I absolutely adored this when I read the book and the audiobook did not disappoint. The narrators were perfect for these characters. They were exactly the voice I had in my head when I read this book when it first came out. If you haven’t already, go ahead and add this to your never ending TBR! I’m always a sucker for a good mafia romance, but this mafia romcom had me cracking up and completely hooked from the start. We always see mafia stories centered around a male boss, but this one flips the script in the best way with Vanessa as the most badass female mafia boss I’ve ever read.

And if someone had told me this was Kath’s debut? I would’ve sworn they were lying. The writing, the pacing, the humor everything was so well done. I seriously can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

4-4.5⭐️ rounded up

This was such a fun read with a spin on who the mafia boss is. Loved having rolls reversed and the 🎧narrators were PERFECT casting.

I loved how Kath Richards was able to take the usual tropes and spin them a bit - but didn't make it a trope book, it was such a fun story and an enjoyable listen. It was definitely giving Rom-Com vibes, and while it had mafia themes, I don't think I'd shelve it as a dark romance (you just need to be good with morally complex situations).

I can't wait until book 2 is out (hoping for an audiobook version too!).


🎧Tim Paige & Kelsey Navarro-Foster

I love how this book takes what would be a dark romance and makes it lighthearted. The audio does exceptionally well with making the comic relief noticeable throughout the book. I’m excited to read the next part in the series!

This was one of my favorite books of 2024, so I was super excited to get the audiobook! I love the story and the narrators really did a great job and enhanced the story in ways I did not think possible. I'm not a huge fan of mafia books, but this one was amazing! I had a really good time reading this, and it's such a departure from other mafia books because the mafia mob boss in this book is a woman. Vanessa is the head of the Morelli Crime Family, but also runs her family business, which is a construction company. She has a meet cute with Nate, who is her nephew's teacher, but they really dislike each other off the bat. However, Vanessa decides to accompany Nate to a wedding, which is abnormal for her because she doesn't date due to her status as a mob boss. Well, Nate quickly becomes embroiled in her world, and it makes for a really funny (and hot) book. I really loved how Nate was tasked with finding Vanessa a husband, but was hung up on her the entire time. This book had everything and I highly recommend! I'm so looking forward to the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kath Richards, and Tantor Audio for the ALC of this book.

This was a cute romance book!! It’s… very predictable, but sometimes that’s a good thing? I wish they made it less obvious about what a scumbag what’s his name is lol. *Also, the Ronaldo Dinner? I just love their family dynamic lol!!

I loved so many parts of this though, esp Nate!! Just him doing the interviews, the way he cares for her niece & nephew, JUST FOR TONIGHT 💔
Oh, my heart lol!!

I also love the emphasis on the color “Green”. It being Nate’s new fave color, the meaning of new beginnings, I love it. Mary was def a fave though, but I hate how the moment we see her in action, it did not live up to this reputation we built for her.
Overall, this was a lovely read!! Tim Paige & Kelsey Navarro Foster were such a great duo 🤍

Obsessed with these narrators. They brought the book to life in such a charming way, I LOVED IT! Especially loved every scene with the sisters together. Seriously so good.

3.5 stars!
thank you to netgalley and the author for sharing the audiobook with me.
really enjoyable! the characters are funny, the romance is sweet, and the plot is fun. i definitely want to see further romances in this world and really had fun with this one.

I haven't said this in a while: bring back fun books! A Love Most Fatal was such a genuinely fun time! Even though it's been on my TBR for months, I am so glad I ended up getting my hands on an advanced copy of the audiobook because the narrators were absolutely perfect and brought so much life to this already lively story.

Vanessa, a female mob boss who is in charge of most of the area around her and Nate, a middle school teacher, cross paths and are immediately drawn to one another. After a not-so-meet-cute, Nate asks Vanessa to be his date to a wedding in the family, and they both start feeling each other soon after. However, some events pop off that result in Nate having to temporarily move into Vanessa's home so she can protect him. As much as they try to resist one another, love and angst wins and I won!

This book is filled with intense action, genuine LOL moments, touching family dynamics, betrayal, decent communication, a strong yet soft FMC and a perfectly nerdy but ready to be on that timing if he needed to be MMC. I loved how the dynamics in typical mafia romance novels were flipped: Vanessa was in charge, Vanessa was the tough one who didn't flinch when blood splattered, Nate was the one who was clutching his pearls and having to fight to see the humanity in a woman who busts guns in stilettos. The side characters were so dynamic and fun and interesting and unique, I honestly hope the entire family gets their own books but in the meantime I will be seated for Maxim and Mary's book this fall!

Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC!

4.5 ⭐️s
2 🌶️
🚨 Audiobook Pub Date: 07/08/25—this title is currently available to read on Paperback and Kindle Unlimited!

A favorite book of 2025 for me with an audio?? So excited.

I am absolutely in love with both narrators for this one. It was an absolute delight to revisit the story via audio.

I continue to seek the high I got from this story and having a chance to reread it via audio was everything.

A Love Most Fatal is easily one of my top five rom-com reads of this year and hearing it come to life is so amazing!!!

The characters are all so relatable, despite their not so relatable lifestyles, and I was rooting for their happy ending the whole time.

Vanessa is a badass mafia boss and Nate is a cinnamon roll/golden retriever boy, what’s NOT to love about this pairing? Slow-burn, amazing spice, and an emotional twist all going on with a little sub-plot leading into book two following Vanessa’s younger sister Marry and her almost husband Maxim, the Russian mob boss.

Thank you so much for allowing me to experience this story as an ARC reader and I can’t wait to see more of the Morelli family! I absolutely recommend this book to everyone and anyone looking to support more romance indie authors and their original works.

The vibes were just right with this one! So much chemistry and fizzy sparks in a place I'd never thought to look: a mafia romcom. Mafia romances (and really most dark romances) are usually not my speed, but Kath Richards pulled it off with such finesse. We get a taste of just how brutal Vanessa's world is without it ever becoming too much.

I, much like Nate, was endlessly enamored by Vanessa and her family. She cares so much about taking care of everyone else, but Nate is her one indulgence. And from the first moment you meet him, it's obvious why: Nate is an absolute gem. He’s just Ken, and we love him for it. The story would not have been the same without his lofty sense of humor and patience for a woman who is clearly trying her best to keep everything together.

There was absolute magic in this book, and I'm so very impatiently waiting for the next one to get more of the Morelli family. Is it September yet?

I loved the physical book but my GOD. The narrators really brought the characters personalities even more to life and it was everything. Nate and Vanessa are my angel babies and I think everyone should listen to this audiobook and fall in love with them!