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Sicilian Devil's Prisoner
Sicilian Devil's Prisoner is a mafia romance with a ruthless Sicilian billionaire hero from USA TODAY bestselling author Caitlin Crews.
Is she his ruin…
or his redemption?
Jovi D’Amato doesn’t show mercy. He is ice-cold, ruthless and relentless. He is the deadly weapon of the Il Serpente crime syndicate, forged in the brutal aftermath of his family’s murder. Then he’s sent to kidnap Ruxandra Ardelean. In a single heartbeat she detonates his entire existence…
Salvation isn’t something Rux thought possible until Jovi takes her prisoner. The dangerous Sicilian should terrify her. Instead, he thrills her. She comes alive under his shamelessly sinful touch. Though for Jovi to make her his, he’ll have to burn his whole world down…
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Is she his ruin…
or his redemption?
Jovi D’Amato doesn’t show mercy. He is ice-cold, ruthless and relentless. He is the deadly weapon of the Il Serpente crime syndicate, forged in the brutal aftermath of his family’s murder. Then he’s sent to kidnap Ruxandra Ardelean. In a single heartbeat she detonates his entire existence…
Salvation isn’t something Rux thought possible until Jovi takes her prisoner. The dangerous Sicilian should terrify her. Instead, he thrills her. She comes alive under his shamelessly sinful touch. Though for Jovi to make her his, he’ll have to burn his whole world down…
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 30, 2025
5 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Crews
1,113 books597 followersCaitlin Crews discovered her first romance novel at the age of twelve, in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates, grand adventures, a heroine with rustling skirts and a mind of her own, and a seriously mouthwatering and masterful hero. The book (the title of which remains lost in the mists of time) made a serious impression. Caitlin was immediately smitten with romances and romance heroes, to the detriment of her middle school social life. And so began her life-long love affair with romance novels, many of which she insists on keeping near her at all times, thus creating a fire hazard of love wherever she lives.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England and Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised near New York City, and fell in love with London on her first visit when she was a teenager. She has backpacked in Zimbabwe, been on safari in Botswana, and visited tiny villages in Namibia. She has, while visiting the place in question, declared her intention to live in Prague, Dublin, Paris, Athens, Nice, the Greek Islands, Rome, Venice, and/or any of the Hawaiian islands. Writing about exotic places seems like the next best thing to actually moving there.
She currently lives in Oregon with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 5, 2026
First book of 2026 😊
3 stars just because this wasn’t good nor bad, it was very ok. Standard mafia/captive fare on speed. I get for the sake of page count that this needed to be a love at first sight situation, but it still felt too fast burn for me.
I did enjoy the gothic descriptions of the MMC’s, Jovi’s, family home. I also really liked Jovi’s character, but couldn’t care less about Rux. She was too trusting and kind of dumb (Jovi even calls her a foolish woman many times). I partially understand she acted like this because she thinks she has nothing to lose or would have ended up in this type of situation anyway? 🤷♀️
I also understand there is a whole HQ and Harper Colin’s protest going on bc of the AI translator situation in France, but I bought this book before all of that came out. Does anyone know a good way to support the HQ authors without supporting HQ? If so please let me know.
3 stars just because this wasn’t good nor bad, it was very ok. Standard mafia/captive fare on speed. I get for the sake of page count that this needed to be a love at first sight situation, but it still felt too fast burn for me.
I did enjoy the gothic descriptions of the MMC’s, Jovi’s, family home. I also really liked Jovi’s character, but couldn’t care less about Rux. She was too trusting and kind of dumb (Jovi even calls her a foolish woman many times). I partially understand she acted like this because she thinks she has nothing to lose or would have ended up in this type of situation anyway? 🤷♀️
I also understand there is a whole HQ and Harper Colin’s protest going on bc of the AI translator situation in France, but I bought this book before all of that came out. Does anyone know a good way to support the HQ authors without supporting HQ? If so please let me know.
October 4, 2025
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for a honesty review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Loved this read.
Sexual tension, chemistry and lots of emotions in this one.
Mafia theme. Jovi is an assassin sent to take out the heroine, by his evil, disgusting Uncle. His uncle and what he had done to Jovi is pure evil.
Mafia theme is secondary as the romance is center stage in this one.
Loved the opening scene.
The first half of the book is the first 24 hours of their meeting and interacting and second half is the development of their relationship/romance and HEA.
I adored the hero and the heroine. A redemption story for sure.
Great pacing and story line. I had to finish this one asap, couldn't put it down.
And CC epilogue is absolutely beautiful. She hits this one out of the ball park. I will continue to say this, authors need to learn from CC on how to do epilogues.
Highly recommended.
Loved this read.
Sexual tension, chemistry and lots of emotions in this one.
Mafia theme. Jovi is an assassin sent to take out the heroine, by his evil, disgusting Uncle. His uncle and what he had done to Jovi is pure evil.
Mafia theme is secondary as the romance is center stage in this one.
Loved the opening scene.
The first half of the book is the first 24 hours of their meeting and interacting and second half is the development of their relationship/romance and HEA.
I adored the hero and the heroine. A redemption story for sure.
Great pacing and story line. I had to finish this one asap, couldn't put it down.
And CC epilogue is absolutely beautiful. She hits this one out of the ball park. I will continue to say this, authors need to learn from CC on how to do epilogues.
Highly recommended.
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September 30, 2025On the one hand, the plot was very simple—girl abducted for mafia reasons makes abductor fall for her. On the other, I don’t think I’ve ever read a mafia adjacent book that told its hero “you don’t have to live like this, they don’t own your soul” in this way. But I did appreciate that a lot! It felt very gothic in that the imagery of the house like a graveyard was abandoned at the end for a place and life that was far more life giving.
Heat level: 4
Heat level: 4
December 18, 2025
After his entire family was murdered, Jovi has become nothing more than a weapon for his mafia boss uncle. But when sent out to assassinate Rux, the daughter of a criminal, he finds himself falling for her instead.
This book really is classic Harlequin Presents, full of drama, danger, and glamorous lives and locals, except it leans in fully into the steaminess of the romance.
Jovi and Rux are a fun pair to follow. Despite the darkness of the story, Rux’s narration was hilarious, and I enjoyed the banter and the intensity between the couple. Their trauma has really shaped them for each other in a way that they hold each other’s demons at bay. And the writing is excellent, establishing an atmosphere of glamor and mystery.
Sure, the romance is certainly instalove, and because this book is on the shortish side you don’t really get much development after they first get together. The exterior plot take over things, and then the last few pages races through a happy ending. It’s hard to imagine how they would work as a couple in real life. But who cares about reality? Just lay back and enjoy the vibes.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book really is classic Harlequin Presents, full of drama, danger, and glamorous lives and locals, except it leans in fully into the steaminess of the romance.
Jovi and Rux are a fun pair to follow. Despite the darkness of the story, Rux’s narration was hilarious, and I enjoyed the banter and the intensity between the couple. Their trauma has really shaped them for each other in a way that they hold each other’s demons at bay. And the writing is excellent, establishing an atmosphere of glamor and mystery.
Sure, the romance is certainly instalove, and because this book is on the shortish side you don’t really get much development after they first get together. The exterior plot take over things, and then the last few pages races through a happy ending. It’s hard to imagine how they would work as a couple in real life. But who cares about reality? Just lay back and enjoy the vibes.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
February 1, 2026
Only C. C. Can create such a beautifully written fairytale love story. Couldn’t put the book down. Thank you.
December 31, 2025
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
I am forever in awe of how Caitlin Crews can take characters that I shouldn’t love, and make them vulnerable, real enough that I can see redemption for them within the experience of finding their perfect partner… for them. Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner is that kind of romance, one that by all logic shouldn’t work, yet I cannot imagine either Rux (Ruxandra) or Jovi with anyone else.
Jovi was raised by his ruthless, yes, even evil uncle after his parents’ murder. He’s become what his uncle has made of him, an assassin, a weapon against enemies, an asset that could be maneuvered however this nasty piece of work desired. Now he has one objective – eliminate an enemy’s family member by any means possible. Rux has always known that she was little more than collateral to her family. She knew that one day her father’s enemies would come for her in death or worse. She just never thought she’d be so calm, so accepting, when that someday possibility became today’s reality. She certainly never expected Jovi or her instant reaction to the man who could change or end her life in seconds. One harsh, political (for the Mafia is its own entity) decision is about to change lives in ways that neither Rux nor Jovi ever could have imagined.
I loved everything about Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner. It’s a Mafia Romance with very little “Mafia” and a whole lot of “Romance”. I adored Rux, her banter, her wit, and her almost nonchalant acceptance of her fate, which endeared her to me, but more importantly to Jovi. Jovi is suddenly a man torn between what was and what he needs in his future. Rux. Watching them work through the layers of their relationship and find a way to make it all work was an emotional, satisfying journey.
Their story is well-written, passionate, emotional, filled with danger, intensity, and a desire for more than what was expected of them. I liked them both individually and as a couple. If this sounds like your kind of romance, then you’d love Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner by Caitlin Crews. I’d not hesitate to recommend it, and look forward to what the author brings us next.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I am forever in awe of how Caitlin Crews can take characters that I shouldn’t love, and make them vulnerable, real enough that I can see redemption for them within the experience of finding their perfect partner… for them. Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner is that kind of romance, one that by all logic shouldn’t work, yet I cannot imagine either Rux (Ruxandra) or Jovi with anyone else.
Jovi was raised by his ruthless, yes, even evil uncle after his parents’ murder. He’s become what his uncle has made of him, an assassin, a weapon against enemies, an asset that could be maneuvered however this nasty piece of work desired. Now he has one objective – eliminate an enemy’s family member by any means possible. Rux has always known that she was little more than collateral to her family. She knew that one day her father’s enemies would come for her in death or worse. She just never thought she’d be so calm, so accepting, when that someday possibility became today’s reality. She certainly never expected Jovi or her instant reaction to the man who could change or end her life in seconds. One harsh, political (for the Mafia is its own entity) decision is about to change lives in ways that neither Rux nor Jovi ever could have imagined.
I loved everything about Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner. It’s a Mafia Romance with very little “Mafia” and a whole lot of “Romance”. I adored Rux, her banter, her wit, and her almost nonchalant acceptance of her fate, which endeared her to me, but more importantly to Jovi. Jovi is suddenly a man torn between what was and what he needs in his future. Rux. Watching them work through the layers of their relationship and find a way to make it all work was an emotional, satisfying journey.
Their story is well-written, passionate, emotional, filled with danger, intensity, and a desire for more than what was expected of them. I liked them both individually and as a couple. If this sounds like your kind of romance, then you’d love Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner by Caitlin Crews. I’d not hesitate to recommend it, and look forward to what the author brings us next.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
November 19, 2025
What a ride! Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner was an entertaining read! Our hero, Jovi, is sent by his ruthless Uncle Antonio to kill our heroine, Rux. Rux, has known all her life she would be used as a pawn in her father’s ruthless attempts for alliances and power. She’s been out for a marriage bid since she was 18. Currently in her 20s, she’s known an angel of death would come for her. Her father is getting closer to selling her off in a marriage bid, and one night while reading in her bed - the angel of death arrives. Only he’s not terrifying at all - he’s the most beautiful and handsome man Rux has ever seen! Rux and Jovi speak, and their banter leads Jovi to ask if she has any mental issues - because she’s awfully calm for someone who is being kidnapped in their own home!!!! Rux tells him she’s known a day like this would come eventually, and so she’s sort of resigned to death. Jovi finds this a little strange, but also finds a kindred spirit in her. After his family’s death that Jovi was the sole survivor of, his Uncle Antonio used their deaths to turn Jovi into a loyal weapon. Jovi realizes that just like Rux, he too has been too resigned into his role. He wants Rux to want to live! Soon his threats of “killing you tomorrow” prove to be weak. They are both falling for each other. Jovi knows that time will run out and his Uncle Antonio will come for them, wondering why he hasn’t killed Rux yet. To buy some time, Jovi takes Rux to his family’s home in Sicily and the two spend their days together while still trying to formulate a plan. Can Jovi and Rux stay together?
You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for my eARC.
You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for my eARC.
January 19, 2026
Caitlin Crews has this wonderful way of sucking me in and holding me hostage never letting me go until the last page of the book. This was another amazing story. The sexual tension and chemistry between Rex and Jovi was smoking hot! He kidnaps her and he’s supposed to kill her but…..well you know how that goes! I love a fun mafia romance to take all the troubles of the real world away. This book delivered! I thought the pacing was perfect. The writing was solid. The character growth was fantastic, and the emotion was deep. All the feels in this one! I devoured this story in a few days. There wasn’t anything I didn’t love. I received this book from Harlequin romance and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 3, 2026
Thanks to Harlequin for the arc for review.
Holy smokes, what was that? Caitlin Crews has been reading some paranormal because this was Immortals After Dark coded. The hero, Jovi, is ice, doesn’t feel his own heart beat until he meets Rux. He doesn’t understand why he’s reacting to another human with any emotion, why does his chest hurt?!!
But this killer, sent to kidnap and kill an enemy’s daughter doesn’t do all of that. He kidnaps her, but she might be 100% willing. And then pulls the old, I’ll wait until tomorrow to kill you.
I read this unhinged book completely delighted. It’s bonkers and I loved it.
Holy smokes, what was that? Caitlin Crews has been reading some paranormal because this was Immortals After Dark coded. The hero, Jovi, is ice, doesn’t feel his own heart beat until he meets Rux. He doesn’t understand why he’s reacting to another human with any emotion, why does his chest hurt?!!
But this killer, sent to kidnap and kill an enemy’s daughter doesn’t do all of that. He kidnaps her, but she might be 100% willing. And then pulls the old, I’ll wait until tomorrow to kill you.
I read this unhinged book completely delighted. It’s bonkers and I loved it.
October 20, 2025
Two totally hopeless people find each other, and somehow, some way, find the hope buried deep inside them. It takes some stark realizations, lots of soul searching, and unlocking trapped memories to get there. Along the way there is hurt, pain, and lots of angst to overcome as they learn to trust, really , for the first time in their lives. These two are still waters running deeper than anyone could ever imagine, and that they end up together was sealed from the moment their eyes met, it just takes lots of effort to get to their HEA <3
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January 18, 2026Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews