Review: Giovanni (Filthy Marcellos #2) by Bethany-Kris

Plot Summary

Giovanni Marcello lives life by his own terms and has no intention of changing. As a Capo and the son of a mob boss, he knows what is and is not acceptable conduct. That doesn’t stop him from doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants to do it. The one thing he would never do is disobey the principles of La Cosa Nostra. That is, until he spends a night with a beautiful stranger.

He’ll break every rule for her.

Kim Abella has made some mistakes—no doubt about it. She’s paying for them by a forced marriage she doesn’t want to a man who suffocates her with his demands and abuse. After everything, she knew better than to get mixed up with another family, especially their youngest son. Then again, when she’s with him, he reminds her of who she is beneath the control that’s slowly killing her.

She just can’t leave him alone.

Being spoken for by a made man means Kim is off-limits, but Giovanni doesn’t play nice when it comes to taking what should be his. The only thing that might save them both from a bullet and a makeshift grave for what they’ve done are the very same rules they already broke.

Sometimes, love has to start out a little filthy.

Filthy Marcellos, Book Two

Can be read as a standalone in the series.

Please note: not suitable for people under the age of 18 due to minor drug use, scenes of violence, and sexual situations intended for adults only.

My Review

Rating: ★★★☆ ☆(3/5)

Giovanni by Bethany Kris is a gripping mafia romance that expertly blends passion with the high-stakes world of organized crime. The story follows Giovanni Marcello, a powerful Capo in the Marcello family, and Kim Abella, a woman trapped in a loveless engagement to Franco Sorrento, the son of a rival mafia family. Their forbidden romance develops in a world where loyalty, family, and bloodlines control every action, making their love a dangerous risk.

The chemistry between Giovanni and Kim is electric, unfolding with a slow burn that keeps readers on edge. Kim, suffocated by her engagement to Franco, finds freedom and strength in Giovanni, while Giovanni, bound by mafia rules, is drawn to Kim’s vulnerability. Their love challenges the expectations placed on them by their families and the mafia world, becoming an act of defiance.

Kris brilliantly captures the emotional complexity of her characters. Giovanni, torn between his loyalty to his family and his feelings for Kim, faces the consequences of loving a woman from a rival family. Meanwhile, Kim begins to reclaim her power through her connection with Giovanni, making their forbidden love a symbol of rebellion.

The mafia elements are seamlessly woven into the story, with political alliances and the constant threat of betrayal creating a high-stakes backdrop. Kim’s engagement to Franco is more than personal—it's a strategic alliance meant to strengthen the Sorrento family’s power. Every stolen moment between Giovanni and Kim is fraught with danger, as their relationship threatens to unravel the fragile peace between their families.

In sum, Giovanni is a thrilling and emotionally charged romance, where forbidden love and the criminal underworld collide. The blend of passion, danger, and emotional depth makes it a must-read for fans of high-stakes mafia romances.