Riches to Riches: Part One Audiobook – Abbs Valley, Book 1

There’s something deliciously subversive about listening to a mafia romance while folding laundry in the bright calm of a Portland Sunday afternoon. That juxtaposition—mundane chores and high-octane danger—mirrors what I loved most about Ames Mills’ Riches to Riches: Part One. The book’s central promise is bold: a woman at the helm of the Italian Mafia, fighting for power and passion on her own terms. It isn’t just wish fulfillment—it’s an invitation into a world where female agency cuts through centuries of tradition with sharp, unapologetic edges.

I was immediately drawn into Abbs Valley—a fictional California city rendered with enough intrigue that it felt almost familiar, but tinged with an undercurrent of threat lurking beneath every golden streetlight. As someone who values strong characterization above all, I found myself rooting hard for our unnamed heroine from the first moments she steps forward after her father’s death. She is thrust not just into leadership, but into survival—and desire—at every turn.

What made this audiobook stand out for me (and trust me, as an audiobook devotee who’s heard dozens of mafia romances) was how deftly Mills balances plot twists and emotional depth. Each member of her inner circle—Ryder, Dex, Gage, Holden—isn’t just there to fill out a reverse harem trope; their jealousies and loyalties are palpable and heartbreakingly real at times. When Leo enters the scene as both wildcard and temptation, it shakes up the whole dynamic in ways that had me pausing my laundry mid-fold just to breathe.

The themes hit close to home if you’ve ever been underestimated or forced to prove your worth in spaces not designed for you. While I’m far from leading a criminal empire (my classroom management days are wild enough), I related deeply to those moments when our heroine questions whether she can trust anyone—including herself—with such dangerous secrets.

As much as I enjoyed immersing myself in this high-stakes world full of hidden motives and heat so explicit it practically sizzles through my earbuds (Mills doesn’t shy away from steamy scenes), there were some things that left me wanting more clarity. Most notably: since the narrator isn’t credited anywhere official yet, their performance fades mysteriously into the background here compared with other audiobooks where narration shapes everything about your experience. That said, whoever voiced these characters brought just enough gravel to rival any Hollywood mob boss and delivered tender lines without overplaying them—a balancing act well done.

If you’re looking for tidy endings or gentle slow-burns: beware! This book ends on one heck of a cliffhanger—the sort that had me scrambling online searching when part two might drop next because *I need answers*. And yes, there are elements some listeners may find too intense: graphic content abounds both romantically and violently—but if you like your love stories tangled up with peril? You’ll be hooked by Mills’ fearless plotting.

To sum up: Riches to Riches: Part One gave me exactly what I crave from this genre—a fiercely independent woman carving space in hostile territory; men whose vulnerabilities heighten rather than overshadow her own; danger pressed right against desire; stakes so personal they leave you breathless—and above all else? A listening experience that lingers long after your chores are done.