Executioner

Carfano Crime Family #4

by Rebecca Gannon

Dante
They call me The Executioner. I’m feared by everyone.
Except her. At least, not anymore.

Katarina Carfano.

I was never supposed to want her.
Her father took me in when I was thirteen and turned me into the ruthless man I am today. He told me to stay away from his daughter, but she’s the only reason I’m still here.
I live for her. I breathe for her. I do what I do for the family for her. Because with every piece of scum I rid this world of, it’s one less that has the potential to hurt her.

Being with Katarina means going against the only people I can remotely come close to calling family, but I set our fate in motion years ago, and I’ll keep doing whatever is needed to make sure she’s safe.
And mine.

Katarina
My father brought Dante Salerno into our home a battered and broken kid.

He terrified me.

But as the years went on, that fear eventually turned into curiosity, which then morphed into something so much more.
A deep-seated need took root inside of me with every lingering look and brush of a touch we’d share when no one was watching.

I knew nothing could ever come of it, though. I’ve known my role in the family since I was fifteen and my father told me I was meant to marry the man of his choosing. I was meant to be a bargaining chip in a business deal and nothing more. And while he was killed before that could happen, my brother who took his place as the head of the family thinks I’m still going to play that role for him.

What my brother doesn’t realize is that I’m no longer a scared or timid teenager, and there’s no way I’m going down without a fight or without knowing what being Dante’s truly feels like.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Mafia Romance, M F Romance, Smut, Contemporary

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2022

About the author

Rebecca is a dreamer through and through with permanent wanderlust. She's a lover of all things romance and writes what she loves to read, which is a little of everything!

When she's not writing, you can find her *attempting* to curb her online shopping problem while sipping an iced coffee and planning her next road trip!

🖤
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Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️]

DNF @ 28%

Sadly, I think I’m just done with this series.

I love the obsessive male leads, but things just move too fast relationship-wise. Which leads to really low stakes and me not caring in moments I am supposed to care.

Also, the chemistry feels forced. Which is a big deal for me. I will read and re-read the crappiest, most shiteously written smut romance over and over again - all day long - if there is amazing chemistry...but the converse is true as well. Nothing sinks a battleship faster for me than a lack of it.

Oh well. Bummer cause the blurb sounded good and I was hopeful the author was on the upswing. But it’s just not doing it for me.

[Magali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torrid obsession
It's an excellent romance, quite twisted by its main characters of Katerina and Dante: she's a mafia princess, and he's the killer of this same family.
She might seem sweet, but has an iron hand, and he's known for his coldness, his intensity. They are extraordinary characters who are as fascinating as their story, with their own markers in society.
The story is definitely addictive.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Bookfetish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Chula Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me all the Carfanos! Every single one, every cousin, every soldier... every single character related to them! Stefano maybe? Nico? Gabriel? Hell! I even want a Santino book now! Please, please tell me there's going to be more because after Dante and Katarina my obsession for this series is now in a new entire level! I swear it was so. damn. good. I'm high on this book right now.

Where do I even start? Well first, this series has gotten me super excited from book 1. I've said it several times, it's like watching a gangster movie with all the danger, suspense and action. Even though each book gives every couple the happy ending they deserve, Rebecca keeps surprising me with many new jaw-dropping twists about the family history and mysteries that are being resolved as the series goes by. The Executioner wasn't an exception. The romance was intense, deliciously sexy and provoking and the plot around it was exhilarating and so intriguing that I couldn't put it down for one second! I honestly hope this review can make it justice because it was just that good!

Katarina has been a mystery to me this entire time. She's always been in the background of the Carfano family. I knew she was going to be a badass heroine (just like all the heroines in this series), but she took that Carfano's badassery and broke the mold. She was feisty, sassy, fearless and ready to fight and kill for the ones she loved. She surprised everyone with her skills and her determination, even her own brothers. I loved that she wasn't the typical helpless mafia-daughter/ damsel in distress in need of a savior. She was her own savior and not only she let Dante take care of her, she was also taking care of him in more ways than he expected. I loved how she was never afraid of asking demanding what she wanted and fight for the future and respect she knew she deserved. She wanted freedom and she wanted Dante... and she got it all!

"She's not a thing to be handed over. She's the fucking sun and moon─ above us and untouchable."

I've been curious about Dante's story from the start. The scary, fearless man who everyone feared and respected. The tough enforcer of the Carfano family who had one and only one spot that could turn him into mush.

"The Executioner has one weakness. Katarina Carfano."

This man was a big tank of muscle, bullets and knifes on the outside, but a huge teddy bear with a broken-hopeful soul and a heartbreaking past in the inside. A man of many hidden talents that he would only show to the woman he'd loved for years. I was intrigued by his backstory as it was revealed. It broke my heart to know the circumstances that led him to the Carfano family and how much it hurt him to feel Katarina so away from him for years. I loved his protective instincts and his fearless spirit. His loyalty to the Carfanos gave me the chills, even with so many secrets he was holding and all the risks he had to face to finally be free to love Katarina. This man made me swoon so freaking hard, I'm not kidding!

"You taste how you look," he murmurs.
"And how's that?"
"Like purity and sin wrapped together."

Did I mention how hot this book is? Goodness gracious! I'm fanning myself just thinking about it. Kat and Dante went down to business. It was the perfect amount of spice, deliciously written and right at the perfect time! It was the cherry on top of all the beautiful moments they share together over music, memories they didn't even know they had of one another from all the years pining for each other. The risks and obstacles they had to overcome to keep each other safe and the intimate moments they had while sharing their deepest secrets and desires that made my heart swoon hard! Aaahh! Chef's kiss!

I also enjoyed seeing the entire family once again. Leo as the head of the family, showing us once more why he is indeed the Big Boss of the Carfano family and Alec and Luca the most amazing brothers. I got all giddy and excited seeing Kat bonding with Abrianna, Tessa and Angela and that happy ending with all the family together had me feeling all the freaking feels.

Book hangover X100000000! Once again, I devoured another Carfano Book in just a couple of hours and I'll have to wait God knows how long for the next installment. What am I going to do in the meantime?

If you're a Mafia Romance fan and haven't read this wonderful series, books 1-3 are free to read in KU! I recommend 100%!!!

Thank you, Rebecca Gannon for feeding my obsession with this family and this entire fictional world. This ARC was everything!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/12/2023)! 🎁

[Joyce Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend! ❤️ Dante and the growth of Katarina!

This is the second story I have read by Rebecca Gannon. I love to read series, but decided to skip the first two of this one based upon the BLURBs. I made a mistake and will be going back and reading them now that I have read the last two in the series. Just based on the comments, I think they are going to be very enlightening.

So obviously this can be read as a stand-alone, but I think it would have been infinitely better if I had read them in published order to begin with, as there are a lot of reoccurring characters, themes and background that can’t be fully explained or recapped easily.

⛔️ If you have not read the story, the following may contain spoilers …

** There are references and scenes that will be difficult for sensitive readers. I included a high-level listing below for reference, but please note: this is a DARK THEMED story that involves all of the themes commonly associated within the mafia genre, plus some extras thrown in for fun. **

The story universe and characters are well developed. I am a visual reader so there are never enough physical descriptions, but Rebecca does include more than most other authors.

I mention the following for readers such as myself that visualize the story as it is read, because errors interrupt the flow and disengage me from the ‘movie’. This story includes quite a few grammatical issues, definitely more than the third book in this series. These included a lot of typos (I.e. one is the title of the story 🥹), extra inserted words, missing words, incorrect punctuation, and word tenses.

There are also a couple of data inconsistencies, such as which floor the medical suite is located within the Carfano building and the nationality of the assassin hired.

I didn’t make a note on it, but readers understand that even big, tough mafia enforcers need a little bit of time to recuperate. The timeline doesn’t seem to be constrained by anything, so why not build in a week or two so he can heal? Plus, we all like our romance to be somewhat based on reality, so that it seems like it could possibly happen irl. No one expects a heavy intimate scene after a serious injury. If the thought is to include as many ‘sexy time’ scenes as possible, then just stick another one or three in somewhere else. I uploaded my notes to goodreads for anyone interested.

⛔️ Contains references to, or scenes detailing, subject matter that may be a trigger or offensive to some, including, but not limited to: adult language; derogatory terms; mental health challenges of depression, anxiety, etc.; steamy adult intimate scenes with dominance, submission, breath play, knife play, ‘bottom’ play, sadism, masochism, etc.; violence such as kidnapping, murder / death, torture, assault, fighting, betrayal, blackmail, coercion, rape, human trafficking, child neglect, drug use and distribution, gun running, gambling, loan sharks, mafia organizations, etc.

[Allyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I have a new favorite Carfano family member is an understatement. We have seen glimpses of Kat in previous books, but seeing her full out is amazing. I love a strong, take-no-prisoners type of woman, and Kat is that. Dante and Kat are perfect for each other. The devil and the angel, the dark and the light, Dante and Kat. I am awful at book reviews, but I enjoyed this book. I got angry when I was disrupted or couldn’t have time to read. I have loved the Carfano men, but Kat is next level


Kat is being forced into an advantageous marriage, to strengthen her family’s business. Dante was brought into the family after Kat’s father, Micheal, saw him kill a man. Dante was trained to be the protector of the Carfano family. Dante has known for awhile now that Kat is his, but won’t act on it, until Katarina is promised to marry someone else. Both Kat and Dante have had unrequited feelings for one another for quite sometime, and they finally act on their feelings.


I like that Kat was a strong and fiercely independent woman. When she set her mind to something, Kat did just that, no matter what. This is a great follow-up to the first three books. My one critique is that this one seemed slightly more graphic, with the violence. There is a scene from the first book, Casino King, that I had the same feelings about. However, this was in multiple scenes. It made the story very exciting, but if you are the least bit squeamish, this could be a problem. There are two or three specific scenes that come to mind. I am not one who usually thinks that something is too much, but there were a couple of times. It’s just a warning for those who don’t like to read lots of violence.


Overall, this is another great story from one of my favorite authors. The fact that Rebecca Gannon is not more well known or not on the list of “Must Read Books” is shocking. I have loved every moment of the Carfano Crime Family books, and I will continue to beg for more. This is by far my favorite mafia series I have read. I would rate this book 9/10. Other than the tendency to get slightly graphically violent, I loved reading this book, and I wished it would’ve continued even longer. I have wished that for all of the other three books in this series. I would rank this one as either tied for second or third in this series. The Boss is first. Casino King and this one tied for second, with Vengeance being my least favorite out of the series. However, that is splitting hairs, because all of this series is amazing.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Executioner” is a dark mafia romance by Rebecca Gannon. It’s the 4th book in the ‘Carfano Crime Family’ but you can read and follow it if you haven’t read any of the other books in the series yet. There are some wild scenes in this book that I’d like to write about here but I don’t want to spoil them for you, so I’m going to really show self-control.

Katarina is the only daughter in the Carfano crime family. When she was a young teenager, her father made it clear to her that it’s expected she will marry someone chosen by the family, for the good of the family. When her father was killed, she thought things would change. But it turns out her brother still intends to follow through with the original plans. He hasn’t realized that Katarina has grown up and developed her own perspective. She wants to marry the man of her choosing … and he happens to be Dante, the fearsome family “executioner” – their primary enforcer. When her father brought Dante home as barely an adolescent, 6-year-old Katarina was actually afraid of him. Years passed and she became intrigued instead of fearful, then was attracted to him, and then began fantasizing about him. Dante has been in love with Katarina since she was old enough to be considered a young woman, but he knows ihe’s not good enough for her at all. Everyone makes the mistake of underestimating her determination to be with him, the man her heart has chosen.

This is definitely a dark and intense story. Dante is the complex character you’d expect him to be; he’s the cold-blooded enforcer and at the same time he’s completely soft-hearted, protective, and devoted when anything has to do with Katerina. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed story. But for me, the best part was that Katarina turns out to be a smart, tough badass in her own right. She can handle weapons and stand up for herself, and she can go on the offense aggressively in defense of her man and her family. Instead of trying to control her, Dante is proud of her and encourages her fierce nature. She and Dante make a great team, and their steamy dynamic completes the picture. I hope this series continues!.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily sharing my thoughts and opinions. I also purchased a copy on Amazon.

[K S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be well written and engaging. Just when I thought I knew how the book would play out, a twist was thrown in to subvert my expectations. It felt refreshing because so often as a romance novel reader, the beats become predictable. Not so with this one.

At first, I thought there would be some farcical forced living situation where the characters have weird, accidental situations that would have my eyes rolling. There is one scene where it edges on this concept, but the set up is believable in the context of the story. Other than that, every meeting is intentional, every step towards relieving their attraction is a conscious decision.

The sexy scenes are pretty hot and start early, which I always enjoy. But there is one with some knife handles and it wasn’t really for me. I get how others could find it sexy, but I skimmed through that one.

What made the book flop for me was Dante, hence my 2 star rating.

Dante is too over the top/controlling for my tastes. His praise of the heroine is so prosaic it borders on satire (“She is the stars and the moon - untouchable and above us all”). Same with his dirty talk, I often skimmed over his dialogue because I just hated hearing the same stuff over and over. And then the whole “I’ll beat anyone to death if they even touch her, for any reason,” and “I’ve been watching you on surveillance videos for the past five years, I know everything about you,” and “I’ve decided our future, isn’t that romantic?”

I know I’m in the minority on this one, but this is straight-up abusive, controlling behavior that I hate to see in romance novels. It takes me out of the story and made the whole novel crash for me at around the 50% mark.

I still finished just to see it through. I really think I would’ve liked this novel otherwise. There is a lot of good and the steam levels are high and spicy. But Dante is a real bummer here.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three words to define my experience with reading this book:

Immersive.

Addictive.

Enthralled.

I hadn't read the previous books in the Carfano Crime Family series, but it wasn't a derailment from my enjoyment of reading this book. From the first page until the end, I was cheering for the intense love between the hero and the heroine. Having the enforcer of the mafia family be in love with the mafia princess and knowing that she is HIS is so deeply imbedded in the words of this book. As a dark mafia romance with spicy scenes, it really fulfilled its promise to give readers what they're expecting in such a book. The hero and the heroine were strong characters in their own love story, and they were supported with a myriad set of secondary characters, some that were introduced in the previous books of this series. The hero's brand of love for the heroine may not settle well with some readers, but within this context and his character, it really fits him well. The heroine finally became the main character in her mafia family, dropping her mask and letting her true self show up into the forefront. I was highly invested in their relationship and was rooting for their own happy ending in this mafia world. Even my personal preference for more details, which I also wanted here, wasn't a deterrent in my enjoyment of reading this book. I enjoyed the pace, vibe, and writing style of the story. Definitely looking forward to reading more Rebecca Gannon books in the future.

**Thanks to the author for providing a review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

[Harlie Bostelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Executioner’ is the 4th book in the Carfano Crime Family series, a series of dark mafia romances. All can be read as standalones, so this was my intro to the series as well as my intro to Rebecca Gannon as an author. And what a book to start with!

Executioner follows Katarina, the princess of the Carfano family, and Dante, the family’s killer. Dante and Katarina have been secretly wanting each other for years, ever since Dante was brought into the family. But as the mafia princess, Katarina is off limits and planned to be married off to another crime family. But over his dead body is Dante going to let anyone else have his girl.

This book was fast paced, dark, and extremely hot! I was hooked immediately and read this in one sitting. With this being the 4th in the series, even though its noted that it can be read as a standalone, I was worried I would be confused going into it. But other than all the characters being mentioned with little introduction, I had no issue diving into this story. You catch on very quickly to who’s who. I plan on going back and reading the first three in this series asap because this one was so good!

I love Dante, he is dark and fierce but so much deeper than anyone realizes. And Katarina is an absolute badass. A lot of mafia romances feature a tough princess, but Katarina gives new meaning to the word. Put them together and its explosive.

And since I know this is what a lot of you are here for, the spice was some of the best I have read this year. I’m talking level 4, very spicy. Highly recommend!

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Beverly McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Executioner is the fourth installment in Rebecca Gannon’s Carfano Crime family series. In it, she chronicles the forbidden romance of Katarina Carfano and Dante Salenero. She is the Princessa of the Carfano Crime Family and the youngest sister of Leo, Luca, and Alec Carfano. Many years ago, Michael Carfano, the patriarch and Don, brought Dante into his care. He raised him with one purpose—to protect his children. Michael was ruthless and mean. His one purpose in life was to keep the family control and sustain a legacy. Now that his firstborn, Leo, assumed that role Dante remains loyal to the family. Unbeknownst to the Carfano family, Dante and Katarina have feels for each other. He was forbidden by Michael Carfano that to be involved with Katarina. When Leo follows through with the plan to join to another crime family, Antonucci’s, Dante takes action. An old enemy emerges to threaten the Carfanos and Dante is selected to face off the opponent in an MMA battle. To fulfill their own needs Dante and Katarina will face her brothers, will they be successful? Can Dante keep her safe? Will Katarina remain in a subservient role to her brothers or will she emerge from her cocoon? How will the Carfano brothers react? Will Dante survive the MMA match? To find out what happens you must read this book.

Once again, Ms. Gannon pens another captivating mafia romantic suspense. I enjoy writing style. Her plot line is fast moving. I appreciate her skill with literary devices such as conversation dialog and internal monologues, dual POV, and descriptive language. In this character driven plot readers witness the way the lead characters grow. Ms. Gannon further introduces suspense with a new antagonist Hovan, who is out for revenge over the death of his brother.

[BooksToTheGrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of parts of this book that are morally grey, or black, with bright red splashes. In any other romance it would be frowned upon, but this is a dark mafia romance, so it's ok. You go, guys! Kill every scoundrel that comes after you!

Katarina Carfano is supposed to marry for the family. Her late father chose who her husband shall be, or better, which is the most advantageous business for the family. If she wants it or if she likes her husband is not even a question. But one thing is certain, whoever he might be, it will never be the one man she loves.

Dante Salerno was brought to the family at 13 years old by Katarina's father and was turned into The Executioner. He's the best killer, fighter, and torturer they have. He doesn't have much in his life besides the job, but he only wants one thing he doesn't have, the only person he can't have.

This book is full of action, blood, death, but most of all Love. Going with what is said in it, there's a lot of darkness but one very bright part. And so many steamy scenes!!

So, if you don't mind or actually like violence, this is a great book for you. There's lots of it. But I'll assume that the whole focus of the book is on the loving/sexy scenes that I adored!

One of my favorite points about this book is the evolution of Katarina. You can see her becoming more confident and opening herself to what she wants and likes. It was wonderful to see.

Katarina and Dante are so dysfunctional but perfect for each other!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[SGetch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Executioner by Rebecca Gannon is a sexy, fast paced mafia romance with the perfect amount of dark charm. This is book 4 in the Carfano Crime Family and focuses on Dante Salerno and Katarina Carfano's journey to a HEA.

Dante was brought into the Carfano family by Katarina's father as a young boy and trained to be their protector, eventually earning the moniker 'Executioner.' He is more like family to them, an influential part of their criminal organization but in many ways still considered an outsider. Not good enough for mafia princess Katarina who he has watched from afar. When Dante's unspoken claim on Katarina is threatened, years of built-up sexual tension and need finally explodes between the forbidden couple. And what unfolds is an erotic and intoxicating romance that will make you want to reach for your hum lover!! *wink*

If you enjoy an obsessive book boyfriend then you will adore Dante. He is OTT with his need for Katarina and it was absolutely delicious to read! A highly recommended naughty escape!!

Dual POV
Virgin heroine
No cheating or true ow/om drama - h/H are always respectful of each other IMO

Content Warning (provided within the book): This book is intended for readers 18 and older due to its explicit mature nature. It has references to childhood trauma and contains scenes of graphic violence that may pose as a trigger or make some readers uncomfortable.

I am voluntarily sharing my honest review after receiving a complimentary Advance Reader Copy of this book via BookSirens.

[Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s just something about a dark, mafia world. The forbidden romance, the need to handle anyone who looks at your woman the wrong way and all the things in between. Rebecca Gannon has written another amazing dark, mafia romance that had me on the edge of my seat as I read it.

Dante is the Executioner for the Carfano family. He’s dark, mysterious and is willing to do whatever he needs to do for the family. Katarina is the daughter of the family and has always been in the background while her brothers and father run the business. She always thought she was unnoticed by everyone but she learns that Dante has been watching her from the shadows and wants to make her, his.

I loved this dark and steamy mafia romance. It has moved up to my favorite of the Carfano family series. Dante was absolutely delicious and can be my executioner any day. His alpha protectiveness was off the charts hot. In the other three books, we got little sneak peeks of Katarina. She blossomed and grew into a strong woman who was ready to take on the world. Dante was the strong presence in her background that she needed to show the world she was a Carfano. I loved all the steamy scenes and they are definitely some of the spiciest she’s ever written. Dante and Katarina had an intense chemistry and I loved reading about it as it evolved. We get some scenes with the brothers and ladies of the family and it was great having them a part of the story. I hope we get more from the Carfano family soon.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest Review.

OMG! Wow this book was absolutely fantastic, I was so captivated from the start the story was written well. The author Rebecca Gannon continuously bringing us stories to the comfort of our homes, and this book "Executioner", book four Carfano Crime Family. The story had action, suspense, danger, violence, murder, arranged marriage, twist and turns, enemies, stabbings, brutal cage fighting, secrets, pain, pleasure, hitman, lust, sensual, hot and steamy, spicy, passion, and lots more emotions throughout with Mafia family. Dante lived on the streets when he was approached by Katarina's father and took him in and trained him to be the executioner and to protect his family. Katarina learnt how to shoot a gun amongst other things all she had time on her hand and the only time she could leave the home was with the bodyguard. Katarina was summoned to her brothers office only to be told she is engaged to be married she was not happy she only has feelings for one person. Santino was told of his engagement to bring the Antonucci family with the Carfano family to make them stronger but then there was a betrayal and a hitman nearly took out Katarina the bullet ended up grazing her leg, Dante ran to her and pulled her down to cover her and protect her with his life. This book was amazing it was so worth reading.

[Sherri Leisure · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read a book by Rebecca Gannon prior to reading Executioner. I must say she just gained herself a new fan. Seriously, the main reason I picked this book was because the cover intrigued me. They say never judge a book by its cover. This is the second book I have read based off of the cover and it won't be the last. They were two of the best books I have read in 2022. The plot for this story was brilliant. The main reason I loved it was because it was so different in some aspects of what I expect from the Mafia genre. All of the characters were likable and relatable in this story - all right, except for the villain. I just felt like Dante and Katrina were made for each other - the perfect duet. I loved the way Rebecca wove the lives of these two together to tell a beautiful and enduring journey towards a possible happily ever after. They have some obstacles to get through and battles to win to reach their goal. It is a good thing Dante is a strong alpha male and Katrina has a backbone because they are going to need it. This book gave me all kinds of feels and it actually made me cry. I know a book is good when it has the ability to make me emotionally attached to the characters and story. I definitely feel anyone who likes reading this genre will enjoy Executioner.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful sheltered mafia princess who finally come into being her own woman!

Dante has loved Katarina since she was six years old and he was thirteen. He was found by her father who raised him to become a deadly executioner and the protector of the Carfano family. Katarina was the youngest and sister who was sheltered and kept to be used in an arranged marriage after she turned eighteen. Dante made it his business to watch and keep track of Katarina and he was determined that she would marry him one day. Her father realized that he had feelings for her and told him that she was off limits to him and that she would be marrying at the age of eighteen. Katarina dad as well as his brother was killed by a rival mafia family and her brothers became the head of the Carfano family and casino. Katarina decided that she wanted to choose love and set out to win the man who has her heart and that was Dante. They started secretly messing around until Leo started putting two and two together and asking questions. I enjoyed reading Katarina showing her true Carfano blood and her desire to be more than a woman who just shopped. This book was good and exciting in which it was hard to put down. I highly recommend reading this book.

[Navss (read.yourbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb really interested me to start this book but unfortunately I only had enough power to read half the book.

• Mafia • Age Gap • Forbidden romance

I enjoyed the starting but then had many mixed emotions. As soon as a good characteristic trait would be shown, the main characters would have sex.

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐬.
“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭?”
“𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.”

Don't get me wrong, I love a good steamy story but not at the cost of compromising the storyline. The forbidden aspect wasn't entirely discovered since both of them got together quite early and told the eldest brother too. Our heroine is trying to portray herself as a character whom we should pity but at the same time admire for her strength but I honestly didn't find anything AND if I did then she would talk about herself/the thing she did which deserves admiration so many times that it annoyed me. Repeating something takes away the value of importance of that thing... atleast for me.

Anyways, the storyline also had the mafia aspect and there's betrayal from another mafia family. Maybe the story had something better going on in the latter half? I wouldn't know

** I couldn't finish the whole book but hopefully will pick it up afterwards and will update this review. **

[D. L. Foley | My Last Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to the author and BookSirens.

General Series Thoughts: Available on KU. Run to go read this one! This is a five-star series from top to bottom. With four books, that’s saying something. Each one managed to live up to the one before. I can’t say which one I liked best because all four leading men and women have my heart in a chokehold. STEAMY as all get out. This series is dark, romantic, addicting, and I stayed up way too binge-reading this series. Phenomenally well done. So excited to read the fifth one, which is related but the start of a new family. This is everything a mafia romance series should be. Rebecca Gannon has a new fan.

Book Thoughts:Did I love this one as much as the ones before? Yes! Angela and Luca have my heart. I loved the building of their relationship, the plot, the chemistry. Everything. Another great one.

Steam Meter: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 Scorching!

Tropes
-dual POV
-Italian mafia
-dark romance
-second chance
-good girl/bad girl

You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.

[Coastie Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Carfano is not a woman to be messes with! As the younger sister of the Carfano family, Kat has always been shielded from everything and knew her place in the family while her father was alive. When her brother Leo says she is going to marry to benefit the family, Kat has had enough! Dante is the Executioner of the Carfano family. He is dark, ruthless, and feared by most. His only weakness is his feelings for Kat, but he has never acted on because she was forbidden.

Kat takes matters into her own hands and finally succeeds in getting Dante to pay attention to her. The chemistry between these two is nothing short of HOT! When a hit is placed on the entire family, Dante is out for blood and will stop at nothing to find the Ghost. There are a few twists, secrets, deception, truths, lots of violence (more descriptive than in other books I think), darkness, revelations and finding one’s voice only make this story better. I love Rebecca Gannon and cannot wait to see what she comes out with next! I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems ARC’s and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katie Hooge · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/3.5🌶️

Dante is called The Executioner. He has been made that way by Katrina’s father. He was made to protect the family.

Katrina has been sheltered her whole life from the family business but when she is told that she is to marry a man who will benefit their family, she is finally forced to stand up for herself and go after what she wants.

What she wants is Dante. And to her surprise, Dante wants her too, he has for a long time.

This book had me hooked from the beginning and I loved how when there was a major conflict or plot twist, it didn’t derail their relationship. These two truly understood who they were themselves, who eachother were and how they were together.

I thought Katrina was not going to have a backbone when this story first started but boy was I wrong. She is strong heroine who knows her worth.

Dante is the ultimate touch her and die. And he will do anything, anything, to make sure Katrina is his.

It was a fast moving book that kept you hooked and definitely will make you want to read the other books in this series.

The spice in this book was perfection.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m your shadow, Katarina. I’m with you in the light and dark. You shine and I’m right there behind you, blinded by your light. You sit in the dark, and I’m every inch of that darkness, blanketing you so you’re not alone. Ever.“

I loved this book and especially Dante so much. He’s the enforcer of the mafia, who was brought into the family as a child but once he set his eyes on Katarina, he became obsessed and knew that he would rather die than let someone else have her. However, as a mafia princess with extremely protective brothers, she’s strictly off-limits.

This is a fast-paced and suspenseful mafia/ forbidden romance, where Dante is completely obsessed with her from the very start. It was great to see them developing as a whole, as well as individuals. Katarina develops from the docile girl, who feels like she’s a burden to everyone, into a real bad ass. Therefore, I love that she found Dante and that they love each other exactly the way they deserve, unconditionally.

The only thing I can criticise is that the last third of the book was a bit boring at times, at least compared to the rest.

[Katy Wall · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by this author and I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't. I got to the 65% mark and just couldn't read any more of it. I really don't see how it got such good reviews. The main characters Dante and Katerina were really nothing special. But what really bothered me was first, Dante's extreme obsession for her. For as long and as hard as he had been wanting her, send so many red flags off in my head. Second, Katerina was wanting freedom from her brother's arranged marriage for her, but then gets involved with Dante and instantly fell in love with him and started doing every little thing he told her to do. Doesn't sound like she got much freedom to me. And the part where she was at the gym and Dante came and beat up the other guy who was showing her some moves was screaming at how controlling he was towards her. I hated how she just accepted that like it was ok for him to have acted that way. Needless to say, I won't be picking up any more books from this series.

[Terri Zumbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give EXECUTIONER all the stars. Dante is an enigma in the previous books in the series. We learned bits and pieces about him here and there. This book not only adds him to the best of the possessive, obsessive Carfanos but now we understand so much more about him. It is hard not to love him.

You need to read this book if you like the bodyguard type romance and the kind of romance where the two grow up together with each having their fantasies about the other. Dante kept his feelings for Katarina hidden until her older brother Leo planned to make good on the marriage her father arranged before he was killed. Katarina just figured she would never be permitted to be with the man she wanted so she loved Dante from afar.

Not only Dante surprises us, however. We see Katarina blossom and be the woman Dante needs. Be prepared for lots of steam and releasing years of fantasies only imagined until now. I loved this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously dark and satisfying

Executioner is the fourth book in the Carfano Crime Family series, with each book about a different sibling This story is about Katarina Carfano and Dante Salerno. Kat's father had brought Dante into his family and raised him as a son. Dante is dark, scarred and more than a little frightening but Kat does not fear him after growing up with him. Now both are adults and Kat is being forced into a marriage to align the Carfano family with another. Dante is the protector of the Carfano family but that especially means keeping Kat safe. He knows she is his but has never made a move, that is until she is promised to another. Now they both find themselves in a situation that could either see them separated for the rest of their lives or living a life they both know they need down to their souls.
This is another wonderful book in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the characters, which find themselves bound by family but still find their HEA.

[april ♡ is probably reading smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"She's mine. She's always been mine."

I really enjoyed this dark mafia romance! Dante is the enforcer for the Carfano crime family. He's known Katarina Carfano since she was six years old and he was thirteen. He's always wanted her, but he hasn't acted on it. Until now.

There's several elements in this book- a forced arranged marriage, references to childhood trauma, and scenes of violence. It's mildly dark but there is eventually a HEA! I love how Katarina wasn't weak and delicate- she knew who she wanted and did everything to get him. Their chemistry and even the slight, brushing touches between them throughout the book were amazing.

safety:
virgin heroine
small age gap (22h, 29H)
OM drama (not reciprocated)
no cheating/sharing
knife play
rough sex
HEA and epilogue ♡

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Herguiltypasstime · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this. I read about 70% and had to stop. The writing was all over the place and things moved faster than an instalove storyline and there were too many contradictions to reconcile to make reading enjoyable.

He scares her but apparently she has been secretly pining for him all along.
He hardly talks but suddenly goes into hardcore smut monologues.
He's a total control freak stalker but she loves it after living a sheltered life.
She's lived a sheltered controlled life but rebels against an arranged marriage and suddenly has major backbone.
He knows "everything" about her but missed the fact she got a degree.

The chemistry felt too foreceful. I love an enforcer romance but I've seen it done so incredibly well, I'm obviously ruined for anything below that standard.

Will still give the next book a chance because I love mafia romance and I'm too lazy to search for a series I haven't already read!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in this series, and this is Dante and Katarina’s journey. Katarina is the only daughter in the family, and she has always known what her future holds for her, with an arranged marriage, and to become a bargaining chip in a business deal. Dante is fearless, ruthless, dangerous, and the tough enforcer for the Carfano family, and he has always known since her father brought him into the family battered and broken, that she is off limits. Katarina is feisty, and sassy, and she is more than capable of defending herself. Will these two get a chance to be together? This is a well written story which is dark, raw, gritty, intense, and intriguing, with danger, suspense, twists, emotions, mystery, family, heartbreak, and love, which leads to an addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has wanted and watched her for years, she is tired of everyone running her life. One deal changes both of their lives. Will her brothers see her for more than just what she can offer the family? Will he be able to keep the one light in his life?

Okay, I absolutely love this author and this book is the perfect example why. When it comes to mafia romances, I look for blood, steam, and tough characters who melt for each other. I loved how while he was possessive, he was wiling to do anything necessary to keep her and protect her. She was definitely a lot stronger than others gave her credit for and I loved seeing her stand her ground! Great read and can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.