Revenge Is Sweet

by Lee Savino

“Did you think, for a minute, I might want to be awake for the proposal?” I ask, fluttering my fingers so the huge princess cut diamond on my hand catches the light.

His eyes go soft and warm. “I couldn’t risk you running again.

There’s a tracking device in there.”

“Tracking device?” I squeak, when I find my voice.

“Oh yes,” he murmurs. “You will not escape me again.”

***

Revenge is Sweet was previously published as “Taken by the Mafia Prince” in the Darkly Ever After Boxset.

***

She’s gonna bake him a muffin he can’t refuse…

When a mafia prince sweeps into Leah's bakery and decides she belong to him, all's she can do is can hang on until the happily ever after.


Author's Note: It's a heart-warming spicy mafia romance. It has some sort-of-dark themes but not really. This is what happens when my brain wants to write both a dark romance and rom com. You're welcome.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Dark, Mafia Romance, Contemporary, Crime, Dark Romance

125 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2022

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Reviews

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Royal Invasion

4.5 stars - This is not your typical dark mafia story. It's funny to go along with some of the usual mafia themes of violence, intimidation, and overly possessive men. Royal is... something... who seems to love ripping clothing off. 🔥🔥

"I'm good at fixing things."
-- Royal Regis

Yeah, that's an understatement and full of many meanings.



Even though it's completely over-the-top, I was entertained by Leah and Royal's story. My original plan to listen to about an hour before doing other things was thwarted. So much so, that I couldn't put it down and finished it in one go.

I received an author's copy of the audio book, which I listened to while reading along from the Darkly Ever After anthology. The narrators are Blaire LeBlanc and Jasper Woodcock. I love what they bring to the characters, including accents. Mmm, I do love a man with an accent. I also love duet narration! 🎧💋🎉

Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.5x

[Peppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!

Leah’s life has been small, safe and a little lonely , just her working at the bakery owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rossi, the couple who took her in when she entered the foster system. But when Mrs. Rossi falls ill, it’s down to Leah and Mr. Rossi to keep things going. Mr. Rossi’s big idea to save the bakery? Buy a fancy espresso machine they have zero clue how to use.
That’s when Royal walks in. Tall, gorgeous, and “just” looking for an espresso. Leah fumbles with the machine and he swoops in like a caffeine-scented hero, fixing it in no time. He leaves her his card and tells her to call if she ever needs anything , what she doesn’t know is that Royal has been watching her for over a year, biding his time, and he’s finally done waiting. She’s going to be his, and nothing and no one is going to stop him.

„You think you can run from me? You think I’d just let you go? That's not the type of man I am. I'm the man who takes what he wants. And I want to own you.“

The chemistry between Leah and Royal was electric from the second they met. He absolutely worshiped her , he is the kind of man who always made sure she was satisfied first, who touched her like she was something precious and made her feel like the only woman in the world. Every intimate scene dripped with that obsessive, all-consuming devotion that makes you melt and bite your lip at the same time.

“I will never allow you to doubt how beautiful you are. I will spend the rest of my life, every last waking hour, making sure you know that you are a gift to the world.“

It’s part mafia obsession, part good-vs-evil and completely romantic in that intense, all-or-nothing way. Leah’s sweet and a little insecure, Royal’s dark and obsessive but fiercely protective, and together? They’re ridiculously addictive!! I couldn’t put it down and honestly, I didn’t want to.

Trops/kinks/safety
🖤mafia prince x bride
🖤insta love
🖤kidnapping
🖤slight stalking
🖤possessive/ obsessiv MMC
🖤rope play
🖤worship/spoiling
🖤pussy worship
🖤forced orgasm
🖤orgasm denial
🖤breeding kink

[Dominique F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely hysterical.

I e laughed out loud so many times I can’t even take it.

I’m also only like an hour into the audio book

Unreal!

love his stalker tendencies

[Kimmylongtime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby you know we love a sexy stalker man. This guy is a big sexy beast who could have me for a goddamn 💵 dollar. Omg,😳 a plus size baker who is not a crazy lovestruck virgin. When she was being all indecisive I wanted to shake her. Girl if you don’t take this mafioso we will all pick days and share him!! If you didn’t want to have his babies you shouldn’t have let him hit it RAW! But let me stop being spicy this was so cute.

Oh, this was good! Rock that throne queen 👸!

[Cécile Smits · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before Vengeance is Mine,i knew i had to read this little beauty.
It introduced me to Royal,Leah and their family.
And Royal was someone i was véry happy to meet!
He may be a mob boss,and ruthless,but for Leah he is perfect!
She may doubt she’s perfect for him,being a simple baker,and being short and curvy as well,but she’s exactly what he was looking for!
Let’s just say his aunt ‘knew what she was talking about’…..and Royal is a firm believer.
There’s no way he’s going to allow Leah to walk away from him.

This story may have been short,but it had everything i was hoping for.
Including a most satisfying happy after.

[Eva ✧ ࣪ ⋆ ⁺₊ ⋆ evathedreamer ₊˚.⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊ ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dominant mafia-man and innocent baker girl 👌
Action, spice, and family drama 👍

[B.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved how the epilogue tied everything back together.
The cupcake scene with Vinnie was absolutely freaking hilarious. Definitely do not need a man to save you lol

[Yas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short mafia with rom-com vibes? Sign me up
Revenge Is Sweet was a cute & steamy contemporary romance with a little bit of obsessed MMC and mafia sprinkled in.
This book is good when you don't know what to read but don't want to commit to a long book.

🗂Genre: Contemporary Romance
📕Type: Standalone

🏷Tropes:
- Wealthy, obsessed MMC
- Kind, poor FMC
- slight Stalking
- Mafia
- Insta Lust

⚠️Safety: crime and stalking

📖KU: 1st person, dual POV

[Christi (christireadsalot)]

Short and sweet mafia romance novella! She’s a baker, he’s a possessive mafia hero, it has insta love, he calls her “principessa” and loves to spoil her. Described as a heartwarming, spicy mafia read!

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

very VERY fast paced
overly pushy male MC
all in all scenes were pretty well written
weekend away of spicy time and forced engagement
kinda all felt like a fever dream.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me say this … Lee Savino is one of my one-click authors whom I adore. When I was selected and asked to read this ARC not only was I honored but excited beyond belief! "Revenge is Sweet" has all the feels you could ask for. There's a villain, a good vs evil plot, strong characters, one hot, sexy, mafia Alpha who is sensitive and caring, and a sassy, insecure, and humble heroine. It's a breath of fresh air. It's sigh-worthy. It's romantic. It's wonderful.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍. 𝑴𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒔 𝒎𝒚 😻, “𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆.”

Revenge is Sweet was a quick, fun, sweet read.

𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑨𝒏𝒅, 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒂, 𝑰 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚.

Leah works at a bakery owned by Mr. & Mrs. Rossi; they took her in after she entered the foster system and cared for her. Mrs. Rossi has fallen ill, leaving Leah and Mr. Rossi to run the bakery.

Mr. Rossi wants more customers and money and buys an espresso machine. The machine makes it all, but they don’t know how to use it.
A tall, handsome stranger enters the bakery one day, wanting only an espresso. Leah doesn’t know how to use the machine, so he offers to help fix it and show her how it works.
Royal leaves her his card and tells her if she needs anything, don’t hesitate to call him.

𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏.

Royal is obsessed with Leah. He has watched her for over a year, and he’s done waiting. He’s ready to claim Leah forever, and no one’s getting in his way, not even his family.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚, 𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈.

I want a man like Royal…
✅Watches over her
✅Protective
✅Helps her fix the espresso machine
✅Takes her to his house and won’t let her leave, lol
✅Buys her the most luxurious wardrobe money can buy
✅Experiences a first with him 😈
✅Buys her baking supplies for the house
✅Tracking device in her engagement ring
✅Helps protect Mr. & Mrs. Rossi
✅Aftercare
✅Wants to br33d her 😏 (read the bonus chapter)
✅He wants to give her the world
✅She’s self-conscious about her weight, and he reminds her that she is the most beautiful woman in the world and reminds her daily.
✅Treats her like the Queen she is 💕

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆.

I’m excited to read Lula’s book, Vengeance is mine.

[shadiedaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free audio code from the author to listen to and review this novelette. I am a fan of Lee Savino, so I was hesitant to hear this dark rom-com from the queen of the werewolves.

Royal Regis is an Italian-born and raised mafioso that has come to the United States to take his birthright from his father. The father turned his back on Royal as a child and has tried to ensure that Royal never takes over as the rightful heir of his territory. Leah is a lonely foster kid that is paying for college by working at the local Italian bakery. After a chance meeting, Royal decides Leah is the key to his plan to take his father’s territory. When another mafia boss demands protection money from Leah’s elderly employer, she turns to Royal for help. Royal sees the opening he has needed to stake his claim within La Familia and with Leah.

This was an audiobook, so I listened to it while working and getting things done. I need to listen to more audiobooks. My one complaint is that the male voice was okay. Sometimes it was low, grumbly, and sexy and other times it seemed wrong. Also, it sounded like the male narrator moved in and out of an Italian accent. The female voice was pleasant. The steamy moments started off like a romantic candle and ended like an explosion. The way Ms. Savino slowly introduced the naughtiness into this relationship was titillating. Although the relationship developed quickly, the levels of naughtiness as the story progressed seemed appropriate. I really enjoyed the open flirtation between Royal and Leah. Everyone could see how smitten with each other they were. I loved Leah’s diabolical plan for her father-in-law. With that plan, she let Royal, La Familia, and Royal’s family know that she was not a wilting flower, and that she could hold her own with them. Overall, I loved this story, and I have had a difficult time writing this review without giving away spoilers. I am anxiously looking forward to book two—will it be cousin Enzo or cousin Lulu? Either way, I can’t wait to hear or read the next installment in this series.

[Giulia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

✓ Dual pov's
✓ Entertaining plot - 3 / 5
✓ Mature language
✓ Fast paced 
✓ Spice  🌶🌶🌶 / 5
✓ Insta love
✓ Touch her and you'll 💀
✓ Kidnapping
✓ Possessive man
✓ Mafia romance
✓ Curvy heroine
✓ Mafia prince x bride
✓ Abduction / Seduction
✓ Rope play
✓ HEA


Leah - fmc - works in a bakery owned by Mr. Rossi and his wife.
When Leah arrives at the bakery one day, Mr. Rossi tells her that he bought an espresso machine at an auction.
Now she has to learn how to make espresso on a machine that's missing some parts and is older than she is. Leah is lucky that her customers only order regular coffee, but her luck is about to change when a Mafia prince comes into the bakery and only wants an espresso.

This is not your typical dark mafia story, but you do get a mafia prince stalker, a curvy heroine who loves to bake, it's funny but with the violence, intimidation and possessive man you find in the usual mafia themes.

[Bina_and_Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay book

[Teresa Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was awesome!!! I can't wait to finish the other books.

[shiiimmee · Rating 4 out of 5]

His name is Royal and he’s ROYAL 🫦

[Sabs ✨️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 🌟

[Fiatgal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just ok. Slingng the usual tropes but with little chemistry or heat.

[Readiculous 📚🖤👱🏼‍♀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read August 2025: Wonderfully OTT. Just the guilty pleasure I was looking for!

Original review:
Wow, this story was relatively short, but packed a punch! It had everything I love in a story: a super alpha H, a strong, independent h, a damsel in distress situation, spicy heat, instalove, obsession, possession and sweet romance. Royal was delish in his pursuit of Leah. Really enjoyable read!

Safety:
- No OW/OM drama,
- no cheating.
- No separation / no third act break up

[mystsee ୨ৎ]

dnf @ 35%

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holy creeper, Batman. This male MC will be voted “Most likely to turn fem MC into a fashionable coat”. He just gave off those vibes. And what was kinda funny in a horrified way was how low key the fem MC was about it all. Man has wedding dress and a shit ton of other women’s clothing in your exact size and he says it’s all for you even though you “just met”? Oo, there’s Prada! Man casually puts wedding ring on your finger WHILE YOU’RE SLEEPING and it just so happens to also have a tracking device? So sparkly. If the book was much longer, the fem MC’s attitude about it all would have quickly worn on my nerves, but it was just long enough for me to cringe and kind of laugh at their ridiculousness, then let it go.

I will say the climax where the fem MC escaped the antagonist’s clutches was the single coolest “damsel in distress my ass” moment of any movie/book I’ve come across in a very very long time, possibly forever. So bad ass. Why aren’t there more scenes like that one in other books/movies?

I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either, and it was morbidly funny in a way that made me wonder if it really was funny. So I’ll give it 3 conflicted stars.

[CherylB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series. It features Leah a baker of sweet and savory goodies. She is trying to work and go to college at the same time. One day Royal, a gorgeous, supermodel of a man, walks into the bakery. And she is flustered. But he fixes the complicated, ancient espresso machine. She falls hard. But he falls harder. Within a few days he comes to her rescue with the local mob boss. He whisks her away to his mansion in the hills. Somewhere between rescue and a snowstorm she becomes his fiancé. And then she finds out who he is and what his plans are. Then his father gets in the mix and the tension raises doubts in Leah’s mind. Can she get over being a mafia bride? Will Royal’s father’s predictions come true? Can Royal rescue her a second time? Who will eat all the goodies that Leah Bakes? This is a fast paced read with lots of passion and humor and a touch of dangerous suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Booklover Judy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

#BWWM #Mafia #Obsessed #GrumpySunshine #Novella
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Leah (19) is a young woman who has been through a lot. She works for the local Italian bakery for a wonderful couple. Royal Regis is an Italian American man who was raised primarily by his aunt in the old country. He met Leah a year ago and knew she was the one. After watching her for a year, it is to make his move. He has prepared everything to make her his wife. When he takes her home with him on a cold and snowy day, it isn’t quite kidnapping, but he isn’t going to let her go either. I loved his possessive and protective nature. Leah is bright and shiny and smart. When trouble comes, she hatches a brilliant plan that makes it obvious to everyone that she too can be a little scary in a sweet and unexpected way. This was a very enjoyable, super-steamy read with wonderful characters and an interesting plot line.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge is Sweet, an Audiobook by Lee Savino, is book 1 in the Mafia Brides series. It’s the story of Royal and Leah. Leah works making deliciously tempting baked sweets!!! One day, Royal, a mafia prince, enters the bakery and orders an espresso….that she has difficulty preparing. Nevertheless, he is completely enamored. He has secrets and plans afoot that she could never conceive of!!!

Loved the story and the bakery as a background. The story line is sweet and I was totally enamored with it!!!

This Audiobook was narrated by Jasper Woodcock and Blaire LeBlanc. Blaire LeBlanc was INCREDIBLE!!! I felt every emotion, every nuance, every miniscule thing she was performing. Jasper Woodcock did a good job, but his performance seemed a little stiff and wooden to me, at times.

I am volunteering to leave a review for an Advance Reader Copy of this Audiobook.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Revenge Is Sweet delivers exactly what you expect from a mafia romance—intensity, danger, and a brooding hero with a possessive streak. The chemistry between the characters is definitely there, and the pacing keeps the story moving quickly. I appreciated the strong emotional beats and the heroine’s resilience, as well as the dark, dramatic atmosphere that fans of the genre will enjoy.

That said, some moments felt a bit rushed, and I wished for more depth in the character development and world-building. The relationship leans heavily into tropes I enjoy, but at times it felt predictable, and I found myself wanting a bit more nuance or exploration of their motivations.

Overall, it’s a fast, entertaining read—great if you’re in the mood for a steamy, high-stakes mafia romance, but it didn’t fully stand out for me. Still, it has enough tension and drama to keep you turning the pages.

[Kristen Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the man who fell for a girl a year ago, he watches her for her protection and for his own plan.

Royal a mafia prince needs to be married to be the head of the family, but he doesn't just wanna marry any girl he wants to marry a girl he believes is his fate. Walking into the bakery and seeing a girl who can make him cookies and who has shown him love when he was a mess, happens to be the girl.

Leah, with no idea of Royals' intentions with her, believing him helping her is just for a one night stand.

This spicy short novella romance had me hoping Leah gets everything she wants and needs. That she sees she's Royals fate because he's keeping her, whether she believes is or not.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah is a poor student who bakes in a bakery and barely makes ends meet. One day Royal comes into her shop and seems interested in her. Out of the blue he shows up when she's in trouble and literally sweeps her off her feet and to his home. He's overbearing and secretive and acts like she should just trust him. She's wary but attracted and easily gives up when he won't explain things. This was fast moving with Royal bull dozing over Leah and her concerns. More communication would have made this sweeter.

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baking For The Mafia Don
A dark mafia romance turning into a rom com with a lovely, sweet, underprivileged young woman who loves to bake and her mafia prince, who met her a year ago and knew she was his when the time would be ripe. She doesn’t remember, but is captivated when they meet again and he fixes the new, ancient espresso making machine for the bakery where she works. Leah thinks Royal took her for a one night stand and he has to make a real effort to convince her that he wants her, only her.
It's funny, it’s wonderful and it’s a heart warming story. Loved it!

[Book Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and sexy listen

Leah was a bit naive but all that Royal needed and was looking for. He put his plan in motion and waited for a whole year to until he was able to have her, and she was able to prove she was more than baking cakes. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this Audiobook in AuthorsDirect.