Crazed by Maggie Cole

Book three in the Mafia Wars New York series brings us Massimo and Katiya’s story, and it’s an absolutely compelling read. This book jumps right into the action from the start when we find that Katiya is being forced to get important intel on Massimo and his family’s business in order to give it to the man who still holds her captive as his pawn. It’s clear from the beginning that it’s not a role she wants to have to play, but what other choice does she have? This is a complex mafia romance where things aren’t necessarily what they might seem to be for the characters, and it traces follows Massimo and Katiya on their difficult journey to finally find their happily ever after no matter the cost.

Something Cole does especially well is that she writes these sincerely flawed characters that might be questionable at times and have you wondering if there’s a good guy (or woman) in the story. It’s something that I love about her writing, because it speaks to the notion that these characters aren’t ever just existing in either the black or white but rather the gray area, which feels more genuine. The complexity of these characters is what ultimately makes for a book that I couldn’t get enough of. These characters aren’t what one would classically qualify as good or bad, and I think that’s exactly what makes them so interesting.

Together, Massimo and Katiya have seriously hot chemistry, but there is so much threatening their relationship and their trust in one another. Yes, Katiya is working for a rival group, but then how will Massimo react if he finds out? While I wish she would’ve been stronger on her own terms, it makes sense that she couldn’t be. She’s a deeply damaged character, and everything she’s suffered through keeps her living in fear and doubting herself. The empathy I wound up feeling for Katiya sort of surprised me, and in the end I just wanted to see her find some modicum of peace. I felt so badly for what her character had gone through and needed to see what would become of her, and I think she’s especially what kept me captivated by this book.

This is another great addition to this series. If you’re looking for a dark, steamy, and totally gripping mafia romance, Crazed is it.