Brittney has done it again! Another amazing read. This family is wonderful and even though this book can be read alone, seeing previous characters and friends makes it more exciting.. Can’t wait for the next book! Enjoy!

I absolutely love this book! To be honest, I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy Alessandro's story before starting it. The "Mafia" theme normally isn't my favorite, but the book didn't seem overdone and I really enjoyed it. I also appreciate the length of the book - there's never a feeling that the author is rushing to get to the end. Some authors can write in a somewhat formulaic way, but Ms. Sahin's books are definitely not like that. She allows the story to take its own course and reach its conclusion when it's ready, and the result is an even more enjoyable read. There were also cameos from characters from her previous series, which I appreciated as a fan.

Not Mine to Keep is book two in The Costa Family series by Brittney Sahin.
I’m going to have to read book one Let Me Love You. After reading the second on now.
Mafia romance is one of my absolute favorites to read.
There were twists and turns that had me on the edge not wanting to put the book down.
I’m looking forward to book three The Art of You.

Starting off as a convenient marriage between two people but in addition to this trope, there was a lot of twists and turns. Every page of this novel captured my full attention from the way the author writes. In addition, the chemistry between the two characters was something magical to read. This book allows you to follow the story while still learning about each character background story so you can fall in love with each individual on a more personal level.

📚Not mine to keep - ARC Review 📚
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Where do I even begin with Brittney Sahin’s latest masterpiece? It’s official—Brittney Sahin never disappoints! This book had me on the edge of my seat with all those twists and turns that left me eager for more.
I don't even know where to start this review but be ready, it's going to be a long one !

I have to say, I adored how the book kicked off with a little nod to Michael Maddox and then the cameos from the Dublin Nights crew 😍. It’s always a pleasure to revisit old favorites, and I’m definitely planning to go back and dive into some of those past books again!

Callie and Alessandro were absolutely fantastic characters, and their chemistry was undeniable 🔥. The sparks between them lit up the pages ! The character development was exceptional, with both Callie and Alessandro being so real and complex. Their emotions felt raw and genuine, adding depth to their story.

The blend of action, suspense, and romance was spot-on. Sahin’s writing pulls you in and doesn’t let go, making it impossible to put the book down. What really makes this book stand out is its unique spin on the mafia trope. This book is more about heroism and sacrifice than the darkness of the mafia world.

Finally, the way she set up Hudson and Izzy’s book had me kicking my feet in pure excitement ! Those glimpses were just not enough—I am so ready for their story! 😍😍

Alessandro Costa is a playboy and doesn't want to change anything about that. When Alessandro get a phone call from Gabriel one of the top men working for DiMaggio mafia crime family. Gabriel has finally called in his favor from five year ago. Now Alessandro is finding himself in Nashville waiting to see what the "favor" is going to be. Calliope is a teacher, song writter and singer in Nashville and has been raised by her aunt since birth. Calliope's mother had died a year ago and has meet her father at the funeral. Calliope's father is the head of the DiMaggio crime family and Calliope is his only heir. Alessandro must marry Calliope in order to save her life and to repay Gabriel for saving his brother's life. Against not wanting to be married to each other they have no other choice to do so. This was a good book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It is book 2 in a series and while I never read book 1 I was able to follow the storyline just fine. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Montlake books for letting me read an advanced copy of this book.

Oh Alessandro how you stole my heart. Great book overall, loved the story, my heart was in my ass at certain points. First time reading Brtittany Sahin amd definitely won't be the last time. Story was well paced, tensions between the FMC and MMC was 🔥. Spice was good. Sweet ending.

3.8 Stars
One Liner: I liked it more than I expected

Calliope (Callie) wants nothing to do with the DiMaggio surname but her father, a mafia royalty proud of his family heritage, intends to ensure the legacy continues. This means Callie has to marry a man of his choice and produce an heir. All she wants is to teach history to the school kids and sing in side gigs. When her father fixes her wedding with a ruthless man, Callie needs to find a way out.
Alessandro Costa is happy with the playboy millionaire tag, juggling different businesses and loving his family. However, he is asked to repay a debt and save the princess aka Calliope from her impending wedding disaster. This also gives him a chance to settle scores with many people. Alessandro and Callie agree to a temporary marriage of convenience. However, the stakes get higher as they develop feelings for each other.
The story comes in the first-person POVs of Alessandro and Calliope.

My Thoughts:
This is my first read by the author and won’t be the last. Boy, she sure can write an angsty romance with flawed characters.
I’m relieved to note that the book works well as a standalone. Though it had characters from other series and book one of this series, we can enjoy the story without wondering about the whats and whos.
The dual first-person POV was well done and is useful in learning more about both the characters’ thoughts, feelings, backstories, etc. Callie can be a little childish at times but she didn’t mess up when it mattered, so all good.
I know mafia romances are supposed to be dark. While I don’t mind the spice and explicit scenes, I was worried about just how dark it would get. Luckily, it’s the right amount, as if testing the waters but staying on the borderline (most of the time). There’s a lot of talk but not much action (which was a relief).
Naturally, the book had other types of action – fighting, killing, escaping, etc. These scenes were steady-paced even if the rest of the content was slow (slower than I expected).
The side characters are an assortment of personalities. I quite liked Izzy (can’t wait to read her book whenever it is ready), Mr. Costa, and Hudson. The villain did feel a little flat but didn’t take up a lot of space, so that wasn’t a big issue.
The book was 4+ stars but I felt the reason for the MMC’s commitment issues was too light. The guy was almost forty and had been in therapy for years. Could you give him a better reason?
There’s no miscommunication or third-act breakup. While the couple did get separated, it wasn’t because of a lover’s quarrel (phew!). I also have to admit that the HEA lover in me was delighted with the series of endings. We get two chapters with smaller developments followed by an epilogue. This is how you write it, authors!

To summarize, Not Mine to Keep is a slow-paced but entertaining read with banter, romance, fake marriage, mafia dons, and ruthless villains. It’s a book you go with the flow and read for what it is.
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Not Mine to Keep is a romantic suspense novel about Calliope DiMaggio, who is trying to escape her family's mafia ties. Despite her efforts to live a normal life as a teacher and singer in Nashville, her father's dying wish forces her back into the mafia lifestyle. Even worse, she finds herself in an arranged marriage to a wealthy billionaire, Alessandro Costa.

What started as pretend, soon turns real and as Calliope and Alessandro's relationship deepens, they find themselves caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse involving secrets, betrayal, and a deadly threat to their lives.

Great mixture of romantic suspense, strong characters, intense plot twists, and a thrilling storyline, The characters are well-developed and relatable. A fab combination of romance, danger, and family drama, but at times quite dark, with themes of violence and betrayal.

"She’s the kind of friend that points out your crown is slipping, not quietly helps fix it."

(second book in the series, I had not read the first one.)

I absolutely adore Alessandro and Calliope’s story. Brittney Sahin never fails to impress with her ability to weave a story that keeps you in the edge of your seat. The way she incorporates characters from previous stories is unparalleled. I highly recommend this book. I wished I could give it more than 5 stars

When billionaire Alessandro Costa shows up to settle an old debt at a party, he has no idea the woman he meets, and is immediately attracted to, is going to be his next "job". Calliope Anderson is a teacher, and secret mob heiress, who wants nothing to do with her mafia boss biological father. After learning that her father is speeding up the timeline for her to get married and produce an heir, she has to decide how much trust she's willing to put into this handsome stranger, and his plan to protect her by marrying her himself.

I loved the flirty and fiery banter between Alessandro and Calliope. The chemistry and tension between them was fantastic! Alessandro was such a swoony hero even when he was fighting what he was feeling for Calliope. We all know that even the strongest end up falling in the end. The action picked up pretty quickly and it kept me glued to the pages. This book was an incredible mix of adventure, suspense, romance and steam.

If you are looking for a fast paced marriage of convenience between a bit of a morally gray vigilante and a fiesty but sweet mob princess, this is one you should definitely read!

Every time I read a Brittney Sahin’s book, I end up in a book reading slump. Mainly because I love the way she develops her characters and plot.

Alessandro has met his match by convenience in Callie, a newly Mafia princess. Both characters have issues they need to deal with before they eventually have their happily ever after.

As always, this book has action, plot and steam! Thanks Brittney for another great one! :)

4.25 ⭐
1.5 🌶️
Tropes: forced marriage, reformed playboy


Playboy billionaire Alessandro wants to marry country singer and teacher Calliope…but only for a few month so he can take down her father’s empire and settle a debt. A reluctant mafia princess, Calliope knows she has to marry and produce an heir before she’s 35. Callie will figure that out “eventually”, until someone makes an attempt on her life, and Alessandro shows up to keep her safe and convince her of his plan. Neither of them expected to fall for the other.


This book is definitely a mafia book, but it’s more mafia lite- which I really enjoyed. You find out quickly that Alessandro and his siblings are more like superheroes (without superpowers) than a typical mafia family flexing their muscle to bend people to their will. I thought it was a unique approach to the mafia trope.


Another thing I enjoyed was Alessandro’s sarcastic inner monologue, it definitely had me giggling.


And the scene where they finally admit their feelings to each other is amazing!!!


Not Mine to Keep is an enjoyable satisfying read that I recommend to any romance reader, even if they aren’t really into mafia books.


I received an advanced copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I love a mafia romance! Alessandro and Calliope’s relationship had its ups and downs as this is a marriage of convenience story, but when it was on, it was ON! This book is both steamy and dreamy.

Yet again Brittney gives us an amazing story with the perfect HEA. Alessandro and Calliope are simply dynamite. Their banter from the start gives a lot of personality to their characters and their relationship as a whole. How easily Calliope was able to tame the wild beast is adorable. How protective Alessandro is with no qualms of doing WHATEVER is necessary. Chef's kiss. He goes from growly beast at work to cinnamon roll when he's with Calliope. All the action. All the romance. All the personality. Couldn't get enough.

This book is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Britney once again you have created a wonderful story, full of characters you want to spend time with. I don't like to give spoilers with my reviews, so I'll just say, you'll regret not reading this book.

Calliope is the smart mouthed, sultry siren of the south who immediately captures the attention of our broody playboy, Alessandro Costa, while attending a charity event.

Little does he know just how much the alluring spitfire is about to take over his world & quite possibly his heart.

How far are you really willing to go to repay a friend for saving your own flesh & blood? Is there anything you wouldn’t do? A line you wouldn’t cross for them? Unalive someone?Check, been there done that. Marry a stranger? Guess there’s a first time for everything.

Alessandro swiftly contemplates these questions and more when his childhood friend comes to collect on that life debt.

To repay his debt, he must marry the beautiful, innocent Calliope to protect her from her estranged, dying father, the head of the Cosa Nostra, before he can marry her off to a wicked man to fulfill his final wish to have an heir to his throne - one way or another.

But when protecting Calliope becomes something more than just a job, can Alessandro prove he’s a reformed playboy and ready to be Calliope’s forever man? Will Alessandro be able to let his guard down & let love in or is their relationship written in the stars as not mine to keep?

Tropes: forced proximity, my wife, touch her & I’ll unalive you vibes, cinnamon roll hero with smoldering alpha-hole attitude when you want it, dirty talking billionaire, marriage of convenience/protection

Not mine to keep
Alessandro- leading man. Strong, Charming, but emotionally unavailable.
Calliope- Callie- leading female. Teacher/aspiring singer, fun, independent.
Now while this may sound like familiar characters you’ve read before; add in a fantastic plot dealing with the mafia, an unwanted forced marriage, a loving, but no boundaries family, humorous texting and friendships, suspense and secrets, smoldering chemistry and you have another amazing Brittney Sahin one of a kind story. This is the second book featuring the Costa family. Equally as good as the first one. You will find yourself wanting to be part of this close knit, intense but loving family. What starts out as a chance meeting full of smoldering flirting, quickly turns to their pasts coming to collect. On the journey of trying to figure out how they will solve their obstacles and challenges, you get to see Callie break through Alessandro’s defenses while they wrestle with emotional events of their pasts. You’ll be reunited with favorite past characters, experience the perfect action packed plot, the right amount of romance and spiciness and finally an unexpected pull the heart strings ending.
While this story is a stand alone, I recommend you read Let Me Love You first so you too can enjoy this creative, well written, action packed, romantic story. Buckle up and enjoy another fantastic ride.

Alessandro and his siblings are billionaire crime fighters. Calliope is a teacher and part time country singer. Their worlds collide when a long ago debt is called in and Alessandro is tasked with marrying Calliope to keep her safe from a dangerous man in the Italian mafia. It doesn't take Alessandro long to realize he'll do anything to protect Calliope...anything but keep her forever.

Sahin's attention to detail is found in her descriptions of Sicily and in the military references. Her trademark suspense makes the book impossible to put down. She's a one-click author for me and Not Mine to Keep doesn't disappoint!

Not Mine to Keep is the 2nd in the Costa Family series, but reads as a standalone.

I absolutely loved Alessandro and Callie’s story! Funny, sexy, suspenseful, it had it all. I thought the plot was unique and enjoyed cameos of characters from previous books. And the ending was just absolutely perfect! I cannot wait for Hudson and Izzy’s story, and I would definitely start with Let Me Love You, just to appreciate cameos and understand a few references.