Duplicity

Serpico Family #1

by Matilda Martel

I've spent my life in a cage designed by my father--- at his mercy and whim.
I'm penniless, powerless, and frequently reminded that I'm nothing more than property to barter amongst his powerful friends.
While he schemes, he keeps me locked away, protected, isolated, and hidden from his violent world. Until the eve of my twentieth birthday, when I learn my future holds more misery than my past.
It's the day he's waited for---the day he sells my hand to the highest bidder.
Like any mafia princess, I'm expected to stay silent, submit, and make my family proud.
I have no choice and no voice. With a handshake and a signature, my dreams will die, and a new nightmare will begin.
But that's not how my story ends.
They say a wolf will chew off its foot to escape a trap, and that's precisely what I do when I flee into the arms of my father's greatest enemy.
Dante Serpico is a man of many secrets.
On the surface, he's a wealthy real estate tycoon, respected by politicians and the city's elite. Behind the mask, he's the most dangerous man in New York.
Moments before my dreams die, I rush to his aid.
I have nothing to offer but myself, but something about the look in his eyes and the tight clench of his chiseled jaw tells me he won't say no.
I've made a deal with the devil and leapt from the frying pan into the fire.
I should be terrified, but the man of secrets makes me feel funny things.
He makes me the queen of his world, makes me fall in love, then reveals the biggest secret of all.
How can I forgive his betrayal?
How can I live without him?

This is a MFM dark age gap taboo romance with high heat and shades of dubious consent. Acts of violence are perpetrated on secondary characters- none to the FMC.

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

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2023

About the author

Matilda is a Texas girl in love with a Philly boy who loves to write dirty books about two people who trip into love and fumble their way into a Filthy, Funny, Happily Ever After.

I live in Austin, with my husband, two crazy Chihuahuas and an even crazier cat. And I spend most of my day writing dirty romance books about older men who fall in love with younger women and make fools of themselves trying to win their hearts.

If you love Dark Romance, you’ve come to the wrong place. I don’t like dark heroes.

I like my hero to be successful, sweet, suave, sophisticated and kind--- and then I want him to lose all his composure and game when he meets the heroine. I want him to turn into a bumbling idiot when he spots the girl of his dreams and revert to a teenage boy in a man’s body trying to win her.

I like my heroines to be witty, intelligent, and unshakeable---who could do just as well without a man—until the hero convinces her otherwise.

I write A LOT OF AGE GAP--because I LOVE AGE GAP ROMANCE. I’ve got no other excuse for it.

No matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are ADORED, and my endings are always Happily EVER AFTER, not HFN.

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Reviews

[CassDamm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very boring. Cringe smut scenes.
Gave off wattpad vibes.

Not going to finish the series.
Oh the “twist” was dumb and the theatrics to just be like “ok it’s fine lol” at the end

[Dominique F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooooooooooo this was goooooooood. What a freakin twistttt bwahahah I loveeeee this stuff!!!!

[jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a short, spicy read with a twist that i honestly, didn’t see coming *wink wink*

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mafia, dark romance, virgin romance, age gap romance, taboo romance, polyamorous romance, arranged marriage, romantic suspense, explicit, and spicy romance. Nadia's father has been planning a arranged marriage for her whether she approves or not. This is how things are down in a italian mafia family. Nadia has been kept out of sight to gain favor among the most important families. Dante Serpico was never on that list even though he is the Don of New York City. The only thing that was a little confusing in the beginning was all the Serpico family names start with D: Diego, Daniel, and Dante. It made it hard for me to differentiate who was who. Throw in the whole twin game that's going on and and it got really confusing at some points.
Eventually, I figured it all out. When Nadia commits to a plan, she really commits. It was obvious the men she was involved with had true feelings for Nadia they just had to realize that. However, the men jeopardize everything because they've been lying to Nadia since the beginning. It's not a little secret either. Certain scenes are spicy, salacious, and expose some kinks. The most shocking thing for me was Nadia's dad's true plan all along. Good quick mafia novella.

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

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow……Nadia’s life isn’t as it seems she means nothing to her father but a pawn who he can sell her to for the highest bidder without care as to how she feels about it or what happens to her once she is sold her father has kept her out of sight without friends and all she wants is her freedom to be just free to be to be her. Dante sexy as all get out not who he says he is sort of but he is the Don of New York ruthless, brutal, but he makes you want to like him and he really does have feelings for the girl who wants to gain her freedom not realizing she will never really be free. But the problem is he never planned to get married until he met Nadia the attraction is instant, it is intense, and the magnetic pull between them is too strong to ignore and giving in is off the charts because it is not just Dante he has a twin and they both have intense feelings for Nadia but will it be enough to keep her father from selling her, will he marry her despite the fact he never wanted to be married, will she accept them both, will her father get what he deserves, and can the three of them find their own happiness?.

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

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ménage romance was even better than I hoped it would be! Dante is so much more than just the head of the Serpico family. He’s layered with a hard exterior that he shows the world but a soft side that he shows to only Nadia. Nadia is the daughter of a lower mafia family hidden away to be a pawn for her father’s ambitions. She wants a marriage to Dante to escape a far worse arranged marriage not realizing that she is what Dante wants.

There were several twists to this story that I didn’t expect and some that I did but that didn’t affect how satisfying the twist was. The way this relationship becomes a ménage is very unique and I loved it. I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say it was written exceptionally well and you are going to LOVE IT!!

The spice of this book was off the charts as Matilda Martel’s books always are! Scenes that feel fresh and are oh so steamy!! We get to experience Nadia changing from a sheltered girl into a daring and awakening young woman. I fanned myself from the heat and swooned from the sweet!! Everything about this book was something to love and should definitely be your next read.

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

[ZUI-NOAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

Tropes
Age gap
Mafia
Arranged marriage /
Marriage of convince

Spice 🌶 Level
4.5/5

Nadia's life is full in control of her father and to escape it, she's trying her full potential, on the other hand Dante is a form of a lion (metaphor) and when these two collide it's fire.
Beware there is a big twist in the book so I say you go blind but as author said it's MFM book, am not telling anything about other guy 😏 but you have to read to find it.

Over all I enjoyed the back and forth chemistry between the characters, it was touch of something unique and it's great world building with high level spice.

Highly recommend, thank you Matilda for this lovely arc copy.

[Chani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of a three way relationship... I battle to understand how 2 alpha males can be okay with loving & sharing the same woman.
(Nevermind my endless questions when kids enter the picture)

It's a foreign concept for me.

Despite my reservations, I enjoyed this book, the story had me hooked, I liked the characters, so I wasn't going to quit it and make myself a big old weenie prude!

No way ... I'm not built like that.

So what I'm saying is, if you're like me, and you're not quite in the "I don't understand this whole get up" boat, don't discount this book just because of that, you'll be missing out.

You know that old saying " don't judge a book by it's cover"? ...well I'm saying " don't judge this book by it's threesome"

(LOL ... I amuse myself! 🤭)

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadia has lived in a cage her whole life, it was not because her father loved her, it was to keep her safe for when he was ready to marry her off. He tells her the day before her twentieth birthday that she is to be married to someone she despises, she has to figure a way out. When she meets Dante Serpico it looks like everything is about to change.

Dante has caught glimpses of Nadia over the last two years and knew she would be his. No one would dare come after once she is his. There is something he has to tell her, will she stay once she knows the truth?.

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

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a dirty, dark, and delicious mafia romance story with some violence. Blazing hot and so romantic. I love the storyline and the characters were amazing. Nadia finds Dante and she propositions him. He takes the bait. He takes her home, gets her settles and plans the wedding. Then there is the amazing steamy scenes between Nadia and Dante, but is it really Dante? We find out that Dante and Daniel are twins and they both love and want Nadia. Will she accept them both? I couldn't put the book down. So exciting.

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

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 1 in the Serpico Family Series by this author. It is a steamy age gap romance between Nadia and the Serpico twins - Dante and Daniel. These flawed characters and the unique plot make for an entertaining read. Their sizzling chemistry and strong connection are undeniable as they navigate the bumpy road to their forever after. It is a love story with enough drama, suspense, steam, family dynamic, sweetness, frustrating moments, twists and turns, and engaging secondary characters to keep the reader interested. A page turner.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me tell you that once you start reading this book you will not want to put it down until the last page. Duplicity is a dark mafia romance with double the fun in Dante and Daniel. I absolutely loved Nadia and how she found the strength to leave when she did before her controlling father could marry her off. This is a captivating, age gap romance with lots of steam, danger, secrets, unexpected twists, and a perfect ending. Duplicity is book one in the Serpico Family series and I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves dark and delicious romances. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intensely wicked read this was! Nadia goes to Dante to strike a bargain. If he marries her, she will be his completely and he will save her from an arranged marriage to a violent monster. The connection between these two blows hot and cold almost. Its hard to know how Dante really feels unless we are in his head. He has a secret, a huge one and when Nadia finds out, it could easily end everything. I had my suspicions as to the secret and the fallout was very nearly fatal. I love this dark mafia world the author has created and I can't wait for more stories like this one!

[SBee Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ “Are you sure you want to play with fire?” ★

—>>> A dark age gap mafia romance with a good twist or two. “I remember you well, Nadia Corvo. Do you remember me?” He does? The Monster of Manhattan remembers me by name?  “I attended your eighteenth birthday party two years ago, and you were probably the saddest birthday girl I’ve ever seen.” Nadia knows she is a pawn for her father to save face for the Corvo name, but Nadia is willing to use her wiles to avoid a disastrous union…by being bold with the Monster of Manhattan instead.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. This is a love story with twists, turns, secrets, desperation, passion and finally love. Nadia's determination to thwart her father leads her to Dante. He's going to either be her dark and deadly savior or her final downfall. I thought that it was an interesting story. The edge of darkness and secrets created a story that made you question and guess what was next. It was not my favorite by Matilda, but she took me in a direction that she hadn't previously

[Mia Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably like 3.5. I’m rounding this down bc I want to be clear with the expectation that this book is not necessarily *good* lol but I was recovering from surgery and didn’t want something too heady. This has juuuussst enough plot to keep it moving effectively. I don’t usually like these tropes and I still don’t but these ones weren’t so bad in this context. I love an Italian mafia undertone, so I let of things slide bc of that. It was cringey in a few spots, but if you want something quick and steamy, that is 100% entertainment I recommend it lol

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had potential, and the author did a good job with the non-romance story line related to the brothers. I spent quite a bit of the story questioning 'are they?' 'Naaaaaah.' 'Oh, they might be, did I skip a line somewhere that covered this?' which was a nice change to authors spelling out all the back story, on page, from the beginning. I enjoyed the drama of the families and would have liked seeing more of the intra-family dynamics. Ultimately though, the instalove from all sides was just too much of a turn-off and detracted from this story for me.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duplicity is and age-gap mafia book with some great plot twists & turns and plenty of smoking hot steamy scenarios. Nadia (FMC) is stuck in the middle of a bidding war between mafia bosses that she later finds out is about her. Which makes her decide to take matters into her own hands by proposition mafia boss - Dante. I loved the dynamic had with the guys. It made this book for me. A killer read. Im looking forward to Diego's book now

[Dee Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadia is her Mafia father’s pawn. He’s selling her to the highest bidder to make himself more powerful.
Her only chance is to offer herself to the Don of Dons, Dante. To her surprise he agrees and immediately takes her into his home for safekeeping. But Dante has secrets and her life is still in danger.
Fast paced, action packed, steamy, dramatic, passionate, with a twist and a HEA.

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

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read, it surprised me a bit but I loved the twist. We get a lot of drama and suspense but being in the mafia world, it's to be expected. I think each character brought a lot to the story to make it interesting but also brings plenty of heat and steam. Great read, excited to read Diego's story because I did not care for him initially.

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

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadia's father had kept her hidden, in order to make her more valuable for when he comes to sell her to the highest bidder. But with her freedom on the line she plans and right into her fathers enemy Dante's hands, will he become her savoir or will his secrets shake her to the core. Well written steamy, age gap, mafia, brothers, MFM romance.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was everything i needed from a mafia romance and throw in a mfm relationship *chefs kiss*

This is a long novella, aka the perfect size book. Nadias naivety would usually grind on me but surprisingly made the story move better.

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

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so unlike anything I’ve ever read by Ms. Martel, and all I can say is I’m hooked. This captures your attention from the very beginning, I could not put this down. Loved the dynamic of the main characters, I do not want to give anything away, other than this is a must read.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Natasha Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadia was a mafia princess whose father was trying to arrange her marriage. Dante was the Don of New York, he was in love with Nadia and determined to save her. Amazing, enthralling story with twists and turns, danger and intrigue, love and romance, amazing chemistry and a wonderful HEA.

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

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story that pulls you in from the start. The dark story unfolds with dangers twists and turns, and electric chemistry among the characters. Love Daniel and Dante's possessive side and they take care of Nadia.

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

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadia is a mafia princess that gets sold off to the highest bidder. Dante is the Don of Dons and saves Nadia by claiming her for himself. But Dante has a secret that threatens to tear them apart.... Or maybe not ?? Age gap, steamy, romantic , a bit mysterious, with action and deceit with a sweet HEA and a few twists and turns 😍😍😍

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars
A hot and sexy, dark romance
Nadia Corvo's 20th Birthday approaches. I's a day she's been dreading for years.
The day her Father will sign an alliance and trade her hand in marriage, sealing her fate.
Maybe she can still run away?
It's not like the man she wants would want her. He's too powerful and handsome to want her ...

[Lizette Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love book one in the Serpico family series. This book gives us Nadia and Daniel and Dante's story. She is about to be given to a man she doesn't love, Dante and Daniel give her the way out and they have the greatest story. I'm such a huge fan of every book Matilda writes.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a steamy darkish mafia romance. It was a good story that had a bit of a twist to it. I liked the steam and the characters.

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

[TELA666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This surprised me with one of the plot twists, another was obvious fairly early on. For a mafia book I thought it was quite light, especially given the blurb.

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