After our latest BIG HIT mafia read (and a recent reader question about an upcoming mafia book), we’ve been getting a bunch of requests for more mafia-book recommendations. There are a TON out there, but there are some that really stand out in the crowd.
And while I used to refer my friends and fellow readers to my “Top Illicit Bad Boys” list (which is loaded in various types of “bad guys” including mafia men), this genre really has it’s own HUGE following now, and sometimes we’re just in the mood for a wealthy mob-boss, and no other “bad-boy” or even “bad-guy” will do!
There are just so many wonderful mafia-romance books to choose from now, that it’s time to dedicate a list to our absolute favorites.
Judy: Where are the Mafia books?! I love love love those fictional Mafia men!
Em: Anyone read any good mafia/mob/organised crime books?? Hot men toting guns anyone?? Hehehehe!
Cait: Have you a top mafia list Maryse??
Maryse: Cait I have a Top “Illicit Bad Boys” list which has some mafia men on it for sure.
But you know what? It’s time I dedicate a list only to them. Great idea!!! I’ll create a big beautiful comprehensive list of mafia-mob bad guys for our romance (or anti-romance?) delight. Tee hee!!
Cristina: YES!!! A mafia list?!?! SQUEEE!!! I’m in a mafia mood ladies!!! Bring em’ on!!
Anne: Maryse can’t wait for your mafia list!
Jean: I love Mafia stories! Can’t wait for that list!
Brooke: Ohh YAY Maryse! I’m looking forward to your Mafia list!
Tessa: Mafia books! JM Darhower stuff, Eagle Elite series, Nero, Dmitry’s Closet, BEWARE, RAW, Lev… my mind is exploding at the goodies in such a list. I’ve loved Mafia stories since I was 14 and saw Bugsy. (Yep, I ugly cried over that movie.) I can’t wait! Into the Light (The Light Series Book 1) by Aleatha Romig is up for pre-order. It’ll come out 6/14. DG, that sounds perfect. Mafia, jerk, *grins* kidnapping.
Amy: Tessa, it’s funny that you mentioned Bugsy up there because my hubby was just watching that a few days ago on Starz (or Encore…can’t remember which) but I have always LOVED that movie. So sad and so tragic but still so freaking good. I love mob movies. Casino, GoodFellas, The Godfather, Gangster Squad, Untouchables …*sigh* Love them.
Maryse: Ohhhhh YAY!! Movies too! I loved the Sopranos. Was SO hooked on that crazy show!
Lauren: I’ve been reading a lot of books lately where the H is a badass (usually mafia…love those mafia guys)…
Julie: I have a thing for mafia books lately especially the Russian kind.
Ashley: …who doesn’t like a story about the mob?
As much as I love the whole dangerous man love-interest theme, I realize I don’t have that many “mafia reads” under my belt at all. *gasp* Looking at this list, I need to read my heart out ASAP!!! These are some intense-sounding recommendations, right up our dark alleys!
The Professional (The Game Maker Series Book 1) by Kresley Cole <— Kathy (and many!) LOVE this series! “I just started The Master by Kresley Cole. I really enjoyed The Professional as it gave me my fix of Russian Mafia and of course one of the Alpha of Alpha males.” and MichelleM agrees! “It’s so good! Sevastyan is super-alpha uber-sexy enforcer-dangerous and totally knows how to work every bit of the Dom tendencies he has, but he also has this more vulnerable side that comes out in the way he can’t resist his draw to Natalie or in the reason he’s so loyal to his Russian mafia boss.” Lori agrees! “Ex bare knuckle fighter, mafia enforcer and into kink, what’s not to love?”
Sparrow by L.J. Shen <— This is the recent big hit that we all just read and so many are loving. DG loved it! “Sparrow! Definitely one of my FAV mobbish reads! The H was one of the biggest jerks….EVER. But, man did I fall for him….HOT jerk, strong h, some snarky back n forth, hidden agendas, and a little bit of crazy on the side! Yep! Got to say I loved it!” and LisaM is right there with her! “I read Sparrow!! So good!! I just love Mob alpha male love hate stories!!!! Another late night reading!!! Ugh I’m so tired today!! Had to shut it down when I finally go to the epilogue!!! It was after 1am!! Had my morning tea & read the epilogue this morning!! Book hangover day 3 or was it 4!!! On to the next click!!!” (my Book Review)
Sempre by J.M. Darhower <— ONE OF MY FAVORITES!! And Kim agrees! “I absolutely am sooooo glad I took the time to read this…what a different type of love story and plot…never EVER thought I would want to read about a MOB or Mafia….BUT wow J.M. put it together superbly….is that even a word?.?…. LOVE Love love it!!!!…it is a Mafia book…and it is VERY intense, BUT worth Reading!!! Sempre was one of MARYSE’s “top” choices…and I definitely agree it is GREAT and different from ANY other story I have EVER read!!!” (my Book Review)
Monster in His Eyes by J.M. Darhower <— Rebecka: “I love the Mafia/Alpha suspense thriller passion filled story that J.M. Darhower writes…” and Melissa agrees! “I read Monster in his Eyes in one sitting. It was amazing! She writes the mafia like no one else!” Tessa too! “Naz is awesome, dangerous and ugh, such a jerk. Though, in book two, he broke my heart a little with the Peter Pan reference. I felt so bad for Karissa when he said that!” and Julie tells us something that makes me wanna read it even more! SHE doesn’t KNOW he’s in the mob! “He’s in the mob (she doesn’t know it), twice her age (she’s 18), and hot as all get out!”
Mafia Captive by Kitty Thomas <— I LIKED THIS ONE TOO, but it’s SUPER-DARK as well as being Mafia (she’s kidnapped) and Sotia agrees! “I’ve read is Mafia Captive, and really enjoyed it.” Emily says: “I read Mafia Captive… it gave me nightmares!” (my Book Review)
Made Men by Sarah Brianne <— Many are recommending this one, including Linh! “Love the Made Men series. I am all about mafia and bratva books right now so any suggestions would be great.” and Gigi agrees! “Nero by Sarah Brianne is a Ahhmayzing mafia romance.” and Lemon agrees too! “A 5star read for me.”
Mobster’s Angel (Mobster’s Series Book 4) by Amy Rachiele <— Laura found us this one! “I think u will love geez the taboo is so bloody risky I don’t know if I can handle it but it’s also a mob/mafia story sheesh u have to check it out its mobsters angel by Amy rachiele just read the synopsis ur eyes will bug out”
Ruthless People (Ruthless People series Book 1) by J.J. McAvoy <— Lauren reminds us of this one! “Mob romance/arranged marriage between an Italian Mafia Princess & an Irish mob boss… I read book 1 the day it came out & went CRAZY waiting on book 2…” and Melanie agrees! “Just finished book two in this series and it was INCREDIBLE. If you’re in the mood for a mob/mafia series you have to read this one.”
The Love Series Box Set by Casey Clipper <— Lauren found us this one! “I just read The Boss’s Love by Casey Clipper & I loved it. Mafia love story, no cliffhanger. Cover & title isn’t great so I almost didn’t buy but so glad I did.”\
Disastrous Series by E L Montes <— And Lauren also recommends this one! “E.L. Montes’s Disastrous & Cautious….2 books, mafia/crime love story & sooooo good!”
Blurred Lines by Jennifer K. Brand <— Judy loved this one! “My most recent was Blurred Lines by Jeniffer K. Brand. Davids is one alpha male! And speaking of the author? She wrote one awesome book and disappeared!”
Eagle Elite Series by Rachel Van Dyken <— Lisa recommends these! “Love the Eagle Elite series. Have you read it yet Maryse? Highly recommend it. I just finished Ember, Phoenix’s story so emotional!! My heart just ached for him and all his pain. From hating him you grow to love him. Love each and every one of the Mafia bosses stories. So excited there’s another one!!!” and Tessa agrees! “Yes, read it now! I absolutely loved it. Just pure love. …Elite series… *swoon* If you can suspend belief, Elite becomes an awesome book. The rest don’t need the suspended belief thing, but are really good…”
Saletti Blood: The Order (Volume 1) by Vana V <— Laura recommends these! “I’ve read the vana v book saletti blood and it is slow in the beginning but once it all starts u totally go OMG!! It’s quite dark and pretty heartbreaking and sometimes a big hard to read but was a great twist of a story I would recommend it also!! Oh and it comes under mobster story’s aswell!!”
Rage of Angels by Sidney Sheldon <— Lauren loved this one! She says: “I read Sidney Sheldon’s Rage of Angels when I was 11yrs old….and reread it dozens & dozens of times. I had actually read The Godfather a few years prior to this but Rage of Angels showed me that a Mafia story could also be a romance story as well as action packed & suspenseful. It blew me away!!”
Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles by Cora Reilly <— Cheryl LOVED it! “I just finished Bound by Blood series by Cora Riley – LOVING the mafia vibe right now – anyone have a suggestion for another mafia series? thanks! ❤️” and Lisa agrees! “Another mob series that I LOVED was Bound by Honour by Cora Reilly. Alpha big jerks & most important hot hot hot!!”
Kissing My Killer by Helena Newbury <— Allison fell in love! “I am almost done with Kissing My Killer by Helena Newbury, which just came out this week. Sigh. I am really in love with this author. She has mastered telling stories of big, burly, bad boys who fall in love with a woman and just really fall at her knees. Yet, they still maintain their badboyishness. Is that a word? It is now. Because it’s a thing. This is the story of Alexei, a Russian mob hitman hired to take out a hacker who has gotten too close to the secrets his boss is hiding. Except the hacker isn’t who Alexei was expecting, and he just can’t pull the trigger. I love it!”
Russkaya Mafiya by Sapphire Knight <— Kathy suggests this one! “For those of you who like Russian mafia books (like Roxie Rivera’s), you won’t be disappointed in Saphire Knight’s series. I have read the first 3 in the series. She pulls in Russian mafia plus an MC club. A win win!”
Filthy Marcellos: The Complete Collection by Bethany-Kris <— Lauren loves these! “I’d read anything Bethany-Kris writes. I love her books! The Filthy Marcellos series is so good but her best is the Russian Guns series. Best Russian Mafia books I’ve ever read!!!!”
Indebted (A Kingpin Love Affair Book 1) by J.L. Beck <— Tessa found us this one! “Recommendation – I just finished a book called Indebted by JL Beck. OMG seriously good (4-4.5 stars), and, not dark, but definitely Greg. Girl’s father owes the mafia money, so she’s the debt. We’ve all heard that, but it’s good. A lot of danger, a lot of deaths, and backstabs. Less on the steam, (though steam is there) but more on their relationshipI. wanted it to be longer, but it’s part 1 of who knows how many. The series is called Kingpin Love Affair. I’m just happy to have found something gritty. Ive read too many sweets up until now.”
The Devil’s Eyes by Jennifer Loren <— Ela recommended this one to all of us! “The Devil’s Eyes series is one of my all time favorite Mafia romance and it gets darkish at times! It makes me happy to recommend my faves and to see others enjoy them as well!” and Cristina is LOVING this one!! “FYI… I started The Devil’s Eyes and HOLY HELL!!! It is FANTABULOUS!!! I am devouring it right now and it’s got some AWESOME jaw dropping moments!!! I’m liking it better than Sparrow so far!! Whomever recommended this series THANK YOU!! I’m in a mafia mood ladies!!! Bring em’ on!!!!” And Cristina also recommends these ➜ “A couple of mafia recommendations from me are: For Fallon and For Luca by Soraya Naomi; Bound by Honor by Cora Reilly; Carter Reed by Tijan; Eagle Elite series by Rachel Van Dyken; Made men series by Sarah Brianne; and Monster in his Eyes by J.M. Darhower.”
The Corruption series by CD Reiss <— Rebecka also loves this one! “CD Reiss has Spin- Songs of Corruption. Mafia, steamy n Alpha Male! Oh My!!”
A Love of Vengeance (Wanted Men Book 1) by Nancy Haviland <— Lori suggests this one! “I recently read a mafia romance that I loved called A Love of Vengeance by Nancy Haviland.”
Volkov Bratva by London Miller <— Lea recommends it! “I love the way she depicts the Russian Mafia.”
Falling Deep by Ola Wegner <— Julie found us this one! “I read “Falling Deep” by Ola Wegner and found it fascinating. Its about a mafia romance, the hero is a stalker, alpha male who falls hard for his nurse. Give it a try, I think this author is going somewhere.”
Blood Ties That Bind series by April Ezell Wilson <— Robyn recommends this one! “A great mafia romance that spans time is The Blood Ties That Bind series by April Ezell! She just finished the first generation and is now starting the second generation. The mafia runs deep in this family. Best mafia saga ever!” AND!
Robyn has a bunch more for us! She says: “Goodie! A Mafia list! I got a few. These just a few I’ve enjoyed. Can you tell I have a little fixation on the Mafia? Hehe. If I remember anymore I’ll let you know!“:
Born Bratva by Suzanne Steele- Ruthless People series by JJ McAvoy
- Fianna Fail: Soldiers of Destiny by S. Kline
- The Carter Trilogy by W S Greer
- Scarlett and the Mobster by S L Baker
- Made Man series by Liliana Rhodes
- The Enforcer series by Nikki Drost
- The New Mafia by E J Fechenda
The Devil’s Eyes series is one of my all time favorite Mafia romance and it gets darkish at times! It makes me happy to recommend my faves and to see others enjoy them as well!
Now I’m thinking of ordering that palette!
Thanks so much for putting this list together. I have read a few but I am excited there is so much more to read. I forgot to add Ann Mayburn’s Submissive Wish Series (the last 3 in the series involve the Russian Mafia). Doms plus Russian mafia is a good combo!!
Carter Reed 1 and 2 by Tijan. 🙂
I forgot about Rage of Angels. I read that so many years ago. There are so many good ones, but even more here I haven’t read yet. *squees*
Thank you Maryse for this list. *hugs* Your hard work is much appreciated.
Oh, you have Carter Reed. Happy moment made me miss it. (Either that or the time change).
Don’t forget the Bound by Honour series by Cora Reilly. Great list!!! I can’t wait to read all of them!!!
Here’s a Russian mob series that’s great. The first one was my least favorite of the series, but I quickly fell in love the characters. Here’s a link for the boxed set of the first three books in the series:
http://www.amazon.com/Her-Russian-Protector-Boxed-Books-ebook/dp/B00EAZA9AC
The Sopranos! That series was crazy good. Did you know James Gandolfini took some of the clothes he wore in that show, auctioned them off (or sold them), and then gave the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project? How freaking cool is that??
The Disastrous series was GOOD. I can’t remember how much of a presence his mob ties had in the books, but it was still a good one, especially the first book.
This list ROCKS!! Some more goodies to add to by TBR list!! 🙂
I think the Indebted series by Pepper Winters would fall into this category. It’s complete and an absolutely amazing read!! Some very difficult subject matter and it kept me riveted to the pages!!!! Love Ms. Winters!!!
Love Eagle Elite, Kresley Cole, and I second the Pepper Winters rec. I also looooved The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert. It’s the first in a Boston mob family series and involves arranged marriage. The open especially is super intense and then a wild ride from there.
Maryse, the Untouchable Series by Lindsay Delagair is also a great Mafia series!
What about Vanessa Waltz? She’s one of the best with two good bad boy mafia series.
Holy crap! More books to be added to my TBR list. Thank you so much Maryse & fellow book addicts. Don’t know where to start……
I’m just wondering if anyone can recommend a mafia book with a strong female like Melody from Ruthless People. I have read a few now and the women aren’t weak (I mean you don’t fall for these kinds of guys and be weak) but none of them are in the business. None of the other women are quite as kicka** as Melody and im spoiled now lol. I want another great one where the girl can give as good as the guy can.
The Dangeous Royals by Annika Martin are absolutely brilliant mafia books.
The Dangerous Royals by Annika Martin are absolutely brilliant mafia books.
Crow (Boston Underworld) series by A. Zavarelli are a great read. This author dives deep into the characters, Some dark material, however they’re very well written. I listened to them on audible and the narrator voice is perfect. I would highly recommend this series. https://www.amazon.com/A.-Zavarelli/e/B00U2562W8