Smith’s debut sweeps readers into a vivid world of mafia crime, boundless wealth, and family loyalty. Brothers Vincenzo and Alberto Donetti live in a world of “discreet opulence” and are at constant odds to please their father Carlito, the head of an international mafia syndicate. As the eldest son, Vincenzo is expected to marry Sophia, a woman of true Sicilian blood—and the daughter of a senior Sicilian politician—to carry on the family legacy, though his heart lies with the beautiful, independent Susan. But Susan is not Sicilian—and Vincenzo knows their time together has run out. When he ends the relationship, Susan—secretly pregnant with Vincenzo’s child—sets out to escape his grasp, thrusting the two onto a collision course of grief and pain.

Susan quickly discovers that hiding from a mafioso is impossible, and Smith sets her desire for a fresh start against Vincenzo’s cutthroat world. As she relocates from London to England’s Lakes District—and meets realtor Arthur Grieves, who becomes not just a new love but also a protector for her and her young infant, Marcella—Vincenzo becomes increasingly trapped in a life that is lavish but deadly. He eventually learns of his daughter but chooses to surveil her from afar, moving forward with his loveless marriage to honor his father’s wishes. Meanwhile, Alberto creates a betrayal beyond redemption, resulting in all-out war.

Fans of mafia fiction will relish the book’s ruthless characters, luxurious settings, and themes of loyalty versus betrayal—though Smith’s portrayal of Vincenzo’s sumptuous surroundings can feel overdone at times, with excessive space dedicated to designer clothing, expensive liquor labels, and a bevy of high-end cars, yachts, and helicopters. Double-crossing and high stakes propel the novel to an explosive end, but Smith adds welcome touches of humanity along the way, showing that even in a world of evil, love can ultimately triumph.