Go into this one blind I did, and I do not regret it. Normally I’d give some storyline details here, but you don’t really want me to do that. The cat and mouse game got to me at times, and this antihero would truly terrify me if I ever met him in person, but… that doesn’t mean I didn’t love this messy, addictive, and DARK mafia romance. This is the kind of book where every page is important, because there is just SO MUCH going on, and it’s an intricate dance from loathe to love for this couple. It’s just twist after dark and delicious twist a completely, unquestionably unpredictable ride from start to finish. And while there are things in here that should’ve tanked this romance for me, there was no stopping my love of this book. You’re either going to really love it or really hate it there is ZERO in between with this one. Read on for my original review, details on the series, and plenty of quotes to give you a feel for the vibe! I’ve since read the followup, The Enigma, and it was another outstanding love story that has me yearning for the next installment. This antihero is a bad, bad man, but watching him slowly peel back the layers and fall in love was absolutely captivating. The characters are complex and their interactions are tense and layered.

And, oh boy, was it quite the unexpected treat! This book is darker and more suspenseful than my usual, containing several things that I typically hate in a romance, but I was so HOOKED on it. Mafia romances are frequently intense, bingeable reads for me, so I took a chance on this one. When The Brit was released earlier this year, I’d been meaning to try Malpas’ work for awhile but hadn’t taken the leap yet. As 2021 comes to a close, I’m revisiting my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and that definitely includes Jodi Ellen Malpas’ dark and steamy mafia romance, The Brit.

Jodi ellen malpas books this man series