Giana never disappoints me and this one was no different. From the very first page, this book transports you straight to Italy with its rich, immersive details—I could practically feel the Tuscan sun on my skin. The setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s woven into the story in a way that makes you feel like you're right there, caught up in the romance and danger.

And speaking of romance, Rafa and Vera’s chemistry is off the charts. The way he wants to be her white knight while being an undeniable villain? Perfection. 🖤 Their inside jokes, whispered Italian sweet nothings, and deep, intimate moments create the kind of love story that feels both wildly passionate and deeply personal.

Yes yes yes! This man can hit me with his car any day and I will ask for it again. This was such a fun read, you have the secret mafia, Italy, I felt like I was there with them with how Giana described every scene.. I love thang the FMC was able to find herself through this book as well.

4.5 ⭐️ 3🌶️

Tropes:
Mafia romance
Age gap
Alpha MMC/Innocent FMC
Italian setting
Praise 😏
Dark romance

Now this is my type of mafia romance! This was my first time reading anything by Giana Darling and it definitely left me addicted and wanting more! Right from the start to the very last page this book was an epic wild ride! 🖤

Raffa the Italian alpha MMC mafia boss is completely ruthless, keeps his circle small, and of course is dangerous! He lets his guard down for a certain lady who he desires and we will see a bit of his tender side 🖤

Guinevere is the sweetest and has a bit of adventurous side. She took off to Italy in secret even though it was against her parent's wishes! Shes just trying to enjoy her time in Italy. But then she has a run in with a mafia boss 😏🥰

The chemistry between these two is 🔥 and the overall story I am so obsessed with! I ate up all the dirty humour and banter, I desperately need more as the cliffhanger ending was something else!!!

Now I need to go and find all of Giana's previous work! If you like mafia romances - I definitely suggest this one 🥰🖤🫶

Gian Darling is a new to me author and let me tell you I’m obsessed. I went into this completely blind and loved every second of it, & ended up reading it in one sitting.

I LOVED this book!!
Raffaele & Guinevere was everything, their meet cute was amazing
The spice 🫠
if you've read my of giana's books before
then you know her spice is always so hot
The ending yesterday
(e) I am so ready for book 2 l need it like

I have read a lot of Mafia romances, but this one hit so much differently. The characters, the atmosphere, the plot in itself, the cliffhanger... They all created a perfect blend.

Guinevere and Raffa literally took me on a journey to Italy, a place that I love so much myself and which I wish would become more present as a setting in books. And here it is: "My Dark Fairy Tale", a love letter to Italy's beauty and cultural richness. It had everything I hoped for: a vividly described setting, wine (the winery scene will leave rent free in my mind), the Italian language (I loved how much this was actually part of the story), and a swoon-worthy Italian hero. Raffa was such a phenomenal hero, especially because we got to see his mental struggle between his position and Guinevere. Plus, I am not usually a fan of the secret identity trope, but this one was one of the best executions I have ever read. It was extremely believable, and it led to a phenomenal cliffhanger (which I don't know how I am going to survive until October, but it was very good nonetheless).

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book, and I would highly recommend it if you are in the mood for a trip to Italy, falling in love with a capo and a spark of danger.

🖤Mafia Romance
🖤Virginia Heroine
🖤Age Gap
🖤Hidden Identity
🖤Set in Italy
🖤 “Teach me”
🖤Only soft for her
🖤Illness Rep

This book was SO GOOD!

Guinevere just wants to go to Florence and experience the culture and see the amazing sights of her heritage. She didn’t ask to be hit with a sports car driven by this sexy Italian man. Kinda worked out for her though?

This book was so romantic, mafia hits and all. I loved the raw story of Raff finding a love for his country again and for this American girl he didn’t see coming. They explored together, kissed under the stars and danced. It was like I was in Italy experiencing this new love and I ate it up. Raff was such a mafia boss on the outside and a cinnamon roll in the inside in the best ways.

There are so many things left that I can’t wait to discover about in the next book! It kept me reeled in and I devoured this book. The spice was fabulous, the story telling kept me locked in and unable to put it down.

Thank you so much to Giana for this amazing ARC! Love being part of your team!

The chemistry, the swoon, the heat?! This was such a good mafia story. Rafa and Guinevere are the perfect match and I loved watching their sweet and dark relationship grow. It ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Raffa and Guinevere are here, and It's so good!! They will have your Kindle on fire! 🔥🔥 Giana and her mafia men! Chef kisses!! Lol

That ending though. I'll need the second book asap!!

📖 My Dark Fairy Tale by Gianna Darling
Series: My Dark Mafia Romance book 1

Raffaele and Guinevere

❤️ Sweet and spicy Italian mafia romance

🤍 Loved the setting with all the Italian culture and history references

🖤 Raffaele and Guinevere’s meet cute was very fitting.

❤️ Guinevere can be annoyingly naive at times but she’s also passionate and fierce. I appreciated how unapologetic and elegantly she would stand up for herself.

🖤 Raffa is exactly what you’d expect from a sexy and dangerous Italian mafioso who has unexpectedly found his “dream American girl”.

🤍 Beware, this does end on a cliffhanger! However, Book 2 is already in the works and projected to be released this October.

❤️ Thank you Gianna Darling and VPR for the opportunity to read this story early!

Giana!! 😍😍 This book was just everything and more! I’m still swooning over Raffa!!

After travelling to Italy to try and connect with her family roots, and having a bit of a “bumpy” start to her trip, Guinevere is completely caught off guard when she quite literally crashes into the charming, yet dangerous Raffa

Raffa’s connection with Vera was instantaneous! Their flirting and the intense slow burn was addictive, and their chemistry and steam — completely off the scale!! 🔥

I loved reading about Vera’s journey into self growth and independence. She’s a strong intelligent young woman, trying to find her sense of independence from her some-what obtrusive parents

Raffa with all his charms and Italian phrases 😩🔥 I could’ve melted right on the spot from his words. He isn’t used to women like Vera, who push back against his every word, but something about her personality just keeps him captivated and amused. The way he protects Vera with all his power, and shows her what it’s truly like to live, ughh I love the man so much!! 🥹

The turn of events 💔😭

Warning: this book ends in a cliffhanger 😭 Giana, I’m begging you, I need book 2 in my life ASAP!!

Tropes include:

🖤 Age Gap
❤️ Touch her and d*e
🖤 Virgin heroine
❤️ Hidden identity

Huge thanks to Giana and Valentine PR for sending over the review copy! x

I realized around the 80% mark that this book was going to end on a heartbreaking cliffhanger. I know Giana's writing. I knew what would happen. But it wasn't exactly how I expected it to be. I spent the last 20% with that lump in my throat. You know the one. The one that feels like you're going to cry but don't quite know why.

Raffa and Guinevere are magical. A slightly lost American girl and her Italian hero. While that might be the premise, these characters are so much more than that. She's been sick and sheltered. He's living a life he didn't want. By the time they begin to find the common ground between them, we are already invested in the HEA we know will come.

Gina is one of my favorite writers. She makes the reader feel intense compassion for all of her characters. And, while the spice is ALWAYS hot, her stories are the real masterpiece each time.

This story caught my attention immediately when I started reading.
It was captivating and I just couldn’t put it down.
I needed answers to my questions asap.
I absolutely loved Guinevere. She’s sweet and a bit naive. Yet she has an old soul sense about her.
I adored how she spoke whatever she felt. Semi no filter lol.
Raffa had me intrigued from the start. He’s a complex character. I appreciated the depth and layers to him. What he was versus what he be came. And him believing there is no middle ground for him.
The banter between these two was top notch. It’s funny and entertaining. It’s sexy and flirty.
And their chemistry is through the roof. The tension and the energy between them is incredible.
But what I absolutely loved with the connection and bond that developed between them.
That just made it so much more special and magical.
The pace of the book is perfect. Always something happening. But nothing is rushed or slow paced.
The writing is so good. The descriptions and details are so vivid. I could see and smell the sights and sounds of Italy.
Is it too soon to say I want book 2 lol?

Ah! That ending! I don’t know why I’m surprised anymore that Giana leaves us on cliffhangers 🤣🤣 this book was such a good one! I don’t read mafia romance much, but the essence of being in Italy and what she infused into this story made it just so much more enjoyable! I seriously can’t wait to see what unravels in the next book!

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

“For the first time in my life, I wanted to be someone’s knight in shining armor.”

Imagine it’s your first day in Italy, you’re 23 years old and it’s the first solo adventure you’ve ever taken after a slightly sheltered life.

You’re traveling the countryside and your car breaks down, a nice older gentleman stops to help you but turns out he’s not so nice and you end up running for life. You make it to safety only to get hit by a car. Said car is driven by a gorgeous Italian man, a mafioso (unbeknownst to Guinevere) and kindly takes you back to his house to care for you.

Now if that hasn’t drawn you in maybe this will. Raffa is the top mafioso in his area. He’s known for being a ruthless leader, loyal to very few, so imagine his surprise when Guinevere runs into his life. 11 years old than her, he knows he should stay away but after caring for her for a week, he learns his heart isn’t has black as he assumed. But will she stay when she finds out how dark his life really is?

I loved these two so much! The way Raffa cares for her, the way he’s soft only for her, how he not only encourages her freedom and independence but is still also fiercely protective of her. The way he constantly spoiled her. Guinevere was this beacon of light brought into his life. The banter between them was my favourite, I loved how well they got on despite the age difference, how she teased him and the smiles he gave only to her. It was like they were meant to meet each other.

I loved her zest for life, living with a medical condition had left her sheltered from a lot in life but she’s been desperate to discover Italy. The confidence she had to travel to a whole new country is incredible, I have a big girl crush on her.

Raffa opens her world to the wonders of Italy and awakens her desires in ways she never expected. The spice in this book was phenomenal! Had me blushing and squirming and so giddy! A man obsessed, there are no words

I honestly have no coherent thoughts to write this review, Giana outdid herself with this book! You need to read it! And that ending has itching for the next one!

So if you love mafia romance, with a man who absolutely smitten with her, will do anything for her and delicious spice then you need to read this book!

Perfect mafia romance. Guinevere, an American woman who feels called to follow her family roots to Italy for the summer, has no clue just how entrenched in the mafioso her new lover is, but honestly the best part was watching her get to know the real and vulnerable Raffa. He also gave Guinevere the space to grow into herself as a woman, something she’d been seeking during her Italian summer.

The author did a great job at balancing the mafia side of the story (Raffa’s dark side) with showing how his romance unfolds as Guinevere works her way into his heart and family. The setting for this story fit perfectly with the author’s love for literature and the classics. I felt like I was a part of Guinevere’s journey as she fell in love with the beauty, culture and history of Italy!

That cliffhanger hurt BAD. I can’t wait until we get the conclusion to this duet! I have so many theories, and I can't wait to see if any of them are right!

one of my most anticipated releases and it did not disappoint!! Giana was able to perfectly blend the dark side of mafia with a whirlwind, beautiful romance. I was hooked from meet cute which was iconic if I do say so myself! The ending HURT and I’m going to need book 2 asap. The fact that I’m sitting with two Giana cliffhangers right now is brutal, but i still love you Giana 🫶🏻

“Cerbiatta mia. La mia donna. La mia stella cadente.”
“My little fawn. My woman. My shooting star.”

What to expect:
-mafia
-age gap (11 years)
-billionaire
-touch her & d!e
-good girl x bad boy
-hidden identity
-forced proximity
-chronic illness rep
-italian setting
-found family

Guinevere travels alone to Italy to learn more about her family’s roots and our girl does not get off to a good start. A chance encounter causes her to meet (aka gets hit by a car by) Raffa, who she has no idea is actually a very powerful and dangerous mafia boss. He takes her in, they grow closer and feeling evolve, but what will happen when she finds out who he really is?? Only time and reading this book will tell! Raffa and Guinevere’s chemistry is off the charts!!! I loved Guinevere’s self-discovery and character development, and I loved Raffa’s contrasting possessive and sweet sides. There’s so many secrets, mysteries, and unexpected connections as you read that had me on the edge of my seat. I will always be obsessed with Giana’s beautifully poetic writing and the setting of Italy was the cherry on top. This book was an addictive rollercoaster I never wanted to get off, but I was forced off and now I have to wait until September for book 2 *cries* Anyways, go read this one if you want an immersive wild ride that you will devour in one sitting!

Thank you so much Giana and team for the ARC of My Dark Fairytale 🖤

TROPES:
age gap
mafia
virgin hero
touch her and die
hidden identity
takes place in Italy
bad boy x good girl

Guinevere and Raffa! My good lord have mercy! Giana Darling has done it again fam!
Book 1 in the My Dark Mafia series, came out swingin!

Guin graduates from college and decides to go to Italy, she has always wanted to go but her parents have always been adamant about her never going, family history that she never gets details on. So, she lies and tells them she is traveling to France. Once she arrives something happen with her vehicle, a crazy moment that I will not give spoilers on, and she meets Raffa.

Raffa feels an instant connection to our FMC, despite knowing that this is NOT a good path to take and he can't help himself.

Guys! the twists and turns, the secrets that come out in this book, and that cliff hanger?!?! I can notttt wait for book 2!

6✨

WHAT THE HECK WAS IN THIS BOOK CAUSE I WAS HOOKED FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE. The book starts out in a crazy way and in a way you’ll never forget. We’re introduced to both main characters in the most wild manner and it just makes you extra obsessed with the rest of it. It’s the most mafia like meet cute that’s kinda sick but if you love chaos, then you’ll be as obsessed with it as I was.

Raffa and Guinevere is meant to be, it’s that simple. The way they found each other was definitely fated and total kismet. Vera is your all American girl that’s always been sheltered from anything dangerous cause she grew up with a chronic illness that left her parents being very vulnerable and overprotective of her. And Raffa is a total opposite of that, being an infamous mafioso that’s ruthless towards those who show disloyalty and in his core a mafia made man. But there’s just something about when opposites meet that really hits different especially when they’re from complete different worlds.

But as the book unfolds and we learn more about both Raffa and Guinevere, you see new sides of them, and Vera isn’t just this good girl and Raffa isn’t full on a villain either. There’s a lot of depth to them both and being together changes them too.

Guinevere Stone’s dad is from Italy and has always forbade her from visiting but as a 23 year old and after experiencing a loss, she’s destined to take this journey and explore her roots. When she encounters a near death experience, she’s hit by a car passing her, and it’s none other than Raffa who then saves and takes care of her. If getting hit by a car means falling love with Raffaele Romano, then please hit me too.

One of the best mafia romances that I have read in the longest time and that cliffhanger? MY HEART… October 28 BETTER hurry up. I need a sedation after how this book ended. *sobs*

🌹 What to expect:
— mafia romance
— billionaire Italian mafioso
— italian/tuscany setting
— age gap
— hidden identity
— bad boy x good girl
— close proximity
— virgin fmc
— crazy meet cute
— billionaire hero
— lots of italian dirty talk
— chronic illness rep
— a heroine in finance
— dual pov

MY DARK FAIRY TALE by Giana Darling
My Dark Mafia Romance Book #1
Raffaele and Guinevere's story
Tropes: Mafia Billionaire, Virgin, Age Gap,
I really love a good Mafia romance and My Dark Fairy Tale has definitely become a favourite! Guinevere wants to travel to Italy on vacation and search her family roots against her father's wishes.
She goes anyways and ends up crossing paths with our mysterious dark hero Raffaele Romano and she has no idea that he's the Mob Boss. He's not usually so taken with women but Guinevere's innocence, strength and beauty is drawing him in. He offers to help her and they get to somewhat know each other. This attraction is mutual but with a time limit. Ms. Darling gave us a delicious, sensuous story of 2 people trying to find themselves while they found each other. Intense chemistry and steamy scenes kept me totally addicted right up to the heart wrenching cliff hanger and begging for more!!!