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She’s the woman I shouldn't look at. She’s Forbidden. My best friend’s daughter, but she’s no kid anymore and I can’t stop thinking of her pretty little lips all over me. Her father trusts me along with two bodyguards to keep an eye on her but I think Konstantin and Gio already put more than just their eyes on her and if her dad finds out what she’s been doing to me, I’ll be lucky to survive this assignment.

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Published September 27, 2022

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Barbi Cox

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Sonya.
1,331 reviews53 followers
October 1, 2022
Barbi Cox does it again.

Juliana is a Mafia princess who's life is being stifled by her overprotective, overbearing father. Due to her father's actions Juliana is not safe and needs constant protection.

Her father hired his best friend as well as two other men who he knows Juliana will be safe with. Max, 38 year old Playboy, Konstantin 36 year old who once worked for Juliana's father when she was younger and Gio 24, Juliana's best friend.

All three men have always cared for Juliana but she was simply too young. Now that Max, Kon and Gio has been assigned as Juliana's around the clock protection detail; old feelings began to resurface and Max, Kon and Gio can't keep their hands off of Juliana. Juliana is drawn to her 3 protectors and want all of them in her life in everyway possible.

It was nice to see Hunter and Valerie make an appearance in the book as well as the mention of Leif being Kon's mentor.

Drama, Suspense, Angst and a lot of Sexy Time is in store for you because nobody can bring the heat and make you wish you had a harem of your own like Barbi.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jacqulin Gipson.
494 reviews11 followers
September 28, 2022
Great ending to this duet! Loved these characters and the world overall. Julia was such a strong force in her own right and the guys...you gotta love the burn the world down for you love.
Profile Image for RomanceIsMyJam.
516 reviews
November 7, 2022
This should be read after Valerie’s stories fourth book. Because Lief, Hunter, and Valerie appear in this “series.” Juliana’s name appears in Sofia’s last book. But it’s just her name and where she’s at location wise. I’m not sure how Sofia met Juliana except through Valerie but how, when, or why I have no idea.
This story reads kinda like a mafia story but then you learn Juliana’s father is part of the mafia, he does business with the Volkovs or is an ally, etc.
Juliana’s 25? And works in HR at her fathers company. Gio is 25. Konstantin is 36? and Max is 38?.
I honestly didnt need these characters or story. They add nothing to Valerie’s/ the Volkovs story really. This is hard to follow and boring to read at times. The guys are kinda combos of the guys in the other series. There is no group or multiples scenes. Which I was expecting and was disappointed about.
2,316 reviews26 followers
March 19, 2023
I loved this dark mafia reverse harem romance. I liked that the men don’t really know each other all that well and are going to have to build their acceptance of each other in their bid for Juliana’s heart. Juliana is the only child of a wealthy and powerful man. He controls her every movement and now that danger is coming, he’s assigned three separate men to be in charge of her protection. Konstantin is her teenage crush and former bodyguard. Gio is her best friend and the song her father always wished he had. Max is her father’s best friend. All so different but all connected to her dad in some way.

Juliana’s harem starts out because while she’s attracted to all three, she’s never experienced someone defying her father and staying. If she has all three it might protect her heart from when one of them leaves. That’s the saddest reason to start a harem but it was very fitting for the character. Each man is also very different as a friend an lover. Konstantin was gentle and allowed her to be in charge. Max is extremely dominant and a little punishing. Gio is a sweet talker and knows her more personally and that carries over to their lovemaking.

So far my favorites are probably Konstantin and Gio. Max is a womanizer, always flirting, never taking things seriously. He seems to be serious with Juliana but only time with tell. Gio was friend zoned for so long, or so he thought. Now he’s able to give in to his feelings for her and he couldn’t be happier, except for maybe the fact that they are sharing her. Konstantin was surprisingly the most sensitive. Worried that he isn’t solely enough as a lover. Worried that she’s playing with him. That leads to an insanely spicy scene where he shows a different side to his lovemaking.

Being a duet, this left off on a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to find out what comes next for these four characters. Where is the danger coming from? Will they all survive what’s coming? How will things play out with her father? Will there be an HEA in the cards for all of them? I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debbie Brown.
2,047 reviews18 followers
October 3, 2022
Our jobs as a bodyguard is not to fall for the boss’s daughter, Juliana Giovani. She’s had a crush on all of us at one time or another, now we’re keeping her safe from harm and a live at all costs. A captivating story as Juliana doesn’t want bodyguards, she knows how to defend herself and stay alive. She’s very frustrated by her father, his over protectiveness without why she now needs three bodyguards. You’ll love them all: Gio, the one who attended college with her, Konstantin slightly older man whom she had a crush on when she was sixteen and he was reassigned away from her, and then there’s Max the older man who’s a friend of her father’s she’s had a crush on too. She soon learns there’s been death threats make and her life is in danger. She loves spending time with her guys, she’s attracted to them all and they each have different qualities she adores. This story will capture your attention right from the start, the sexual tension and chemistry between is amazing as she seduces them each individually. Will this attraction develop into more between the four of them? This book has a cliffhanger as we see guys are keeping her safe as mystery continues to be revealed as to who is after her, who has betrayed her father, and will they all stay together at the end? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,147 reviews7 followers
September 27, 2022
Anthony Giovani is the Boss. He has done some bad deals and his daughter Juliana is now a target. She is 24 years old and wants to take over the business. Anthony has her in charge of Human Resources for his company but doesn’t think a woman can run the business.

He hires three men to protect Juliana. Gio is 24. He went to college with Juliana and is one of her best friends. His dad was best friends with Anthony before he died. Gio calls Anthony, “Uncle Tony”. He has always had a crush on Juliana and understands that she could run the business and make it better. Konstantin is now 36 but eight years ago he was Juliana’s bodyguard. He has always had dirty thoughts about Juliana and little does he know that Juliana has wanted him since she was 16. Maximilliano Lucchese is 38 and has worked for Anthony for awhile. He can’t believe what a beautiful woman Juliana has become. Max has also been a fantasy for Juliana.

What happens when Juliana shows interest in all three men? Can they all have her without Anthony finding out and killing them? Can they keep her safe?

I can’t wait to see how this story plays out.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
387 reviews3 followers
October 27, 2022
Another Hot Winning Reverse Harem Romance

I love this as a series starter. Juliana is a no-holds barred mafia princess who knows what she wants.

Biggest wins: seeing Juliana develop and claim her own power through an amazing emotional journey with Konstantin, Gio, and Max.

While this is a series, what is gained from this first book is how Juliana and her men form this amazing bond. The secondary characters outside the main four are solid. The interweaving with pop up appearances by characters from other series makes this a great read if you have read those.

The author does a great job of building tension and bringing in characters that go beyond just surface one-dimension angles.

The fruit that's forbidden gets sweeter with anticipation. I can't wait for the next entry.

I recommend this for serious reverse harem lovers. It's wonderful.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
573 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2022
Juliana is determined to take the world by storm, free herself from the cage her father put her in and move up in the ranks of her father’s business until one of her father’s dealings goes wrong. This has put Juliana as the center of attention of her father’s enemies and trouble finds her everywhere she goes. To try and protect her, Juliana is reconnected with 3 gorgeous men from her past that are assigned as her bodyguards, Konstantin, Gio and Max. They do everything they can to protect her, even from the hired hitman that’s after her. Unfortunately they are not able to protect her from her father’s wrath, who doesn’t seem to be doing anything to eliminate the threat against her life. Juliana and her men work together to come up with a plan to free Juliana from the threat against her life.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,007 reviews6 followers
October 2, 2022
When Julianne is on a hit list, Julianne's father hires two bodyguards, Konstantin and Max, and uses his second in command, Gio, who is a childhood friend. Konstantin has a connection with Julianne from when he worked for her father when she was sixteen and when he sees her again, all the feelings he had six years earlier come racing back. Max, is a womanizer, her fathers best friend and he finds that Julianne has grown into a beautiful, challenging woman. Julianne finds that all the men are worth the effort to see if she can push them into acting out their desires. Each of the men try to resist her attempts but all will fail. The attempts on her life forces the men to find a safe house that her father doesn't know and their lives become more tangled together. Good first book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,376 reviews11 followers
October 4, 2022
This is the first book in the series. It is a reverse harem story.

Julianna is sheltered by her father since the death of her mother, she wants to be free but sees no way to get her freedom. When her life is threatened by one of her father's clients, her father arranges for her to have 3 bodyguards. They are all men that she knows and has had a crush on at one point in her life. She decides to do something about that and makes a move of each of them. When they find out they are not all happy with her being involved with each of them, but they eventually agree.
But will they be able to keep their relationships a secret from her father and what could happen if he does find out.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sassy Angel.
2,901 reviews
September 27, 2022
I loved this latest story by Barbi Cox. I have recently found this author and I have loved her stories. I have really enjoyed this world that she has constructed.

Juliana only wants to live her life but her father has a tight leash on her. She isn't suppose to interact with her bodyguards but she can't help her feelings for them. Konstantin was a former bodyguard for her and he sees something in her. Gio is her college friend and works for her father. Max is older, her father's friend and her bodyguard. She wants them all and she is going to take a chance. There is someone who wants to hurt her father and that is through her. Will they keep her safe?

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Reva Parks.
1,770 reviews15 followers
October 4, 2022
Juliana is a Mafia princess who detests being called a 'princess.' She enjoyed some freedom at university business school and dreamed of taking over her father's company. But a deal gone wrong has a hit order out against Juls to get avenge against her father. He's got her back in her gilded cage with three hand-picked guards. Gio is her closest childhood friend and college buddy who has always crushed on her is her father's second and is one of the guards. Konstantin was Juli's guard as a teenager but was relieved when her father recognized her crush on the hulk. The third is a long employ of her father, a ladies' man her father trusts. But Juli trusts all three, who allow her to seduce them simultaneously. Oh boy, what will her father think of this?
Profile Image for Wendy.
1,692 reviews46 followers
October 19, 2022
Juliana is the princess of a mafia family. Her father being who he is and acting how he does has made life for Juliana unsafe. Her father hires three men to take care of her. They are drawn to each other and while in the past they have avoided getting involved, now that they are spending so much time together, they all give in to passion with Juliana.

Each one of the men is destined to be a protector and you will fall in love with each of them for a different reason. The time that they spend with Juliana is sweet, but they are also aware that they need to keep her safe and that thought is often front of mind. Do know that this book has a bit of a cliffhanger and will have to continue in another book.
Profile Image for Korkoi.
7,117 reviews31 followers
September 28, 2022
Testing Their Resolve -
When I started reading, I didn’t think I would get hooked on the story to the extent that I missed an important appointment. The story started out slow, but by the time I reached a third through the story, I knew there was no chance I could take a break from reading. The storyline was really mind blowing and had me trying to guess what was going to happen next. The drama, steamy encounters and scary moments, made it a worthwhile read and by the time I reached the end of book one, I was itching to read book two immediately, so I did just that.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Katrina True.
164 reviews4 followers
September 29, 2022
I have loved reading Barbi Cox's books so far, but I think that she has found her niche in the genre with the mafia trope. I have loved these books more and more, this one is no different! Juliana is an amazing woman and Gio, Konstantin, and Max are amazing matches for her spunk. The steamy scenes along with the alpha male that they bring. I love the ending too, giving the crazy twist and making me want more! I absolutely love reading through these books and I'm loving the connection to Valerie! I love the sass she gives them, keeping them on their toes. I love this series already, and I can't wait for more!!
165 reviews
September 30, 2022
Even though I wasn't sure I was going to like the characters, the book immediately grabbed my interest from the beginning. Juliana is a bad ass capable woman who wants to live life on her own terms, and break free from her father's controlling influence. Konstantin reminds me a little bit of Lief from the Charmed by 3 series. Max is like a mix of Roman and Gunner from the Temptation series. and Gio... well it took me some time to warm up to him and I'm not sure if I'm completely there. In any case, if you liked those books then you should read this new series by Barbi Cox.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Leisel.
750 reviews4 followers
October 6, 2022
Devilishly Delightful in so many ways!

Yet another feisty and fun loving book and series from Barbi Cox. Very much a standalone read but certainly you can see the connections to Barbi's previous series Charmed by Three and if you haven't read it, well worth the effort.
This time around readers get yet another fascinating, resilient and sexually charged female character of Juliana, heiress to her father's company and to three of his friends. If you like your stories sexy and steamy well you won't be disappointed in this book or in actual fact any of Barbi Cox's series. Definitely swoonworthy!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jenny Harris.
4,400 reviews33 followers
October 14, 2022
I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Juliana, Gio, Max, and Konstantin. Juliana's father is determined to put her in her gilded cage and can't seem to understand why she doesn't want to be there. So he puts multiple men on her to keep her in line. Juliana knows she wants more in her life than to just go shopping and marry to make her family something more. When she meets the men though they each bring something to her life that she has never had before. Can she get a HEA or is it the cage for the rest of her life?

Another amazing hit by this author. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
195 reviews
September 27, 2022
You can decide if Julianna is a devil or a angel. Julianna just wants to be left alone and not used has arm "candy" by her father or any man that dates her. She has been called a lot of names and most of them aren't very nice. She knows what she wants and goes for it. When her father decides she needs body guards, Julianna has had enough. Then she realizes the bodyguards are ones she knows and then the sparks start flying.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
181 reviews3 followers
September 28, 2022
Barbi Cox at her best. Daddy's Devil is an action packed, steamy Mafia story. Juliana is a Mafia Princess rebelling against her overprotective father who has assigned three men (Konstatin, Gio and Max) to guard but not touch her. You need to read the story to find out why she needs more than normal protection, whether there are attempts on her life, what her background is with each of her three guards and of course the steamy scenes and whether her father finds out about them.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
811 reviews6 followers
September 29, 2022
Barbi Cox has written another great book. The poor little rich girl always wants what she can’t have! Is Juliana really this way or has Daddy only made her out to be that way? When Akon, Gio and Max are charged with keeping her alive the chemistry, the danger and the lack of control sends Juliana over the edge. Will she ultimately get what she wants or will Daddy Dearest continue to be the puppeteer? Can’t wait to read Daddy Angel.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Darcy.
2,158 reviews24 followers
October 3, 2022
A fabulous story that pulls you in with its drama and suspense. It is extremely well written and developed. Juliana is one of the ones that wishes for nothing more that to be free. Free from what is another thing that you just have to read to find out. She is feisty and spunky with a great group of characters throughout the story. You can feel their personalities all throughout the story. It is a great story that is definitely a great read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Booksfordays40.
292 reviews4 followers
October 10, 2022
A fun romp with an age gap, (24- 38 is the largest gap) and nestled in the mafia, Juliana is determined to let loose. Her seemingly overprotective father assigns bodyguards to keep her safe much to her frustration, however they end up being so much more to her. What starts out as a tease develops in some steamy yumminess. This book has the relationship tension you want to see plus a little adventure on the side. This ends on a cliffhanger, but the next book is out. Who is after her and is this group a temporary thing, or is it developing in to so much more?
839 reviews2 followers
September 27, 2022
Barbi's stories just keeps getting better with every book.
Juliana is a strong woman who has a lot of problems that she didn't cause.
Luckily for her she has 3 gorgeous hunks who are her bodyguards.
Unfortunately she has a dad who has her locked away and in danger I don't like him at all and I hope he gets put in his place in the next book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
348 reviews6 followers
October 2, 2022
Love how Barbie brings in all the guys over time and gets them all to see the benefits of it. It's the some or none mentality, but with an absolutely beautiful woman who sets the rules. The guys figure out some is certainly better than none. and Some with her is so addictive that you would be crazy to choose none. Can't wait till I get the next one to see what Barbie has cooked up next.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,035 reviews6 followers
September 28, 2022
Delicious!

A wonderful new series! I loved getting to know all the characters. Barbi is so good at bringing them all to life, drawing the reader into the drama and joy of the story, and especially writing insanely hot and satisfying sex scenes. Phew. Can’t wait to read book 2!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rachel Stephens.
2,352 reviews42 followers
October 1, 2022
Loved it!
I loved the storyline and thought it was the perfect length.
There was a angst and lots of steam and a bit of action. I loved each of the men and I'm glad we got each of their POVs. I really liked Juliana. I can't wait to see more of who she really is in the next book.
Overall, I really enjoyed it!
3,388 reviews28 followers
October 3, 2022
Wow
What an amazing first book. There’s a lot going on and I really like Juliana. She doesn’t take any prisoners. It’s almost as if she is teasing these guys that have been sent to look after her. To be her bodyguard but I don’t know I’m just really intrigued I can’t wait to read more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Thea Kubicki.
576 reviews3 followers
October 5, 2022
Juliana, Gio, Konstantin, and Max

A childhood friend, a former bodyguard and teenage crush, and daddy's best friend--make up the men in Juliana's life held by a controlling and demanding father. This has some of the best banter, intrigue, and intensity of all of Ms Cox's books.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
269 reviews3 followers
September 17, 2025
Such a good book. I didn’t know it was a duet, though. Now I’m trying to find the second one. Anyway, this book was quick to read and I like the development of the main characters. It was set at a good pace and moved along quickly. I can’t wait to see what happens next! I definitely recommend this short book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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