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Mafia Misfits #3
Sinful Surrender
Matteo Bianchi
I chose to believe in fate.
Akira Wright was the love of my life, but I wasn’t so sure we were meant to be together in this lifetime.
She’d been in her most vulnerable state when our paths first crossed.
A bond I thought was strong enough to convince her she’d always been meant for me was forged, but in the end, I had to walk away, and she let me.
Akira Wright
I chose to ignore fate.
Matteo Bianchi might be the love of my life, but how was I supposed to love him when I promised forever to my husband?
He’d come into my life at a time when loving another wasn’t a part of my endgame.
The bond we’d forged changed me forever, but it hadn’t been enough to bring me out of my despair.
In the end, he walked away, and I let him.
Note: Sinful Surrender is book three in the mafia misfits series and can be read as a standalone. This story includes depictions of violence; may be sensitive for some readers.
I chose to believe in fate.
Akira Wright was the love of my life, but I wasn’t so sure we were meant to be together in this lifetime.
She’d been in her most vulnerable state when our paths first crossed.
A bond I thought was strong enough to convince her she’d always been meant for me was forged, but in the end, I had to walk away, and she let me.
Akira Wright
I chose to ignore fate.
Matteo Bianchi might be the love of my life, but how was I supposed to love him when I promised forever to my husband?
He’d come into my life at a time when loving another wasn’t a part of my endgame.
The bond we’d forged changed me forever, but it hadn’t been enough to bring me out of my despair.
In the end, he walked away, and I let him.
Note: Sinful Surrender is book three in the mafia misfits series and can be read as a standalone. This story includes depictions of violence; may be sensitive for some readers.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2022
301 people are currently reading
1441 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
August 16, 2023
whew. miss asia monique was not lying when she said this book wasn’t going to be like the other books in this series. it made my eyeball sweat multiple times.
my heart ached for akira. akira was so deep in the trenches of grief that she felt like she was betraying her deceased husband by falling in love with matteo. i wanted so desperately for her to reach the point where she realized it was okay to move on. when she finally had that moment i swear i wanted to cry tears of joy for her because she deserved to have some happiness.
and my matteo. in the other books of the series i thought he was a brooding grump when he really was nursing a broken heart. he loved akira down and it truly pained him to not have her around. even when they figured their stuff out he still felt guilt from walking away from her even though it was necessary for them to grow. he’s truly a sweetheart under that tough exterior.
i loved their story so much. it’s definitely the most emotional book of the series so far but it’s soooo good.
my heart ached for akira. akira was so deep in the trenches of grief that she felt like she was betraying her deceased husband by falling in love with matteo. i wanted so desperately for her to reach the point where she realized it was okay to move on. when she finally had that moment i swear i wanted to cry tears of joy for her because she deserved to have some happiness.
and my matteo. in the other books of the series i thought he was a brooding grump when he really was nursing a broken heart. he loved akira down and it truly pained him to not have her around. even when they figured their stuff out he still felt guilt from walking away from her even though it was necessary for them to grow. he’s truly a sweetheart under that tough exterior.
i loved their story so much. it’s definitely the most emotional book of the series so far but it’s soooo good.
July 9, 2023
Grief is nothing to play with!
Akira and Matteo are the true fated mates! How they originally met after one of her fights was interesting and set the tone for how bada** both of them were but equally drowning in their own grief. Akira’s grief was the loss of a spouse while Matteo’s was the loss of relationships with living family members. Both are difficult situations but not enough from stopping these two from falling for each other. Akira is my girl but sis was a bit delulu over Matteo😭🥴. You pulled back and was mad he stopped giving you access to him?? He was protecting his heart and you made him do that! You can’t cut a bih over a man you claim you can’t give your all to! 😭😭 Like girl stand up and heal first! Also, Matteo stop playing with people's lives knowing Akira crazy lmao! This book was more focused on them as a couple and not so much the mafia BUT we did get some updates and clarity on why their father left the family. Also Gianna and Cian I want to know what’s tea with them! Then Jaz and Dante and we got a few scenes with Seven and baby Enzo! I’m ready for the next book!
Akira and Matteo are the true fated mates! How they originally met after one of her fights was interesting and set the tone for how bada** both of them were but equally drowning in their own grief. Akira’s grief was the loss of a spouse while Matteo’s was the loss of relationships with living family members. Both are difficult situations but not enough from stopping these two from falling for each other. Akira is my girl but sis was a bit delulu over Matteo😭🥴. You pulled back and was mad he stopped giving you access to him?? He was protecting his heart and you made him do that! You can’t cut a bih over a man you claim you can’t give your all to! 😭😭 Like girl stand up and heal first! Also, Matteo stop playing with people's lives knowing Akira crazy lmao! This book was more focused on them as a couple and not so much the mafia BUT we did get some updates and clarity on why their father left the family. Also Gianna and Cian I want to know what’s tea with them! Then Jaz and Dante and we got a few scenes with Seven and baby Enzo! I’m ready for the next book!
August 31, 2022
Wow Miss Asia! You did warn us that this one would be different from the rest, and boy was it!! It was so emotional, yet beautiful at the same time; that you forget this a mafia series! Akira was really going through it, and my heart went out to her! 💔 I get that she felt like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders, dealing with her grief alone! But, she didn't have to! It was like she wanted to punish herself, and not let anyone in to help and support her! Until him..... Matteo Biachi! I thought I loved Enzo, but this man right here! 😍 From the moment Matteo laid eyes on Akira, he saw forever! After learning her circumstances, he had the patience of a saint, dealing with her ups and downs. She was resistant to change, and unsure about what she wanted, but there was something about Matteo that called out to her! Matteo made her feel secure, comfortable, safe and it terrified her! How could it be so easy with someone that she just met? How can she feel something for this other man, while still grieving? I understood Akira to a degree, but she needed to let go, and refused to do it on anyone else's terms! Akira and Matteo's love was beautiful! The way that they poured into the other, lets you know that they are in this for the long haul! Now, lets get back to that good mafia action! Enjoyed this! 👍👍👍
August 6, 2023
This was a cute story however it was okay…I understand Akira was going through grief but she lucky Matteo was patient with her….Loved she got it together & they got an HEA 🥰
July 11, 2023
Ehhh 3.5 stars
🌶️🌶️/5
This was just ok. I liked it definitely didn’t love it. It’s the least favorite out of the series right now.
It’s solely because death of a spouse tropes I really don’t care for. It’s to depressing & life already hard to be reading shxt like that. 😣
Matteo was definitely patient with Akira though. He is definitely a black king. It ended nicely. I think the highlight of the book is when he brought her to that “gift” 🤭other then that this didn’t move me much. Good read though just didn’t LOVE it. 🤷🏽♀️
🌶️🌶️/5
This was just ok. I liked it definitely didn’t love it. It’s the least favorite out of the series right now.
It’s solely because death of a spouse tropes I really don’t care for. It’s to depressing & life already hard to be reading shxt like that. 😣
Matteo was definitely patient with Akira though. He is definitely a black king. It ended nicely. I think the highlight of the book is when he brought her to that “gift” 🤭other then that this didn’t move me much. Good read though just didn’t LOVE it. 🤷🏽♀️
February 8, 2023
Asia didn't lie when she said this one would be different. It was still really good. My heart ached for both Matteo and Akira. They both were dealing with two different types of grief. I'm glad they both started to heal from it. I can't wait to get updates about them in the next books.
Note for me: I will probably reread this series soon. I wasn't focused enough when reading book 1 and 2.
Note for me: I will probably reread this series soon. I wasn't focused enough when reading book 1 and 2.
September 22, 2024
Let’s Geaux!
I love it…. Our family is growing! These men have realized, with the right woman by your side, nothing else matters. Seasons change, growth takes places, thoughts are different, and what we want may change as well. But we always want to feel special to someone.
I love it…. Our family is growing! These men have realized, with the right woman by your side, nothing else matters. Seasons change, growth takes places, thoughts are different, and what we want may change as well. But we always want to feel special to someone.
April 1, 2025
This was boring. I think the first book was the best but from there it’s been down hill. There was very little Mafia activity just a woman stuck on her past .?
January 25, 2023
Matteo Believed In Fate
I liked the focus on the love story between Matteo and Akira. While there was minimal “mafia related” scenes the ones that were there provided substance to the story. Matteo tried to be the good guy in the beginning and allow Akira the time to grieve. He ended up catching feelings but was right to back away from Akira because she was not only hurting herself she was hurting him as well. When he said he’d die about Akira I felt that. He played no games when it came to her. Onto the next book. Can’t wait for whats up next
I liked the focus on the love story between Matteo and Akira. While there was minimal “mafia related” scenes the ones that were there provided substance to the story. Matteo tried to be the good guy in the beginning and allow Akira the time to grieve. He ended up catching feelings but was right to back away from Akira because she was not only hurting herself she was hurting him as well. When he said he’d die about Akira I felt that. He played no games when it came to her. Onto the next book. Can’t wait for whats up next
Read
May 18, 2023Oh man. This was great. Aside from Shaw, I think this just became my fave in the series.
Grief and second chances and forgiveness were so beautifully depicted in such a short amount of time.
Their connection was amazing. Matteo and Akira had me from the first page. Read this in one sitting.
Grief and second chances and forgiveness were so beautifully depicted in such a short amount of time.
Their connection was amazing. Matteo and Akira had me from the first page. Read this in one sitting.
June 9, 2023
I would give this 4 stars but every time he called her "little mama" I wanted to die because the cringe was too much....
The story is starting to come together. Honestly this should have been one giant book lol I like that the idea that they're all connected and you see them all get together a lot. This definitely helps understand the first book a little more bc that had no plot and I had no idea who anyone was. Anyway about this book, I love the characters. Its a breath of fresh air that the men are feminists in this series and the women actually have brains to know their worth. Matteo won me over when he said he wanted to enjoy his wife before having any kids. Thank you! And thank you miss Akira for being on birth control and wanting to live your life a lil bit. It's not a crime to not have a kid right away in marriage. The series is growing on me so we'll see how I feel 3 books from now. Okay byeee💋
The story is starting to come together. Honestly this should have been one giant book lol I like that the idea that they're all connected and you see them all get together a lot. This definitely helps understand the first book a little more bc that had no plot and I had no idea who anyone was. Anyway about this book, I love the characters. Its a breath of fresh air that the men are feminists in this series and the women actually have brains to know their worth. Matteo won me over when he said he wanted to enjoy his wife before having any kids. Thank you! And thank you miss Akira for being on birth control and wanting to live your life a lil bit. It's not a crime to not have a kid right away in marriage. The series is growing on me so we'll see how I feel 3 books from now. Okay byeee💋
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2023
MATTEO AND AKIRA ❤️
This series is getting more interesting with each book. I loved Matteo and Akira's story. Just by the way they meet and how intrigued Matteo is by how skilled of a fighter she is, you know these two will have an amazing story. What I liked about Matteo is his patience with Akira knowing what she was dealing with from her past. He didn't give up on what could be between them, but allowed her the time and space she needed to completely come to terms with her past and her willingness to move forward with him in the present. Although this book was solely about them, you can see the connections these characters have as the series continues on. Can't wait to read what book 4 brings.
This series is getting more interesting with each book. I loved Matteo and Akira's story. Just by the way they meet and how intrigued Matteo is by how skilled of a fighter she is, you know these two will have an amazing story. What I liked about Matteo is his patience with Akira knowing what she was dealing with from her past. He didn't give up on what could be between them, but allowed her the time and space she needed to completely come to terms with her past and her willingness to move forward with him in the present. Although this book was solely about them, you can see the connections these characters have as the series continues on. Can't wait to read what book 4 brings.
February 15, 2024
3.5/5 stars
loved them, their story was more emotional and more tense than the others but even tho knowing these couples happen a little bit fast for my liking, matteo and akira were too fast way too fast specially because of her situation! overall,their story was good they have chemistry and the connection is there i love them, but definitely not my fave book or couple!! i really want to get to gaia and rocco ajsd but also read this series is fast paced but good and its too underrated, i know insta lovey stories aren't super amazing but these have more than that too so go give it a shot!!
akira is also a killer like lucia and such a badass love to see it then matteo being such a simp for her what a man indeed!!
loved them, their story was more emotional and more tense than the others but even tho knowing these couples happen a little bit fast for my liking, matteo and akira were too fast way too fast specially because of her situation! overall,their story was good they have chemistry and the connection is there i love them, but definitely not my fave book or couple!! i really want to get to gaia and rocco ajsd but also read this series is fast paced but good and its too underrated, i know insta lovey stories aren't super amazing but these have more than that too so go give it a shot!!
akira is also a killer like lucia and such a badass love to see it then matteo being such a simp for her what a man indeed!!
September 26, 2022
Matteo is it for me!
I loved this book. It was quite different from the others I’d read about these Mafia Misfits. The emotional depths of both main characters was so amazing. We often don’t get to experience this side of grief and love in the mob. It’s somehow always present but not really tapped in as Asia did with Kiki & Teo. Nonetheless, it caused me to love this series even more.
I loved this book. It was quite different from the others I’d read about these Mafia Misfits. The emotional depths of both main characters was so amazing. We often don’t get to experience this side of grief and love in the mob. It’s somehow always present but not really tapped in as Asia did with Kiki & Teo. Nonetheless, it caused me to love this series even more.
September 16, 2022
Good
I liked this one, I did not love it. I made slight connections here and there with the story. I guess I wanted a little more focused attention on the main characters in this version, and I did not receive that.
I liked this one, I did not love it. I made slight connections here and there with the story. I guess I wanted a little more focused attention on the main characters in this version, and I did not receive that.
December 14, 2023
This entire series is my first time dipping my toes in mafia romances and I have to say, I looove it.
These 2 are crazy and crazy for each other.
Probably my best one so far. I can’t wait for Rocco’s story if he’ll have one.
Asia Monique did not disappoint
These 2 are crazy and crazy for each other.
Probably my best one so far. I can’t wait for Rocco’s story if he’ll have one.
Asia Monique did not disappoint
May 7, 2024
As I work my way through this series I always say “wow is this one my favorite?”. And then I get to the next in-line… But wow. I think this is my favorite lol
Matteo & Akira really pulled at my heart strings
🎧 10/10
Matteo & Akira really pulled at my heart strings
🎧 10/10
September 8, 2025
3.5*
I thought this book got off to a strong start but the last third or so fell a little flat for me. I did appreciate how much of a badass Akira was - love a heroine that's just as fierce as the hero. I'm really enjoying this series.
I thought this book got off to a strong start but the last third or so fell a little flat for me. I did appreciate how much of a badass Akira was - love a heroine that's just as fierce as the hero. I'm really enjoying this series.
November 21, 2022
Dealing a lot with grief of a spouse These heroines are so lethal.
July 6, 2023
I liked it, not love. It was very different from the other books in the series and deals with spousal death. It did feel repetitive at times, and there were a few times I cringed a bit. 3,5 stars
November 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
March 1, 2025
might be one of my favourite book series of all time methinks
March 1, 2025
Sinful Surrender is the third book in the Mafia Misfits series by Asia Monique and, to me, undoubtedly the most infuriating. It’s 207 pages of misused/mispelled words, improper grammar, missing words, telling us instead of showing us, and a mind-melting female lead who can’t seem to make up her mind on whether she wants the male lead or not.
I wanted to like Akira, really I did. I understood what the author was trying to convey—a woman struggling to let go of her grief while falling in love again. But it didn’t come across that way. Instead, I saw a female lead who couldn’t seem to let poor Matteo go but also didn’t want to see him with anyone else. She literally threatens a random woman at knife point because of her insane jealousy, and Matteo’s reaction? To shame the woman for wanting to sleep with a man who “wouldn’t step in to protect [her.]” Excuse me? Matteo could’ve stepped in but, because he has feelings for Akira, didn’t, so how was that that poor woman’s fault?
Over and over again, Akira refuses to heal from the loss of her husband, Samuel, nine months after their marriage. I understand the sudden and unexpected death of who you thought was the love of your life knocking you on your ass, but the story picks up—I believe—two years after his death. Two years she’s refused to move on and heal. And it isn’t as if she doesn’t have the money to talk to professional; her family’s literally yakuza. I doubt they’re hurting for money. And she fooled around for a full year with Matteo and seemed to guilt him every time he expressed his feelings.
And Matteo was far too lenient with Akira. Time and time again, he gave her chance after chance and chance, letting her into his penthouse, letting her into his life, which wasn’t healthy. I really just wanted him to say, “No, you know what? I’m done. If you really want to be with me, you’ll have to show me.” Instead he indulges her with little touches and hugs and reassurances that he’ll always be there for her.
At the 60% mark, suddenly, Akira can admit that she’s missed Matteo. And she goes on to say that she’s “fragile” when it comes to her friends and loved ones being blasé about death. She’s literally in yakuza. Her being freaked out so much about death doesn’t make any sense. Was this because she lost Samuel or is it something she’s always struggled with? Being yakuza and mafia like they are—it’s a given that their lives can end at any minute. It feels like her anxiety over death stems solely from losing Samuel. It feels like she’s completely content to completely gloss over and ignore the realities of their lifestyles.
While I enjoyed how Matteo worshipped the ground Akira walked on, I was definitely not a fan of how instalove/instalust the story felt. We hardly saw any of their year together save for the first two chapters, so we didn’t see how the two of them fell in love. In my opinion, Matteo deserves so much better than someone who happily wallows in their grief and uses it as a smokescreen whenever he got too close to but refused to break things off. She didn’t respect him at all when he put his foot down. Instead she breaks into his bedroom and tries to rekindle things, knowing how he feels.
And I can understand the gesture behind him finding the drunk driver that killed Samuel, but I was just confused. If her yakuza connections couldn’t find him, how did Matteo? What, does he have better connections than her? The driver’s death barely left an impact on me as a reader; honestly, it would’ve been better if Akira was the one to find him and torture him for killing her husband, as opposed to it being a big gesture of love from Matteo. I understood what it was trying to do, but it took away Akira’s agency in what could’ve been a very cathartic, meaningful scene.
And dear lord, this book needed an editor. Desperately. There’s dialogue being punctuated with action instead of dialogue tags, missing words, misused/misspelled words. Two examples that come to mind is Akira saying, “Our dads’ our brothers.” It’s a simple sentence. Our dads are brothers. That’s how it should’ve been written. Another example is “she fiend innocent.” She feigned innocence. The book is full of sentences like that, which made me want to pull out my hair. And the writing is choppy as hell, with unnatural dialogue, constant lack of contractions, and wordy as all get. Half the time, I was cutting down the sentences in my head and thinking of edits. Even if there was no way for an editor, there’s free programs and built-in editors for writing software.
I skimmed after 85%. I did not care and I don’t think I’ll be reading anything else from this author. Which is a shame because I can see myself loving it if she hired an editor.
I wanted to like Akira, really I did. I understood what the author was trying to convey—a woman struggling to let go of her grief while falling in love again. But it didn’t come across that way. Instead, I saw a female lead who couldn’t seem to let poor Matteo go but also didn’t want to see him with anyone else. She literally threatens a random woman at knife point because of her insane jealousy, and Matteo’s reaction? To shame the woman for wanting to sleep with a man who “wouldn’t step in to protect [her.]” Excuse me? Matteo could’ve stepped in but, because he has feelings for Akira, didn’t, so how was that that poor woman’s fault?
Over and over again, Akira refuses to heal from the loss of her husband, Samuel, nine months after their marriage. I understand the sudden and unexpected death of who you thought was the love of your life knocking you on your ass, but the story picks up—I believe—two years after his death. Two years she’s refused to move on and heal. And it isn’t as if she doesn’t have the money to talk to professional; her family’s literally yakuza. I doubt they’re hurting for money. And she fooled around for a full year with Matteo and seemed to guilt him every time he expressed his feelings.
And Matteo was far too lenient with Akira. Time and time again, he gave her chance after chance and chance, letting her into his penthouse, letting her into his life, which wasn’t healthy. I really just wanted him to say, “No, you know what? I’m done. If you really want to be with me, you’ll have to show me.” Instead he indulges her with little touches and hugs and reassurances that he’ll always be there for her.
At the 60% mark, suddenly, Akira can admit that she’s missed Matteo. And she goes on to say that she’s “fragile” when it comes to her friends and loved ones being blasé about death. She’s literally in yakuza. Her being freaked out so much about death doesn’t make any sense. Was this because she lost Samuel or is it something she’s always struggled with? Being yakuza and mafia like they are—it’s a given that their lives can end at any minute. It feels like her anxiety over death stems solely from losing Samuel. It feels like she’s completely content to completely gloss over and ignore the realities of their lifestyles.
While I enjoyed how Matteo worshipped the ground Akira walked on, I was definitely not a fan of how instalove/instalust the story felt. We hardly saw any of their year together save for the first two chapters, so we didn’t see how the two of them fell in love. In my opinion, Matteo deserves so much better than someone who happily wallows in their grief and uses it as a smokescreen whenever he got too close to but refused to break things off. She didn’t respect him at all when he put his foot down. Instead she breaks into his bedroom and tries to rekindle things, knowing how he feels.
And I can understand the gesture behind him finding the drunk driver that killed Samuel, but I was just confused. If her yakuza connections couldn’t find him, how did Matteo? What, does he have better connections than her? The driver’s death barely left an impact on me as a reader; honestly, it would’ve been better if Akira was the one to find him and torture him for killing her husband, as opposed to it being a big gesture of love from Matteo. I understood what it was trying to do, but it took away Akira’s agency in what could’ve been a very cathartic, meaningful scene.
And dear lord, this book needed an editor. Desperately. There’s dialogue being punctuated with action instead of dialogue tags, missing words, misused/misspelled words. Two examples that come to mind is Akira saying, “Our dads’ our brothers.” It’s a simple sentence. Our dads are brothers. That’s how it should’ve been written. Another example is “she fiend innocent.” She feigned innocence. The book is full of sentences like that, which made me want to pull out my hair. And the writing is choppy as hell, with unnatural dialogue, constant lack of contractions, and wordy as all get. Half the time, I was cutting down the sentences in my head and thinking of edits. Even if there was no way for an editor, there’s free programs and built-in editors for writing software.
I skimmed after 85%. I did not care and I don’t think I’ll be reading anything else from this author. Which is a shame because I can see myself loving it if she hired an editor.
February 1, 2025
A lot of telling and no showing
Why do they love each other?? It was just declared that he loves her and that’s it
Why do they love each other?? It was just declared that he loves her and that’s it
April 1, 2024
Second Chances
I loved the concept of it being a second chance romance because of love after loss but also in that the main characters are rekindling after breaking things off. However, because it’s a rekindling, you don’t really get to see them fall in love and i think that made it harder to invest compared for the other couples in the series. I think a few more flashbacks would’ve sold the story more for me. But i still enjoyed the characters, particularly there bring a very strong female main character and a man that doesn’t play about her, which Asia has been giving all series so far.
I loved the concept of it being a second chance romance because of love after loss but also in that the main characters are rekindling after breaking things off. However, because it’s a rekindling, you don’t really get to see them fall in love and i think that made it harder to invest compared for the other couples in the series. I think a few more flashbacks would’ve sold the story more for me. But i still enjoyed the characters, particularly there bring a very strong female main character and a man that doesn’t play about her, which Asia has been giving all series so far.
August 25, 2023
aiyaaahh didnt click with akira
like from that first 3 chapters i was all nOPE im not rooting for this girl
like yea ok grief but really just dont like her? hm cant explain
matteo was just, fine? like he was just there
the only thing i like from here was the side characters, every time the focus wasnt on the main 2 i was seated
like from that first 3 chapters i was all nOPE im not rooting for this girl
like yea ok grief but really just dont like her? hm cant explain
matteo was just, fine? like he was just there
the only thing i like from here was the side characters, every time the focus wasnt on the main 2 i was seated
October 6, 2023
2.75
July 6, 2023
3.5 Stars.
I’ve been obsessed with this series ever since I picked it up this week but I have to say that this 3rd book in the series is probably my least favourite so far. I still really enjoyed this book but I think it felt the least cohesive. The author warns in a preface that it’s a bit different from the previous books as it focuses less on the action and more on the relationship between Akira and Matteo. To an extent this is correct. But I also felt like the pacing of that focus was off and it wasn’t necessarily executed as seamlessly as it could have been.
The premise is that Matteo meets Akira when she’s fighting at a cage fight (this is never relevant again because we never see this side of her after the first chapter) and falls for her. Unfortunately, Akira is dealing with demons of grief from losing her first husband unexpectedly and feels a lot of guilt about moving on especially with her instant attraction to Matteo. This starts a toxic cycle for any budding relationship between them and this story sort of is meant to explore their finding their way back to each other.
I think the two main things that affected this are the jump cut from their initial meeting in the first two chapters to their current day quasi-estrangement, and the quick switch from Akira’s resistance to suddenly being open to a relationship which even Matteo questions. I think the pacing was a little faulty in this aspect and I would have liked more of Akira and Matteo together hammering these issues out. Even though it was a book about their relationship, I felt like something was missing, the growing phase maybe, some relationship development. It’s like they went from estranged to loved up very quickly and more time was spent building up the estrangement so that we wanted a bit more process to healing.
Other than this, the book was an absolute delight. Matteo was the perfect hero for Akira’s healing journey. He was pragmatic and respectful of her previous relationship with her late husband, supportive of her grieving journey, caring and open to being vulnerable with her, super communicative and giving, I can’t say enough good things about him. I felt that Akira’s characterisation as being emotionally unavailable made her feel a bit stilted by comparison, but I still liked her.
These books don’t have to be read in serial order and I think this could definitely stand alone, but it adds a lot more context and enjoyment if you read in order as you get a better sense of the histories and relationships referred to.
Enjoyed this a lot and can’t wait to start on the next book.
I’ve been obsessed with this series ever since I picked it up this week but I have to say that this 3rd book in the series is probably my least favourite so far. I still really enjoyed this book but I think it felt the least cohesive. The author warns in a preface that it’s a bit different from the previous books as it focuses less on the action and more on the relationship between Akira and Matteo. To an extent this is correct. But I also felt like the pacing of that focus was off and it wasn’t necessarily executed as seamlessly as it could have been.
The premise is that Matteo meets Akira when she’s fighting at a cage fight (this is never relevant again because we never see this side of her after the first chapter) and falls for her. Unfortunately, Akira is dealing with demons of grief from losing her first husband unexpectedly and feels a lot of guilt about moving on especially with her instant attraction to Matteo. This starts a toxic cycle for any budding relationship between them and this story sort of is meant to explore their finding their way back to each other.
I think the two main things that affected this are the jump cut from their initial meeting in the first two chapters to their current day quasi-estrangement, and the quick switch from Akira’s resistance to suddenly being open to a relationship which even Matteo questions. I think the pacing was a little faulty in this aspect and I would have liked more of Akira and Matteo together hammering these issues out. Even though it was a book about their relationship, I felt like something was missing, the growing phase maybe, some relationship development. It’s like they went from estranged to loved up very quickly and more time was spent building up the estrangement so that we wanted a bit more process to healing.
Other than this, the book was an absolute delight. Matteo was the perfect hero for Akira’s healing journey. He was pragmatic and respectful of her previous relationship with her late husband, supportive of her grieving journey, caring and open to being vulnerable with her, super communicative and giving, I can’t say enough good things about him. I felt that Akira’s characterisation as being emotionally unavailable made her feel a bit stilted by comparison, but I still liked her.
These books don’t have to be read in serial order and I think this could definitely stand alone, but it adds a lot more context and enjoyment if you read in order as you get a better sense of the histories and relationships referred to.
Enjoyed this a lot and can’t wait to start on the next book.
December 28, 2025
5h 46m
In **Sinful Surrender**, Asia Monique delivers the third installment of her *Mafia Misfits* series, pivoting from the high-stakes political maneuvering of the previous books to a deeply emotional, character-driven story of "right person, wrong time."
---
## The Plot: A Collision of Fate and Responsibility
The story follows Matteo Bianchi, a man who lives by his intuition and believes in destiny. When he meets Akira Wright, the connection is instantaneous and undeniable. However, Akira is a woman bound by more than just her feelings; she is tethered to a marriage and a life she didn't necessarily choose but feels obligated to maintain.
Unlike the fast-paced action of *Sinful Vow*, this book is a slow-burn emotional gauntlet. The narrative focuses on the internal struggle:
* **Matteo’s Persistence:** His unwavering belief that Akira is his "forever," even when logic suggests he should walk away.
* **Akira’s Conflict:** The paralyzing grief and despair she faces while trying to reconcile her growing love for Matteo with the promises she made to her deceived husband.
---
## Character Breakdown
### Matteo Bianchi: The Patient Protector
Matteo stands out in the "mafia hero" archetype. While he is capable of the violence expected of his name, his defining trait in this book is his gentleness. He is the quietly unhinged hero—dangerous to the world but a soft place for Akira to land. His patience is the anchor of the story; he doesn't force Akira to choose him, but he makes it impossible for her to forget him.
### Akira Wright: The Reluctant Lover
Akira is a complex, often polarizing protagonist. She is in a state of deep emotional "surrender" (fitting for the title) to her circumstances. Her journey involves working through layers of grief and religious or familial expectations that keep her trapped. Her growth from a woman "ignoring fate" to one claiming her own happiness is the heartbeat of the novel.
---
## Themes and Narrative Style
Asia Monique leans heavily into the African American Romance aesthetic, prioritizing the chemistry and the black love dynamic within the gritty framework of the mafia underworld.
* **The Power of Fate:** The book asks if soulmates can exist when one person is already committed to another.
* **Healing through Love:** A significant portion of the book deals with Akira’s mental health and despair. Matteo acts not just as a lover, but as a catalyst for her healing.
* **Interconnected World:** This book does an excellent job of weaving in the broader Bianchi and Moretti family dynamics, setting the stage for the O'Sullivan brothers in later books.
In **Sinful Surrender**, Asia Monique delivers the third installment of her *Mafia Misfits* series, pivoting from the high-stakes political maneuvering of the previous books to a deeply emotional, character-driven story of "right person, wrong time."
---
## The Plot: A Collision of Fate and Responsibility
The story follows Matteo Bianchi, a man who lives by his intuition and believes in destiny. When he meets Akira Wright, the connection is instantaneous and undeniable. However, Akira is a woman bound by more than just her feelings; she is tethered to a marriage and a life she didn't necessarily choose but feels obligated to maintain.
Unlike the fast-paced action of *Sinful Vow*, this book is a slow-burn emotional gauntlet. The narrative focuses on the internal struggle:
* **Matteo’s Persistence:** His unwavering belief that Akira is his "forever," even when logic suggests he should walk away.
* **Akira’s Conflict:** The paralyzing grief and despair she faces while trying to reconcile her growing love for Matteo with the promises she made to her deceived husband.
---
## Character Breakdown
### Matteo Bianchi: The Patient Protector
Matteo stands out in the "mafia hero" archetype. While he is capable of the violence expected of his name, his defining trait in this book is his gentleness. He is the quietly unhinged hero—dangerous to the world but a soft place for Akira to land. His patience is the anchor of the story; he doesn't force Akira to choose him, but he makes it impossible for her to forget him.
### Akira Wright: The Reluctant Lover
Akira is a complex, often polarizing protagonist. She is in a state of deep emotional "surrender" (fitting for the title) to her circumstances. Her journey involves working through layers of grief and religious or familial expectations that keep her trapped. Her growth from a woman "ignoring fate" to one claiming her own happiness is the heartbeat of the novel.
---
## Themes and Narrative Style
Asia Monique leans heavily into the African American Romance aesthetic, prioritizing the chemistry and the black love dynamic within the gritty framework of the mafia underworld.
* **The Power of Fate:** The book asks if soulmates can exist when one person is already committed to another.
* **Healing through Love:** A significant portion of the book deals with Akira’s mental health and despair. Matteo acts not just as a lover, but as a catalyst for her healing.
* **Interconnected World:** This book does an excellent job of weaving in the broader Bianchi and Moretti family dynamics, setting the stage for the O'Sullivan brothers in later books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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