The Fallen #2 | Dark Mafia Romance | 2023
By Gabrielle Sands
About This Book
She’s eighteen. Innocent. Forbidden.
Martina De Rossi is off-limits, and not just because her brother is about to become the Don.
When I agree to protect her while he’s out waging a brutal war, it isn’t only out of loyalty.
It’s because Martina is the perfect pawn in my game of revenge.
Unfortunately, she’s also temptation personified.
Innocent eyes. A body to die for. Silky blond hair that begs to be wrapped around my fist.
I’m a master of staying in control, but with each day she spends with me inside the walls of my remote Italian castle, I can feel my resolve cracking.
My gaze starts to drift.
My touch starts to linger.
And when she tempts, I realize this game we’re playing might be one I won’t win.
When She Tempts is a standalone forbidden mafia romance in The Fallen series with no cheating or other woman drama.
Content Warnings
Violence, choking, spanking, explicit scenes, mentions of rape (not in regards to the heroine, nothing on-page), mentions of suicide.
Reader Reviews
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Quick Facts
| Author | Gabrielle Sands |
| Series | The Fallen #2 |
| Genre | Dark Romance, Mafia Romance |
| Tropes | Mafia romance, Age gap, Forced proximity, Bodyguard romance, Virgin heroine, Obsessed hero |
| Spice | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 out of 5 |
| Format | Ebook, Paperback, KU, Audiobook |
| Published | 2023 |
Series Reading Order
| # | Book | Couple | Key Tropes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | When She Unravels | Valentina & Damiano | Enemies to lovers, forced marriage, revenge |
| 2 | When She Tempts (this book) | Martina & Giorgio | Bodyguard, age gap, slow burn |
| 3 | When She Falls | Gemma & Ras | Forbidden love, enemies to lovers, abused heroine |
| 4 | When She Loves | Cleo & Rafaele | Arranged marriage, virgin heroine, slow burn |
| 5 | When He Desires | Nero & Blake | Fake dating, hidden identity, slow burn (Part 1 of duet) |
| 6 | When He Takes | Nero & Blake | Forced marriage, possessive hero (Part 2 of duet, cliffhanger resolved) |
| 7 | Be With Me | Romolo & Mia | Forbidden romance, he falls first, good girl/bad boy |
Meet the Characters
Martina De Rossi
At eighteen, Martina is the younger sister of Damiano De Rossi, the don of the Casalesi clan. Brave despite her fear, she acts courageously even when terrified — from fighting off an attacker to confronting Giorgio about his emotional withdrawal. Beneath her youth lies a fierce determination and a heart that refuses to accept the boundaries others set for her.
Giorgio Girardi (Napoletano)
A 33-year-old security expert and senior advisor to Damiano, Giorgio is a man of rigid discipline and control. Tasked with protecting the boss’s younger sister, he keeps his emotions locked behind walls of professionalism. But Giorgio’s ironclad restraint is tested at every turn by Martina’s persistence, and beneath his stoic exterior is a man fighting a battle between duty and desire.
Readers Who Loved This Also Loved
- Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas — A forbidden age-gap romance with the same simmering tension of wanting someone you shouldn’t, and the slow realization that the connection is undeniable.
- Credence by Penelope Douglas — A slow-burn story set in an isolated environment where proximity forces vulnerability, perfect for fans of Giorgio and Martina’s confined dynamic.
- Broken Whispers by Neva Altaj — A mafia romance with a protector hero and a heroine who must trust the very world that scares her, echoing the bodyguard tension at the heart of this book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is When She Tempts a standalone?
Yes. When She Tempts is the second book in The Fallen series, but it follows a new couple — Martina and Giorgio — and can be read on its own. That said, Martina is Damiano’s sister from Book 1, so reading When She Unravels first adds context to the family dynamics.
What tropes are in When She Tempts?
The main tropes are bodyguard romance, age gap (15 years), and slow burn. You’ll also find forced proximity, forbidden attraction, and a heroine who refuses to be kept at arm’s length.
What is the spice level of When She Tempts?
When She Tempts is rated 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 out of 5on the spice scale. The slow-burn buildup makes the payoff even more intense. Giorgio’s restraint and Martina’s determination create intimate scenes charged with the weight of everything they’ve been holding back.
What is the age gap in When She Tempts?
Giorgio is 33 and Martina is 18 turning 19 during the story, making the age gap approximately 15 years. The age difference and Giorgio’s role as her protector are central to the tension and forbidden nature of their relationship.
About the Author: Gabrielle Sands is an Amazon Top 25 bestselling dark romance author with 148,000+ Goodreads ratings across 8 published books.
More from Gabrielle Sands
- Complete Reading Order — All 8 books across 3 series
- All Books — Browse the full catalog
- About Gabrielle Sands — The story behind the stories
- FAQ — Spice levels, content warnings, reading order questions, and more
- Special Editions — Sprayed edge editions and exclusive collectibles