A funny, sexy, captivating story that has it all! Mafia rom-com with a lady boss. Lots of action with interesting twists that kept me awake for a couple of nights.
I really enjoyed the plot of this story and the pace. The narrators did an awesome job too.
I would highly recommend this audiobook!

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for allowing me to review it in exchange for my honest opinion. It was a great entertainment! 5🌟

Kath Richards delivers a fresh and fiery twist on the romantic comedy genre in A Love Most Fatal, blending mob drama with laugh-out-loud moments and undeniable chemistry. At the heart of the story is a bold and unforgettable female mob boss—sharp, strategic, and always prepared to protect her empire. But when her path crosses with her nephew’s charming schoolteacher, her carefully constructed world is thrown into delightful disarray.

What follows is a whirlwind of romantic tension, unexpected vulnerability, and high-stakes hilarity. Richards skillfully balances humor and heat, weaving in spicy, laugh-worthy scenes that keep the pace lively and engaging. While the romance takes center stage, the presence of the mob world adds a thrilling edge, complete with shady characters, power plays, and the looming question of who can truly be trusted.

A Love Most Fatal is a standout romantic comedy with a fierce female lead, a swoon-worthy love interest, and just the right amount of danger. It’s equal parts witty, sexy, and action-packed—perfect for readers looking for romance with a bold, unpredictable twist.

<b>I received an ALC copy from NetGalley and Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.</b> I thought this audiobook was a decently done production. I’ve enjoyed a few books narrated by Tim Paige in the past, which was what initially intrigued me to pick up this audio. I found the voice actors fit the characters pretty well.

However, I felt very ok with a <i>A Love Most Fatal</i> as a story. I thought that the two MC’s didn’t have enough chemistry for me to fully believe their romance. Their characters aren’t fleshed out enough by the end, which was one main reason I didn’t believe in them as a couple. But I also didn’t understand why these two liked each other by the end. This book is also marketed as a romcom, but I didn’t find it read that way. It was more just a light mafia romance. There’s not many funny parts or shenanigans that romcoms tend to have, which was also why I was a bit disappointed.

This is still in interesting twist on a mafia romance, with a mob boss heroine, and a damsel in distress hero. I liked how this flipped that dynamic, and I applaud this author for trying something unique in this genre. It’s hard to do, and I’m glad this was written.

Unfortunately though, I am disappointed and this wasn’t my favorite. It wasn’t bad, and I get why others enjoyed it. I just felt disconnected from these two as characters and as a couple, which in turn made me kind of tune out this story as a whole. Still a fun story to pass the time, but nothing incredibly memorable. I am intrigued for book 2 though, as the setup was quite interesting. I may give that one a go when it releases.

Again, thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!

4.5/5 stars
2/5 spice

Tropes:
Mafia RomCom
Female Mob Boss
Teacher MMC
Forced proximity
Slow burn
He falls first
Dual POV

This book had it all! It had suspense, comedy, heart, family, spice, and romance. I was thoroughly entertained from the very beginning. The narrators did an amazing job bringing all the characters to life. I did kinda figure out the plot twist but that didn't take away from the experience. I was just yelling at the characters more to figure it out lol...

I like that this was a slow burn because it allowed Vanessa and Nate to grow closer together instead of just giving in to their attraction. The tension was palpable though so I was super happy when they finally got together. I also enjoyed the moments of comedy that created some levity to the serious moments. I think it worked well that Nate wasn't your typical hard ass MMC... but he did grow a lot.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this for fans of romcoms with a dark edge to them. There are heavy themes that could be triggering so please check content warnings before starting this book. This was my first book from this author but won't be my last. I'm super excited to read the second book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Love Most Fatal was one of my favorite reads of 2024 so naturally I was really excited to listen to the audiobook. While listening it was gratifying to know that the story still came alive through the audio but this was only due to the exquisite writing of Kath Richards. The narrators portrayal of the characters fell flat to me in equal measure. They did not bring the emotion or humor needed for their roles as Nate and Vanessa. Normally this could disinterest the reader resulting in a DNF, however, Kath's brilliance in what she has created within this mafia romcom was still able to shine through!

A mafia rom-com about a female mob boss, yep! Loved it!

The twists and turns were great. I loved the fact that this story was turning all of the MMC stereotypes on their head almost.

Really enjoyed it.

**second read through: Received an ALC from NetGalley and this book is still EVERYTHING. The narrators brought Vanessa and Nate to life in such an amazing way that they had me swooning all over again. Read below for the rest of my review and what to expect. Seriously go read this book or listen to it! You won’t regret it!**

Thank you Kath for writing this book and I mean it! And thank you for the opportunity to read it early.

A Love Most Fatal is a mafia romcom that will have you swooning, kicking your feet like a little high school girl, make you tear up, make you laugh, make you want to thr0at punch some characters, etc. It is the perfect blend of mafia mixed with comedy and romance. It’s seriously fantastic. This book is like a warm cozy blanket draped around you, after it just came out of the dryer.

What To Expect:
•Mafia Romcom
•First book in the Morelli Family Series
•Mafia Boss FMC
•Goofy Math Teacher MMC
•Slow Burn
•SIMP of a man
•Forced Proximity
•Touch him and ☠️/ under her protection
•Forced Proximity
•Husband Interviews
•Trigger Warnings
* blood
*murder
*violence
*death
*gun use
*organized crime
*sexually explicit content
•and so much more

I can’t believe this is Kath’s first novel that is coming to print!!!Her writing is so fun l, paced perfectly, and all around fabulous. It’s upbeat with some themes that are very realistic and that everyone goes through. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. But 98% of it 😉 I’m so excited for what’s to come from Kath. I’m going to gobble up anything she writes.

For recap: she’s the mob boss who needs a husband, he’s her nephew’s math teacher who needs a wedding date. She agrees, because the sweet nerd kind of intrigues her, and hell, she deserves one night for herself right? Well that date ends not so well, and now one date turns to him moving in to keep him alive. Someone is targeting her empire, and it becomes even more imperative she makes a good match. She needs to marry for power, but something about him… maybe just one night.
Okay, so I ARCed the book when it came out and was absolutely ecstatic to hear it was coming to audio. The book was so so so good and the audio is just absolutely perfect! The narrators chosen for Vanessa and Nate were spot on and made me love the story even more! Kath could translate this into Italian and I’d learn the whole damn language just to experience these characters for the first time again.

A Love Most Fatal by Kath Richards with narration performed by Tim Paige and Kelsey Navarro Foster is an opposites attract, forbidden romance, mafia love story. Vanessa is head of the Morelli Crime Family being pressured to find someone to marry. Nate is her Godson’s math teacher who finds himself wrapped up her world after attending a wedding with Vanessa, where things go wrong quickly. Now, Nate is leading the search for Vanessa’s future husband while they both attempt to suppress their growing feelings for each other. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great mix of mafia darkness but with great humor and banter between the characters. I am a huge fan of both narrators, and they absolutely brought this story to life. I am looking forward to more stories from the Morelli family!

To be honest I was skeptical about a Mafia rom-com, BUT two trusted sources really like this book so when I saw the audio on NetGalley I pounced! And let me tell you, I’m glad I did.

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

I found myself relating to Nate so much during this book as he is a middle school math teacher (WHICH IS ME), and has no clue about the mafia and truly just repulsed and shocked at first by it all. This was probably the perfect book for me to explore this genre because of how relatable Nate and his thoughts around it all was.

Vanessa though is so cool. Like if I could spend my summer vacation hanging out at the Morelli’s house and watching movies all summer I would GLADLY take them up on it.

The book gave me Princess Diaries two vibes when they are trying to find Mia a husband but make it Mafia instead of Genovia.

Now the audio:

It is dual narrators for both Vanessa and Nate’s pov.

Tim Paige and Kelsey Navarro did such a wonderful job bringing these characters and this scenario to life. This book was fun to read but I’m convinced I enjoyed this even more because of the acting of these two.

They both did distinct voices for the different characters and the inflection for thoughts was very easy to identify.


Would I recommend this book to everyone? I don’t know. I feel like you have to be able to suspend belief and be okay with some crime and killing. If you already like Mafia romance- absolutely. If you want to try out the genre I would for sure recommend this one as the perfect starting place.


For those who like to know: 3 open door scenes.

I initially turned on this audiobook intending to just listen to a chapter or two before spending the rest of the evening reading a different book with my eyes. To my delight I was completely enthralled with the story right away and ended up listening to the whole story in one sitting. The narrators were perfectly cast and it was a delightful listening experience.

Having the FMC be the mob boss was an awesome twist to what is typical in the mafia romance genre.

While this is definitely a mafia romance with darker elements, overall the story is fairly light hearted and has many comedic moments.

I am very eager to read more books in this universe and about this family!

Thank you Tantor Audio and NetGalley for giving me access to an advanced listening copy!

that was DELIGHTFUL. I'm not usually one for Mafia romances - turns out I just needed some hot girls doing the mafia stuff. Who knew 🤷🏼‍♀️

There were some bloody parts, but they were pretty well balanced with wholesome family moments, some comedy, a cute but ugly dog and a swoony romance with believable struggles. And of course, Nate alone makes this book worth reading - I read a review where someone described him as "babygirl" and that sums it up perfectly. I'm obsessed with him.

The audiobook especially is great, both narrators were perfectly cast and I wasn't bored for a second. Can they please stay for book two because Tim Paige actually does a pretty great soft Russian accent? 👀

Can't wait for Mary and Maxim's story!

I love some dark humor and this truly hit the spot. A lot of rom/coms can border on cheesy/not believable but this one was the perfect combination of plot, humor and spice!

I love Vanessa and her love for her family, I love Nate and the fact that he never has any chill, ever. So relatable and his internal dialogue is hilarious.

Audio: both voice actors did an awesome job bringing this story to life. My only complaint would be consistency in accents (male voice actor gave Max Orlov a Russian accent and female voice actress did not). Otherwise, bravo! Very fun listen!

I loveeee me a mafia romance, so when I saw the FMC, Vanessa, was a female mafia boss I was SOLD. Vanessa is both a smart and badass mafia boss and a warm, sensitive, caring woman. I thought this book did a great job of showing all sides of her without getting too gritty where it could remain in rom-com territory.

I loved Vanessa and Nate’s meet cute and especially that we got to witness most of it through Nate’s POV - I loved meeting Vanessa through his eyes. What unfolded after their first interaction was a hilarious, steamy, high-stakes sequence of events that had me hooked the whole time.

I really enjoyed the ALC for this, and thought the narrators were fantastic. I felt like they both matched the characters perfectly, and loved their style. I felt fully immersed in the audiobook throughout.

I cannot wait for A Love Most Brutal - I’m so excited for Mary’s story!

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC of this book. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review after listening.

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Spice: 2 🌶️

🎧 Narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster & Tim Paige
💌 ALC Review

I devoured this debut back in September as an ARC, but when I got the chance to listen to the ALC from Tantor Audio and NetGalley, I ran, didn’t walk. The audio experience took an already five-star read and made it even more addictive.

Tim Paige IS Nate. The down-bad, simping, sweet math teacher energy was radiating through my earbuds. He worships Vanessa in the softest, sexiest way and it absolutely comes across in his delivery. I was kicking my feet, giggling, and blushing... even though I already knew how it ended! Meanwhile, Kelsey Navarro Foster slays as Vanessa. That perfect mix of steel and vulnerability? Chef’s kiss. The audio only heightened the humor, the action, and the swoony moments, especially Nate’s devotion. "He is handsome, I think. Not mafioso handsome, but most definitely math teacher handsome." Yep. That’s our down bad guy.

ARC Review:
Quick Synopsis - In "A Love Most Fatal", Vanessa Morelli is thriving as both CEO of Morelli Construction and the leader of a powerful crime family. However, her control begins to unravel when sabotage strikes her operations and pressure mounts for her to marry. After a disastrous date with Nate, her Godson’s math teacher (and lover of pickleball lol), Vanessa protects him from danger, pulling him into her Mafioso world. Reluctantly, Nate helps her find a suitable mafia husband while sparks fly between them. As they work together, Vanessa wonders if their connection might be more than a business arrangement—and if love could disrupt everything.

5 ⭐ 2🌶️
My Review - First off who can't LOVE a woman as THE mafia boss?! Vanessa embodies that role while also bringing a different point of view to the mafia world. One that questions the authority and power dynamic when an unmarried woman is at the helm. But because she is a female boss in a male dominated world she is only as valuable as the man at her side. Because she's without a husband she always feels like she's less than. She knows better in her mind but in order to be the boss bitch mafioso we know she is, having a husband will help her accomplish that. Eff the patriarchy!

“He is handsome, I think. Not mafioso handsome, but most definitely math teacher handsome.”

This is where Nate comes in, he is Vanessa’s godson’s math teacher. A hilarious turn of events brings them together and the attraction is INSTANT! Threats on his life force Nessa to move him into her house for protection. Forced proximity! Yesssss. Nate wants to feel useful while staying with the Morelli's for the summer so he takes on the job of interviewing her potential suitors. Because that’s going to work out so well for him when he is SO FAR GONE for Nessa. It’s obvious to EVERYONE in her family except Nessa! But the attraction is strong. It also makes him super effective at finding her a husband... If he can't be her future husband, he wants to ensure that the one she chooses is truly deserving.

“I don’t know how to tell her she’s the most beautiful woman, monster or not, that I’ve ever seen, and with every day that passes in her presence, I’m increasingly certain that there’s hardly a bad or cruel or monstrous thing about her.”

I couldn't put down Kath Richards’ debut novel. I read it in less than 24hrs. Richards builds a mafia world that leaves you cheering on the Morelli family even though they’re criminals. You want them to win and you want Nate & Vanessa to fall madly in love. The supporting cast of characters rounds out this amazing novel. I especially loved how Cillian kept shooting his shot with Vanessa, poor guy. Nate's dad's love of Costco clothes had me cackling! I cannot wait to see if Mary and Leo get their own books, because I NEED TO KNOW MORE!

A Love Most Fatal by Kath Richards explores the story of Vanessa Morelli, the middle daughter to the mob boss who inherited the title and what happenes when her path crosses with a Mr. Goody two shoes, Maths teacher at his nephew's school.

The narration is perfect. I loved that it was a duet but also, that it is very clear and easy to understand. The female narrator makes it very easy to recognise every female character even with multiples mentions in the same chapter, and the same goes for the male narrator. The flow is good, and it keeps your attention. You can't stop listening to it because you just want to know what happens next. The narrators being to life Venessa and Nate and every small nuance - a smile, a chuckle, tears, angst, surprise - everything is on point.

The story was a fun tale in itself. The first third and Nate drooling over Vanessa was so cute and exciting and as the story progresses and goes deeper into the crime plethora, Nate's struggle with good/bad and his feelings for Ness was well portrayed. I did guess who the Villain was since the beginning though. And one thing that really bugged me was Ness's monologues about 'how she couldn't make a choice and didn't want to'. It repeated too many times and while I do understand that it made a crime mob boss human and vulnerable, it also made her look weaker in that exact spot where the Villain siad it would. At points it felt like Ness didn't want this at all and maybe if we are writing a female mob boss, we can show her humanity without making it look like that a math teacher has more courage than her at points, which was weird because in other places of that same story, Ness is confident and courageous and handles everything well.

Over all, it was a good read and I am excited to read Mary and Maxim's book next.

I loved this sooooo much! The FMC being the mafia boss instead of the MMC was such a fun twist on a mafia romance! Honestly it wasn't a perfect book but it was perfect for me. And the narrators did such a good job. I was giggling, grinning, kicking my feet the whole time. I cannot wait for more books from Kath Richards.

I read the physical version of this book a few months ago and loved it. I can’t wait for Mary’s book.

This review will be focused on the audio qualities.

Overall, the audiobook sounded softer than most. I had to have the phone volume maxed out to hear it properly. Im not sure if that’s a problem with the NetGalley app or the overall file.

There were a few times when the narrators’ voices went up and it sounded like they were in the middle of a sentence but then the chapter would end.

The choice of narrators was fairly good. It definitely wasn’t my favorite but I really enjoyed the female narrator. I always struggle listening to men voicing women’s parts but this narrator in particular was pretty cringey.

4/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️ 0/5😢

A romcom mafia book where SHE is the mafia boss? Say less, babe.

Nate, a middle school math teacher, realizes he is seriously in over his head when he invites his student’s aunt Vanessa to a family wedding…only to watch her take out two hitman and learn she is an Italian mafia boss. Despite the heavy plotline due to—you know, murder and stuff—this book felt wholesome and funny and perfectly spicy.

I really enjoyed the audiobook narration, particularly the male narrator Tim Paige as Nate!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorite books of the year

A Love Most Fatal completely flipped the mafia romance genre on its head in the best way possible. In this book she’s the one in the mafia. He’s the shy, awkward math teacher with no clue what he's walking into. Vanessa is the mafia boss with a steel spine and a soft heart, and Nate is a sweet angel.

Seriously, this book had everything: action, mystery, romance, comedy, drama. The romance, banter and family storyline made this book impossible to put down.

I loved, loved, loved this book.