Ambitious Desires

by Aaliyah Rose

They crave her, but they don’t trust her.

She wants them, but she can’t stay.

Who will break first?


Catalina

Turning twenty-five was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it feels like my world is crumbling around me.

Nico hurt me in ways I never expected. Luca’s love is turning cold as the truth about my family’s past comes to light. And Haiden wants all of me, his controlling nature and possessiveness threatening to suffocate me… I can’t give him what he demands.

And if things weren’t dangerous enough, the Phoenix Mafia now has its sights on me for reasons that remain a mystery.

I’m fighting battles on all sides... against my heart, against my enemies, and against the people I thought would always stand beside me.

If I can’t keep my head and my heart aligned, I could lose everything.

Do I hold tight to the love that’s slipping through my fingers, or rise alone to seize the empire I was born to lead?

I wanted it all.

I wanted all of them!

But perhaps I was too ambitious...

♥

Ambitious Desires is Book five in the Legitimate Reign series, a dark mafia reverse harem (fmmm) love story of forbidden passions, heartbreaking choices, and the ruthless pursuit of power. If you love strong heroines, dangerous men, and slow-burn suspense with explosive chemistry, this is your next obsession.

Get ready for some heat, danger, and shocking plot twists in Aaliyah Rose’s romantic suspense novella!

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2025

About the author

🔥 Steamy Romantic Suspense Author 🔥

Dark mafia RH, and small-town romantic suspense love stories, with passion, danger, and unexpected twists. If you love high-stakes romance with strong heroines and hot valiant protectors, you’re in the right place! 💋


Book lover and daydreamer Aaliyah Rose found her love of writing at a young age but didn’t start publishing until recently. She writes passionate, suspenseful romances that pull the heart strings and always ends with a happily ever after.


As a newer author to the scene, your support is her inspiration. Aaliyah is excited to have you read her books, with her aim to provide heart-warming romances that will make you smile and of course, create those sexy and charismatic book boyfriends to satisfy her fans.


Aaliyah Rose currently lives in sunny Australia and when she isn’t dreaming of romance, she enjoys getting out and about in nature with family and friends. If she’s lucky and her two toddlers are not jumping all over her, she enjoys staying in and watching movies over a steaming mug of coffee and some sweet and salty popcorn (although Nutella on bananas and strawberries is fast becoming a new favourite).


Email: Aaliyah@AaliyahRoseRomance.com
Follow or Like on fb @AaliyahRoseRomance

Reviews

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Catalina’s trials and tribulations continue, her world feels like it’s crumbling beneath her feet. Every secret she unearths only blurs the line between friend and foe, making it painfully clear that danger isn’t always lurking in the shadows, it’s often standing right beside her, or at least in her home. Nowhere is that more devastatingly true than in the discovery of her father’s letter to her mother with revelations that crack open the haunting mystery of deaths that shaped not only Catalina’s life but the Triad’s as well. What truly floored me, however, was Luca’s reaction. After all, he’d long suspected Catalina’s family’s involvement in the tragedy that stole his wife and child, but to then to turn that grief into a denunciation and rejection of Catalina herself was as heartbreaking as it was frustrating. She had no hand in the past, yet she bears the brunt of its consequences. And Luca isn’t alone in tearing at the fragile bonds forming between Catalina and the Triad. The rooftop scene with Nico had my stomach churning. I swear I could feel the dizzying drop just from the description. But then again, Catalina has always known Nico danced dangerously close to the edge, both literally and emotionally. Meanwhile, Haiden’s relentless obsession grows, twisting tighter around her as he pushes her to make an impossible choice. And if that weren’t enough chaos, Uncle Darius finally steps into the light, proving himself every bit the snake we feared he might be. Through all of this upheaval, Catalina remains fierce, resilient, and heartbreakingly human. But the question lingers, how much more can she endure before she loses the very men who have come to mean everything to her? True to form, this installment closes with a cliffhanger sharp enough to draw blood. The promise that every burning question will be answered in the final book leaves us dangling on tenterhooks, more desperate than ever to see how Catalina’s story will finally come crashing to its conclusion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series; it had me from the very start. All the characters are believable and have depth. It's action-packed and steamy from the get-go.

We have Catalina, who has been thrown into the deep end since her father's passing and has become the head of the family. Her Uncle Darius is none too pleased that she is in a position that should be his. He doesn't think she has what it takes to lead. Her father was hoping to have all the businesses legal before his downfall, but that didn't happen. Darius has tried and failed to oust Catalina. But Catalina is not stupid; she is gathering information, trying to connect the dots, to find out how it all links, and the information she comes across along the way, she knows that it will affect her relationship with her men.

Haiden is still as obsessed with Catalina, but he wants her all to himself. Will he succeed in prying her away from his brothers?

Luca has eventually opened himself up to love again, but will he soon regret doing so?

Has Nico gone one step too far with Catalina? Will she ever forgive him?

This book leaves us on another cliffhanger. Will the next one give us answers to all the outstanding questions?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[K.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambitious Desires by Aaliyah Rose was another installment in this series that gave answers, left me with the cliffhanger I have come to expect. I desperately want this wrapped up in a happily ever after, but I know I need to wait. Catalina, Haiden, Luca and Nico are all back, and man…the emotions. Luca about ripped my heart out, but I am hopeful for the next book to fix my broken heart. There is more revelation throughout this book, and I know the next one will not disappoint. I can’t wait for this series to be wrapped up, so that I can read it from start to finish without the anguish of having to wait for answers. I love this story and can not wait to get the final book. I think this is really a 5-star one for me, but I push against repeated cliffhangers...too impatient.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ambitious Desires is book 5 in the Legitimate Reign series. We're back with
Catalina, Haiden, Luca and Nico and in grand fashion! Ambitious Desires picks up where Forbidden Desires left off with that chilling ending. These characters take us on another very intense, very dramatic and emotionally charged story. It's full of action, danger, intrigue and suspense and I was kept on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Then there's that ending! This author has done it again! She's left us with a cliffhanger to anticipate what will happen to these characters we're all so invested in.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This incredible series just gets better and better with each new book. The plot continues to deliver the best intrigue and suspense and action. The characters are so very addictive and they have complex emotions and feelings. World building just jumps off the pages and pulls you in. I can't stress enough to read books in series order. Recommend, recommend, recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol Demmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story. This was a short read that has Catalina playing the mafia on all sides. She demands to take over the Rivera mafia as she is her fathers heir and challenges Darius, her uncle, for control. New information will make Luca, Nico and Haiden question Cat's agenda. This book is full of drama mixed with hot chemistry that ends with Catalina wanting to escape what is happening with her and the Triad. I look forward to the last book of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I wanted it all. I wanted all of them! But perhaps I was too ambitious…”

Ambitious Desires is a fiery, emotional rollercoaster that dives deep into the heart of Catalina’s struggle for love, power, and identity. It is book five in the Legitimate Reign series and it doesn’t hold back. It delivers explosive chemistry, gut-wrenching betrayals, and the kind of slow-burn suspense that keeps you flipping pages frantically!

Catalina’s journey is raw and compelling. Her relationships with Nico, Luca, and Haiden are tangled in passion and pain. Each of her guys is pulling her in a different direction as she grapples with the truth about her family and the looming threat of the Phoenix Mafia. The stakes are high, the emotions are intense, and the twists are genuinely shocking.

Aaliyah Rose’s writing is seductive and sharp, blending dark romance with mafia intrigue in a way that feels fresh and addictive. If you love reverse harem stories with strong heroines, possessive men, and a plot that never lets up, Ambitious Desires will absolutely satisfy your cravings.

Thankful for the early copy as I continue on this journey with Catalina and her men. The cliffhanger hanger on this one was a real doozy!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy these books but really wish you got more than a couple of days in each book they need to be longer and not just a scene or two.

Sounds like the boys have stepped too far off the ledge this time. Not sure why they think that she won’t get angry and hurt at the way they act and play around her. They claim they want the truth but when they get it then they turn on her like she is the one who caused all their problems seems like they’ve got some growing up they need to do.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amy Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambitious Desires, book 5, ramps up the suspense, drama and heat. Ending on a cliffhanger without book 6 available yet made me want to cry!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic continuation!
Sadly, we get another cliffhanger, that leaves us craving more!
This book had no shortage of action and suspense. We also got new drama and lots of feelings throughout.
I need more of Catalina and her men!

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ambitious desires is book 5 in this series and just like the previous 4 it didn't dissapoint it was steamy and full of drama

This was such a great series and i really enjoyed each book more and more

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! Awesome story full of interesting twists. detailed plot. Storyline was intense, moved at a good pace, and was so freaking good. Multi layered characters whose journey was exciting to follow along with. Just the right amount of drama and suspense. Definitely recommend.

[Krissy (BOOKISHBOO) Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is probably one of the best I have read. You stay intrigued, focused, and you can’t stop. It’s full of action, drama, and suspense. You have a world building into each book. It’s mafia based which gets you all in your feelings. Absolutely loved!

[Frances Packingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This book has me all torn up! I'm sad, I'm mad, I'm angry. Everything going on with the boys has me all over the place emotionally. Her uncle is purring her through so much. She's learning things about the people she thought she knew and it's heartbreaking. I need book 6!

[Sherry Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book.

The story had a good flow and was well written.

The couple had intense chemistry between them.

[Genoveva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please check all CW and TW before reading this one. OMG this is the fifth book of this truly amazing series. Catalina's world seems to be collapsing around her and her relationship with her guys just gets even more complicated. I love the dynamics of their relationship.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.