Mafia Devil (The Kings of Italy, #4.5) by Mila Finelli

Mafia Devil (The Kings of Italy, #4.5) Reviews

• 
  Christi (christireadsalot)

  The Kings of Italy series is so fun so when I saw a novella was added to the series, well I had to read it! This is a mm novella that takes place in the series at the same time as some events in the 4th book (Mafia Target), so having read that book at least will make the most sense. You’ll even have seen Theo and Nikolai as side characters in Mafia Target and you get Giulio and Alessio appearances in this novella.
  
  So Mafia Devil is a quick novella, with insta love between an Italian clothing designer and a Russian mafia boss. It was fun seeing how Nikolai just goes for it right away when he sees what he wants (aka when he sees Theo). Lots of steam and fun between these two! But Nikolai definitely keeps secrets, or just doesn’t share exactly who he is, so that leads to tension once Theo finds out. Some moments were a little over the top and the amount of times Theo thinks “red flag” with things Nikolai does was a little overplayed. But all in all, a quick fun novella, just not a fav in the series for me!
• 
  Tea [semi-hiatus]

  He saw the red flags and he walked right past them. Poor guy.
  
  - Hidden identity
  - He’d give up anything to have him
  - Fashion designer x Mafia boss
  - Insta lust
  - Strict top/bottom
  - Tattooed H
  
  Started of weak (not much happening but smut) but I was rooting for them in the end. They were really cute together.
  
  The smut was smut. (It was fine, just a me problem) Stereotypes.com. I skimmed it all to be honest because I’m tired of seeing the same dynamics over and over.
  Theo - fashion designer, dresses non traditionally for a guy, smaller, bottom.
  Nikolai - Mafia boss, bossy, bigger, top.
  There was also too much smut the first 50%, I just wanted to see them get to know each other. If you only have so many pages to work with, you need to work✨ with them.
  
  I liked the mc’s. Theo more than Nikolai. I wasn’t fully interested in the story until 64% in to be honest. I really liked the ending, though I could see some ppl might feel it was a bit rushed. Idk I liked it, it was sweet.
  
  3.25 stars
• 
  Jenn (The Book Refuge)

  Loved this!
  
  Great to be back in this world. This was a sexy little revisit.
  
  Nic and Theo were perfect for each other.
  
  4.5 stars
  3 on the spice scale
• 
  ↬ Ⓛ

  No offense Mila, but mafia devil should have been titled “red flags” 🚩 bc I lost track how many times I read and seen the words “red flag” in the story. 😂
• 
  Simoné (Colleen)

  4.75/5 Stars
  
  Mafia Devil is book 4.5 in Mila Finelli's Kings of Italy series. I think you'll definitely want to read the fourth book in the series,
  Mafia Target, before reading Mafia Devil. These are the only two books from the series I've read with no issues. Mafia Devil is a MM dark(ish) mafia romance. It's told from a first person dual point of view and has a guaranteed happily ever after. It's a short story at just over 100 pages. You can expect a hidden identity, a Russian billionaire mobster, foreign pet names, and all kinds of fun on a yacht.
  

  There is a saying in Russian: Yesli lyubov’ ne bezumna, to eto ne lyubov’.
  “When love is not madness, it is not love.” The madness set upon me, infected me, the instant I laid eyes on him. I could look at nothing else as soon as he walked into the private event.

  
  I'm a huge fan of Mafia Target, and it was one of the first mafia romances I branched out into when I discovered Bookstagram. So you can bet I squealed when I saw that Theo and Nikolai were getting their own novella! If you've read the fourth book, you'll remember that Nikolai's yacht is where Giulio and Alessio hide out for a few days. Well, with Mafia Devil, we get Nikolai and Theo's side of the story and it made me so happy!
  
  I loved these two together. As it's become abundantly clear, I am a sucker for big, tough, scary men having a soft spot for their favourite person. Nikolai, or Nic as Theo affectionately refers to him, is a high-ranking member of the Russian Bratva, yet, the care he shows towards Theo is just swoon-worthy. Their time together made me melt, and I felt the author did a great job at sweeping the reader up into their whirlwind of a romance. I wasn't totally sure they'd get their happily ever after unscathed, but for a dark mafia romance, I found this to be relatively low angst and a quick, easy read. I devoured it in one setting. My one and only complaint is that the ending felt slightly rushed, but it didn't really take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. I think fans of Mafia Target will absolutely adore this short story, and I'm so glad Mila Finelli gifted us with it!
  

  “I feel too much for you, moya radost'.” My joy. “I wish I could keep you, wake up to you every morning. Keep all your smiles and kisses just for me. For you I wish it could all be different.”
• 
  GigiReads

  Instalusty short novella. Flamboyant designer and stoic mean looking giant Russian mobster in the closet get freaky.
  This one takes place during events in Mafia Target so I don't rec reading this one without reading that one first.
  
  🌟🌟🌟/5
  🔥🔥🔥/5
• 
  Victoria’s Romance Reads

  This was a fun short mafia novella.
  I enjoy the Kings of Italy series and it was nice to get another couple's HEA
• 
  Elyvia

  𝐌𝐀𝐅𝐈𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋
  ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
  
  Nicolai is the leader of Bratva based in Germany, the fact that he is gay is a top secret and it will endanger his life if his people know about it. But one day he meets Theo, and try as he might, his secret can't go on forever, especially not when Theo is determined to not be kept in the closet. Is he willing to give up everything for him?
  
  I have missed Milla's Mafia world, and after the last book left me a bit unsatisfied as I didn't get much of GUIESSIO (my babies), their cameo in this book is much appreciated. Nic and Theo's story is so fun and steamy, I enjoy this book, though I feel like this is way too short🫣 It's low angst, and we got another POV from the yacht scene in Mafia Target. If you're already a fan of this series, definitely need to check this out!
• 
  Hijinx Abound

  Quick & sexy with a couple familiar faces.
• 
  Jessica

  For how small this book is
  At 165 pages on Apple Books; it’s pretty full circle. I enjoyed this shit out of it. The chemistry was giving, the spice was spicing, the violence was violencing and the characters? Oh my I love them. Using Russian, Italian and French for dirty talk in bed is never something I thought would wow me but look at me now lol.
• 
  Lindsay

  4.25⭐️
  
  Anytime I get to be back in Mila’s little mafia university I am just so happy. I truly could have enjoyed like 200+ more pages of these men 😮‍💨🥵
  
  While this could be read as a standalone I totally think you need to read Mafia Target first as this overlaps with that book. But I think everyone should read this series 😏
• 
  Ana

  4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️
  MM, Nic & Theo
• 
  Sheena

  3/5 stars
• 
  Beech

  Characters: Theo Barella & Nikolai Kuznetsov
  Setting: Paris, France & a yacht on the Mediterranean Sea
  Tropes: Hidden / secret identity
  TW: Talk of homophobia
  Spice: 🌶️🌶️
  
  Theo is a world famous fashion designer who is trying to work on his comeback after his last show was a failure. While out at an industry party networking he runs into this very handsome and suave businessman, Nikolai. After spending an intense night together Nikolai invites Theo to join him for a few weeks on his yacht for some Mediterranean sun and hot nights together. Unable to find any reason to say no Theo readily agrees, but partway through their holiday Theo's friend Giulio calls needing a place to hideout for a while. While giving his friend sanctuary from the mob Theo starts to put some pieces together about who Nikolai really is when he overhears a heated conversation between his mafia prince friend and his new lover. In fear for his life Theo flees Nikolai and tries to get back to his life in Paris.
  
  Nikolai is a mob boss in the Bratva and has been in the closet all his life as there's zero tolerance for gay people in his line of business. When Nikolai meets Theo he ends up throwing all his safety measures out the window and does everything he can to make the man of his dreams happy. Including putting his own life at risk by harboring an Italian mob prince and his assassin lover on his yacht. When Theo suddenly cuts their holiday short claiming a work emergency Nikolai is left confused, but things become clear when he finds out Theo knows the truth of what type of business Nikolai is actually in. Devastated about losing Theo Nikolai is forced to make a choice between duty to the Bratva and the love of his life.
  
  My thoughts: This is a very short novella that takes place during book 4 of the main series about Giulio's friend Theo and the shady businessman they met who let him and Alessio stay on his yacht. The story was fine? It wasn't anything amazing and I didn't particularly care enough about this couple to be eager to find out their story. I would have been more interested in a novella for Giulio and Alessio or maybe one of Enzo's brothers (book 3, Mafia Madman), but overall it was a very quick read and enjoyable enough.
• 
  Trinity

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
  
  TW - one MMC is closeted due to the beliefs in his community
  CW - degradation
  
  Tropes - hidden identity, russian billionaire mobster, foreign pet names, spicy yacht scenes, novella, mafia (sub plot)
  
  Representation - MM
  
  Mafia Devil follows Nikolai and Theo who we meet in
  Mafia Target so I was excited to read this story.
  
  The pair meet in a club and Nikolai immediately wants Theo but, being a member of the Bratva means that he cannot be openly gay and Theo needs to decide whether his feelings for Nikolai are more important than the fact that he's still in the closet. Unluckily, this decision seems to be made for him
  
  I enjoyed this story and the chemistry between the MMCs. This is a short (c.100 pages) and spicy so I would recommend 🤪
  
  Scale:
  ⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
  ⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
  
  🫑 - no smut
  🌶 - no point
  🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
  🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
  🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
  🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see
  Poison /
  Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/
  The Naughty List
• 
  cloudy

  a part of me wishes this was a full length novel so perhaps the author could have resolved some of the issues i had with “mafia target” and how they transpired in this book. as much as i adore giulio x alessio, this story was about nic and theo, and with it being a novella the focus should have been solely on them, especially considering the fact that the other couple already has their own book (in which the focus was also not on them, i’m sensing a pattern here). i understand that both their stories overlap, but since i’ve read both i wanted something more, rather than spend so much time rereading scenes in different povs, no matter how much i like experiencing each couple through the other’s lens. nevertheless, they were so in tune and in love it made me yearn for it. just wasn’t a 5- star read because one of the reasons they broke up was because one of the mmcs wasn’t out. i know this is a mafia book, i know institutional homophobia and hate crimes are real and were a reality in previous books in the series, but can’t we gays have nice things? not all queer books need to be traumatic and bashing and sad. homophobia can and should be addressed but still achieving a satisfactory happily ever after, with emphasis on the happy.
• 
  Nicole (Happily_After_HEAs)

  I'm so glad Mila gave us a chance to see Nic and Theo find their HEA. After meeting them in Mafia Target, I wanted more. And she delivered! While this is a novella, a little appetizer (appe-teaser, if you will), it definitely filled me up with all that I expect from ​Mila Finelli. Sexy, sensual, flirty, but we get to the heart of the relationship between Nic and Theo.
  
  While this one is a bit more isolated than the others in the Kings of Italy series bc of the location and characters, we do see some fan favorites. This bite-sized treat will keep this avid fan satisfied until her next release--or until I read the entire series... again.
• 
  Rose Guzman

  3 ⭐️
  
  Mafia Devil was a very spicy but bland novella.
  
  It is part of the Kings of Italy series and takes place after Mafia Target but before Mafia Virgin. So I would recommend just reading the prior books first.
  
  It’s dual POVs of the main characters.
  
  Hero: Nic, a Russian mafia boss
  Hero: Theo, an Italian clothing designer
  
  This was a very quick story with not a lot of plot to be honest.
  
  The romance was insta-love but Nic and Theo definitely had a very spicy relationship.
  
  The last two chapters were quite rushed but there was still a great conclusion.
  
  Overall, just a quick and okay read.
  
• 
  Diana

  I love it!!
  
  Ugh I love Theo, very similar to Giulio but with a bit more ✨flare✨. Honestly I loved Theo when he was introduced in Mafia Target and I loved his friendship with Giulio. I could totally see why they were friends and I just love everything about this. I also loved seeing Giulio and Alessio again, still my all time favorite couple in this whole series. Nic and Theo are a close second, I wish this were longer cause I just want more them and I want to know how the conversation with Fausto would go 😂 I will probably reread this again and again. Just amazing and absolutely loved every minute of this!
• 
  Nicole

  I absolutely love this series, though this is only a little novella; I absolutely fell in love with Theo and Nikolai. I remember reading about them in Mafia Target and always wondered what their story was, and I’m so glad this novella was able to give that to us.
  
  Being the head of the Bratva but not being able to be out, is so heartbreaking. I honestly didn’t know how Nikolai and Theo were going to end up to be honest. For such a short time you can tell they really fell for each other and had amazing chemistry.
  
  I absolutely loved everything about this, the spice, the emotional turmoil. Absolute perfection!
• 
  Liz

  When we first met Theo and Nic in Mafia Target, I was so curious about them. So when the author announced she had a novella about them coming out I was so excited. I loved seeing how the met, their chemistry and their sexy times. Theo is so open, honest, caring and just himself. I loved how Nic was strong, hard and arrognant, however, around Theo he could be caring and protective. They knew they could not be more than a fling and yet lines started to blur between them. Could they find a way to be together?
  
  For a novella, this one had so many feels, was steamy and a bit angsty. I truly enjoyed reading it and getting more in this world.
  
  Happy reading!
• 
  Willie Mercedes

  🖤🖤🖤
  
  A fast-paced and steamy novella featuring a Russian mafia boss and an Italian clothing designer, who were previously introduced as side characters in MAFIA TARGET.
  It was exciting to witness Nikolai's direct approach to getting what he desires. Their interactions were filled with passion and excitement! However, Nikolai's mysterious nature and reluctance to reveal his true self create tension when Theo discovers the truth.
  It is recommended to read Mafia Target before diving into this storyline as there are overlapping elements. Nevertheless, this series is a must-read for everyone.
• 
  Tasha_loves_to_read

  The cover is the best bit but also a tad misleading. I know not all covers match descriptions of the characters but maybe that's a me problem 🤷‍♀️
  I'm sad that I'm having to say that if I'm being honest.
  I expected there to be more chemistry and alpha-ness. I will say though I adored Nikolai and his grand gesture. Theo kinda annoyed me. For a man that runs his design business the fact he run made me want to roll mu eyes.
  But I could see how their dynamics worked. Just a little bit stereotypical for me. Maybe I was expecting too much but I needed more. Just more. An ok read.
• 
  Amanda

  It's Mila Finelli and mafia romance, you should know what you're getting by now (complimentary). These two are side characters in
  Mafia Target, so I'd recommend reading that one first. I don't usually care for insta-love, but it's a novella and it wraps up in a very satisfying way, so I'll allow it.
  
  (SBTB Summer Bingo: novella. Could work for steamy, stargazing, latest in a series, or scene on boat/by water.)
• 
  Meg Kalani

  Mafia Devil: ★ ★ ★ ★
  
  Mila Finelli (The Kings of Italy #4.5)
  
  "You are like a beautiful morning sunrise after years of debilitating darkness.”
  
  I could have gone for less spice, more emotional development/connection in the first half (especially if there was going to be conflict) but I just wanted more of everything, to be honest. Loved the grand gesture in the end as well as the inspiration behind the new designs. So happy they found their happy. They're so cute!!
• 
  Misty Schott

  His secret must be kept safe.
  
  Nikolai is head of the Bratva and has kept his sexual preferences a secret from pretty much everyone because it would mean certain death for him if he came out as a gay man. The instant Nic meets Theo things are different than his hookups and he develops feelings for Theo. Theo is a fashion designer who is openly gay and should have seen the red flags when it came to Nic. How can they ever be together??
• 
  Jody Lee

  Look, I read this short story in the anthology and was curious what Finelli could have done to make it worth a reread as a stand alone. Just what she needed to, as it turned out! The anthology story itself was a fleshing out of a scene from a book, this (novella? Longer short story?) fleshed out the background and meet hot of the two MCs in a very satisfying way.
  
  Is Finelli going in a russian direction and we'll see Ilya again? I wouldn't complain!
• 
  Olivia Wenzel

  Tropes/Themes:
  -MM mafia novella
  -Bratva x Fashion Designer
  -Opposites attract
  -Instalust
  -Dual POV
  -Book #4.5 (can be read as a standalone, but would probably make more sense if you’ve at least read book #4 since the plot runs concurrently)
  -Read on Kindle Unlimited
  
  Short, sweet, and to the point!
  
• 
  Ty's Library

  Theo and Nic were brilliantly written, loved both characters and I liked that some of the missing pieces from Giulio and Alessio's story were filled in. This was short and fun and just what the doctor ordered.
  
  Joanna Shupe really did her big one under this pen name and I hope she decides to create another mafia world and give us more.
• 
  Charlie

  It fell a bit flat for me. I like the author in general but this was not your typical hot mm dark mafia romance I expected. I didn’t like super clichè Theo at all. The whole seemed rushed and superficial. By far the weakest book in the series. Alessios and Giulios story was much better. It’s not a bad read but also not a good one