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I was the baby of the family. The one who was supposed to have a normal life. Instead, I was imprisoned by a monster, chained and caged. Subjected to h*ll.

When I thought my life couldn't get worse, I'm found by the enemy. Surrounded by three men I don't dare to trust. But I have to. They can help me get the one thing I need more than anything.

Revenge.


**This is a reverse harem/ why choose with darker themes. Please heed TWs.**

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2024

76 people are currently reading
101 people want to read

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Maggie Alabaster

30 books61 followers

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5 stars
78 (46%)
4 stars
50 (29%)
3 stars
34 (20%)
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5 (2%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
865 reviews17 followers
March 24, 2025
2.5 for me, for lack of plot movement and crawling character development. Spoilers.



I read dark romance a lot so I think this is pretty spot on with its description. She was in a cage for 5 years and brutally abused the whole time. Dark romance beginning. Got it. Then things get murky for me mostly from a logical thinking stand point. She has some reactions to the trauma and triggers but as a whole she does a lot of things very quickly that seem shocking for her level of trauma. Letting men touch her, becoming sexual quite quickly even if it's not intercourse, and she is out sitting throats and causing chaos when she as emaciated and had only the water from the pipes for 5 years? Or she was in a cage that kept her from sitting up fully but had no physical issues upon release? Or she had a sore that had to be pulled from the leather straps and instead of getting a doctor then a hot shower she goes in a scented bath....like I am down for a dark romance but all this pulled me out of her story because it doesn't make sense for these things to happen.

The plot also stalled and I just felt like pushing fast forward on this one. Kurt is the plot, and we have many in depth conversations about Kurt with every character in this book including side characters. It just is Kurt over and over but no progress.

Character development and build up was also surface level for me. Rueben is a badass Mafia boss for all of 5 seconds then he's a simp. Gianni is the golden retriever that could also murder you, and then Damen isn't really a huge character at all. I felt like I knew the twins better by the end of the book.

Speaking of the twins, I am bummed they are probably hooking up with the bell sisters because I wanted them in the harem. They are funny and actually bring some character to the books.

Last but not least the "reveal" and the main characters "dark past". Of course she is the sparrow, that was annoyingly clear when they were praising the sparrow so blatantly at breakfast. Hit me with a bat next time it's more subtle. But what annoyed me about this is that she is harboring guilt for a kid dying and keeps thinking the guys will turn on her or leave her *insert annoying dialogue here* when they are Mafia men. They have killed so many people and yet she is keeping this hidden? Again it comes back to logical thinking patterns for me and this book. Trauma victims have lasting effects, and common sense needs to prevail at some point. But alas this is why it has a 2.5 for me.

I won't be moving on because I wasn't invested.
Profile Image for Nicole Wijendra.
155 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2024
This was honestly pretty amazing. I wish I had the second book now, but I guess I’ll wait.

Mira was taken from her life five years ago and tortured and isolated. She’s found by a rival mafia family who vows to take care of her until she feels ready to leave. They also vow to find the man who hurt her and get justice for her. But things get slightly complicated when romantic feelings start to bloom.

I devoured this book! It was sooo good, and I loved how the author portrayed the traumatic responses of Mira, and how those decreased/lessened as she let herself open up and love again in this new family. I cannot wait until til book 2, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this!
Profile Image for Debra.
798 reviews17 followers
July 9, 2024
We are dropped right into the middle of the dark and dank mafia world in the beginning of the book. Mina has been imprisoned for five years while being physically and mentally abused by her abuser. She is rescue by three men Reuben, Gianni and Damon but the person that held her got away. Now there is a major hunt looking for abuser. It may be a slow burn between the four of them but it is simmering to a boil fast. I cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Brandy Rice.
1,800 reviews19 followers
July 13, 2024
I absolutely loved this book!! This dark reverse harem kept me captivated from the very beginning. Mina's story is heartbreaking, but it is wonderful to see her take back her life and show how strong she really is. Her men are very protective of her but don't hold her back from protecting herself. I am really looking forward to seeing how her relationship progresses with Reuben, Gianni and Damon.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
218 reviews4 followers
July 6, 2024
A slow burn RH mafia romance that you will want to devour.

Mina DiMarco has been held captive and hidden away for five years by a monster of a man. When she is finally rescued, she finds herself in the hands of her family’s enemies – Reuben Brantley and his men. She finds that she needs to trust them in order for her to get revenge on her captor. For Reuben, Mina is the one who got away. When he finds out that she’s been held by someone who is supposed to work for him, he wants to do everything in his power to keep her safe and keep her as his own.

I really enjoyed this book and read the whole thing in one sitting. I could not get enough of the interactions between Mina and the guys. It is a slow burn RH with three guys - Reuben is the mob boss and radiates possessiveness while Gianni provides a funnier and lighter side but would still kill anyone who wrongs her. Lastly, Damon is the standoffish one who is reluctant to care about her and tries to convince the others that she is a distraction, but he will definitely come around. I loved Mina’s journey through the book and how she processed her emotions and trauma. I felt like the twist at the end was a little bit predictable, but I cannot wait to read the next book. Hopefully we can get some of the story from Gianni and/or Damon’s POV. I would love to know what those two are thinking – especially Damon since Gianni is more open.

I would absolutely recommend this book. It is so well written, and I’m excited for more of the story of these possessive mobsters and their fierce, mysterious girl.
Profile Image for Little monster.
697 reviews19 followers
July 5, 2024
I've read a few of Maggie's books and I've loved each and every one but this one had me from chapter one.

This is a slow burner........and boy did I devour it in one sitting. Mina DiMarco wow what a woman!!! What she goes through is unbelievable but she comes out stronger in the end. We start with Mina being held captive and hidden away for 5 years by a monster called Kurt. He does unspeakable things to her and reading that first chapter was hard, but when she's finally rescued she finds herself in the hands of her family's enemies that man is Reuben Brantley and his men....Gianni and Damon....now these three men are lush as!!! Yummy yum yum. Once she's safe within Reuben's home she finds herself opening up to them more and trusting them. Reuben wants to do everything in his power to make Kurt pay for what he's done......Mina to him is the one that got away he's loved her for a long time.

Mina wants to work with the three mafia men to get revenge on Kurt. These guys will do anything to protect Mina and urgh I just fell in love with not only Mina but the guys too. The chemistry between them is off the scale and yeah this is a slow burner and the spice is low but I feel the next book is gonna go off like dynamite and I can tell you I'm looking forward to it. This is a must read and I can't wait for it to continue.
Profile Image for Jess.
130 reviews
July 6, 2024
Ahh so many twists ahead! *spoilers

Mina- She's a captive, caged like an animal. Abused, used and filthy. Found by another enemy. Rescued, but for how long? She's already lost 5 years. "I felt like an injured bird he'd found on the side of the road and put into a cardboard box to nurse back to life."

Gianni immediately takes on a protective role and Reuben wants to keep her. He falls first! Damon is the hardest to get a read on but there's definitely a protective want for Mina. He also thinks she's a distraction and someone could get hurt or killed if they're not careful.
They don't push her.

Like most badass fmc, Mina starts to think being so close to the guys very well may be a distraction and maybe she should run when she can to keep them safe. Being with them had started making her feel alive again and the last thing she'd want is for them to end up dead because of her.
Mina has a secret, a big one that could change how the guys feel and think of her.
(The twins, Hunter and Parker are a hoot!)
I was not expecting the cliffhanger! I will definitely be looking for the next book, Ruined!
Profile Image for Drishika Bikraj.
100 reviews
July 4, 2024
Mina DiMarco has been held captive for 5 years by an absolute monster. When Reuben Brantley and his men rescue her, she needs to work with them to get her revenge on her captor. Reuben knew Mina when they were younger and has always wanted her so now, he’ll do everything he possibly can to keep her safe. Gianni is funny and less intense than Reuben but will still kill anyone who hurts Mina. Damon believes Mina is a distraction and is hesitant to care about her.
I literally finished this in one sitting, it was so great! This book is only told from Mina and Reuben’s POVs so I’m looking forward to reading more of Gianni and Damon. I loved Mina’s interactions with the guys and the 'touch her and die' from Reuben and Gianni. I also loved her healing journey throughout the book which contributed to the slow burn and mild spice. Given what Mina has been through, it makes sense and I love that the author did this.
I’m looking forward to finding out a bit more about Mina’s past and seeing her relationships with the guys progress.
Profile Image for Kamila Mykhailiuk.
1,449 reviews12 followers
July 6, 2024
Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

Mina DiMarco is the baby of her family. She was supposed to have a normal, happy life. But all of that was taken away by a monster. She was captured and taken. She lived in an agonising hell for five years. She is rescued by her family’s enemy, Reuben Brantley and his men, Gianni and Damon. She needs to trust them in order to get revenge.

When Reuben finds out that she was held captive by someone who works for him, he will do anything in his power to protect her. Gianni is a funny and easygoing guy, but he will not hesitate to do what it takes to protect Mina. Damon is the one who was reluctant to get close to Mina, thinking she was a distraction. But when he loves, he loves hard. I loved the chemistry and passion between Mina and the guys. They were made for each other.

Overall I loved this book very much. If you’re looking for a why choose, dark romance then you’re going to love it.
Profile Image for Liz Bumpous.
96 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2024
If you are looking for a dark romance, reverse haram, with all the twists and turns this book is for you. This book is very, very dark in the beginning so please check the trigger warnings.

Locked in a cage for years by a monster Mina thinks this is all her life will be. A continuous cycle of abuse and hurt has left her with no sense of time and no hope of escape.

Reuben, Damon, and Gianni go looking for a traitor, they certainly never expected to find a missing mafia princess. Now they have one more reason to destroy the man they are after. They are determined to make him feel every moment of pain and fear he has caused Mina.

The race is on to find the traitor before he reeks more havoc on their lives. Can they all survived the danger and intrigue of their world or will more secrets tear them apart?

This book contains torture, abuse, SA, violence, and more. CHECK THE TRIGGERS!
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Blog.
5,393 reviews273 followers
June 28, 2024
Mafia Romance that will keep you engaged the entire time. This is a RH slow burn low spice but I feel like the next book the spice is going to get intense. I love that the author made it a slow burn mild spice I feel like with what the FMC went through emotionally it makes complete sense in every way. The guys, you have the mob boss, Alpha-hole serious possessive, touch her and die. Then there is the funny one will make you laugh is goofy but also touch her and die. Then you have one that’s taking longer to come around but I feel like it will definitely get there! The emotions and trauma the FMC went through I have no idea how she did it. But if you want a strong female lead with protective mobsters MULTIPLE this is it for you, ending holy cliffhanger! I cannot wait to read the next book! -Kerin
Profile Image for sycokittykat - Stefanie.
1,113 reviews35 followers
July 6, 2024
Imprisoned and forgotten until they appeared.

Mina has been Kurt's prisoner for five long years. She prays for death to finally take her. Suddenly she hears voices that are searching for something and she wonders if they will find her. When they free her and she realizes she knows who at least one of them is she knows she will be free of this horrible place.

How can Mina be dealing will all get trauma and still have feelings brewing for not 1 but 3 different men. She can barely be touched but she wants things she is not ready to have. But there is one thing they have promised her and that is revenge.

As every one searches for Kurt and all he has been up to Mina is slowly healing.

There is a huge bombshell at the end of this book that I did not expect but I am here for it. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.1k reviews257 followers
Read
July 5, 2024
This is the first in a new series, and what an amazing start this story is!
Mina have been held captive by a monster for the past 5-years, until she is rescued by Reuben, who is a mob boss, and his men, Gianni, and Damon. Reuben is possessive and determined to keep Mina safe and protected, and they work together to get their revenge.
This is a well written slow burn story, which is an action packed, emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships, enemies / lovers, trauma, revenge, why choose, humor, trust, healing, age gap, reverse harem, and is an entertaining, spicy, unpredictable, twisted, and thrilling addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for United Indie Book Blog.
4,681 reviews85 followers
July 8, 2024
Rating: 4.5

Possessive is book 1 in the Sparrow and the Mafia King series. It’s a dark reverse harem mafia read, please read the TW before reading. We are introduced to Mina and the situation she is in and how she got there is heartbreaking but through it all she came out stronger and by the end of the book is ready for revenge. The boys are very protective right from the start and even though the RH didn’t come together in book 1, I know when they do it’s going to be hot and mind blowing. Reuben and Gianni are not hiding their feelings for Mina, Damon even though he hasn’t admitted his feelings is still willing to do whatever it is to protect her. The cliffhanger at the end wasn’t much of a shock however I hate that it ended and I’m very excited for the next.
Profile Image for Renee.
5,205 reviews73 followers
July 23, 2024
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

This is the story of Mina, Ruben, Gianni and Damon. Mina is a girl who for five years has lived a light that nightmares are made of. She is not exactly reduced in the way you would think. A rival Mafia group finds her and they promise to take her with them and keep her save till she is ready to leave on her own and live her life. She has been tortured and isolated. She really has a lot of healing to do. However there is a slight complication as Ruben, Gianni and Damon are all falling for her. Can they keep her safe like they promised, find her captors and get justice for her? You have to read and find out. I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Ga Books LoverX.
2,410 reviews24 followers
July 5, 2024
A slow burn mafia romance harem book that will drag you in and have you wanting to know what will happen next! Wow, I really enjoyed this book it was engaging, interesting, and man I totally want to know what is going to happen next! Mina is so strong and I loved not only seeing her regaining her strength but also her interactions with the guys. I was hooked from the very beginning and can't wait to see what happens next. You better believe I will be grabbing the next book as soon as it is out!

PS: Thank you to Maggie Alabaster and Give Me Books PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly!
Profile Image for Rachel Stephens.
2,331 reviews41 followers
July 6, 2024
Excellent!!
Why choose, mafia, revenge, enimies to lovers...
Right away this book captured my attention. Talk about a roller-coaster of twists and turns and all the emotions!
Filled with danger, action and suspense, drama, and some humor.
I would consider this a slow burn, but it fits with the storyline perfectly.

I loved Mina. She is resilient, especially after everything she went through. Seeing her grow stronger and begin to heal made me so happy.
The men are so different and I loved that.
I also loved the interactions between Mina and them.

What an excellent beginning to Mina's story!! I can't wait for more!!
Profile Image for Caroline.
39 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2024
Mina DiMarco had been held captive for 5 years. She decides to side with the men who found her to find her captor.

This is my first Maggie book and I’ve gotta say I’m impressed and why haven’t I read anything of hers before. lol I was captivated from the first chapter and it only got better from there! I feel like the relationships came out of no where and I would have liked to see a little more angst and hesitation from Mina. But overall I really like this book!!!!

💚Reverse Harem
💚Mafia
💚 Slow Burn
💚 Dual POV
💚Age gap
8,798 reviews63 followers
June 29, 2024
Mina was taken and held captive by a monster of aman someone closer to home than any could image, when shes rescued by Rueben, Gianni and Damon its only the begin as shes rescued by her family enemies. well written engaging slow burning RH, only told from Mina and Ruebens POV but cant wait for more of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Clary.
543 reviews
October 19, 2024
Oh Mina, Mina, Mina!!! I had a feeling about you and I was right! I love it when my instincts are right about characters from the very beginning. I love me a good story with a strong FMC and Mina is definitely a strong one. I love how protective the guys are of her even though she probably doesn't need it. A little spice, a little revenge, plot twists and turns, and lots of action. Can't wait to see where the story goes next.
Profile Image for BasicBookBtch.
266 reviews12 followers
July 3, 2024
It was a nice quick read. I felt like right when I started getting good was when it ended. So I was a bit disappointed in that aspect. But at the same time it leaves me wanting more and to read the next one.
Profile Image for Brandy Stansbury.
226 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2024
What an exciting ride! I love a strong fmc & Mina is the very definition of strong. Surviving years of brutal capacity she is rescued by some handsome Mafia leaders & has to overcome her trauma. This book was slightly spicy, but oh so thrilling. I am eagerly awaiting book 2!
496 reviews2 followers
July 9, 2024
Wow what a start to a series. I can't wait until the next book. This was a wonderful read. I loved Gianni. So far he's my favorite with Rueben coming a close second. Great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Spunky N Sassy.
5,398 reviews119 followers
July 17, 2024
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 5.0

~~~~~~~~~~Julie's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

This book is phenomenal. The slow burn, the excitement and the danger will draw you in. Mina is such a powerful woman. She has experience so much and yet she refuses to give up. Great writing.
Profile Image for Alice Bloomfield.
1,809 reviews9 followers
October 25, 2024
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was quite a quick read but an enjoyable one. I felt a bit rushed, I know the story continues but it would have been nice if this one had an extra 50ish pages of plot to it.
291 reviews
November 21, 2024
Twists and Turns

A good old mafia story, Mina had been kept prisoner in a cage for 5 years for a debt for her father.
She was found by an enemy who helped look after her once she escaped.
Lots of twists and turns in the book.
Do heed TWS
Profile Image for Carley Ruston.
32 reviews
February 24, 2025
It was a good book, but the twist at the end of it was predictable. I knew what was coming before it happened, there were too many hints through the story for it to really be a CH. Still want to find out what happens in the other books though.
Profile Image for Jennifer Alexander.
1,315 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2024
Enjoyable

I didn’t realize this book ended in a cliffhanger so now I’m jonesing for the next book and my fix of these great characters
Profile Image for Read.Review.Repeat Blog.
5,905 reviews100 followers
July 12, 2024
I didn’t realize this book ended in a cliffhanger so now I’m jonesing for the next book and my fix of these great characters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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