This book is intriguing. I enjoyed this take on how the Mafia man is also a famous boxer who is instantly attracted to the FMC. I enjoyed that this wasn't a slow burn romance and the protectiveness of the MMC. The MMC feels protective of her and does everything he can to keep her safe, not only from her ex but from the mafia ties he is connected to. Thats one thing that I enjoy about this book.

This book really had the perfect combination of spice and plot. If you enjoy mafia plot and spice, I say you should pick it up. I know the beginning can be a little triggering because of the cheating, just know that the cheating is just in the beginning and she cuts all ties once she sees that.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️
Spice Meter: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 It was definitely spicy.

General Thoughts: I love dark mafia romance, and this one sounded like it was going to be good. So I jumped at the chance to read it. I thought the story had a lot of potential. The characters and storyline sounded like something I'd love. I think the book was rushed. I'm here for spice as much as the next person, but I thought that was more or less all that was going on here. I didn't get the connection between the characters. I didn't feel that the story was well-developed. I hate leaving less-than-positive reviews, but every now and then, a book is just a miss. This one was that for me. As it is her debut, perhaps her other books are better. I wanted to like this one, but ultimately a bit of a miss. I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author and Hambright PR.

Romantic Tropes
-dual POV
-mafia-esque
-contemporary
-dark
-sports
-boxing

You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
1 like

This book just wasn't for me. I was just kinda bored and had a hard time picking it up to finish it.

Distance is the first book in Luna Mason’s Beneath the Mask series. The series as a whole is pretty bingeable and easy to dive into.

This book follows Sienna, who has just broken up with her ex-fiancé after catching him cheating. On a night out with her friends to celebrate her newly single status, she crosses paths with Keller at the opening night of his club. From the moment he sees her, Keller becomes instantly captivated by her beauty, and Sienna can’t deny her own immediate attraction to him either.

Keller is an enforcer for the mafia, and he’s laser-focused on his goal of getting out of the mob and avoiding distractions... at first. When he lays eyes on Sienna, she becomes his obsession, and he can’t stay away from her.

Their undeniable attraction leads them into some dangerous crossfires, which forces Keller to choose between the mob, putting Sienna in harm’s way, or keeping her safe by distancing himself from her completely

I’m very particular about the instant-lust trope—it has to be executed well and not overshadow the romance or genuine character development for me to feel fully immersed in the story. I needed more dialogue beyond just the physical attraction. Sure, the smut was good, and it was clear that they were physically compatible and intensely drawn to each other, but I wanted more depth to their connection.

That said, I did enjoy the mystery, suspense, and overall plot of the book. It was an easy read and a good choice if you’re looking to get into mafia romance.


What To Expect:
• Mafia Romance
• Found Family
• Instant Lust
• Boxer MMC 🥊
• Touch her & ☠️


Thank you to the author and Kensington Publishing for a gifted trad copy. All opinions are my own.

A hundred times yessss!! I also got book 2, but Luna got a new fan. I’m obsessed lately with everything she posts, books, quotes and the nsfw art?!?!? 😍

it was okay nothing memorable or exciting I'll be honest I don't think I would read more in the series the first two were just meh

This is a dark, steamy romance blending mafia tension with sports heat. Sienna and Keller’s chemistry is electric, with emotional depth and danger keeping the pages turning. A gripping start to the Beneath the Mask series.

⭐️: 3.5
🌶️: 2.5/5

I don’t know what I was wanting from this book but I felt like something was missing. I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Keller and Sienna. They fell so hard and fast that I feel like we missed them actually falling in love all together.

I wish we could’ve seen Keller in his boxing element more, after all it was a boxing mafia romance and it just didn’t feel like that. It was also 1000% predictable. 🤷🏽‍♀️

It took me a minute to finish but overall I enjoyed the drama and the spice and I’m hopeful that Grayson and Maddie’s book will redeem the start for me 😂

Love a possessive man who can’t get enough of his girl! Enjoyable read, the dark romance kept the book alive for me. Spicy too!

Distance
By: Luna Mason
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

This is my first Luna Mason book, and I loved it! I’m starting to get more into dark romance, and this book did not disappoint. Sienna & Keller… whoa! The heat and possessiveness these two have is intense in such a good way. Distance is filled with twists, drama, and spice. Keller Russo’s filthy mouth was just perfect and I absolutely loved their undeniable chemistry.

You’ll love this book if you enjoy:
🖤 Dark Romance
🤫 M@fia Vibes
🥊 Fighter MMC (boxing)
💪 Surprise Tattoos
🙏”Good Girl” Praise
🏃‍♀️Fast Burn
👊 Touch Her and D!e

Thank you so much @authorlunamason & @hambright_pr for this ARC! I’m so looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series ❤️

#arcreview #bookreview #beneaththemaskseries #lunamasonauthor #distance #hambrightpr #hambrightprinfluencer #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #books #reading #booklover #bibliophilie #booksaremagic #bookish #booksta #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #mafiaromance #darkromancebooks #readmorebooks

I went into Distance expecting a dark, emotionally charged romance with real tension and depth—but unfortunately, it didn’t deliver. The pacing was painfully slow, and when big, intense moments did happen—like the kidnapping—they were over in a blink. One sentence she’s gone, three later she’s rescued. It left no time to feel anything. The supposed “just physical” relationship quickly blurred into more without any real buildup, and it didn’t feel like the dark romance it claimed to be. Instead, the story felt jumbled, repetitive, and lacked the emotional or physical “distance” the title hinted at. I wanted more grit, more development, and more substance.

"Distance" by Luna Mason is an exhilarating blend of dark mafia drama and steamy sports romance, pulling readers into a world where love collides with danger. The story revolves around Keller, a heavyweight boxing champion with a secretive and shadowy existence, and Sienna, a spirited British woman trying to find her footing in New York City after a tough breakup.

The author expertly crafts a story that balances suspense with romance, creating a captivating atmosphere that kept me on the edge of my seat and well past my bedtime 😉
Keller's character is a compelling mix of strength and vulnerability, an underground fighter striving for redemption while trapped in a mafia’s grasp. His internal struggles are relatable, and the author captures the turmoil of his double life beautifully. (Tortured soul my favourite 😉)

Sienna’s character serves as a breath of fresh air, her determination to build a new had me rooting for her.
Their chemistry ignites the pages, the push and pull of their relationship amid external threats. The tension escalates as they navigate their fears and insecurities, leading to heartfelt moments that are both raw and genuine. And be prepared to bawl like a baby 😭

The plot is woven with twists and turns, creating a sense of urgency and suspense that drives the story forward. The author’s writing is vivid and engaging, bringing the dark underbelly of the mafia and the thrill of boxing to life.
The author's attention to detail in building the emotional stakes makes "Distance" more than just a romance, it’s a gripping exploration of trust, sacrifice, and the complexities of love.

In conclusion, "Distance" is a thrilling start to the Beneath The Mask series, offering us a rollercoaster of emotions filled with spice, suspense, and the quest for a happily ever after.
It’s perfect for fans of dark romances and those seeking a story that dares to explore the depths of trust and love against all odds.
Readers will undoubtedly be eager for the next installment in this captivating series!

Now I’m off to KU to snag the next one 😉

🦋

This book is difficult to write a review for.. mostly because it's taken me so long to get through it. It's like a messy mashup of all the dark mafia romances and sports romances, but in the style of a cheap porno.

I'm sorry that's harsh, I usually try to avoid being MEAN in reviews. I actually really liked the blurb of this book, and I pictured a dark story with character growth and lots of emotions. It just fell flat to me and I wasn't attached to any of the characters by the end of it. The writing was also lacking, very surface-level or littered with grammatical errors. Overall, it was just a miss for me.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Obsessed. I absolutely love love love loved this book.
Everything from the plot, to the characters, and even the spice was very well done.
I can’t wait to read more of Luna, and read more in this series!

I had been excited about this book when I signed up on Instagram. I'm a big Mafia/Dark romance fan, but this one didn't give me the right feelings as most.

It started out strong but I just couldn't get over how unrealistic the story was. While it is fiction, it's based in the real world. The characters just made it a big hard to read. I DNFed at 80%

I'm sorry. I'm sure there are people who love it. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you for the opportunity to read it

⭐️: 4/5
🌶️: 3/5
‌
Story Vibes:
Oh oh oh! This book absolutely hit all the vibes! It had mafia, it had MMA fighter, it had stalker ex boyfriend, and there is 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮. The plot line, the characters, the 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚, all vibed in the best way possible!!!!!

Overall Vibes
I definitely didn't want this one to end. I fell hard and fast for both Sienna and Keller. These characters absolutely belonged together, if you ask me! The way Keller tried hard to resist the temptation that was Sienna by distancing himself.....the way Sienna made him melt for her......it was *chef's kiss*! And the spice was 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜! Keller had an absolutely dirty mouth and I swooned! If you love books that have amazing plot, perfect spice, dirty mouthed MMC's and all the best side characters, don't miss this one. It's the perfect blend of mafia + fighter romance, filled with all the angst of push and pull between the characters. I can not wait for the next one!

Wow! This book is amazing!

I need to start by saying that this whole series is perfect, but this one has a special place in my heart.

Keller & Sienna's story is emotional, scorching hot, and beautiful. Two Broken People healing each other and finding love. It's powerful.

Keller is not your conventional fighter, he has ties with the mafia and is a player. He met his match when he met Sienna, it was an instant attraction that burned hot.

Sienna is a strong woman healing from past traumas, she is unbelievable and fierce. She just has a fire in her that will make you love her.

I loved this book, the story, the plot, and the spice were beautifully executed

Beneath the Mask is a great start to the series, following Sienna and Keller’s intense, chemistry-filled romance. After a brutal breakup, Sienna heads to a nightclub with her best friend and ends up in the lap of Keller: boxing champ, gym owner, mafia hitman, and total alpha.

The attraction is instant, the spice is non-stop and the dark mafia elements add depth and danger. It’s steamy, emotional, and addictive.

Trigger warnings apply, but if you love dark romance with serious heat, this one’s a must read. I can’t wait for book two!

The story centers on Keller Russo, a world heavyweight boxing champion entangled in the mafia's web. His path crosses with Sienna, a British expatriate seeking a fresh start in New York after a tumultuous breakup. Their immediate and intense connection propels the narrative, as they navigate the treacherous intersections of love and crime.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Distance by Luna Mason kicks off with a gut-punch of betrayal that sets the tone for an emotionally intense and gripping romance.

Our heroine, Sienna, catches her fiancé in the act of cheating😱—a moment that’s both devastating and liberating!
She walks away, and from there, the story takes a thrilling turn. Her ex refuses to let go, and as disturbing revelations about him surface, readers are left questioning his motives and the depth of his obsession.
The tension builds not just from emotional wounds, but from the danger that lingers in the shadows.

Enter Keller: a towering, tattooed mafia enforcer and famous boxer who exudes both danger and devotion🥵.
The chemistry between him and Sienna is instant and electric. This isn’t a slow burn—Luna Mason dives into the heat early, balancing sizzling romance with a plot that keeps the pages turning.
Keller’s protective instincts, especially against the threats tied to both Sienna’s past and his own world, give the story a strong emotional core.

What makes Distance stand out is its balance—it's steamy and suspenseful, with enough heart and character depth to keep readers fully invested. Mason doesn’t overload the reader with unnecessary drama; instead, she lets the tension simmer naturally as the story unfolds.

Without giving too much away, the twists are genuinely surprising, and the book hints at deeper stories to come.
Im left eager to read the second book, especially with two intriguing side characters already sparking curiosity.✨️

In short: Distance is a fast-paced, sexy, and suspense-filled romance that will hook you from the first chapter and leave you wanting more.