Looking to escape into one of the best mafia romance books worth reading? Check out this list of mafia romance novels that are so good it’s criminal.
Disappear into these pages filled with possessive, alpha males where family and loyalty mean everything. If you love romance books with themes of organized crime, arranged marriages, virgin heroines, and the hottest heroes around, don’t miss these must-read mafia romance books.
Below I share my favorite mafia romance books and the most popular in this twisted, dark romance trope! Be sure to snag them with your Kindle Unlimited membership.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Best Mafia Romance Books
Carnal Urges
by J.T. Geissinger
Declan blames me for starting this battle. Consorting with his enemies. Getting his men offed. Though I’m innocent on all charges, he wants his pound of flesh and makes me his captive. But as we’ll both soon discover, there are more powerful urges than sticking it to your enemy.
There’s just something about Geissinger’s writing that I adore (and why she’s one of my favorite authors) and this book hooked me from the start.
Declan completely captivated me with his Irish accent and strong alpha ways but I also adored Sloane who was one sassy chick.
This mafia romance book also had a bit of Dom/sub, BDSM action to their relationship that fit them really well. There isn’t a ton of mob world “action” so to speak but more inferred from Declan’s role but it’s their connection and chemistry that steals the show anyway.
Cruel Paradise
by J.T. Geissinger
Anti-hero (noun): You don’t know me. You think you do, but you don’t. The only thing you know is my name, and even that’s a lie. I’m king of Boston, lord of criminals, ruler of an underworld empire. Or am I? Only one thing’s for sure: I operate alone. Until I cross paths with a brazen little thief who sets my whole kingdom on fire. Just as two wrongs don’t make a right, two villains don’t belong together. Especially since she’s the daughter of my most dangerous enemy. Taking her would start a battle unlike no other. Keeping her would be dangerous to us both. Making her mine would break every code of honor and defy all common sense. Then again, where’s the fun in following the rules?
1) A powerful and charismatic man lacking moral character
2) A magnificent bastard
3) Killian Black
This is another of Geissinger’s mafia romance books that quickly became one of my favorite romance books of all time. Killian is the boss who ends up falling for the daughter of a rival leader and with just one moment of connection, he’s hooked.
Though his job is implied, this again is a mafia romance book that focuses more on the relationship of these two rather than actual mob action.
I love how it looks at Juliet’s struggle with falling for a man who represents everything she hates.
Such a good book that will suck you right in and make you fall for Killian Black in a heartbeat.
The Kiss Thief
by L.J. Shen
They say your first kiss should be earned. Mine was stolen by a man in a masquerade mask under the black Chicago sky. They say the vows you take on your wedding day are sacred. Mine were broken before we left church. They say your heart only beats for one man. Mine split and bled for two rivals who fought for it until the bitter end.
I was promised to Angelo Bandini, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the Chicago Outfit. Then taken by Senator Wolfe Keaton, who held my father’s sins over his head to force me into marriage. They say that all great love stories have a happy ending. I, Francesca Rossi, found myself erasing and rewriting mine until the very last chapter.
This 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards nominee is definitely one of the best mafia romance books that I couldn’t put down. This mafia romance book has the perfect enemies to lovers story wrapped in a slow burn romance that gave me all the feels.
Francesca is the daughter of the leader of the Chicago outfit who loves another but is unexpectedly thrown into an arranged marriage with a Senator who has an axe to grind and is willing to use Francesca to do it.
This book has a great love triangle angle but it’s the slow burn between the anti-hero and the woman he underestimates that makes this story oh-so good.
The Sweetest Oblivion
by Danielle Lori
Elena Abelli is the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa . . . or was. Now, all she can see in the mirror’s reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint. In New York’s underworld, Elena’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A made man, a boss, a cheat. After his and Elena’s first encounter, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome.
She doesn’t like the man but that doesn’t stop her heart from racing, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine, making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should. Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but she’s beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes. Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another. Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you don’t fall in love with a Made Man . . . right?
This forbidden, mafia romance book is one I devoured in a day it was just that good before I was off reading the next two books in the Made series!
This story focuses on an arranged marriage within the New York mafia but the marriage is originally between the Made Man and the younger sister of the heroine.
Oh, the tension and chemistry between Elena and Nicolas totally jumped off the page and I just kept reading to get to the point that it finally boiled over. Gah!
While you definitely get a taste of Lori’s mob world in this book, it was the perfect background to their growing relationship. I highly recommend it and think it’s one of the best mafia romance books worth reading.
Bound by Honor
by Cora Reilly
Born into one of the leading mob families in Chicago, Aria Scuderi struggles to find her own path in a world where no choices are given.
Aria was only fifteen when her parents betrothed her to Luca – The Vice – Vitiello, the oldest son of the head of the New York Cosa Nostra to ensure peace between the two families. Aria is terrified of marrying a man she hardly knows. In her world a handsome exterior often hides the monster within.
The only way to escape the marriage to Luca would be to run away and leave everything she’s ever known behind but Aria can’t bear the thought of never seeing her family again.
Despite her fear, she decides to go through with the marriage; Aria has grown up among predators like Luca and knows that even most cold-hearted bastards have a heart and she has every intention of working her way into Luca’s.
I couldn’t help but pick up this mafia romance novel given its popularity. It too fits the marriage of convenience storyline where the marriage between a young 18yo and an heir to the NY Cosa Nostra is arranged to settle a feud between families to confront a bigger enemy.
While this romance has a bit more “mafia” danger to it, the story really focuses on the early days of Aria and Luca’s marriage and their road to consummating their marriage.
I particularly loved how Luca stayed true to his alpha ways having grown up as a Made Man but did show a slightly softer side to Aria but not completely.
A good quick read that is the first in the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles which you’ll want to continue with to read their siblings’ stories.
More Mafia Romance Novels to Explore
Vows of Deception
by Rina Kent
The most notorious man in the city offers me a job. Act as his deceased wife. Adrian Volkov isn’t the type of person who takes no for an answer.
He commands with an iron fist and all his orders are met.
When he approaches me with the offer, I have two options. Go to prison or put myself under his wrath.
I choose to have a roof over my head. What’s so hard about acting, right? Wrong.
The moment I step into his wife’s shoes, everything spirals out of control. My only way of survival is through Adrian. Or is it?
I love how this mafia romance book uses the fake relationship trope for its story. And we know how those always end – with the two falling in love.
I can’t wait to find out how these two meet and why Adrian needs a stand-in for his wife.
Be forewarned that this mafia romance novel is part of the Deception trilogy so is not a standalone romance.
When Heroes Fall
by Giana Darling
Jilted by my fiancé. A disappointment to my family. Haunted by my childhood traumas. I felt so much all my life that I resolved to feeling nothing at all. Until I met my match.
As the most infamous mafioso of the 21st century, Dante Salvatore was madly passionate, unequivocally bad, and entirely too dangerous to know.
He was everything I abhorred, yet I found myself representing him in the biggest criminal trial of the decade.
I was so focused on winning and achieving the success I deserved that I didn’t notice the gorgeous black-eyed man’s effect on me until it was too late.
My icy heart had been held too close to his flame and now I wouldn’t let Dante go down without fighting with everything I had in me.
Even if the cost of a new life with him meant the loss of my old life and everything I thought I held dear.
I am so intrigued by this enemies to lovers, forbidden romance between a lawyer and her infamous mafioso client.
It’s a different twist on a mafia romance book that I think will be oh-so-good. This is book one in Darling’s Anti-Heroes in Love Duet.
Ruthless People
by J.J. McAvoy
Liam, next in line to lead the Irish, believes he’s getting a simple-minded wife, one he can control, one who bends to his every need . . . the complete opposite of Melody.
Bred to be a Boss, a world-class marksman, master of disguise, with no mercy and no fear. Twenty-four years later, she has achieved more than any man could even dream of.
She knows exactly what type of man Liam is, and she would rather perish than give up the power she has spent her whole life building. The mafia of the past is evolving, and with rival bosses angling for them, Melody and Liam will have to figure out how to work as one to take down those who stand in their way, all while keeping up appearances.
This mafia romance book is one of the most popular but get ready for a lot of violence. Melody is no wallflower as she’s set herself up to be the boss of the Italians.
Despite marrying Liam, for quite the marriage of convenience, she has no plans to bow to his power and give up her own reins of control to the Irish.
This of course sets off quite a bit of chemistry and violence as they try to work together against a common enemy.
If you love arranged marriages, this is another one to check out.
By Sin I Rise
by Cora Reilly
Maddox – Mad Dog – White hates everything the name Vitiello stands for, after he witnessed his father and his men getting butchered by the Capo of the Italian mob in their territory.
Raised by his uncle, the president of the Tartarus MC, Maddox is destined to follow in his footsteps. Now their chapter is on the rise again, but for their ultimate triumph, they need to destroy the Vitiello empire.
And what better way to do it than to steal the spoilt Vitiello princess and break her piece by piece until her father begs for mercy.
Reilly returns to the Vitiello family in this mafia romance book that kicks off a duet and the Sins of the Fathers series. I honestly was first attracted to its hot cover, but I also love that it blends mafia romance and MC romance.
It’s a unique twist from an author who loves to churn out mafia romance novels!
Black Heart
by Maggie Kay
My name is Nicolai Valsetti, people call me Black Heart. My father has been slain making me the next king of New Jersey. I was taught to live by three mottos…pride, power, and protection.
With my father gone, and my brother taken, all I feel is pain, all I want is possession.I will get my revenge.
The daughter of my rival and my biggest enemy has literally fallen into my lap. She was never meant to be part of the plan, but Sophia Kastrati turns out to be the perfect pawn in a very dangerous game of vengeance.
The only problem is, she is as beautiful as she is brave, and has captured my full attention.I have a particular fascination with mafia romance books that have an enemies-to-lovers storyline based on revenge. Somehow the happy ending seems all the sweeter if revenge can be overcome by falling in love.
With this mafia romance novel set in Jersey, it will have me visualizing scenes from The Sopranos!
Crow
by A. Zavarelli
Lachlan Crow is the last man on earth I’d ever want to be with. I won’t lose my head just because he’s hot, Irish, and has a wicked accent to boot.
He’s one of the only leads in my best friend’s disappearance, and I don’t trust him. I need to remember some key rules when it comes to dealing with Lachlan Crow, yet no rules apply when it comes to the Irish mafia. It was only supposed to be temporary, but now Lachlan thinks he owns me. He says he’s not letting me go.
Give me a mafia romance book featuring a hot Irishman any day! This book looks to be a dark romance with a bit of suspense so I’m all in.
Brutal Prince
by Sophie Lark
Callum Griffin is the heir to the Irish Mafia. He’s ruthless, arrogant, and he wants nothing to do with me.
But after I accidentally start a teeny, tiny fire, now our families believe a marriage pact is the only thing that will prevent all-out chaos.
I won’t go down without a fight, even if he is good-looking. I’ve got a lockbox around my heart. And even if I’m forced to marry him, I could never love a brutal prince.
Lark gives us her take on a mafia romance book with an arranged, marriage of convenience in this story with a heroine with enough spunk and will to go toe to toe with her betrothed, heir to the Irish mob.
I actually loved the antics at the beginning with each pranking the other which really set the tone for this enemies-to-lovers romance.
This mafia romance book is the first in the Brutal Birthright series but can be read as a standalone.
Dante
by Bethany-Kris
Dante Marcello’s life has been a carefully planned event as an heir to a Cosa Nostra throne. With his father ready to step down, it’s Dante’s turn to step up.
But without a wife at his side, his seat as the boss is on shaky ground. Until she shows up with an offer he wants to refuse, but can’t. Catrina Danzi has worked as a successful Queen Pin dealing with a repertoire of clientele who can’t afford a scandal.
Marrying Dante Marcello means giving up the business and status she loves in order to gain protection she can’t provide on her own, but she no longer has a choice. The rules for their arrangement are simple: no intimacy, no emotions. Dante isn’t looking for love and Catrina doesn’t need attachments.
In the end, life has a way of breaking down walls when you least expect it to, and once love gets in, there’s no bleeding it out.
Oh, how I love mafia romance books where the heroine is just as strong as the Made Man!
I’m hoping the steam level of this fake relationship, marriage of convenience will be off the charts with these two pretending there’s nothing between them.
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Sempre
by J.M. Darhower
Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco grew up under vastly different circ*mstances. Haven, a second-generation slave, was isolated in the middle of the desert.
Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life of privilege and excess. Now, a twist of fate causes their worlds to collide.
Entangled in a web of secrets and lies, they learn that while different on the surface, they have more in common than anyone would think.
In a world full of chaos, where money and power rule, Haven and Carmine yearn to break free, but a string of events that began before either of them were born threatens to destroy them instead.
This mafia romance book might take me a bit out of my comfort zone given its heavy topics, but I’ll risk it.
This novel looks to give us a different type of hero and an opposites attract romance that will have us eagerly turning the pages!
Sparrow
by L.J. Shen
Troy Brennan. Every Southie in Boston knows that name. “The Fixer” who can make or break you in this city. Oh, and my new husband. Sparrow Raynes. That’s me. No one seemed to remember my name up until he barged into my life.
But then he caged me. Took me.
And destroyed every chance I had to run away from the place where we grew up. Put simply, Troy Brennan clipped my wings. I have dreams, big ones, but I doubt he’ll ever let me chase them. I have no idea why he decided to take me as his wife.
But I do know this: pissing off this man will not do me any good. At all.
Since I loved The Kiss Thief, I feel it’s only fitting to read Shen’s most popular mafia romance book. Plus, this one takes a deep dive into South Boston which I love.
While I love strong heroines in mafia romance books, I also enjoy those with a vulnerable heroine who brings the alpha to his knees. Bring it on Sparrow!
Dirty Angels
by Karina Halle
For Luisa Chavez, a twenty-three-year-old former beauty queen, a better life has always been just out of her reach.
Having grown up in near poverty, her waitressing job in Cabo San Lucas can barely let her take care of herself, let alone her ailing parents.
When Salvador Reyes, the depraved leader of a major Mexican cartel, takes an interest in her, Luisa is presented with an opportunity she can’t afford to pass up.
She’ll become Salvador’s wife and exchange her freedom and body for a life of riches – riches she can bestow upon her deserving parents.
But Luisa quickly finds out that even the finest wines and jewels can’t undo the ugliness in her marriage. While Luisa wants out, another man has set his sights on her to get what he wants. That man is Javier Bernal. And he wants Luisa. He wants to take her, keep her, ruin her. Unless she ruins him first.
I’m sliding this one onto the list as a slight variation on the mafia romance book since it involves the Mexican cartels.
I’m intrigued how this storyline focuses on the heroine trying to escape an arranged marriage and whether the man who may help her do just that may come with his own danger.
Who’s up for a bit of forbidden love south of the border?
Merciless
by W. Winters
I should’ve known she would ruin me the moment I saw her. Women like her are made to destroy men like me. I couldn’t resist her though. Given to me to start a fight; I was too eager to accept. But I didn’t know what she’d do to me. That she would change everything. She sees through me in a way no one else ever has. Her innocence and vulnerability make me weak for her and I hate it.
I know better than to give in to temptation. A ruthless man doesn’t let a soul close to him. A cold-hearted man doesn’t risk anything for anyone.
A powerful man with a beautiful woman at his mercy. He doesn’t fall for her.
This dark mafia romance book piqued my interest because it is inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Who doesn’t love a modern retelling of a fairy tale and within a mafia romance story at that?
Love the Way You Lie
by Skye Warren
I’ll do anything to stay hidden, even if that means working at the scariest club in town. Then he shows up, mysterious and yet strangely familiar. When he looks at me, I forget why I can’t have him. He’s beautiful and scarred. His body fits mine, filling the places where I’m hollow, rough where I am soft. He’s the only man who wants to help, but he has secrets of his own. He has questions I can’t answer. I’m running from my past, but his might catch me first.
Skye Warren always brings the heat with her romances so I’m hoping this mafia romance book will do the same.
I think it’s a given that secrets and betrayals are part of what make mafia romance novels so appealing and can’t wait to check this one out.
The Professional
by Kresley Cole
Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr “The Siberian” Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter.
Ordered to protect her, Aleksandr will do anything to possess her as well–on his own wicked terms. Grad student Natalie Porter has barely recovered from her first encounter with the breathtaking Siberian when he whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures.
While escaping an enemy’s reach, the two lovers tempt each other’s boundaries to discover whether their darkest–and most forbidden–fantasies really can come true.
This popular mafia romance book has a bit of everything. Travel, suspense, and an exploration into BDSM…I’m anxious to give it a go.
Carter Reed
by Tijan
Emma decided to skip the gym and went home early. It was the last easy decision she made because she found her roommate being assaulted by her boyfriend.
She had two choices. Call the cops and have his family’s mafia connections get her or destroy him first and hope to survive.
There was no choice for her. She took out the bastard and went to the one person who could protect her. Carter Reed.
He’s a weapon for the rivaling mafia family, but he’s also Emma’s secret. Not only was he best friends with her brother, but she’s the reason he became that weapon in the first place.
To change things up a bit, I wanted to add a new adult, mafia romance book to the list. While there are some trigger warnings to be aware of, I’m looking forward to learning the history between Emma and Carter.
Ruthless Princess
by Rachel Van Dyken
I never thought my father would ask this of me, to become the second generation at Eagle Elite University, to rule with an iron fist, and to take care of anyone who gets in our way.
But ever since the incident. Ever since Him. There’s been a rift in our little clique. After all, a house divided cannot stand.
He’s the problem, not me. He used to kiss me like I was his oxygen. Now he looks at me like I’m his poison.
But we both drank it, again and again, never believing there would be a day when our love would start a fight as big as this. And our friendship would shatter into a million pieces. Then again, the worst thing you could do in the mafia is to hang on to hope that your life will be normal. The second worst thing? Fall in love with your best friend. Enemy. And heir to the Nicolasi throne.
This is another new adult, mafia romance book but this one is about best friends turned enemies that kicks off the Mafia Royals series.
Van Dyken is no stranger to writing mafia romance books so I can’t wait to read one of her most popular.
Collateral
by Natasha Knight
Stefan Sabbioni showed up uninvited in my bedroom on my sixteenth birthday. That night, he left a message for my father. He said he’d be back to take something precious. I never delivered that message, though. I wonder if things would be different if I had because now, two years later, he’s back. And he’s not hiding in any shadows. He’s come to make good on his promise. He’s back to take that something precious.
Me.
This is another marriage of convenience, mafia romance book where the alpha male marries the young pawn.
If you like an age gap romance served with a bit of blackmail in a dark romance, check this one out.
Asher Black
by Parker S. Huntington
I didn’t mean to witness a shady deal in the restroom hallway. I didn’t think twice when I called the cops. And I certainly didn’t know who the club belonged to. Asher Black. Former mafia hitman. Billionaire CEO. New York’s most eligible bachelor. When he shows up at my college, looking for the girl who called the cops on his business, I know I know it’s over for me.
What I don’t expect is his offer–he’ll pay my tuition and set me up with a cushy job after I graduate. All I have to do is… be his fake fiancée.
Not going to lie. This book had me at fake fiancée, billionaire, and most eligible bachelor. I love how the heroine gets mixed up with the hero in this mafia romance book.
And the fact that it’s a slow burn romance makes it all the sweeter.
Now I just wonder what the ultimate payoff will be for this fake relationship!
More About the Mafia Romance Book Trope:
What are Mafia Romance Books?
Mafia romance books include any romance stories featuring Made Men, mafia families, or anyone tied to the mafia world.
Typically these books revolve around a hero or family involved with organized crime. Think The Sopranos only with a love story and happily-ever-after.
Common Themes in Mafia Romance Books
While all mafia romance books deal with some aspect of organized crime, there are several other common themes that readers will find within a mafia romance novel.
Not all of these themes will be included in every mafia romance book, but there’s a good chance several will be.
So if one or all of these themes get your motor running, you’ll undoubtedly become a fan of mafia romance novels.
Alpha Males
What’s a mafia romance book without an alpha male at its helm? Whether the hero of the story is the head boss, son of the crime leader, or an enforcer for a family, given his life choices you better believe he’s going to be one strong alpha male.
Romance heroes in these books are especially possessive, domineering, and aces at hiding their true emotions.
Preservation has taught them to play things close to the vest whether it be in life or love.
This is honestly my favorite aspect of mafia romance books!
Family
You can find mafia romance books featuring Irish, Italian, Russian, or Polish families where loyalty and family are above all else.
I admit I have a slight preference for the mafia romance books featuring hot Irish Made Men so I can imagine their accents alone.
However, you won’t be hard-pressed to find books about the Cosa Nostra or Bratva as well.
Arranged Marriage
Another popular theme you’ll find within mafia romance books is an arranged marriage. These arranged marriages are often set up between feuding families or factions to bring peace or some value to each crime family.
I love this type of mafia romance novel where love comes after saying I do.
This list contains several mafia arranged marriage romance books if these are a favorite of yours as well.
Virgins
A similar storyline that often goes hand in hand with a mafia-arranged marriage romance book is the idea of a virgin bride.
Consummation of the marriage and the idea of fidelity within the marriage are additional topics and themes explored in these books as well.
Dark Mafia Romance Books
Of course, not all mafia romance books are full of violence but it’s a good bet that you’ll find some within this romance trope.
Mafia romance books can therefore run the gamut when it comes to dark romance. Some may be extremely violent with acts of revenge while others may just have a bit of suspense or none at all.
Either way, no matter how dark a story may be, all mafia romance books end with a happy-ever-after ending.
Where to Find Mafia Romance Books
Kindle Unlimited
Lucky for us voracious romance book readers, you can find several popular mafia romance books on Kindle Unlimited!
I absolutely take advantage of this monthly service where you can read as many books as you are able. It’s also a great way to check out new authors or suggested book titles like the ones on this list.
Do you have a favorite mafia romance book that didn’t make my list? Share it in the comments below!
Related Book Lists:
- The Best Enemies to Lovers Books
- Best Dark Romance Books
- The Best Billionaire Romance Novels
- BDSM Romance Books Like Fifty Shades of Grey
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