"Not Mine to Keep" by Brittney Sahin is an exciting blend of romance, suspense, and action. The story follows Calliope, a mafia princess trying to escape her family's criminal legacy, and Alessandro, a billionaire playboy with a vendetta. Their fake marriage starts as a means of protection and revenge, but soon turns into something deeper as their chemistry ignites. The mix of high stakes, danger, and passion kept me hooked throughout the story.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Calliope and Alessandro—both strong characters with complex backstories. The suspense and steamy romance were perfectly balanced, making for a fast-paced and engaging read. While some moments felt a bit dragged out, overall, the book was well-written and kept me invested in the characters. Fans of mafia romance with a twist of intrigue will love this! Definitely a solid 4/5 for me.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were easy to root for. I could feel the chemistry between them, but it developed a bit quickly. Despite that, their connection felt genuine, and I was invested in how their story unfolded.

The storyline was well-paced, with just the right touch of mystery that kept me guessing about who could be trusted. The side characters added depth without overshadowing the main plot, which I appreciated.

I also loved the author’s writing style and will definitely be checking out more of their work!


I received an ARC of this book for free and I am reviewing it voluntarily.

Calliope, or Callie, only recently learned of her father's identity at her mother's funeral. She is the only heir to the DiMaggio Mafia family and her father is dying. He's determined to marry her off to a monster so she can create a new generation, but that's the last thing she wants. She's avoided it so far, but then a stranger in a bar informs her that they plan to take her that night and force her home.
Alessandro is the playboy of the Costa family and doesn't believe in marriage or relationships, but in order to exact revenge on the DiMaggio patriarch, he has to fake a marriage to Callie to save her from the man who tried to unalive his oldest brother. But as time goes on and they both fight to stay alive, he has to remind himself that she's not his to keep.
I like this continuation of the Costa family story as I loved Enzo and his story. The suspense and spice are perfectly balanced to create an engaging story and unique characters kept me interested. I look forward to the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. The push and pull of Alessandro and Callie is great! The way he tried to be a “bad guy” but deep down is a teddy bear for the ones he loves. It has some good spicy scenes, twists and turns where you don’t know what’s coming next. The love they have for each other, and the willingness to sacrifice for others to protect the ones they love is amazing. The sweet gestures that Alessandro makes for Callie are swoon worthy. I love that some characters from past books make a cameo. Brittney did a fantastic job on Alessandro and Callie’s love story. And I’m looking forward to the next book as always. She’s one of the authors that I will read any book she puts out with total excitement even if I don’t know what the book was about.

“Chills wrapped around my limbs, and I stepped back, needing space. Needing to breathe. Needing to remember that, You’re not mine to keep.” - Calliope’s POV

Another great story by Brittney Sahin! I couldn’t stop reading and was hooked on every word. I loved the romantic tension between Calliope and Alessandro. The plot twists along the way had me on the edge and wanting to stay up to read just one more chapter. Not Mine To Keep made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with all the characters including some of the smaller ones. I will definitely be reading this book again.

‘Not Mine to Keep’ by ‘Brittney Sahin’ is the second book in the Costa family series, though it can also be read as a stand-alone. The story revolves around Alessandro, a morally grey billionaire playboy, and Calliope, a teacher, part-time musician, and secret mafia princess as their lives intertwine in the most unexpected way.
Both the protagonists are powerful characters with complex backstories. Their chemistry is off the charts, however, they try awfully hard, believing they are not each other’s to keep.
Alessandro, being true to his playboy nature, doesn’t want to get married (a few red flags too!). His life revolves around his ‘firm’ and vigilante activities and he tries hard to keep away from love. But his resolve waivers the moment he meets a smart-mouthed, strong-headed Calliope. Sparks fly, and there is an instant connection between them.
Through various twists and turns, they have to get married (temporarily!) and the goal is to protect Calliope and aid in a revenge plot Alessandro wants from someone. They grapple against their feelings, running hot and cold as they are yet unable to deny their deepening bond all while overcoming challenges that are thrown in their way. Alessandro, the quintessential anti-hero, soon becomes ‘Keep away from my wife,’ even if he is aware that he needs to hide his feelings is quite noteworthy. Calliope also grows jealous and possessive of her fake husband, resulting in a cat-and-mouse game.
The book is ‘Mafia Adjacent’ and very well dabs in the theme of choosing between evil and less evil. The author skillfully handled the plot of the book with no subplots or loose threads hanging over the reader’s head. As a first-time reader of the author, she has exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed how the author nodded to other characters in her series. However, they do not overpower the entire book, but make an excellent addition to motivate you to want to read other books in the series.
While most of the book was exceptionally well done, I did, however, find some topics a bit more dragged and a bit odd. The over-attached mother thing made it a bit off-putting for me. A tight-knit family is a great addition, but no one gets that attached to someone so soon! Additionally, Alessandro’s inability to overcome a past rejection at the age of 40, even with therapy, strikes a slightly discordant note in an otherwise well-developed character.
Sahin’s writing style is professional and accessible to all. The book is professionally edited with mild spice to the story. The emotional highs and well-balanced lows of the book make it worth a read. I would give this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars. A good love story between two very unlikely individuals with a blend of action, romance, vengeance, humor, and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
The book would appeal to various famous tropes of romance novels, like:
Arranged Marriage
Fake Marriage
Bad Boy/Good Girl
Billionaire Playboy
Age Gap
Close Proximity
All in all, a good book to read, and I look forward to exploring the next book in the series.

Every now and again, we as readers are introduced to characters and storylines that revolve around coworkers or schoolmates. In introducing us to the Costa Family, Brittney Sahin has created an entire family (Izzy and her morally gray brothers + one best friend) that you just want to be a part of but will settle to read about from afar.

After meeting Enso Costa in 'Let Me Love You', this time we meet Alessandro and his reluctant bride, mafia princess (also reluctant) Calliope. For me this romantic suspense has some of my favorite elements, morally gray grumpy MMC, no nonsense taking sunshiny FMC, he fell first and don’t forget - touch her and die. But honestly, for me the minute he nicknamed her Little Miss Tennessee Whiskey I was hooked on these two.

Izzy and Hudson are next, and if the chemistry that was sparking in this book are any indication, I can’t wait.

This one wasn’t for me - the story never grabbed my attention and I wasn’t able to invest in the characters or the plot.



Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the DRC

This book was really good and got me out of a book slump that I was falling into.
It was easy to understand and the characters had great chemistry. I felt that sometimes it was a little slow but I was unable to put it down because I was enjoying reading it so much. It was lighthearted, funny and just a good easy time.

This book was even better than the first one. You become so invested in Alessandro and Calliope journey from the start. They both have very strong characters who are extremely determined to have things to their way. Calliope is just a normal country girl or so she thought until her mother passed always. Since then, she has had her world rocked and now it is about to explode when she meets Alessandro. Alessandro owes a debt and is her to pay it and then leave. He never expected to find a woman who catches his eye but things are not always how we think. What happens when they both collide? I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC REVIEW::

I’ve been reading Brittney’s books for a couple years and let me tell you, she is my favorite author BY FAR. Not Mine to Keep is no exception. The chemistry and passion between Alessandro and Callie is incredible. I couldn’t put the book down once I started. Marriage of convenience isn’t my go-to trope but it’s definitely up there now after this book! I can’t wait for Hudson and Izzy’s book next!!

4 stars

Very action-packed.
Very Billionaire playboy vigilante (it's giving Batman, and I'm not mad about it).
This was fun and steamy, and the fake dating/marriage of convenience was done great.
I'm definitely reading the other books in this series because I'm very curious about the rest of the family.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read.

When Alessandro the playboy bachelor of the Costa family meets his match in the quiet sexy school teacher Calliope, he’s not going to go down without a fight. Though as the days go on it’s less of a fight and more of a surrender.
Loved this you could feel Alessandro’s struggle to hold on to his single status from the get go, but when he fell he fell all in. Calliope was a delight determined not to bend and become something she abhors, and I loved that when things got bad she stayed strong and believed.
Great ending to this book, and I look forward to the next Costa siblings story.

Brittney did it again! I finished this book in a day- there’s absolutely no way you could put it down after you start readying. What a well written story with your new favorite couple.

Calliope and Alessandro should never make sense on paper as he is a billionaire playboy who does vigilante work on the side and she is a school teacher but boy do sparks fly with this duo. Ends up Callie is an unwilling Mafia Princess whose father has decided to marry her off to strengthen his position. Callie and Alessandro take matters into their own hands and marry just to thwart her father. Then things get really interesting and exciting to say the least. Wow just an amazing read with drama suspense and love thrown in there. You did it again Brittney Sahin!

As a long time reader of Brittney Sahin, I was excited to dive into Not Mine To Keep and get back with the Costa’s brothers. The chemistry between Alessandro and Calliope was fire and there were some very hot scenes and I could not put this book down! Brittney has outdone herself again, now I wait impatiently for Hudson and Izzy!

Brittney Sahin has done it again! Not Mine to Keep was an absolutely phenomenal read. I don't know how she does it, but every single book she writes is perfection. I was expecting greatness with Alessandro's story and greatness is what she gave us.

The Costa family is complicated and intriguing, but she makes us love them and all their darkness. and mystery with her brilliant writing, captivating plots, and suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Alessandro and Calliope's marriage of convenience takes them down a path neither of them saw coming, and Calliope is drawn into the mafia world she swore she'd never be a part of. Calliope and Alessandro's connection is instant, and the more he tries to fight it, the more hold she takes over his thoughts...and heart.

Twists and turns, danger abound, and a slow burn you know is going to explode will have you falling in love with Alessandro and all his damaged pieces. Calliope may have been the wife he didn't want, but she ended up being the woman to save.

Izzy and Hudson already have me giddy for what they get up to. I can't wait for their story. The little peaks we've gotten though Enzo and Alessandro's stories have me knowing their story is going to be one for the ages.

I loved this book! It had many if my favorite tropes and the whole "touch her and die" thing always make me swoon. I liked the overall premise of the story and it was not hard to get into the book, even without reading the first one in the series.

The writing was great and the story moved at a good pace. It never felt stale and I enjoyed the dual POV. I would definitely read more books by this author!

Alessandro and Calliope met in a bar, both not looking for anything serious. Before Alessandro can make a move, an old friend calls and asks for a favor. The favor involves the beautiful woman sitting next to him, and it’s a life changing favor to keep her alive and out of the mafia’s grip. Alessandro’s plan, unfortunately, end with the two being married. Vowing that he will never fall in love, the two try to keep things platonic, but those deals don’t really work out. The story ultimately works out for the best for both of them, but not in a way they imagined!

Brittney Sahin has delivered another book I didn't want to put down for a single second in Not Mine to Keep. Alessandro and Calliope have an immediate attraction and connection to each other when they meet at a fundraiser, but once he learns who she is and why he needs to protect her, she's immediately off limits. The beautiful slow burn of their story is just... chef's kiss. There is so much depth and background to all of the characters involved. Not only Alessandro and Calliope, but all of the Costa siblings, and even those Alessandro is protecting Calliope from. I feel like I know each person like family. I am excited for whatever heartstopping, action-filled adventure awaits the Costa family next.

"She could capture the hearts of millions with a smile alone. But with a laugh? F*ck, she could end wars."