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Forbidden Fate: a Dark Mafia Forced Marriage Romance
I was supposed to burn with my past. The devil has other plans.
In one night, my life turns to ash. My past, my home, and every dream for the future—gone. Through a fluke of fate, I survive the flames. Only to get caught in the gunfire.
One minute, I’m a music student with a scholarship and a violin I can’t afford to replace. The next, I’m at the top of every hitman’s to-do list. I have no idea why they want me dead, only that Rem Cosenza is the one who saves me.
He’s the devil who steps out of the darkness. The nephew of Chicago’s most powerful capo and the only fixer trusted with the Family’s deadliest secrets. He offers me a choice: stay in the rubble and die, or leave with him and live.
But salvation has a price. One wrapped in white silk and sealed with a vow.
To survive the bounty on my head, I must marry a stranger. A monster. Rem is possessive, protective, and sinful—a man who will betray his own bloodline just to keep me.
In a world built on loyalty and violence, our marriage is a death sentence. We’re forbidden. Hunted. And we’re both going to burn.
In one night, my life turns to ash. My past, my home, and every dream for the future—gone. Through a fluke of fate, I survive the flames. Only to get caught in the gunfire.
One minute, I’m a music student with a scholarship and a violin I can’t afford to replace. The next, I’m at the top of every hitman’s to-do list. I have no idea why they want me dead, only that Rem Cosenza is the one who saves me.
He’s the devil who steps out of the darkness. The nephew of Chicago’s most powerful capo and the only fixer trusted with the Family’s deadliest secrets. He offers me a choice: stay in the rubble and die, or leave with him and live.
But salvation has a price. One wrapped in white silk and sealed with a vow.
To survive the bounty on my head, I must marry a stranger. A monster. Rem is possessive, protective, and sinful—a man who will betray his own bloodline just to keep me.
In a world built on loyalty and violence, our marriage is a death sentence. We’re forbidden. Hunted. And we’re both going to burn.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2026
9 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Jezebel Thorne
4 books2 followersGet Johnny & Bianca's Story >>>
Subscribe to THE HIT LIST for your copy of Precious Prey, the exclusive full-length prequel for the Omertà Brotherhood series.
jezebelthorne.com
Jezebel writes dark mafia romance that doesn't just haunt you—it claims you. She’s obsessed with the ruthless men who rule the underworld and the women who find their power in complete surrender. Drop your defenses. Give in. The Omertà Brotherhood is here.
Jez is an American living in the UK with her husband and two boys. When she’s not writing, she’s either washing someone’s football kit (aka soccer uniform) or trying to figure out—yet again—what to make for dinner.
Subscribe to THE HIT LIST for your copy of Precious Prey, the exclusive full-length prequel for the Omertà Brotherhood series.
jezebelthorne.com
Jezebel writes dark mafia romance that doesn't just haunt you—it claims you. She’s obsessed with the ruthless men who rule the underworld and the women who find their power in complete surrender. Drop your defenses. Give in. The Omertà Brotherhood is here.
Jez is an American living in the UK with her husband and two boys. When she’s not writing, she’s either washing someone’s football kit (aka soccer uniform) or trying to figure out—yet again—what to make for dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Currently reading
March 19, 2026~Pre-read~ ACR received... Always on a hunt for a mafia romance.. forced marriage? say no more! review coming soon :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You know how sometimes you just crave yummy food in the middle of the night? Pizza, ice cream... This book was exactly what I felt reading at 3am.
Mafia romance, dangerous situations, forced marriage, age gap, a lot of spice… it had all the ingredients. And it worked as a fast, bingeable read, perfect as a palate cleanser between heavier books.
That said, our FMC, Lena finds herself in a dangerous situation and our MMC, Rem, comes to her rescue. Together they need to figure out what's going on exactly, because to Rem something feels really off. The plot feels a bit underdeveloped at times and the romance leans heavily into insta love. While it’s marketed as a darker mafia story, it didn’t really feel that dark to me.
I liked the FMC, she handled everything surprisingly well given her situation. The MMC, though… he’s supposed to be this dangerous mafia man, but ends up giving more golden retriever energy, at least when it comes to her. :D:D
The chemistry is there, but things move very fast and because of that we don’t really get much grovel (come on, Rem had to grovel) or deeper emotional payoff.
Overall, fun, spicy, easy to binge at 3am.
⭐ 3.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley & Every Rose Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Mafia romance, dangerous situations, forced marriage, age gap, a lot of spice… it had all the ingredients. And it worked as a fast, bingeable read, perfect as a palate cleanser between heavier books.
That said, our FMC, Lena finds herself in a dangerous situation and our MMC, Rem, comes to her rescue. Together they need to figure out what's going on exactly, because to Rem something feels really off. The plot feels a bit underdeveloped at times and the romance leans heavily into insta love. While it’s marketed as a darker mafia story, it didn’t really feel that dark to me.
I liked the FMC, she handled everything surprisingly well given her situation. The MMC, though… he’s supposed to be this dangerous mafia man, but ends up giving more golden retriever energy, at least when it comes to her. :D:D
The chemistry is there, but things move very fast and because of that we don’t really get much grovel (come on, Rem had to grovel) or deeper emotional payoff.
Overall, fun, spicy, easy to binge at 3am.
⭐ 3.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley & Every Rose Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
March 25, 2026
4⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
Oh my god, what a good read! This book is addictive, I genuinely couldn't put it down. It's very fast paced and constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The romance between Rem and Lena was undeniable! You can feel their chemistry and love through the pages, and I loved the tension between them!! My only small complaint is that they got together a bit quickly & that gave off insta-love vibes. While their feelings developed fast, their love still came across cleary, and I was able to believe in it. I just would have liked a slightly slower build in the beginning, but I still loved them together.
The plotttt!!! I was hooked the entire time! I needed answers and couldn't stop reading until I got them. The story was very interesting and fast paced. At no point while reading was I bored.
That being said, I very much enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to everyone! I genuinely can't wait for the next book in the series!!
Oh my god, what a good read! This book is addictive, I genuinely couldn't put it down. It's very fast paced and constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The romance between Rem and Lena was undeniable! You can feel their chemistry and love through the pages, and I loved the tension between them!! My only small complaint is that they got together a bit quickly & that gave off insta-love vibes. While their feelings developed fast, their love still came across cleary, and I was able to believe in it. I just would have liked a slightly slower build in the beginning, but I still loved them together.
The plotttt!!! I was hooked the entire time! I needed answers and couldn't stop reading until I got them. The story was very interesting and fast paced. At no point while reading was I bored.
That being said, I very much enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to everyone! I genuinely can't wait for the next book in the series!!
March 25, 2026
This is a fast-paced mafia dark romance featuring some of my favourite tropes - forced marriage and an age gap. If you enjoy intense dynamics and a lot of danger mixed with romance, this one definitely delivers.
I really enjoyed the overall plot and the rapid story. It has plenty of action that keeps things engaging and makes it easy to stay invested from beginning to end.
The relationship between the main characters develops very quickly, with a strong and immediate connection right from the beginning. Personally, I tend to enjoy a slightly slower build, so I could fully settle into their emotional journey and see their bond deepen over time.
That said, the story itself moves really fast, which makes their accelerated connection feel fitting within the context of the plot.
Overall, this was an engaging and entertaining read. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to explore mafia dark romance with plenty of tension, chemistry and spice, especially in a story that keeps things moving from start to finish.
Thank you to Jezebel Thorne and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC 🖤
All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the overall plot and the rapid story. It has plenty of action that keeps things engaging and makes it easy to stay invested from beginning to end.
The relationship between the main characters develops very quickly, with a strong and immediate connection right from the beginning. Personally, I tend to enjoy a slightly slower build, so I could fully settle into their emotional journey and see their bond deepen over time.
That said, the story itself moves really fast, which makes their accelerated connection feel fitting within the context of the plot.
Overall, this was an engaging and entertaining read. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to explore mafia dark romance with plenty of tension, chemistry and spice, especially in a story that keeps things moving from start to finish.
Thank you to Jezebel Thorne and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC 🖤
All opinions are my own.
March 25, 2026
I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm the ultimate mafia romance fangirl and I love picking them from the catalog like a metal detector on the beach. Forbidden Fate was a bit of a mess. I didn't get a lot of answers as the majority of the book was mired in confusion. There was no explanation for why the heroine was targeted until the last 20% of the book. This book was also incredibly long. At nearly 400 pages, the plot was stagnant despite its bloated length. I can appreciate that the hero was kinder to the heroine than most mafiosos, but we needed to get snapping. This is mafia romance, not Lord of the Rings. Dial it down! I understand this was the first book in the series, yet I felt like I was missing a lot of context. The hero's best friend and his wife were huge parts of the book. I don't know if they had their own book because they had so much history together. Honestly I preferred them to the main couple. I don't think I'll continue with this series due to the writing choices. I'll keep on reading mafia though, don't you worry your pretty little head. I'm thankful for this opportunity and I'll be sure not to trespass into the forbidden ever again.
I'm the ultimate mafia romance fangirl and I love picking them from the catalog like a metal detector on the beach. Forbidden Fate was a bit of a mess. I didn't get a lot of answers as the majority of the book was mired in confusion. There was no explanation for why the heroine was targeted until the last 20% of the book. This book was also incredibly long. At nearly 400 pages, the plot was stagnant despite its bloated length. I can appreciate that the hero was kinder to the heroine than most mafiosos, but we needed to get snapping. This is mafia romance, not Lord of the Rings. Dial it down! I understand this was the first book in the series, yet I felt like I was missing a lot of context. The hero's best friend and his wife were huge parts of the book. I don't know if they had their own book because they had so much history together. Honestly I preferred them to the main couple. I don't think I'll continue with this series due to the writing choices. I'll keep on reading mafia though, don't you worry your pretty little head. I'm thankful for this opportunity and I'll be sure not to trespass into the forbidden ever again.
March 21, 2026
Mafia romance? ✅
Assassination attempts and car bombs? ✅
An MMC who would burn the world? ✅
This story truly has everything you would want in a mafia story.
Forbidden Fate follows our FMC, Lena, who finds herself in the crosshairs of MMC, Rem. Rem is tasked with taking out Lena as he is the enforcer for the Family. I don't want to spoil it anymore as a whole lots happens in this story.
This story is a typical mafia romance. I, personally, wouldn't call it dark but I can see how something could think it was dark. A LOT happens in the very beginning. There were no breaks; it was all action the entire time.
I appreciated that Lena was incredibly self-aware. She knew here reactions to Rem were out of line. She knew when she was stepping into crazy logic territory. And Rem knew he could not have a miscommunication trope with Lena. They were always upfront and honest with each other. Always laid out their feels, even when they didn't agree.
I would say around 50%, I started to get the sense I knew who the bad guy was then by 75%, I absolutely knew. Didn't take away from story much but it was something you could see a mile away.
The spice was spicing. The cinnamon roll MMC but only for his girl. The FMC not a damsel in distress but also knew her limits which was refreshing. The side characters were funny and relatable. For a mafia romance, I would definitely recommend. Can't wait to read Bianca and Johnnys story next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Every Rose Publishing for the ARC. My reviews are my own, shaped by the story and shared of my own accord.
Assassination attempts and car bombs? ✅
An MMC who would burn the world? ✅
This story truly has everything you would want in a mafia story.
Forbidden Fate follows our FMC, Lena, who finds herself in the crosshairs of MMC, Rem. Rem is tasked with taking out Lena as he is the enforcer for the Family. I don't want to spoil it anymore as a whole lots happens in this story.
This story is a typical mafia romance. I, personally, wouldn't call it dark but I can see how something could think it was dark. A LOT happens in the very beginning. There were no breaks; it was all action the entire time.
I appreciated that Lena was incredibly self-aware. She knew here reactions to Rem were out of line. She knew when she was stepping into crazy logic territory. And Rem knew he could not have a miscommunication trope with Lena. They were always upfront and honest with each other. Always laid out their feels, even when they didn't agree.
I would say around 50%, I started to get the sense I knew who the bad guy was then by 75%, I absolutely knew. Didn't take away from story much but it was something you could see a mile away.
The spice was spicing. The cinnamon roll MMC but only for his girl. The FMC not a damsel in distress but also knew her limits which was refreshing. The side characters were funny and relatable. For a mafia romance, I would definitely recommend. Can't wait to read Bianca and Johnnys story next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Every Rose Publishing for the ARC. My reviews are my own, shaped by the story and shared of my own accord.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
hands down this has got to be one of the most captivating books ever, it wastes no time into getting right into the action and keeps you on edge the whole way through. i was hooked from the first page alone (which is rare for me).
at first the mmc is frustratingly indecisive but the growth in him feels real. and the fmc does not trust him very much at all which wholely makes them have a lot of tension, its just perfect.
im not gonna lie though there were points where i was so sure i knew what was going to happen and it was quite the opposite. i could not have predicted anything that was going to happen at all like the plot twists!?!! completely caught me off guard and feeling all the emotions at once, i was stressing the whole way through the last half of the book (not in a bad way). nothing could have prepared me for the later events. everything that was happening just wouldnt allow me to put the book down, i found myself reading page after page continuously towards the end. omg and the ending!?!! really really had me on edge but it was all perfect by the last chapter thankfully.
and the side characters johnny and bianca were the cutest little couple ever and i just absolutely adore them, ill defo be reading the prequel. oh gosh and the next book needs to come out now, about alik whose seen in this book for a short moment. hes just such a mysterious character and i just need to know more about him.
i genuinely believe from the bottom of heart that everyone needs to read this and look out for the release on 23rd march!!
(received arc from net galley)
at first the mmc is frustratingly indecisive but the growth in him feels real. and the fmc does not trust him very much at all which wholely makes them have a lot of tension, its just perfect.
im not gonna lie though there were points where i was so sure i knew what was going to happen and it was quite the opposite. i could not have predicted anything that was going to happen at all like the plot twists!?!! completely caught me off guard and feeling all the emotions at once, i was stressing the whole way through the last half of the book (not in a bad way). nothing could have prepared me for the later events. everything that was happening just wouldnt allow me to put the book down, i found myself reading page after page continuously towards the end. omg and the ending!?!! really really had me on edge but it was all perfect by the last chapter thankfully.
and the side characters johnny and bianca were the cutest little couple ever and i just absolutely adore them, ill defo be reading the prequel. oh gosh and the next book needs to come out now, about alik whose seen in this book for a short moment. hes just such a mysterious character and i just need to know more about him.
i genuinely believe from the bottom of heart that everyone needs to read this and look out for the release on 23rd march!!
(received arc from net galley)
March 24, 2026
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Every Rose Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC, it’s my first ever ARC so safe to say I was excited!
This book is definitely fast-paced!! From the first page there’s action and something constantly going on which I appreciated because sometimes it takes me a while to get into a book, I didn’t have that problem with this one.
The FMC, Lena, finds her whole life turned upside down in a single night, and who’s there to give her a way out? Our MMC, Rem. I really liked Lena’s character, she wasn’t your typical damsel in distress and knew how to hold her own which I loved. I think I’m used to extremely morally grey men in Mafia romances because Rem (to me at least) came across a bit tame and a bit of a cinnamon roll but that might just be me!
One thing I wasn’t hugely in love with was the almost “insta love” aspect. For me personally, I think the romance aspect happened a tad too quickly for my taste but given how fast paced the rest of the book is, I guess it makes sense to a certain extent. HOWEVER, the spice in this book was impeccable!!!
The plot was good, pretty straight forward and might I say a bit predictable because I did see what was coming. Saying that, it didn’t take away from the reading experience and was still satisfying to read.
In terms of how “dark” the book is, I wouldn’t say it’s really dark as I’ve read worse but some readers might find some parts disturbing so definitely worth checking out the trigger warnings to be safe.
This book is definitely fast-paced!! From the first page there’s action and something constantly going on which I appreciated because sometimes it takes me a while to get into a book, I didn’t have that problem with this one.
The FMC, Lena, finds her whole life turned upside down in a single night, and who’s there to give her a way out? Our MMC, Rem. I really liked Lena’s character, she wasn’t your typical damsel in distress and knew how to hold her own which I loved. I think I’m used to extremely morally grey men in Mafia romances because Rem (to me at least) came across a bit tame and a bit of a cinnamon roll but that might just be me!
One thing I wasn’t hugely in love with was the almost “insta love” aspect. For me personally, I think the romance aspect happened a tad too quickly for my taste but given how fast paced the rest of the book is, I guess it makes sense to a certain extent. HOWEVER, the spice in this book was impeccable!!!
The plot was good, pretty straight forward and might I say a bit predictable because I did see what was coming. Saying that, it didn’t take away from the reading experience and was still satisfying to read.
In terms of how “dark” the book is, I wouldn’t say it’s really dark as I’ve read worse but some readers might find some parts disturbing so definitely worth checking out the trigger warnings to be safe.
March 27, 2026
4⭐ | Forbidden Fate by Jezebel Thorne
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved that this book throws you straight into the chaos from chapter one—no slow, drawn-out setup or filler. It immediately pulls you in, which I appreciated.
This has a mix of tropes I’m always here for: mob romance, touch her and die, he falls first, and forced proximity. I’m not usually a huge fan of age gaps, but it didn’t bother me here since it wasn’t overly emphasized. And while I could take or leave the mob aspect in general, it worked well in this story and added to the tension.
Rem was a standout for me. He’s a great morally gray MMC who spends the entire book trying to protect Lena while also piecing together what’s really going on. His intentions were clear, and I liked how consistent he was.
Lena, on the other hand—I almost wish the story had taken a slightly darker turn. At the beginning, I found myself kind of rooting for the accusations against her to be true, just because it would’ve added an extra layer of complexity and unpredictability. As it stands, the romance felt a bit predictable, even though it was still enjoyable.
The ending was satisfying, but I do wish we had gotten a bit more—an extended epilogue would’ve been perfect.
Overall, a solid read with great tropes and a strong MMC. I’d definitely recommend it, especially if you enjoy protective, morally gray heroes.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved that this book throws you straight into the chaos from chapter one—no slow, drawn-out setup or filler. It immediately pulls you in, which I appreciated.
This has a mix of tropes I’m always here for: mob romance, touch her and die, he falls first, and forced proximity. I’m not usually a huge fan of age gaps, but it didn’t bother me here since it wasn’t overly emphasized. And while I could take or leave the mob aspect in general, it worked well in this story and added to the tension.
Rem was a standout for me. He’s a great morally gray MMC who spends the entire book trying to protect Lena while also piecing together what’s really going on. His intentions were clear, and I liked how consistent he was.
Lena, on the other hand—I almost wish the story had taken a slightly darker turn. At the beginning, I found myself kind of rooting for the accusations against her to be true, just because it would’ve added an extra layer of complexity and unpredictability. As it stands, the romance felt a bit predictable, even though it was still enjoyable.
The ending was satisfying, but I do wish we had gotten a bit more—an extended epilogue would’ve been perfect.
Overall, a solid read with great tropes and a strong MMC. I’d definitely recommend it, especially if you enjoy protective, morally gray heroes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a read. I devoured this in 2 days.
The twists, the turns, the spice? It was a beautiful blend of mafia, romance and just a little deceit from some of the characters.
The story features around Lena and Rem and my god, it was 100 at the beginning and I was so here for it. Although started off in an unconventional way, the way they cared and loved each other was amazing to see. Especially in the last 100 pages, they came together to really thwart their enemy.
I didn't see the twist coming although I had a inkling of what it could be. I was so glad it worked out! All of the characters had been written with so much depth and their growth throughout the book really shone through.
If you like spicy mafia romance, this is the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, Every Rose Publishing and Jezebel Thorne for this ARC.
The twists, the turns, the spice? It was a beautiful blend of mafia, romance and just a little deceit from some of the characters.
The story features around Lena and Rem and my god, it was 100 at the beginning and I was so here for it. Although started off in an unconventional way, the way they cared and loved each other was amazing to see. Especially in the last 100 pages, they came together to really thwart their enemy.
I didn't see the twist coming although I had a inkling of what it could be. I was so glad it worked out! All of the characters had been written with so much depth and their growth throughout the book really shone through.
If you like spicy mafia romance, this is the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, Every Rose Publishing and Jezebel Thorne for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Jezebel Thorne and Netgalley for the eARC.
🔥 Italian mafia
🔥 Arranged marriage
🔥 Forbidden Love Romance
🔥 Forced proximity
🔥 Morally grey MMC
Trigger Warnings ⚠️
Stalking, torture
OMG, this book had me hooked from the start. I could not put it down and read it in a whole sitting. Action packed from the outset.
This storyline follows the FMC Lena, who is rescued/forced to stay with the MMC Rem, the mafias enforcer. It gives off Stock Holme Syndrome vibes but Lena is aware very aware of the situation and her feelings/reactions.
The spice . . . dang it was in point!!
A lot of twists and turns throughout which kept me guessing of who dunnit. When the reveal happened, I was shocked. A very well written spicy mafia romance.
Really looking forward to Bianca and Johnny's story ❤️
🔥 Italian mafia
🔥 Arranged marriage
🔥 Forbidden Love Romance
🔥 Forced proximity
🔥 Morally grey MMC
Trigger Warnings ⚠️
Stalking, torture
OMG, this book had me hooked from the start. I could not put it down and read it in a whole sitting. Action packed from the outset.
This storyline follows the FMC Lena, who is rescued/forced to stay with the MMC Rem, the mafias enforcer. It gives off Stock Holme Syndrome vibes but Lena is aware very aware of the situation and her feelings/reactions.
The spice . . . dang it was in point!!
A lot of twists and turns throughout which kept me guessing of who dunnit. When the reveal happened, I was shocked. A very well written spicy mafia romance.
Really looking forward to Bianca and Johnny's story ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Forbidden Fate” releases on March 23rd!
I really enjoyed this book! The story started off immediately with excitement, which grabbed my attention right away. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who is just getting started with mafia romance books.
The main characters, Lena and Rem, are super cute together. However, I was hoping their relationship would have been built up a bit more slowly. In this book, it was more of an insta-love situation, which I don’t always prefer.
Rem (MMC) is a very patient man when it comes to Lena, and he does everything he can to protect her, no matter the consequences. The plot twist was incredibly well thought out I definitely didn’t see it coming!
Thank you Netgalley & Every Rose Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I really enjoyed this book! The story started off immediately with excitement, which grabbed my attention right away. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who is just getting started with mafia romance books.
The main characters, Lena and Rem, are super cute together. However, I was hoping their relationship would have been built up a bit more slowly. In this book, it was more of an insta-love situation, which I don’t always prefer.
Rem (MMC) is a very patient man when it comes to Lena, and he does everything he can to protect her, no matter the consequences. The plot twist was incredibly well thought out I definitely didn’t see it coming!
Thank you Netgalley & Every Rose Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lena’s home goes up in flames and someone is trying to kill her. Her savior is Rem but is he really saving her?
This was a roller coaster ride of a story. There is a lot going on while the romance simmers between Lena and Rem. There is violence and sexual action so please check the triggers before reading. The flow and pacing was good. I didn’t feel like the story stalled at any point. The ending was what you want in a romance even a “dark romance”.
I enjoyed Lena and Rem’s story and the author has built a very nice world to visit. This is the first book in this series and can’t wait to see what comes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a roller coaster ride of a story. There is a lot going on while the romance simmers between Lena and Rem. There is violence and sexual action so please check the triggers before reading. The flow and pacing was good. I didn’t feel like the story stalled at any point. The ending was what you want in a romance even a “dark romance”.
I enjoyed Lena and Rem’s story and the author has built a very nice world to visit. This is the first book in this series and can’t wait to see what comes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 23, 2026
I absolutely loved the book. I binged it in one day … there was so much going on every time I thought I was at a good pause point something else happened.
Lena has had a hard life and it just got harder and she has no clue why.
Rem enters her orbit and saves her but has secrets.
This is a dark romance .. the life the actions the attempts on life and other items
This has a man that decides before he realizes it that Lena is his … and the touch her and die vibes are real.
This has multiple threads and the ending I was not prepared for .. let’s say I didn’t even have the person pulling the strings on my radar.
Lena has had a hard life and it just got harder and she has no clue why.
Rem enters her orbit and saves her but has secrets.
This is a dark romance .. the life the actions the attempts on life and other items
This has a man that decides before he realizes it that Lena is his … and the touch her and die vibes are real.
This has multiple threads and the ending I was not prepared for .. let’s say I didn’t even have the person pulling the strings on my radar.
March 24, 2026
This is Book 1 of The Omertà Brotherhood series. And a FANrastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'In a world built on loyalty and violence, our marriage is a death sentence. We’re forbidden. Hunted. And we’re both going to burn.'
The characters were very complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. 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.
'In a world built on loyalty and violence, our marriage is a death sentence. We’re forbidden. Hunted. And we’re both going to burn.'
The characters were very complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. 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.
March 25, 2026
So, I will give this a 3.75. For me this wasn't true Dark Mafia it seemed like Enemies to Lovers would have fit better. Again, that is my opinion because I have read some truly WTF Dark Mafia.
This started of really strong and I liked the action from the beginning of the book. The mystery of who was after Lena was good in the beginning however, by the time I got to the middle of the book it became very predictable as to what was going on and who was the person behind the attempts on Lena's life. The ending also felt rushed! Overall, it is a decent read for anyone who wants an introduction into the Dark Mafia romance genre.
This started of really strong and I liked the action from the beginning of the book. The mystery of who was after Lena was good in the beginning however, by the time I got to the middle of the book it became very predictable as to what was going on and who was the person behind the attempts on Lena's life. The ending also felt rushed! Overall, it is a decent read for anyone who wants an introduction into the Dark Mafia romance genre.
March 24, 2026
Starting this series off with a bang!
This is my first Jezebel Thorne book and I’m impressed! This story had it all. A good mafia, marriage of convenience plot, suspense, action, danger and some serious heat!
A possessive morally grey hero who will do whatever it takes to have Lena, but he will also protect her from the entire world single-handedly. Loved the “touch her and d!e” vibes with an exciting storyline!
Looking forward to more books by this author and more from this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first Jezebel Thorne book and I’m impressed! This story had it all. A good mafia, marriage of convenience plot, suspense, action, danger and some serious heat!
A possessive morally grey hero who will do whatever it takes to have Lena, but he will also protect her from the entire world single-handedly. Loved the “touch her and d!e” vibes with an exciting storyline!
Looking forward to more books by this author and more from this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Surprisingly, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I enjoyed the first half much more than the second. I loved the fast pace and the adventure vibes in the beginning.
I think this was a well-executed mafia romance. There was nothing particularly new in the story, but the characters had depth, and the read was quick and entertaining. Also loved the twist and turns!
If you love mafia romance with a morally grey MMC, then this might be right up your alley.
I think this was a well-executed mafia romance. There was nothing particularly new in the story, but the characters had depth, and the read was quick and entertaining. Also loved the twist and turns!
If you love mafia romance with a morally grey MMC, then this might be right up your alley.
Review of advance copy
Thoroughly enjoyed this Mafia Romance. I was gripped from the first chapter.
The plot was really good and the twists and turns had me, i thought i had figured it out and was in awe when i read who did what etc.
If you love enemies to lovers, stalking, mafia, deceit and an epic epilogue this is a book for you.
I look forward to reading the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot was really good and the twists and turns had me, i thought i had figured it out and was in awe when i read who did what etc.
If you love enemies to lovers, stalking, mafia, deceit and an epic epilogue this is a book for you.
I look forward to reading the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An ARC from netgalley
If you love a mafia style romance with twists to the storyline, this is for you!
Rem is watching Lena, he's part of the Italian mafia and they believe that Lena is working for their enemy! But is she? Does Rem believe that? What does he feel for her!? Dive in to find out!
I love how Rems character develops and opens up in this book👏❤️
Contains spicy scenes and scenes with torture!
If you love a mafia style romance with twists to the storyline, this is for you!
Rem is watching Lena, he's part of the Italian mafia and they believe that Lena is working for their enemy! But is she? Does Rem believe that? What does he feel for her!? Dive in to find out!
I love how Rems character develops and opens up in this book👏❤️
Contains spicy scenes and scenes with torture!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC of Forbidden Fate by Jezebel Thorne thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great mafia romance with touch her and die vibes. I loved the characters and the dual POV. The voices were clear and the prose was extremely well done. There was such drama and conflict throughout the book, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the reading.
This was a great mafia romance with touch her and die vibes. I loved the characters and the dual POV. The voices were clear and the prose was extremely well done. There was such drama and conflict throughout the book, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the reading.
Review of advance copy
Lenas life changes in a rabid blink only to be saved by Rem, cold and calculating to most but not to her, a marriage between them will save her but for how long? Will time heal all wounds or reopen past secrets? Well written the story is engaging and characters draw you in with suspense, drama, obsession and more
Review of advance copy
This book is GOOD and it starts out with a bang. It’s hot, it’s spicy, and it has a good storyline. I do love a good mafia man and Rem did not disappoint. I thought I had the whole book figured out about a quarter of the way through, but I did not. The next books in this series will all be on my TBR.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
This was a terrific book. I could have used a glass of wine while reading the last couple of chapters. They were emotionally intense in the best way. In fact, some of you will find you have tears in your eyes. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It was a pleasure to read this book and I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy
I loved this so so much!!!! Rem & Lena are adorable!! Lena is so sassy & fiesty , while Rem is so loyal, brooding and possessive!!!! The plot was good & had me almost crying towards the end! Great read over all. This is my first read by this author and I definitely look forward to reading other books by Jez.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unfortunately this is a DNF. I appreciate all the research and effort put into the mafia, the Italian aspect was really fun for me but I hated the relationship set up as I am not an insta love girly. I wanted more from the criminal world and I think it just fell flat. Got to 35% and couldn’t do it anymore.
Review of advance copy
This was a wild ride. Rem and Lena were absolute fire. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. This story was intense. Filled with danger and chaos. Choices had to be made. Lena made it. And wow, it was the absolute best. The spice was spicing for sure. This is a definite must read. Can’t wait for the next book.
Review of advance copy
Lena & REM are great characters and are easily likeable.
They clash often but fell for each other Just as hard.
A very good read and hard to put down once you start!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
They clash often but fell for each other Just as hard.
A very good read and hard to put down once you start!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me in a chokehold from start to finish. The characters were addictively written to wiggle into your brain and stay there, reminding you that you needed to finish their story. And, the storyline itself was fantastically developed. So many ways I loved this book.
Review of advance copy
I am a thankful ARC reader for this one.
This has a lot of Goodfellas vibes, and even though you have a glimpse of the ruthlessness, you're mostly led through the emotional development of our MMC.
A nice read!
This has a lot of Goodfellas vibes, and even though you have a glimpse of the ruthlessness, you're mostly led through the emotional development of our MMC.
A nice read!
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