Listen. When Giana Darling said she was giving us a dark fairy tale, she meant it. This book is like stepping into a gothic dream—where danger, lust, and longing swirl through every page—and I devoured every second.

With her signature blend of lyrical prose and raw emotion, Darling delivers a deliciously dark mafia romance that’s as seductive as it is soul-stirring. My Dark Fairy Tale unfolds like a twisted fantasy set in the shadows of Italy, where love blooms in the dark and nothing is quite what it seems.

Guinevere is bold, curious, and strong—the kind of heroine who walks straight into the unknown after surviving everything life could throw at her. She lies her way to Italy, chasing fairy tales and freedom. And Raffaele? A morally gray mafia heir wrapped in silk and sorrow. He’s the capo dei capi with a poet’s soul buried beneath blood and duty. Their collision is literal, an inadvertent crash that pulls her into his dangerous world. Their connection builds with a slow burn that simmers until it scalds

Every glance. Every brush of tension. Every withheld word. It’s intense, it’s aching, and it builds with deliberate, devastating grace. The spice sizzles, but never overshadows the emotional stakes—and when the payoff hits? It hits.

And don’t even get me started on that ending. Ughhh. It’s brutal. But knowing another Giana Darling book is coming? Totally worth the cliffhanger heartache. I’d follow this couple into the dark and back.

If you crave mafia romance with elegance, edge, and yearning, My Dark Fairy Tale is calling your name.

Story: 5 ⭐
Spice: 3🌶️

Genre:
🖤Mafia Romance

Tropes:
🖤A Billionaire Italian Mafioso
🖤She’s in Finance
🖤Age Gap
🖤Alpha Protective Hero
🖤Touch Her & ☠️
🖤Tuscany Setting
🖤Hidden Identity

This book absolutely blew me away. I have loved Giana's writing a lot and this one was no different. I really needed this dark romance after reading lots of fluffy romances lately.
Guinevere finally makes her trip to Italy that her father always forbade her to do even though he is from Italy. When she runs away from trouble on her first day there she runs into a car that belongs to Raffaele. He is normally not a friendly man but something he sees in Guinevere he can't seem to ignore. So he decides to take her home while she recovers. Raffa is capo dei capi of the Camorra, a notorious mafioso in Northern Italy but that is a detail he keeps hidden from Guinevere. They spend her holiday together and even though they have only known each other for a short time there is something between them.
I loved this book so much. Raffa is the perfect antihero, he is ruthless except when it comes to her then he is a different man. Seeing Guinevere discover Italy with him and seeing her open up to explore everything was adorable. She really deserves the best. Guinevere also sees some things about Raffa's job but she doesn't put it together just yet what he does. She is intrigued by the slight darkness in him that he allows her to see. After a while she also forms a bond with his inner circle and seeing them also get protective over her is amazing. They become her second family. The story just gets you hooked from the first page until the last and omg that ending. I need book two asap.
If you are looking for a dark, age gap, Italian mafia romance this book is for you!

Giana Darling writes the most swoon-worthy men so when I saw she was coming out with a mafia romance set in Tuscany, Italy I knew this book was gonna be everything I needed to kick off summer and I wasn’t wrong! I can not wait till October for book 2 ‘cause that ending is gonna keep me thinking about this book 24/7.

Guinevere and Raffa together was beautifully, steamy with a side swoon 😍

“For the first time in my life, I wanted to be someone’s knight in shining armor.”

Guinevere is this sweet, innocent women just looking to enjoy her 6 weeks in Italy, even though it’s going against it’s everything her parents told her. You only live once and Guinevere is visiting Italy even if it’s in secret.

“To be the man who deserves that look on your face.”

Raffa stumbles upon (and by stumbles I mean hit her with his car) Guinevere in a situation and offers his place for her to recover safely but what he didn’t expect was his world becoming alive just from setting his eyes on her and vowing to protect her over everything.

“I never expected to run into my dream American girl. Now that I have, I am not sure I will be able to let you go.”

I am completely obsessed with them and there is so many quotes that I want to share with your guys, that I know I have over 75 highlights that I will definitely be sharing over time.

These two were amazing alone but put them together and you can not even imagine how swoony and gone I was for them. Raffa is the ruthless man that everyone is afraid of, but when this man’s soft side came out I knew I was gonna fall faster for him than he could drive his Ferrari 😂

And now I knew what had been calling my name. Him.

Everytime I am given the opportunity to review a arc of Giana’s I am truly honored that I get to read her beautiful words but also amazed at how every time it feels like I’m stepping into a different world that by the end has be craving more. So thank you so much Giana for letting me read your art ❤️

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬-

🛵 𝐀𝐠𝐞-𝐆𝐚𝐩
🛵 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
🛵 𝐓𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
🛵 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
🛵 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞
🛵 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲
𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐲/ 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥

My Dark Fairy Tale
(My Dark Mafia Romance #1)
By Giana Darling

It takes a very special writer to who can bring an Italian Mafia story that pulls you in and has you falling in love with her characters, the beauty of Florence and the Tuscan country side and allowing Guinevere Stone and Raffa (Raffaele Romano) to take residence in your mind and your heart. Having read other mafia stories by Author Giana Darling I knew that she would bring readers a beautiful story. From the first page to the last page you are totally invested!

Guinevere Stone is a twenty-three year old tourist who is following her heart and her dreams of spending six weeks in Italy. Her parents fought her on this trip, so much that she lied about where she was going…it was the only way she would ever see through her life long passion to see Italy. Yes she was innocent, yes she is head strong and yes she has a health issue. What she wasn’t prepared for was a potential attack, followed by a car hitting her. It was the driver of said car who rescued her.

Raffaele Romano (Raffa) was that driver. Thirty-four years old, handsome, knowledgeable and the Capo dei capi the boss of the Romano famiglia. For the past four years he has been centred on taking over the famiglia and changing how it will be run…but when he sees Guinevere, he wants to be a different man. His decision on how much he shares with the beautiful Guinevere may come back to haunt him. He is thinking with his heart and not his head.

With Raffa offering sexy lessons while Guinevere learns Italian brings these two characters are constantly brought together with a magnetic draw that pulls them closer and closer. It goes from light flirting to having to touch and taste each other, while the steamy relationship grows! But is this connection enough to keep them together when it comes time for Guinevere to fly back home.

Italian mafia stories should make readers feel they are with the characters on every page and this author does this from the beginning to the end. Throughout this whole book you watch their story unfold in front of you. I can't wait to catch up with Guinevere and Raffa in My Dark Ever After. This book made it on to my best 2025 list and I am sure book two will be joining it.

Guinevere, on her summer quest to dive into her Italian roots, is blissfully unaware that her new beau, Raffa, has a mafia connection thicker than spaghetti sauce! The juicy bit? Her adventure into Raffa’s softer side, all while he hands her the keys to her self-discovery as a woman—something she’s yearned for all summer long.
Martina, the scene-stealer and my latest sidekick obsession! She's got a knack for poking fun at Raffa, and her antics keep me in stitches.
Raffa? Utterly charming! He’s the dreamboat of romance novels: mysterious, lyrical, and madly in love. The full package, right there.

And just when you think the pasta’s done, bam—a cliffhanger! I’m left dangling with a million questions and can hardly wait to dive into the sequel. What a finale!

This book is so good!!

I am a Giana fan, I enjoy her storytelling. She writes gritty, dark romance, and yes this book is that, but this book is also so much more. As part of a duet you aren’t going to get that HEA that everyone looks for. Book two will be releasing in the fall, so now we have something more than pumpkin spice to look forward to!

Guinevere has always dreamed of going to Italy, she could feel the countryside calling her. So when she got the chance to go, nothing was going to stop her. The chain of events that happen once she gets there definitely opened her eyes to things she never could have imagined. The biggest thing is Raffa, her Italian Prince Charming who is definitely more than he seems.

Without giving too much away I will just say this, read this book. If you are new to Giana this is definitely the perfect place to start your addiction. I couldn’t put it down, and I dare you to try to stop once you start!

I loved everything about this book. Hooked from start to finish, could not get enough of them. Giana is probably one of the only authors I will willingly go into a book knowing they’re will be a cliffhanger and have no regrets. I cannot wait for the next book to release.

oh this book has the suspense aspect, the spice, the let me get the world for you and touch her and d-e vibe!! I cant wait for the next one tbh.

Thank you to Giana and VPR for this ARC.
First beware that this ends in a cliffhanger! I'm going to need the next book ASAP 😆🤭

I love a good mafia romance, and this definitely hit the mark!

This was my first book by this author and I loved that this was a good, true Italian mafia romance set in Italy. The writing was much different too in that it was written like classic literature in the wording and less contemporary writing.

Guinevere is 23 years old and just graduated from college in Michigan. She has lived her whole life kind of sheltered because of a rare chronic illness and it has always been her dream to visit Italy. But her father never wanted her to go, claiming it is dangerous, since he is originally from there. Despite his warnings, she pays for a trip of a lifetime to spend the Summer there before going back home to work for her father.

Raffa (Raffaele) is a 34 year old Capo of an Italian mafia outfit. Day one of her trip takes a bad turn of events which leads her into meeting him because he accidentally, literally, runs into her. He takes her in until she gets better and things progress from there.

I absolutely love Raffa! He is perfection and Guinevere is sweet and full of life. You really get a feel for Italy and all the history and I relate to her because it has been my dream to visit as well. There is mafia business/action going on as well and it ends on a cliffhanger.


Spoiler/criticism's: (Don't scroll down if you haven't read the book)

*I was angry at that cliffhanger and the way she reacted. I mean, what did you expect him to do? The guy literally had a gun in your face and was going to k!ll you. You're mad he shot the guy and saved your life? Give me a break! I expected her to be upset by the events but not to completely shun him. That made me give less of a review for that alone.

*I think Leo is behind everything. I mean Raffa's dad put him in charge and then Raffa comes back and takes over? I'm sure he's not happy about that and I could see the writing on the wall. Also, I think her sister was somehow involved with him/the mafia.

*I think someone in her dad's family was hurt/k!lled by Raffa's dad, or another mafia family. Obviously Stone is not his real last name.

Darker themed romance of Italian older man and younger American visitor - I love their meet cute, how they meet and how it's an instant attraction.
This is to me somewhere between instant lust and slow burn because they don't hook up RIGHT away but they make intentions very clear early on and the way the tension builds between the two is almost equally as juicy as the spice once they finally get together, speaking of which - the WINE?! man. I'll think about that for a while.

The found family in this is honestly why I love mafia romances or any group community of sorts. The way Raffa's found family takes Guinevere in is so sweet especially considering how alone and lost she's felt. The more she comes out of her shell, the more I love her and I'm looking forward to reading more of their story because AFTER THAT ENDING?!

I absolutely whole heartedly definitely need more as soon as possible.

4.5/5

My Dark FairyTale in the second foray of Giana Darling into Mafia Romance. I thoroughly enjoyed her Anti-Heroes in Love Duet and was excited to see she was diving back into mafia romance again.
Raffa and Guinevere are two opposites that come together over bad luck on Guinevere’s part. What starts out as a story of independent adventures for her, turns into six weeks of falling for a mysterious Italian man in Raffaele. I usually do not enjoy when the FMCs are portrayed as naive and innocent, however the way that Guinevere was written had me engaged with her. Her curiosity and openness to the world despite her naivete was something I enjoyed. And of course Raffa was the type of MMC that was patient and kind and engaging and willing to indulge her in any way she desired.

I knew that the hidden identity would be the main conflict by the end of the book, however I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The found family aspect and the little glimpse of mafia action through Raffa’s POV kept me engaged in the mystery and secret. I will say that even though I knew the ending conflict would involve uncovering the truth and Guienevere finding out that Raffa had lied to her about his job and place in Italy, it still hurt in the end. I did think that Guienevere’s reaction at the end was somewhat out of character for her, but I also can see why it was written that way.

Overall another fantastic story and I can’t wait to see where Raffa and Guinevere’s story takes us next.

My Dark Fairytale is EVERYTHING! This book is a gripping, dark romance that had me hooked from the very first page. Guinevere and Raffaele’s chemistry is off the charts and their forbidden romance is so intense and full of tension, you just can’t put it down.

Raffaele? Swoon-worthy, but soooo complicated. But who doesn’t love a complicated love intrest?🤩He's the capo dei capi of the Camorra, and the secrets he's hiding? Yea wait for the plot twists. As much as he wants to be with her, the darkness of his past constantly threatens their chance at happiness, and I was at the tip of my toes waiting to see what would happen next!

If you're into dangerous love stories, mafia vibes, and a romance where happy endings are never guaranteed, ‘My Dark Fairytale’ is a must-read. The whole book is steamy, suspenseful, and downright addicting. Prepare to fall head over heels. I’m so obsessed with this book. THANK YOU TO GIANNA DARLINH FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!

LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

I really enjoyed My Dark Fairytale and look forward to the next book.
It was everything I expected from Giana and I won’t look at red wine the same way ever again!
The dark Italian mafia side of this book was done really well and there was the perfect mix of mafia and emotion. The relationship between the two main characters was written well.

My first Giana Darling book and definitely not my last!

Guinevere finally breaks free from her overprotective family and heads to Italy for the summer, finally doing something for HERSELF. LOVE THAT FOR HER! Buuut girl… HOW did you not see the red flags waving all around you?! 🚩 Like I get that she was sheltered but COME ON. This isn’t naive this is straight up stupid 🤷

Then there’s Raffaele Romano... the most dangerous man in Italy. Feared by all. And yet he’s completely undone by Guinevere. He tries to stay away but he can’t. And watching him slowly unravel over her? OBSESSED 🔥

🖤 Italian setting
🖤 Chronic illness rep
🖤 Hidden identity
🖤 Age gap
🖤 Mafia

I NEED BOOK 2 LIKE YESTERDAY.

Big thanks to Valentine PR & Giana Darling for the ARC!

It had me at dark mafia romance, but I was 100% on board when I read the description. This book is exactly what you want for this genre. I loved this book, could not put it down, didn't want it to end! Need I say more? I loved our characters, especially the MMC Raffaele. That cliffhanger though!!! Waiting for the next book is going to be a killer.

I'm genuinely surprised how good this book was. Perfect mafia romance . I read it one sitting. Plot , characters and setting everything was top notch.
4.5⭐

In starting you may feel it slow, but trust me as the story progress, it get better. Story starts picking up. This book has solid plotine . It will keep you engage through out the book. The way Gianna writes this story it will keep you interested. This book was suspenseful with eomance. You will be thinking whats happen next . There will be lot of questions and theories. There is game or greed of powers.

Now lets talk about characters. Guinevere, she is an intelligent women with touch of girlish. In starting you may feel her character is weak. But its not. Her character grow with story . And I really like her growth. She may feel petty women but she is not. She is person who spoke her mind. I really her character.She goes from a silly girl to smart women , who are able to take her own stand.

Raffe , the man he is . Dangerous but sweet Mafioso. I really enjoyesnhis characters. He is an engima whom I would liketo know more. He is really different from other mafia man I read.
His caring erson in his own way . He is character really surprised me in a good way.
Andthe spicy scene in this book. Damn they were so hot. Their chemistry ere insane.

This book end on cliffhanger and with lots of questions. And I really want the answers of those questions. I can't wait to read the next book.I'm so anxious to know what will happen next.

WOW. i am obsessed with this book and this world. I don’t know how i’m going to wait for the next book !

it really was a dark fairytale especially how these two met! like right out of a romance novel lol

Raffa our mafioso man! i love him so much. this man gives the best dark villain that will gladly watch the world burn for his love.

i love me a strong female character and Guinevere lived up to that. she knew exactly what she wanted and didn’t let her health or anything else stop her and i CANNOT wait to see what she does in the next book!

Queen G has given us a work of art! A masterpiece in the form of Raffa and Guinevere’s whirlwind Italian romance.

On day one of Guinevere’s Italian escape she is thrown into Raffa’s world in the most fortunate of unfortunate circumstances, he literally hits her with his car. But he is extremely taken with our sunshine girl and he can’t help but be enchanted by her and feels a need to help this sweet soul
I adored and loved everything about this book,
the thing I love most about Gianas writing, is she really transports you where she wants you to go and I was there, third wheeling alongside Guinevere and Raffa while they fell in love with each other and Italy.

Giana and mafia romances are a match made in heaven, I loved Raffa as a mafioso, all his doings behind the scenes, being protective of Guinevere while she is in his country. I will defend him till my last breath.

Giana has opened us up to this new world that you can tell has been thought of with so much tender care and attention, so many new side characters to love, a story I’m desperate to know how it ends and so many questions I need answered. We know G lives for the tease and came through with that cliffhanger. The wait for book 2 will be so so worth it