Escape to Italy with my Undercover Lover
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DramaBox
Nica Marino, codenamed “Poison Rose”, is a mafia heiress and elite assassin. Disguised as a sweet university student, she’s sent to eliminate Alessandro Genovese-the heir of a rival crime family. But Alessandro isn’t who he claims to be either. Both are undercover, both hiding secrets-and yet, they fall in love in the shadows of New York. As betrayal and family vendettas unravel, they face an impossible choice: kill each other, or escape everything together
text by DramaBoxCast
My Review
final score
4.6
originality
chemistry
dramas
romance
development
VertiBingo
No Drugged Drink No Toxic Family or Friend No Bullying No Slaps No Red Flag Lead Male
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Reveal the reviewA Vertical Tale with Romeo & Juliet Vibes
This one gave me major Romeo & Juliet energy—but with all the dramatic flair of a classic Vertical! 💔🔥
Nica and Alessandro fell for each other while both hiding huge secrets. Neither of them knew that the person they were falling for was actually part of the enemy camp. And once the truth came out, it hit hard. Family drama, criminal business ties, and sneaky villains working in the background made their love story even more complicated.
What made it stand out? Trust. Even when they doubted, even when they hesitated, the chemistry between Nica and Alessandro stayed strong. It was a slow burn romance, and the emotional payoff was worth the wait.
As someone who’s not usually into Mafia-themed Verticals, I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. A big part of that? Alessandro. For once, we get a Mafia male lead who isn’t a walking red flag! No controlling behavior or abusive mind games—just a man trying to figure things out while torn between loyalty and love. Honestly, a refreshing take on a well-worn trope.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a diehard Mafia genre fan or just in the mood for a forbidden romance with high stakes and emotional twists, this Vertical delivers. Great pacing, solid tension, and a couple you can root for.