If you’re looking to escape into somewhat dark territory, where heroes are dark and possessive Made men, you may want to try these 10 mafia romance books. If you know you like this subgenre or you want to try it for the first time and don’t know where to start, just pick a book from this list and you’ll want to read more and more like this.
Compelling plots, entertaining banter, sexy scenes, lovable characters, off the charts chemistry are some of the things that make a good mafia romance book.
And, as in any mafia romance, you can expect tropes like forced or arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, groveling, family rivalry, secrets, fighting, dark themes, badass characters, and of course a happy ending.
So let’s not waste any more time and get into this list!
10 Mafia Romance Books You Have To Read
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
#1 Vengeance Unleashed by Nancy Haviland
Vengeance Unleashed (formerly known as A Love of Vengeance) is the first book in The Wanted Men series by Nancy Haviland, featuring the Russian mob and the Cosa Nostra.
Somehow, Gabriel Moretti managed to leave the mafia life behind and live as a free businessman. Or so he thought. But what happens when your mentor, friend, and father figure asks you the biggest favor of his life?
Protecting his friend’s estranged daughter from the Russian mafia is certainly not what he expected. Getting to know Eva might be his biggest luck in life, but the danger is still lurking in the shadows. And it might not be just the Russians.
For Eva Jacobs, being lured into a world of secrets and threats might be what she needs. After all, you never know how strong you are until you have no other option. But she’s not alone in this. Gabriel is there to stay and protect her.
Pour yourself a glass of wine, find the most comfortable reading place, and get started. Eva and Gabriel will accompany you on this exciting love story completed by a touch of suspense. Their unexpected connection and sexy interactions will keep you turning the pages late at night. Bonus: entertaining side characters that get their own story next!
#2 Black Skies Riviera by Catherine Wiltcher
This mafia romance book tells the story of Issa Dubova, daughter of a Russian mafia boss, and Aiden Knight, a British casino owner.
Aiden Knight is not a nice man. Not to his enemies, not to the people in his business, and certainly not to Issa.
He is set on getting revenge on those responsible for his father’s death. First, however, he needs to find the names of the men who killed him.
For that, he needs to do two things: marry Issa and get some information out of her. Lie to her, seduce her, degrade her. Whatever it takes.
On the other hand, Ielena “Issa” Dubova is not as naive and helpless as she appears. Badass in her own way, she keeps secrets to protect someone she loves. Breaking her turns out to be harder than imagined.
A well-written mafia romance, this book is a perfect combination of fast-paced romance, suspense, and mafia plot. A sexy possessive, alpha-hole hero, a loyal and loveable heroine mixed with entertaining banter and sexy scenes.
#3 Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark
Brutal Prince is the debut novel of the Brutal Birthright series by Sophie Lark. It’s a mafia romance book with arranged marriage and enemies-to-lovers elements.
Two families: the Griffin (Irish mafia) and the Gallos (Italian mob). What could possibly prevent a war between them? A marriage of convenience, of course!
Aida is not your typical heroine. Or wife. Or mafia princess. She’s the star of this book. From starting a fire inside the enemy’s house (meaning Callum’s house), to constantly challenging Callum, to saving his life…I’d say she’s far from the typical mafia princess. Definitely one of the most inventive and resourceful heroines I’ve come across.
Callum…well, Callum despises Aida. It’s not like he doesn’t have a reason. She’s part of a rival family, she burnt down his library, she stole his grandfather’s pocket watch and threw it in the lake, and she’s constantly pushing his buttons.
What’s more, the family dynamics, both of the Gallos and of the Griffins, are funny and relatable. You certainly can’t get bored with their interactions.
#4 Raze by Tillie Cole
Raze is a dark mafia romance story, the first one in the Scarred Souls series by USA Today bestselling author Tillie Cole. Compared to the previous novels, this is darker and more intense. This is because it includes descriptive elements like sexual violence, physical violence, child abuse, offensive language, and taboo topics.
Raze is the story of a young boy who’s kidnapped and forced into underground fighting rings. He’s stripped of his name, memories, and humanity. He fights for his life, and once he starts, he’s unbeatable.
But then, the unexpected happens and he escapes. Now he finds himself in a big city where no one seems to know him, and he doesn’t seem to know anyone. Until the night he rescues a beautiful young woman in the street.
Kisa can’t forget the mysterious, quiet, powerfully built man who saved her. How could she when she sees him again fighting in her family’s underground rings?
A beautifully dark story of two people who lost each other when they were teenagers, only to find one another again as two broken adults who only know pain and violence.
This novel will stay with you if not for the darkness in it, for the unique and special connection Raze and Kisa have. The pure emotions they have for each other will impress you to tears! If you know you don’t have triggers, or you can read through them, give this a try! It’s worth it!
And if you’re into dark books and want to read more of those, check out my post about these five really dark romance novels that will challenge your boundaries.
#5 The Kiss Thief by L. J. Shen
The Kiss Thief is another well-done arranged marriage and enemies-to-lovers romance. It focuses on 19-year-old Francesca Rossi, who comes from a wealthy mafia family, and Wolfe Keaton, who’s a senator, more mature and experienced than the heroine.
Senator Wolfe Keaton is hell-bent on hating his new wife Francesca and being an a$$ to her. He disregards her the moment he sees her, thinking he knows her kind.
Francesca is a kind soul, but strong and resilient nonetheless. The men underestimate her, but she plays that to her advantage.
It’s interesting how the author stretches the boundaries of relationships. Most of the time you don’t agree with Wolfe’s treatment, but you can’t help but wait and hope for the moment he will redeem himself. Because even though they got off on the wrong foot, you can see the sparks between them. Both when they’re at their worst and at their best.
Also read: Devious Lies – An Enemies To Lovers Book – My Honest Opinion
5 More Mafia Romance Books You’ll Fall In Love With
#6 The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori
The Sweetest Oblivion is the first book in the Made series by author Danielle Lori. First, the novels in this series have the absolute best covers for mafia romance books.
Now back to our topic. Nico Russo, Italian mafia boss, is set to marry Elena Abelli’s sister. Of course, things don’t go as planned.
When Nico and Elena first meet, you can feel the sexual tension between them. However, doubt, family drama, mafia plans, violence, and secrets are what stand between them.
This is a story of love, loss, a violence-filled world, and two different people who you find want the same thing. Nico definitely stands up to his reputation. On the other hand, there’s more to Elena than the sweet exterior everyone sees. Together, they create some moments you sure won’t regret reading.
Danielle Lori does a fantastic job of writing a hero (although sometimes a villain as well) who falls in love with the other sister. It’s not the cliché it could have easily been.
The forbidden romance element adds to the chemistry and tension. This is a well-written mafia book, with appealing side characters, an over-the-top sexy hero, and a sweet, unexpectedly good heroine. Add to that a little humor and the banter we all love, and you’ve found yourself the perfect book to keep you up at night.
#7 The Maddest Obsession by Danielle Lori
This is obviously the second novel in the Made series. It’s about two people who are not what they seem to be. A story more emotional than you’d expect.
Christian Allister isn’t exactly the epitome of morality. He may be an FBI special agent, but that’s just for the facade. He’s a killer. Cold, arrogant, with obsessive tendencies. Possessive. His favorite game is to insult Gianna’s intelligence and looks.
Gianna Marino isn’t exactly the epitome of responsibility or class. She wears tight dresses, laughs too loudly, and doesn’t care much about etiquette. But that’s just a facade. Beneath that unpolished and sparkly disguise lies the most vulnerable of people. You might not see her heart for her chaos at first, but she’ll surprise you.
A beautifully written hate-to-love mafia romance novel that will leave you thinking about it long after finishing it. The humor, the push/pull between the protagonists, the side characters, the plot, all add to the already powerful entities that are Gianna and Christian.
#8 Crow by A. Zavarelli
Crow is the first book in the Boston Underworld series by USA Today bestselling author A. Zavarelli. However, it is a standalone, because each novel focuses on different characters.
In this one, Mackenzie Wilder is looking for her missing friend. The police aren’t doing anything, so she’s going to The plan is to find a job at Slainte’, a bar owned by the Irish, and gather information about Talia’s whereabouts.
The problem, however, is Lachlan Crow, next in line to become underboss, doesn’t buy her story. She quickly becomes a distraction he doesn’t need. What happens when he learns Mack’s secrets, though?
Lach is the show-it, don’t-tell-it kind of hero/villain, so you get to see how dangerous he is by witnessing his deeds. The author doesn’t hold back when it comes to making a character true to his nature. His possessiveness towards Mack is perfectly done to make him attractive and an alpha hero.
On the other hand, Mackenzie is a layered character with a sad life story, who managed to surpass her condition. She’s not perfect. She’s flawed and relatable. Loyal and funny. She risks her life to find and save her best friend.
#9 Joker’s Wild by Renee Rose
This is the fourth installment in the Vegas Underground mafia series by USA Today bestselling author Renee Rose. Even so, you can read it as a standalone. So don’t worry about not having read the previous ones. If you enjoy this one, you can always go back to the first.
Desiree starts as Junior Tacone’s mother’s home nurse, but soon finds herself in a more dangerous situation. Turns out, Junior’s brother has been shot. As the temporary head of the family, Junior can’t just have anyone care for his sibling. So he kind of kidnaps the heroine.
He is already a little attracted to Desiree, seeing as she is the only nurse his mother likes and gets along with. The attraction is mutual. However, the heroine isn’t planning on going forward with it. He’s just the protagonist of her fantasies. She may be furious at first for being kidnapped and forced to tend to an injured man, but the attraction is there. How long will the no strings attached relationship last?
Amid managing the family business and dealing with a conflict with the Russians, Junior finds himself in love with the nurse he kidnapped.
#10 Cassio: Belles & Mobsters by Eva Winners
This is a dark mafia romance book that centers around Cassio King, part of the powerful King family, and Aine Evens, a young woman scarred by a horrific past.
Cassio is 15 years older than Aine. When she was 14 years old, he and his brother rescued her from where she was being held captive. Even then, confused and battered, she makes an impression on him because of the strength she shows at such a young age.
Eight years later, however, they meet again. The heroine can’t remember him from that dark moment years ago, but she feels a connection and is curious about him.
Things have changed over the years, and Aine becomes even stronger, can kick a$$, and rescues trafficked victims as well.
The hero is possessive in a sexy way, protective, and supportive of the heroine. The fact that he’s known her since she was 14 and has seen her through her worst and her best strengthens their connection.
Content warning: includes descriptive topics such as sexual assault, human trafficking, torture!
Do you know other mafia novels where the protagonists have amazing, out-of-this-world chemistry? You can answer in the comments.
Happy reading!
Leave a Reply