Your summer read with mafia vibes, a fierce nanny, and a protective single dad. What happens when the bullets fly?

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My Review

👀 One More Chapter… Famous Last Words

Y’all, Behind Closed Doors absolutely had me in a chokehold. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours.

This was such a fun read and exactly the kind of mafia-adjacent, secret society romance I love sinking my teeth into. Single dad? ✔️ Forced proximity? ✔️ Protective alpha? ✔️ Found family? ✔️ Tension that had me kicking my feet? Absolutely.

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🔫 The Plot That Hooked Me

Mia is spending the summer teaching second grade students from wealthy families at an exclusive academy when everything goes sideways. While waiting with sweet little Franny for her father to pick her up, armed men attack the school and bullets start flying.

While hiding in a safe room, Mia watches Franny’s mysterious father, Jameson Knight, rescue his daughter and kill a man in cold blood.

And just like that, her ordinary life is over.

For her own protection, Jameson essentially kidnaps—errr… strongly persuades 😏—Mia to come live with him and Franny as a private teacher and nanny for the rest of the summer. The more time they’re forced together, the more Mia realizes Jameson isn’t just the doctor she thought he was, and the deeper she gets pulled into his dangerous world.

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❤️ Mia and Jameson Had Me Hooked

I absolutely loved Mia.

She’s fierce, stubborn, and refuses to back down, even when she’s standing toe-to-toe with a powerful man who clearly isn’t used to hearing the word “no.” I loved that she challenged Jameson constantly and fiercely protected Franny—even when it meant calling Jameson out on his own nonsense.

And Jameson?

Sir.

“Darling Mia.”

“Darling Devil.”

EXCUSE ME?! 🫠

“Dress appropriately around my men from now on, Mia.” “Or what? I’ll pay the consequences?” The corner of his mouth kicked up before he warned, “They will, darling Mia. Not you.”

The banter and tension between these two were so good. They drove each other crazy in the best possible way, and the yearning was top tier. I wanted to shake Mia a few times because girl… THAT MAN HAS IT BAD FOR YOU 😂

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🌿 The Plant Dad Moment That Destroyed Me

Can we talk about the fact that Jameson literally watered her plants every morning?

Not only watered them, but stood there following Mia’s incredibly complicated instructions and whispering to Ms. Prim and Mr. Bos like they were old friends.

THIS MAN.

I swear that scene had me melting more than some of the spicy scenes. 😭

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👧 Franny Stole My Heart

Franny was such a sweetheart and honestly one of my favorite parts of the entire book.

Watching Mia, Jameson, and Franny slowly become their own little family was so wholesome amidst all the danger and secrets. Their dynamic felt natural, and I completely bought into the found family aspect.

And don’t even get me started on the side characters.

I NEED THEIR BOOKS.

Immediately.

Maren and Archer? Yes, please.

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🔥 The Spice Was Spicing

The slow burn was delicious.

The tension simmered beautifully before finally exploding, and when these two finally gave in? Whew. The spice delivered. Open-door scenes done right with plenty of yearning and chemistry leading up to them.

And the twists, turns, and banter?

Chef’s kiss.

Even the third-act breakup worked for me. I actually thought it was genius and added some emotional weight.

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🐌 My One Complaint

The only reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me is the pacing.

I found myself putting it down more than I expected, especially in the middle. It definitely picked up later, and I was invested the entire time, but some sections moved a little slower than I wanted.

I also thought Mia forgave Jameson a little too easily, and selfishly, I wanted a longer epilogue with more details. I need answers, people!

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💭 Final Thoughts

Behind Closed Doors was one of those books that completely sucked me in and kept me up way too late. The chemistry between Mia and Jameson was addictive, Franny stole my heart, and I loved the dangerous secret society vibes woven throughout the story.

Was it perfect? No. But did I have an absolute blast reading it?

Absolutely.

And honestly, that’s what matters.

If you love protective single dads, fierce heroines, found family, forced proximity, and enough tension to make you scream “JUST KISS ALREADY!” at your Kindle, then this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.

**In The Dark (Kept in Paradise Series #2) – expected publish date 9/29/26

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 Stars from this “Good Girl”

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