The Hermit (Mafia Empire Book 1)

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 1,936 ratings

Price: 4.99

Last update: 02-11-2025


About this item

From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Michelle Heard comes a new STANDALONE, full-length MAFIA ROMANCE novel.

I entered an arranged marriage so my sister, Ciara, could marry for love. Three years later, I’m a widow, and my father arranges for Ciara to marry Dominik Varga. The assassin slash arms dealer is as dangerous as he’s quiet, which is very unnerving.

Needless to say, I’m not happy at all. A deal was a deal, and I kept my end of it, so there’s no way on God’s green earth I’ll just sit back and smile like a good little girl. I’ll fight for Ciara’s freedom so she won’t have to face the hell I was forced to endure.

But Dominik doesn’t make things easy for me. He’s determined to get his hands on half of Dad’s empire.
When he moves into my family home, my entire routine unravels. I have to fight for more than just my sister’s freedom because I’m in danger of losing my heart.

I refuse to admit I’m drawn to his darkness. If I do, God only knows whether we’ll survive the fire raging between us.

STANDALONE: A Mafia Romance full-length novel.
Each book in the Mafia Empire series is interconnected but about a different couple who will all find their HEA.

From the Publisher

Nicole Fox, Sadie Kincaid, Jill Ramsower, Penelope Sky, Ana Huang, Isa Oliver, Rina Kent
Luna Mason, Colleen Hoover, Rebeccas Yarros, Layla Hagen, Penelope Douglas, Shantel Tessier
The Sinners series, St. Monarch's, The Saints, Kings of Mafia, Danielle Lori

Top reviews from the United States

  • SS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional Roller Coaster
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    The Hermit is the first book in the new Mafia Empire Series. I loved the story so much, it was beautifully written and the plot was captivating and engaging that I read the book in one sitting. Michelle has not just done brilliant job with writing main characters but even the secondary characters are interesting and kept you intrigued. Dominik and Grace are our two main characters. Grace has been through a lot and he pain and trauma has been captured so beautifully. Dominik is perfect for her. I loved how he gained her trust and made her comfortable. This was an emotional roller coaster read. Michelle has given another beautiful story to her readers. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommend this book.
  • Caitlin
    4.0 out of 5 stars I want to be a hermit with Dominik
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
    4.25/5

    This book. First- I knew NOTHING about this book, literally not a single thing, but I saw the cover reveal and I was immediately hooked, added to TBR and downloaded the minute it was released.

    Grace, the FMC, is strong and sassy. She was in a previous abusive arranged marriage which she entered in order to allow her sister to marry for love. Now their father is trying to force the sister (Ciara) into an arranged marriage and Grace is NOT having that.

    Dominik, the MMC, the Hermit. I love him. Dominik pretty immediately refuses to marry Ciara and demands Grace instead. He is down bad for her, will burn the world for her. He has never wanted anyone before but he wants Grace, SWOON.

    Its not often that you see a slow burn in a mafia romance but it was PERFECTION in this book. Grace was broken by her previous marriage and Dominik is so freaking sweet and just takes his time and lets Grace lead. When they finally do get together, fireworks.

    Also, the set up for the rest of the series- so good. Santiago was the BEST comedic relief and I can't wait to see more of him.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2025
    Michelle Heard has written a beautiful love story. It’s different from the usual Mafia romances.
    There is a lot of violence between Mafia families and the action and suspense are pretty intense.
    The main characters meet when Dominick is hired to rescue Grace from a kidnapping where she is beaten and almost killed. Dominick is hired by Grace’s father who heads the Irish Mafia.
    These two have a turbulent meeting and the fire between them ignites pretty quickly.
    Grace is emotionally damaged from a violent first marriage. She and Dominick wed to unite and save her father’s business.
    Things start out fiery, but the author does an amazing job of turning this into a beautiful and compelling love story. I loved all the Czech endearments that are interwoven into this book.
    This was the first book in the Mafia Empire series. We are introduced to a few amazing characters along the way. No doubt they will all be receiving their own books.
    Throughly enjoyed this book. Couldn’t put it down.
    I enjoy dramatic and dark books and this book definitely had those situations.
    This book however, showed how a man can love a woman and help her through past trauma, without tying her down, spanking her butt and making her feel pain.
    Fantastic read! Highly recommend!!!
  • Ej E.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great Mafia series to lookout for!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    This book is everything you ever wanted in a mafia romance! I finished this book in one sitting and I'm craving for more. Once again Michelle did not disappoint. Everything she writes is captivating.

    Dominik and grace becomes my top favorite hero and heroine of all time. Grace is such though heroine. A fresh take from whinny younger fmc which i hate the most. And Dominik, Dominik!!! Everuthing you wan in a hero, dominik posses. This book has everything. Romance, action, banters, love story. I just love it. I came across of it and decided to preorder it. And I couldn't be happier. What a great start for a new series. I'm definitely gonna be following this series till the end.
    Don't hesitate to read it!
  • Locicerocrystal
    3.0 out of 5 stars Mafia fun
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2025
    This was good. It could have been better as a duet or even just 150 more pages. I feel like we skimmed parts that needed more fleshing out. Dominik was a great grump of a guy. I like that his second in command and bff is a woman. I hope we get more of her story one day. Grace was a good character, but I needed more from her. Her sister disappeared, and she didn't hunt for her or even have her husband spy/locate her?!?! It didn't fit with the whole overprotective sister thing. Santiago is gonna be a fun one, I can't wait for his book.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lived it!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025
    I really enjoyed this story. It was a bit light on the mafia fighting part but loved how it showed the beginning of the alliance and each one’s personality. Grace was so strong and I loved Dominik. So good together and they deserve their HEA. Just wish there was an epilogue on the birth of their baby. Michelle sure brings it with characters and storylines. I was laughing at Santiago comments and his quirkiness. The tarot card and his marquee signs. So worth reading and I purchased it of course.
  • Diana Sirena Aquino????????????????
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mafia Queen
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
    Honestly, Michelle never disappoints when it comes to mafia. I love how good this story is, very cute, very mafia, unhinged men and a whole new world!
    I love it and I can’t wait to read about Santiago.
  • K. Ramjohn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great start to the series
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    The Hermit is the first installment in the new Mafia Empire series and I enjoyed it. This is an arranged marriage, mafia romance that follows Grace and Dominik.  

    The story was fast paced and gave us action, violence, emotional moments and so much more. There were some heavy topics in the story so do check the trigger warning.

    Dominik was an assasin and arms dealer who disliked people, however it was Grace's fierce, fiery nature that caught his eye. With all the trauma she'd been through, their romance was a slow burn and I loved how patient he was with her. 

    We are introduced to a cast of interesting secondary characters I can't wait to learn more about especially Santiago and Evinka. 

    There was suspense that was drama filled and some humor sprinkled throughout the story, and I can't wait to read about the other characters. This was a great start to the series and I enjoyed. I would recommend it to lovers of Mafia romance. 

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