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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s been awhile since I read a book that kept me up all night, but I regret nothing because Be With Me was worth it. We got star crossed lovers with Mia and Rom’s and it’s freaking perfection. Mia is the dutiful daughter to her father who was campaigning to be mayor. Did she want to help him? Not really but she did because she loved him. And Rom (Romolo) is a made man in the mafia, a playboy who uses and discards women like it’s nothing. I’m an absolute sucker for an MMC who’s only soft for her! And Rom is just the hot mafia man I needed in my life. The push and pull of the story was amazing, it really kept me hooked (obviously since I was up til 3am devouring this book). Mafia is always my favorite kinda trope in romance and Be With Me was exactly what I needed.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/5
Tropes - Forbidden romance, Enemies to Lovers, Obsessed Mafia hero, good girl/bad boy, yearning, mystery and suspense
Thank you, Gabrielle Sands, for the ARC 🫶.
A book with Romeo and Juliet retelling with the touch of mafia romance, with mystery and suspense? I was so in !! From the beginning to the end, I was hooked. I love the whole story. It has all the check boxes I would ever want in a mafia romance and has the exact amount of spice and romance that might curl your toes.
Mia and Romolo are complex characters shaped by their past traumas, unresolved angst, simmering tension, and undeniable chemistry. As enemies, their dynamic is intense and layered, but as the story unfolds, you come to understand the roots of their personalities and develop a deep fondness for them. Mia is one of the most selfless FMCs—strong, caring and constantly pushing herself to meet others’ expectations, especially her father's. Romolo, on the other hand, embodies the morally grey MMC—intelligent, strategic, and always in control. Surprisingly, they mirror each other more than they realise; both have grown up craving the love they never received. Yet, in each other’s presence, they begin to learn what true, unconditional love really means.
Their character development is beautifully portrayed. Mia gradually learns the importance of self-care and embracing her desires without guilt, thanks to Romolo's influence. He, in turn, opens up emotionally, allowing her to see his most vulnerable sides and slowly letting go of the walls he's built around himself.
What had me completely hooked on this book was the chemistry between the characters, paired with an obsessive mafia hero who’s fiercely protective, jealous 🤭, and absolutely brimming with heart-wrenching longing. I can't recommend this story enough. If you're craving a tale featuring a broken, morally grey male lead, a forbidden romance, and a touch of political intrigue, this book is an absolute must-read.
Some of my favourite quotes are:
Tropes - Forbidden romance, Enemies to Lovers, Obsessed Mafia hero, good girl/bad boy, yearning, mystery and suspense
Thank you, Gabrielle Sands, for the ARC 🫶.
A book with Romeo and Juliet retelling with the touch of mafia romance, with mystery and suspense? I was so in !! From the beginning to the end, I was hooked. I love the whole story. It has all the check boxes I would ever want in a mafia romance and has the exact amount of spice and romance that might curl your toes.
Mia and Romolo are complex characters shaped by their past traumas, unresolved angst, simmering tension, and undeniable chemistry. As enemies, their dynamic is intense and layered, but as the story unfolds, you come to understand the roots of their personalities and develop a deep fondness for them. Mia is one of the most selfless FMCs—strong, caring and constantly pushing herself to meet others’ expectations, especially her father's. Romolo, on the other hand, embodies the morally grey MMC—intelligent, strategic, and always in control. Surprisingly, they mirror each other more than they realise; both have grown up craving the love they never received. Yet, in each other’s presence, they begin to learn what true, unconditional love really means.
Their character development is beautifully portrayed. Mia gradually learns the importance of self-care and embracing her desires without guilt, thanks to Romolo's influence. He, in turn, opens up emotionally, allowing her to see his most vulnerable sides and slowly letting go of the walls he's built around himself.
What had me completely hooked on this book was the chemistry between the characters, paired with an obsessive mafia hero who’s fiercely protective, jealous 🤭, and absolutely brimming with heart-wrenching longing. I can't recommend this story enough. If you're craving a tale featuring a broken, morally grey male lead, a forbidden romance, and a touch of political intrigue, this book is an absolute must-read.
Some of my favourite quotes are:
Good girls didn’t sleep with gangsters. But maybe I was tired of being good.
He was one of the most dangerous men in the city, but somehow, he had become my safest place
I wasn’t living before I met you, Mia. I was just existing. Trying to drown the parts of me I couldn’t face. But you—you came in with all your light, and suddenly there was nowhere left to hide. You cracked me open. Made me feel again
She smelled the way she always did- like my undoing .
She was too fucking good for me.
We were both lying to each other .
And neither of us had any fucking clue how to stop.
I 'm bad for you ,baby .So fucking bad.
You'll be the death of me , Berry .
You don't have to try anymore.Just be with me , Rom.
With him , I was safe to be exactly who I was .
And for the first time in my life , love didn't feel like a sacrifice .
It felt like freedom.
This is my first book from Gabrielle Sands and I am obsessed. She wrote such deep and complex characters that just wanted love. This is a mafia, enemies to lover, good girl/bad boy romance that has Romeo and Juliet vibes. The Ferraro men are something else and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. This book was great with the perfect amount of spice and suspense and how are they going to end up together.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Could not put down! This is a good starter for anyone wanting to dip their toes intro dark mafia romance. Mia and Rom are just so good for eachother!
dark
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Every time Gabrielle writes a new book, I know I’m going to find another favorite to obsess over. She’s singlehandedly fueling my mafia romance addiction—and I am not complaining. My cravings? Satisfied. My standards? Raised. Again.
Let’s talk about Mia. She’s soft-spoken, sweet to her core, and yet, when the moment calls for it, she stands her ground. I really like her. No, scratch that—I love her. She’s such a nurturer, always caring for others—even the ones who don’t deserve an ounce of her kindness. That kind of heart? Unmatched.
And don’t get me started on Romolo. Tall, handsome mobsters have always been my weakness, and Romolo is no exception. He’s intense—so intense—but that just made me fall harder. When he loves, he loves hard. His possessiveness, his protectiveness, his internal war between pain and desire… yeah, I was absolutely swooning. My heart burns for Rom. Gabrielle wrote him so perfectly. His self-loathing? Painfully relatable. And I can’t stop thinking about his hurt, his yearning, his everything.
I adored the Romeo and Juliet vibes of this story—the rival families, the tension, the pining, the absolutely irresistible attraction. It was delicious in every way. And the tropes? So well done. Gabrielle didn’t just write them—she brought them to life, with all the angst, longing, and emotional payoff I could ever want.
Mia’s character development? Subtle but powerful. She didn’t need to become someone else—she just grew into herself. More confident, more sure of her choices, brave enough to choose her happiness. Watching that journey unfold was beautiful.
Their story was… everything. They were so different, yet the same. Two people with the same heart—one too hopeful, the other jaded.
And let me just say: all those little moments with Cosimo and Fabiana? Tease of the century. Every glimpse of them had me screaming. I already need their book like air. Gabrielle, I’m ready. Just say the word.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Liked
*Good girl bad boy romance where neither tries to change the other
*Rom is obsessed with Mia. He does whatever it takes to make her happy
*Light mafia
*Mia is an empathetic character
*Chronic illness and ptsd rep
*Brother dynamic
Disliked
*Her nickname
5 ⭐️, 3 🌶, 3 🧪
Rating, smut, chemistry
*Good girl bad boy romance where neither tries to change the other
*Rom is obsessed with Mia. He does whatever it takes to make her happy
*Light mafia
*Mia is an empathetic character
*Chronic illness and ptsd rep
*Brother dynamic
Disliked
*Her nickname
5 ⭐️, 3 🌶, 3 🧪
Rating, smut, chemistry
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder
4⭐️
3🌶️
Listen, this book started off a little slow and even a bit silly—but then bam—I was suddenly hooked and couldn’t put it down.
We get a modern spin on the classic Romeo and Juliet tale that keeps you on your toes and makes you fall in love right alongside the main characters.
One of my favorite things about this story was Mia. She remained genuinely good throughout the entire book. So often, FMCs bend or compromise themselves to align with the MMC—but not Mia. She stood her ground and, in doing so, inspired Romolo to grow into a better version of himself just to be with her.
Mia is soft, kind, and wears her heart on her sleeve. She loves fearlessly and takes care of everyone around her—yet she’s never really had anyone take care of her. Then along comes Romolo, flipping her world upside down, and she finally finds a place where she belongs—even if it’s with the son of her father’s worst enemy.
Another standout for me was the mystery element. There were so many layers, secrets, and questions woven throughout that kept me fully invested.
This felt like such a classic, well-done mafia romance—with just the right balance of danger, heart, and steam.
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. If the rest of her work is anything like this one… I’M SOLD.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
3🌶️
Listen, this book started off a little slow and even a bit silly—but then bam—I was suddenly hooked and couldn’t put it down.
We get a modern spin on the classic Romeo and Juliet tale that keeps you on your toes and makes you fall in love right alongside the main characters.
One of my favorite things about this story was Mia. She remained genuinely good throughout the entire book. So often, FMCs bend or compromise themselves to align with the MMC—but not Mia. She stood her ground and, in doing so, inspired Romolo to grow into a better version of himself just to be with her.
Mia is soft, kind, and wears her heart on her sleeve. She loves fearlessly and takes care of everyone around her—yet she’s never really had anyone take care of her. Then along comes Romolo, flipping her world upside down, and she finally finds a place where she belongs—even if it’s with the son of her father’s worst enemy.
Another standout for me was the mystery element. There were so many layers, secrets, and questions woven throughout that kept me fully invested.
This felt like such a classic, well-done mafia romance—with just the right balance of danger, heart, and steam.
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. If the rest of her work is anything like this one… I’M SOLD.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
This book had me hooked from page 1! I really couldn’t put it away and simply ate it up. I want more immediately!!!
I have an incredible weakness for mafia romances, and this book reignited the fire to just keep on reading Mafia.
We get that morally black MMC and that good girl FMC – and you instantly fall in love with both 🌹
I loved every twist and turn. And definitely didn’t see all of them coming.
This book is for lovers of mafia romance and a weakness for Romeo and Juliet. Don’t miss out on it!!
tense
medium-paced
I really enjoyed this mafia romance. I haven't read many (honestly if any), and the author is also new to me, so I'm definitely excited to read more of both! I loved the twists and the turns, the secret romance, the whole rival families vibe (very Romeo and Juliet), and the protective hero who you think is this hard man but not when it comes to Mia! All softness and love there unless you mess with her! I would definitely say pick this one up!
adventurous
dark
emotional
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