Chemistry ✔️
Danger ✔️
Woman in a male-dominated field ✔️

This was my first venture into mafia romance and I did really enjoy it! Vanessa and Nate start off as a black cat and golden retriever pairing, and there’s a bit of a forced proximity element to their story as well when Nate takes refuge in Vanessa’s home after some mafia antics.

I loved their chemistry and the mafia plot kept things moving along, but it does feel like it maybe moved too quickly. It wasn’t full on insta-love, but a couple months doesn’t seem very long to go from a strong anti-criminal stance to fully being in the mafia.

I enjoyed the extra layer of plot with Vanessa being the Boss of her mafia family. Her struggles with this felt genuine and relatable, and added some emotional depth to her character.

I listened to the new audiobook format and it was really well done. The narrators for both Vanessa and Nate really fit the characters well! I would definitely recommend the audio for my fellow audiobook lovers!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audio arc!

such a refreshing spin to the classic mafia romances!!! Vanessa is the mob boss and Nate is the dorky math teacher who after a first date they are attacked she must now protect him until she finds out who wants to kill her. he wants nothing to do with her now because of her mob association and he is low-key terrified of her, but also very intrigued by her. Because she is a mob boss, she has to get married to have an heir so she enlist the dorky math teacher to help her find a husband while he is staying at her house forprotection. During these few months, they become close as friends. There is a simmering build up of tension the entire time and its perfection.

I loved that this challenged a lot of gender norms because she is a mob boss. She needs somebody who she can marry that won’t be intimidated by her. That would support her decisions and someone who won’t cheat on her. That won’t try to steal her family business from her. Nate is the perfect candidate all along because he is totally fine being in a supportive role and doing anything he can to make sure she is happy and satisfied, and truly is a partner to her. There is even a little of a daydream sequence where he’s saying how he can see himself at home with their future children, taking care of them, and when Vanessa comes home after a long day of mob bossing, and he can’t wait to take care of her, and I just absolutely adore that about him.

this is slow burn and low on spice, but the spice does deliver!! I really loved how Nate slowly was turning into a mafia kind of guy, but also remaining very true to who he is. All of this develops because he is quickly falling in love with her and he wants to be her husband and wants to be in her life and will do anything to protect her and support her.

My favorite scene in this entire book was their first time admitting their feelings and eventually sleeping together because it happened so naturally and so sincerely it made me all gooey inside

Most definitely not the mafia book I am use to. I loved that the don was a woman. But the action was minimal for a mafia book, the spice was nice, the main male character was a dang sis. He was rather annoying at the start. He became more manly when the spice happened and at the end of the book, but other wise he acted like the woman of the relationship. I feel like it would have been better had he not been such a wimp.

I am going to be honest with you all…I am not a mafia romance fan. That said, I just had to get this ALC when I saw it was a ROMCOM about a FEMALE mafia boss! I am so glad I did because I ate this book up. I accidentally binged it and am already dying to get my hands on the next book!
I love that we get the light read of a romcom but the dramatics of a mafia romance. It’s the perfect combo and I honestly would like to see more of this genre come out. I love the fact that Nate is a nerdy math teacher, and not an alphahole mafioso. That said, the man is HOT 🥵 Vanessa is badass and I love that she’s the boss in a man’s world.
The plot was not super surprising, and pretty predictable, but honestly I think I was a great romcom setup and I didn’t need or miss having crazy plot twists.
Kelsey Navarro Foster and Tim Paige are FANTASTIC on the narration. I absolutely loved everything about their performances. I’m honestly super torn on whether I was to apply for the ARC of book 2 so I can have it sooner, or wait for the ALC in a few months because I loved this one so much.

Review of A Love Most Fatal: A Mafia Rom‑Com by Kath Richards

A Love Most Fatal is a gleefully audacious entry into the mafia-romance genre, and Kath Richards delivers a heart‑pounding, laugh‑out‑loud tale with unexpected charm.

🔥 What makes it sizzle

High‑stakes stakes meet high‑spirited humor: From the opening scene, the danger is real—but so is the wit. The juxtaposition of violence and levity keeps the narrative thrilling without ever feeling too grim.

Quirky, well‑drawn characters: Our heroine is sharp, resourceful, and never reduced to a damsel in distress. The mafia love interest is dangerous yet vulnerable—an intoxicating blend that drives the tension.

Rom‑com structure with bite: While the plot features explosive twists and occasional gunfire, it maintains a rom‑com heart. Slow‑burn attraction, clever banter, and tender moments balance the danger with delightful chemistry.

⚠️ Points to note

Violent content is frequent and at times graphic—readers sensitive to depictions of organized crime or brutality may want to proceed with caution.

Mafia‑romance tropes: The storyline leans into genre conventions (forbidden love, family loyalty, moral reckoning). If you're not into that, a genre-savvy reader might anticipate certain beats early on.

💥 Final take
Richards has crafted a bold, entertaining romp that expertly balances tension and humor. This isn’t just a love story—it’s fun, fierce, and fueled by adrenaline. A great pick for fans of cheeky, action-packed romances.

I found this book to be a cute story. I loved how our main characters met each other. They built their relationship slowly before any spicy scenes. Though it's not my typical scenario that includes a mob storyline, it didn't overpower the romance.

Tropes:
-mob boss FMC
-cinnamon roll MMC
-black cat FMC
-forced proximity
-slow burn
-touch him and die
-she trains him to fight and shoot
-mafia rom-com
-found family
-"Just tonight”

I have hit the jackpot on debut novels here recently. This was amazing. When I saw “mafia rom-com,” I was sold. I am so glad I did too! Kath Richards somehow transformed a typically violent genre into something swoon-worthy.

Vanessa is a bad-ass female mob boss. She needs a husband to strengthen her leadership and to have an heir. One of her enemies is out to get her, and the novel surrounds the mystery of who it might be. In a moment of weakness, she agrees to a date with an ordinary math teacher, Nate. When her decision puts his life in danger, she moves him into her family home to protect him.

Nate is in for a rude awakening when his life is uprooted and he is forced to move into a mafia family’s home. He is disgusted by their livelihood. He wants nothing to do with it. But in a bout of boredom, he agrees to conduct interviews for Vanessa’s future husband.

Vanessa and Nate admit their physical attraction to each other, which leads to a “just tonight” understanding that lasts months. During this time, Vanessa and her family take Nate in and make him feel like one of their own. They teach him to fight and shoot to protect himself.

I highly recommend this book. You can check it out on KU. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Quotes:
“I don’t know how to tell her she’s the most beautiful woman, monster or not, that I’ve ever seen, and with every day that passes in her presence, I’m increasingly certain that there’s hardly a bad or cruel or monstrous thing about her.”

This book was so cute! It’s a funny, slightly chaotic mafia rom-com, and she’s the mafia boss, which I absolutely loved. It’s definitely on the sillier, goofier side compared to most mafia romances I’ve read (which tend to be way darker). Honestly, it felt almost light-hearted, aside from the murder. But hey, it is a mafia book.

I really enjoyed all the characters we were introduced to and had a great time reading it overall. The pacing felt a little off for me. The beginning started out slow, then things ramped up really quickly, and I wished we had more time to actually see the relationship develop. There were a few time jumps that made things feel rushed, especially with how quickly the MMC goes from being a math teacher to fully on board with the whole mafia lifestyle. It just felt like a big leap given where they were in their relationship.

I listened to this on audio, and while I liked both narrators, I ran into a small issue. Like a lot of people, I speed up my audiobooks, but the narrators seemed to be recorded at slightly different tempos, so I kept having to adjust the playback speed every time it switched POVs. Not a dealbreaker, but a little annoying.

This was a really solid, fun read, and I’m definitely excited for the next books in the series.

I previously read this book physically (and loved it), but these audiobook narrators really brought the characters to life! I loved Tim Paige's narration of Nate. He was able to get across his romantic, goofy, and protective sides. Kelsey Navarro Foster did a great job with Vanessa and her mob boss voice was fantastic! The narrator could get monotone at times, though, and I wish she had gotten across Vanessa's softness better. But, I was also listening to it on 2x speed so... that could've had something to do with it.

Overall, a fantastic audiobook of a fantastic story! I'll definitely be purchasing a copy!

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pros:
- The roles were reversed in the mafia trope where the girl is the mafia boss and the guy is a teacher.
- I think that the younger sister's book was set up nicely in this one.
- Nate was actually shown as very considerate and caring.
- I liked the parts where Nate got close to the rest of the Morelli family.

Cons:
- It felt dragged on at some parts, and towards the end, I found myself speeding up the audiobook.
- The ending was predictable, since I knew who it would be from the first interaction between the villain and one of the main character's first interactions (not to give a spoiler).
- The way the synopsis felt was that the book was set during the school year, so I was looking for parts with students (I was expecting Abbott Elementary vibes😢). However, it was actually set during the summer.
- This is sort of specific, but I was confused when Vanessa made Nate sign the NDA. I know they have connections with law enforcement, but I still don't think that would work if he's keeping a secret for the mafia.



Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an audiobook ARC.

This was so so good I was hooked from the first chapter! These narrators really gave it their all and you should totally put this on your TBR

Thank you to the author and NETGALLEY for this ALC

We love a female mob boss (hello amazing woman) and we love a down bad MMC!!! I really enjoyed both narrators. They brought both characters to life and did a wonderful job! This is a slow burn, forced proximity, and also has the beloved touch HIM & ☠️ trope. Has all of the things to make a mafia book good! I’m so intrigued by book two and already so excited for it!

This is the first time I've ever reread a book in the same year!!! But when I saw that the audiobook was coming out, I knew I needed to read it. I absolutely loved reading this book the first time, and listening to the audiobook was so fun! The narrators were amazing and captured their personalities perfectly. I cant recommend this book enough no matter what format!

Narrators did a great job with these characters. I love them already and they add nice personality to them.

The story overall was so fun. I love it when authors lean into the ridiculousness sometimes and this book was flawless in its humor. I was laughing throughout probably in moments I shouldn’t have been laughing.

A funny, sexy, captivating story that has it all! Mafia rom-com with a lady boss. Lots of action with interesting twists that kept me awake for a couple of nights.
I really enjoyed the plot of this story and the pace. The narrators did an awesome job too.
I would highly recommend this audiobook!

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for allowing me to review it in exchange for my honest opinion. It was a great entertainment! 5🌟

Kath Richards delivers a fresh and fiery twist on the romantic comedy genre in A Love Most Fatal, blending mob drama with laugh-out-loud moments and undeniable chemistry. At the heart of the story is a bold and unforgettable female mob boss—sharp, strategic, and always prepared to protect her empire. But when her path crosses with her nephew’s charming schoolteacher, her carefully constructed world is thrown into delightful disarray.

What follows is a whirlwind of romantic tension, unexpected vulnerability, and high-stakes hilarity. Richards skillfully balances humor and heat, weaving in spicy, laugh-worthy scenes that keep the pace lively and engaging. While the romance takes center stage, the presence of the mob world adds a thrilling edge, complete with shady characters, power plays, and the looming question of who can truly be trusted.

A Love Most Fatal is a standout romantic comedy with a fierce female lead, a swoon-worthy love interest, and just the right amount of danger. It’s equal parts witty, sexy, and action-packed—perfect for readers looking for romance with a bold, unpredictable twist.

<b>I received an ALC copy from NetGalley and Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.</b> I thought this audiobook was a decently done production. I’ve enjoyed a few books narrated by Tim Paige in the past, which was what initially intrigued me to pick up this audio. I found the voice actors fit the characters pretty well.

However, I felt very ok with a <i>A Love Most Fatal</i> as a story. I thought that the two MC’s didn’t have enough chemistry for me to fully believe their romance. Their characters aren’t fleshed out enough by the end, which was one main reason I didn’t believe in them as a couple. But I also didn’t understand why these two liked each other by the end. This book is also marketed as a romcom, but I didn’t find it read that way. It was more just a light mafia romance. There’s not many funny parts or shenanigans that romcoms tend to have, which was also why I was a bit disappointed.

This is still in interesting twist on a mafia romance, with a mob boss heroine, and a damsel in distress hero. I liked how this flipped that dynamic, and I applaud this author for trying something unique in this genre. It’s hard to do, and I’m glad this was written.

Unfortunately though, I am disappointed and this wasn’t my favorite. It wasn’t bad, and I get why others enjoyed it. I just felt disconnected from these two as characters and as a couple, which in turn made me kind of tune out this story as a whole. Still a fun story to pass the time, but nothing incredibly memorable. I am intrigued for book 2 though, as the setup was quite interesting. I may give that one a go when it releases.

Again, thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!

4.5/5 stars
2/5 spice

Tropes:
Mafia RomCom
Female Mob Boss
Teacher MMC
Forced proximity
Slow burn
He falls first
Dual POV

This book had it all! It had suspense, comedy, heart, family, spice, and romance. I was thoroughly entertained from the very beginning. The narrators did an amazing job bringing all the characters to life. I did kinda figure out the plot twist but that didn't take away from the experience. I was just yelling at the characters more to figure it out lol...

I like that this was a slow burn because it allowed Vanessa and Nate to grow closer together instead of just giving in to their attraction. The tension was palpable though so I was super happy when they finally got together. I also enjoyed the moments of comedy that created some levity to the serious moments. I think it worked well that Nate wasn't your typical hard ass MMC... but he did grow a lot.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this for fans of romcoms with a dark edge to them. There are heavy themes that could be triggering so please check content warnings before starting this book. This was my first book from this author but won't be my last. I'm super excited to read the second book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Love Most Fatal was one of my favorite reads of 2024 so naturally I was really excited to listen to the audiobook. While listening it was gratifying to know that the story still came alive through the audio but this was only due to the exquisite writing of Kath Richards. The narrators portrayal of the characters fell flat to me in equal measure. They did not bring the emotion or humor needed for their roles as Nate and Vanessa. Normally this could disinterest the reader resulting in a DNF, however, Kath's brilliance in what she has created within this mafia romcom was still able to shine through!

A mafia rom-com about a female mob boss, yep! Loved it!

The twists and turns were great. I loved the fact that this story was turning all of the MMC stereotypes on their head almost.

Really enjoyed it.