My Brother’s Best Friend Is the Mafia Grinch: An Age Gap, Steamy Romance

by Flora Ferrari

The Beast isn’t a myth.
He’s my brother’s best friend… and now the only man who can save me.

Damian Vitale, cold, scarred, and terrifyingly loyal, is the mafia’s most feared enforcer.

I was just the nurse who patched him up.
The girl who loved Christmas.
The sister he should’ve never touched.

Then I stumble into a secret trafficking ring,
and the Beast tears the city apart to drag me back from hell.

Now I’m hiding in his home, sleeping in his bed,
and watching the man who hates Christmas become the only thing I can’t live without.

This holiday, the Beast isn’t stealing Christmas, he’s claiming me.

Reader’s A full length steamy Christmas mafia romance featuring a brother’s best friend, grumpy x sunshine tension, a protective obsessive enforcer, forced proximity, high stakes, and an HEA. No cheating. Plenty of heat.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Wake up to a free, new, original story on Easter morning by joining my mailing list and staying subscribed. ---> https://www.subscribepage.com/r9y2s6

Reviews

[Michelle Frater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celine has always known her brother Julian is knee-deep in some shady business, but things hit uncomfortably close to home when he asks her to stitch up his injured best friend, Damian. Damian, however, is just as tight-lipped as Julian about how he ended up bleeding. Though they’ve never interacted much, Celine can’t stop thinking about the broody, enigmatic man who clearly carries far more than physical scars. What stretches belief, though, is Celine’s sudden transformation into his Christmas Fairy Godmother. Are we really meant to buy that she shows up at Damian’s place with a festive hamper and decorations just because he doesn’t celebrate Christmas? And how exactly does she know where he lives? Surely Julian wouldn’t have told her when Damian is trying to play dead. Logic aside, once Celine inserts herself into Damian’s life, she refuses to leave, no matter how many times he warns her off. And that’s where the tension really ignites. Damian is a ruthless mafia enforcer known as the Beast, yet Celine awakens something in him he thought had been buried for good. Interestingly, he’s less concerned about the dangers of his violent lifestyle and more worried about what Julian will think. When Damian finally reveals how he got hurt, it’s like handing Celine a personal invitation into his world and despite his desperate pleas for her to stay away, she predictably does the exact opposite. While I love a strong, independent heroine, my patience wears thin with naïve characters who stroll into lethal situations assuming everything will work out just fine. Then again, not everyone has a deadly enforcer willing to torch the city for them. And once Damian learns Celine has been taken, all bets are off. He will burn everything down to bring her home and ensure anyone who touched her meets an early grave. That said, Damian was a standout for me. I loved that he had a moral compass and lived by a strict code despite his criminal ties. His ability to forgive a friend who betrayed him, rather than cling to bitterness, added real depth to his character. As always, Flora weaves together a heady mix of tropes from age gap to taboo romance, delivering a suspenseful, action-packed story with just the right amount of steam. Beauty and the Beast, mafia-style?
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beast isn’t a myth.

He’s my brother’s best friend… and now the only man who can save me.

Damian Vitale, cold, scarred, and terrifyingly loyal, is the mafia’s most feared enforcer.

I was just the nurse who patched him up.

The girl who loved Christmas.

The sister he should’ve never touched.

Then I stumble into a secret trafficking ring,

And the Beast tears the city apart to drag me back from hell.

Now I’m hiding in his home, sleeping in his bed,

and watching the man who hates Christmas become the only thing I can’t live without.

This holiday, the Beast isn’t stealing Christmas,

He’s claiming me.

This contemporary brother's best friend Christmas mafia romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is a winter wonderland and characters who are resilient, a protective, obsessive enforcer, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with my brother's best friend is the mafia grinch, mature, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, danger, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, forced proximity, high stakes, chaos/drama, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth, no cheating, plenty of heat, an HEA, grumpy x sunshine tension, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with my brother's best friend is the mafia grinch, and a Christmas mafia romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly lustful, dangerous, and unforgettable.

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

[RxReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and spicy holiday read 🎄🔥 My Brother’s Best Friend Is the Mafia Grinch really leans into the grumpy sunshine dynamic, with a broody mafia hero who wants nothing to do with Christmas and a heroine who brings warmth and heart into every scene. The chemistry hits fast, the protective instincts are strong, and the forced proximity keeps the story moving at a pace that is easy to get hooked on. It manages to feel cozy and festive while still delivering danger and intensity, which is not always easy to pull off in a mafia romance.

Damian was a standout for me. He is cold, dangerous, and intimidating on the surface, but the way he softens for the heroine was impossible not to love ❤️ Watching him go from ruthless enforcer to completely obsessed protector was incredibly satisfying. The brother’s best friend tension added an extra layer of angst, and the holiday atmosphere gave everything a warm glow. Steamy, emotional, and wrapped up with a solid happily ever after, this is a great pick if you love possessive heroes, Christmas vibes, and a man who falls hard and fast.

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

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Changes Everything -
This is a gripping dark mafia romance story with a humane twist, that highlights the fact that not everyone in the mafia life is prepared to engage in depravity. Imagine you discover your best friend is sent to take you out and on the other hand you are secretly falling in love with his fearless sister, then you have to keep all of you safe whilst dealing with a dangerous situation. I am glad I made the decision to switch off my phone before I started reading this book, because there was no chance of taking a break.

Flora Ferrari will definitely take on an intriguing adventure in this story, where the suspense has you on tenterhooks, the action-packed moments have your heart beating out of sync and the steamy encounters leave you feeling randy. You can’t go wrong if you read this book, so I suggest you go and get your copy now.

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

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Brother’s Best Friend is the Mafia Grinch is a darkly romantic story that unravels for MFC Celine when her brother begs her to use her nursing talents to tend the wounds of his best friend Damian. The two are both involved in some shady business and Celine just hasn’t been able to figure out what yet.
Where Damian was concerned she has always harbored feelings for him and during this Christmas season many a truth is going to be exposed.
I loved the story which was dramatic, passionate, filled with intrigue, suspense, twists, age-gap, and a grumpy beast of a man trying so hard to keep his hands off the woman he adores, until he can’t.
Good writing and characters delivered a tension fueled, spicy Mafia read!
HEA.

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

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grinch or secret heart of gold. Damian believes he doesn’t deserve happiness or any kind of love. He is know as the Beast and that is what he wraps himself in. When he is hurt his best friends Julian, asks his sister Celine a nurse to help.
Celine is the gentle and sunshine whose hear is large and giving. SO from the start Damian is in trouble. Visiting Damian to give him Christmas cheer, annoys and secretly pleases him. The chemistry is off the charts and so is the humour between them. A couple of things in their way is Julian, Damian’s and Julian’s true job. We learn the true nature of Damian will make you fall more with him. The Grinch starts to see Christmas a gift.
Oh there is secrets , betrayal, spice, steam, heart and romance.

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

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When her brother arrives at her door with his injured best friend Celine’s primary concern is to help. She knows better than to ask questions about her brother’s activities but seeing Damian, the man she has always had feelings for, hurt leaves her needing to know more. She is determined to show him the magic of Christmas and isn’t about to be waylaid by the danger it places her in.

Damian knows that the best way to show Celine how he feels about her is by keeping his distance, but he can’t resist the light and happiness she brings into his world. When she finds herself in danger there is nothing he won’t do to protect her and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Damian is protective and possessive while Celine is strong and independent as they take us on a suspenseful and romantic adventure.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the author: 'My Brother’s Best Friend Is the Mafia Grinch is a full length steamy Christmas mafia romance featuring a brother’s best friend, grumpy x sunshine tension, a protective obsessive enforcer, forced proximity, high stakes.' *swoon*

The plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was solidly drawn. The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and likeable and perfectly steamy together. All in all a great holiday read! Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Lucy Chesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty and Beast meet the nurse that wants to help the mafia boss love again. Celine is asked to patch him from her brother, and she inserts her life into Damien's life to make him see there is more especially with her in his life. Unfortunately, she stumbles into a trafficking ring and is taken. And once Damian learns Celine has been taken, all bets are off. He will burn everything down to bring her home and ensure anyone who touched her meets an early grave. It was fantastic and full of twists and turns. You will not be able to put this down.

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

[Unrulyreadr Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an amazing read! The story was filled with drama, passion, intrigue, suspense, and unexpected twists. The age-gap dynamic between the characters was handled beautifully, and the grumpy, yet protective, male lead was incredibly captivating as he struggled to resist his attraction to the female lead.

The writing was excellent, and the characters were well-developed, making for a tension-fueled and spicy Mafia romance that I couldn't put down.

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

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Flora Ferrari has come through with a fantastic book! This is an intense story with lots of action and steam. Damian has lived in a very dark place for many years, and the plans he has made are about to be put in action. He didn't count on being around Celine again, his best friend's younger sister. Now he's starting to feel there is more to life than his fight. Damian and Celine can't ignore their attraction anymore. I loved this book! Excellent plot with the best happy ending.

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

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her brother has always kept her away form what he does for a living, until he needs her help. When Damian needs to be stitched up she is Julian's first call. She has always had a crush on Damian but he is a loner, when she goes to follow up with him, he starts to get feelings again. However when she is used to deliver a message to her brother, Damian is determined to keep her safe, but who will keep her safe form him?.

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

[Thisbe]

Juliet's brother tried to keep her out of the dark side of what he does, but when his best friend Damien is hurt, she is the call for him for help. Somehow she keeps coming back and he keeps opening his door, which is closed otherwise. And then she gets sucked more into the life, but they can not keep away from each other. Will he be able to keep her safe?
Intiguing book with great characters, sucks you in.

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

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! My Brother’s Best Friend Is the Mafia Grinch was a super steamy OTT read by Flora Ferrari. I was quickly hooked on Celine and Damien's story. Celine is the ultimate temptation, Not only is she the sister of his best friend but Damien and her brother Julian's work as enforcers for the mob puts Celine at risk. But there is no denying the intense chemistry between Celine and her sexy, grumpy grinch! 5 stars.

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an age gap, off limits holiday romance between nurse Celine and her brother's best friend, enforcer Damian. These two flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an interesting read. It is a love story with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, intrigue and suspense, family dynamic, and twists and turns. Quite a page turner.

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

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is a beast

But he is a protector. Celine is a care giver. But she can't deny her attraction to Damian after her brother calls her to patch him up. Julian thinks he has fooled his sister about his other side, but Celine has her suspicions.
They may be morally gray but you find out he has so many layers to him. But the first layer she peels back is why he doesn't do Christmas. And the author gives us a beautiful epilogue. I hope Julian gets his HEA, too.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute masterpiece, captivating from beginning to end. The characters are incredibly well-developed and relatable, the plot is incredibly engaging and full of twists, and the writing style is both elegant and accessible. It's a perfect blend of emotion, suspense, and humor, making it an unforgettable reading experience.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The forbidden hot older brother's best friend (Damian) that is a total grump during the holidays meet his match with Celine. Their love story was pretty cute especially how she melts his heart. The plot was good but it was their relationship that makes the story.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us an older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Celine, Damian and her brother/his best friend, Julian. The heart pounding story keeps us turning the pages with secret desires, connection, secrets, danger, action and steam.

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

[Patricia Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all begins when Celine's brother begs her to patch up his best friend Damien. Celine knows the pair are up to no good but she can't quite figure it out. Sparks fly between Celine and Damien and it gives us a story that will pull you right into their chaos. I found the book engaging and easy to follow. A really good read.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Damian is an enforcer with the MOB but when someone trys to take him out things change. Celine is a nurse and finds out what her brother and his best friend Damian really do but will he be able to keep her safe and in his life or will it all fall apart?.

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

[Mary Almeida · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one most dangerous but hot man in our lead female characters life is of course the one she in most attracted too. Unfortunately he is her brothers best friend and should be off limits but fate shakes things up a dangerous situation happens and things evolve.

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

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Flora Ferrari; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

She has written another great stand-alone book. The story is about Celine & Damian; he is her brother’s best friend and comes to her rescue after she uncovers a trafficking ring.

[Margaret]

Another excellent article very entertaining romance thrills it has it all over all a great read . I just loved it it’s a must read.

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

[Stacy Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully passionate but taboo romance that will keep you wondering who’s really the bad guys. Christmas miracles and salvation give the reader all the feels for an HEA.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great mafia romance book that I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you read because Celine and Damian will rock your kindle. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book by Flora, and she has done a fantastic job creating an entertaining romance book.

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

A taboo romance with some steamy scenes that will keep you wanting more. Damian and Celine's relationship is passionate, with a touch of danger. The man is a grump, but a softie for Celine. Give them a try!

[Amy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!!
Loved reading My Brother’s Best Friend Is The Mafia Grinch. This book was a super fast read for me once I started it with so many twists and turners. Celine and Damian’s story was action packed and the chemistry between them was steamy HOT. Loved, Loved the ending!!

[Lisbeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

blah, could the heroine be more annoying, stupid and childish. The more she talked, the more I wanted to shut her up, maybe even permanently. Sorry to say, I had to skim through the last 100 pages, just couldn't handle the stupidity of that child well, woman, I guess.

[Trixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the plot, but I didn’t feel as hooked as I usually do with her other books. There were a few confusing parts that didn’t quite make sense. Still, I really enjoyed the epilogue!.

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