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Ciccone Brothers #0.6
She's With Me
Being a Ciccone comes with a certain set of perks.
A lifestyle that is like no others.
Brothers who are ruthless.
A father who’s worse.
Love doesn’t exist in our world until Courtlin enters mine.
She’s innocent, sweet—an angel.
She doesn’t belong in this life, but none of that matters when she’s with me.
I’m Kenley, and I’m the only female Ciccone.
SHE'S WITH ME is the first look in the soon-to-come Ciccone Brothers series. It is a stand-alone Dark Mafia Female /Female Romance novella, complete with HEA and no cliffhangers.
Please note: this book is a dark mafia romance that contains mature content, graphic violence, and may contain triggers. If such materials offend you, please do not read.
A lifestyle that is like no others.
Brothers who are ruthless.
A father who’s worse.
Love doesn’t exist in our world until Courtlin enters mine.
She’s innocent, sweet—an angel.
She doesn’t belong in this life, but none of that matters when she’s with me.
I’m Kenley, and I’m the only female Ciccone.
SHE'S WITH ME is the first look in the soon-to-come Ciccone Brothers series. It is a stand-alone Dark Mafia Female /Female Romance novella, complete with HEA and no cliffhangers.
Please note: this book is a dark mafia romance that contains mature content, graphic violence, and may contain triggers. If such materials offend you, please do not read.
86 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2021
100 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Sade Rena
51 books575 followersSade Rena is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and Multicultural Romance.
A lover of all things romance, Sade enjoys spinning tales that are angsty, emotional, and sexy. Stories that sometimes blur the lines and test the limits of love. She writes diverse characters who are flawed, and maybe even a little broken, but either way, the men in her books will worm their way into your heart.
If you enjoy dark contemporary and dark paranormal romance, please be on the lookout for titles under S. Rena!
Visit www.saderena.com
Join the mailing list for updates- https://www.saderena.com/email-list
Facebook and Instagram -@saderenawrites
A lover of all things romance, Sade enjoys spinning tales that are angsty, emotional, and sexy. Stories that sometimes blur the lines and test the limits of love. She writes diverse characters who are flawed, and maybe even a little broken, but either way, the men in her books will worm their way into your heart.
If you enjoy dark contemporary and dark paranormal romance, please be on the lookout for titles under S. Rena!
Visit www.saderena.com
Join the mailing list for updates- https://www.saderena.com/email-list
Facebook and Instagram -@saderenawrites
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 11, 2022
She’s With Me is a short and smexy prequel/novella to the Ciccone Brothers series.
Despite the short length, there is surprising depth to the characters and their story. Likewise, there are glimpses into the personalities of several of the brothers and even Papa Ciccone.
I’ve not read much FF romance and really enjoyed it! I’m also really looking forward to the rest of the series and getting to know the Ciccone brothers better.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶1/2
🗂 Genre: Mafia Romance
✨ Tropes: FF
⚠️ Safety Squad: Voyeurism, Exhibitionism
📣 She’s With Me is a prequel to the Ciccone Brothers series.
Despite the short length, there is surprising depth to the characters and their story. Likewise, there are glimpses into the personalities of several of the brothers and even Papa Ciccone.
I’ve not read much FF romance and really enjoyed it! I’m also really looking forward to the rest of the series and getting to know the Ciccone brothers better.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶1/2
🗂 Genre: Mafia Romance
✨ Tropes: FF
⚠️ Safety Squad: Voyeurism, Exhibitionism
📣 She’s With Me is a prequel to the Ciccone Brothers series.
May 1, 2021
I wishhh it was longer, because I didn’t want it to end so soon 😭
December 31, 2020
She's With Me is my first exposure to the writings of both Sade Rena and BL Mute, and I wonder where these authors have been? Wow. Just wow. This is a novella, yet so much happens in this story that it feels as if it was a full sized book. This story is a prequel to a larger series to be co-written by these authors, and it was simply well done.
While the focus is on Kenley, the only daughter of the Ciccone family, we get a glimpse of the entire clan of characters in this dysfunctional mafia family. The only daughter, unexpected, unwanted, she thrives in a world of darkness. The story focuses on her coincidental meeting with Courtlin, a shy, demure woman and their powder keg chemistry.
The story pacing moves quickly, but is well developed with great character descriptions, broody men, strong women, intriguing plot line, suspense, secrets, angst, heat and sexy times which had me riveted until the end. I cannot wait to see what comes next from these authors. I am hooked.
While the focus is on Kenley, the only daughter of the Ciccone family, we get a glimpse of the entire clan of characters in this dysfunctional mafia family. The only daughter, unexpected, unwanted, she thrives in a world of darkness. The story focuses on her coincidental meeting with Courtlin, a shy, demure woman and their powder keg chemistry.
The story pacing moves quickly, but is well developed with great character descriptions, broody men, strong women, intriguing plot line, suspense, secrets, angst, heat and sexy times which had me riveted until the end. I cannot wait to see what comes next from these authors. I am hooked.
November 24, 2021
1.5 stars. My first mafia romance! It... didn't go well. It's a novella, insta-lust and insta-love to the max (including an under-negotiated first date at a BDSM club). Though there turns out to be a reason behind all that, I guess? Still, the pacing! I've read enough amazing novellas that do so much in so little pages that I'm not as patient as I used to be with short romance books that zoom through the relationship like the Road Runner on speed. But I also didn't want to DNF this, because I've read several books in the last few months that started off bad and ended really well for me.
Alas... this didn't. Kenley and Courtlin had no chemistry; this was certainly explicit, but not very sexy imo. The mafia aspects were equally eye-rolly and upsetting. I expected it to get dark and violent, but it didn't, not really? But Ken's brothers and father were OTT gross and horrible and I hated them so much. She was supposed to be this boss-ass mafia bitch, but it felt like they took away all her agency. This isn't a critique of the book; they're not good people and we're meant to dislike them. It just wasn't fun to read, and nothing else about it was fun to read.
So, you know. Alas. I'd still like to try to find a good f/f mafia romance someday, maybe.
Content warnings: .
Alas... this didn't. Kenley and Courtlin had no chemistry; this was certainly explicit, but not very sexy imo. The mafia aspects were equally eye-rolly and upsetting. I expected it to get dark and violent, but it didn't, not really? But Ken's brothers and father were OTT gross and horrible and I hated them so much. She was supposed to be this boss-ass mafia bitch, but it felt like they took away all her agency. This isn't a critique of the book; they're not good people and we're meant to dislike them. It just wasn't fun to read, and nothing else about it was fun to read.
So, you know. Alas. I'd still like to try to find a good f/f mafia romance someday, maybe.
Content warnings: .
June 4, 2021
This from the blurb had my attention - SHE'S WITH ME is a steamy, short FF story. Add the dark component, and I was sold.
Firstly, if you don't like on-page MF sex in your lesfic, approach with caution. Said content is not with the mains, but it's in your face. I also found it odd that our gay character got off on watching said action. But hey, if a straight guy can get off on lesbian sex, why not flip the tables? *Shrugs*
Secondly, there's no denying these authors have a powerful writing voice. They can paint a picture and give you the feels. For the first 70% I was transfixed. I actually thought this why going to be a five star read for me and couldn't understand the low ratings. By the 70% mark, when the conflict hit, I understood. It was so convoluted, by the end of it, my eyes hurt from all the eye rolls. And the resolution was no better. Hey, sorry. Hey, it's okay.
Unfortunately, this book went from riveting to... I don't know what. The ex-girlfriend thing so did not work for me.
With all that said, I would definitely try another book by these authors. Perhaps not lesfic though.
Firstly, if you don't like on-page MF sex in your lesfic, approach with caution. Said content is not with the mains, but it's in your face. I also found it odd that our gay character got off on watching said action. But hey, if a straight guy can get off on lesbian sex, why not flip the tables? *Shrugs*
Secondly, there's no denying these authors have a powerful writing voice. They can paint a picture and give you the feels. For the first 70% I was transfixed. I actually thought this why going to be a five star read for me and couldn't understand the low ratings. By the 70% mark, when the conflict hit, I understood. It was so convoluted, by the end of it, my eyes hurt from all the eye rolls. And the resolution was no better. Hey, sorry. Hey, it's okay.
Unfortunately, this book went from riveting to... I don't know what. The ex-girlfriend thing so did not work for me.
With all that said, I would definitely try another book by these authors. Perhaps not lesfic though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf-d
May 20, 2025Dnf’d 18%
I’m bored so I stopped
I’m bored so I stopped
February 28, 2021
This was my very first FF book. All I have to say is, it was hot as fu!&! Definitely a must read. So much characterization in a novella is amazing and can’t wait for the rest to come out.
April 15, 2022
What I got was not what I was expecting - which was a nice surprise for the first half and a sad letdown for the second half.
The first part has a typical setup: Courtlin and Kenley meet while Kenley is working, a phone number is exchanged and they meet-up. And while I usually struggle to suspend my disbelief when it comes to "vanilla girl has BDSM sex within 24h of meeting the love interest" (and this does suffer from open communication), it was surprisingly well done. Nothing extreme happens that night and Courtlin's comfort level are at the forefront.
We do get very little dialogue between the two leads and maybe a bit more reading into actions than I would like. This makes the second part all the worst: because for some unexplained reason, Courtlin has to come along when Kenley has to job and then meet her father. And suddenly we are in the usual instalove territory, "I am suddenly feeling so much for her", we get a lot of interactions between Kenley and her brothers (to make her appear more badass?), and there is new information that barely holds a plot thread together.
Honestly, I did not even mind the sudden change in focus of the story. But the story would have been so much better if that tension had either been built up right from the start or if we leaned more into the complicated relationship dynamic later on.
Fun fact: The word "lesbian" is not used, but one her brothers is described as "gay"
The first part has a typical setup: Courtlin and Kenley meet while Kenley is working, a phone number is exchanged and they meet-up. And while I usually struggle to suspend my disbelief when it comes to "vanilla girl has BDSM sex within 24h of meeting the love interest" (and this does suffer from open communication), it was surprisingly well done. Nothing extreme happens that night and Courtlin's comfort level are at the forefront.
We do get very little dialogue between the two leads and maybe a bit more reading into actions than I would like. This makes the second part all the worst: because for some unexplained reason, Courtlin has to come along when Kenley has to job and then meet her father. And suddenly we are in the usual instalove territory, "I am suddenly feeling so much for her", we get a lot of interactions between Kenley and her brothers (to make her appear more badass?), and there is new information that barely holds a plot thread together.
Honestly, I did not even mind the sudden change in focus of the story. But the story would have been so much better if that tension had either been built up right from the start or if we leaned more into the complicated relationship dynamic later on.
Fun fact: The word "lesbian" is not used, but one her brothers is described as "gay"
January 1, 2021
Wow! What an introduction to the Ciccone family! As well as this duo of new to me authors! Wasn't sure what I was getting myself into, but I likey!
So "She’s With Me" gives you a glimpse into the dark world of the Ciccone family and holy hades . . . It is dark, twisty, and hot! There are no boundaries! And it is going to get interesting . . . I am sure of it! Kenley is the only female Ciccone, and a badass mob brat at that! And when Courtlin walks into the family business . . . Lets just say heaven and hell sure do mix!
Grab this novella and prep yourself for the dark and twisty kinks that are sure to make your nights thoroughly heated!
So "She’s With Me" gives you a glimpse into the dark world of the Ciccone family and holy hades . . . It is dark, twisty, and hot! There are no boundaries! And it is going to get interesting . . . I am sure of it! Kenley is the only female Ciccone, and a badass mob brat at that! And when Courtlin walks into the family business . . . Lets just say heaven and hell sure do mix!
Grab this novella and prep yourself for the dark and twisty kinks that are sure to make your nights thoroughly heated!
January 4, 2021
Sexy and very thrilling story!
WOW! These two authors are new to me and boy have I been missing out on their books. This story is fast paced and starts out super sexy, intense and filled with moments that left me breathless. But then the story takes a thrilling turn and becomes this intense, suspenseful and really intriguing story. This might be a novella but it sure packed a punch. I love every second of this amazing story, all of the fantastic characters and the outstanding plot.
I can’t wait to read more of the Ciccone Family stories.
WOW! These two authors are new to me and boy have I been missing out on their books. This story is fast paced and starts out super sexy, intense and filled with moments that left me breathless. But then the story takes a thrilling turn and becomes this intense, suspenseful and really intriguing story. This might be a novella but it sure packed a punch. I love every second of this amazing story, all of the fantastic characters and the outstanding plot.
I can’t wait to read more of the Ciccone Family stories.
January 2, 2021
This was my first book by both of these authors, and I am in love. I loved this book!
July 4, 2021
Good F2F romance
I really enjoyed this novella. I really liked the fast pace of the book. I seen the plot coming before it actually happened but I don't mind that.
I really enjoyed this novella. I really liked the fast pace of the book. I seen the plot coming before it actually happened but I don't mind that.
October 7, 2025
There wasn't anything overly romantic here and I'm not really sure what our main characters saw in each other. I mean, there was maybe sexual chemistry, but nothing more. And most part of the book happens in a single day, they met, slept together, went to a sex club and blackmailed a businessman in one single day. And nothing is properly resolved in the end - will the mafia heroine continue to have sexual encounters with her fathers enemies, since she's in a relationship now, are they even exclusive? I feel like they'd break up in a few weeks, so this needed an epilogue.
Also, one heroine was very experienced and the other was practically a virgin, and I hate that imbalance in books.
Also, they shared an ex girlfriend, and we suddenly find out that she was the only girl the mafia heroine loved, but she gave up on her so easily. And she even said that she felt drawn to the other heroine because she reminded her of her ex, which only made this book even worse.
Overall, it was a mess that focused on sex instead of emotional connection between the characters. I mean, the sex would've been fine if there was chemistry or some kind of deeper attraction, but there was nothing.
Also, one heroine was very experienced and the other was practically a virgin, and I hate that imbalance in books.
Also, they shared an ex girlfriend, and we suddenly find out that she was the only girl the mafia heroine loved, but she gave up on her so easily. And she even said that she felt drawn to the other heroine because she reminded her of her ex, which only made this book even worse.
Overall, it was a mess that focused on sex instead of emotional connection between the characters. I mean, the sex would've been fine if there was chemistry or some kind of deeper attraction, but there was nothing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2022
This novella definitely served spice! I swear while reading chapter four the air in my room was like a hundred degrees. I underestimated how dark this romance was going to be, but I ate all that angst up.
Kenley completely shattered my heart. Her situation was so messed up and degrading that, as a woman, I couldn’t imagine going through what she did. She’s a baddie though, her confidence was radiating and she wouldn’t let anyone intimidate her.
Poor Courtlin. She didn’t deserve to get thrown into Kenley’s world the way she did. She’s shy and reserved, but would do anything for her sister. She really stepped out of her comfort zone with Ken and you got to see a whole different side of her when they were together.
This book was much darker than I was anticipating, really got me in my feels. I’d like to believe that Court and Ken would have found each other if their circumstances were different. They both put their families first even when it hurt the other, but they held strong and that’s all that matters.
Kenley completely shattered my heart. Her situation was so messed up and degrading that, as a woman, I couldn’t imagine going through what she did. She’s a baddie though, her confidence was radiating and she wouldn’t let anyone intimidate her.
Poor Courtlin. She didn’t deserve to get thrown into Kenley’s world the way she did. She’s shy and reserved, but would do anything for her sister. She really stepped out of her comfort zone with Ken and you got to see a whole different side of her when they were together.
This book was much darker than I was anticipating, really got me in my feels. I’d like to believe that Court and Ken would have found each other if their circumstances were different. They both put their families first even when it hurt the other, but they held strong and that’s all that matters.
Read
March 17, 2021It was Aight
The Novella had a lot of components that makes it an unforgetabe adventure and the main characters were easy to get into. The only thing I personally did not like about it was the time frame for the development. I understand that it's a novella and that it was marketed as a short story, but it still felt a little rushed to me. Besides that it was a great read when diving into the main characters.
The Novella had a lot of components that makes it an unforgetabe adventure and the main characters were easy to get into. The only thing I personally did not like about it was the time frame for the development. I understand that it's a novella and that it was marketed as a short story, but it still felt a little rushed to me. Besides that it was a great read when diving into the main characters.
May 6, 2023
i saw the words ff and mafia and jumped head first into this novella. the main issue i had wasn't that it felt rushed per se, i didn't mind their insta lust/love, but the best part of the story for me was the plot twist and if that had been developed this could have been so so good. the potential was there but it fell short and the smut was just very unsatisfactory, performative. the only way i can describe it is that it felt queerbating even if there was a queer couple with an hea.
Read
November 13, 2024She’s With Me is an Adult Mafia Romance novella.
This is a prequel novella to the Ciccone Brothers series. I haven’t read any of the books in the series, but I suspect my reading experience of this novella would have benefited from the extra context.
I wish Kenley and Courtlin’s romance had more time to develop. They meet and spend one highly intimate day together. And while I expect things to be rushed in a novella, I personally don’t buy such strong feelings occurring over a single day.
This is a prequel novella to the Ciccone Brothers series. I haven’t read any of the books in the series, but I suspect my reading experience of this novella would have benefited from the extra context.
I wish Kenley and Courtlin’s romance had more time to develop. They meet and spend one highly intimate day together. And while I expect things to be rushed in a novella, I personally don’t buy such strong feelings occurring over a single day.
June 19, 2025
If I could give it a zero I would. No development, zero, zilch. I know it’s a novella but you could’ve at least tried a little more. Nothing in this made sense. We were dumped with a bunch of information and it was like do what you will with it. Me is confusion. I obviously didn’t like this and if you can skip it 👁️👁️….. n e ways, toodles!
May 25, 2022
I enjoyed the story of Kenley and Courtlin. I thought they had an instant attraction and a good connection. I felt for them both for what they had been through. I liked them both and I am glad in the end they made it through their families issues to be together.
September 16, 2023
1.5 stars. There's nothing I hate more than bad sapphic books😕
April 12, 2022
Unrealistic in the way it felt like it was written by someone who wasn’t queer.
March 13, 2021
I liked the stories and the main characters (Well, mostly. Courtlin was annoying as hell in the beginning with all her timidness and lip biting, but it all made more sense in the end). The scene in the club was really hot and I enjoy messed-up family dynamics.
The writing however... not so great. Not only is it choppy and jarring, some of it makes absolutely no sense. (“... loving the cries permeating from her.” Not to go all Inigo Montoya, but I don’t think that word means what you think it means.) If an editor was employed here, they weren’t worth the money. And if not, well it shows.
All in all there is definitely potential, but I’m not sure I’ll pick up any more books in the series.
The writing however... not so great. Not only is it choppy and jarring, some of it makes absolutely no sense. (“... loving the cries permeating from her.” Not to go all Inigo Montoya, but I don’t think that word means what you think it means.) If an editor was employed here, they weren’t worth the money. And if not, well it shows.
All in all there is definitely potential, but I’m not sure I’ll pick up any more books in the series.
April 22, 2022
I was excited to find a FF romance. This was a quick steamy mafia read. It is an instalove, revenge, mafia romance. The spice was very well done and I plan to read more from this author.
May 2, 2022
Oh, the garbage I read purely because it’s sapphic
March 13, 2021
No . Stop
Who in there right mind would insert a dil...do Into a what amounts to a virgin.? A wonder about the sexuality of the person writing this book.It really offended me.
No. Not for me. At.all.
Who in there right mind would insert a dil...do Into a what amounts to a virgin.? A wonder about the sexuality of the person writing this book.It really offended me.
No. Not for me. At.all.
March 21, 2022
I am a fan of B.L. Mute, so to see she has done a joint story with Sade Rena, I was very excited to see where they went with it.
Firstly, there are not enough F/F romance books out there, so when I have to chance to read one I always get excited about it. So thank you for writing this!
This was a quick read and was not as spicy as I expected, BUT it had just the right amount! It was more of a short story with a good plot and set up with some spice added in, which to me is perfect! It was a great novella that gave us a glimpse into what its like to be Ciccone. Let me tell you... I was not prepared for that plot twist!! The characters were just very relatable in the sense that it was over the top. Listen, ill be her Angel. lol!!
And that intro into Read to Me, got me excited to read it!
Firstly, there are not enough F/F romance books out there, so when I have to chance to read one I always get excited about it. So thank you for writing this!
This was a quick read and was not as spicy as I expected, BUT it had just the right amount! It was more of a short story with a good plot and set up with some spice added in, which to me is perfect! It was a great novella that gave us a glimpse into what its like to be Ciccone. Let me tell you... I was not prepared for that plot twist!! The characters were just very relatable in the sense that it was over the top. Listen, ill be her Angel. lol!!
And that intro into Read to Me, got me excited to read it!
August 21, 2021
This is probably the best FF I've read. It's a fast burn. The steam comes in quick and heavy...before it's doused out that is. Kenley has a powerful and dangerous family. They're involved in a lot of bad activities. Courtlin gets mixed in due to other influences but winds up in Kenley's path which leads to her bed.
But there are things Courtlin has hidden from Kenley and these things could very well destroy their relationship before its even truly begun.
This a short novella and very easy to read through quickly because you won't want to put it down. I can't wait for the rest of the Ciccone series to come out. I need more of these 7 brothers Kenley has and am going to need an update on Kenley and Courtlin as well.
But there are things Courtlin has hidden from Kenley and these things could very well destroy their relationship before its even truly begun.
This a short novella and very easy to read through quickly because you won't want to put it down. I can't wait for the rest of the Ciccone series to come out. I need more of these 7 brothers Kenley has and am going to need an update on Kenley and Courtlin as well.
August 27, 2021
This was my first FF romance. And my oh my.
March 11, 2022
love this
For me it’s so hard to find an F/f book that I like, that’s done right. Thank you ladies, you nailed this!
For me it’s so hard to find an F/f book that I like, that’s done right. Thank you ladies, you nailed this!
March 6, 2022
3 stars
I liked the characters, their duality of dominant and submissive was fun to read. And their care for each other was sweet.
The mafia aspect was intriguing with plot twists and developments that shocked and surprised me. With decent tension between the characters.
The smut was mediocre and focused towards the beginning but i did really like the voyeur scene 👀
Solid read, you should give it a go.
I liked the characters, their duality of dominant and submissive was fun to read. And their care for each other was sweet.
The mafia aspect was intriguing with plot twists and developments that shocked and surprised me. With decent tension between the characters.
The smut was mediocre and focused towards the beginning but i did really like the voyeur scene 👀
Solid read, you should give it a go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews