This 2-perspective book had me in a chokehold from start to finish. "Not Mine to Keep" written by Brittney Sahin was absolutely beautiful. Whilst typically I wouldn't tend to read mafia romances, I am so glad that I gave this one a go. The main romance trope of this book was Grumpy x Sunshine with a hint of enemies to lovers. Key themes include: strong references to violence, arranged marriage, deep-rooted trauma (specifically within the mmc) and desire.
Given the fact it is a romance, it should be mentioned that there are sexually explicit scenes within the novel and therefore reader discretion is advised.
Alessandro and Calliope's love story begins in a bar, and with a debt that has yet to be paid. Playboy Alessandro Costa has to switch up the life that he loves to marry Calliope in the hopes to save her from her father's plans, to marry her off to another man for her to produce an heir. The plan initially was to play the game and keep up appearances, but what happens when the game they started off playing starts to feel less and less like a game. Is this the end of Alessandro's playboy streak or will he learn that despite everything, he is capable of loving and being loved just as hard in return.
One of my favourite romance tropes is grumpy x sunshine and the way that it was portrayed in this was so honest and exactly how I imagine it to go in reality. They always have a soft spot, and that soft spot is their sunshine. The morally grey Alessandro will have you in complete confusion as he ever so easily beats people up but then draws the line at cheating, and I think that may be one of my favourite aspects of the novel, additional to how Calliope has him completely enthralled right from the start.
However, I did give this novel 4 stars and not 5 despite my extreme recommendation to read it, and my reasoning for this is because there were times that Calliope just irritated me, the way she spoke and acted at times were just very childish.
Plus, I hate giving 5 stars unless there are genuinely no faults I can address.

Overall, the book is a fantastic read and I would highly recommend giving it a read, the writing style being two-perspective made it all that much better as you can see both Alessandro and Calliope pining for each-other but refusing to act as the time goes on. As well as everything already mentioned, the side characters were so incredibly created, my favourites being Izzy and Mr Costa. I am so grateful I was able to read this book before it was published.

Not Mine to Keep is the continuation of the Costa Family series. This book is about the second son Alessandro.

The beginning started mysterious and sets the flow of the story. Two unwilling participants to become puppets by master manipulators. In order for Alessandro and Callie to take control of their narratives, they must outsmart the puppet masters. Plot twists, pure adrenaline rush, and slow burn romance are just the perfect ingredients for this high intensity book. Don't miss this book!

A mafia princess marrying a playboy in a fake marriage. Who wants the mafia princess Calliope out of the picture so she can’t take over her father’s Criminal Organization. Alessandro the playboy crosses paths with Calliope and sparks fly. It all starts out as a simple task for Alessandro to repay an old debt but turns into so much more. A man who says he’ll never commit or get married. The conversations, jealousy & back and forth comments will make you want to keep reading. You have it all in this book. Callie is Not his to keep but things change. Another great read from Brittany Sahin

"Not Mine to Keep" skillfully intertwines mafia intrigue with a compelling love story (and spice!). Plus, all the twists and turns at the end kept me reading!

The story follows Calliope (Callie), a music teacher who finds out she's a mafia princess. As Callie learns more about her mafia roots, she finds out her father has given her a timeline to get married and produce an heir. However, unbeknownst to Callie, the timeline has been shortened and she's set to marry an awful man. As a favor to a former colleague, Alessandro steps in to help save her from this terrible fate. However, Alessandro is a playboy who wants nothing to do with Callie and would prefer to stay a bachelor.

As for the spice: the scenes in his office and the shower were top tier.

Tropes: Marriage of Convenience and One Bed

This is my first Brittney Sahin book and I can't wait to read more!

Meeting another member of the Costa family? Yes, please. Reading Enzo and Maria’s story I always suspected there was so much more to the side jobs the Costa siblings took on. When Alessandro decides to save Callie from the clutches of her evil Italian mafia father, he’s committed to keeping emotions out of their arrangement. But Little Miss Tennessee Whisky has oodles of charm and slowly breaks down the high wall he’s built to protect himself from falling in love and being hurt. Once they acknowledge their mutual attraction and that it would benefit each other to work together their armor starts to fall away. I love Mrs. Sahin’s books. They are filled with exceptional character, an incredible plot, and so much love.
This is another five star book for me.

SCORCHING….,The chemistry between Alessandro and Calliope was undeniably. These two found each other in an inconvenient way but are fiercely protective of one another. Brittney Sahin never disappoints with her character building and storyline.

This book was so beautiful. The way two people fall in love in spite of themselves is a classic story told in a stunning and uniquely compelling way. The characters come alive in your mind as you read, and the story takes hold of your heart. Once again Brittany Sahin has masterfully crafted a story about true love, family, and passion. I just can’t put these books down once I start because of the way they allow you to dive in and escape.

Not Mine to Keep is the second book in the Costa Family series and the third book including them. While you don't need to have read Until You Can't and Let Me Love You (where we meet Alessandro's youngest brother and get his story), they do help provide insight into the family dynamics, especially his parents. This story starts out in the US, but soon takes us deeper into the Costa family dynamics and their connections to Sicily when Alessandro fake marries Callie in order to save her from the suitor chosen by her relatively recently, but prior to the start of the story, learned of mafioso father.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I am not one to reread most books but this is one that I will definitely revisit and reread in the future. It includes a lot of my look fors in a book: some action, some suspense or mystery, spice, a well developed plot, and characters that feel like I could bump into them if we were walking down the street at the same time. Not only that, they are people who, even if they are assholes, have redeemable qualities or characteristics. Shortest distance between me and a DNF is a character that is an asshole just for the sake of being an asshole (I will not read a bully trope). There’s a difference between someone who is hurting and someone who is mean simply because they can be.

It's not my favorite of Brittney Sahin's books, but that's because I'm not a fan of large age gaps (this one is 10 years) between the romantic partners or insta-love, and this fake marriage turns to insta-love really fast. Those two things aside, the chemistry between Alessandro and Callie is clearly there and believable, which is why it will become a permanent addition to my book collection and be added to the To Be Read Again pile.

I really enjoyed this story.

I thought that the book had a good storyline and the plot was well developed.

The story was fast paced and well written.

It had action, it was romantic and sexy mafia/hunter book.

It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

Loved reading the wonderfully written romance story. Because of the favor Alessandro owes, he's going to marry the mafia princess, Calliope. Read the highly recommended and a must read riveting romance story.

Y’all, this book is sooo good. Calliope and Alessandro have a quick night at an auction that turns into an owed debt where the playboy now marries the last of a mafia bloodline. I highly recommend it as well as all her others.
They’re surprises, twists, and what the whatttt. I read it in one night!
I cannot wait for Izzy and Hudson next.

This is my first book by the author and I absolutely want to read more of Sahin's books. Liked the characters and their backstories. The leads have amazing chemistry. This also setups the supporting characters well. A fun and light read!

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

4.5!

I am not normally a fan of mafia romances but I am a fan of Brittney Sahin! I've really enjoyed following the Costa family so far and the stories have been mafia-adjacent in my mind so they would definitely be a good opener to someone looking for a bit less "dark romance" which can definitely be prevalent in Mafia Romances.

The Costa family used to be involved in Italian mafias a few generations prior to our main characters but those ties are relied upon in this romance between billionaire Alessandro and the new Mafia Princess, Calliope. (Side Note: I absolutely loved Calliope's name and how Sahin referenced some Greek mythology at parts in Alessandro's & Calliope's journey). When Calliope's existence is discovered by her Mafia Boss father at her mother's funeral, she is thrown into a world she wants no part of. Part of this world wants her to produce an heir for the Mafia family before her very sick father dies. Alessandro steps in after a heads up from an old friend and offers to marry Calliope so she isn't forced into anything from one of the suitors her father has picked out. After a bit of a rough start, Calliope and Alessandro really start to light things on fire but with some past issues and the present problem of the Mafia and her father, will they come out of this marriage still together?

Brittney Sahin writes such great romances with the perfect amount of suspense and intrigue to them. I've re-read so many of her stories and she portrays such a great variety of men and women in each one. Calliope is strong and although she's been thrown into a position she doesn't want to be in, she's able to roll with the punches and take things as they come. Alessandro is introduced in some of the previous Costa stories, and is such a loyal man to the ones he loves, especially his family. He could never stand to see an innocent woman involved in the messy and dangerous world of the Mafia and he gets a chance to get some revenge on others for past harms. My one complaint with this story, and something I saw a little bit in the previous releases from Sahin, is a bit more "secrets" to the reader. I definitely don't think the reader needs to know everything even when the characters don't, but some things in Alessandro's past are hinted at and then take forever to be revealed when I think they could have come out (to the reader) a bit earlier and smoother. Similarly some late plot points happen through quick, almost cliff-hanger chapter endings. Again, not something that I'm always against, I think they just fell slightly flat for me in this story.

“Because you’re not mine to keep, and I’m afraid I’ll want to.” She blinked back tears. “Maybe you’re right. I’m not a villain, because a villain would take you now and not care,” I ground out. “And I can’t do that.” I leaned in close, but not so close I’d slip and kiss her. “I don’t want to hurt you.” My voice broke that time. “Please, for the love of God, stay away from me for the next three weeks so I don’t do that. So I don’t become the villain of your story.”

HOLY MOLEY BRITTNEY I THINK MY KINDLE CAUGHT ON FIRE 🥵🥵🥵 THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKIN HOT!! You really turned it up a notch with this one!! As always you absolutely knocked the suspense out of the park!! Just when I think I’m on to you, you throw us a curveball and I never know where we’re headed next!! Mafia x Military doesn’t always pair well but this story was perfect!! Callie and Alessandro were amazing characters and their chemistry was 🔥🔥 the way you set up for Hudson and Izzy’s book had me squealing and kicking my feet!! obsessed and cannot wait for them!!! ⭐️: 5/5🌶️: 4.25/5

“I’ll wait for you.” I let go of his shirt to position my hand over his heart. “I’m a fighter. Stubborn. Not going anywhere.” I sniffled. “I thought you weren’t mine to keep, and here you are, becoming all I want.”

Wow! Absolutely amazing read, I love this authors books, she always brings it all. I loved every single about this book! Highly recommend reading.

As someone who reads a lot of mafia romances, this one gets points for the more dramatic and suspenseful subplot. The backstory to this fake marriage was more complex than simply bringing two families together: there were multiple families, underground organizations & double-crossings to name just a few twists.

Alessandro owes an old friend a favor and finds himself married to Callie, the sole heir of a crime family. She's trying to distance herself from her father's world and he has a past that keeps him from getting close, but we know that never works!

It was a solid story, but I just didn't connect with the characters. I knew the goal, but I just couldn't buy into it. The angst felt forced, the attitude from Callie felt unnecessary, & the dialogue didn't support the actions.

While this one wasn't a winner for me, I'll likely check out at least one more of this author's books since I did like the story & perhaps it was just a one-off.

ARC REVIEW:

"There was something about this moment, with us laying our cards on the table and having nothin in between us now, that had me nervous."-Alessandro

Britney does it again. Book 3 in the Costa family saga does not disappoint. Calliope, secret mafia heir, and high school teacher, meets Alessandro, billionaire vigilante, at just the right time in her life, when she needs "saving". Unbeknownst to him, he needs rescuing too.

While Britney's books always have HEA endings, there so much drama, fun and spice along the way. Her characters comes across as "real" and you want to know them in real life. Their marriage of convenience breaks downs walls and barriers they've both been hiding behind for years, and brings down the "bad" guys.

Make sure you have time to read. It's tough to put down. 15/10 stars.

Yet another outstanding read by the amazing author, Brittney Sahin .

You know when you get an author who you know , without a doubt , you will read anything they publish ? Well Brittney Sahin is that author for me .

Picking up my kindle I was happy to leave the real world around me & full into Alessandro, & Calliope’s story .

Their story blew me away , the storyline kept me on my toes , had me questioning which characters I could trust , & which I couldn’t , & watching the characters of Alessandro, & Calliope falling in love through the pages was pure perfection.

This book is a 100% must read

Brittney knocked it out of the park with this book. She had a way of making you fall in love with all of her characters.

This book has so many twists and turns and grabs you from the start. The chemistry between Alessandro & Calliope is explosive and you can’t get enough and you will not want the story to end.

This book has everything—romance, suspense, and an alpha male who'll protect his woman at all costs. Alessandro and Calliope's chemistry? Off the charts. The banter alone had me rooting for them from page one, with Calliope constantly pushing his buttons and Alessandro trying (and failing) to resist. Their journey is packed with tension, plot twists, and just the right amount of heart. If you haven’t read Brittney Sahin yet, this is the perfect place to start.

Brittney Sahin strikes the perfect balance of sexy and action, and her characters never disappoint. If you love a good marriage-of-convenience trope mixed with intrigue, explosions, and plenty of steam, this is your next read. Plus, familiar faces from previous books make it even better!

What to Expect:
••» “My Wife”
••» Mafia Romance
••» Billionaire Playboy
••» Romantic Suspense
••» Arranged Marriage
••» Bad Boy/Good Girl
••» Age Gap
••» Close Proximity

Thanks to Montlake, the author, Brittney Sahin, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.