Only Brittney can give us such an exceptional fake marriage intertwined with an edgy suspense plot. This book had me hooked from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. I loved Alessandro and Cali, these two knew how to heat up the pages. Whew. And there is something to be said about watching a man fall when he is so against it from the get go. I feel like they fall the hardest and Alessandro sure did. The twists were perfect and I just LOVED the entire book! A top read this year!

I’ve been wanting to read one of Brittany Sahin so when I saw this and read the blurb, I immediately knew I’d want to read this! 🤩

I wouldn’t call this an insta-love but Alessandro was head over heels for Callie before he knew she was the Mafioso’s princess. To him, Callie is “Little Miss Tennessee Whiskey” 🥹 He respected and cared for her like she was truly his! I absolutely loved Callie. She kept Alessandro on his toes but became protective and loving towards him even if it started as a marriage of convenience 🥰

The action had me speeeeding through these pages so that Callie and Alessandro could both have their happy ending. I wish I read the first book before this but I was able to keep up with characters and what their jobs were. I absolutely loved how involved his family is in their “side gig!” And the spice in this 🥵🥵 when Alessandro finally loses control 🤭😮‍💨

Alessandro and Calliope…WOW!

Incredible Story! This is book 2 so I definitely recommend reading “Let Me Love You” first. That was just as incredible so you won’t regret it.
It’s 2 am and I had to finish this..too good to put down. It just never stops and you can’t help but to get sucked into the story.

So Book 1 is about Enzo and now book 2 is one of his brothers, Alessandro. To explain them…they are like vigilantes, but dark vigilantes. They have all been through some dark times, some more than others. Alessandro being one that thinks he cannot be pulled from the dark. Due to this, he wants no part of a relationship; he doesn’t think he is good enough. Especially after meeting Calliope. But he has a debt to pay, a mafia to take down, and has to save Callie.

Callie is a school teacher in TN and has lived a pretty normal life up until recently. Due to reasons, you have to read, her Aunt raised her. Now that she has met Alessandro, normal ceases to exist and her life may never be normal again. She is the daughter of DiMaggio mafia, the only heir, and her father wants her married. He ready to set the plan in action.

So entertaining and captivating and wit and just everything. I can’t think of enough adjectives to describe this. So good!

I am absolutely loving this series. I didn't think anything could top Enzo and Maria's story (book 1 in the series of standalones), but Callie and Alessandro’s did! Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down, I stayed up way past my bedtime JUST to finish it.

Callie and Alessandro’s fake marriage was just what I needed, with the sparks between these two starting right from the beginning the night they met, clear up to the very end when they realized their love for each other.

Mafia romance is new for me and this series hasn't disappointed and I'm so glad I gave Brittney a chance.

What a fabulous book. This series is absolutely compelling to read. The characters are diverse, complicated and totally different. I love the interaction the connections and the way they interact. The story is full of drama, suspense and intrigue. Once you start this book you won’t want to stop. Once these two meet it’s chemistry all the way. Life unfortunately doesn’t make it easy for them tho. Who they are, who their families are make for a tense and exhilarating ride to find their own hea. With each book you get more and more hooked into this family. I can’t wait to read the. Ext book by this amazing author

Brittney Sahin does it again! She was a first time author to me with the first book in the Costa Family and she made me a fan then and now I'm a super fan! I cannot wait to listen to this story because I KNOW it is going to elevate it just like doing so did for Enzo & Maria's story!!

Even though I have only read one other book by this author, I am almost 100% sure that she and I are going to get along just fine with any book I read by her. The way she unfolds a story is magic. She has a lot going on and never misses a beat. She makes sure plot-points are not left blowing in the wind so the reader is not left with a "but why tho" thought. She grows characters from the very beginning and the relationship they form begin from the very start. The storylines are intricate yet very easy to follow. She includes other characters from previous books but doesn't do it in a way that leaves the reader not understanding them because they haven't read her past works. AT least, this has been my experience. Because of all of these characteristics, she's already on the TBR list I will get to this year (because I have several different ones LOL).

I loved Alessandro & Calliope so much it's ridiculous and their story was absolute perfection! It was a slow-burn that begins with a bang but not a slow-burn that's slow because it drags. Feel me? The author was building their relationship even when they were fighting it. The action that surrounds the story was legit and real to me. It didn't come across as so *out there* that I couldn't *see* it happening. I mean, let's face it, it's not like I have first hand experience in this *world* but I know when something rings true-to-life, and this did.

I'm looking forward to getting to read this author's backlist very soon and for future books in The Costa Family series!

Thank you Montlake for the opportunity to read this story before release to give my feedback.

Alessandro Costa and Calliope DiMaggio were two worlds that collided, whether by chance or fate is still questionable. But their connection was instant. But neither expected the journey they were about to take.

Alessandro made his own way. His name gave him power. His hidden talents kept him alive in more ways than one. One night and one favor has him embarking on a journey he did not expect. Said journey was the beautiful mafia princess Calliope. Only she wanted nothing to do with anything other than the new life she had built for herself. When that life seems to be destined to destroy her, Alessandro becomes her white knight, even if he’s more of a dark lord.

Calliope slowly realizes that she’s falling for Alessandro, while he fights his feelings and fears of the same. Once he accepts that his pretend life is slowly becoming his reality, will it be too late?

This second installment of the Costa family is brilliant. Alessandro was so easy to fall for and Calliope had an inner strength that couldn’t be denied. I’ve no doubt The Costas will be an amazing Series!

Not Mine To Keep is an action packed love story. There is twists and turns through out the entire story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Alessandro is just 🥵! Brittney has a way of completely wrapping you up into her writing making you feel as if you are right there in the story! Thank you Brittney for another amazing story!

Brittney did an amazing job like always. I loved watching her work come to life. Alessandro is a big playboy with a big loving heart that he hide. Until he meets Calliope who is a sassy southern girl who keeps him on his toes. Calliope is in danger and to help her Alessandro needs to marry her. Then take out the threats.
I loved watching the big play boy be brought to his knees by his little miss Tennessee whiskey. He really tried to keep her at arm length believing he was not good for her and she needed to go back to her life when I was safe. Calliope loved is soft side as well as his alpha side. They are amazing. Brittney did amazing with this book.

I received an Advanced Copy of Not Mine to Keep This story of Alessandro and Calliope, which is part of the Costa Family Series. Alessandro marries Calliope to save her from an arranged marriage her mafia father (who she did not know existed till somewhat recently) wants. Alessandro is a playboy/bachelor who never wants to marry but is indebted for previous help that he and his family received. As usual Brittney Sahin weaves previous characters into her stories, which makes it appropriate that they are meeting at a Michael Maddox Fund Raiser. Alessandro and his family work hard to stop her father from pulling her into his shadowy world and to shut down his organization. Her stories suck you in and the teases for the future have you waiting for the next book. I highly recommend reading her books. You won’t be disappointed.

You will definitely want to keep "Not Mine to Keep" by Brittney Sahin and even re-read it. The book was excellent and the characters are so wonderful. I had trouble putting the book down. The way she integrates the characters and for those that have read her other books, you get glimpses of others that just keep you wanting more (and more and more) books about them. She is a fabulous story teller and if this is your first book you are picking up, I highly recommend that you pick up her others. Another 5-star read and she continues to be one of my favorite authors. Bravo!

This book brings us Alessandro and Calliope. Their story is one that will stay with you for a long time to come. I have read Brittney Sahin's books for many years and it was so wonderful to have so many characters making an appearance to help this couple take down their targets in order to get their well deserved HEA. Be prepared for a wild ride.

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.