Arranged to Burn: Mafia Romances I Can’t Stop Rereading

I’ll Take an Arranged Marriage with a Side of Danger, Please

(Why Mafia Romance Does the Forced Marriage Trope Best)

If there’s one trope that hooks me every single time, it’s the forced or arranged marriage. There’s just something deliciously irresistible about two people who have no choice but to marry—and then slowly, agonizingly, fall in love. Throw in some smoldering chemistry, emotional tension, and power plays? Yep, I’m all in.

And you know what world delivers this trope perfectly?
🔥 Mafia romance. 🔥

The mafia subculture practically begs for arranged marriages—alliances, betrayals, family duty, honor, revenge… all excellent reasons to marry for anything but love. And that, my friends, makes the journey to true intimacy all the more intense.

These are some of my all-time favorite mafia romances with forced or arranged marriages. I’ve reread every single one of these beauties, and every one of them kept me up way too late the first time I read them.

📚 My Must-Read Forced/Arranged Mafia Romance Recs

💍 Bound by Honor by Cora Reilly
The OG! There’s a reason this book is iconic. It set the bar for so many of us.

👑 Taken by a Sinner by Michelle Heard
Arrogant, broody Greek don? Yes, please. Add a bride with backbone? Chef’s kiss.

🖤 Broken Whispers by Neva Altaj
So emotional and so HOT. The way Mikhail was with Bianca made me swoon.

🎭 Mistaken by Arianna Fraser
This book surprised me in all the best ways. The twists, the angst, the tension—it delivers.

🤫 Silent Vows by Jill Ramsower
The dynamic between Conner and Noemi kept me turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning.

🔥 Cassio by Eva Winners
This one just drips with chemistry and emotional intensity. Total binge-read.

🚗 Nicky the Driver by Cate C. Wells
IYKYK. This book is weirdly perfect. Nicky is just so all in and the exact right guy for Zita. I’ve reread it more times than I care to admit.

💔 Brutal Vows by JT Geissinger
This book is fierce, fiery, and just… ugh, so good. If you love enemies-to-lovers inside a forced marriage, do not miss it.

✍️ Of Course, I Had to Write It Too…

I mean… how am I not going to write what I love reading so much? 😏
My Syndicate Rules series dives deep into this trope:

💥 Urgent Vows She’s the sacrifice when her sister leaves the powerful don standing at the altar.

🖤 Brutal Capo When he makes a mistake, he has one choice: marry her, or die.

💣 Forced Vows They sign the contract in blood for a marriage that will bring two powerful crime families together.

Each of these brings something different to the forced marriage dynamic—whether it’s high-stakes drama, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, or a reluctant bride with an even more reluctant heart.

And I’m extra excited about what’s coming next...

🌞 Coming This Summer: Sins of Arrogance

The first book in my brand new Syndicate Sins series is a double-whammy: marriage in peril and arranged marriage in one spicy, emotional ride. Mick and Kara have all the angst, heat, and danger I love to write—and I cannot wait for you to read their story.

So if you’re like me and crave that forced proximity, reluctant yearning, and power-play passion that only an arranged mafia marriage can deliver... I hope you find a few new obsessions in this list. 💋

Tell me—what’s your favorite arranged marriage book of all time? I’m always looking for my next late-night read. 😈

For info on all of my books, visit my website.

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