If you’re a lover of Mafia romances, you have to read this! Guinevere and Raffa were everything and more! I loved how protective Raffa was of Guinevere from the start and how we got to see his dark side to the world, but his soft side for her.

The setting was pure perfection, in the Tuscan countryside, where it was Guinevere’s dream to visit in hopes of connecting with her roots. I also really loved the found family aspect in this story. I found it so heartwarming.

This story has everything! There’s plot, tension, spice, and the romantic feeling of a delicious dark fairy tale. Looking forward to book 2 in October! 🖤

“𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚?” 𝙄’𝙙 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪,” 𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙮. “𝙄𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨.”

It’s no secret that I absolutely love everything Giana writes, and this was no exception! I loved everything about this story from the gorgeous Italian setting, to the characters and the intensity of a love that we all dream of having on an adventure abroad.

Vera is 23 years old on a solo trip to Italy despite her parents wishes and ends up having a series of unfortunate (or fortunate depending on how you look at them) events that lead her to Raffa who proceeds to quite literally sweep her off her feet and care for her in her time of need.

Never mind the fact that he’s a mafioso 🤭 and all that sweetness is reserved for her 🥹

With only a few weeks to spend together, they definitely make the most of them! But when his world collides with hers, his secrets come to the surface and we are left wondering:

Is love enough?

Bravo, Giana! I am always impressed with your beautiful storytelling and the way you are able to create characters that feel so real I wish they were! And now, I can’t freaking wait for book two!

This story is perfect for you if you love:

❤️ age gap romance
🖤 virgin FMC
❤️ fun use of wine
🖤 touch her and d!e
❤️ mafia
🖤 chronic illness rep
❤️ anti-hero
🖤 found family
❤️ hidden identity

5⭐️!!

"Madonna santa, she was so young and unblemished. So what did it say about me that I wanted to dirty her up with sin?"

This was everything I expected from Giana with another mafia duet but also so much more!! I honestly loved this book so much, the vibes are immaculate swear Giana's book make me want to visit Italy soo bad she writes that setting sooo freaking good

This book was the best amounts of funny, romantic and hot!! I'm so invested in Raffa and Vera's story and I cannot wait for part 2!! Giana's really coming at us with these cliffhangers lately

I’m 10000% obsessed with this book. The way Rafa and Guinevere are with each other are incredible and you can see G character development start to shine through. I cannot wait to see the woman she becomes and how it’s going to affect them. The mafia aspect was so unique and interesting a d I’ve never read anything quite like it

Big shocker I have fallen in love with another Giana Darling book!!

I love how poetic and unique Giana writes. For me no one else writes the way she does and she makes it so easy to be completely engrossed in her stories.

Raffa and Guinevere completely own my heart now. I will literally be incomplete till I read the rest of their story. I loved how honest and upfront Guinevere was with her feelings and emotions. It’s such a refreshing thing to read with a FMC. Raffaele literally had me a puddle on the ground the whole time. I am a simp for this man. Who doesn’t love a touch her and d!e this is my woman type of man!! The setting being in Italy really was the cherry on top. I can’t express how much I loved these characters and their story.

Giana I am unwell from that ending!!!

I came for the mafia romance fairy tale and stayed for the ruin. 💀🩶

My Dark Fairy Tale by Giana Darling is here, and it’s 🥵🔥 Once again, Giana Darling sweeps me off my feet with a story that’s as sensual as it is ruthlessly romantic. It’s filled with danger, desire, and a dark prince who might just ruin you in the best way. 🤭

Giana neatly balances the brutal world of Raffa with Guinevere’s dreamy, self-discovery journey. It’s the kind of story that lingers, especially after that ending?! I’m going to need to fast-forward to October, please and thank you.

May we all run off to Italy and get rescued by an Italian mafioso like Raffa. 🧎🏽‍♀️🙂‍↕️

🖤 Mafia Romance
💰 Billionaire Romance
🤭 Age Gap Romance
🇮🇹 Tuscany setting
🤫 Hidden Identity
❣️ Good Girl x Bad Boy

I ate this book up! I knew I could count on this author for a dark, delicious, and emotional read! Her Antiheroes in Love duet is one of my all time favorite mafia reads, so I was so excited when I found out she was writing more mafia!

Guinevere (Vera) is a young American traveling in Italy. It’s been her dream to go and she is finally taking her dream trip despite her family’s wishes. However, her dream trip quickly turns into a nightmare and Raffaele (Raffa) saves her.

Unbeknownst to Vera, Raffa is a dangerous mafioso. She has no idea how dark and dangerous Raffa is. He is instantly captivated and consumed by her, but he’s not sure she can handle his darkness. Vera is on a self discovery journey while in Italy and away from her family. She really finds her strength and matures a lot, but is she really ready for Raffa?

In addition to showing her Italy, Raffa gives Vera some spicy lessons. There was an especially hot scene involving some wine.

The cliffhanger at the end of this book shattered my heart. I can’t wait until My Dark Ever After releases in October!

I mean.. GIANA?!

Raffa and Vera are absolute perfection. Their meet cute is pretty out there and unlike most I have read but it leads to the most beautiful love story.. and heartbreaking one at that as well.

-Mafia
-Age Gap (11 years)
-Virgin FMC
-Freaky Wine Tasting (iykwim)
-Touch Her and Die

Vera is a 23 year old American girl traveling to Italy for the first time (her father is an Italian immigrant who never wanted his daughters to go to Italy) and she has an incredibly ROUGH start to her trip, but Raffa swoops her off her feet and cares for her and makes it one of the best trips of her life.. while omitting a big ole secret.. he’s a mafioso and he isn’t as sweet as she thinks he is.

The ending has me all in my feels and I am BEYOND ready for book 2. I mean.. GIANA?!? Give my heart a break!

*I received an eARC from Valentine PR*

Ahhhh, so good! I’ll admit that I don’t usually gravitate towards mafia romances (I know, I know), but if Giana writes it, I will read it! Her books always hit for me, no matter what! The book was the perfect escape — it was so atmospheric and took me to Italy immediately! I’m going to Italy this summer so this was the perfect way to get me into the Italian spirit!

I LOVED Guinevere and Raffa! Guinevere takes a trip of a lifetime to Italy to get in touch with her Italian roots. She kind of has a rough start to the trip but she ends up meeting Raffa in an adorable meet-cute. There was instant attraction and they end up having a whirlwind romance. However, Raffa hasn’t exactly been truthful with her — he’s been hiding that he’s a mafioso. When Guinevere finds out, will that send her running for the [Tuscany] hills?

Loved the story, all the spice, and of course all the Italian beauty and culture! The book does end in a cliffy so I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the next book to see how the duet concludes! 5⭐️

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Giana, for the #gifted book in exchange for my honest review!

with a girl who was made of starlight and sunshine.

That ending argh, I knew there was going to be a cliffhanger but I’d convinced myself it would be something to do with Guinevere’s Italian relatives. I think I know what family she is from based on her last name, but maybe that will come into play in the second book.

Raffa deserved better from Guinevere. With the way things were exposed to her you’d think that situation would have made her a little more understanding. I mean, he literally saved her life. Now with the whole keeping his “real identity” from her, I get why she’s hurt and wary from the revelation. That would make any normal person pause and rethink.

The majority of the book is Raffa and Guinevere and their romance. Raffa is enamoured with this American tourist he ran into😉 and she in turn is equally besotted. Guinevere has this air of innocence about her and she is all sunshine and smiles. Pair that with Raffa’s air of darkness and you have this opposites attract, crazy chemistry between them.

Questions I’m left with

Are we going to find out G’s dad’s secret? Is he who I think he is??
Who is San Marco?
Are we going to get to see Villa Romano and Raffa’s family?
How does the ending resolve itself?
Lastly, I need a Martina/Renzo update.

Thank you to Netgalley, Valentines PR and Giana Darling for the arc and this is my honest review.

What can be better than an Italian Mafia King ??? Divino🤌🏻

"It means beguiling. Enchanting. And for a man like me, that is dangerous. I cannot afford distractions, but here I am in this ugly apartment feeling . . . unsettled because you are suggesting I will not see you again when all I want is more of you."

Guinevere, daughter, sister, and natural born explorer. Also Raffas newest obsession. A childhood medical illness, the tragic death of her sister Gemma, and the subsequent attachment between parents and children. Guinevere has a dream of exploring Italy and looking into their family background. But one drive through the countryside changed life’s as Vera knew it.

Our lovely mafioso Raffa, grew up with his sisters and parents around Italy. Due to differences in moral compasses the king below spent 9 years away from his family in and around England. After all ties had been cut years before, a death in the family allowed Raffa to come home. But coming home meant that he was stepping into bigger responsibilities. And changing the way the mafia operates puts a target on your back, and everyone you love in danger.

And that ending? It hit just as hard as that car. Right, Vera?

🥀ARC REVIEW : My Dark Fairy Tale by Giana Darling || Releases 4/8/25 🥀

Tropes:
•Mafia Romance
•Italian Setting
•Chronic Illness Rep
•Good Girl x Bad Boy
•Age Gap
•Billionaire Romance
•Hidden Identity

Giana, I’m not sure what you put in this book, but I was HOOKED from the jump. I love a Mafia Romance and this one had everything I could have wanted; history, violence, opulence, etc.

Raffaele ‘Raffa’ Romano is the Capo of the Toscana Camorra in Italy. He is ruthless in business and in life, never hesitating to take care of those that cross him.

Guinevere ‘Vera’ Stone is a sheltered American who has been living with a Chronic Illness that keeps her from enjoying life fully. That is until she goes on an Italian holiday and meets Raffa.

Guinevere and Raffa have an instant connection. After Vera is injured escaping a scary situation, she is rescued by Raffa and brought back to his palace. Despite his reputation as a cold man, he takes care of her, finding himself unable to stop.

Vera brings out the very best in Raffa, reminding him who he was before he became Capo. She sees him for who he is under his hard exterior. While Raffa shows Vera what it is to truly live for the first time.

When Vera finds out Raffas secret, her trust is broken and their love is on the verge of ruin.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I loved everything from the FMC/MMC to the Italian Mafia setting to the supporting characters and plot. I devoured this one like I do all Giana stories & you will too when it releases on 4.8.24.

It's a whirlwind romance that starts when Guinevere meets Raffa in sunny Tuscany. Guinevere falls in love with Raffa and his family and he falls harder for her. The story is a true fairytale that turned dark. It's very good and the spice is great.

Dark, delicious, and absolutely the kind of fairytale I love reading. A vacation that was supposed to be a dream comes true becomes a nightmare after a terrible first day for Guinevere... except she is saved by the handsome Raffaele... only underneath his beautiful surface lies a monster who will do anything to let her believe in his goodness. I ate up every single chapter of this book and need the second one after that ending. I was so entranced by the dynamic between Guinevere and Raffele, and the whole "I may be a villain but for you I'd be a knight(adjacent)" haha. This book makes me wish I could go to Italy for my own vacation and I absolutely can't wait for more because the way Giana so easily immerses you into the world is fantastic. This is a worldwind romance that you absolutely have to read!! I fell in love with the characters and was on the edge of my seat until the very end of the book and can't wait for more!!

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Montlake and Giana Darling Arc Team for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

"Raffa. Raffa. Raffa. I wanted to tattoo the word on the inside of my mouth because it tasted just as good as that wine and s**."

3.5⭐, 2.75🌶️, 3🎧

As a passionate lover of Giana and her Fallen series, I hate to say that this book was just not the book for me. I just didnt connect with the romance or the mafia drama/ mystery in this book so it left me uninvested compared to some of G.D's other work.

The ending of the book left me so frustrated with Vera - I sat there and literally said "this is why men hate women." Saying on thing and hoping and praying for the man to act the other way. I just wanted to shake our FMC lol.

"I do not know the kind of men you have in America, but in Italy, a man is honest about his attraction. I find you...incantevole. Do you know what that means, Guinevere? It means beguiling. Enchanting. And for a man like me, that is dangerous. I cannot afford distractions, but here I am in this ugly apartment feeling...unsettles because you are suggesting I will not see you again when all I want is more of you."

❤️Italian Mafioso
🔪American Good Girl
🖤 Morally Grey MMC - Touch her and die
🔪Age Gap
❤️Billionaire

The audiobook for this book is also available through Kindle Unlimited (once you borrow the book open your Audible and it will be available!) I unfortunately was NOT a fan of Dane Anderson's Italian voice for Raffa so all of his POV chapters weren't the vibe for me.

Im learning I love to read Giana's books with my eyes versus the audiobook, because I think I get more immersed in the story using my mind t image the voices and characters more and I fall in love with the story that way.

The second book to this duology is out in October 2025 - Who is Vera's dad and how is he connected (why doesnt he want her in Italy?) Is the sister connected somehow?!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake/ Giana Darling for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unpaid review!

I love a mafia romance!! This one delivered in every aspect that we need in a mafia book. An MMC that’s a little unhinged. A plot intriguing enough to hook you for the next book. And a soul deep romance!
Raffa is the shining star for me in this one, and I’m rooting for him and a happy ending in the second book!

I’m wondering how I can find myself alone in Italy waiting for an Italian mafioso to take me in and make me fall whole head over heels in love. Because my bags are packed and I’m ready to go.

These two complimented each other perfectly. This man’s mouth was pure delicious a man possessed and would literally un alive any man that got in the way. Watching Guinevere fully hand herself over to Raffa was everything. This book had tension and spice that makes you feel things. Did I also mention these a cliffhanger because I myself did not know this and now I’m willing to show my inner Raffa while I wait for the next part.

4.5 ⭐️

This was my first book by Giana Darling, and it definitely won't be my last. The cliffhanger in this book has me counting the days until book 2 comes out. I love a good mafia romance, I definitely recommend this one.

I loved Guinevere and Raffaele together. The way they met was crazy but I love how she brings out a softer side of him. Now he is hiding stuff including his true identity so I definitely see how that is going to cause issues but as the story kept going I could also see how they had connections to each other that are not aware of yet.

The ending broke my heart for both of them, and I can't wait to see how their story continues.

No one writes mafia romance like Giana Darling. I’m so excited to be back in Italy with another one of her capos. Raffa was an incredible mmc. I fell in love with him immediately. He was different from Dante which I really liked but it felt like they shared some core characteristics which is probably why I love them both so much. The found family in this book was incredible as well. I NEED Martina and Renzo to get their own book please! There’s so much more we’ve yet to learn about these characters and so many unanswered questions, I’m counting down the days until book two comes out!

I related to Guinevere’s love and passion for all things Italy. As someone who also had an Italian father, wanting to visit and see it in all its beauty really spoke to me. This book truly felt like a love letter to Italy and Giana did a wonderful job immersing us in the culture.

Thank you so much to Giana & Montlake for the ARC 🤍

“When a mysterious man rescues her from near death, a young woman finds herself in the throes of a dark and dangerous storybook romance, where pleasure reigns but happy endings are no guarantee.”

Read if you like:
▪️ A Billionaire Italiano Mafioso
▪️ Age Gap
▪️ Tuscany setting
▪️ Hidden Identity
▪️ Heroine in Finance
▪️ Chronic Illness Representation

"She was the kind of woman who had inspired artists in Italy throughout the centuries. A fleeting force of beauty in their lives, like a shooting star whose impression lingered in their souls forever, leaving an indeliable mark.”

Spice, romance, mystery and plot twists. The perfect balance of love and mafia, all set within the beautiful backdrop of Tuscany. The writing was so addictive, I truly couldn’t stop reading. I was so enraptured by these characters, the mafia setting, and the intriguing mystery at play.

There is SO much to love about this read, but to name a few:
- Guinevere: Our sweet and intelligent heroine. We are given hints of darkness within this sweet soul, but thus far she hasn’t fully realized the depths of these feelings. I am SO excited to see how her character evolves within the mafia setting in book two!
- Raffaele: I love an alpha male protective anti-hero. He was strong, powerful and strategic, yet saves the softer spots of himself for those he loves.
- The Italian language is SO beautiful. I was SWOONING for Raffa’s poetic dialogue. That is a testament to Giana’s writing.

AND this cliffhanger. The many questions I have about Guinevere’s family history. I am highly anticipating the next installment in this series!

This novel releases today! Special shoutout to Giana, Happy Pub Day! For those who love a dark or mafia inspired romance, this is a read you don’t want to miss!

Thank you Giana Darling, Valentine PR and NetGalley for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.