How to Read the With Me in Seattle Mafia Series
For readers who want to experience the complete narrative arc of the Martinelli crime syndicate, there is a clear, linear path to follow. While the core trilogy focuses on the three Martinelli brothers, their story actually begins with a crucial crossover book in Kristen Proby's main contemporary romance series. Reading the prequel book first ensures you understand the family connections and the catalyst that sparks the events of the spin-off.
The Recommended Reading Order
- You Belong With Me (With Me in Seattle, Book 14) – Prequel & Series Bridge (2020)
- Underboss (With Me in Seattle Mafia, Book 1) (2021)
- Headhunter (With Me in Seattle Mafia, Book 2) (2021)
- Off the Record (With Me in Seattle Mafia, Book 3) (2021)
The Essential Bridge: You Belong With Me
While the spin-off series officially carries the "Mafia" subtitle, the groundwork is laid in You Belong With Me, the fourteenth novel in Kristen Proby's original, bestselling With Me in Seattle saga. This book serves as a vital bridge between the relatively lighthearted, family-oriented romance of the main series and the grittier criminal underworld of the Martinellis.
You Belong With Me features Elena Watkins, the daughter of a powerful West Coast mob boss, who spent twelve long years in hiding under an assumed name to protect her childhood sweetheart and husband, Archer. Following her father's death, Elena believes she is finally safe to emerge, only for Archer to track her down and drag her back into a world of passion and lingering danger. More importantly for spin-off readers, Elena's cousins are the Martinelli brothers—Carmine, Shane, and Rocco. The events of Elena's story directly set the stage for her cousins' spin-off series, making this book the absolute best starting point for a complete narrative experience.
The Martinelli Mafia Trilogy: Book-by-Book Breakdown
Following the setup in Elena's story, the spin-off trilogy dives headfirst into the dangerous lives of the Martinelli brothers. Each book focuses on a different brother as they navigate high-stakes crime, family loyalty, and intense romance.
1. Underboss (Book 1)
The trilogy officially kicks off with Underboss, focusing on Carmine Martinelli, the eldest brother and the designated heir to the Seattle Martinelli crime family. Carmine is determined to protect his family and secure their position, which leads him to cross paths with Nadia Tarenkov, a Bratva princess. What begins as a high-stakes clash between rival syndicates quickly evolves into a scorching-hot enemies-to-lovers romance. Packed with forbidden passion and dangerous secrets, their story sets a dark and thrilling tone for the rest of the series.
2. Headhunter (Book 2)
The second installment, Headhunter, shifts the focus to the middle brother, Shane Martinelli. Shane is an ex-special forces operator who has distanced himself from the family's day-to-day criminal dealings, utilizing his lethal skills in the private security sector instead. When a mutual acquaintance goes missing, Shane is hired to track down and protect Ivie Jordan. As the threat against Ivie intensifies, Shane must use every survival tactic he knows to keep her safe, resulting in a fast-paced, high-stakes romantic suspense novel centered on forced proximity and protective alpha-hero dynamics.
3. Off the Record (Book 3)
The trilogy concludes with Off the Record, featuring the youngest brother, Rocco (Rafe) Martinelli, the syndicate's primary enforcer. Rocco is a man who operates in the shadows, but he is forced to confront his past when he reunites with his college sweetheart, Dr. Annika Tarenkov. Annika, a dedicated physician, is also the sister of Nadia (Carmine's wife from Book 1), binding the family ties even tighter. As blackmail, old secrets, and rival mafia feuds threaten to tear them apart, this second-chance romance provides a deeply emotional conclusion to the Martinelli family saga.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Fortunately for readers, there is no confusion regarding timelines: the publication order and chronological order for the With Me in Seattle Mafia series are identical. Kristen Proby published the entire trilogy in 2021, meaning you can read the books in the exact order they were released without worrying about confusing flashbacks or overlapping timelines. Furthermore, the author released a comprehensive box set titled The Martinelli Family: The Mafia Collection, which compiles the prequel You Belong With Me alongside all three mafia novels, confirming that this is the definitive order intended for fans.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the Martinelli family's dangerous exploits, readers should keep a few details in mind to align their expectations:
- A Shift in Tone: If you are transitioning to this series from the core With Me in Seattle novels, expect a distinct shift in tone. While Proby's signature emotional depth and high steamy factor remain intact, the Mafia books feature a darker atmosphere, including violence, criminal activities, kidnapping, and life-or-death suspense.
- Bratva & Italian Mafia Alliances: The central conflict throughout the trilogy involves the intersection of the Italian-American Martinelli syndicate and the Russian Bratva (primarily represented by the Tarenkov sisters, Nadia and Annika). The cross-family alliance serves as the overarching plot thread holding the trilogy together.
- Can They Be Read as Standalones? Yes. Each book focuses on a single couple and resolves their romance with a satisfying happily-ever-after. However, because the overarching plot regarding the rival syndicates and family safety progresses from book to book, you will get the most enjoyment by reading them sequentially.