Member Reviews
An awesome suspenseful mafia romance. Two people with amazing chemistry thrown together by wild circumstances, with twists and turns that will keep you hooked. And the spice doesn’t hurt.
I have read all of Brittney’s books and this was another enjoyable read. I really enjoyed the beginning and end of this book, I did feel the middle dragged on a bit but in the end it didn’t really take away from the story. There was just a little too much I can’t have her for my taste. I was glad to see Enzo in this book, I was afraid we wouldn’t see him much since his story is complete. I also appreciated the glimpses into Hudson and Izzy’s story.
An emotional roller-coaster ride is what you get. The longing, fustrations, pain, slow burn & love pours out of the pages. You enjoy & love the bonds within the Costa family. Suspense keeps you on edge. Brilliant. Honest review
I am in love with the Costas. This was another great read from Brittney Sahin. I'm not sure how she does it but she easily pulls you into another world with her books where you become fully engaged with what is happening, cheering on the characters and feeling what they are going through. I loved this book from the first chapter to the last. The minute I started reading and discovered the plot line I fell in love more.
One of my favorite parts about this book was the texts between Alessandro and Enzo. I appreciated that Alessandro commented multiple times that he went to a therapist and he was using Enzo as a therapist during this mission. I thought that it strengthened Enzo's character to admit that he needed someone to talk to even though he was a very Alpha male character. I enjoyed Calli's banter with Alessandro and her sass. They were so great together and the way the family came together to help them was perfect.
One thought I kept having while reading this book was how perfectly it was named. It's not something that I usually think about, but both the characters said it so often it stood out to me. Both characters struggled so much with the fact they were falling in love with each other, but the arrangement they were in didn't match with how they were feeling and they both pushed each other away because of it adding to the issues they were already facing.
Another 5 stars for sure. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Not Mine to Keep" by Brittney Sahin is a captivating romance that expertly weaves together themes of billionaire, mafia, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and age gap.
Alessandro Costa, a playboy billionaire with no intention of ever marrying, finds his world upended when he meets Calliope, a school teacher and aspiring country music singer. Determined to protect her from her Mafia boss father and those who seek to prevent her from inheriting the empire. The plan is marriage of convenience, ostensibly to produce an heir, while he and his brothers work to eliminate their enemies and settle old scores. What was meant to be a temporary arrangement soon complicates as Alessandro realizes that Calliope is becoming more than just a duty—she’s someone he might not be able to let go.
Sahin's writing style is engaging and evocative. The pacing is slow burn with a blend of heartfelt moments and sizzling chemistry and romance.
Sahin’s novel is a rollercoaster of passion and intrigue. The explosive romance and edge-of-your-seat suspense make this a standout read. Calliope and Alessandro’s fiery connection is pure magic. Unmissable!
Brittney Sahin knocked this one out of the park! I’ve read all her books and each time I think I can guess what’s going to happen, she throws in such well thought out plot twists!
Pretty sure Alessandro is high ranking for most morally grey MMC in Sahin world, and watching him fall so sweetly for Calliope was such a beautiful ride to be on.
Also, the guitar delivery on her birthday with the note? Balled my eyes out!!!
I cannot wait for Izzy and Hudson. ❤️
He's a billionaire playboy vigilante. She's a school teacher and (surprise!) mafia princess.
Alessandro and Calliope meet at a fundraiser and have instant chemistry. There’s flirting. There’s attraction. There’s going to be a hot night together?
Gotcha! I’ll never tell!
So often, a start like this goes off the rails for me because the characters suddenly become “enemies” (seemingly just for the sake of marketing the trope).
That’s not the case here. There are some moments of frustration between our MCs, but they don’t ever deny the attraction theh share. They’re still just as interested in each other as they were prior to realizing their standing.
And that, my friends, is how Brittney Sahin wrote the absolute hell out of this slow burn. It wasn’t just nothing, nothing, nothing, BAM! There was so much angst while the MCs tried to fight what they were feeling. The sexual tension, y’all. Whew. Alessandro and Callie always had that flirty banter, and it was so much fun!
Brittney loves to write a damaged man, and I’m here for it! Her men are masculine and every bit the alpha, but they also have emotional moments of vulnerability. They just always read so real and complex.
As for Callie, she brings the sass. She’s such a fun FMC - I want to be her friend!
This one was lighter on the action, so it’d be a good place to dip your toe into this subgenre of romance. It’s the second book in the Costa Family series, but honestly, this reads really well as a standalone.
Not Mine to Keep by Brittney Sahin is an Italian mafia genre with a twist. I don't usually want to read an Italian mafia story but Brittney Sahin's writing is far above any book I've read regarding this troupe. She kept the reader engaged and I was captivated. The Costa family is complicated where they take out bad mafia organizations with a secret contract to do so. The reason I'm not drawn to this genre is because they murder people and it can feel a bit psycotic but Brittney's writing is so good, that as troupey as the storyline could be it kept me engaged and interested where I finished the book quickly. She writes angst very well and there isn't a lot of ridiculous dialogue. I would like her women protagonists to be across the aisle into more resolve then just the damsel but it's still better than most.
It's the rich man meets a poor woman who is really a not want to be mafia princess who needs protection who just wants to live a normal life. Caliope the daughter of a mafia boss in Itality is living a nice life singing and performing and loves being a musician. She meets an Italian man Alessandro who has been tricked to leave New York city to go to Tennessee to pay a debt, not a financial debt, to a mafia guy who is in Italy. They met sparks fly and the life his knew before will change irrevocably and she will have a life she only dreamt of.
I am left feeling good story, good writing, was engaging enough that it didn't feel too predicable but an excellent escapism journey. It had steam for those faint of heart might not be for you but for a reader who likes the spice it's a good one written a cut above. Much better than T.L. Swan writing.
I enjoyed this read immensely and would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, Montlake, for the opportunity to read and review Not Mine to Keep by Brittney Sahin.
I loved it! The chemistry between Alessandro and Calliope, the banter and stuff between Hudson and Izzy....especially during the kissing scene when they were undercover and Alessandro's reaction to that, how protective his family was over her from the get go.. all of it, was as perfect as I expected it to be! Every book I read, I feel like it's the best one yet...and yet, the next one comes and steals the title. I cannot wait to see where life takes them in the upcoming books!
This book had everything, romance, humor, familial loyalty, suspense, spice, sibling rivalry, and betrayal. I read it until i finished at 4 am. Then i read it agin to flesh out details and subtle interactions. It’s amazing what you miss when you’re “anxious to get the next page!” The characters were so interesting and three dimensional. The references to characters and groups from other books flows naturally and makes perfect sense in context. You can’t help but be invested in these characters. Cant wait for Belle and Hudson’s story.
I really enjoyed this read!
Mafia, found family, forced proximity, fake marriage.
From start to finish, the chemistry between the two characters is undeniable. They were setup to be forced into a marriage with mafia ties but once they got to know each other - it was magic. Alessandro is a great MMC and I loved reading about his past. Callie was the cutest and her being a singer made me love her that much more.
I will definitely be reading more of this series and more from this author!
Alessandro has a debt to be paid, which includes marrying the mafia’s daughter, Callie. Alessandro is an independent man who has his soft side hidden by a hard exterior. Callie is a stubborn, friendly woman who cares for those around her. But together, they both bring out a different side of eachother. Not Mine To Keep was an amazing read and I enjoyed every second of it. Alessandro may be my new favourite book boyfriend! I loved how Brittney wrote this
book and the chemistry between the two characters. The emotions were described beautifully
and realistically, and the sexual tension is THERE. Brittney always creates a vivid image and portrays their emotions amazingly. I was so excited to read about Alessandro and she did not disappoint. I’m so glad I got to read this early!
I really enjoyed this next book of the Costa family. Alessandro was never going to get married. It was no longer in the cards for him, from his past to his present job, it just wasn’t going to happen. Then he met Callie, next thing he knows, he’s married. But it’s not real, it’s just to protect her. Right?
Not Mine to Keep sure is a keeper! It is the Costa Family’s second book. Alessandro is a billionaire playboy who is called upon to repay a debt. The repayment is keeping Callie safe from her mafia father she wants nothing to do with. This story has plenty of suspense to keep you guessing who is good and who is evil. The road to safety is filled with action, romance, revenge and just enough sexy time to satisfy! I absolutely loved this story, it kept me interested and entertained to the very last page!
This is the second book in the Costa family series, This is Alessandro and Callie’s book, Alessandro is strong, protective and sexy. Callie is smart, sassy and beautiful. Together they face off with the mafia, all the while fighting their feelings for each other. We see some familiar faces in this book also. I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t put the book down until i finished. I love how Brittney writes and how she brings old characters back in the new books. Get this book you will not be disappointed. This can be read as a standalone but i would recommend reading the first book in the Costa family series.
Brittney does it again! This book has all the feels, she keeps you turning the pages not wanting to put the book down. She draws you in from the first page and creates instant chemistry between the characters! I love how she makes you fall in love with Callie and Alessandro from their first introduction. This book has a few secrets that kept me guessing that I absolutely loved! The guest cameos from some of my past favorites was just a wonderful surprise that made me smile! Masterfully written! 5 stars is just not enough! Can’t wait for the next Costa tail!
I don't understand how Brittney's books just keep getting better and better. Is there no end to this woman's talent? This woman is such a talented author & we are the lucky ones who get to enjoy, or in my case, devour her books.
This book is the 2nd book in the Costa Family series & is Alessandro & Calliope's story. Alessandro ends up meeting Calliope for the first time in a bar in Nashville because he of a friend that he is supposed to be meeting but never shows up. It turns out that the friend wanted Alessandro to meet Calliope because he needs Alessandro to help him take down Calliope's father & he uses a debt owed to ensure that Alessandro will help. Alessandro is shocked to find out that he will need to marry Calliope and is constantly reminding her & himself that it is only temporary and that nothing will happen between the two of them.
If you want to know more, read the book and you will be extremely happy that you did. This book is full of danger, suspense, romance, twists and turns, and will give you emotions a workout. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. What a wonderful addition to the Costa Family and the collection of books written by Brittney Sahin.
From the first moment they meet, the chemistry burns between Allesandro, a billionaire playboy, and Callie, a teacher and musician. When an old friend of Alessandro’s needs a favor to help keep Callie alive, an adventurous journey begins, which has ramifications for them both. Their story is a page turner that does not disappoint!
Five stars!
Playboy billionaire, who refuses to give his heart, falls for the aspiring country singer, who happens to be a mafioso's daughter, in the latest installment of the Costa Family series by Brittney Sahin. Not Mine to Keep is a slow burn, instant attraction and forced marriage between Alessandro and Calliope “Callie.” As with all of Sahin’s books, there’s more than just romance. There’s twists and turns, suspense and some adventure.
I was hooked from the first page, where we meet Alessandro and Callie at a bar in Tennessee. Loved the references of country music sprinkled throughout the book.
After some teaser scenes in Not Mine to Keep between Izzy Costa and Hudson, I’m really looking forward to the next book in the Costa Family series.