4.75 ⭐️
🌶️.5

Did I actually think this mafia romance was gonna have me trying not to sob multiple times over Brady & Angela's relationship? Absolutely not but my god it was so binge worthy I had to force myself to put it down

I really enjoyed both Brady and Angela's character arcs and the emotional development that occurred for the both of them as the story progressed and I just about fell in love with Brady along with Ang.

Angie Pines & Brady🤭🤭

Ohh Brady, Brady, Brady!!
The boy who was on a mission to get info to free his dad and get him out of some mess. Winds up falling for none other than Angela Pines the person he told himself he wouldn’t have any feelings towards.
Angie is a mafia princess (correct me if I’m wrong) but her dad is feared and into some shady shady stuff.
She ran away from home, but lied to her mom saying she was in a retreat.
Anyways she basically started a whole new life and was trying to do right because of what her dad was doing.
The flirting between was cutee I was happy when ange wasn’t feeling soo lonely anymore.
Brady is your typical playboy he has commitment issues but when he meets Pines that all changes.
I really enjoyed this story honestly kept reading to figure out why she ran away from home and why Brady was following her👀👀😅

*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*

I enjoyed it. It’s not really a mafia book though, it has like mafia ties and mentions which kinda threw me off cause I went in with certain expectations but that’s on me. I do love a good redemption story and coming of your own. It takes a lot of guts to do what the mfc does and rats out her dad, leaving comfort and luxury behind. I feel like the 9/11 history of it should be mentioned in the synopsis just in case that’s a trigger warning for someone but who doesn’t love a firefighter?! It tug at my heartstrings which I was not prepared for.

This is the debut novel by Marisa Calcara and what a stunning job it was. I'm not usually into mafia type books but I’m glad I didn't let that deter me from this book. I honestly wouldn't file this under mafia though and I'll explain why in my review.

Angela is in law school in California but her knowledge of law and drive to finish law school show she should probably be at a more reputable law school. The same could be said for Brady. In fact, he has a spot at Columbia. So why are either of them attending some low ranking law school? This is where it gets good!

Very early on, it's disclosed that Angela is running from her family back in New York. She's an only child and her father the don of the mafia, making her a "mafia princess." When she learns things about the business and doesn't want to be associated with that garbage, she takes drastic measures. One of those decisions she makes results in her needing to move far, far away from home.

Brady has his own secrets and reasons for no longer living in New York. Let's just say someone close to him is a bit of a vigilante and it's landed him in some very hot water. Brady is in California to help keep this person out of trouble.

I really did enjoy this book. I loved that it was more about Angela and her drive for why she wants to be an attorney, which is so admirable in my eyes. She's such a strong fighter and really shows that throughout this entire book. Never once did I think "Ugh, I hate when the FMC cowers like that" while reading. She held her ground. Even when she was letting her guard down.

As for Brady… he's a NY firefighter who has ties to those working 9/11. Need I say more to entice you to read this? If so, how about I was not prepared for chapter 33 when Brady recounts September 11th from his very young point of view. Had I been ready, I would've had tissues on hand and not been sitting in my living room with my family all around to witness the tears! But alas, they did and I encourage you to also feel the emotions while reading.

This book isn't about the mafia and how it works. Nor is about those in the mafia. It's about how ties to the mafia impacts others. Whether they are related to those in the mafia or the person works for/with the mafia.

Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing and Marisa for allowing me the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. It truly was an amazing read and I’m excited for others to be able to experience it. I highly recommend this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read 75% of it in one sitting. Brady is a goofy, fun-loving man that cares about his family so much that he would do just about anything to take care of them. Angela is a resilient, hard-working mafia princess trying to do the right thing. Throughout the book I found myself often smiling at the things Brady said/did and how sweet the romance/relationship was between him and Angie. I really liked that the author discussed topics like Sex Trafficking rings and 9/11. It brought up real-life issues without getting too heavy but gave depth to the characters and helped explain their decisions throughout the book. I’m so glad that I was given the opportunity to read the eARC from Entangled Publishing and I look forward to reading more from this author! Truly a fun, great paced book with a HEA.

This is the most drama filled contemporary romance I have ever read, and that is really saying something.

We have a mafia princess who basically decides she’s over it and snitches on her own family. She is trying to live a new life when she meets a guy who just might ruin it all.

This book is super easy to read and follow. It’s very fast paced and a quick read. It has the POV of both the female and male main characters, so if you love dual POV from both love interests, check this one out.

Thank you very much to Entangled Publishing, Brittany Zimmerman, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and in no way are influenced by the manner in which I received it.

Overall I would give a 4.5 stars to this book. I really enjoyed it, and I also just love the whole crime scene. I think the idea of the mafia's boss' daughter on the run hoping to not get caught after trying to leave the family completely is so much fun to read about, and her going to law school nonetheless. I also am a huge fan of the trope I hated and wanted to use you until I got to know you, because I feel like that is such a real life thing that does happen any way that I love it when I read it in books. Truly one of those people are not always who they appear to be for better or for worse. I think this story had a lot of character development for our FMC, but I was surprised to see her so easily swooned by someone with her background. I know it talks about her being hard to get but she felt pretty easily swooned to me with how quickly the storyline felt it went. The only reason for the loss of the .5 star is because I wish we got a little more of a view of the true family dynamics of our FMC mom and dad. We did but also I felt like I wanted a little more. Like some true dialogue or something between them whether that be through flashback or at the end. Otherwise, I felt our MMC and family was well developed and was the perfect family you would want to end up in! Loved this book and love a HEA!

Overall this was a good story. Easy to read, short and fast paced. You really go through the emotions with the main characters while you try to understand their reasoning for the decisions they each make.

Thank you Entangled for the eARC

I picked this book up and didn't set it back down until after I'd read it cover to cover; hours later I am still thinking about it.

This storyline is packed with complicated family dynamics, life altering secrets, memorable characters, banter and the sweetest romance. I really loved watching Brady and Angie's relationship develop and grow from playful banter to friendship to something so much deeper.

From early on in the story I was impressed by Angie's bravery, strength and determination. I was firmly in her corner and it had me hoping for the HEA that she deserved.

Brady's storyline was emotional and I loved his strong familiar connections. These two characters complimented each other in a way that felt so natural and right.

I will definitely be recommending this one and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you Marisa Calcara, Net Galley and Entangled Publishing LLC | Amara for providing me with an ARC of this book! All opinions in this review are my own.

Really enjoyed this. I usually read fantasy, so this was a nice little break. It is fast paced and easy to follow. Angela is a former mafia princess who snitches on her father. She’s hiding away, working and attending law school. She keeps to herself until Brady comes into the picture. He’s hard to resist and she finds herself opening up to him. But Brady has his secrets as well. We get to read from both POVs (which I love). I actually really liked Angie, she’s strong and not what you would expect as a mafia princess. The inclusion of 9/11 was also appreciated. Overall, this book was cute and a quick read.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the e-ARC! I really enjoyed reading!

Overall, good read.

It's about a mafia princess who has left her family business, her fortune, and her future, to set out on her own in law school across the country. Angela Pines doesn't want to be part of her father's ruthless business of human trafficking or anything else he does to make money. She gets a fake ID and other documents made so she can start over.

What I love most about this story is Angela's resiliency. She gets a job, she lives in a rundown house, she doesn't have designer clothes or a fancy room anymore. She just puts her head down and works for her future. This determination helps her succeed while also catching the attention of popular Brady McDaniels. She doesn't want to get close to anyone for fear of her father finding her, but Brady, Angela can't resist.

However, can they form an honest relationship when both of them are hiding monumental secrets about why they're at a small rural California law school? Will love be able to save them and conquer all, even her father, the mafia boss?

This is a fast-paced read and you won't want to put down. It's enjoyable and you can connect to the characters.

Thank you to Entangled for the eARC of this book! Definitely recommend!

A Favor Owed flips the typical mafia romance on its head. Instead of glamorizing the lifestyle, it focuses on what happens when someone walks away from it.

Angie, once living in designer clothes and a New York mansion, trades it all for a rundown apartment and a low-profile life in dusty Dos Torres, California. She’s trying to make amends after helping put her mobster father behind bars for human trafficking. Now, she’s just a law student waiting tables—until Brady shows up.

Brady’s the classic good guy with secrets of his own, and their chemistry is immediate. But neither of them is being honest, and when the truth unravels, it hits hard.

The romance is sweet, not steamy. The story dives into tough subjects like human trafficking and 9/11, but it does so with care. Angie is fierce and independent—the kind of main character who earns your respect. Brady is both lovable and infuriating in a way that keeps you hooked.

This isn’t your usual mafia romance. It’s softer, more grounded, and emotionally honest. A solid debut that makes you want to read what Marisa Calcara writes next.

This book was cute and fun to follow along. Yes mafia book but not violent more of a love story. I really enjoyed the twisting in of 9/11 especially with the current political climate. Never forget.

A mafia princess decides to leave her father’s empire behind, snitching on him when she goes. Angie runs off from New York to California without looking back to start a new life and not one of luxury after squealing on her dad’s human trafficking ring. Brady’s father created the false documents that she needed to leave and got caught in the middle of the investigation. Brady found himself informing on her and falling in love at the same time.

There is some sweet romance in this book. It’s not full of your typical mafia romance details, but it does mention human trafficking rings and how they can work. It also touches on firefighters and 9/11 so if any of that triggers you, you might want to sit this one out. Overall, I enjoyed it and loved the characters. Brody was easy to love, but also scream at when I felt like he was messing up. Angie was independent and brave. The type of heroine I would love to be and my son would be lucky to marry. I can’t wait to read more from Marisa Calcara.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.