If you are new to Sahin, the beauty of her stories is you can pick up any book in any series and not feel lost, this book included. She gives just enough background on characters from previous books. If you have read a Brittney Sahin book before, this book delivers in true Sahin fashion! There is broodiness, stubbornness, and plot twists you don't see coming.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This is the second Costa man to get married and Alessandro swore that he would never get married. Even though this book follows Enzo's book, it can be read as a stand alone book.

Calliope thought that she had time before her mafia father forced her to marry but when he finds out that he has a terminal illness, he decides that he isn't going to wait any longer and will have her forcibly brought to him to marry into another mafia family. Good thing there is someone who doesn't want this to happen and uses a favor owed to get Alessandro to "rescue" her.

There are so many twists and turns in this book and secrets that come to light along with past sins that need to be revenged. I don't want to give away any of the secrets so will just say that this was non-stop drama and I could not put this book down!

Can't wait for the next Costa book and Hudson and Izzy are going to have a battle if Constantine can't accept their love or will Hudson feel he can't even try? I am looking forward to find out their story!

This is the 2nd book in the Costa Series by the terrific author Brittney Sahin. This is Alessandro and Calliope (Callie) story! Their chemistry is totally off the charts, my iPad nearly went into meltdown! In this read you will be lead on a roller coaster ride and what a ride it is! Plenty of mystery, angst, slow burn chemistry and anything else that Brittney threw at you! We are also reintroduced to some of the characters from the Dublin night series. Terrific read

It's official. I have fallen for the Costa men and Hudson. It's a good thing they're fictional because I'm not sure I could choose! Alessandro Costa, whew, there is so much under that gruff playboy exterior. You can guess the hurt behind the playboy ways, I mean I've had guy friends and known their reasons behind how they live, and when they fall It's always epic. No different with Alessandro and Calliope's story. A fake marriage quickly turns real as their chemistry and love ignites. The emotion gripped my heart. The twists, danger, action, and edge of your seat suspense kept me captivated and had me anxious at moments. Narration was awesome. Can't wait to see where Brittney takes use with Hudson's story and then Constantine...ohhh I am ready now to learn more about him!

Loved it from start to finish Brittney does it again and loved the love story. The ups and downs and drama and action and suspense was perfect..

I've only read two other Brittney Sahin books before this one, however I can say it's still a solid 4 star read for me.

Brittney is one of the more thorough authors in the romantic suspense genre, in my opinion. Her stories are so layered, with riveting plots and appearances from what I suspect are former characters in other series.

The banter was entertaining, and the fact that it's mafia really sold me. It is honestly probably a five star read if my mood wasn't bouncing so much lately.

I want to go back to read book 1 in the series now too. Looking forward to what comes next from this author. Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the eARC.

I had been anxiously awaiting for Alessandro's story since reading 'Let Me Love You,' as I am a sucker for the fixed playboy who falls hard, especially for his fake wife. Once again Brittney did not let me down. I am a sucker for a good series, but I truly love how we get glimpses of unforgettable characters from multiple series that Brittney has made us fall in love with and always wanting more of.

Callie's sass combined with Alessandro's seriousness constantly added a splash of fuel to the flames that built at a nice steady pace while we got to see each character develop. Brittney's character development is one of my favorite parts of her writing, including building up the characters for her next book in the series. They're never thrown in just at the end, they're weaved in to the main story the entire time giving you the itch for more. In true Brittney fashion the fire is scorching, the love is bold and the suspense throws you for a loop you didn't see coming ending with the HEA you can't wait to see.

I read this as an ARC and have now listened to the Audiobook (my typical way of "reading" books) the performance of Allie Piper and Connor Crais was a perfect pairing to Callie and Alessandro. Especially Connor's fiery scenes.

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Alessandro’s book and it was well worth the wait. Once again Brittney has written an epic rollercoaster of suspense and drama.

Alessandro has to repay a debt but he never thought that it would involve protecting, Callie Anderson the daughter of Italy’s most infamous mob boss. Callie wants nothing to do with her father’s life and when Alessandro first suggests that they get married so he could protect her, Callie assumes that this is another ploy from her father to get her back into the family.

Although this is supposed to be a marriage of convenience to protect Callie, the attraction between Alessandro and Callie is palpable even before they knew who the other was.

Of course this wouldn’t be a Brittney book if it didn’t have the edge of your seat suspense which again was written so perfectly. When the Costas need reinforcements they get an epic assist from The League and we get cameos from The Dublin Nights series.

Every time I think the current Brittney book I’m reading is her best work, she drops another release and blows me away with how well all her characters and storylines are intertwined. This was another 10 star read for me.

Not Mine To Keep is the second book in the Costa Family series and can be read as a standalone, but I highly encourage you to read the first book in the series, Let Me Love You. That way you will be familiar with the sub-plot lines and all the fabulous characters. Not Mine To Keep is a slow burn romantic suspense that tells the story of how Alessandro Costa and Calliope Anderson got married and the obstacles they had to overcome in order to be together.

It’s as if the stars were aligned the night playboy Alessandro Costa and singer-songwriter Calliope Anderson met. It was a night these two would never forget. It sparked their sizzling romance and burning passion for one another. These two couldn’t have been more different and complete opposites of each other. One living in the Big Apple helping with the family business and the other a small town schoolteacher. One lives life in darkness and the other one illuminating light.

There is so much I want to say about this book, but I DO NOT want to give anything away. Brittney Sahin has written an amazing book filled with spice (hello Ch 28), suspense, family drama, betrayal, danger, love, and so much more. There are some crossover moments and notable mentions that made my heart so happy. Brittney really knows how to write a bestseller with all the elements of a book that I love. And that’s why she is one of my favorite authors and people on the planet.

While this book isn’t as heavy on adventure and spice, it doesn’t take away from this book. I love everything about Alessandro and Calliope, especially their connection and love they have for one another. It’s the thing that dreams are made of. Le sigh.

If you were on the fence about this book, this is your sign to buy and/or download this book. You will NOT regret it. I am so excited for Hudson and Izzy’s book as well as Constantine’s!!! So ready to hear all about their weekends!!

I licked it so it’s mine

I felt like this was going to be another great read and I can truthfully say I am never disappointed by this author. Poor Alessandro and Calliope just had to play for keeps in a strange twisted “I licked it so it’s mine” type of romance where neither of them could catch feelings. I bet what neither of the predicted was the possibility of jealousy and craptastic situations throwing a giant sized monkey wrench in the works. Get ready to hold on for the bumpy ride as you read this book.

Not Mine To Keeps brings us the story of Alessandro Costa, first introduced to us in Let Me Love You. He’s a billionaire playboy you can’t help warming too. Calliope is a teacher/singer/songwriter whose life is turned upside after her mother’s death. What ensues is a griping, action packed story full of sassy texts and simmering feelings, breathtaking and heart stopping moments. A real must read if you are a Brittney Sahin fan.

This is my first book by this author.

I found the first 30% slower but the writing was great and it really picked up after that. You have to pay attention in this one!

If you love a strong alpha male who will do anything for the one he loves this is for you. High suspense with a side of spice.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

This is another example of how amazing this author is. She has written so many best-selling books and every story is unique. Reading the love story of Alessandro and Calliope was so delightful I could not put this story down. It's a definite 5+ read for me!

Brittney Sahin is the queen of romantic suspense! I've love the Costa family and this might be my favorite of the series!

Alessandro was brooding, which he totally pulls off, and Calliope was the perfect amount of strong and sassy to bring him to his knees!

There was so much action in this book I didn't want to stop listening! I think the audio made the suspense feel so much more real based on the emotions the narrators were putting into the story!

I love how the family comes together in times of trouble and I can't wait to see what the next story brings!

The intensity from the first meeting of Alessandro and Calliope was extremely hot and had all the warning bells going off. Calliope's snark and take no bull was evident from their first encounter, and it continued and delighted throughout the book. Her outlook and determination to shuck everything to do with her donor dad had you bouncing in your seat just knowing this was going to be so good! I think the part that gripped me the most was how quickly and completely Alessandro fell and fought to believe it. It's always fun to witness the transformation of the alpha male as he comes apart and realizes he's so not going to like admitting he's fallen. The passion and heat melted off the pages with so much clarity it became part of the forever reel in my head of great scenes that live rent free. Grab it quick and prepare to be unproductive for a bit as you devour the pages. You won't want to stop or for it to end!

The premise of this book sucked me right in, because who doesn’t love a curveball marriage of convenience with mafia undertones? Sign me up!

There were elements of the story that I enjoyed, and others that weren’t for me. I think my main contention is that the overarching conflict was drawn out for so long that it became repetitive. There’s only so many times the hero can say “I’m broken and I’ll never love again” before my eyes start to roll. Having that be your main conflict of the story isn’t sustainable, even with the other external conflicts in the mix. In my opinion, it should have been resolved earlier or mentioned less. That said, I think it’s going to work really well for readers who don’t want a lot of conflict in their stories.

Calliope was an interesting character who had no sense of self preservation. I think the author was trying to make her strong and independent, but it didn’t quite land for me in this context. But I appreciate the attempt. She’s not a spineless character, that’s for sure.

I do love a playboy turned simp though, and this book delivers on that front in spades. And I think that fans of Sahin’s work will be pleased.

Oh my goodness what a book! My emotions went through the wringer! The transformation of Alessandro was a journey I loved to take. I loved the addition of characters from other books and of course the siblings. If you enjoy swoony scenes this book is for you! Enjoy

Alessandro - the Costa brother that took me by surprise

Have you ever been blindsided by character? I had the main male character, Alessandro Costa, down as a shallow ladies man and jokster from the few glimpses Mrs. Sahin allowed us to see in the previous books. Sure I was happy that I would get a new book to read by one of my favourite authors, but the anticipation I had for other books in the past just wasn't there this time. So when I started "Not mine to keep" I expected to be well entertained for a few hours but not really emotionally invested. Well I was wrong.

Within the first pages of the book there is a magnetism between the two main characters, Alessandro and Calli. The man, who hides his heart behind a stone wall, is mesmerised by the sassy and quick-witted history teacher with a penchant for making music.
When he realises that the woman he's fascinated with from the start, is the daughter of a notorious boss of an italian criminal organisation and the woman he was tasked to protect, he jumps in with both feet while still trying to keep his feelings separate.
Meanwhile Calliope thinks he is a hot billionaire, send by her manipulative father, to trap her in a marriage and produce an heir for the succession.
Two strangers that have to learn to trust each other quickly, because failing to do so will result in his death and her future in an abusive marriage.

I really liked Callie from the start, she has trust issues a mile wide while still being kind, passionate and realistic. She has a good head on her shoulders and even though she got emotionally hurt in the past she is the one to shape their relationship. Without her emotional maturity and backbone it would have been impossible to create a happy ending for Alessandro and her.
And Alessandro...well he is an overprotective, sometimes overbearing, attentive and stubborn man that doesn't know how to do a relationship and sees himself as a work in progress (his words, not mine). And he has a filthy mouth 🥵
He keeps fighting his feelings for Callie, because he's emotionally damaged, even though his family sees the perfect match in this forced marriage. And apropos family - I love the Costa family, from the bickering siblings to the emotionally invested mother and above all the incredibly loving and protective Papa Costa. At the end of this book you really get where or better from whom the Costa siblings got many of their character traits.
This book is a complete package of hot sizzling attraction, blood-thirty action, suspense, heartbreak and more. I laughed, I cried and I wanted to kick Alessandro in his magnificent behind quite a few times. If you are wondering if you can read this book even though it's part of a series - it's a hell yes from me. You might be curious about a few comments made but you don't need another story to enjoy this one.
Thank you and kudos to Mrs. Brittney Sahin for another beautiful book and emotionally captivating words.

Just a note that this book was received as an ARC, and I felt very fortunate to get my hands on it early.
In this second book in the Costa series, we get swept up in the sizzling romance between Alessandro, a billionaire playboy vigilante, and Calliope, a feisty high school teacher who’s secretly a mafia princess. They meet at a fundraiser, and the chemistry is off the charts from the get-go—flirty banter, intense attraction, you name it!

What’s refreshing here is that, instead of the usual forced drama, they navigate a few frustrating moments without ever losing that spark. The slow burn is filled with so much tension and angst, and you can’t help but root for them. Calliope is such a fun character—sassy and relatable—while Alessandro balances his tough guy image with some surprising vulnerability.

Their marriage of convenience leads to some serious soul-searching as they confront their feelings and the bad guys lurking around. This book is a delightful mix of drama, humor, and just enough spice to keep you hooked. It reads well on its own, even if it’s part of a series, and you’ll definitely want to clear your schedule because you won’t want to put it down. If you’re into romance, suspense, and opposites attracting, this one’s a must-read!

Not Mine to Keep

Each Costa story gets better and better

Brittney Sahin’s latest story, Not Mine to Keep is, in my opinion, one of her best yet. Alessandro Costa and Calliope “Callie” Anderson grab and hold your attention from the first chapter. He is the older brother of Enzo Costa from Let Me Love You and she is the recently acknowledged “mafia princess” daughter of Armani DiMaggio, head of Sicilian Mafia. Lots of action as the two characters find themselves in a Machiavellian plot
Involving marriage, betrayal and revenge. Loved getting glimpses of some of her characters from earlier books/series, hope that with Hudson and Izzy’s upcoming story we will see some more of The League. Thank you for my ARC although I actually bought the book on both Kindle and Audible as I usually do!