I love me a good mafia romance, and Gabrielle Sands is going to deliver a good mafia romance every time.

Be With Me tells a Romeo and Juliet story about Mia, the daughter of a mayoral candidate campaigning on cracking down on organized crime, and Romolo, son of don of the Ferraro family. This book was really well-paced, with just enough mystery to make it hard to put down. I really enjoyed Mia growing to stand up for herself, and not having to lose who she is to be with Romolo. As for Romolo, I wanted to reach through the pages and give a hug because my guy was the king of self loathing. Really, the biggest obstacle to Mia and Romolo’s relationship was their own internal struggle, and I eat that up every time. I can’t wait to read Cosimo’s and Alessio’s books.

This was a 4.5 star read for me. The ending was a little anticlimactic, and I would have liked to spend a little more time with Rom and Mia together, but those were small complaints from me in an otherwise very enjoyable read.

I’d recommend this to fans of mafia romance, man obsessed, and star-crossed lovers. A word of caution: there is a scene with on-page grooming/sexual abuse of a minor. It is told in a flashback and is important to his character, not glamorized, and is treated as seriously as it should be by the main characters.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

First let me just thank netgalley, Gabrielle Sands, and the publisher for the amazing opportunity to read this amazing story early!

I was absolutely blown away by Be With Me! Mia is the good girl who wants to do whatever she can to take care of and please those around her whether it be her father, his staff, her stepmother, her clients or her friends but it seems like no matter how hard she tries it’s never quite good enough. Rom is a bad boy, whose family may or may not be involved in the mob, a man who makes his living with his ability to find, trade, and sometimes even create secrets that have people scrambling to do his bidding. And when their paths cross at an engagement party gone wrong… well maybe the good girl needs a little bad in her life to help her gain the confidence she needs to sometime be selfish and take what she wants and maybe just maybe the bad boy needs a little light shined in his darkness to see that while there might be bad in the world there’s peace and kindness too. That is if outside forces don’t rip them from each other. I literally loved everything about this book, and could continue reading about this couple! But I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen in book two! So, if you’re looking for a book that’s bursting at the scenes with a Romeo and Juliet-esque enemies to lovers romance between a good girl who is willing to give all of herself to take care of those she loved and the bad boy who has kept his family at the top by trading in secrets, lies, and blackmail, amazingly complex characters, so many moments that will have you yelling, crying, gasping and swooning, plenty of spice, as well as a plot that will keep you flipping pages than be sure to grab a copy of Be With Me!

Gabrielle’s world just keeps expanding—and I am here for it. We’ve had teasing glimpses of the Ferraro family in the Messero-centered Fallen series, but now we’re diving deep into their world and the fragile hierarchy that holds them together. While you don’t need to read the other series first, doing so seriously adds to the world-building and character dynamics. Trust me—go indulge.

After all the build-up, the Ferraros are finally stepping into the spotlight, and I couldn’t put down the story of the youngest sibling, Romolo.

"Be With Me" is a steamy, angsty forbidden romance featuring a charming manipulative mobster and a good, dutiful daughter from a rising and rivaling political figure. Romolo and Mia are polar opposites on paper, but somewhere between their secret rendezvous and stolen moments, they’re not so different after all.

Despite coming from worlds that should keep them apart, Romolo and Mia find solace and something dangerously close to love in each other. With everything stacked against them, I kept asking: How can they possibly make it work?

Buckle up, because this is a wild ride—and the start of a new era for the Ferraro family. I can’t wait to see what Gabrielle has in store next, and yes, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more glimpses of the Messeros too!

Easily her best book, and my favorite of hers.

❤️‍🔥forbidden romance
❤️‍🔥good girl x bad boy
❤️‍🔥he falls first
❤️‍🔥yearning

The depth of emotion in this book is SO good. Rom backstory of his playboy cutthroat manner had my heart squeezing, I adored him. He truly fell so fast for Mia, and just continuously thought he would ruin her. He could be so rude, but Mia understood him so fast that he was just pushing away when he was worried/hurt. He cared for her so deeply, and just wanted to be in her orbit even if it was at a distance.

Mia. My heart ached for the poor girl that just wanted people to love her like she loved them. She truly was a good girl to Rom's bad boy. I appreciate that Gabrielle kept them as "opposites" but showed exactly how similar they could be.


This was an ARC, which all opinions are my own. This is an instant buy for me.

Oh my goodness

I loved the fallen series, adored the fallen god duet and was very intrigued by the Ferraro family so this is a more than welcome adjacent series

I adored the journey of this story, how it went from a one sided task for Romolo to him falling so hard for Mia, putting her above his family so quickly. Classic he fell first and boy did he fall hard.
Mia was so steady in this book, Romolo helped her so much, without even knowing, in discovering he true strength. She is such a sunshine character and her innocence shows Romolo what true love looks like.

Both characters healed each other, forging such a strong relationship from the pieces of their shattered lives.

Dark dark elements in this book, yet so romantic in others.

Cosimo has some redeeming to do for me in this left book but I don’t doubt the author can pull it out of the bag!

Be with Me is the explosive start to a new series of interconnected standalones following the powerful and dangerous Ferraro brothers—and I was obsessed from the very first chapter. This story is packed with forbidden love, family secrets, political scandal, and just the right amount of danger to keep you on edge.

Mia Morales is a strong, grounded FMC who’s trying to do the right thing for her family, even if it means sacrificing her own dreams. Romolo Ferraro is the kind of morally gray MMC who will destroy the world or fall to his knees for the woman he loves. Their chemistry is everything, and the spice? Absolutely delicious.

I loved how Mia embraced her ambition and didn’t shy away from wanting more—from life, love, or power. The stakes are high, the tension is sharp, and the romance is addictive. Gabrielle Sands delivered the perfect balance of heat and heart, and I cannot wait to see what’s next for the Ferraro family.

If you’re into forbidden romance, rich mob drama, and heroines who don’t play small—this is your next must-read.

OH MY GOD!! This is single-handedly THE best mafia romance book I have ever read!! This is also coincidentally my first Gabrielle Sands book, but I'm immediately adding all her other books to my TBR.

This book has everything a dark romance lover could ask for. It's an enemies to lovers trope between the daughter of a mayoral candidate (Mia) and the youngest son of the Ferraro mafia family (Romolo). It does read like a Romeo and Juliet retelling - which I love!! The relationship between Mia and Romolo truly felt like an enemies to lovers story, there was so much angst, pining and heartache until the very end. The underlying storyline of Mia's father and what he's up to kept me intrigued the whole way through and I like how this book sets up the following stories.

I honestly cannot say enough praise for this book, I have no notes except for WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK COMING OUT??

Be With Me by Gabrielle Sands was addictive steamy perfection!

This is my first book by this author and now I want to read her entire back catalog. She's the mayor's perfect daughter and he's part of the Italian mafia. Her father is set to destroy organized crime in the city but when Mia finds herself in the sights of Romolo, the chemistry and tension between them was perfection. I loved the enemies to lovers trope, secret meetings, complete opposite worlds but Romolo is sweet to Mia and finds himself wanting to be better for her and to deserve her as much as he tries to not want to but their dynamic is steamy, impactful and undeniable. I loved the way Gabrielle sets up the scene for future books in the series and the way the story was quick paced, action packed but you also see their relationship develop. I also loved seeing the twists and turns and lies and secrets that are uncovered and how people who seem a certain way but turn out different. I also love how Romolo truly saw Mia for her and he's so protective and caring of her. They see each other and find something they didn't think was possible in their worlds. It's a must read! I love mafia romance and when it mixes with politics, organized crime, etc. I also loved the Latinx rep with our main character Mia. It's perfection! I loved this book!

I’ve read several books by this author and loved them, so when this was announced I was very excited and it did not disappoint. Mia and Romolo are in a forbidden romance where her father is running for mayor and his father is their rival. The mmc tries to get closer to the fmc to find out anything about her father but there is so much tension between them and they fall in love the more time they spend together. I really loved this book and the development of characters! Thank you Netgalley for this arc, I really appreciate it.

"She was just a target."
Just a target.
A target.
She was, in fact, not just a target.

Would you feel these kinds of things for your target? When he knows she’s off-limits, she’s the enemy. He needs to get all kinds of leverage to bring her father down to finally understand why he wants revenge now, after all these years. Why now, specifically?

This book had me in a chokehold. The tension between these two is so damn thick I screamed when they finally kissed. I loved the mystery aspect of the story beside everything else. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read about enemies to lovers, where they both have vulnerabilities they don’t want to show, but that come out anyway?

“I swallowed. Good girls didn’t sleep with gangsters. But maybe I was tired of being good.”

Mia she’s strong and so selfless. She’s ready to lose everything just to make sure the people she loves will be okay. But that costs her. When she starts to care about Romolo, knowing he’s after her father will she follow her heart or the guilt that eats at her when she doesn’t put everyone else first?

“More time to be with you.”
“To be with me?…”

Romolo he’s ruthless. Focused. Calculated. Goddamn, I understand why Mia would actually risk everything for just a taste. He doesn’t deal well with emotions. He tries to push them to the back of his heart so they won’t surface, but they do. And they clash with his mind, especially when he sees Mia his target.
Every time he looked at her, something in him shifted. The mission blurred. His rules changed.

This was my first book by the author, and it definitely won’t be my last. Her writing is addictive and full of tension. I liked how she balanced the plot and the characters development, I can’t wait to read about the rest of the brothers especially Alessio.

Tropes:
Good girl/playboy
Romeo/Juliet vibes
Forbidden romance
Mafia
Spicy


I will admit, my first Gabrielle Stands book was not the best experience but Be with Me was absolutely amazing and I enjoyed every second of the book. It is a Romeo/Juliet retelling with good girl/playboy vibes. Romolo’s backstory absolutely destroyed me and I loved how by the end of the book Mia found her backbone and stood up for herself.

I cannot wait for Fabi and Cosimo’s book

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC!

Wow wow wow.

This was my first Gabrielle Sands book and definitely won't be my last. So glad I stumbled across this in the catalogue because it is SO GOOD! Found myself another auto-read/buy author. I even sacrificed a night of sleep to finish this because I literally could not put it down. Relentless pacing and heart-gripping romance literally had me in a choke hold. Also would recommend to check content warnings before reading.

Firstly, that cover is gorgeous! Obviously will be getting a shelf trophy when this releases. The premise of a Romeo and Juliet inspired story immediately caught my attention but the way how the plot unfolded kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. It was absolutely delicious and had me crying for more when it ended. Be With Me already made it in my top 10 reads of 2025 for sure.

Gabrielle Sands was masterful in how it was written and how the tropes were handled. The forbidden romance, the possessive mafia made man who's really a simp for his woman, good girl x bad boy, the suspense and political intrigue - it was all perfection! I could easily follow the plot and my heart bled for our main characters and their doomed romance (thank you Gabrielle for the HEA though haha idk how to survive if there wasn't). The character work itself was amazing, so well fleshed out and multifaceted which made it easy to understand the characters and their motivations and actions (including the side characters). This really enriched the story and added so much depth.

Also the chemistry between our main characters was just on another level. The tension and yearning was just dripping of the pages. This man had me swooning over the things he did for our FMC and was just so, so precious. The FMC was so strong and her commitment to stay true to herself til the end was admirable. My heart ached for them because both went through so much. This book had me crying over fictional people because it was so well written. The spice itself was also *chefs kiss* ugh I need more of this book and have it injected in my veins fr.

I am obsessed.

Literally nothing I didn't love.

Would definitely read this again and am so keen for the next book!

Overall rating: 5/5

I'm starting to dip my toes into mafia romances, and when I saw this cover I needed to read this. I mean it's just gorgeous. Plus it's forbidden romance and good girl/bad boy? I was in.

This was a great combination of forbidden romance, suspense and mafia. The balance between all of these elements was well done. I was never bored or felt overwhelmed by everything that was happening. It was exciting and made this a fast-paced read.

The leads had unbelievable chemistry and tension too. The way Romolo was down bad for her was so good! I really rooted for them to be together. The steamy scenes were hot and the romance felt epic. Exactly what I was hoping for going into this.

This is a standalone which is my preference so I liked that as well. Cannot wait for the other brothers!

Highly recommend if you like mafia romance, forbidden love, and suspense.

“They say good girls don’t fall for the villain. But maybe, I’m tired of being good”

As someone who loves mafia romance, I was really excited to read this one. Specifically I enjoy the sub genre where everyone is scared of him (I.e. he’s the toughest and scariest the mafia has to offer) but he wouldn’t hurt her. One of my favourite book couples of all time is Tristan and Morana (The Predator/The Reaper) and this has such similar vibes. I may even go as far as saying I enjoyed this one more - I’m officially obsessed!!

Here, she’s the mayor to be’s daughter - he wants to crack down on organised crime and eradicate the mafia. He’s the youngest son of the most notorious crime family. When he starts to pursue her she knows she’s just part of his schemes to take town her father, yet she wants to play along. She’s just trying to protect her father’s campaign - right?

The MMC and FMC had such good tension. The way he was so gone for her from the start?! How he protects her and helps her - knowing she’s the daughter of his enemy! They were just 10/10. This is defintely one of my favourite books of the year.

A series of interconnected standalones following the Ferraro brothers - I cannot wait for the next instalments! I’ll be counting down the days till the next one is released and going and reading the author’s entire backlist.

ARC copy provided by Velvet Pages LLC & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

i love gabrielle sands & her dark romance books. this was perfect and wonderful and i cannot wait for more!! i had the best time reading this!!

i loved this book so much. full of chemistry, suspense and just a fun time, this is exactly what I needed. I can always depend on gabrielle to give me a great mafia book. rom and mia had amazing love and chemistry and I ate this up. I can't wait for the next book in this series (I hope) Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

Everything a mafia romance needs, right here. Enemies to lovers, Romeo and Juliett vibe, evil family members, betrayals, secrets, action, and plenty of sizzle. If you are looking for a solid mafia tale, you will like this one.