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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
It's one of my favorite reads of the year!❤️
I devoured this story from the first word to the last. It had everything I love in a dark mafia romance: tension, emotion, danger, and characters that felt so real.
What you can expect:
♡ forbidden romance
♡ enemies to lovers
♡ good girl/bad boy
♡ obsessed mafia hero
♡ yearning
♡ mystery/suspense
♡ guaranteed HEA
Rom is the kind of hero I can’t get enough of - brooding, dangerous, and utterly devoted once he falls. And fall he does. I loved watching him unravel for Mia. His backstory wrecked me. My heart broke for him, and I just wanted to hug him hard.
Mia's been giving so much of herself to help her father’s mayoral campaign—even though he’s never truly been a father to her. She’s stuck playing the perfect daughter for someone who doesn’t deserve her, and seeing her start to choose herself was incredibly satisfying.
She brought a softness to Rom that he didn’t even know he needed, and in turn, he gave her the protection, passion, and care she never got at home.
The push and pull between them had me glued to the page. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the emotional reward at the end is so worth it! 🥹
I was holding my breath more than once, wondering how they’d make it work when everything seemed stacked against them.
I also loved how naturally this book ties into the world of the Fallen God duet and The Fallen series. As someone familiar with those stories, it was such a treat to see it all connect, but if you’re new to Gabrielle’s books, this still works perfectly as the start.
I'm beyond excited about Cossimo and Fabi’s story!
I devoured this story from the first word to the last. It had everything I love in a dark mafia romance: tension, emotion, danger, and characters that felt so real.
What you can expect:
♡ forbidden romance
♡ enemies to lovers
♡ good girl/bad boy
♡ obsessed mafia hero
♡ yearning
♡ mystery/suspense
♡ guaranteed HEA
Rom is the kind of hero I can’t get enough of - brooding, dangerous, and utterly devoted once he falls. And fall he does. I loved watching him unravel for Mia. His backstory wrecked me. My heart broke for him, and I just wanted to hug him hard.
Mia's been giving so much of herself to help her father’s mayoral campaign—even though he’s never truly been a father to her. She’s stuck playing the perfect daughter for someone who doesn’t deserve her, and seeing her start to choose herself was incredibly satisfying.
She brought a softness to Rom that he didn’t even know he needed, and in turn, he gave her the protection, passion, and care she never got at home.
The push and pull between them had me glued to the page. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the emotional reward at the end is so worth it! 🥹
I was holding my breath more than once, wondering how they’d make it work when everything seemed stacked against them.
I also loved how naturally this book ties into the world of the Fallen God duet and The Fallen series. As someone familiar with those stories, it was such a treat to see it all connect, but if you’re new to Gabrielle’s books, this still works perfectly as the start.
I'm beyond excited about Cossimo and Fabi’s story!
dark
mysterious
🖤𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
♥️𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
🖤𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨
♥️𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥/𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐲
✨𝒯𝒽ℴ𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈✨
𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬’ stories are absolutely fascinating, drawing you in from the very beginning. “Be With Me" gives off all the Romeo and Juliet vibes minus the tragic ending. Despite their families' bitter feud, Mia Morales and Romolo Ferraro are drawn to each other, and their forbidden attraction can only lead to heartbreak. As they try to defy all odds, Mia's father's political ambitions clash with the Ferraro family's ruthless tactics, threatening to tear them apart.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 book had everything I could have asked for and more. The chemistry between Mia and Rom was electric, the tension palpable as they fought against their families' vendettas and their own inner demons. Mia's goodness contrasted with Rom's self-perceived darkness, but together, they made so much sense. I adored seeing them as a couple and rooted for their love story.
𝐈 found myself unable to put this book down, completely engrossed in the world of mafia intrigue and star-crossed love. If you're a fan of steamy romances with a twist of danger and a touch of forbidden, "Be With Me" is a must-read!
Thank you to 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 for this review copy. All thoughts shared here are entirely my own.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒.𝟓⭐️ 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 𝟑🔥
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"I didn’t believe in fairy tales. Let alone one that could happen to me. But maybe, just maybe, I could have her for a little while. Just for a little while."
This book had me hooked since the very first page! Mia & Romolo's chemistry was intense and the forbidden element added more thrill to their romance! From the moment they met, it was clear that any possibility of a relationship between them would be disastrous because their families were on opposite sides of the law but I was rooting for them anyways. The world building for a new series was also solid and I can't wait for the next installment already! I'm especially intrigued about Fabi & Cosimo's story. The writing was good and the pacing was perfect. Overall, this was an easy and quick read. Predictable but still very entertaining.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review
This book had me hooked since the very first page! Mia & Romolo's chemistry was intense and the forbidden element added more thrill to their romance! From the moment they met, it was clear that any possibility of a relationship between them would be disastrous because their families were on opposite sides of the law but I was rooting for them anyways. The world building for a new series was also solid and I can't wait for the next installment already! I'm especially intrigued about Fabi & Cosimo's story. The writing was good and the pacing was perfect. Overall, this was an easy and quick read. Predictable but still very entertaining.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For full review: https://wordsoftheroses.com/2025/05/1...
“Good girls didn’t sleep with gangsters. But maybe I was tired of being good.”
I will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to Gabrielle for sending a copy my way!
This is a spin off from The Fallen and Fallen God; I will try and keep my review as spoiler free as possible but just be wary if you haven’t read them. Her mafia books are set in the same universe.
And she does it again! Am I surprised? No! Gabrielle Sands is one of my favourite authors because she always hits with her mafia romances. I devoured this! I am already so ready for a reread.
Mia Morales is the perfect politician’s daughter. Carlos Morales, her father, is campaigning for the position of mayor of New York City. She’s roped into being a key player in his campaign, and politics has taken over her life. She’s happy to support him, even at the risk of her goals and dreams. Mia believes in her father’s cause to cut down on organised crime. He is vowing to prosecute the most notorious Mafia families, starting with the Ferraros. Rom Ferraro is the family’s fix-it man. His current mission is to find dirt on Morales to ruin his popularity rating and keep him out of office. The easiest target to obtain said information from is Mia. A dangerous game develops between Mia and Rom. When the lines blur, are they willing to risk everything for a chance at star-crossed love?
Mia is an absolute sweetheart. She is horrible at setting personal boundaries—which, girl, so relatable. She is crying out for love and attention, and it’s constantly ignored. Thank God for Rom. He sparks a fight in her. He is the only person she will stand up to and set boundaries with. I loved getting to see Mia find her voice and fight for her own needs.
I am absolutely feral for Rom. There is something about him being this dangerous, ruthless gangster who is a little broken and willing to risk his everything to make sure Mia is taken care of that I love. Truly, I am obsessed with him. My heart ached for the softer side we see from him. The way Mia melted his hard exterior by soothing that pain and proved that he was worthy of love was perfection. Yes, he still is dangerous and ruthless, but he is soft for her. And that is something I will never get sick of!
The Romeo and Juliet vibes in here are perfect. Both Mia and Rom are starved for love and attention, but deal with that in different ways. Mia is a people pleaser, while Rom is cold and ruthless, shunning all forms of emotional attachment. I love their banter and dynamic. Rom is captivated by Mia after she shows him kindness during a moment of weakness. I adore how grouchy he gets about Mia not taking care of herself and setting boundaries. He grumbles at her until she takes care of herself. Also, that grand gesture scene towards the end had me melting. Rom really would burn the world down for Mia, and we love to see it!
I could talk about Be With Me all day because I loved every second. I know I sound like a broken record and say that with each new Gabrielle Sands book that it’s my new favourite, but you guys, Be With Me is my new favourite book of hers. It’s an explosive start to a new series, which I am dying to get more of. If you love a dark, mafia romance and still haven’t read Gabrielle Sands, this is your PSA to pick her up. Her books are a perfect mix of swoony, slow-burn romance and intriguing mafia plot. Treat yourself and get started with The Fallen series. Trust me, you’ll love it!
“Good girls didn’t sleep with gangsters. But maybe I was tired of being good.”
I will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to Gabrielle for sending a copy my way!
This is a spin off from The Fallen and Fallen God; I will try and keep my review as spoiler free as possible but just be wary if you haven’t read them. Her mafia books are set in the same universe.
And she does it again! Am I surprised? No! Gabrielle Sands is one of my favourite authors because she always hits with her mafia romances. I devoured this! I am already so ready for a reread.
Mia Morales is the perfect politician’s daughter. Carlos Morales, her father, is campaigning for the position of mayor of New York City. She’s roped into being a key player in his campaign, and politics has taken over her life. She’s happy to support him, even at the risk of her goals and dreams. Mia believes in her father’s cause to cut down on organised crime. He is vowing to prosecute the most notorious Mafia families, starting with the Ferraros. Rom Ferraro is the family’s fix-it man. His current mission is to find dirt on Morales to ruin his popularity rating and keep him out of office. The easiest target to obtain said information from is Mia. A dangerous game develops between Mia and Rom. When the lines blur, are they willing to risk everything for a chance at star-crossed love?
Mia is an absolute sweetheart. She is horrible at setting personal boundaries—which, girl, so relatable. She is crying out for love and attention, and it’s constantly ignored. Thank God for Rom. He sparks a fight in her. He is the only person she will stand up to and set boundaries with. I loved getting to see Mia find her voice and fight for her own needs.
I am absolutely feral for Rom. There is something about him being this dangerous, ruthless gangster who is a little broken and willing to risk his everything to make sure Mia is taken care of that I love. Truly, I am obsessed with him. My heart ached for the softer side we see from him. The way Mia melted his hard exterior by soothing that pain and proved that he was worthy of love was perfection. Yes, he still is dangerous and ruthless, but he is soft for her. And that is something I will never get sick of!
The Romeo and Juliet vibes in here are perfect. Both Mia and Rom are starved for love and attention, but deal with that in different ways. Mia is a people pleaser, while Rom is cold and ruthless, shunning all forms of emotional attachment. I love their banter and dynamic. Rom is captivated by Mia after she shows him kindness during a moment of weakness. I adore how grouchy he gets about Mia not taking care of herself and setting boundaries. He grumbles at her until she takes care of herself. Also, that grand gesture scene towards the end had me melting. Rom really would burn the world down for Mia, and we love to see it!
I could talk about Be With Me all day because I loved every second. I know I sound like a broken record and say that with each new Gabrielle Sands book that it’s my new favourite, but you guys, Be With Me is my new favourite book of hers. It’s an explosive start to a new series, which I am dying to get more of. If you love a dark, mafia romance and still haven’t read Gabrielle Sands, this is your PSA to pick her up. Her books are a perfect mix of swoony, slow-burn romance and intriguing mafia plot. Treat yourself and get started with The Fallen series. Trust me, you’ll love it!
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
medium-paced
I got this book for an honest review.
I absolutely love this book! If you’ve been chasing the mafia romance high since you read The Sweetest Oblivion, this is the book for you!
It’s a Romeo and Juliet drama. The sweet selfless good girl, the bad boy who does whatever necessary to get the result he wants. Dirty spicy scenes, heartwarming realizations. Finding out the good girl might not be so good, and the bad boy might not be so bad.
I absolutely love this book! If you’ve been chasing the mafia romance high since you read The Sweetest Oblivion, this is the book for you!
It’s a Romeo and Juliet drama. The sweet selfless good girl, the bad boy who does whatever necessary to get the result he wants. Dirty spicy scenes, heartwarming realizations. Finding out the good girl might not be so good, and the bad boy might not be so bad.
This book gives major Romeo and Juliet vibes and I am here for it. I am a sucker for anything mafia and I LOVED this one. Their romance, the pining, the suspense, the secrets...I ate it all up and left nothing behind. The way this man YEARNS for her, I just couldn't get enough. He challenged her every step of the way but was also just there for her. Gah, Romolo and Mia are the perfect couple and I just cannot wait for the next book in the House of Ferraro.
Mia & Romolo
Romeo & Juliet vibes
mafia romance
good girl x bad boy
he falls first
secret relationship
slow burn
Mia & Romolo
Romeo & Juliet vibes
mafia romance
good girl x bad boy
he falls first
secret relationship
slow burn