I was really interested to read this series after seeing that they had all been given new cover designs with really pretty special editions in Waterstones.

I didn’t really know anything about these when I started reading them, figured it was best to go into it completely blind
I had no idea that this would be a YA mafia romance, or that I would enjoy it so much! It sounds really counterintuitive for it to be a YA mafia romance (those things really shouldn’t go together) but somehow it did actually work really well.

I am also a massive sucker for Romeo and Juliet retellings, so that was even more of a reason to read this book, and it didn’t disappoint!

I thought the whole thing was really easy to read and understand, everything flowed so well and the pacing was really well balanced too. I don’t think there was a single second where I was confused or thought things had gotten boring.
It really did have me hooked right from the beginning.

While I did enjoy it, and found a lot of aspects of it to be really enjoyable, I don’t think that this was 100% the book for me, or that I was the target audience this time around.
Again, I did enjoy it, but it did read a little young (which is obvious and makes complete sense because it is YA, but I would say that it is definitely on the younger side of the spectrum)
The other thing is that I found a great deal of this book really far fetched. It was basically at the point where we meet Nic and his brothers and learn that they mysteriously have ties to the Mafia… again, I think its because this is targeted to a younger audience that it just felt so farfetched and a little bit cringe to me.

Overall, a really enjoyable read though!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of this book

I recently read the Twin Crowns series and The Dagger and The Flame and really enjoyed them so I was keen to pick up more books by Catherine Doyle. Vendetta is the first in a series of YA mafia romance that are currently being republished. This is a fun, easy to read book with an interesting story line and characters. I will definitely be picking up the rest of the series at some point.

Well I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did. The writing was addictive and I got swept up in all the action. It started off so innocently but that really did escalate didn't it?! Also i feel like Luca is my favourite

Cant wait to read more. In fact I ordered the whole series!

Really fun mafia romantasy. Love Catherine Doyle highly recommend this!! First in a series and can’t wait to read more

After recently reading Cat Doyle most recent book, this one definitely felt like it had been written a while ago, as Doyle's writing style has evolved since Vendetta was first released.
The style of prose read young and I found myself longing for what I expect from her writing style now.
That being said I think as a young grade book with Romeo and Juliet Mafioso vibes it does it's job. It was an easy read and I enjoyed the characters.

I really enjoyed this! Mafia romance isn't usually my thing but once the story got going I was hooked and couldn't get through it quickly enough. The ending was exciting and full of lots of revelations, leaving me eager to read the next book

Unfortunately I couldn’t get into this one. It felt dated and can see why I would have been popular when it was originally released. Also I know it’s a YA, but it felt a bit young for me.

Who knew YA mafia romantic suspense was a thing!?

I read this so quickly and enjoyed it a lot, full of teenage drama and angst but also the darker side of adult themes such as murder and organised crime.
Fast paced and well written I look forward to book 2

I received this book as an ARC and provide and honest review

I was really looking forward to this book and wasn't aware it is the first of an old trilogy being re-released.
Initially I was really enjoying this book as Sophie meets the mysterious Nic and his brothers.
She later finds out their pasta are linked and he is part of a Mafia family.
Then, for me, it got a bit far-fetched.
I enjoyed reading this but not quite sure how I feel about it after reading.

This is one of my all-time favourite book series, and I am so glad it is getting a beautiful cover change.
More people need to read this.
If you enjoy Romeo and Juliette, but as a mafia -teen-style, then you will love this.
ALL the tension.
All the suspense.
Good-looking guys.
It's honestly addictive!

I’ve read other books by Catherine Doyle and I was surprised by this book (series).

I’m excited for their rerelease!

Overall the characters are dorky. It felt like a lighthearted mafia romance?

Overall the story was entertaining and the characters were likable!!!

I have adored other works by this author however this one i didn't enjoy ass much. The writing didn't have the same feel as to her other books which is what originally made me what to pick up this series

I had so much fun reading this book.

Mafia style Romeo and Juliet twist, romance with non of the cheesy gooeyness that typically comes in a YA book.
I absolutely adored the friendship between Sophie and Millie, something really healed me reading them together and made it feel like an actual real life friendship.
Nicolo... Your bad boy with morals.
I loved reading about the brothers. Their loyalty to one another, you knew there was a darker side to them all but you didn't care. Just happy to be along for the ride.

I will say, I feel like I want to see more of Luca in the next books. And for some reason I feel like there could also be something with him... maybe I'm reading into it too much but I hope there is more.

And that is to say I will definitely be reading the next books when they are re-released. Already got me hooked.

The only reason I gave a one star is because of the love triangle or love triangle to be. I had an inkling that would happen and I was not disappointed. I mean I was disappointed because of the love triangle. I have nothing against people who likes that but I personally can't stand them. And ONCE AGAIN I'm getting burned because of false marketing. I mean hello you mention Romeo and Juliet yet do a love triangle, sorry did I miss that in the original version.
Such a disappointment, and I really started to like this book.

I have to say that I've requested this ARC because of the blurb, the cover, and the author ; I didn't expected to find out it's a new publication of a book already published back in 2015. And sadly I think that this book would be way more popular back then, but with the work done on it from this publication - there's too many book like this one out now.

It's a "Young Adult Mafia Romance". And it wasn't really credible with the ages, but still enough entertaining for me to reading it quickly without the want to dnf it. I was actually way more interested in the male characters, especially Luca whom seemed to be the most complex character out of the five brothers (the other being either obvious or really blant), than having the main character's POV as Sophie. Because just like Lucas said in his bonus chapter, "she's definitely not smart", and god this is so true. She has no survival instinct, she's naïve, doesn't think enough, and just plainly stupid.

On the Mafia side, we only start talking about it close to reading the 60% mark, which makes it very low ; but then the Mafia plot gets really interesting. I would have actually prefered to have more on the "not like the others" Mafia side, than getting plot focused on the romance which happened to be pretty dull, without much chemistry.

Otherwise, this book stays YA : there's an attempted r*pe, and physical violence and shooting, but it's still like those evening fight movies that has violence but can totally be seen by kids so it's not PG rated low.

Vendetta by Catherine Doyle
4 star

This book was released nearly ten years ago, but has now been republished and it makes me so happy because I read this book MANY moons ago, and I absolutely loved it. But now, I have pre-ordered all 3 from Waterstones with the beautiful sprayed edges.

For a YA book this is actually incredibly enjoyable for adults, there was nothing about it I didn’t enjoy. Catherine has such an incredible skill in her writing, I have now read every single book she has release, and I do not feel ashamed about it. I thoroughly enjoy all of her work because her writing is nothing short of spectacular.

The plot in this one is brilliant. I’m talking mafia, Romeo x Juliette retelling, and just pure drama. I loved it. There isn’t much I don’t like about this book at all, even as a YA book there are some dark subjects, but honestly, read it.

Romeo and Juliet meets The Godfather but make it YA? Sign. Me. UP. 💋🖤

This book hooked me SO fast. Mafia families, forbidden romance, secrets on secrets—I ate it up. And while I guessed a few twists, it didn’t even matter because the drama was DRAMMING, and I couldn’t stop flipping pages.

Sophie as a lead? I really liked her! She’s relatable and strong, but omg girl… wake UP where Nic is concerned. Like, she’s so blind to his flaws, and I just wanted to shake her sometimes. Nic is charming and all, but honestly?

LUCA supremacy. 🖤🔥 Listen, I know Nic is supposed to be the swoony bad boy, but Luca? He stole the show for me. I’m an enemies-to-lovers girly through and through, and Luca brings that grumpy, dangerous, soft-on-the-inside energy that’s impossible to resist. Sorry not sorry.

Sophie’s friendship with Millie? A highlight. Ride-or-die besties who balance out the chaos? WE LOVE TO SEE IT. Millie is the kind of friend every MC needs, and their bond gave me so much life.

⚠️ Heads-up: This book does go dark in places. There are moments of drugging and a near-assault that might be tough to read for some, so definitely check content warnings if needed.

Overall, Vendetta is pure YA mafia gold. ✨ It’s dark, angsty, and full of tension—exactly the kind of story you pick up when you want a mix of danger and swoon. The pacing? Fast. The vibes? Immaculate. And the ending? Rude. I’m already grabbing books 2 and 3 because I NEED to know how Sophie’s story plays out.

If you love forbidden romance, morally grey bad boys, and family secrets with a side of Mafia chaos, this one’s for you. 🔥📖

3.5

This plot was interesting, I think more world-building and character development and a bit of a slow burn would make this a 4-star, but I look forward to reading books 2 and 3. I do hope the dialogue gets a little more mature in the other books, I know this is a YA but I just felt like it read very juvenile, perhaps because it was written in 2015 and Doyle has obviously grown immensely as an author.


Doyle also tends to entertain more than one love interest, 3 series and I am starting to see a pattern. I am not complaining, she is one of the very few people who can write love triangles, if you can call it that well. However, I always end up liking the guy the fmc does not pick which is a bummer lol. Right now I do not have a preference for Nic or Luca for Sophie, but I think she might pick Luca at the end?????

Thank you, Simon and Schuster for the arc

I love Catherine Doyle's writing so to have the chance to read this early was sensational for me. Romeo and Juliet meets the Godfather in this superb new romance that you won't be able to put down.

I really liked it. Loved the story. There was just something I didn't like about the MFC, maybe immaturity but then she is 17. I felt this was quite a young YA novel and maybe that was the issue as I'm alot older lol but i still enjoyed it and I will read the second book as I need to know what happens next. I do love this author writing though, she just keeps you at the edge and needing to know what happens. Thanks for the ARC.