Massimo

Santoro Mafia, Book 3

By: Lora Nox

Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Joe Arden

I’m his enemy’s daughter.

His captive.

His revenge.

Until he becomes my weapon to wield against the monsters in my world.

Nova

I am the Mancini Princess. A pawn in my monstrous father’s game. His key to an alliance worthy of a king.

However, I end up under the control of a new monster—Massimo Santoro. A lethal man whose hate, wrath, and malice toward anyone with the Mancini name is palpable.

I’ve had years of learning not to fight the monsters in my world, and I try to hide behind my meek and obedient facade, but Massimo sees through it instantly. Where my life with my father was filled with brutal lessons designed to condition and mold me into what he wanted me to be, with Massimo, he unravels them all.

Until I’m unfurling and blooming into the woman I’ve always wanted to be.

But Massimo has the power to do what my father never could… Completely break me.

Massimo

I was born to lead my family. As the Don, it’s imperative that I’m calm, in control, and unyielding.

So when my enemy strikes at my family, I steal his ultimate bargaining chip–Nova, his precious, virginal daughter. I ruin his plans to use her to forge the alliance he covets.

I take Nova as a pawn in this deadly game to destroy her father, but I discover that his sins against her may be greater than against me.

Now, instead of Nova being a pawn, I’m determined she’ll be my queen. And together, we’ll cut off the head of the villainous monster who has ruled her world.

Because she’s mine. Mine to protect. Mine to help heal. And if Mancini thinks I’ll relinquish my claim, I’ll burn his world to the ground.

… I’ll burn it all to ash either way.

©2025 Lora Nox (P)2026 Blue Nose Publishing, Lora Nox

Massimo the man you are 🔥🙌

This story had my heart from the start! The way Massimo switched from wanting revenge on his enemy through his daughter to wanting revenge for her had my heart soaring! Joe perfectly portrayed each of Massimo's emotions and nailed his switch in feelings for nova! Lucy tore at my heart with each pained cry and gasp. What Nova went through was horrific. Lucy made me feel I was going through it with her. this book is one I will be thinking about for awhile! Great enemies to lovers story with groveling and action!

dark mafia romance

This was quite the ride. It starts with Massimo kidnapping his rivals daughter, Nova. Nova is meek and submissive, but Massimo thinks she's faking. Once he learns the truth he burns down the world for her! Their connection builds quickly from there.

If you Love a dark mafia romance with a possessive, obsessive MMC with a breeding kink, then you will love this.

The audiobook is narrated in duet by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden. These two are amazing narrators.

Captivating

This was my favorite audio of all three Santoro brothers. Lucy Rivers did such an incredible job at bringing Nova’s trauma to life. I felt every emotion through her voice. The audio held my captive and I couldn’t stop listening. I devoured the audio. Duet style and the performance was perfection!

These men are on another level. I love seeing the family bond between Creed, Vito, and Massimo. They’re still mafia men but they value each other so much and you can feel that love jump off the page. Nova was such a beautiful character. The psychological abuse of growing up as the perfect mafia princess was so well written. Her struggles once she is with Massimo felt so real and made such sense with her history. Massimo is the perfect man for her. He owned his mistakes and helped her heal. I received an advanced copy and am leaving this review voluntarily. I can’t wait to read more from this author and in this world!

Massimo and Nova

ALC Review
I thought the books were fantastic, but the audio is next level! Fantastic job with the choice of narrators. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity of the ALC.
If Lora writes it, I will read and listen to it.

Italian mafia
It is MF
Captive romance
Trauma romance
He takes care of her and helps her heal
Over-the-top MMC
FMC with a spine of steel
Past trauma for the FMC
Healing and transformation arc for FMC
Age gap
V!rgin FMC
Pregnancy
“My wife”
Dual POV
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This series surprised me so pleasantly that I want to tell everyone about it. The writing is wonderful, the characters are very real and lovable. The story and plots are surprising and fresh. In short, a wonderful and suspenseful read that somehow reminds me of Perfectly Imperfect, A Queens and Monsters and Sinners Anonymous series, but still different and unique.
The third book in the Santoro Mafia series is a bit darker than the previous two, but therefore all the more emotional and brought me to tears on several occasions.
Please read this, you won't be disappointed.

Fantastic Dark Mafia Romance Audio!

Massimo is the third audiobook in Lora Nox’s Santoro Mafia series. This is a dark, mafia romance with captive/captor, virgin FMC, trauma/healing, “my wife,” and OTT protective MMC tropes. This can be listened to as a standalone title, which is exactly what I did. Unfortunately, I had not been able to listen to the first two audiobooks in the series before receiving this ALC from Blue Nose. Other than now having a strong desire to also listen to Creed and Vito, I had no issues with it as a standalone. In fact, I absolutely adored this story! Massimo Santoro, the Don of the Santoro crime family, is known for being ruthless and a monster to his enemies… and he owns that reputation. When he kidnaps his mortal enemy’s protected and pristine daughter, Nova Mancini, better known as the Mancini Princess, he expects her to be just like her father. So, the side of himself he initially shows her is his monstrous persona. It only takes him a couple of days to realize she is nothing like her father. She’s a deeply traumatized and heavily conditioned victim of the elder Mancini. And as bad as what the man has done to the Santoro family is, those things may actually pale in comparison to what he’s done to his only daughter. She’s nowhere near the Mancini Princess he expected, but he decides she will become his princess. And he will do everything in his power to protect her, help her heal, and to deliver final justice to her father for his crimes against her and his own family. I loved the way Lora Nox presented this world, this story, and these characters! The plot was beyond compelling, and the characters were so well developed, relatable, and real. And the spice was definitely spicing!

The duet-style narration from Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden built on the author’s already-incredible prose and made this story and these characters all the more real for us lucky listeners. Lucy Rivers was absolutely stellar in her performance of Nova, flawlessly transitioning from the scared and traumatized version of the character to the strong, independent, and sassy queen within. When Lucy voiced Nova’s painful flashbacks, her intensely-emotional portrayal tore my heart right from my chest. And Joe Arden was nothing short of perfection as Massimo, effortlessly capturing the essence of the growly, ruthless Mafia Don as well as the protective, caring, and loving man underneath. His impassioned and emotional performance was everything I could have hoped for in the portrayal of this intriguing and compelling character. Together, these two audio powerhouses make this audiobook an absolute “can’t miss” title with the way they bring this fascinating story to life. And don’t forget to download the free audio bonus chapter available exclusively on the Blue Nose Audio app!