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The Woman at the Funeral

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He swore he’d never touch her.
Then her husband died.

Nico Costa has spent years burying the way he felt about his friend’s wife. He was there the day they married. He watched her build a life with a man who didn’t deserve her. And now that man is dead—gunned down in a hit no one is willing to talk about, let alone look into.

When Nico steps in to help Blair with a few loose ends, he doesn’t expect to keep getting pulled back in. Back into her life. Back into the feelings he thought he'd buried. Back into a mystery darker than either of them knew.

And as secrets about her late husband start to unravel, so do their carefully kept boundaries.

She’s grieving the man she thought she knew.

He’s uncovering the plot that got him killed.

And neither of them are ready for how far they’ll go to finally have each other.


* this book can be read as a standalone *

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2025

97 people are currently reading
102 people want to read

About the author

Jessica Gadziala

163 books5,395 followers
Jessica Gadziala is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in rural New Jersey with her parrots, dogs, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants. A lifelong dreamer, she’s been writing stories since childhood and published her first book in 2015. When not at her desk, she’s usually feeding backyard birds, rewatching crime dramas, period pieces, and 90s supernatural TV shows, or adding to her towering stacks of unread books.



You can find her on
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xx

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5 stars
367 (60%)
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171 (28%)
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61 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for ➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas .
1,182 reviews358 followers
September 26, 2025




I’m back with another one of Jessica’s books from the Costa family Saga….. yeah, I know I’m a little late but hey I made it, Lol

In my view, Blair was a graceful woman with a genuinely kind heart and a sense of authenticity. She embodied a quiet strength and cherished her independence. There were moments when she questioned herself for reasons unknown, perhaps influenced by her so-called loving husband and family. It broke my heart to see her in doubt during those times of reflection... Some might argue that her insecurities stemmed from her experiences within the foster system, which is known to leave lasting scars. Blair truly deserves to feel secure and appreciated, to be cared for in a way that transcends mere satisfaction, fostering a deep emotional bond. …………. Now, let me share a bit about her marriage.

Matthew and Blair's marriage was far from ideal; the best way I can describe Matthew is as a man-child. He didn't know how to cook or clean, and He couldn’t even log into his own bank account due to the fact that he did not know his own password, which his mother set up for him... And don't even get me started on all the get-rich-quick schemes he got involved in.

Matthew's family treated her poorly, yet they had no qualms about taking her money whenever one of them found themselves in a bind... And goodness, the way they treated her at the funeral was just appalling, not to mention how they acted just days after Matthew was laid to rest.
So, when I say that Blair was an extraordinary woman, TAKE me at my word.


Matthew Ferraro and Nico Costa have been friends since they were five. For a long time, though, Nico has secretly had feelings for his oldest childhood friend's wife, but he has never acted on those feelings or crossed any lines.

After his friend is killed and he observes his family treating Blair so cruelly, he realizes he must be there for her in her time of sorrow……

I genuinely love reading a JG’S books. The stories are packed with action, a hint of depth, and romance. I admire the well-developed characters and the quick-moving plot... Additionally, I really enjoy all the family members in this particular series and the connections they have with each other…….. And those legendary Epilogues













Profile Image for Em (semi-hiatus).
750 reviews278 followers
August 25, 2025
Better than her last, but still the kind of book you read, shrug, and forget the characters ever existed.
Profile Image for Bozena.
1,060 reviews20 followers
July 24, 2025
I swear, if I hadn't had to sleep, I would have read the book in one sitting.
Like all of Jessica's books, it was an incredibly exciting and thrilling romance.

This book is part of the Costa Family series.
A book about Nico.
The gentle brother.
The most sensible of the siblings.
The lone savior for all, but who will save him?

A forbidden love story that's so beautiful and action-packed that it was difficult to stop reading.

I mean, the book starts off quite unusually.
A funeral for Nico's best friend.
What Nico has left to do is what he always does: help in times of need.
This time, it's the hardest thing he's ever had to do, and he's a mafioso, so that's saying something.
He has to take care of his friend's widow, Blair.
Blair, whom he's been avoiding for years.
Blair, the... 😈 no no no....

You have to read the book to know what I can't write 😉

The book is a perfect mafia romance.
It's exciting, thrilling, and captivating.
It has so much action and excitement, it's crazy.
Drama has to be redefined to describe this story.

And as always, the "woman" in the story is an exceptional badass heroine.

It's a must-read for all romantics and mafia romance fans.
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,350 reviews172 followers
July 21, 2025
Not something you expect from a Mafia capo but Nico was so sweet. He has always silently had feelings for his oldest childhood friend's wife but never acted on them or crossed the line. When his friend is gunned down and he sees his family treating Blair so cruelly he has to be there for her in her time of grief.

This was one of those you think you know someone but turns out you really didn't. Both Nico and Blair are mourning both who they thought they lost and then dealing with the sadness of the truth about him.

The romance was sweet. There are a couple a twist you may are may not see coming but that is what makes for good reading.
Profile Image for Lisa.
129 reviews
July 23, 2025
I truly enjoyed this one.  Rico and Blair are a good couple and I'm glad they got their HEA.  I'm even happier to get another mafia story.  I really enjoy the Costa stories, and the characters within that family.
Profile Image for Kodie Mackay.
1,206 reviews68 followers
July 24, 2025
I was NOT prepared. Not even a little. The emotional whiplash I felt. The sheer fuming anger... ma lort, it's a good thing it was only my baby here to listen to me rant about useless men and their utter lack of care because Matthew?! THE AUDACIOUS AUDACITY!. Steam was shooting out my ears.

Nico is perfection. Protective, loyal, sweet, vulnerable, and thoughtful. This is a MAN. One who communicates beautifully. Whom is emotionally mature and not afraid to ask questions. He wisked me off my damn feet.

Blair... oh my Blair. What a woman. All class, sweet and genuine. She was a quiet strength. Independent. She second guessed herself when there was no reason, too, and my heart hurt for her. Hurt for the woman who wanted to believe she was loved. Who deserves to feel safe and seen. To be cared for beyond meer satisfaction but emotionally. What a class lady she is.

I loved these two and the combination of elegance and sweet they made. Literally, a match made in heaven, they complemented each other. It was easy to believe them even before they touched. The common interests, the love of good food. The time they took to listen to one another. I could go on and on.. they just fit perfectly.

Of course, there is an element of forbidden, but frankly, that dies and dries up real fast.
It truly is an emotional rollercoaster, but I love these mafia lots so freaking much, and Nico and Blairs' story is another fabulous addition. The side characters always give me life, and I am so curious about Zeno... obviously, there are others, but Zeno is definitely one I can not wait to read!.

anywho... loved this story!.
Profile Image for Tiff.
541 reviews64 followers
August 9, 2025
This is like the PG-13 of the mafia romances, a lot lighter than I’m used to. But it was good! I love a romance where the hero has secretly been in love with the heroine for years, and Nico was. I loved witnessing him getting his girl!!

And Blair’s poor thing has been through a lot being married to Matthew, she deserved the love that only Nico could provide.

The side characters, Nico’s brothers, were great! I’d love to read Zeno’s book, that would be interesting to say the least lol.

In closing, this kept me entertained, I read it in one sitting. I’ll have to read more from this author.
Profile Image for marie marino.
12 reviews
August 11, 2025
Overall enjoyable.

I love this series!! And this was a pretty good continuation of it- just had a few issues with the editing (the main female character being referred to as Claire instead of Blair).
143 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2025
I always love reading a JG book. The stories have some action, a bit of depth, and romance. I enjoy the strong characters and quick moving plot.
Profile Image for Colorado.
839 reviews17 followers
August 2, 2025
Caring, protective mob hero

While this is Book 11 in the Costa Family series, it definitely works as a standalone. I have not read books 1 - 10. The eldest brother, Nico was introduced in Love Him Like Water (Lore's story) and I was immediately taken by this sensitive, caring and protective man. Both Nico and Blair are very appealing characters. They reconnect when her estranged husband who is his childhood friend is murdered. When Blair begins to experience threats, Nico steps in to help. As they spend time together and get to know each other, they realize that they share very similar interests and values. Both want children, like to cook, love dogs and love art. As the danger ratchets up, they work together to figure out who is targeting Blair. Over the course of their investigation, they realize that the dead ex / friend was a lying and disloyal con artist.

This is a Mafia romance and Nico is a capo for the Costa family. He's concerned that Blair will walk away if she realizes that he's mob connected. There is a little bit of forbidden romance because she was married to his friend and he has been crushing on her for years.

Definitely interested in catching up with the earlier books and finding out what happens to the remaining Costa brothers.
Profile Image for sara reads smut ♡.
112 reviews40 followers
August 4, 2025
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Book Information • • • • • • •
📕Title/Author: The Woman at the Funeral by Jessica Gadziala
📚 Series: Costa Family #11
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏻 POV: dual, first person
🏷️ Tropes: unrequited love, second chance, forced proximity, mafia
💫 HEA: yes ❤️
🌈 Epilogue: yes

Review • • • • • • •

I devoured this book in one sitting.
The author has a gift for writing raw, relatable characters that feel incredibly real. Having been in a situation similar to Blair’s, this story hit me hard in a good way.

Blair is strong, genuine, and impossible not to love. I connected with her deeply. And Nico? He wasn’t what I expected, but in the best possible way. He’s protective, emotionally intelligent, and his love for Blair pours off the page. You can feel how much he wants to support and care for her.

This book wrecked me in the best way. The writing is beautiful, the emotions are real, and the connection between the characters is unforgettable. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.

⚠️ Warning: my safety information, shelves, and tags can be spoiler-y.

Safety • • • • • • •
🚩Triggers: murder, death, grief, pregnancy
🔥Kinks: rough sex
🧑‍🧒 Ages: unknown, but both adults
✨ Virgins: none
👤 OM/OW: none
🗯️ Cheating: none
Profile Image for Debbie.
759 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2025
The Woman at the Funeral

Nicely done. I liked the complexity of the dead husband and his family. I always have trouble with liars so it's interesting to read about the two main characters trying to trust their own judgement again after being betrayed.

“And what does that mean for who I can or can’t trust from now on? Like, Nico seems like a good guy. But is my Good Guy Radar just broken?”

The MMC has the same dilemma, wondering if he can trust his gut about people. But they figure things out together.

Looking forward to Zeno and Gavino’s stories :)
Profile Image for Crystal LoCicero.
1,025 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2025
"Maybe all we would have was a weekend, a week, a month together. But I was going to slow down time so it felt like a f-ing lifetime."

Well, I am obsessed with this authors world she has written. I have been immersed and entertained by the entirety of Navasink Bank and the NYC area. The world that has been built and established is addicting. I will never get enough.

I loved this couple. How Nico knows all the details about what Blair likes and all that. So swoony. I love how Blair is so fancy and still just wants to be a part of a big family. Then you have all the mafia brothers and cousins... it's so fun. Brio always giving people the dogs they need. And Zeno, Ahhh, I can't wait for his love story.

This was a good time, and I will keep reading this series.
56 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2025
The Woman series is not to be missed

In the latest book in the Women series, Nico Costas best friend Matt is killed and not long after Blair his wife starts having issues.

Blair ends up running into Nico, who starts looking out for Blair who he is attracted to….

Jessica continues to weave the twist and turns as they try to figure out who killed Matt.

Definitely *****
799 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2025
So good

I truly love Jessica Gadziala's books and this was no exception. She is truly one gifted author. This book we see hurt, pain, death, loss but we also see love grow, found family, not alone anymore. Her characters whether they be mafia or anything else they have such qualities that you can relate to them. Another great book!
Profile Image for Chrissy Broccolino.
532 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2025
Obsessed. Love this writer and will continue to read everything she puts out
Profile Image for Kelly.
98 reviews
July 31, 2025
Another great Costa book..

I really enjoyed this one. Like the other Costa books I loved both main characters. I can't wait for books about Zeno and Leo..
Profile Image for Ashley.
88 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2025
I’m gonna start this backward, and I always will carry on about my just how perfect JG writes her epilogues but readers, people of the reading variety listen up….this one was perfect. Made me cry a little.

Anywho, back to the beginning. Nico. What a man. How selfless to be a friend with no return investment (literally and figuratively) and to back out and away from growing feelings toward a woman you can’t have. And to carry that burden of friendship and respect past the grave even…there is a reason fiction is setting the bar high for men and men often fail. Just sayin.

Blair was a boss babe but without the Rae Dunn mug and bumper sticker. Not only making a name for herself in the art community but quietly taking care of herself and her investments. I have things to say about Matthew (the dead husband from the blurb that makes this not a spoiler) that aren’t polite for public forums and equally as terrible things to say about his family. This might be a mild trigger for me…if Blair were real, I’d say “congrats girl we made it” and fist bump or something. Hers just happened to be getting out of the relationship by him being shot in the street…mine was less HBO worthy. I quite liked Blair even with less in common with her than some other JG heroines.

I always love getting glimpses of past characters, meeting new ones to root for, and all the tiny touches that make Jessie’s character jump off the page and seem real.

This book can be read as a standalone but the entire NY interconnected Families (capital F) are amazing and would add to the world building for sure.
Profile Image for Caryn.
2,399 reviews3 followers
August 21, 2025
TRUE LOVE

Blair and Nico have known each other for years. Blair married Nico's best friend Matthew who has just been murdered. His family is and always has treated Blair poorly and at Matthew's funeral it was no different. Then a couple of incidents occur and Blair is attacked. When Nico sets out to figure out who tried to hurt Blair and who killed Matt, what he finds shocks him to the core. The Costa family is a target and it is all Matt's fault. Meanwhile Blair and Nico are falling hopelessly in love.

Another great story!

Profile Image for Mathia Ribelle.
33 reviews
August 15, 2025
Another great

Costa mob stories are my favorite, and The Woman at the Funeral delivered. I loved this heroine—smart, fierce, and impossible not to root for—whose special bond with her dog and love for art made her even more captivating. The plot twists kept me hooked from start to finish.
Profile Image for Megan.
181 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2025
Jessica Gadziala never misses—seriously, I eat up her work every single time, and The Woman at the Funeral was no different. She always creates these layered, emotional worlds that I just fall right into, and with this one, I couldn’t get enough.

We meet Nico and Blair—who have known each other for years, thanks to Blair being married to Nico’s childhood best friend. But when her husband unexpectedly dies, secrets start surfacing, and suddenly Blair and Nico are thrown together in the aftermath. And let me tell you, the slow-burn tension between them was great. Nico has clearly been pining for Blair for years—quietly taking care of her in all these subtle, meaningful ways—and Blair, who’s always craved love and family, finally starts to see what’s been right in front of her.

Watching them come together? It was everything. Ready for more!
393 reviews5 followers
July 25, 2025
Nobody ever said being in the Mafia was easy. Money, influence and power won’t prevent bad things from happening – in fact, those things are usually a magnet for danger. When Nico Costa’s best friend from age 5, Matt, is gunned down in the street in the middle of the night, Nico is determined to find out who did it and why. At the same time, it brings him in close contact with Matt’s widow Blair, who (a) had thrown Matt out just a few days before, (b) has never, ever got along with Matt’s OTT, overbearing family, and (c) is Nico’s dream woman.

Jessica Gadziala masterfully weaves a tale of deception, treachery and disloyalty, interwoven with a stronger thread of building trust and hope. This story has it ALL: murder, sleuthing, intrigue, betrayal and, of course, love. WONDERFUL!
724 reviews5 followers
August 1, 2025
WONDERFUL AS USUAL!!!👍👍👍👍👍

When I see a new book by Jessica Gadziala be released I am so happy! I know a wonderfully entertaining treat is in store for us! This was a great story as usual....it had everything a reader could want....romance, suspense and an intriguing storyline. Nico and Blair's journey together was heartwarming....he was so tender and caring ... Passionate and swoony!! I enjoyed every moment of the book especially the epilogues!! Thank you Jessica for always giving that extra gift to your readers!!! It is always a very enjoyable wrap up that always makes my heart smile! I highly recommend this book and all of Jessica's books they are all an excellent and highly entertaining read! 😇
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
477 reviews12 followers
July 28, 2025
Nico and Blair

Another fabulous tale of the Costa family, this time about Nico. His childhood best friend has died and at the funeral, Matt's wife is sitting alone while his family sit together ignoring her. Nico sits with her and even though he's at a funeral, he's taken with Blair, he always has been. He tries to help her as Matt's family are horrendous, much to Nico's surprise and then, as always, things start to happen and Nico and Blair try to find out why.
A lot of characters from the series make an appearance, including Brio and of course dogs are involved. It's so well written in the Costa world and it's thoroughly recommended
Profile Image for Krystyn.
162 reviews4 followers
July 31, 2025
Loss, Betrayal, Love...

Some authors have a flair for real story telling. Possible twists, turns and just the right amount of details with an amazing epilogue. JG is one of those authors and this story does not disappoint.

Blair losses her husband very suddenly but he was not a very good one and has to deal with his terrible family.
Nick losses his best friend, again not a great one but he always stayed loyal. He finds out just how not great his friend was.
Their story is messy, action filled, sweet, spicy and has everything needed.
The perfect addition to the Costa stories.
Profile Image for Merry One Maria.
2,353 reviews10 followers
August 5, 2025
A second chance romance

This was a second chance romance between two people who were connected to each other by someone else. Matt was the childhood friend of Nico and the husband to Briar. Matt was charismatic but selfish. Matt was not a truthful husband or friend. Somehow Matt managed to alienate his wife Briar so he was staying with Nico until he could find his own place. One night Matt was out walking, only to be surprised by gunfire. There are lots of twists in this one. There is a happy ending. Read On!
22 reviews
July 31, 2025
a good read

The story has the perfect balance of great characters,interesting plot and awesome writing skills .The book was never boring or stale with perfect amount of humor. Definitely a good travel read !Jessica Gadziala never disappoints!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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