Book Review: His Forbidden Obsession: A sizzling forbidden love, secret pregnancy & forced proximity romance (The Martinelli Wedding Book 4) by Michelle Smart

Introduction 

His Forbidden Obsession is the fourth novel in Michelle Smart’s mafia romance series, The Martinelli Wedding. 

Summary

Niccolo Martinelli belongs to one of Italy’s oldest, noble, richest and prestigious families. His father is a Duke. Georgia Thomas is an unknown interior designer. She knows there is no future for them as a couple. Nic is having financial difficulties and so needs an influx of cash. The mafia Esposito family lend him the money on the condition that he marries the daughter, Siena. The Esposito family feel that this marriage will give their name social standing to go with their millions. Georgia and Nic have one last weekend together, he tells her about his upcoming nuptials, asks if she will continue to be his lover/ mistress and she tells him to sling his hook. Fast forward 4 months. She has realised she is pregnant and he he is the runaway groom. The Esposito brothers are trying to kill them both as their father dropped dead after Nic ran during the wedding. Nic rescues Georgia in London and they go into hiding. The question remains will they survive long enough to build a HEA? 

Review

I really enjoyed this novel. I think it’s one of my favourite reads of 2025 and the most enjoyable out of the series, although all 4 have interesting and enjoyable storylines. The novel is well paced, the characters gel well together. There are links and references between this and the other novels in the series that are not just an afterthought but work together. The book and storyline is well paced, doesn’t drag and it feels like the author really enjoyed writing this book. If you enjoy mafia inspired, secret pregnancy, alpha male romances I would recommend this and the other novels in this series. 

An ARC copy was provided by Michelle Smart in exchange for an honest review

Book Review: The Forbidden Greek by Michelle Smart

 The Forbidden Greek is the first novel in Michelle Smart and Pippa Roscoes’ mini series Greek Groom Swap. Billionaire Leander Liassidis has agreed to a marriage of convenience to ensure his oldest  friend Helena Haddon can access her inheritance. He backs out of the wedding and Kate Hawkins is dispatched by his estranged twin brother Leonidas and Helena to find him and bring him back to Greece before she starts her dream job as a veterinary surgeon in Borneo caring for orangutans. 

Kate finally tracks him down but he refuses to return and tries to get her to leave. Slowly they go over old ground and chemistry develops between them but will Leander’s hang ups prevent a HEA for the pair? 

I enjoyed this novel. The characters are both strong willed, determined and bounce off each other. They are relatable to the reader and it’s obvious the author enjoyed writing this book. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Bound By The Italian's 'I Do' by Michelle Smart

 This is an enemies to lovers romance. The first in the two part Billion Dollar  Revenge series. Written by Michelle Smart, Bound by the Italians’ I Do, tells the story of Issy Seymore and billionaire Gianni Rossi. 

Issy and her sister Amelia believe Gianni and his cousin Alessandro have destroyed the Seymore family. Their father’s death and mother’s spiral into addiction and destruction of the family business and their legacy/ inheritance was caused by that one fateful day when the Rossi brothers visited their father. . For the past 10 years they have planned the downfall of the Rossi empire. They are now ready to execute this plan. 

Issy is going to accost Gianni during his traditional 2 week holiday to the Caribbean, unfortunately for her he already is suspicious and totally turns the tables on her, calling her bluff by asking her to marry him! Issy also discovers that her father scammed the two cousins, nearly destroying their business, There is lots of chemistry between the pair but will they be able to overcome the bitterness of both sides wasting so many years of their lives planning the destruction of each others’ empires? 

An enjoyable read, well thought out with some funny interludes with Gianni’s phone being thrown in the sea. I look forward to reading Pippa Roscoe’s book Expecting her Enemy’s Heir, which is the second book in the series and tells Amelia and Alessandros’ story. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted. 

Book Review: Innocent's Wedding Day With The Italian by Michelle Smart

Innocent’s Wedding Day with the Italian is written by Michelle Smart and a Mills & Boon Modern romance.  Set over 24 hours Rebecca runs from the Altar when Enzo who is  her fiancé mother tells her that due to her clause in her father’s will if she married him her inheritance will go to him rather than her. She runs from the Altar as she doesn’t know if Enzo is marrying her for love or money. 

The runaway bride was planning to return immediately to the UK. Enzo persuaded her to stay for 24 hours to see if by going over the past they can still (re)build a future together.

Unusually for M&B in this storyline Rebecca is firmly in control of their future. She can walk (or run) at anytime. It is Enzo, the billionaire, who is begging her to understand why he did it. 

An interesting read. The plot line is well written and well paced over 24 hours and the characters are both believable and relatable.  

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase: http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

#AD Book Review: Her Sicilian Baby Revelation by Michelle Smart

Orla O’Reilly met billionaire Tonino Valente when she went to Sicily to meet her father. She ran back to Ireland when she was told by Sophia Tonino was engaged to her.  She was was pregnant and involved in a major car accident. Both Orla and her little boy, Finn,  suffered major injuries - he now has cerebral palsy. She also suffers from amnesia and can’t remember who the father of her baby is.  She meets Tonino at a wedding and the memories come flooding back. Tonino is determined to be a hands on father so they move to Sicily. Will Orla be able to overcome her trust issues and realise she loves Tonino? The epilogue of the novel will tell all. 

This is the first novel written by Michelle Smart that I haven’t enjoyed. I just couldn’t relate to either the storyline or main characters. The characters didn’t seem to gel or have any chemistry of any kind. Not my favourite novel this month.  

I received this novel from Mills & Boon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Book Review: Claiming His One Night Baby by Michelle Smart

Claiming His One Night Baby by Michelle Smart is the second in the Bound to a Billionaire trilogy., which are about the Pellegrini family.  Natasha Pellegrini, Pieta's widow, has sex with Matteo Manaserro, Pieta's cousin and becomes pregnant.  She has been hiding Pieta's secrets for 7 years whilst Matteo resents her for choosing his cousin over him 7 years ago.  They have to overcome all these issues and Pieta's lies before the Pellegrini family will accept them as a couple and they can have a happy ending. 

 I received my copy from NetGalley and Mills and Boon via #Mills and Boon Insiders, but this does not influence my opinions as all opinions are my own.

Available:

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