| Title | : | Mafia Target (The Kings of Italy, #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 356 |
| Publication | : | Published March 14, 2023 |
Now a new man is stalking me, watching me. But there's something else in his eyes, a hunger that sets me on fire. He's rough and dangerous, all the things I crave in the dark.
Except he's been hired to kill me.
I shouldn't want him. But I do.
They say to keep your enemies close. So that's exactly what I'm planning. Beware the hunted who becomes the hunter...
ALESSIO I live in the shadows, the assassin they never see coming. I'm the best, but Giulio is my weakness. I need him in ways I can't begin to explain.
He might run, but I'll follow him to the ends of the earth. And if others try to hurt him, I'll protect him with my last breath.
Except I'm hiding a secret, one that will cost me everything. I should walk away, but I can't.
Even if it's my undoing.
Mafia Target is the fourth book in the Kings of Italy series. It's a stand-alone male/male romance, complete with two hot and dangerous Italian men. HEA and no cliffhangers guaranteed!
Mafia Target (The Kings of Italy, #4) Reviews
-
2.5/5
The review contains spoilers!
When I saw the post on instagram about this book I was pretty damn excited about it, because mm mafia romance? Count me in. I stopped reading books which are giving strong "365 days" vibes, but I decided to start the series from the first book to know the characters which obviously will appear in the "Mafia Target". And look, I tried ( I really tried ) to read the first book, but when the hero said he was jerking off to the heroine's mother when he was younger, it was the end for me.
Let’s start from that the potential in this book was huge, seriously. I mean, a runaway mafia heir who escaped because his sexuality wasn’t accepted in his position and "the best" assassin in Europe who was supposed to kill him, but instead everyone know how it ends.
I think the biggest problem for me was the writing style. I wasn’t a fan of it, I even wanted to dnf it at the beginning for that reason. It might also be only me, but the Italian made me cring in some moments. It’s not about the language itself, but the sentences the main characters said.
The plot was great, there was a lot going on in this book, but almost everything went too smoothly for them. The relationship between them also started too fast, I wanted more angst and pinning but instead there was a BJ scene in 5% of the book. I love smutty books, but I like when the smut starts after 50%, here they did it at 30%. They were both hot don’t get me wrong, but I hoped it will more slow-burnish. Weren’t they supposed to hate each other? If you want enemies to lovers, look the other way. The two were perfect for each other, but, they were basically in love around 50% of the book.“Your problems are my problems. You’re not getting rid of me, principe. I will fight for you with my dying breath.”
I mean it was cute, but in the 43%?!
I love the scenes where they were possessive and cute for each other, they were worth the reading.“I would endure a hundred beatings—a thousand—for you. There is no amount of pain or suffering I wouldn’t take in your name.”
“You are my concern, Giulio. Always and forever, no matter how much you hate me.”
The book was also RIDICULOUS at some moments. Examples:
Alessio was supposed to kill Giulio, but both of them went for a run in the morning a few times."We continued to run, neither of us speaking. I preferred the silence, though I was keenly aware of his presence, of his exhales and heavy steps."
Giulio needed more money even though he had 5 mln dollars."Soon I would need money and another fake passport."
The moment when Alessio wanted to borrow the laptop from Russian pakham, trusting he won’t spy on him."I also planned to ask Nic for a laptop so I could do my own digging. But I also didn’t want to leave Giulio’s side."
I also hated the moment when Giulio said that to Alessio, I get it you were mad at him for what he did to your father, but this man didn’t even know you back them, and was paid to do that.“It won’t change anything. I don’t need you and I don’t love you. Just like your parents.”
It was so UNNECESSARY and SAD after he told you he loved you and would basically die for you?
Giulio’s friend Theo who is a famous designer and his love interest Nic, who is a Russian Pakham, are supposed to get their own novella, and I will definitely read it."Theo ducked his head and smoothed his already-smooth skirt with one hand. “I think I might like him,” he said quietly. “It’s disgusting.”
I have a feeling I will love their story.
The ending was satisfying and all, but I was hoping for their wedding in the epilogue. I need to stop expecting so much and hype myself up before starting the book, because most of the time I end up being disappointed. Overall, I enjoyed reading it, but am I going to read the next book? No. -
This was edgy, steamy, and full of excitement. Another great entry to the Kings of Italy!
I was so curious to see where Giulio would go next after what we've seen of him before. He's been living an interesting, dangerous life since Mafia Darling. It was cool to see the man he has become. He has hardened and also grown into a leader in his own right, even if he has been a Lone Wolf for now.
Alessio was quite a trip! This Assassin needs to get his man, but when his target is the only man to make him miss before, he can't but be intrigued.
These two circle each other and the tension rises and when it cracks... boom! It explosive in all the best ways. I loved this couple together.
My tiny quibble is that... the conflict seemed out of place to me. How could Giulio REALLY be surprised by a certain revelation. Like, what else did he think was going on? But it did lead to a great grovel!
4.5 stars
4 on the spice scale -
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
Mafia Target is the fourth entry in the Kings of Italy Series. This story focuses on the complicated relationship between assassin Alessio and his target Giulio, a mafia prince. I really enjoyed this story and how it has many elements that I enjoy in a love story including:
Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and possessive/obsession. These two characters do not have an easy go of it, which is always something I enjoy in a romance. I like when the main characters fight for their relationship when it appears impossible.
Together Alessio and Giulio play a fun cat-and-mouse game for the first half of the story and after that point, they are forced to work together after sharing a common enemy. Overall this entry is a ton of fun and I loved getting to see all of the characters interact together. Cannot wait for the next entry after that cliffhanger. -
UGH THIS SERIES JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER.
what’s better than one hot mafia man? two hot mafia men.
giulio left his father’s crime family to be able to live his life free and out as a gay man. he’s never truly free though so his encounters are usually anonymous in nightclubs and unremarkable until one man blows him away (literally 🤪). things get a little complicated when said man turns out to be the sniper trying to kill him.
i cannot get enough of this series. if you are a mafia romance lover, you must check this series out. each couple has its own forbidden aspect and these are true, true enemies to lovers stories.
i loved giulio and alessio SO much. the spice was top tier as always and their chemistry was soooo hot. the banter was so good and for all that they were strong mafia men, they also went so soft for each other. 1000000/10. -
This book has everything I like: mafia, angst, love and a lot of action 🔥 .
This story was well written and the characters were well built! Perfect.
It’s worth the reading. -
Can Mila Finelli top the boinking in a cage unhinged energy of Mafia Madman? Yes, yes she can. Mafia Target is an equally wild and steamy but oh-so-romantic ride and I am OBSESSED with Giulessio.
Giulio is the mafia Prince who abdicated and gave up his crown. He's the gay son of Fausto (from Mafia Mistress, Mafia Darling) who left the very homophobic mafia world and went on the run basically to save his life and keep his family safe after his long-term boyfriend was unalived by a car bomb meant for him.
Alessio is an assassin. He's the best money can buy and money is something that Enzo (yes the cage-loving psycho from Mafia Madman) has loads of. Enough to hire Alessio to kill the son of his greatest enemy and his now family member Fausto 🤣
Alessio goes after his target and lo! It's the son of the only target he missed, Giulio's daddy and my Daddy, Fausto.
So you can see where this is going. Enemies to lovers, a stoic assassin who falls hard and becomes a loyal bodyguard and protector. I loved my baby angel Giulio from the first moment he walked onto the page in Mafia Mistress and I was so excited to see more of him. My baby angel is a model hot mafia prince on the street and a filthy talking bossy beast in the sheets 💀but it was Alessio who stole my heart here. I am slutty for a stoic monosyllabic assassin who falls for his target 🔥 And reader, he falls hard. There's pining, there's angst, there's steam that will singe your eyelashes off and there is romance and swoony moments. The plot is a well-paced globe-trotting sometimes bloody and violent romp, a great blend of mafia shenanigans, relationship development, and romance. We get cameos from our faves from the previous books and Daddy Fausto steals the show for a bit 🥹 There's a third-act breakup that sent me into a decline but I can't complain because the angst broke my angst-o-meter. It hurt so good.
Also, no spoilers but THAT EPILOGUE! 💀
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Assassin/target
Enemies to Lovers
Pining
Only one island 😆
Grump/ dark sunshine 🤔
CW: this is a mafia romance and the themes are dark so YMMV. Homophobia, graphic violence, drug trafficking, etc.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own. -
4.5/5 RTC closer to release
________________________________________________
Here we are:
I had a blast diving back into this world and with a STAR such a Giulio. Watching him fall in love and grow into his own man after stepping out of his fathers shadow. I loved every minute of it. It was so fun!
These two were fire and ice lots of spice, angst and banter. How does one make a top of the line sniper fall in love with a witty, uncaring, charming and charismatic mafia prince?!
I enjoyed reading the complexity of their relationship bc ultimately they had to come to a cross roads and get through the obstacles standing in their way. No spoiler here, it was fast paced and a very good read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to VPR for this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
No one writes mafia like miss Mila, SHE NEVER FAILS ME! I loved this MM mafia story and we need even more in this genre because this was hot af. So entertaining and sexy. G & A made the perfect pair, my babies 🥹 A true enemies to lovers tale, I was obsessed with them literally fist fighting one second and getting it on the next.
also loved all the Frankie & Fausto family time we got in the end there and I’m just head over heels in love with this crazy mafia crew.
**thank you Valentine PR & Mila for the ARC copy -
wow...wow..wow. incredible MM Mafia romance that everyone must read! Mafia Target was everything i was hoping it would be and phenomenal. I loved Alessio and Giulio's love so much - the tension, compatibility, tenderness, overportectiveness was perfect.
If you loved Fausto - you will be obsessed over Giulio because he is legit Fausto 2.0! They do say kinks are hereditary..Im just saying!!! Giulio's praising, degrading and sheer dominance was too fucking good!
I loved their little nick names for each other - Bel Principe - SO FREAKING CUTE.
You don't have to read the other books but I highly ENCOURAGE you to do so because so much plot is built up to this book!!
I love them and miss them
ARC REVIEW -
Audio - 4.25 Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars -
an assassin and his target romance ? yes please!!
since book 1 i have been excited for guilio's romance and it did not disappoint!! so much angst and tension while still having enough pay off. great installment in the series!
i simply cannot wait for book 5 to come out. -
Omg I already know I will love this book!! Ahh can’t wait
-
My first Mila Finelli book and it was really good!
Assassin and his target fall in love.
Mafia
MM Romance
Amazing Steam
Suspense
It really just hit all the points for me. I’ll be reading more of this world for sure. -
I absolutely love it and it's one of my once-every-6-months reads.
The fact it has little Italian is one of the motives of my rating. Less use of Italian in mafia books pls, we Italians don't want to cringe every single time we read dark romances 🫡 -
Mafia Target is the newest book in the Kings of Italy series, which makes it the 4th installment in this mafia series that has been set in Italy. Both main characters we follow in here, as well as side characters, we have already met in the previous books so I think reading the others will definitely better set you up for this book. I had high expectations for this mm, mafia romance and sadly it didn’t live up to all of them.
Giulio was once heir to the biggest mafia empire in Europe, his father is Fausto (the hero of books 1 and 2) and we saw why and when Giulio fled from his family’s home in the previous books. Giulio has been kind of on the run since, after not being accepted by some of the heads of families in their mafia world because of his sexuality and he’s been wanting to make his own way since. Alessio is a sniper assassin who was hired to take out Giulio but can’t seem to pull the trigger when he has him in his sights. So we see Alessio following his target, Giulio all around Europe and their very lust-filled infatuation with one another. They decide on a temporary truce for one month to enjoy one another!
I was excited for this very hate to love setup of an assassin and his target falling for one another. I’ve read romances like this before where they really work for me! I think my issue with this was that it relied too heavily on their lust and the steamy times between them. Whereas I would have appreciated more plot, more tension, pining, or more of a buildup to them getting together. Instead by like 5% in they’ve already hooked up at a club. 🤷🏼♀️ This just felt like it leaned too heavily on all the steamy scenes. Not to say there aren’t things happening with plot here, because there is it just wasn’t enough for me. Someone else had attempted to take out Giulio, so he and Alessio set out to find out who it was with Alessio acting as his bodyguard of sorts instead of would-be assassin. I did enjoy seeing Fausto, Frankie and crew make appearances in this and the epilogue does have me very excited for the next book! While this wasn’t my fav in the series (books 3 and 1 are my favs), this author does really work for me and I’ll be picking up the next book for sure! -
Forth time giving this author ago, just because I loved the first book in the series. The others not so much as they didn’t hold my attention at all.
With this book the author definitely held back in my opinion.
This book is not mafia, not dark romance.
MM is basic.
I dnf at 40%
“Im going to kill you… let’s go for a jog together” like LOL 😂 what the hell. This book wasn’t what it says it is. -
4.5 stars
-
First of all, I haven´t read the other three books in the Kings of Italy series, but `Mafia Target` can be read as a standalone and I had no complications in not understanding anything because I didn´t read the prequel books.
This is an MLM mafia dark romance with spice and gore so check Tws before reading!
A quick explanation of the book's plot; Basically there is this really hot assassin who gets a job to eliminate the (former) heir of the Italian mafia, but that heir also happens to be really hot and the assassin, whose name btw is Alessio, just can´t bring himself to assassin the Heir (Guilio). And then they fall in love (but with a lot of complications and even more spice).
All in all, I both loved the idea of the plot and the execution and the characters had great chemistry. The nicknames they gave each other were my favorite little detail about the book and I think it was well written, in case of understanding both characters' points and why they do what they do. I normally despise third-act conflicts/breakups but I totally get why this one was a thing and it was something that had to happen. Though I must say I would´ve wished for more groveling and apologies before the end.
The only thing I thought was missing was, that one of the characters had a very traumatic childhood, which also impacts his present views of himself, and I wish that we could´ve seen him heal from this trauma, or at least see him talk to someone he trusted.
The last tiny thing that I would´ve wished for, which didn´t impact my reading experience that much because I read it on my kindle but might annoy someone who is reading a physical copy, is that the characters use a lot of Italian words, and phrases, and not all of them are translated so that I always had to look them up (which is easy while reading on my kindle, but I can imagine isn´t quite as comfortable with the physical book). So maybe a glossary, in the end, would've been good to just see an overview of all the translations.
Again these things are why it was a four-star book, and not a five, though the most important thing for me, personally, was that I had a fun time reading this, and didn´t get bored.
(Thank you to Valentine PR and Mila Finelli for providing me with a free ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) -
These two went from definitely going to murder each other to love of their lives so so quickly.
I think I was expecting a bit more back and forth between these two but they definitely got over their initial issues so fast that I felt like I had missed something. Their big fight ended up being later but bless these two fellas for banging their way through Europe. -
I can safely say I'm in my dark mafia romance era, and Mila Finelli's Mafia Target was perfect for that! This book was a great mixture of mystery, action, and steamy romance. Watching Alessio and Giulio fall for each other in such an unconventional way was absolutely perfect! This is my first Mila Finelli read, and it's a standalone MM mafia romance with a HEA and two gorgeous, dangerous Italian men!
Someone's trying to kill Giulio and they've taken an anonymous hit out on him. He's been a lone wolf for the last four years, and he longs to start his own empire without his father's help. Alessio is arguably one of the best hired assassins money can buy. For some reason, he can't seem to bring himself to finish the job on Giulio. All of the sudden, instead of killing him, he finds himself wanting to protect him. However, Alessio has a secret, that he's hoping won't come to light. If it does, it'll drive away the one person he's found worth caring for. His one weakness.
"A shiver went through me, a rush of anticipation that settled in my balls. Cristo, this man. Never had anyone affected me like this. And he wanted to know my weakness? All he had to do was look in the mirror."
I loved how this book had copious amounts of action as well as all the steamy romance scenes! When we first meet Alessio and Giulio, I wasn't really sure how Alessio was going to manage knowing that Giulio was a job that he had to complete. But watching Giulio slowly wrap Alessio around his little finger was absolutely priceless. Their dynamic was awesome, too. The assassin with a soft spot, and the mafia prince looking to forge a new path in life and no longer take orders from his father. The action definitely picked up in the second half of the book, and I found I couldn't put it down!
I appreciated the depth of emotion the author built for Alessio in particular. His flashback to what his father used to tell him as a child broke my heart, and I think it's something a lot of us who don't "emote" the way society expects can relate to. There were some great supporting characters too. You can't help but love Alessio's snarky assistant, Sasha, and Giulio's Zia has my whole heart. There was definitely some angst there in the last half of the book, but never fear, because Giulio and Alessio do get their well-deserved happily-ever-after! -
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶🌶🌶.5
I fall more and more in love with this series after every book. I think it’s one of my favourite mafia series as each book I love so much and all for different reasons.
Mafia target is so unlike any other mafia book I’ve read. I loved each MC but both for different reasons. There’s so many amazing moments in this book that I can’t stop thinking about.
The tension was amazing without being too over the top and I think the relationship was very well paced with great smut.
The only reason this isn’t a 5 star read for me is that it took me about 15/20% before I really got into it but after that I couldn’t put it down!
MM
Mafia
Enemies to lovers -
Mafia Target by MF ARC Review:
TROPES:
🖤Dark
🖤Mafia
🖤Assassin
🖤Enemies To Lovers
Giulio is the son and heir of Don Fausto Ravazzani. Being gay and in the mafia was dangerous not only for him but his family. So giving up being the mafia heir he leaves Italy. But his fathers enemies are still after him forcing him into hiding.
Alessio is the top assassin known to keep his clients top secret. So who better to accept the job to kill Giulio. That is until he starts following Giulio after days, weeks, and realizing he can’t complete the job. He never expected for Giulio to become an obsession. It’s not until they find themselves on a remote island do they finally give into their desire for each other. And things quickly become heated and very complicated.
I absolutely loved these two men! The instant connection and chemistry between these two was everything I love to read in a couple. The spicy tension in the beginning was so hot! And when they finally gave into each other, the spice between them was off the charts!! Especially the sexy dirty Italian they speak to each other?! 🥵🔥 Giulio and Alessio were just perfect! I absolutely love this series and cannot get enough. And cannot wait for a 5th book! 🖤 -
Sorry, no chemistry between the main leads. Wanted to like this one so bad but meh.
-
Thank you valentinespr and milafinelli for sending me an e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.
This is the 4th in the series but this can be read as a standalone. At least I was able to track the story.
Alessio the assassin was so intense with his silent and careful tracking and internal battle with his mark and it was soooo fun to read.
Giulio has stepped down from being the heir to his mafia family's dynasty since he came out and he's been on the run ever since. Their first face to face was 🔥 in that nightclub.
I have read Mafia before and it is always intense with torture and illegal dealings but I wasn't aware of how hot that gets when you add this into their chemistry.
They were complete opposites and that made their chemistry even better.
This book is set in Italy, Greece, and Scotland and all over.
“Your problems are my problems. You’re not getting rid of me, principe. I will fight for you with my dying breath.”
This def fits in the enemies to lovers category especially when you realize the Alessio did or failed to do the first time he saw Giulio. -
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
•MM
•mafia
•assassin
••••
“I can’t get enough of you. I want you all the fucking time.”
“Do you think I want to do this without you? It’s like you took my frozen, dead heart in your big hands and brought it back to life. I was so lonely and lost until you found me.”
••••
The ability that Mila Finelli has to write is insane. This woman writes so fluidly. I get lost in her stories every single time and this was no different.
I loved Giulio and Alessio 🥹🫶
Alessio has accepted a job to kill Giulio. The last thing he thinks is his attraction for him will make it hard for him to complete the job. -
2.5/5 stars
-
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥🔥
“How does it taste, the two of us together?”
“Like bad ideas and imminent danger all rolled into one.”
This is the fourth book in the Kings of Italy series. I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. I haven’t read an M/M romance in awhile and this one definitely didn’t disappoint.
Giulio has been on the run for the past few years after he renounced his birthright as the heir to his father mafia empire since he’s gay but you can’t leave without paying a price. Now, someone has taken yet another hit on him but this time hired the best assassin in Europe. Alessio is an assassin that never misses a shot except for one time four years, when he saw Giulio. And now four years later he was hired to take out Giulio. He has followed him, learned his habits but he just can’t seem to pull the trigger on his target especially after what happened in the club. Giulio has now become Alessio obsession and one he plans to follow to the ends of the earth if he has to. There is no place he can hide that he won’t find him now even a remote island where they can finally act on their desire for a month. But things get complicated and now Alessio will do anything to protect Giulio for those who want to hurt him. But what happen when all the secrets come out? Will they move past it or will it destroy everything they built?
Their chemistry and banter was electric from the first moment they met. They had so much sexual tension especially when they would fight and when they finally gave in the spice between them was off the charts. These two didn’t disappoint in the spice department, once they got their hands on each other they couldn’t be stop and add their dirty talk.🥵 I can’t wait for the next book!
I would recommend if you like:
🖤M/M romance
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Mafia romance
🖤Spicy scenes🔥
Thank you ValentinePR for the ARC in exchange for a honest review! -
4.75 ★
Ms. Finelli has done it again!! This was FANTASTIC. I really enjoyed books 1-3 and was anxiously awaiting this one and it did NOT disappoint! Mila has built such an incredible mafia world that flows seamlessly from book to book. It was so fun to see the whole cast of characters from previous books and see how they all interact with each other.
This story focuses on Guilio, denounced former heir to his father's mafia empire, and Alessio, the assassin hired to take Guilio out (and also the assassin who was hired to take out his father 4 years prior). Their chemistry from the beginning was undeniable and simply off! the! charts!
I loved the tension and their push and pull in the beginning and loved watching them just give in to their temptations and their feelings and eventually work together. And don't even get me started on all of the nicknames they had for each other!! That seriously had me weak in the knees. The relationship between Guilio & Alessio felt so deep and just so essential to their core that you couldn't help but root for them. This was the *perfect* mix of angst, mafia madness, tension, chemistry, love, and spice! All around a fantastic addition to the series. I cannot wait for the next book because of that ending, that was bonkers!!!
Thank you to Valentine PR & Mila Finelli for the ARC! -
«Le daría cualquier cosa, le dejaría tener cualquier parte de mí. Soy suyo. Estar con él es como estar en el paraíso. Es como estar en casa y estaré feliz de pasar el resto de mi vida a su lado.»
«Deja caer besos a lo largo de mi mandíbula. Es tierno, casi reverente. Como venerándome—. Alessione. —Respira en mi garganta. Me da un vuelco el corazón al oír la versión cariñosa de mi nombre, que los italianos usan con cariño.»
«Me quedo inmóvil, absorbiendo su atención como una planta hambrienta de lluvia. Me siento borracho con él, delirante de sensaciones y satisfacción.»
«Necesito una excusa para seguir tocándolo. Quiero almacenar el tacto de su piel, el calor de su sonrisa. Su aspecto en la cama, con la luz del sol de la tarde reflejándose en sus rasgos cincelados. Él me importa, lo amo y lo protegería a costa de todo, incluida mi propia vida.» -
So good! The dynamics change frequently so there’s no getting bored. Great little cameos. The audio actors were AMAZING. Definitely recommend listening.
