This one was a quick and easy read. It was fast paced, dual POV and drama filled. I really found the main characters Angela and Brady interesting and I enjoyed the plot. There was some good spice but I felt there was a plothole in the storyline. BUT, I loved the slow burn and the banter! It was super enjoyable.

Thank you Entangled for this ARC :) 3.5 Stars!

Okay but I loved this?

Hear me out.. HOT, and I mean HOT fireman who’d do anything to save his family, even maybe fall for the one girl he can’t fall for??

Okay so look, Brady is like the epitome of what we all picture when we think FDNY.. he’s sexy, has an amazing sense of humor, cocky-ish but mostly confident, oh…and he’s in law school?

Entangled publishing you did it again. Thanks for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

This book was okayy, 2.5 stars. I will admit that I expected a more typical mafia romance, but that's not what this was, so there wasn't a lot of action. I liked Angela and Brady's chemistry, but considering his attitude at the start, thinking she "owed him" for something, I was not a bit fan of Brady and wasn't really rooting for them to be together. Considering that it's marketed as having a "struggling law student" and a "firefighter" fall in love, I didn't expect him to be a law student as well, but rather a firefighter in the small town that she ended up with. I just felt like him being a firefighter didn't really add much to the story.

Angela was meant to be a very intelligent law student, but then you're telling me that she decided to use a fake name, chosen with the whole purpose of not being found by her family, which was Angela Pines, when her actual name is Angelina Pini??? This girl was really lacking imagination... And I get that she wants to help victims of human trafficking, because of what her dad has been doing, but if you are trying to lie low as it has only been a few months since you betrayed him and his whole operation got ruined, then maybe you would stay clear of those kind of cases for a bit??? I guess not... She also forgave Brady waaaay too easily, and even if he was justified in his actions, I just don't think that's the best way to start a relationship... I would have liked to see her making him grovel for a while! He really should have.

*Side note: I think I really don't understand how the education system works in the States because how was he a firefighter and then got into law school no problem? And her background? Idk I was just confused about the whole thing, but that's a me issue!*

Overall, the story had potential, and it was a quick read, but I felt like the characters lacked some depth and it all fell a little bit flat.

Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, LLC, and Marisa Calcara for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was actually my first mafia romance but boy I loved it. Our FMC Angela, a former mafia princess, who has a heart of gold is absolutely everything I wanted her to be and more and I found her so relatable in a way. The story has a delicious slow burn romance and plenty of heart. Would absolutely recommend this to any romance girly.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for this ARC!
So much drama...
The daughter of a Mafia leader, Angela, is on the run after snitching on her dad. She ends up at a law school in California where she meets the ever charming Brady.
Brady has some secrets himself and will do anything to keep his family safe. Even if it means turning in his new love interest, the mafia princess.
This book is super easy to read and follow. It's fast paced and a very quick read. It has the POV of both Angela and Brady, so if you love dual POV from both love interests, check this one out.

Rounding up to 3 stars

A Favor Owed is a quick and easy read that follows the story of Angela and Brady.

When we first meet up with Angela, we see a  girl who's on the run. Law student by day, waitress by night, Angela just wants a fresh start. But, when Brady enters the picture, her world gets turned upside down...Enter Brady. Brady would do anything to save his family, even if it means getting close to a Mafia daughter. But as Brady gets closer to Angela, he discovers there's more to her than meets the eye.

Overall, I thought this was an okay read. I thought the plot was interesting and was intrigued by the characters. That being said, I had a love/hate relationship with Brady and Angela. Yes, they had some chemistry and spicy moments, but I felt like something was missing.  Like even though they were taking it slow, there needed to be more character development and more believable chemistry.

Some other issues I had were repetitiveness and plotholes. The repetitiveness was frustrating and had me thinking, enough already. And the plotholes...there were at least two instances that didn't make any sense, leaving me confused and scratching my head.

In the end, I feel like this is a book that will work for some, but not for others. And while this book had its share of positives such as spice, dual pov, and drama; it was lacking in others. 

Even though this book wasn't a 100% hit for me, I do think this author has potential and would be open to reading another book of hers in the future.

I thought it was a really cute story and an interesting take on a mafia romance then what you typically hear. I’ve never read a mafia romance before and I really liked this one. I thought the plot was really interesting and I really enjoyed the character development of both MCS were really really good and showed how much growth a person can have. Over all it’s just a really cute story that makes you fall in love with the characters

Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and Marisa Calcara for this book.

I enjoyed reading Brady and Angela's story. Both of them went into the relationship knowing their secrets, once revealed, would put and end to any hopes of a future together.

As much as they both dry to put a damper of their emotions sparks fly and a fire ignites.

As the story progresses we learn just how much Brady and Angela are willing to give up to save the other.

Highly recommend.

2.5 ⭐️
This one didn’t do it for me. It seemed like there was a lot of potential but it didn’t get there. The relationship moved quickly but I didn’t really feel the emotions from the characters. There were no surprises anywhere, you know from the beginning exactly what will happen. The characters just really lacked depth and the storyline was pretty bland.

I really wanted to love A Favor Owed, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. While the premise was intriguing and had so much potential, the execution just didn’t deliver. I found it difficult to connect with the characters, who often felt one-dimensional and whose motivations weren’t fully developed. The pacing also felt uneven — slow in parts where the story needed momentum and rushed during key emotional moments that deserved more depth.

The romance itself, which should have been the highlight, didn’t feel earned, and some plot points felt more like conveniences than genuine character-driven choices. There were moments where the writing showed promise, but overall, the story didn’t hold my attention the way I hoped.

I appreciate the opportunity to read an early copy and can see how others might enjoy this if they’re looking for a lighter, surface-level read, but sadly, it just wasn’t for me.

So, it's here, My review of A Favor Owed. In short: 2 stars. I did not enjoy this book. I did like the premise from the start. A struggling law student who escaped from her mafia family? A girl who falls in love with a guy hiding a large secret and his smile brings trouble? I was sat and READY for this book. It was not ready for me...

For being 300 pages this book felt longer than some of the 500+ paged books I've read. When the first line of the blurb is 'struggling law student' one thinks they're going to see more of a classroom than maybe 3 times in the whole book. I did appreciate the fact that our FMC, Angie, was a determined girl. She was not going to let anything get in her way. Brady on the other hand was persistent. His inner monologue being 'if a girl didn't put out in the first date or two I'm done with her....but Angie is different' made me want to gag. Their relationship somehow moved fast and slow at the same time? I literally have no other words to describe it. I also didn't feel the chemistry. Absolutely no spark. I think I had more chemistry with the pickle jar I couldn't open than Angie and Brady did. Trust me, I LOVE a good mafia romance and I appreciate what the book is trying to achieve with the plot, but it could of been done in a different, more efficient manner.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the e-arc.

A solid 4 star read!

For a debut novel, this one was great! I'm not typically a Mafia romance girl, but I don't think this was your typical Mafia romance since it focuses on the Boss's daughter, Angela, who was outside of the The Business.

What can I say about Angela and Brady. Angela, trying to start over and escape her past while doing some good in the world. Brady trying to save his dad, but falling for the enemies daughter.

I loved the slow burn and I loved the banter between these 2. It was the perfect amount of each which made this book a quick and easy read.

Thank You Entangled Publishing, NetGalley and Marisa Calcara for this eArc in return for my honest review.

A Favor Owed is one of those books you simply don't want to put down. It has a recognizable, solid plotline that pulls you in right from the start, but what really stood out to me was the character development. Both the FMC and MMC had unique and rich backgrounds that made them feel so real, and Marisa Calcara wove the layers of their romance so smoothly that I found myself rooting for them almost instantly.

I appreciate any author who can create such a strong emotional connection that it actually brings me to tears, and Calcara absolutely accomplished that. I also loved that the story gave full closure by the end — a rare but wonderful thing when reading a single, standalone book.

Despite the author's description of the MMC, I kept picturing him as Matt Damon from Good Will Hunting — maybe because of the rough-around-the-edges charm. And as I read, the underlying tone reminded me a lot of Boondock Saints — it had that familiar feel but added a fresh twist and layered in a romance I hadn’t seen paired with this kind of gritty backdrop before.

The chemistry between the two main characters was so strong that honestly, I found myself wishing for a sequel. The bit of banter between them was some of my favorite parts, and it definitely made me fall even harder for their romance.

If I had to name one thing I would have liked more, it would be for the story to dip a little darker — to raise the stakes and make the conflict feel even more real and threatening. But I also understand that might have taken away from the strong focus on the romance, which is really the heart of the book.

Overall, I would definitely recommend A Favor Owed to anyone looking for a fast-paced, emotionally satisfying romance with just enough action and tension to keep you hooked. It's a quick, heartfelt read that leaves you feeling completely satisfied — and maybe just a little bit wistful for more.

Do yourself a favor and read it!

✨ARC Review✨

A Favor Owed by Marisa Calcara

What a great romance book! This is my first “mafia” related romance story, and I am hooked. From the beginning, I was invested in the story of Angela and Brady. The story was well-paced with the right combination of mystery, humor, heartbreak, and romance.

I loved the way Angie was written. She was loyal, brave, and had a sense of right and wrong. She did not rush headfirst into a relationship with Brady because of the complications in her life. She was also dedicated in her mission to take accountability for the things her family did.

Brady was also very interesting. I have a special place in my heart for MMCs who respect the FMC’s boundaries. Brady was funny, yet sensitive. He was also very loyal to his family especially his dad. Also, Brady’s dynamic with his family made me miss my own family.

Angie and Brady had incredible chemistry. The slow burn was worth the wait.

I think that even though the plot point of the story was resolved eventually, it left room that can be explored if a sequel is ever written. I wish there was more to the epilogue though!

Overall, I loved this book. I cried in some parts of it. I can’t wait to read more from Marisa Calcara!

From the first chapter, A Favor Owed delivers an addictive mix of tension, mystery, and slow-burn romance. Angela Pines is a law student with a secret past, determined to leave it all behind and start fresh. But when she crosses paths with the charming and too-curious Brady McDaniels, her new life begins to unravel.

This story explores identity, redemption, and how far we’ll go to right our family’s wrongs. The chemistry between Angela and Brady crackles with tension, layered with secrets and emotional stakes that make every interaction feel like a fuse waiting to blow.

Even in this early sneak peek, Marisa CalCara builds a world that feels dangerous and deeply personal, where trust is fragile and love is never simple. If you’re into morally gray characters, second chances, and romance born from chaos—this one’s for you.

Huge thank you to Entangled Publishing for the ARC of A Favor Owed by Marisa Calcara! I was immediately drawn in by the premise — a former mafia princess hiding out in a sleepy California town, trying to outrun the sins of her family, and falling for a guy who’s harboring secrets of his own? Yes, please.

The plot is fast-paced and easy to follow, with a solid dual POV setup that lets you see both sides of the brewing tension and romance. I appreciated the dual narrative, but I have to admit, I found myself constantly questioning some of the FMC’s decisions. Given her dangerous past and high-stakes situation, a few of her choices didn’t entirely make sense, and it made it harder to stay connected to her character.

I wanted to love this book because the plot concept is so promising — mafia ties, secret identities, dangerous liaisons — but it fell just a little short of what I was hoping for. That said, it’s still an enjoyable, quick read for fans of secret identity romances and suspenseful contemporary fiction. I’d definitely give Marisa Calcara’s future books a shot, because the storytelling potential is absolutely there.

So many secrets! Some great banter. I loved the spice. This was an entertaining story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

This was a sweet and mildly suspenseful romance, with fast pacing. I really liked the exploration of how secrets affect people, both as individuals and in relationships. Especially seeing Angela’s desire to be truly known.

The next part of my review contains potential, mild spoilers:

I really enjoyed the romance portion of this story, but how the suspense portion of the plot wrapped up left me a little underwhelmed. It felt like there was a lot of build up around this being a dangerous situation- and yet it was resolved with relative ease. I expected the conflict to have a slightly more climatic moment outside of Angela and Brady’s relationship. I also was perplexed by Brady’s decision to visit Angela’s dad at the end… it worked out but it read as unrealistic. It felt like a decision that realistically would have put them both in more danger. And even if the dad could forgive Angela, it seems like he had put together Brady’s involvement and I find it hard to believe he would let that slide just because Angela loved him.

Overall, I would still recommend this book!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing me with a review copy of this book.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the eARC of this book!

This was an interesting read. I went in expecting the drama, danger and angst of a Mafia romance, and I definitely got 2 of those....

One of the reasons I love Mafia romances is because of the tension and the sense of danger lurking around every corner. Sadly, I didn't feel either of those while reading this. Angela is kind of willfully obtuse, and Brady is ???? an Irish firefighter from New York, with boy next-door charm. (loca, what are you doing here?)

I didn't love that we were in Brady's head from the beginning, because it made things feel a touch overexplained, and it undercut some of the tension. I also wish that Angela's split from her family felt a little more precarious - have some men in suits mysteriously follow her around, threatening phone calls in the night, something like that. (her dad's admission at the end made me go 'well duh')

All that being said, this was a quick easy read - the writing flows excellently, and the romance, while a bit instant, was sweet and pretty believable. I really loved Brady's family (his mom showing up to yell at him was a top ten scene for me), as well as the discussion of 9/11, and the grief and lingering impact it still has on families today.

Thank you to Entangled and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book, I really enjoyed it and needed the pallet cleanser! This was a debut novel from Marisa Calcara and I am definitely excited to read more from her in the future - she is a talented author and I'm happy to see her getting her books out there! I'm not a huge reader of Mafia Romance, but this wasn't too overwhelming - Angela is trying to leave that life behind her and has enrolled undercover in Law School in a new state. I read through this book very quickly, its fast paced and easy to become absorbed. If you enjoy contemporary romance, some drama and a little Mafia Princess, then pick up and enjoy!