Book Review: Italian Devil’s Baby by Heidi Rice

There appears to be a new genre in the world of romance - dark, spicy mafia themed novels. Lucy Munroe was the first author I noticed that had started to write self published mafia romance novels whilst also showcasing other authors who write in this genre. Heidi Rice is the first author to bring this type of storyline to Mills and Boon Modern and I was interested to see how it fitted in to or broadened the Modern plot types. 

Italian Devil’s Baby, the first in the Captive Mafia Seductions is written by Heidi Rice is a dark mafia/ secret pregnancy romance.  Vittorio Rocco, is head of the Rocco family, a mafia boss who is feared in Southern Italy. Mia Taylor is a teaching assistant from London who has maxed out her credit cards to take her little sister, Evie on a once in a lifetime trip to Italy. Vito first sees Mia dancing with friends on his on his yacht.  She agrees to meet him and their one night stand goes from there. He whisks her off to his apartment, they have a great night but unfortunately a rival gang led by his half brother Dante break in and shoot Vito. 

Mia is hurriedly removed from the scene and taken back to London to the flat she shared with Evie. She discovers she is pregnant but doesn’t tell Vito as she has now realised he is very much tied up with the mafia! 

Vito comes to find Mia, realises she is pregnant and whisks her back to Italy to his private island that is like a fortress. The chemistry between them is still there but will their relationship withstand the violence, loss of freedom for Mia and the total change to her life?

I enjoyed this novel. It is well paced and doesn’t drag the plot line out. The characters aren’t over the top stereotypes but have character flaws that are relatable to the reader. It is a very sexually charged novel, violent in places, a step up from the traditional M&B Modern. I am looking forward to reading Dante and Evies’ story which is out in October. 

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 Heidi Rice in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #gifted

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

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

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? 

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: Brutal Capo by Lucy Munroe

Brutal Capo is the fifth in the Syndicate Rules Series. Bianca had grown up within the New York mafia but was thrown out when she was a teenager after watching her father getting killed. Her twin and mother move away leaving her on her own. She was working as a pole dancer but moved to being a server in a mafia owned bar. Salvatore, a capo, falls in lust with her and the story goes from there. His don finds out who she is and demands that Sal either marries or is killed.

A fast moving plot. Lots of blood, sex and humour between the characters. An enjoyable read but nothing like the Mills & Boon novels that she used to write!.

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

Book Review: Ruthless Enforcer by Lucy Monroe

 

Ruthless Enforcer is the fourth novel in Lucy Monroe’s series Syndicate Rules. This book is described as a mafia romance with a morally grey hero. Lucia was part of the Costa Nostra mafia. She  has already had her life destroyed once by mafia violence but managed to save her brother in law and rebuild their lives and her career. She now owns a bar. Atlas is part of the Greek mafia and wants to use her bar for money laundering and other mafia activities but not human trafficking. Unfortunately he doesn’t tell her this before they start their affair. I enjoyed this novel up to a point. The characters didn’t really mesh. Lucia had already had to rebuild her life once and she had saved her bil (plus paid for his ongoing care in a mental health health facility) even though he had caused her to lose her baby. She has morals but keeps going back to Atlas with only half hearted denials when he says they belong together. 

I enjoyed reading this book but I wouldn’t rush to reread it.

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

Book Review: Urgent Vows by Lucy Monroe

Urgent Vows is the second novel in Lucy Munroe’s mini series Syndicate Rules. The mini series is based around Mafia storylines so expect lists of explicit violence, language, domestic violence and sexual scenes.

Catalina is forced by her father, Francesco Jilani, to marry Svereu Genovese, a New York Mafia Don when her sister Madonna Carlotta runs out on her wedding day. The wedding goes ahead as planned and storyline shows how their characters develop as their marriage progresses.

I have read all of Lucy Monroe’s Mills & Boon Modern novels. The last few seemed forced, as though she wasn’t really enjoying writing them. The storyline/ writing style in this book seems more relaxed, slightly freer and more explicit than M&B offer. It seemed as though she really got behind, understood and carefully crafted the characters’ development. I don’t normally enjoy novels which flit between telling the storyline from the main characters point of the view, in the first person but I really enjoyed this novel and I am am looking forward to the publication of the other two books in the miniseries.

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

Book Review: Demanding Mob Boss by Lucy Monroe

Demanding Mob Boss is the third in Lucy Monroe’s mini series Syndicate Rules. All four of the novels are centred around Mafia mob boss enforced proximity romance. 

Anna is neurodiverse. She cannot cope with excessive noise or stress. Cian Doyle is the boss of the Chicago Irish mob, Doyle and Byrne. He is a psychopath and has a dark personality although he is loyal to his family and those he loves, some may say excessively so. 

Surprisingly Anna feels that she has found the perfect job/ relationship working for and living with Cian. She slots right in and his family love her. Rightly so her friends try to persuade her to distance herself from his influence but she is determined to stay with him despite being harassed by the police and drawn into the murky underworld. 

Cian ruthless is when it comes to protecting and expanding his empire and family. Now he is obsessed with and by Anna. She brings calm and love into his life. Finally he has found his version of happiness and she enjoys being under his protection, even though at times it is rather excessive!

I enjoyed the interaction between the pair and the emphasis placed on neurodiversity. I didn’t enjoy all the secondary characters, found them confusing and felt that they cluttered up rather than enhanced the storyline.

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

Book Review: Urgent Vows: An Age Gap Forced Marriage Mafia Romance by Lucy Monroe

Urgent Vows is the first in Lucy Munroe’s mini series Syndicate Rules. The mini series is based around Mafia storylines so expect lists of explicit violence, language, domestic violence and sexual scenes. 

Catalina is forced by her father, Francesco Jilani, to marry Svereu Genovese, a New York Mafia Don when her sister Madonna Carlotta runs out on her wedding day. The wedding goes ahead as planned and storyline shows how their characters develop as their marriage progresses.

I have read all of Lucy Monroe’s Mills & Boon Modern novels. The last few seemed forced, as though she wasn’t really enjoying writing them. The storyline/ writing style in this book seems more relaxed, slightly freer and more explicit than M&B offer. It seemed as though she really got behind, understood and carefully crafted the characters’ development. I don’t normally enjoy novels which flit between telling the storyline from the main characters point of the view, in the first person but I really enjoyed this novel and I am am looking forward to the publication of the other two books in the miniseries.

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