The attraction is instant, and their chemistry incendiary... but what future could the daughters of two warring Mafia families possibly have together?

The spice is there from the very start, as Jules and Rowan steal moments of time to meet, sneaking around their families to do so.

Not even the escalating violence and rising temperatures between the two families can stop Jules and Rowan from falling in love. A love they each thought they'd never find, and one that gives them the courage to risk everything to stay in each other's hearts forever.

I enjoyed this book and was glad to see a deviation from the tired old romance tropes. Jules and Rowan also come across as multidimensional, with relatable hopes and fears.

This book is definitely a recommendation for anyone who loves Mafia romances, women loving women, and those who love all the spice that two women can generate together.

I really hesitated to request this book. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I cringe at the quality of writing in the genre. I love Mary Calmes books and Kresley Cole wrote a great gay novel too but F/F books tend to fall short for me. I’m glad to say this book did not. Great cover, amazing plot, and even better characters. I finally found an amazing author for lesbians.

3.5/5 rounded to 4/5
This book was exactly what I was craving, it's fast paced and fun! All of the relationship building between our two main characters mainly happens outside of the book but we get to see the scandal of their relationship. The book follows two main characters, Juliet and Rowan, who come from rival Italian mobster families. The story was way more action packed then I originally assumed it would be and it was much appreciated. The book contains a lot of violence and conversation surrounding violence but nothing gets too gory. The characters have a few spicy scenes, most was just alluding to their relations. I will say the scenes in this story are more creative then some of the others I've read, the spice was well written but not overbearing. The other thing I didn't love in the book was almost a lack of chemistry in our main characters but I think it's because their relationship building happens outside of the book. There were also a few times that I couldn't figure out who's perspective I was reading in just because the two characters have similar voices. I liked Rowans protective instinct and Jules feminity matched with her brains. This book was a fun quick romance read that I would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this gripping novel

jules and rowen.... they are the apple of their fathers eyes.... they are on the opposite sides to each other in the families battles but they are attracted to each other

they both know its dangerous for them to be seen together but they are both a hard habit to break

being rival gangster families makes it so difficult for them to be together but something must break.... hopefully not them

what an intense ride this book is... and one i couldnt put down even if i tried.... and this book doesnt disappoint....

cant wait to read more from this author ...she has a way with words

It took me a long time to finish this book. I have to admit that the development of the MC's romance happening off-page made me lose some interest in the book. But mostly is because the narrative seems a bit superficial and very YA-ish. I guess this book is just not for me.

i really wanted to like this story but it fell flat to me. although i really liked jules character, the book itself just wasn’t for me. i felt that there was too much going on at points and would find myself getting lost. the romance plot also moved so insanely fast that i would have to do double takes just to comprehend what was going on. i’m not a fan of instant love tropes so maybe that’s why this book didn’t do it for me, but i don’t doubt that someone else will love it for all of the reasons i didn’t.

ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇꜱ: ꜱᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ. ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ. ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ. ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ.
📖ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️‍🌈⁠

"𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧’𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧?"

I have to admit, once I started reading this one, I got curiouser with each chapter I finished and the author didn't disappoint with the action and suspense and of course my favourite thrill, emotions. The relationship between the two families was bad news but Jules and Rowan had good chemistry and the way they loved and defended one another was absolutely the best part of this book. And Jules' mom is the true champ because the way she came through for my women was truly mending.

I love the title because in both POV, the other "girl" is forbidden to the author but love wins. The sweetness of their romance was good but what I liked the most was how the author wrote Rowan. Very captivating, strength, weakness and all that vulnerability had me weak.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐝𝐨.

This review is for the audio version of this book as well as the e-book as I read them both in tandem.

The narrators Kelly Burke and Stephanie Cannon were new to me but OMG so good. There voices matched these characters perfectly!

This is a dark, sapphic, Romeo and Juliet retelling with a HEA and I enjoyed it so very much! I was a little concerned going into a retelling of this nature that I wouldn't get a HEA but have no fear, it does!

This book wont be for some people because it is arranged a little differently. We meet the characters when they first meet in person, and then bam, it's some time later and they are already together. I didn't mind because the meat of the story is about Rowan and Jules trying to be together despite their families being mortal enemies.

The dad's in the story are Irish mobsters, hell bent on defeating each other and it will be their downfall in the end.

Rowan and Jules were such perfect compliments to each other. It's spicy and intriguing and if you are looking for more dark sapphic books like I was, I think this will fit the bill!

I enjoyed the narration SO much, and the story is engaging and dark and romantic. I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC and the E-ARC in exchange for this review.

Two women meet at a party. Instant attraction flies…But what if they were not meant to be in the first place?

Forbidden Girl is a modern Romeo and Juliet mafia story where two women fall in love while their families are enemies as two opposing mafia gangs. Sneaking around and fooling their fathers, they fall for each other more as time passes. However, as the clash of their families leads to more bloodshed, the time of choice looms large. Would they choose their family or each other? Most importantly of all…their family or the greater good?

Usually, mafia romances are about unrepentant, morally gray women who are ready to kill everyone who dares touch the woman they love. Well, Forbidden Girl portrays a mafia heir who is prepared to kill everyone who dares touch the one she loves, but she does not enjoy being a mafia heir. She does not like killing anybody even with reason, making the book a touch more unique. Family problems obviously do exist here, but it was good to see that someone from the family/friends wishes for the two protagonists’ happiness and love. Enjoyed reading the book a lot!

unfortunately, DNF
Im not a mafia girly and Im really trying to read more till i find the one that makes me change my mind about Mafia books ,

sadly this book wasnt .

its not bad nor good BUT it didn’t click with me


Cheers to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC!

This is not what I was looking for. I DNF’d at page 28. Great concept but missed the mark. It felt way too forced and the relationship was too fast.

No me convenció y no lo pude terminar.

Realmente me pareció que ambas protagonistas se cosificaban demasiado mutuamente, y que los eventos que ocurrían respecto a la "rivalidad" y la"relación secreta y prohibida" no eran tan interesantes como se presentaban en un principio, a pesar de que mejora un poco conforme pasa la lectura. Sin embargo, bien pudo haberse tratado de cualquier romance prohibido sin necesidad de que hubiese mafia y disputas familiares de por medio, no sé, eso me pareció a mí..

Al final, dejó mucho que desear y esperar para mí.

This book was incredible, reminiscent of the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet, but with a modern twist involving gangsters and sapphic element. It is a steamy and action-packed read that keeps the reader captivated throughout.

The connection between Rowan and Jules is undeniable, and their journey together is filled with intense ups and downs. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and found it to be well-crafted and engaging.

I thoroughly enjoyed the rivalry between the two families, Monaghan and Calloway. The mobster feud has a long history, it appears to be unavoidable that one or both or neither of the families will ultimately emerge victorious. To discover the outcome, you will need to download this remarkable book.

The book is a captivating read that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. I highly recommend it.

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Mafia Sapphic Romance? Um YES!
This book would have worked better for me as audio - reading had me skimming over descriptions.
I loved the chemistry and complicated Sapphic retelling of Romeo/Juliet romance. Untouchable. Forbidden. The added element of danger.
Rowan's family business has a rat - causing her to shoot a member of Jules' family business. They meet up for a weekend retreat, regroup and wonder how to get out.

3.25/5 stars rounded to 3 due to lack of half-star ability,

Tropes:
- mafia f/f Romeo and Juliet retelling
- forbidden
- touch her and die
- relatively light angst compared to most other mafia romances

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forbidden Girl is a modern Romeo and Juliet retelling, but with lesbians (!!!) and two rival mafia families fighting over control of Boston, Massachusetts. While their love is vehemently forbidden, they have an instant connection. As with all rival organized crime families, the relationship's forbidden nature is tested, and the FMCs must decide whether to cross that rivalry's boundaries.

Unfortunately, the prologue is actually the part of the book I liked the most. You get some decent banter between the FMCs that's lacking in the rest of the book. One of the first scenes they have together is calling out a man whose wolf whistle is mistaken for true catcalling (read it, and you'll see what I mean 😁), and it's obvious that the FMCs have chemistry. Much of this story's romance aspect is implied off-page, making the romance of a Romeo and Juliet retelling fall to the wayside of the familial mafia rivalry shenanigans.

While I understand that the book itself is on the shorter side (compared to the 500+ page novels I tend to read), it was disappointing that the FMCs seemed to only interact during spicy scenes, and were separated for the last 50% of the book. There are a handful of spicy scenes that don't get too wild, some light praise and mild exhibitionism in one of the scenes, but nothing overly wild.

Overall, it was a decent, fast read, and I wish we'd gotten to see more of the relationship develop. It almost feels like there's a missing novella that should happen between the prologue and chapter 1.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review :)

Forbidden Girl is a fast-moving sapphic mafia retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Rowan and Jules are daughters of opposing mafia fractions that are sweetly head over heels in love with each other. Unlike other mafia novels, the romance is soft, and although we start the story with them already more than friends, their relationship gradually blossoms as the drama is amplified.

There are intense romance scenes, but the Rowan and Jules bedroom relationship is a respecful consensual one, where their saucy scenes are more of the "making love" than the dark scenes you may find in other mafia romances. It's sweet to read, and it's nice how their different personalities compliment one another.

I enjoyed this book more for the soft romance, and because I appreciate a sapphic story where the females have strong personalities. The mafia plot line wasn't very dark (which is my personal preference), but I think if you pick up this book more for the love aspects, and the theme of trying to stick together with your partner despite the odds, then the mafia aspect becomes secondary and you'll be pleasently surprised by it.

It's a quick, easy popcorn read, with a nice feel good factor! Not what I expected going in, but happy coming out with!

Thanks for the ARC copy Kristen & bookouture

I tried to read this but I wasn't a huge fan. It didn't grip me quick enough to keep me wanting to finish the book. Maybe I will go back to it another time.

Forbidden Girl is like a modern day Romeo & Juliet with all the good stuff added in! We get mafia, gangster vibes with the perfect amount of spice Definitely get your hands on this one!

Thank you NetGalley & Bookouture for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A very fast and intense connection that is actually forbidden.
That pretty much sums it up. A retold version of the classic Romeo and Juliet romance.
Rowan and Jules have known each other for a long time, but there comes a point in their lives where they can no longer simply look away when they meet.
Even if the world is against them because both families are enemies, they find ways and means to see each other and love each other.
But of course it is not easy, not nice, not simple! Things happen that they cannot control and that block their view in the future.
I think the retelling is well done.
Many hot scenes start right at the beginning of the book and made it a pleasure to read for me. Don't panic, it's not just smut.
There is enough action, big emotions, anger, bad decisions and drama.
The only thing I perhaps didn't expect is the insta-love version and how it was implemented. The story of the two MCs starts more or less straight away. That's not wrong and works well for this story. So it's not a criticism.
I was just surprised.
Thanks to the Author and Netgalley for this ARC!

I hate DNF'ing (@10%) this one but unfortunately I just couldn't connect with the story because the <spoiler>romance building aspect of the relationship happens off-page</spoiler>, and as a reader who greatly enjoys tension and angst, it fell flat. Which is such a shame because F/F mafia romance had so much potential. I also wasn't a fan of the dialogue.
Readers who enjoy mafia romance could still like this one.

This review will be posted to Goodreads and Storygraph without a star rating.


Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.