, they could not be apart.
I loved this story, the dynamic between all characters and sacrifice for better future. Truly amazing story.
I was addicted to the connection between Maria and Simone. Even though there is so much between them, they could not be apart.
I loved this story, the dynamic between all characters and sacrifice for better future. Truly amazing story.
Read
August 5, 2020Ugh. I’m in a book slump. Maybe I would like this another day, but I don’t have the will to finish it.
July 13, 2021
I don't know how the mafia operates but this seemed believable to me. I kept reading to find out what happened next. I liked both main characters.
August 16, 2022
Guys i am really struggling with the new goodreads interface... i couldn't figure out where the 'write a review' button was for a solid minute.
Anywho, there were certainly aspects of this that were enjoyable. It made me yearn to read more fiction set in Italy! The mafia elements were very dramatic and fleshed out with interesting politics and such. It actually read a bit like a movie- and I'm a Godfather fan.
However, I also agree with the reviewer who shelved this as insta-love. The actual relationship and romance felt severely underdeveloped. We just get told a lot that the two leads are in love with each other with lots of flowery writing about the depth of their feelings. Heck they say the L word after meeting maybe twice. Suffice it to say I was not sold on the chemistry.
Beyond that the timelines were unclear so I was never able to ground myself in the story. My last issue with this book feels a bit trivial but for a romance I feel the need to mention it- I would've liked more physical descriptors of each lead, I just couldn't picture them in my head and wasn't given anything to go off of.
Altogether a bit of a letdown. I was looking for a wlw mafia romance after seeing so many straight ones being recommended, but this wasn't quite dark enough and the romance wasn't compelling.
Thanks to Netgyrl (Laura) for putting me on to this :) on to the next, hopefully I find one that works for me!
Anywho, there were certainly aspects of this that were enjoyable. It made me yearn to read more fiction set in Italy! The mafia elements were very dramatic and fleshed out with interesting politics and such. It actually read a bit like a movie- and I'm a Godfather fan.
However, I also agree with the reviewer who shelved this as insta-love. The actual relationship and romance felt severely underdeveloped. We just get told a lot that the two leads are in love with each other with lots of flowery writing about the depth of their feelings. Heck they say the L word after meeting maybe twice. Suffice it to say I was not sold on the chemistry.
Beyond that the timelines were unclear so I was never able to ground myself in the story. My last issue with this book feels a bit trivial but for a romance I feel the need to mention it- I would've liked more physical descriptors of each lead, I just couldn't picture them in my head and wasn't given anything to go off of.
Altogether a bit of a letdown. I was looking for a wlw mafia romance after seeing so many straight ones being recommended, but this wasn't quite dark enough and the romance wasn't compelling.
Thanks to Netgyrl (Laura) for putting me on to this :) on to the next, hopefully I find one that works for me!
November 21, 2020
LOVED IT - Cosa Nosta #1 is a MUST READ !!! Honor, loyalty, family and silence is all Maria Lombardo knew growing up...but she wanted 1 more thing ... the love of a good woman. This is the story of Maria, the woman she loved and the life Maria was living as the head of a mafia family. I enjoyed the characters (main & secondary) but at times the story dragged and confused me a little bit. Who owned which property, what mafia family controlled what, that confused me but I stuck with the characters and the story as a whole. The ending threw me a little ... I was ok with the ending (or so I thought “ending”) but I was knew something else was coming. I hope the “second” ending is a lead in to book #2. Some people may get bored with this story but give it a chance ... I think you’ll be happy you did. I looking forward to reading book #2
May 5, 2025
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this sapphic mafia. A couple things to nitpick, but the biggest one was we start off (at like 5%) with Maria having some intimate times with the rival don's wife. Once we really got into it and Simone and Maria met and the mafia plots started taking off I was really sucked in. I also liked the conflict Maria was facing with wanting to escape the life and when her father dies being in the position of having to take over until a new Don could be voted on. I also thought she did a great job balancing having to be strong against other mafiosos but yet wanting to change the culture where she could. They also were one of the nicer mafias so that probably helped too. Not sure what's going to happen in the next book, but I'm intrigued.
I really enjoyed this sapphic mafia. A couple things to nitpick, but the biggest one was we start off (at like 5%) with Maria having some intimate times with the rival don's wife. Once we really got into it and Simone and Maria met and the mafia plots started taking off I was really sucked in. I also liked the conflict Maria was facing with wanting to escape the life and when her father dies being in the position of having to take over until a new Don could be voted on. I also thought she did a great job balancing having to be strong against other mafiosos but yet wanting to change the culture where she could. They also were one of the nicer mafias so that probably helped too. Not sure what's going to happen in the next book, but I'm intrigued.
May 19, 2020
Coda Nostra
Brilliant story and awersome read. About a woman named Maria whose want to leave the family business (mafia) her father dies in a RTA. She becomes the Don.She has a lover Patrons who has taken over her husband's business after he is arrested and imprisoned. Maria meets a woman called Simone. The story revolves around the Sicily Mafia, the Italians and Spanish Mafia. The story is one you cannot but down from the start /middle/to the end.
Emma Nichols! (author) another awersome read cannot wait for the next one by her. A well deserved 5****STARS. Highly recommend you read it.
Brilliant story and awersome read. About a woman named Maria whose want to leave the family business (mafia) her father dies in a RTA. She becomes the Don.She has a lover Patrons who has taken over her husband's business after he is arrested and imprisoned. Maria meets a woman called Simone. The story revolves around the Sicily Mafia, the Italians and Spanish Mafia. The story is one you cannot but down from the start /middle/to the end.
Emma Nichols! (author) another awersome read cannot wait for the next one by her. A well deserved 5****STARS. Highly recommend you read it.
July 24, 2020
Highly recommend
What a wonderful roller coaster of a ride. A brilliant book with characters that jump off the page they are so well written. I am so pleased that I stepped out from my usual type of lesbian fiction to read this, and I highly recommend Cosa Nostra to anyone who likes suspense/action/crime or just a blumin good book. I couldn't stop reading. Emma Nichols has written a book that has it all, great characters, sexy characters, goodies v baddies, great story line, romance and lots more, a wonderfully crafted book. I found the ending quite beautiful and very cleverly done with the Ballet performance
What a wonderful roller coaster of a ride. A brilliant book with characters that jump off the page they are so well written. I am so pleased that I stepped out from my usual type of lesbian fiction to read this, and I highly recommend Cosa Nostra to anyone who likes suspense/action/crime or just a blumin good book. I couldn't stop reading. Emma Nichols has written a book that has it all, great characters, sexy characters, goodies v baddies, great story line, romance and lots more, a wonderfully crafted book. I found the ending quite beautiful and very cleverly done with the Ballet performance
May 16, 2020
WOW! Exciting and Fast Paced!
Loved this book! This story had me captivated from the first page. It had everything needed for a true Mafia story. Although some traditional things would and could be debated, I am Italian and had no problem with it. Learning the story of Maria and what she was going through before all hell broke loose and understanding what Simone also was going through before Maria entered the picture. The chemistry between the two added the needed heat to make this a great love story. I am a fan of Emma Nichols and this book did not disappoint.
Loved this book! This story had me captivated from the first page. It had everything needed for a true Mafia story. Although some traditional things would and could be debated, I am Italian and had no problem with it. Learning the story of Maria and what she was going through before all hell broke loose and understanding what Simone also was going through before Maria entered the picture. The chemistry between the two added the needed heat to make this a great love story. I am a fan of Emma Nichols and this book did not disappoint.
June 20, 2020
Riveting storyline!
Emma Nichols is a new author to me and what a brilliant writer she is. The plot was so well-developed and edgy. What a twist to have two women, Maria and Patrina, as the mafia bosses. The characters, setting and plot were so well-defined. The underlying theme of the horrendous deeds of the organized crime families were written so well, and the love story with Simone was just exquisite. Cosa Nostra has it all! Brava, Emma! I will be reading more of your books for sure!
Emma Nichols is a new author to me and what a brilliant writer she is. The plot was so well-developed and edgy. What a twist to have two women, Maria and Patrina, as the mafia bosses. The characters, setting and plot were so well-defined. The underlying theme of the horrendous deeds of the organized crime families were written so well, and the love story with Simone was just exquisite. Cosa Nostra has it all! Brava, Emma! I will be reading more of your books for sure!
May 22, 2022
Cosa Nostra was... whelp, where do I start?? First of all, where the heck are are all the Maria's in my country?? She certainly stole my heart in this book! And Simone was perfect for her. I adored their romance and the chemistry between both women, the protectiveness of Maria. This book has the perfect blend of action and heat and sweet. When I think of hot bad a** mafia women from now on, Maria Lombardo will come to mind. I can't recommend this book enough, and I'm angsty to get into the sequel!
October 28, 2025
The struggle.
I struggled reading this book. I almost didn't finish it. It's not like it was horrible or anything like that. It was just meh.
I don't know how else to describe it. Maria and Simone had no build up whatsoever. They just seen each other and were magically in love and moved in. The mob stuff was cool, but Maria hurting Patrina in the bedroom I felt was unnecessary.
The spice level was not even vanilla but more like flour. So... that was disappointing and the ending was predictable.
I struggled reading this book. I almost didn't finish it. It's not like it was horrible or anything like that. It was just meh.
I don't know how else to describe it. Maria and Simone had no build up whatsoever. They just seen each other and were magically in love and moved in. The mob stuff was cool, but Maria hurting Patrina in the bedroom I felt was unnecessary.
The spice level was not even vanilla but more like flour. So... that was disappointing and the ending was predictable.
September 28, 2020
Loved it!
I’ve always enjoyed stories about the Mob, and how could it get any better than to have both Mob families led by ladies? Oh, yes ... both Mob leading ladies are lesbians!! It doesn’t get better than that. 🙂 Well, it could get better, if the bloody, gory, Mob story with two lesbian leading ladies could have a Happily Ever After ending! I guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out!
I’ve always enjoyed stories about the Mob, and how could it get any better than to have both Mob families led by ladies? Oh, yes ... both Mob leading ladies are lesbians!! It doesn’t get better than that. 🙂 Well, it could get better, if the bloody, gory, Mob story with two lesbian leading ladies could have a Happily Ever After ending! I guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out!
February 16, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
this book has very interesting characters and an angsty storyline i couldn’t put down. i kind of wish there had been more „action“ scenes tho.
the start of maria and simone‘s romance or feelings whatever starts rather fast and seems a bit rushed but it was cute so i can excuse it being way too unrealistic lol. i loved their relationship and chemistry, however i think the way their characters developed was a bit too brushed over.
the tending-to-wounds-trope tho: 😫🥺 loved it
this book has very interesting characters and an angsty storyline i couldn’t put down. i kind of wish there had been more „action“ scenes tho.
the start of maria and simone‘s romance or feelings whatever starts rather fast and seems a bit rushed but it was cute so i can excuse it being way too unrealistic lol. i loved their relationship and chemistry, however i think the way their characters developed was a bit too brushed over.
the tending-to-wounds-trope tho: 😫🥺 loved it
April 25, 2020
Emma has done it again. Woven a compelling story that holds your interest and makes you wish the story never ends. Maria is an unwilling mafia boss, Simone is a good girl and the two shall meet. But good girls don't belong in Maria's world. Their world collide , there is intrigue, trust, no trust, hatred and love. And violence, she is a Donna after all. Enjoy it!
October 6, 2020
I’m not generally a fan of Mafia stories, but with that cover and Emma Nichols writing it, well, how could I pass it up? I’m glad I gave it a go, because it was a great read. Cosa Nostra has everything you’d expect from a crime family story with a few unexpected twists, and the added bonus of two strong female leads, romance, and page turning action. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews