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Ensnare Me: An Enemies To Lovers Mafia Romance

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301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

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Tessa Farrow

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Bookishness .
167 reviews80 followers
February 12, 2026
It was a fun mafia romance, both sides had secrets, and it started off as enemies to lovers! The first 50% I loved the banter and tension between the main characters!

~Pre-read~Received an ARC... looking forward to this new Mafia romance!
839 reviews52 followers
February 24, 2026
If it wasn't for my stubbornness to finish this book just to include it in a challenge, I would have DNF-ed it in the beginning. My problem with this book is that it was fast and, at times, unbelievable. It felt like I was reading some cheap Jackie Chan movie where an FMC who never before had any encounters with violence can now somehow incapacitate a man who is bigger and stronger than her. Not to mention, she was in a prison cell with the MC unsupervised and they managed to escape without many problems. How is that possible? Doesn't the police station have any surveillance or people working there??? Anyway, there were a lot of unbelievable moments, but I think maybe the fact that this is a debut novel made me finish it. I don't know, but this is just a 3-star book for me. It had potential, but the plot was underdeveloped, and it was a case of too fast, too soon.

ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Tanya.
389 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2026
There’s something undeniably addictive about dark mafia romances set under the glamour of Europe, and this story completely swept me into its sun-drenched, morally gray world. From the very first scene on the Spanish Steps in Rome, I knew this wasn’t going to be a light, carefree romance. It opens with violence, intensity, and danger—and it never truly lets you breathe after that.

Tash immediately stood out to me. She isn’t naïve, and she certainly isn’t just a tourist dazzled by Rome. She’s running—from violent men, from trauma, from a past that clearly still grips her. I appreciated that her strength doesn’t come from physical dominance but from determination and strategy. Watching her play a dangerous double game, trying to get close enough to Rocco to destroy him while simultaneously protecting herself, created this constant undercurrent of tension. Every conversation between them felt layered. Nothing was ever just what it seemed.

And then there’s Rocco Russo. Rocco is exactly what you expect from a mafia boss—commanding, ruthless, powerful—but what made him compelling for me was the cracks beneath that dominance. He’s tired. Tired of superficial women, tired of being valued only for his name and power. When he meets Tash, you can feel that shift in him. He wants something real. That longing made him more human, even when his actions were unforgivable. I found myself constantly torn—repulsed by his brutality yet drawn to the vulnerability he rarely shows.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is done beautifully here. It’s not playful banter; it’s dangerous attraction. Forced proximity heightens everything—the stolen glances, the heated arguments, the moments where one wrong word could mean death. Their chemistry feels explosive because it’s built on secrets. And that’s what I loved most: the emotional tension. The romance isn’t just about passion; it’s about betrayal waiting to happen.

The setting plays a powerful role in the story. The glittering Roman sun, the elegance, the luxury—it all contrasts sharply with the darkness underneath. That juxtaposition between beauty and brutality makes the story feel cinematic. You can almost see it unfolding like a dramatic European crime thriller.

What truly kept me hooked was the moral conflict. This isn’t a simple love story. It’s about survival. It’s about what happens when you fall for someone who represents everything you should hate. Tash’s internal battle felt real—how do you love someone whose world is built on blood? And Rocco’s rage, when he realizes he’s been deceived, feels inevitable. In this world, betrayal is not forgiven—it’s punished.

By the end, I felt emotionally wrung out in the best way. This story isn’t soft. It doesn’t pretend love fixes everything. It acknowledges that in a world ruled by crime and loyalty, love can be both salvation and destruction. If you enjoy dark mafia romance with enemies-to-lovers tension, morally gray characters, high emotional stakes, and a European backdrop dripping in danger and glamour, this story absolutely delivers. It’s dramatic, addictive, and unapologetically intense—and once it pulls you in, it doesn’t let go.
Profile Image for Hezza James.
Author 2 books
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5
🌶🌶🌶 3/5

In her latest release, Ensnare Me, Tessa Farrow delivers a deliciously tense enemies-to-lovers mafia romance that immediately captures the reader's attention. Set against a stunning European backdrop, the narrative oscillates between Rome’s sunlit, glamorous streets and the lethal shadows of the criminal underworld. Farrow excels at creating an atmosphere that feels both intoxicating and genuinely dangerous, providing a rich tapestry for a story defined by high stakes and even higher emotional fever.

The character work is particularly strong, beginning with the heroine, Tash. She is a standout protagonist whose strength is rooted in her sharp intellect and quiet resolve rather than reckless bravado. From her first encounter with Rocco, she walks a razor-thin line, burdened by secrets that layer every interaction with a palpable sense of risk. Opposite her, Rocco embodies the quintessential mafia anti-hero: powerful, ruthless, and weary of a world that values only his pedigree. His transition from guarded fascination to a full-blown, protective obsession is expertly handled, making his internal struggle between duty and desire one of the most compelling aspects of the book.

The chemistry between Tash and Rocco is undeniable, fueled by forced proximity and clashing agendas. This creates a slow-burn tension that simmers beautifully before igniting into an explosive connection. While the plot moves with impressive speed, the emotional betrayals hit with significant impact, ensuring the stakes feel personal rather than merely theatrical. The narrative remains a dark, spicy, and emotionally charged experience that delivers on every promise of the genre.

Overall, Ensnare Me is a love story forged in fire, perfect for readers who crave sharp banter and dangerous secrets within their romance. Having received an ARC for an honest review, I found the blend of atmosphere and tension to be a highlight of the year's mafia releases. I am eager to see how Farrow expands this world in the next installment of the Ensnare Series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Bella.
233 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
February 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ensnare Me: An Enemies To Lovers Mafia Romance by Tessa Farrow
This book pulled me in fast and never let go. Ensnare Me is a deliciously tense enemies to lovers mafia romance set against a stunning European backdrop that feels as glamorous as it is dangerous. From Rome’s sunlit streets to the dark underbelly of the mafia world, the atmosphere is rich, vivid, and intoxicating.

Tash is a standout heroine. She is smart, determined, and walking a razor thin line from the moment she meets Rocco. I loved how her strength comes from her mind and her resolve rather than reckless bravado. The secrets she carries add constant tension, and every interaction with Rocco feels layered with risk and longing.

Rocco is everything you want in a mafia hero. Powerful, ruthless, and weary of a world that only wants him for his name, yet capable of intense devotion once he lets someone in. His struggle between control, desire, and betrayal is compelling, and the shift from guarded fascination to full blown obsession is done so well.

The chemistry between them is undeniable. Forced proximity and clashing agendas create a slow burn that simmers before igniting into something explosive. The emotional stakes feel just as high as the physical danger, and the betrayals hit hard without feeling cheap or rushed.

Dark, spicy, and emotionally charged, Ensnare Me delivers on romance, tension, and atmosphere. If you love mafia romances with sharp banter, dangerous secrets, and a love story forged in fire, this book is absolutely worth the read. I cannot wait to continue this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Nadia Campbell.
15 reviews
February 17, 2026
ARC provided via NetGalley and BookBuzz. All opinions are my own.

Okay, first of all — the vibes? Immaculate.

Mafia boss.
Australian heroine.
Murder on the Spanish Steps.
Secrets. Lies. Forced proximity.
Tension is simmering under the Italian sun.

I was IN.

The chemistry between Tash and Rocco is absolutely the strongest part of this book. Their push and pull dynamic, the constant “we should not want this, but we do” energy, the mutual plotting and suspicion in dual POV, it was delicious. The spice delivers, and if you love dark, possessive mafia hero energy, Rocco absolutely shows up.

That said, I did have mixed feelings overall. The premise is strong and atmospheric, but the plot felt uneven at times. Some scenes lingered longer than necessary, while some of the bigger emotional shifts felt rushed. I wanted more depth in Tash’s internal conflict and more gradual development in Rocco’s transformation. Their connection is intense, but I did not always fully buy how quickly certain emotional pivots happened.

The darker elements are definitely present; check trigger warnings. And while they add stakes, sometimes they feel more dramatic than emotionally layered. I kept waiting for that extra complexity that would make the story land harder.

Overall, this is a solid mafia romance with strong tension, good spice, and a compelling European backdrop. It did not completely blow me away, but if you love enemies to lovers, possessive heroes, dual POV plotting, and dangerous romantic angst, you will likely enjoy this more than I did.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
4 reviews
Review of advance copy
February 4, 2026
I loved reading this book. From the start including a playlist to hint at the rollercoaster we would be on to the double epilogue ending, it was an enjoyable and enticing read.

I liked the alternating POV's to know exactly how each MC was interpreting each moment of the plot. There were some predictable moments which make it easy to understand this mafia world, while also giving some twists to keep you guessing what will happen next. I stayed up late making sure our MC's made it out of some sticky situations!

I also loved the Italian language sprinkled throughout. The majority of this taking place in Rome or Italy and the MMC being Italian, it made sense for him and his family to talk this way. It made me feel like I was really in Italy with them. I don't know Italian but the way the words were used you can easily decipher from context or a quick explanation written in.

Definitely check your trigger warnings, but in the Mafia world it gets ugly and I think it was important to show some brutal moments. Our MMC is tough but also swoon worthy and it makes following him through this tumultuous time exciting.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
17 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2026


This story completely pulled me in from the very first pages. The tension, the secrets, and the emotional push and pull between Tash and Rocco kept me hooked the entire time.

Tash is such a strong yet vulnerable character, and her inner conflict felt very real. Rocco, on the other hand, is dangerous, intense, and layered in a way that made him impossible to ignore. Their chemistry builds slowly, and the way their relationship develops through lies, fear, and undeniable attraction made everything feel raw and emotional.

I really loved how the story balances romance with suspense. The danger always feels close, and the stakes are high, which made every moment between them feel even more meaningful. It’s one of those stories where you want things to work out, even when you know the odds are stacked against them.

Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an advance copy. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to read this early, and it was an emotional, gripping experience from start to finish.
Profile Image for Brittany Selken.
67 reviews2 followers
February 8, 2026
First book by this author and as soon as I saw the cover I was like sign me up my ASAP it was the perfect mafia story because this one was so different then other mafia romance story that I have read.

I love how both characters were fighting for their relationship and like they both knew it was going to end badly probably because of his whole family and the saying you can’t leave the mafia on your own. I really glad he saw their relationship form in the most beautiful way that just had that connection with each other when they weren’t even looking for relationship one was just on a trip to finally breathe after a tough time back home and the other one was doing let say family business. I’m glad that save each other at the end and live happy with each other. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next books and who is going to be involved.
Profile Image for Ashtin Shea.
6 reviews
March 3, 2026
ARC Reader Review.

I received the opportunity to read this book as an ARC and these are my opinions of the book.

The idea of the book seemed really good and sounded really good. I felt that we often lost the plot and the interwoven use of Italian was at times confusing to me. If I didn’t feel like my opinion was warranted due to being an ARC reader I would have put the book aside as it was unrealistic at times and failed to hold my interest. There were moments that I wanted more and it was filling my every need but then there were moments where things just fell flat. It has the potential to be a really good series I just think that a plot needs to be decided and the problem solving needs to be more realistic.
Profile Image for Johanna.
2,878 reviews50 followers
February 14, 2026
This is Book 1 of the Oath Bound series. And a FANrastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.

'Welcome to a new spicy and dark mafia romance featuring enemies to lovers, forced proximity, elite criminals and never-ending romantic tension under a glittering European sun.'

The characters carried the story and they were very compelling and complex and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kasey Connors-Beron.
361 reviews4 followers
February 12, 2026
I received an ARC of Ensnare Me by Tessa Farrow thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ensnare Me starts off strong with a lot of action of the spicy and violent types. While these types of scenes are present throughout, they do not overwhelm the book, allowing the plot to shine through. There was great character growth and a few good plot twists. I do wish there was a longer build up to the relationship as it seems a bit artificial, but it was still enjoyable to read.
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
2,812 reviews98 followers
February 15, 2026
I found myself immediately immersed in this book. I love Tash. She was great about needing to turn into Roco when she’d seen what he’d done. And he was immensely attracted to her because she was nothing like the gold diggers that were always going after his name and money. The way these two came together was so much fun. It was a slow burn, but it was a good one. Watching things evolve between them was great. These two were so intense. This was such a good book. First time reading this author, can’t wait to read more.
Profile Image for Chelsea Cozy Rebel Reads.
10 reviews
February 22, 2026
Fast Paced Slow Burn

From the moment Rocco & Tess met on the Roof above the Spanish steps it was go time! Rocco was instantly infatuated with her. Even though it was an enemies to lovers slow burn you had that instant attraction. It has dual POV which I liked. You got to see the internal struggle Rocco was having throughout the book. I liked all the twists and after everything they went through ended up HEA! Definitely wasn’t your typical Mafia Romance, but I enjoyed it. I wonder if we’re going to get Beznik’s story next..?
Profile Image for thisgirliereads.
71 reviews94 followers
March 8, 2026
I loved the way there was little build up at the start of the book, in went straight in there with the action and spice. For me the rest of the book didn’t follow. The mafia romance focused more on the mafia than the romance which isn’t what I usually go for in this type of book.

The book would have been more stars if there had been more chapters involving Rocco and Tash together. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kristy James.
11 reviews
February 25, 2026
The chemistry between Tash and Rocco is undeniable and explosive. The character development throughout the story was so good. I love when a book has a good story line as well as heat within the pages and Tessa delivered!

The forced proximity trope is one of my favorites and Tessa did it so well! You will not regret picking this boom for your next read!
2,046 reviews23 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 8, 2026
Loved reading the amazing and awesome mafia romance story. When Tash sees Rocco murder a man, Rocco threatens Tash and wants her for himself. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story.
Profile Image for Lorraine Whiteley.
273 reviews
February 13, 2026
Holy guacamole! This book brings passion and anticipation from the get go. You will not be able to put this down. Feast your eyes and fan yourself, cos this is HOT! I received an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.
719 reviews4 followers
February 16, 2026
Ensnare Me by Tessa Farrow is a great mafia romance. The story is entertaining, enjoyable, exciting, romantic, dark romance, steamy, spicy, and more. Ensnare Me is the first book in Oath Bound series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
10 reviews
February 17, 2026
Ok these two are both very big personalities that are entertaining as heck to follow along with. Steamy and fiesty this one was a fun read set overseas.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Roth.
89 reviews3 followers
March 1, 2026
This was good as a mafia story. I'm glad they both finally communicated. That is what saved them in the end. I do have some unanswered questions about some of the other characters though. Looking forward to reading the next.
Thanks Tessa Farrow and Book Sirens
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gina Burkart.
3,651 reviews52 followers
February 17, 2026
This book pulled me in and I enjoyed reading this enemies lovers. This is a fast paced book and I enjoyed reading this book
Profile Image for Ariana.
15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 21, 2026
For me this book was definitely not a typical mafia romance book. It was more of a slow burn up until the end, which had more of an edge of your seat feel. I loved getting the dual POV of both MCs plotting on the other. This was a refreshing take on tropes that typically keep to a specific set of characteristics. As for the MCs I feel they lacked a liitle bit on emotional pull and the the major spark that comes with enemies to lovers. Overall it was a good book with a very unique story line!
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