Thinking about Mafia Romances? Add The Thief to your list!

Hey book besties I hope your latest read was awesome, and if it wasn’t, perhaps this review will entertain you. Over the summer, I decided to dive into mafia romance. I haven’t explored this genre, but this summer was full of discoveries, and The Thief by Tara Crescent is a treasure.

Mafia Romances are known for their dark themes and unhinged love interests, but Crescent’s The Thief is not that. Although this novel does feature a dreamy Mafia boss and an Art Thief heroine, it’s more lighthearted. So, if you’re thinking of picking up a cozy Mafia romance, keep this one in mind.

Summary:

When Lucia’s parents suddenly pass, she spends the night drunk and wandering Venice anguished. But when a group of men try to rob her, Antonio Moretti steps in. Lucia and Antonio spend the night confessing their darkest secrets before departing.

Ten years later, Lucia returns to Italy with a new job and some loose ends to tie up. But when Lucia receives a tip about a stolen painting, she knows she’ can steal it back. However, the last place she expects to find the painting is in Antonio’s home.

Antonio’s, known as the King of Venice, and he hasn’t forgotten Lucia. While Antonio’s open to a life with an art thief, Lucia’s not so sure.

Thoughts:

The Thief is my first mafia read, and I really enjoyed it! Mafia novels are known for dark romance, violence, and dubious heroes, but The Thief relied more on romance. Yes, our love interest Antiono is the head of the mafia with a target behind his back and Lucia’s an art thief, but the novel does not spend much time dwelling on their criminal activities.

I enjoyed this because as a romance lover, Lucia and Antiono’s relationship is what I am reading for! And because that was the focus of this novel, I absolutely devoured it.

Lucia’s an interesting heroine. When we first meet her, she’s grieving the death of her parents and has just left college. And despite meeting Antiono in a drunken haze, she still remembers him ten years later when she returns to Venice. But when Lucia comes across Antionio again, she’s hesitant to start dating him even though he’s all for it. Lucia’s very stubborn and guards her heart.

Antonio, on the other hand, wears his heart on his sleeve. Like Lucia, he has never forgotten her and has kept tabs on her life during their time apart. Antonio’s also very romantic and sends Lucia lots of gifts to woo her. I don’t know about you, but when the male love interest is a simp, it only makes me love the novel more.

This novel is short and a book you’d finish in a couple of hours if you had time to kill. I did not expect this book to become an instant favorite, but I will also say it’s silly and fun. And if you’re searching for a steamy and Mafia read that doesn’t take itself seriously, make this your next read.

Content Warnings: Gun violence, Sexual Content, Injury detail

Got Mafia Romance recommendations for me? Leave them in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog and living in libros with me,

Gabriela

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