I have mixed feelings about this one. I usually quite enjoy dark mafia romances. Violence is often to be expected and that certainly happens here. A strong and domineering hero is also often par for the course. What I'm less keen on, is a heroine who doesn't push back or at least attempt to have some control over her life. I didn't really buy their relationship either, it was all very intense, very quickly without much substance behind it.
I didn't hate it, but I didn't love the characters either. Perhaps future books will be a bit more to my taste. I'm sure plenty of people would love it, it just wasn't really for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Mancinelli and Salvatore families have been sworn emenies for years. Whilst being rivals in the mafia world they are also both domonating the formular 1 racing world and compete against each other.

After a close encounter in their teenage years Cesare and Maddelena have some unfinished buisness and their chemistry is off the scale. I really enjoyed the book and was invested with their story from first few pages. Both characters are very likeable and I was routing for them both and a happy ever after. Every time the pair come together the spice increases. As the synopsis suggests there are various similaries with Romeo and Juliet which are also mentioned numours times within the book. The book has defintely been written as a watch this space. I will be interested to read more books in the series and hope Raff gets his own installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐|3🌶|17%🌶frequency

I definitely love mafia romance 🤩 But let me be honest, I'm not a sports fan at all. BUT when I saw a mafia romance with Formula 1, I was curious 😁 So I took the opportunity to ARC read this one. I haven't read any books by this author before, so I didn't know what to expect. I won't say I was surprised, because that would mean I was expecting it to be bad, but still, I was happy I loved this book. Maybe some will ☠️ me now, but I'm actually not a fan of the Romeo and Juliet story 🙈 Never was and never will be. And yes, I still call myself a reader.

The story about Cesare and Maddelena definitely had a lot of the story of Romeo and Juliet or West Side Story (what I like more, but still hate the ending), but in contrast to them, Cesare and Maddelena will get their HEA 😍

I loved them both so much. Cesare is a hard mafia man. But he has a secret weakness. A weakness he has had for a LONG time. And it makes him so cute 🥰 I wouldn't call it a second chance, but still the two have a bit of a history 😁
Cesare and Maddalena aren't "just" from rival families, no, both families are big in the Formula 1. Cesare is the first driver in his own team, and Maddalena's youngest brother is the first driver in her family's team. Both are also the heirs of their families. Very very difficult 🙈

If you love Mafia romance and Formula 1, then I'm pretty sure you will love this book. If not, I don't know 🤷‍♀️🙈

As I said, this was my first book by this author, but not the last. I'll definitely read book 2 of this series, and I'm excited about who it will be about. Will it have F1 in it again???

This was a fast-paced read and I was here for it! It's a star-crossed lovers mafia tale and whew! it will knock your socks off. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Will definitely be reading more by Cox.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This was a Romeo and Juliet type love story with the mafia involved. Only Juliets dad is an uncaring piece of garbage. The story is so great and I cant even get into details without giving it away! Oh except there is also race car driving mixed in! I hope theres a book 2!

This was a very enjoyable read. I liked that it had a mix of racing in with the mafia. The storyline was a good twist on a classic. Two warring families that hate each other beyond words but two people from opposing sides fall in love. This had a bit of action and spice. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next book!

Unfortunately this book was a dnf for me, I just couldn’t get into it! I don’t know if it was the writing style or the plot but it just wasn’t my vibe!

Cesare Salvatore—mafia heir and elite F1 driver—has a long, tangled history with Maddelena Mancinelli, the fiercely independent daughter of his family’s biggest rival. What starts with a stolen teenage kiss evolves into an all-consuming obsession. When Maddelena is accused of betrayal, they’re forced into a dangerously close partnership fueled by blackmail, secrets, and zero self-control. The chemistry? Off the charts.

The Mastermind is a fiery, fast-paced read that blends the dark allure of mafia life with the high-speed thrill of Formula 1 racing. Zara Cox delivers a forbidden romance packed with tension, danger, and heat. What really stands out is how seamlessly Cox ties together the glamour of racing with the grit of organized crime. It’s a unique twist that adds freshness and depth to the plot. The writing is sharp, the pacing tight, and the spice level? Let’s just say fans of dirty talk and steamy encounters won’t be disappointed.

Thank you Boldwood for the ARC!

Overall, this book was a 3.25 star for me. It covered all the fun microtropes in romance: f1, Mafia, and billionaire. I thought the build up between Cesare and Maddelina was great. The flashback of how they first met was cute and I think that's why their instalust connection made sense when we first meet them. The book felt short and a bit rushed outside of the romance plot line. I was expecting more out of the f1 aspect of the series and the Mafia felt almost like a side plot when it should have been the focus. The book was what I needed in the moment but I definitely was wanting more out of it.

The kind of book I love to hate but find myself coming back to over and over. The main character is so unlikeable but still cannot help being drawn to him

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to say thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book I really appreciate it!

Contrary to the description of this book, this book was truly not it at all like I really hoped for it to be. To get it out of the way if you like spice and really only like reading spicy books with no real care for plot, or characters than you will love this book. That is essentially what this book is in full actuality. Well I love a good spicy book, I'm not a big fan of it being the center focus of 90% of the chapters of the book. The spice is spicy and its well written but in my opinion that's all this book has going for it.

The characters are very one sided and lack zero depth. The formula one aspect is just there, it's not really truly a full focused part of the story. The mole aspect to the story is not a center focus either, the Mafia aspect yes it's there, theres some action, but it doesn't really fully feel like a Mafia romance. On that, the romance doesn't feel like romance, it feels like a lust centred relationship. This also isn't enemies to lovers, just like Romeo and Juliet isn't, it's their families who are (well mainly grandparents). The highlight to that is that thankfully no one dies and this has a happy ending. The last 3 chapters and the epilogue are what saved this review for me and I'm really grateful for them.

Thank you very much again from the bottom of heart for allowing me to read this book I really appreciate it.

Just a handful of reasons why I should hate Cesare Salvatore, heir to the Salvatore Sicilian mafia throne. Other reasons? His insanely gorgeous face. How hot he looks in his Formula One race suit. The feral look in his eyes when he’s pounding his enemy into the ground… But as a Mancinelli, I abide by one family rule: Stay away from the Salvatores.
Mafia and F1 an interesting coupling but the author did make this work.
Likeable characters and a romance with an intriguing storyline which keeps you on page.
Zara's writing is a perfect blend of good humour, banter, spice and breathtaking romance.
Thank you to Boldwood books for an early review copy
Kerry Kennedy Author

i wasn't sure how this one was going to do it. F1 and mafia would have to be done well. if these type of books are not done well then they play(especially dark or mafia etc) into the draw the line at that territory. but hey hey hey i shouldn't have questioned Zara. as it worked. it worked good.
i also liked how we know of other characters from this that could have book of their own in the series. and i cant wait for that.
Maddelena is the daughter of a crime family. and they have their rules. and she follows them. she is the eldest, the boss, and she doesnt take no rubbish from anyone.
Ceseare is the eldest of a different mafia family. they knew each other as teens but their families have always been rivals. the two wont cross paths because it is forbidden. these two must always stay away.
but now as adults they are circling each other as they both have to be around the same circles in the F1 world. and there is more to come from that world that risk them both.
there is so much tension and complexity to them. both apart and once they start to come together there is flames.they hate each other, dont they? but when they are together when they SEE each other the chemistry is something neither can deny no matter how much they try.
this book made so much sense. it was smart in the way it integrated the mafia being part of the F1 world. this had that power money play answered really well.
and these two. theeeeese two...phwoar.

Who knew that I needed a mafia and F1 book. I didn’t.
This was such a fun time. I did have trouble in the beginning trying to understand the dynamic of the families but once I got past that it was such a fun read. I loved the connection between the two main characters. Was definitely giving Romeo and Juliet but with a better ending. Speaking of ending it was insane but I absolutely devoured it. Can’t wait to see where the story goes x
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Zara Cox and NetGalley for the eArc of the book. This is my honest review

Ate this up. Mafia and F1???? Ya I loved every moment of this.

I loved the enemies to lovers, forbidden lovers, and family rivalry tropes in this book, and combine that with a chemistry between the mc's that was hot af?? I was heavily entertained and could not stop reading this book.

I loved how the characters got together and fought for their relationship. Also the dirty talk??? hehehe

Cannot wait to read more about the different characters in this world!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author and the publisher for an arc!

I thought the story overall was good. It was a typical forbidden mafia romance with a few fun twists! I loved that they were Sicilian (since that is my background), I loved the Formula 1 racing and the depth that added especially with our MMC being the driver. The mafia ties were cool, but the best part were the side characters. The brothers of the MMC, I want to know more about them. The sisters of the FMC I want to know more about them. Overall I would rate it 3.5 and a spice of 1/2🌶️

This was my first introduction to Zara Cox, and I'm not mad about it! Cesare and Maddelena are truly star-crossed lovers, set in modern times. As feuding families, turned rivals on the race track, the draw to each other was too much to contain. Something that was set in motion over a decade ago had time to grow instead of die in absence, and became something truly beautiful. I'm intrigued to read more, especially as a hint to something in his brother Rafa's eyes when her sister, Sofyia is mentioned. I also need to know more about Giada!

If you are a fan of Formula One and mafia romance , then this book is for you.
We have Cesare Salvatore , the mafia heir and one of the drivers and Maddelena Mancinelli, the sister of the rival driver. And they are also mafia rivals.
But in the past something happened between them, and over the years the attraction was still there, even though they hate each other.
It was an interesting plot, with all the races and stuff. I liked how was the story written and the characters.
For sure I will read the other books, if will be a series.

Thank you Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Zara Cox for this Arc. This is my only and honest opinion about the book.
Give it a try!

I initially loved the steamy, morally grey romance. Cesare is hot and powerful, which only makes him hotter. Maddie is a powerful woman in her own right, and their chemistry is undeniable. I felt like the sex got a bit excessive toward the end and Maddie tended to whimper and whine more than I like.

Steamy, violent, full of betrayals and secrets, this is what mafia romance is made of - and if that's your jam, you are in the right place. Plenty of angst, rival families, rollercoaster of a romance, with a HEA, so the ride will be well worth it. Just enjoy.