I love mafia romances and giana darling sucked me in with my dark fairy tale. Guinevere and Raffa are from two opposing worlds and meet in a random accident. I loved that even though Raffa is that mafia hero we love he showed such tenderness towards Guinevere. I loved the chemistry these two had that develops over the book beautifully. I know Giana can write an explosive fast burn but this pace was so satisfying as it builds. I'm also a sucker for a good girl and Guinevere was just right for my taste. Most of all I live for secret identity tropes and this book fabulously executed that. I'm sucked into the cliffhanger and can't wait for more from this series.

ARC Review 📖
My Dark Fairy Tale
My Dark Mafia Romance Book 1
Written by Giana Darling @gianadarlingauthor

I've been dying for a good mafia romance. It's been too long since I've read one. I'm glad I got back on to the Mafia romance kick just in time for this book.

I was hooked from the beginning and the fact that he helps her even though it's not usually what he does. Meaning she is the exception. You just know things are going to be interesting when anyone utters those words.

Not only did Guinevere and Raffa go on an adventure in Italy but I felt as the read I got to go on the adventure as well. My god the way they flirt is addicting to read. I'm constantly wanting to know what they will say next to each other or what boundaries they will cross. This man is not afraid to share how he feels about her; he's not holding anything back. I just love that quality in a man.

Don't even get me started on him being an Italian and speaking to her in Italian. I may melt into a puddle. The amount of highlights I've made in this book are pretty much things he says to her or the banter between them. I love that she pushes back at Raffa, our innocent Guinevere gives him a run for his money literally. He is not used to a woman like her and it's entertaining to see them interact. The chemistry between them is fire and whenever they share a kiss is electrifying.

I found my new favorite side character Martina. She is amazing at giving Raffa shit and I'm here for it. Makes me laugh every time.
I love the family and friends he has.

Five stars read for me every day. I am surprised no! Because of my past experiences with Giana's books I knew I would fall in love with these characters too. Even if the ending gutted me and I had a hard time starting another book. Thank you @gabbylaromantica for being my sounding board and listening to me ramble about this book with you. Very much appreciated ♥️

#MafiaRomance
#ItalianSetting
#AgeGap
#BillionaireAntiHero
#HiddenIdentity
#Deer
#Babie
#littlefawn
#cerbiatta
#bambolina
#littledoll
#Vera
#Handnecklace
#mine
#ragazza

𝑴𝒀 𝑫𝑨𝑹𝑲 𝑭𝑨𝑰𝑹𝒀 𝑻𝑨𝑳𝑬 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
(𝖠𝖱𝖢)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
🌶️🌶️.5

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭" - 𝑹𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒂

If only an Italian Mafia man could run me over and nurse me back to health 😭🙏

This is my first ever Giana Darling book and i have a strongggg feeling shes going to become a new favourite 😏

I absolutely LOVED this book, it’s been a hot minute since I last read a mafia romance book and I was instantly hooked from Chapter 1 🤭.

The characters were just chefs kiss 😮‍💨🤌🏻. The FMC Guinevere (her name is just BEAUTIFUL) is honestly living my dream life 😭 her passion to travel to Italy after not having really any freedom her whole life is just SO fricken admirable! 🥹

And don’t even get me STARTED on Raffa because that man….he literally has my whole heart in a chokehold 😩. The way he was with the FMC though 🥹 he truly believed he wasn’t capable of loving someone but then his Fawn came along and changed that

Overall, i had SO much fun with this book! The spice was so well written and just everything about this book i DEVOURED. I cannot WAIT for book 2 (i need it more than i need AIR because how dareee you leave me hanging like that GIANA 😏)

Thank you so so much to Giana Darling and Valentine PR for sending me the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review 🥹🖤

(𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝘂𝗲𝘁! 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 😏)

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀:
🖤𝖬𝖺𝖿𝗂𝖺 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾
🇮🇹𝖠𝗀𝖾 𝖦𝖺𝗉
🖤𝖦𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝖦𝗂𝗋𝗅 𝗑 𝖡𝖺𝖽 𝖡𝗈𝗒
🇮🇹𝖳𝗎𝗌𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝖲𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀
🖤𝖧𝗂𝖽𝖽𝖾𝗇 𝖨𝖽𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗍𝗒

Lots of love,
Lillie Xo

If there's one author who never misses, it’s Giana. So when I saw she was dropping a mafia romance set in Italy? Immediate need. And of course, she delivered once again.

I’ve never been to Italy, but this book made me feel like I lived there. The writing? So rich and atmospheric, I was practically smelling espresso and dodging Vespa traffic.

Guinevere was so relatable. I mean, leaving everything behind to chase her dream? same girl, same! And Raffaele…where do I even begin? He braids her hair and reads to her. READS. TO. HER. Do I even need to say more? I clearly need a one-way ticket to Italy, ASAP.

Beautiful writing ✔
Amazing heroine ✔
Swoony hero ✔
Scorching chemistry ✔
Italian daydream vibes ✔
An ending that left me screaming? ✔✔✔

The next book can't come soon enough!!!

This is the story of Raffaele and Guinevere. She is a girl who has lived a somewhat overprotected life due to events in her childhood. But she has a dream. She has worked and saved to take a trip to Italy. Even, if her father has warned her many times that he hated where he was from and to never go there. However, when she arrives things get off to a bumpy start when her car breaks down and she is offered help, then hit by another car while she was running. This is the moment that she meet Raffaele. He is not a good man and in a way warns her that he is not. However there is something about this girl that makes him take her with him to his house to recover because of some complications. This is the beginning of their story and about all I am going to tell you about it. I loved these characters. I loved how sweet and full of life that Guinevere was. I loved seeing the world though her eyes and was so excited for her to finally have the adventure she has been waiting her entire life for. Raffaele is good, whether he believes it or not. His is the head of the Mafia but inside of him there was once a good man. Until he had to become what he never wanted to be. You don't just change the way a Mafia works if there isn't some good living in you. However, I loved the way that Guinevere brought out a side of him that is rarely if ever seen. I loved when he would show her the amazing things that Italy has to offer, all while keeping her safe and secure. I love seeing him discover things about himself that he had long forgotten. Filled with moments that will melt your heart and have you craving more of this story, it is one that you do not want to miss.

Slow burn, chronic illness rep and mafia romance alk in one!
I absolutely loved thus one and inalread crave the best book.
The spice was spicing in this one too

𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐠𝐮𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨.

That line perfectly encapsulates Raffa and his Fawn—darkness meeting light, and neither walking away the same. Their dynamic? Everything. This book is dangerously close to being one of my absolute favourites by Giana.

If you’re into twisted fairytales wrapped in longing, secrets, and slow-burning chemistry—all set in the heart of Tuscany—this belongs on your TBR.

🔥 Italian setting (Tuscany dream, anyone?)
🔥 Bad boy x good girl
🔥 Chronic illness rep
🔥 Billionaire anti-hero with broody secrets and a hidden identity
🔥 11-year age gap

This book delivered mystery, angst, stolen glances, and that signature Giana emotional pull. The longing. The chemistry. And finally—the steam. When it hits, it hits... in true Giana fashion. 😮‍💨

Italy wasn’t just a backdrop, it was a place of self-discovery, healing, and giving in to something neither of them saw coming. I devoured every page—and I already know I’ll be rereading it again.

I cannot wait for book 2. I need it like yesterday—but I suppose this masterpiece deserves the spotlight for a while.

4⭐️
3🌶️

Tropes: mafia, billionaire, he gap, hidden identity, Italy setting, touch her and die, protective mmc, anti hero, chronic illness rep, bad boy x good girl

Duet book 1

Raffa and Guinevere were beyond hot. Their chemistry was so good and I really liked seeing their relationship grow. It was fun to read more mafia from Giana! Especially one with an Italy setting because it was so fun. Guinevere brought the sass and challenged Raffa, while all he really wanted to do was protect the shit out of her. With this being a duet, I appreciated the slower buildup. We actually got to experience the tension grow and I didn’t feel like it was rushed.

I am super intrigued to see what comes next for book two because the ending has me questions so much!

Thank you to Giana and Valentine PR for an arc and physical copy🖤

What a ride this one was! I was hooked from the very beginning!! I didn’t want to put the book down!! The writing in this one made it play out like a movie in my mind! I wanted to hop into the next plain to Italy! I loved witnessing the relationship between Raffa and Guinevere develop! Only bad thing I have to say his warning CLIFFHANGER! And what a cliffhanger it is! It will definitely leave you wanting the next book immediately!! So if you’re in the mood for age gap, anti hero, bad boy/good girl, mafia romance look no further!

Received an arc for a honest review.

i loved this so much! i need book 2 now!

it's been a while since i read a mafia romance that pulled me in from the very first page. we have a billionaire, an italian setting, hidden identities, a possessive and obsessed mc, he loves to spoil her (in more ways than one) and it's just a fun, good time.

raffa and guinevere had a whirlwind romance. she wanted an adventure and he would do whatever he could to give it to her. the balance of his mafia world and her desire to experience more to life and their relationship was done so well. i want more!

cannot wait to read my dark ever after!

I aboslutely loved this one!

Good girl flies to Italy to find herself... but finds herself in bed with the leader of the mafia

He's a bad man who does good things for her

OBSESSED can't wait for the next!

If anyone can get me back into mafia it’s Giana Darling. wow wow wow this story was so addictive and I loved it with my whole heart. Guinevere and Raffa completely stole my heat with their story. and what a way to meet each other.i loved this story of Guinevere finding herself and her family history, meanwhile you had Raffa who was a mafia capo. I loved how obsessed and protective he was of her— it had me obsessing over him obsessing over her. the chemistry between them was unmatched and the suspense in this story had me craving more. I am already dying to get my hands on the next part of this duet!

read if you like:
age gap
forced proximity
Italian summers
mafia romance
bad boy x good girl
billionaire

Is there anything Giana writes that doesn’t immediately make me fall in love?? My Dark Fairy Tale is everything you wanted for your Italian summer vacation to “find yourself”… but it never actually happened to you 😂 instead, Giana gives us Guinevere and Raffa’s whirlwind and unexpected romance in Tuscany. I love how strong Guinevere is despite her illness and setbacks in here life and how she decides to dive headfirst into these new experiences. Seeing Raffa’s heart open up because of his experiences with Guinevere after having to close off so much of himself as a mafia don is what makes him such a fantastic morally grey MMC. Plus, there’s a fantastic found family side trope going on as Guinevere grows closer to Raffa’s team. If you’re worried if there’s enough tension and heat, these two are decadent and delicious together and I was constantly waiting for the next spicy scene. Considering Guinevere didn’t know Raffa’s real business, I was waiting on how the shoe was going to drop and dang did Giana give us a cliffhanger 😮‍💨😮‍💨 I need book 2 and I am so in love with these characters. Don’t try to change my mind or I’ll hit you with a ““Frankly, caro mio, I don’t give a damn.”😉

Ooooo this story was HOT & HEART PUMPINGLY EXCITING!!!

Imagine going to Italy, where you have been dreaming to go for countless years, by yourself and then getting into a scary situation to then run into (literally) a hot Italian mafia stud who is ready to save you?! Girl sign me up 🫦🫦🫦 these two were very veryyyyy good together & im always a fan of when a virgin heroine catches the eye of someone supposedly unattainable until her!!

I had a great time listening to this audio BUT OMG THE ENDING. I need the next book already Giana 😭

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
Virgin heroine
Mafia romance
Dark romance
Age gap
Billionaire
Bad boy x good girl

This was my first time reading anything by Giana & it absolutely will NOT be the last! Another author’s backlist to add to my never ending TBR, thank yewww 🙂‍↕️

This probably had one of the wildest meet-cutes I’ve read, I was like HELLO??!! 😆😆 the tropes for this book are some of my absolute favorites! You have: Italian mafia, hidden identity, age gap, forced proximity, touch her & 💀 and let me tell you it did NOT disappoint! Raffa & Guinevere had amazing chemistry & the vibes of this book were so good 👏🏼

I believe this is part of a duet & it does end on a cliffhanger but it was totally worth it & I can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you Giana & team for the early copy ❤️

Wow, just wow! I'm absolutely blown away with this book. I was not expecting this story to go the way it did. And i thoroughly enjoyed it. Raffe and Vera, ah these two, made me such a simp all over for those mafia romances which is everything to me. And this was a banger !
Can't wait for more.

I am so in love with this book!!! I didn’t want to leave this world. I am so happy to have another mafia romance from Giana. I love how she balances the mafia with the romance. I really enjoyed the way Giana described everything, it made me feel like I was in the story.
I loved Guinevere and Raffa. I loved watching Guinevere and Raffa fall in love. I’m a sucker for a tough man who is sweet for him women. The way Raffa would talk to her in Italian had me melting on the floor.
That cliffhanger hurt so bad. I need the next book right now. October can’t come quick enough.

This was a spicy good time with a great plot to go with it but I expect nothing less from Giana. The cliffhanger is too much I need book two immediately. (Also maybe a Mafia man to run me over and bring me to his mansion)

I feel bad, because I usually LOVE Giana Darling's work, but I tried a few times to get into this and couldn't. The FMC POV felt really young, and I am having a hard time getting into the naïve, young take on women in mafia romance. I might pick this up again down the road - and I won't post the DNF to major retailers/my socials. Thank you for the opportunity!

Once again I absolutely loved this book! Giana always delivers an incredibly wonderfully morally grey MMC that you can’t help but love.

I enjoyed the banter between our characters & how their relationship progressed.

I can’t wait to read more by her.