A Favor Owed by Maris Calcara was such a fun and gripping read! I really enjoyed this romance—it had the perfect mix of mystery, danger, and chemistry. The main character’s hidden past as a mafia princess made for such an interesting twist, and her new life in a sleepy California town felt like the calm before a storm. Add in a swoony, secretive love interest and the tension just kept building in the best way

A Favor Owed by Marisa Calcara
Releases 5/12/2025

🩷 Mafia Princess
🌸 Golden Retriever MMC
🩷 Dual POV
🌸 Secrets
🩷 Hidden Identity

I was pleasantly surprised by this book!! I was so obsessed with all of these tropes, anything mafia I usually love, and this book absolutely stole all of my attention. Once I started it I could not put it down! I was constantly thinking about it. I thought this was a great debut novel from Calcara and I will definitely be back for more!

4 stars out of 5 stars
Thank you so much to Entangled publishing for this ARC!

To everyone else, I look like just another struggling law student. Out here in the dry, sleepy California town of Dos Torres, I’ve got a job serving tables, a cheap (some would describe it as “decrepit”) rental, and every day is a lesson in survival.

No one would ever know that last year, I lived in a mansion in New York, everything I wore was high-end designer, and I had everything I could ever want. And the cost of it all? Knowing that my family—my own dad—committed unspeakable crimes for everything we had.

I’m a former “mafia princess” with a debt to pay to society. No one in “the family” knows where I am or what I'm doing. And they can’t ever find out.

Only now a complication has entered my already too-complicated life—and he’s tall, fit, and has a boy-next-door grin that invites trouble. He has no idea who he’s falling for…or that just being seen with me could get him killed.

But apparently I’m not the only one who’s good at lying—because he’s hiding one hell of a secret, too.

I was drawn into this book by the premise of a former mafia princess and an innocent seeming boy in a tangled web. While I was interested in the premise, the writing was overly descriptive and wordy. It felt the need to spell out everything in the extreme and interrupted any progression in the story. Along the same vein, there were a lot of odd inner monologues and phrases used in the book. This book didn't agree with me, but it could still be good for someone who is looking for an under 300 page mafia romance book.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for this E-ARC—because WOW, I was not ready for how hard this book would hit!

Y’all. A mafia princess in hiding + a cinnamon roll firefighter with secrets of his own? Add law school tension, some seriously swoony banter, and emotional gut-punches, and you've got a book I devoured in one sitting.

Angela Pines is fierce, guarded, and trying to outrun a last name soaked in crime. But this girl isn’t running for fear—she’s running to rebuild. Law school in sleepy Dos Torres isn’t glamorous, but it’s her shot at justice, redemption, and freedom. I adored her from page one. She’s not about the drama—she’s about doing the right thing, even when it breaks her.

And then there's Brady. Ohhh Brady.
This charming, flirtatious, secret-keeping sweetheart had me grinning and side-eyeing him HARD. But underneath the jokes and easy smile is a man who's seen too much, lost too much, and is just trying to protect what’s left.

And the romance? 🔥🥹💔 It’s tension-filled, slow-burn, and full of longing. You know the secrets are gonna blow everything up—and yet, you’re rooting for them with your whole heart. Also...Chapter 33?? Absolutely broke me. Brady’s POV during 9/11? Raw, beautiful, devastating. I had actual tears.

This story isn’t about the mafia—it’s about surviving its shadow. It’s about two people trying to claw their way out of the wreckage of their pasts and figure out if love is worth the risk when secrets are life or death.

A swoony, emotional, fast-paced debut that hits all the marks. If you love undercover tension, Dirty Dancing references, banter that bites, and characters with depth, grab this book ASAP.

💌 Favorite Things:
– Angela’s fight to right her family’s wrongs
– Brady’s soft heart behind all the charm
– Twists, secrets, and emotional weight
– YES to that mental health rep
– All the Dirty Dancing Easter eggs!

My heart is still recovering. Marisa Calcara, you just earned a forever reader. 🖤

“A favor done is a favor owed”—a powerful sentiment that sets the tone for this story of secrets, redemption, and second chances.

Angela, a former mafia princess, is determined to rewrite her story by going to law school and trying to repay a moral debt she feels she owes to society. There, she meets Brady, a fellow law student who’s also carrying secrets of his own.

While I appreciated the concept and really enjoyed the dual POVs, I struggled to fully connect with the characters. The story definitely has potential, and I can see how others might be drawn to the layered backstories and themes of transformation—but it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

✨𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆✨

To everyone else, I look like just another struggling law student. Out here in the dry, sleepy California town of Dos Torres, I’ve got a job serving tables, a cheap (some would describe it as “decrepit”) rental, and every day is a lesson in survival.

No one would ever know that last year, I lived in a mansion in New York, everything I wore was high-end designer, and I had everything I could ever want. And the cost of it all? Knowing that my family—my own dad—committed unspeakable crimes for everything we had.

I’m a former “mafia princess” with a debt to pay to society. No one in “the family” knows where I am or what I'm doing. And they can’t ever find out.

Only now a complication has entered my already too-complicated life—and he’s tall, fit, and has a boy-next-door grin that invites trouble. He has no idea who he’s falling for…or that just being seen with me could get him killed.

But apparently I’m not the only one who’s good at lying—because he’s hiding one hell of a secret, too.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

A Favor Owed by Marisa Calcara proved to be an invigorating read. It was engaging and swiftly navigated the events that brought Angela and Brady together. It was delightful to observe how, despite their secrets, they still found a way to become deeply engrossed in one another. Although somewhat foreseeable, the narrative retained an element of surprise. I enjoyed this throughly.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Entangled:Amara for providing me an ARC of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the unique twist on mafia romance that this book offers. When I picked it up, I didn't expect the MMC to be such a golden retriever, but I absolutely loved it. Brady is sweet, loyal, and willing to do anything to protect his loved ones. Angela, the daughter of a mob boss, bravely turned against her father upon discovering his involvement in tr@ff!ck!ng rings.

Brady's backstory was particularly captivating, with his family dynamics making him an endearing MMC. Angela is portrayed as strong and independent, fully aware of the risks she faced by betraying her father, yet she chose to do it anyway. Both main characters are incredibly likable.

While I appreciated the backstory and the fresh take on mafia romance, I would have preferred a few more unpredictable twists throughout the book. The book contains limited spice, with only a few scenes, but what it lacks in spice, it compensates for with continuous drama from beginning to end. This is a quick read that offers a refreshing perspective within the genre. Despite touching on some dark themes and crimes, it is not a dark romance.

Book Rating:⭐️4/5
Spice Rating:🌶️ 1/5

Did this mafia romance have me crying while reading? Absolutely. Did I love every bit of the emotional damage? Also yes.

Brady and Angela were so sweet, and I adored their story. Brady was just… perfect. I was totally captivated by him, and honestly, I get why Angela fell so hard, he’s the ultimate book boyfriend. I didn’t expect to be kicking my feet over a mafia romance, but there I was, blushing like a schoolgirl.

It’s definitely on the lighter side when it comes to mafia elements, but they’re still there, and I think it totally counts. I actually liked that Angela wasn’t fully obsessed with that lifestyle. As the "princess" of the mafia world, her perspective felt fresh and made the story more compelling, especially as the character's growth unfolded. Her not knowing the full truth about Brady just added to the tragedy and chaos in the best way.

Angela was such a badass, smart, caring, sexy, and with just the right hint of mystery. It was fun seeing her navigate everything.

The only thing keeping this from being 5 stars for me was that some plot points became a bit predictable. I loved the high-stakes drama, but there were moments where I thought, “Really? You didn’t see that coming?” Still, this book delivered all the emotional angst and was romantic as hell.

Highly recommend if you’re into swoony, drama-filled mafia love stories with heart!

This was unfortunately a DNF for me. I’ve really gotten into romantic suspense lately, so I was really excited to read a mafia romance!

Sadly, I found myself struggling to get through this and eventually had to call it quits. I might finish it eventually, but I did not want to put off a review.

I know the book is fiction, but the whole scenario just felt a bit too far-fetched for me? And I wasn’t getting the chemistry between the two main characters that I think we were supposed to be getting.

Delicious tension, excellent banter, and a plot that kept me turning pages. The “enemies with chemistry” trope was executed to perfection. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

I really enjoyed this book. This contemporary, mafia(ish?) romance was a quick and entertaining read. I wouldn't consider this a mafia romance, but the mafia is heavily mentioned. At around 300 pages, I was able to read it from start to finish in just over a day.

The [mostly] dual narration from Angela and Brady's points of view kept things interesting and fun. Both characters were likeable, with big but understandable secrets, and their storylines, including backstories, were very well done. I felt immersed in the story when we met Brady's chaotic family, especially his hot tempered mother, or his feisty little sister.

Being from New York, I find the topic of 9/11 and the unimaginable losses of that day to be such a heavy thing to read about. I feel like this book did it justice, mentioning the loss of a parent, how it affected the MMCs life, and overall just how profound that day was in everyone's lives.

Some parts might not be completely realistic - specifically with the conclusion. I'm not going to spoil it for the readers, but I don't think mafia bosses would be that forgiving. I mean - my experience only comes from the Sopranos, but still. Either way, that didn't bother me at all. I rather the book had the resolution it did then end a different way.

Overall, I really enjoyed Angela and Brady's story. A great read!

Angela Pines did something that some would find inconceivable, she betrayed her family and turned them into the authorities for they're less than honorable choice. By doing this she also put a target on her back, one that she is certain someone will follow through on, which leads her to skip town and change her name. Hoping the past won't follow her...

A Favor Owed is a tension-filled page-turner that is certain to keep you dangling helplessly from the edge of your chair the whole way through. Our heroine Angela has found herself picking up the pieces of her broken life and trying to create a new one in a whole new town, under a new name, and with a new mission. To be someone other than what her family turned out to be. She wants to be a good person, one who can be trusted, depended upon, and have nothing that attaches her to her family. She just needs to stay focused, put her plan first and not allow any distractions to stray her from that plan. Then he happens...

This was an enjoyable read, it kept me captivated and stirred the emotions a bit, and the characters were well drawn and easy to connect with... overall I'd say it hit all it's marks! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a mafia romance that totally sucked me in. The character development was on point—I felt like I really got to know the characters and their journeys. They were relatable and real, which made me care about what happened to them.

I loved how the FMC was strong in her moral compass considering the lifestyle she was raised in. The MMC showed true love and grit for his family when he gave up his dream to help his dad. Their banter was great, their push and pull was better.

The plot kept things moving, the tension with each of their secrets and what would happen if either found out kept me flipping pages faster. It was a quick read, but it definitely packed a punch with all the drama and feels.

I had such a good time with this book, and I can’t wait to check out more from this author. If you’re into a fun, steamy read with some excitement, you should definitely give this one a shot!

I did receive a digital ARC of this book. Thank you Entangled Publishing and Marisa Calcara.

Marisa Calcara’s debut novel was a pleasant surprise. I’m not typically into mafia-themed stories, but this one doesn’t really fall into that category. It’s more about the fallout of being connected to that world than the inner workings of it.

Angela is a sharp, determined law student in California, same with Brady. It’s pretty apparent she elected to go there instead of a prestigious Law school and that disconnect is the first clue there’s more going on. Angela is running from her powerful mafia family in New York, trying to build a life on her own terms. Brady has his own reasons for laying low, involving someone close to him who's gotten into trouble.

Angela really carries the story. She’s grounded, strong-willed, and driven, not the kind of heroine who backs down. I appreciated how her desire to become a lawyer felt purposeful and earned, not just a plot device like other elements came off as.

One thing that didn’t quite add up for me: Brady is said to have been six years old on 9/11, which would put him around 30 now, yet he’s written like he’s in his mid-20s. The timeline feels off.

But it was still a good book, that I would definitely recommend.

A great read! The suspense is great! I like that the book was dual pov, it helped keep the suspense without being too confused with the narrative. The pace of the book correlated great with the amount of twists and turns. I enjoyed this read through and through. A 5 star read from me!

Rating: 3.5 stars

A Favor Owed by Marisa Calcara delivers a compelling slow-burn romance packed with emotional tension, layered characters, and a satisfying fake-relationship dynamic. She does a great job with character development—the protagonists are complex, with a slow and believable build-up to their chemistry.

The writing is smooth, and the emotional stakes are high, but the pacing lags in the middle, and some twists feel a bit too expected. Still, the emotional depth and tension kept me invested. It’s not a genre-defining standout, but it’s a solid, engaging read with heart and just enough heat.

I was expecting something else when I was reading this book, we have a mafia princess who has gone off the radar, she finds out that her dad is a really bad guy, changes her identity, goes to college and then she meets this gorg classmate and the rest is history. but like she has some secrets, he also has some too. Being a mafia romance lover i was expecting more of an alpha-ish romance, but it was not. But it was so sweet, the ending was so adorable.

3.25 stars

A Favor Owed is an interesting debut that utilizes tropes in freshly subverted ways. Had this been slightly less repetitive, paced more proportionately, and contained a grovel equivalent to the harm caused, this would easily have been a four-star read. That said, I still felt invested in the story and wondered how everything was going to unfold.

Overall, if you like the premise and the “we’re keeping secrets from each other” meets forced proximity tropes, I think you will enjoy this book.

For how long can you run and hide until your past catches up with you? A Favor Owed by Marisa Calcara takes us into the story of Angelica Pines who is a college student from New York who is running away from her family to California.

She has taken on a secret identity to be able to hide from the criminal family she is from after she discovers her father is involved with some dark activities.

How long can she stay hidden until someone comes poking around? Well she meets this guy at a bar who takes sudden interest in her, is he looking to get lucky or is he fishing for information? This book was really good and entertaining! Defintely a beginner friendly darkish romance

Secrets…hand and hand with intrigue. Betrayal and deception…yet not without emotional affection and connection. Tension…coupled with intimacy. A new adult romance with a non-dark mafia twist featuring Angela, a graduate law student hiding from her family (that is involved in some not-so-kosher activities) and Brady, a handsome guy she thinks is a fellow student but who has his own hidden agenda. I thought the plot moved quickly as secrets from both characters were revealed and their lives became more intertwined. I appreciated the dual PoV, and the care when referencing 9/11 an enduring addition. A complex, creative romance that held my interest throughout.