Okay so I loved the pacing and the general premise but I struggled a lot with this one and ultimately DNFed it around 40%. I tried. But the narrators voice and just- I couldn’t do it.

I didn't enjoy listening to this. The narrators soundes off. I'm so sorry this wasn't it for me. O dnfed it

this sapphic, modern day, romeo and juliet retelling was everything to me ! while i know this isn't for everyone, the books fast pace was a real selling point for me! our FMC's already have an established secret relationship going on and we are thrown into their world and are pretty much watching how they are navigating ways to make both of their lives peacefully. this was an easy, quick audio listen, that i was definitely listen to again in the future

In the realm of storytelling, few narratives capture the imagination as profoundly as tales of forbidden love, especially when it’s combined with the seedy underworld of rivaling crime families. Forbidden Girl by Kristen Zimmer depicts this splendidly. It draws readers into a world where passion collides with danger, loyalty is tested, and love transcends the boundaries of familial allegiance. Rowan and Jules’ love story resonates deeply with readers. It stirs fascination and curiosity, causing them to reflect on the moral dilemmas that are faced by those who love against the odds. Zimmer’s storytelling is engrossing. She adds layers of complexity by exploring themes of love, loyalty and rebellion, and she does this by portraying the inherent drama of a life lived on the edge with vivid, colorful detail. The result is a story world that simultaneously feels barbaric and glamorous. However, one cannot look away.

Even though there is much action, drama and danger scripted into the arc of this mob thriller, its true magic lies in the romance of its star-crossed lovers. Rowan and Jules come from rival crime families and their passion defies the boundaries set by family allegiances. The forbidden nature of their romance heightens the stakes and adds an element of urgency to the storytelling. Rowan and Jules are not simply in love; they are willing to risk everything for a life together. Much like that of Romeo and Juliet, their plight captures the essence of longing for what one cannot have. Their resistance to accept their families’ culture and unlawful way of life creates a powerful tension and it resonates deeply with readers. It’s galvanizing at times, stirring primal emotions within readers as Jules and Rowan’s desires collide with their loyalties, making Forbidden Girl one riveting read.

Jules and Rowan’s journey is empowering, energizing even. However, to those around them, their love is seen as an act of rebellion, and it will not be attained without serious costs. They live in a world where dissent and dissonance are not just dangerous; they’re deadly. To their families—especially their fathers—their love represents a defiance against family expectations and obligations, and it pushes all kinds of dangerous buttons for them. It’s more than personal; it challenges the very fabric of the world they inhabit. Their relationship is viewed as a threat and has the ability to dismantle everything the families have built, even if it’s earned with dirty money. The struggle is real and tension filled—and maybe even a little intoxicating—but it is something they must endure if they ever hope to find true happiness. Their brave and bold resistance to familial norms and expectations is imperative if they are ever to truly have a life of their own, one filled with personal freedom, independence and love.

Final remarks…

Forbidden Girl invites readers into a world where love encapsulates the struggle between personal desire and loyalty, illuminating the complexities of relationships forged in secrecy and danger. As this narrative unfolds, it reveals the profound impact of choice and consequence, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of love itself. Love is rarely straightforward. It is fraught with guilt, fear, and the weight of expectations. Rowan and Jules are often torn between their feelings for each other and their responsibilities to their families, leading to rich emotional conflict that resonates with readers. Readers are simply captivated by Jules and Rowan’s love story. As these two complex and dynamic women grapple with their feelings in the face of overwhelming uncertainty and odds, readers are reminded of the power of love: With courage, it can transcend boundaries and create a new life, even in the most tumultuous of circumstances. Forbidden Girl is an indulgent thrill of romantic escapism, and I highly recommend it.

Strengths…

Well-written
Well-developed
Intense and captivating
Fantastic characters
Consuming story world

A word about the audiobook…

Forbidden Girl is masterfully narrated by Stephanie Cannon and Kelly Burke, and it is a real treat. Zimmer’s story is characterized by rich characters and an intricate plot, and this pair tackles the task with real finesse. Stephanie Cannon employs a vibrant and sultry style, skillfully bringing Jules to life with her distinct voice and steamy vocal personality. Her ability to shift seamlessly between emotions adds layers of complexity to the story, enriching the listener’s experience. In contrast, Kelly Burke, with her warm and inviting tone, effortlessly captures Rowan’s inner thoughts, evoking a sense of intimacy that draws the listener into the character’s world. Her expressive delivery imbues the narrative with a sense of urgency and emotional depth, particularly during pivotal moments. Together, Cannon and Burke create a harmonious interplay of narrative voices, allowing the audience to engage with the tale on multiple levels. This dual narration not only enhances the storytelling but also illustrates the profound impact that voice can have on the art of listening, making this audiobook a memorable and captivating experience.

Excellent book definitely a must read! Brilliant twist on forbidden love through family feuds! I will definitely be checking out other works from this talented author!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! A Romeo and Juliet Retelling, but make it sapphic and a modern day mafia vibe! 

I think what I loved most about this book was that 1) the couple was already established in the book, so we get more of the women supporting each other (and some spice! But not too much and not cringey) and 2) while Rowan is raised to be morally grey, she isn’t like unhinged. She makes a mafia move, and then she has to actually battle her grief over it and I just really enjoyed the real vibes of that!

🖤Romeo and Juliet Retelling 
❤️Mafia 
💛Forbidden 
❤️Sapphic Romance 

Final Rating: 4.5⭐, 2.75🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Really enjoyed this one. Wiritng was engagng and storyline had me from the very beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley aan the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture Audio for this ALC!

If you see the description ‘sapphic mafia Romeo & Juliette retelling’ say “count me in,” this one is for you!

Juliet “Jules” Calloway is the daughter of Boston’s most feared mobster. Much to her father’s dismay, she falls hard for the daughter of her father’s biggest rival, Rowan.

Rowan Monaghan has been raised to be heir of her father’s shady dealings. While on a job, she is forced to defend herself and kills a man, making it necessary to flee.

The story follows Rowan and Jules as they are figuring out how to be together while remaining apart of their rival families.

I loved how this retelling didn’t follow the original Romeo & Juliet plot, just the general forbidden/rival families premise. It is the perfect mixture of spice and suspense!

I also loved the voice actors, Kelly Burke and Stephanie Cannon!

I was intrigued with the synopsis and immediately drawn in. Forbidden Girl has been called Romeo & Juliet with a modern spin. I completely agree. It’s a forbidden steamy romance revolving around strong female characters & unlike anything I’ve read before. If you’re looking for a good, spicy romance, this is for you.

Narrators, Kelly Burke & Stephanie Cannon expertly give Jules & Rowan their voices.

Thank you, Kristen Zimme, Bookouture, Bookouture audio & netgalley for my early copy & audiobook! All opinions are my own.

This is a Sapphic Romeo and Juliet with lots and lots of spice! I listened to this in one sitting it had such a great story to it that I just couldn’t stop. I loved the characters and how much depth there was to them in the story where a lot of books like this lack on that. I would love to see more like this from Kristen maybe a series in different cities, there are mobs all over haha.

The daughters of opposing mob families have fallen in love. But their forbidden romance is hard to keep secret when the feud between their families continues to grow.

It’s not often you see a mafia romance where the daughters are the ones who are set to control their father’s legacy. That made this different from others I’ve read, and was the main reason I kept going with it. I liked the strong female leads, and was rooting for them to be together in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

So I absolutely NEED this book !!!! I’m in love with the plot this gxg mafia love story. If that isn’t all you need to hear to get it I don’t know what to tell you. I love the character growth and individuality that they had from each other they weren’t similar at all like most mafia love stories.

This one just wasn’t for me. A HUGE part of enjoying a book for me is the lead up, but this one started after they are already in love and regularly seeing each other. I desperately need the banter, why are they enemies that are already in love? This one was just a miss for me.

Jules and Rowan are from rivaling gangster families. This FF mafia romance was a modern-day Romeo and Juliet re-telling. Jules is the daughter of Boston’s largest crime family who vows to not follow in her father’s steps. That is, until she meets Rowan. Rowan is the daughter and second-in-command of the enemy. Initially, Rowan was just tempting Jules to see if she could get the enemy’s holier-than-thou princess. However, Rowan finds that she can’t get enough of Jules and that she is ready to work to be a better person. Both MCs attempt to change their futures to make them their own, rather than how their fathers have tried to pre-destine them.
This was my first FF romance, and I really enjoyed the chemistry that these two characters shared! This sapphic read was steamy and action-packed from beginning to end that keeps the reader enthralled. While there was plenty of spice in this book, there was also plenty of plot and excitement that makes it hard for the reader to put down.
The narrators of this audiobook, Kelly Burke and Stephanie Cannon, brought the characters to life. The chapter changes were clear and the differentiation between characters was done with ease. My only negative for this audiobook is that the pace was really slow. I ended up speeding up the audiobook within the first 30 minutes because the reading was drawn out.
This read was a story of forbidden love and fierce loyalty that I didn’t know I needed.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this advance audio copy and allowing me to give my honest feedback.

This audiobook caught my attention because of the cover. It just looked like it was going to be intense, and it really was. There was some spice and violence in this mafia romance between two women.

If you’re looking for spice, there wasn’t enough. If you’re just getting your feet wet with this style of fiction, then it was perfect. For me, I was looking for more of everything. Although it does share unrealistic circumstances (and that is usually what
I enjoy about mafia romance), it was missing something.

The narration was excellent. It made it that much more thrilling. I just wish there was more from the author.

Thank you #NetGalley and #BookoutureAudio for a copy of this #ARC #AudioBook to review.
#ForbiddenGirl

I love a retelling so when I saw this FF romance pop up based on Romeo and Juliet I was excited to check it out.

Kristen Zimmer doesn’t make you wait long before diving into the spice, which I appreciated. However, you do have to wait a bit for it to kick up again after that. I liked that Jules and Rowan had a strong connection from the jump but I did kind of feel like we started in the middle of the relationship between them. I would have liked a bit more backstory early on to explain how Jules and Rowan got together and to see the chemistry between them build.

Both MCs were bad@$$ characters and I liked that neither one was a shrinking violet. They were both tough ladies!
The audio is fantastic and I thought Kelly Burke and Stephanie Cannon did a great job of bringing Jules and Rowan to life. Forbidden Girl is a quick listen and you could easily digest it in one sitting which makes it great for a road trip or day on the beach.

Overall, a great listen for anyone who enjoys a retelling and likes a sapphic love story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio and Kristen Zimmer for an early listening copy. These are my honest thoughts.

This modern day Romeo and Juliet but make it mafia book had me hooked from the start.

Sure this was a quick and easy (and steamy in places!) read, but the plot itself is what kept me invested.

I adored how fast paced it was, I enjoyed that both Juliet and Rowan were their own people, but were better together.

I loved their interactions a lot - their chemistry just jumped out.

Both women are the daughters of gang leaders (mob bosses?) and have fallen in love with each other - which is explosive in more ways than one, and it was just so good.

It was just what I was after.

Thank you Netgallery for the ARC audiobook.

A Sapphic Juliet and Romeo retelling - Say less!

Jules and Rowan are the daughters of the heads of opposing mob families - set in the backdrop of Boston. I loved this spicy forbidden mafia story.

Jules and Rowan were such strong FMC's in their own ways and you truly felt their connection.

A great story and highly recommend it. The narrator was brilliant.

'These violent delights have violent ends'

Content warnings: guns, gun violence, blood, death, murder, references to past parental death, references to drug use, alcohol consumption, sexism.

This was a fast paced, modern day FF Romeo and Juliet meets mafia book. I was hooked from the start. Rowan and Juliet have an undeniable connection. Their chemistry is something everyone wishes they had. They would do absolutely anything for each other, without a doubt. The only thing in their way is their rival mafia families..

The only reason this wasn't a 5 star for me is due to the amount of spice. I was really hoping for more.

The narrators Kelly Burke and Stephanie Cannon were new to me. They were absolutely amazing. Their voices matched the characters perfectly.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this copy!

Forbidden Girl by Kristen Zimmer is an electrifying sapphic retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but with a twist. From the moment I started listening, I was hooked by the intense chemistry between Jules and Rowan. This isn’t your typical will-they/won’t-they story—these two are drawn to each other from the start, and I adored watching their bond grow and deepen.

Jules, the daughter of Boston's biggest crime family, vows to stay away from her father's business until she meets Rowan. Rowan, the second-in-command to her own father, Jules's father's deadly rival, initially wants to tempt Jules, but she soon finds herself falling deeply in love. Their love story is filled with spice, passion, and a perfect blend of hardness and softness, violence and tenderness.

Kristen Zimmer did an amazing job illustrating the many facets of these women. Both are fiercely protective of their loved ones and their relationship, showcasing a depth and capacity to love that is truly captivating. The layers to Jules and Rowan’s characters, along with their unwavering commitment to each other, made this a page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The audiobook, narrated by Kelly Burke and Stephanie Cannon, was a fantastic way to experience Jules and Rowan. Their performances brought the characters to life, adding an extra layer of complexity and emotion to the story.

This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a steamy, heartfelt romance with strong, multifaceted characters. This thrilling tale of forbidden love and fierce loyalty is one you won’t want to miss.