A list of great mafia romances where the stakes are love-or-death.
Mob bosses are known less for romance and more for But I mean, surely even Capone had his heart broken a few times. Maybe Vito Corleone had crushes that he didn’t want to share with his family. And Tony Montana, well, he didn’t hide his pain during a failed relationship.
Mafia romance isn’t a genre you’ll get lost in at the bookstore, with its limited reading list. That said, there are plenty of romance books about the mafia that’ll reload your tommy gun… Okay, I’ll stop it with the mafia romance puns.
Here are 8 great mafia romances for those of you who like your love stories tainted with danger, shootouts and memorable underworld characters:
1. The Sweetest Oblivion
by Danielle Lori
Elena Abelli is the perfect Italian daughter—or at least she was until a scandal rocked her family. When she meets Nico, the black sheep of another crime family, their chemistry is immediate and electric.
This slow-burn romance has all the elements of a mafia romance with high-stakes drama and forbidden passion. Violent and steamy, The Sweetest Oblivion is loved by many fans of the mafia romance genre, with impeccable prose and unapologetically sizzling scenes.
2. Bound by Honor
by Cora Reilly
Aria Scuderi is thrust into an arranged marriage with the cold and powerful Luca Vitiello. This series is perfect for fans of alpha heroes, arranged marriages and loyalty-tested love stories.
Cora Reilly’s Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles will keep you glued to the page as you root for love in a ruthless world.
3. Ruthless People
by J.J. McAvoy
Liam Callahan and Melody Giovanni are heirs to two different mafia dynasties and end up marrying to keep the peace. But what happens when two strong-willed leaders meet?
A great concoction of family drama with huge power dynamics, there’s no reason why you won’t start and finish this one in a night. Ruthless People is full of action, drama and sizzling romance that will keep you on edge.
5. Twisted Loyalties
by Cora Reilly
In this spin-off of Born in Blood, Fabiano is a fiercely loyal enforcer for the mob. But when he falls for Leona, a girl with her own dark past, his loyalties are tested.
This story of redemption and love packs the suspense, passion and danger fans expect from mafia romance.
7. The Mafia and His Angel
by Lylah James
Aylessa barely escapes one nightmare when she ends up in another: a crime family where betrayal runs deep. When she falls for Alessio, the brooding mob boss, she’s drawn into a dark love.
This series is great for those who love deeply emotional love stories set against a dangerous backdrop.
8. Nero
by Sarah Brianne
This romance book about a mafia heartthrob combines the edgy romance of mafia life with a bit of high school drama. Nero is used to getting what he wants, but when he meets Elle, an outcast, his life changes. This excellent mafia romance novel is ideal for readers who like a mix of dark romance and coming-of-age vibes.
Each of these books brings something unique to the mafia romance genre, from heart-pounding suspense to red-hot chemistry. So grab a cozy spot, settle in and get ready to escape into a world where mob love and romantic danger is commonplace.
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