🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶

Tropes
🖤 Mafia Romance
🖤 Hidden Identity
🖤 Billionaire Italian Mafioso
🖤 Chronic Illness Rep
🖤 Bad Boy x Good Girl
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Italian Dirty Talk
 
Raffa and Guinevere's love story is the epitome of destiny—pure serendipity at its finest. Vera, the quintessential all-American girl, has lived a sheltered life due to a chronic illness that rendered her parents deeply protective. On the other hand, Raffa is her polar opposite: a notorious mafioso, known for his ruthlessness toward betrayal and embodying the persona of a mafia-made man. Yet, there’s something undeniably magnetic about the collision of opposites, especially when they come from such vastly different worlds.
 
Guinevere Stone, determined to uncover her roots, decides to embark on a journey to Italy—a destination her father had always forbidden her to visit. At 23 and coping with personal loss, she is resolute in her pursuit. However, her adventure takes an unexpected turn when she survives a near-death experience—being hit by a passing car. The driver, none other than Raffaele Romano, rescues her and becomes her caretaker. As the narrative unfolds, layers of complexity are revealed in both Raffa and Guinevere. Vera is more than just the archetype of the good girl, and Raffa transcends the role of the hardened villain. Their relationship transforms them, adding depth to their characters and making their story all the more captivating.
 
🎧 Narrators Dane Anderson and CJ Bloom, in collaboration with Brilliance Audio, truly brought Raffa and Guinevere to life with their compelling performances. Dane's Italian accent was especially mesmerizing—swoon-worthy, to say the least! The narration added an extra layer of charm and authenticity to the story, making it an even more immersive experience.

Ps: can't wait to know more about Guinevere's paternal family. I have my theories! Book two is going to be so good! I hope they get their HEA!

Pss: I also can't wait to know more about her sister 🫠

THANK YOU Giana Darling and Valentine PR for this ARC 🫶🏼

LOVE! This was such a good read! I absolutely loved their “meet cute”. This was my second book by Giana & I love her writing style!! I loved the characters and their development. I honestly can’t wait for book 2 after that ending! It was so good!

This was age gap done so well without feeling forced! I also loved the mafia aspect to this romance!

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Guinevere is off on her dream vacation to Italy to discover more about her Italian roots, but the one place her father has always told her never to go. Her trip starts off very rough and then she meets Rafa, he is everything she could have dreamed of. Little does she know who he truly is, he gives her little clues the more they spend time together but she is always showing him the light to his darkness.

Rafa is È il gentiluomo mafioso, The Gentleman Mafioso, in his city. The Don. No one messes with him, but Guinevere is none the wiser. Rafa hasn’t always been this man of darkness, he used to live a life full of light until his father died and he was called to fulfill his family duty; Guinevere brings parts of his old self back and yet he knows he can’t keep her.

Ugh I just loved Rafa. This man is hottt and the Italian that comes out of his mouth 😮‍💨
I loved watching Guinevere and Rafa come together, they are 🤌🏼💋

There are secrets to be revealed and and ending that left my jaw on the floor and my heart racing.

“What do you want?”
-“To be the man who deserves that look on your face.”
“What look?”
-“Like I could pull the stars from the sky for you if only you asked me to.”
“And would you?”
-“Troverei un modo.”

4 ⭐️
3 🌶️

I don’t know where to start! I freaking loved this book it was so perfect. Giana Darling is becoming one of my top Favorite authors. I have read 2 books by her now and they were both fantastic!! If you love darker romance, mafi, Italy setting you will love this book! Please check trigger warnings and also know this book does end on cliffy but it’s not a bad cliffy.


Tropes:
Age Gap
Mafia
Virgin Heroine
Touch her ☠️
Hidden Identity
Takes place in Italy
Bad Boy x Good Girl

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Guinevere has been saving her whole life for 6 week trip to Italy. Her family is from Italy and she has always dreamed of returning and exploring the countryside. Guinevere has a rough start when she first arrives in Italy. Her car breaks down, then she is robbed and then hit by a car she didn’t expect the gentleman to take her in take care of.

Raffa can’t believe he just hit an American woman with his car. Raffa does not like surprises and tries to always be two steps ahead of everything. Guinevere was not something Raffa saw coming and he knows he is not good for her. But there is something about this woman that draws him. He wants to be good for her, feels like he can be a good man. They have 6 weeks together and he plans to make the most out of those 6 weeks.

Guinevere and Raffa are both falling for each other but they both have secrets and are afraid to let the other in. Can they finally open up and be honest or will the secrets win?

*** I want to thank Giana Darling and Valentine PR for giving me the chance to read My Darling Fairy Tale as an ARC. In exchange for my honest review and thoughts.****

This was the sweetest mafia romance I’ve ever read! Raffa was so incredibly sweet with Guinevere and was so torn between his two worlds.

The innocence of Guinevere was so refreshing. She was truly living out her fairy tale romance.

I have so many thoughts and questions. I can’t wait to get book 2 after that cliffhanger! I need to know if my suspicions are correct!!

This was my first by Giana Darling and I’m hooked!

My Dark Fairy Tale is the ultimate fantasy of a young woman seeking adventure, only to find herself tangled in a dangerous and intoxicating love story. This book was utterly captivating—a perfect blend of mystery, romance, and the dark allure of the mafia world.

The story follows Guinevere, a sheltered young woman with a lifelong fascination with Italy, a place her father has always kept from her. After the sudden loss of her sister, she takes a leap of faith, escaping to Tuscany under the guise of traveling elsewhere. But what begins as a dreamy vacation quickly turns into a nightmare when she finds herself in danger, only to be rescued—literally by accident—by Raffa Romano, the feared yet enigmatic mafia boss of Northern Italy.

From the moment Raffa takes her into his world, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Guinevere's innocence and quiet strength awaken something in Raffa—a longing to be the man he was before his life was consumed by power and violence. Their romance unfolds like a dream, filled with extravagant gestures, whispered promises, and stolen moments against the breathtaking backdrop of Italy. Yet, the dark reality of Raffa’s world looms over them, culminating in a chilling moment of reckoning.

This book had me hooked from start to finish. The lush descriptions of Italy, the forbidden yet undeniable love, and the high-stakes drama made for an unforgettable reading experience. Guinevere’s journey of self-discovery was just as compelling as the romance, and Raffa was the perfect balance of danger and devotion. The ending left me desperate for more—I cannot wait for the second book!

If you love intense, swoon-worthy romance with a touch of darkness and intrigue, My Dark Fairy Tale is an absolute must-read!

mafia romance with a hidden identity. CHECK!

this was so good, i literally loved raffa and guinevere so much. they absolutely were a delight to read. they’re connection was immediate ya know… after he hit her with his car by accident BUT! all is well. and that ending? JAW DROPPED. i mean i was expecting but it all happened so fast my heart was all over the place.

“I realized it would be difficult when she smiled at me in that red dress. Knew it was dangerous exposure when I danced with her at the trattoria. Surrendered to it completely when she parted her slim thighs, trusting me to teach her to know a completely new part of herself without any hesitation, as if I deserved that faith. Wondered if I might kill and die for another taste of her as soon as we kissed.”

thank you so much giana darling and your team for reaching out to send me not only an e-arc but a physical copy as well 🥹🖤

I've been a big fan of Gianna Darling for quite some time now and all of her books are AMAZING, including My Dark Fairy Tale. A well written and entertaining mafia romance. The romance and spicy between Guinevere and Raffa was top tier!! I love both MC"S and loved seeing their relationship progress throughout the book. This book was a 10/10 for me

A new book by Giana Darling? Yes, please! My Dark Fairy Tale is the first book in a new duet, My Dark Mafia Romance, and I devoured it. Guinevere and Raffaele had me captivated right from the start. They meet under very interesting and uncomfortable circumstances. For Guinevere, travelling to Italy has been a lifelong dream, even if her father wanted anything but that for her. Raffaele is mysterious, charming and commanding. He is the Capo and feared, but all she sees is what calls to her. What will happen when she discovers the truth?

On her first day in Italy, Guinevere’s trip takes quite the downturn but is “saved” by the charming and sexy Italian man who is gorgeous. Suddenly she is making him feel things he has not felt in a long time. She calls his soul. For her, she sees only the man she is falling for. They spend time together in many different ways and falling. It was so much fun to go on this journey with them, even as I felt something major was coming. I loved this book so much and then we get to that ending. Wow. I cannot wait until the second book and already downloaded the audiobook for this one! I need to see where we go from here. I highly recommend this book.

Happy reading!

Me 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾 Giana Darling
I will devour anything and everything she writes because I just know it will be a banger of a read.

I loved Raffa and Guinevere with my whole heart. These two were full of chemistry and they did not disappoint. Raffa was such an alpha male but it was very clear that Guinevere is his soft spot because he would do *anything* to keep her safe.

I loved the story of Guinevere travelling to Italy to learn more about her family history...and I hope she gets some answers in the next book!

Their meet-cute started off the book super strong and had me hooked right from the beginning! And now we have to wait until OCTOBER to finish their story! Eek!!

This book?!?!🤯
Holy hell, I think I might need me an Italian Mafia man!🥵

I have no words, but this book is good!
The journey they’re both on is incredible and I loved to follow them. The way Guinevere found herself and became a strong independent woman is remarkable!
And the way Rafa was reminded of who he really is?
These two not only found each other, but in doing that they also found themselves.

I loved everything about this book!

If you’re a lover of Mafia romances, you have to read this! Guinevere and Raffa were everything and more! I loved how protective Raffa was of Guinevere from the start and how we got to see his dark side to the world, but his soft side for her.

The setting was pure perfection, in the Tuscan countryside, where it was Guinevere’s dream to visit in hopes of connecting with her roots. I also really loved the found family aspect in this story. I found it so heartwarming.

This story has everything! There’s plot, tension, spice, and the romantic feeling of a delicious dark fairy tale. Looking forward to book 2 in October! 🖤

“𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚?” 𝙄’𝙙 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪,” 𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙮. “𝙄𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨.”

It’s no secret that I absolutely love everything Giana writes, and this was no exception! I loved everything about this story from the gorgeous Italian setting, to the characters and the intensity of a love that we all dream of having on an adventure abroad.

Vera is 23 years old on a solo trip to Italy despite her parents wishes and ends up having a series of unfortunate (or fortunate depending on how you look at them) events that lead her to Raffa who proceeds to quite literally sweep her off her feet and care for her in her time of need.

Never mind the fact that he’s a mafioso 🤭 and all that sweetness is reserved for her 🥹

With only a few weeks to spend together, they definitely make the most of them! But when his world collides with hers, his secrets come to the surface and we are left wondering:

Is love enough?

Bravo, Giana! I am always impressed with your beautiful storytelling and the way you are able to create characters that feel so real I wish they were! And now, I can’t freaking wait for book two!

This story is perfect for you if you love:

❤️ age gap romance
🖤 virgin FMC
❤️ fun use of wine
🖤 touch her and d!e
❤️ mafia
🖤 chronic illness rep
❤️ anti-hero
🖤 found family
❤️ hidden identity

5⭐️!!

"Madonna santa, she was so young and unblemished. So what did it say about me that I wanted to dirty her up with sin?"

This was everything I expected from Giana with another mafia duet but also so much more!! I honestly loved this book so much, the vibes are immaculate swear Giana's book make me want to visit Italy soo bad she writes that setting sooo freaking good

This book was the best amounts of funny, romantic and hot!! I'm so invested in Raffa and Vera's story and I cannot wait for part 2!! Giana's really coming at us with these cliffhangers lately

I’m 10000% obsessed with this book. The way Rafa and Guinevere are with each other are incredible and you can see G character development start to shine through. I cannot wait to see the woman she becomes and how it’s going to affect them. The mafia aspect was so unique and interesting a d I’ve never read anything quite like it

Big shocker I have fallen in love with another Giana Darling book!!

I love how poetic and unique Giana writes. For me no one else writes the way she does and she makes it so easy to be completely engrossed in her stories.

Raffa and Guinevere completely own my heart now. I will literally be incomplete till I read the rest of their story. I loved how honest and upfront Guinevere was with her feelings and emotions. It’s such a refreshing thing to read with a FMC. Raffaele literally had me a puddle on the ground the whole time. I am a simp for this man. Who doesn’t love a touch her and d!e this is my woman type of man!! The setting being in Italy really was the cherry on top. I can’t express how much I loved these characters and their story.

Giana I am unwell from that ending!!!

I came for the mafia romance fairy tale and stayed for the ruin. 💀🩶

My Dark Fairy Tale by Giana Darling is here, and it’s 🥵🔥 Once again, Giana Darling sweeps me off my feet with a story that’s as sensual as it is ruthlessly romantic. It’s filled with danger, desire, and a dark prince who might just ruin you in the best way. 🤭

Giana neatly balances the brutal world of Raffa with Guinevere’s dreamy, self-discovery journey. It’s the kind of story that lingers, especially after that ending?! I’m going to need to fast-forward to October, please and thank you.

May we all run off to Italy and get rescued by an Italian mafioso like Raffa. 🧎🏽‍♀️🙂‍↕️

🖤 Mafia Romance
💰 Billionaire Romance
🤭 Age Gap Romance
🇮🇹 Tuscany setting
🤫 Hidden Identity
❣️ Good Girl x Bad Boy

I ate this book up! I knew I could count on this author for a dark, delicious, and emotional read! Her Antiheroes in Love duet is one of my all time favorite mafia reads, so I was so excited when I found out she was writing more mafia!

Guinevere (Vera) is a young American traveling in Italy. It’s been her dream to go and she is finally taking her dream trip despite her family’s wishes. However, her dream trip quickly turns into a nightmare and Raffaele (Raffa) saves her.

Unbeknownst to Vera, Raffa is a dangerous mafioso. She has no idea how dark and dangerous Raffa is. He is instantly captivated and consumed by her, but he’s not sure she can handle his darkness. Vera is on a self discovery journey while in Italy and away from her family. She really finds her strength and matures a lot, but is she really ready for Raffa?

In addition to showing her Italy, Raffa gives Vera some spicy lessons. There was an especially hot scene involving some wine.

The cliffhanger at the end of this book shattered my heart. I can’t wait until My Dark Ever After releases in October!

I mean.. GIANA?!

Raffa and Vera are absolute perfection. Their meet cute is pretty out there and unlike most I have read but it leads to the most beautiful love story.. and heartbreaking one at that as well.

-Mafia
-Age Gap (11 years)
-Virgin FMC
-Freaky Wine Tasting (iykwim)
-Touch Her and Die

Vera is a 23 year old American girl traveling to Italy for the first time (her father is an Italian immigrant who never wanted his daughters to go to Italy) and she has an incredibly ROUGH start to her trip, but Raffa swoops her off her feet and cares for her and makes it one of the best trips of her life.. while omitting a big ole secret.. he’s a mafioso and he isn’t as sweet as she thinks he is.

The ending has me all in my feels and I am BEYOND ready for book 2. I mean.. GIANA?!? Give my heart a break!

*I received an eARC from Valentine PR*

Ahhhh, so good! I’ll admit that I don’t usually gravitate towards mafia romances (I know, I know), but if Giana writes it, I will read it! Her books always hit for me, no matter what! The book was the perfect escape — it was so atmospheric and took me to Italy immediately! I’m going to Italy this summer so this was the perfect way to get me into the Italian spirit!

I LOVED Guinevere and Raffa! Guinevere takes a trip of a lifetime to Italy to get in touch with her Italian roots. She kind of has a rough start to the trip but she ends up meeting Raffa in an adorable meet-cute. There was instant attraction and they end up having a whirlwind romance. However, Raffa hasn’t exactly been truthful with her — he’s been hiding that he’s a mafioso. When Guinevere finds out, will that send her running for the [Tuscany] hills?

Loved the story, all the spice, and of course all the Italian beauty and culture! The book does end in a cliffy so I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the next book to see how the duet concludes! 5⭐️

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Giana, for the #gifted book in exchange for my honest review!