Joey by Sadie Kincaid Summary, Characters and Themes
Joey by Sadie Kincaid is a fiery, emotionally charged mafia romance that follows the journey of Joey Moretti—a bold, determined young woman born into a world of crime, power, and family loyalty.
Caught between her desire for independence and the iron grip of her mafia legacy, Joey must navigate love, danger, and loyalty as she falls for Max—her older brothers’ best friend and enforcer for the family. With explosive chemistry, dark secrets, and raw emotional stakes, Joey is a gripping tale of forbidden love and self-discovery set against the backdrop of violence, power plays, and family expectations.
Summary
The novel begins with a chilling prologue—Max, a powerful figure in the Moretti mafia world, is haunted by a traumatic past where a drunken night turned deadly. This dark moment cements his obsession with control and deep loyalty to his chosen family.
Years later, Joey Moretti, the youngest sibling of the notorious Moretti clan, is coming of age in a world shaped by violence, privilege, and constant surveillance. Her brothers, particularly Dante and Lorenzo, keep her under tight watch. But Joey wants more.
She’s trained in self-defense, knows how to hold her own, and dreams of being taken seriously in the family business.
Her attraction to Max—the brooding, loyal enforcer and her older brothers’ closest ally—is undeniable. He’s been part of her life for years, but now the tension is palpable.
Max fights his feelings, knowing the consequences of crossing a line with the Moretti princess.
Meanwhile, Joey tries to live a semi-normal life, spending time with friends and even flirting with old crushes like Toby Fiore. But Max is never far—physically or mentally.
As threats from the Bratva (Russian mafia) intensify, Max and Dante investigate a recording that could expose dangerous truths about a murder tied to Joey’s family. Max’s adopted sister Kristin—pregnant and scared—may be at the center of it, and Max will do anything to protect her.
Simultaneously, Joey begins bonding with her half-sister Toni, an MMA fighter, who becomes her new trainer. Their relationship helps Joey gain confidence and start proving herself to the family.
Max’s internal war worsens as Joey becomes more powerful, independent, and harder to ignore. Flashbacks of his traumatic youth reveal the guilt and trauma that shaped him.
He distances himself but keeps Joey under obsessive watch, growing more unhinged every time she tests limits or reconnects with Toby.
Joey, tired of being caged, pushes for more involvement in the business. She starts participating in meetings and small missions, slowly earning Dante’s respect.
Her relationship with Max grows intense, emotionally and physically charged, but they still dance around it—afraid of what it could destroy.
When the family finally captures Pushkin—a dangerous Bratva operative—through Dmitri’s efforts, the Morettis solidify their alliance and eliminate a looming threat. But secrets surrounding a decades-old murder surface through the mysterious recording. Max realizes it may implicate Sal Moretti, a family elder, adding moral complexity to his loyalty.
Joey and Max eventually give in to their desires, beginning a passionate relationship in secret.
The secrecy becomes unbearable for Joey. She refuses to keep hiding, confronting her brothers and demanding they respect her choices. When Max confesses everything to Dante, expecting punishment, Dante instead surprises him with reluctant acceptance.
Now officially together, Joey and Max face a new phase—publicly united and equally committed to the family empire. Pushkin’s death brings temporary peace, and Kristin safely delivers her baby. Joey takes a more visible role in family operations, proving herself capable and earning the trust and fear of those around her.
In the final chapters, Joey has transformed—from the coddled sister to a powerful woman with agency, love, and a say in the world she was born into. Max, once lost in trauma, now finds peace in loyalty, love, and purpose.
The epilogue wraps things with hope. Joey and Max stand strong together. Kristin is healing. The Moretti family, scarred but unified, faces the future with Joey as both heart and muscle—proof that strength, love, and loyalty don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Characters
Max Moretti
Max is a complex character whose loyalty, darkness, and vulnerability are central to the narrative. His past, marred by a tragic accident where he killed a girl while drunk, shapes his present.
This past haunts him, creating an emotional barrier between him and Joey. He tries to maintain control in a world that constantly pulls at his emotions, particularly with Joey, whom he develops deep feelings for.
Max’s internal struggle is a recurring theme—his loyalty to Joey’s family, especially her brothers, conflicts with his intense attraction to her. His protective nature and his role in the mafia further complicate his emotions.
As the story progresses, Max’s protective instincts deepen, and his control issues surface, particularly around Joey’s growing independence. He is a man defined by his need to control, both due to past trauma and his position in the criminal world, yet his heart yearns for something he fears might ruin him.
His relationship with Joey is a battle between desire and loyalty, and this tension drives much of the narrative.
Joey Moretti
Joey starts as a young woman feeling confined by her family’s mafia influence, yet over time, she evolves into a strong, independent character. Though she enjoys the privileges of a wealthy, protected life, she finds herself suffocated by her family’s overbearing control.
She is deeply aware of the gender roles within her family, which limits her agency. Early on, she expresses a desire to break free from the constraints of being just another protected daughter.
Her training in self-defense and growing involvement in the family business showcase her determination to step out of her brothers’ shadows. Joey’s relationship with Max is central to her personal growth—her crush on him initially feels like an unspoken attraction, but as she matures, she begins to assert her feelings more openly.
Her emotional conflict between loyalty to her family and her desire for independence defines her character’s journey. Joey is not just a mafia daughter; she becomes a woman who claims her place in the family’s empire, breaking free from her initial role as just the protected child.
Kristin
Kristin, Max’s younger sister, serves as a poignant character who contrasts with Joey’s journey. Pregnant and living under Max’s protection, Kristin is caught between her need for family and her own sense of autonomy.
Her relationship with Max is strained at times due to the weight of their shared past and his overbearing protectiveness. While Kristin is more passive compared to Joey, her presence in the story serves as a reflection of the vulnerability that Max feels responsible for.
Kristin’s pregnancy is a significant event that further pulls Max into emotional turmoil, as he feels a deep need to shield her from the dangers surrounding them. Her character, while less central to the main romantic arc, plays a critical role in exploring Max’s emotional landscape and the weight of family responsibilities.
Toby Fiore
Toby is introduced as Joey’s high school friend, and his role as a potential love interest adds tension to the story. While he shares a bond with Joey, their relationship is overshadowed by Joey’s growing feelings for Max.
Toby represents the possibility of a normal, uncomplicated romance for Joey, but he stands little chance against the emotional and physical pull she feels for Max. His character functions as a contrast to the dangerous world that Joey and Max inhabit, offering a glimpse into what a different life could look like for Joey.
Ultimately, it is Max with whom she finds a deep, consuming connection. Toby’s presence also acts as a catalyst for Max’s jealousy and emotional outbursts, further complicating the dynamics between the characters.
Dante Moretti
Dante, Joey’s older brother, is a key figure in her life, often acting as the voice of authority and control within the family. Initially, Dante appears to be just another overprotective sibling, but as the story progresses, his character reveals more layers.
Dante’s recognition of Joey’s potential and her desire to be more than just a bystander in the family business shows his respect for her abilities, albeit reluctantly. Dante’s role in the mafia world is central to his character, and his relationship with Joey is shaped by a mix of love, protectiveness, and the burdens of their shared criminal legacy.
He is wary of Joey’s growing involvement in the business but ultimately supports her when he sees her strength and determination.
Lorenzo Moretti
Lorenzo is another member of the Moretti family whose influence is felt throughout the story. Though not as emotionally involved as Max or Joey, Lorenzo’s presence represents the cold, strategic side of the family business.
He is often involved in discussions about the mafia’s operations and the business dealings that dominate the narrative. Lorenzo’s character contrasts with Max’s more emotionally driven actions, representing a more calculated and detached approach to the family’s affairs.
However, his understanding of family loyalty and the complexities of power play a crucial role in how he interacts with Joey’s ambitions and her desire for more autonomy.
Themes
The Dark Legacy of Family Loyalty and Power Struggles
One of the most significant themes in Joey revolves around the oppressive weight of family loyalty, particularly within the criminal underworld. Joey, born into a powerful mafia family, constantly grapples with her own desires for independence and self-determination versus the unspoken expectations to adhere to the familial code of silence, obedience, and subjugation.
Her inner conflict highlights the notion that family loyalty isn’t just an emotional bond; it is an all-encompassing force that defines your actions, your relationships, and even your morality. This theme is deeply intertwined with power struggles both within Joey’s immediate family and the mafia’s broader criminal environment, where personal freedom is often sacrificed in favor of maintaining status, control, and protection.
Throughout the novel, Joey’s quest for autonomy clashes with her realization that in this world, loyalty is everything and questioning it can lead to ruin or betrayal. This power dynamic extends to Max, whose personal loyalty to her family puts him in a constant state of internal tension as he struggles with his feelings for Joey. His emotional turmoil reflects the destructive nature of power struggles, as one’s deepest desires are continually at odds with the larger world of criminal obligation.
The Psychological Toll of Trauma and Guilt
Another profound theme is the psychological toll of past trauma, particularly as it pertains to the characters of Max and Joey. Max’s traumatic event, where he inadvertently caused the death of a woman in a drunken, violent encounter, casts a long shadow over his ability to form healthy relationships and trust himself.
This guilt and shame manifest in his obsessive need to control his environment, especially when it comes to Joey. Max’s psychological scars are not merely personal, but also affect his role within the mafia, as his unresolved trauma complicates his interactions with other characters, including his loyalty to family and his developing feelings for Joey.
On the other hand, Joey’s exposure to the mafia’s brutal realities and the expectations placed on her due to her family’s influence similarly leaves emotional scars. She is caught between wanting to assert her own identity while being constantly tethered to her family’s destructive legacy.
The theme of trauma is explored as the novel delves into how both Max and Joey are deeply affected by the weight of their pasts, showing the long-lasting effects trauma can have on their emotional stability, decisions, and ultimately, their futures.
The Struggle Between Desire and Duty
This theme is prevalent throughout the book as Joey and Max face their undeniable attraction to each other, set against the backdrop of their family obligations and the complex criminal world they inhabit. Max, in particular, is constantly torn between his duty to the Moretti family and his growing affection for Joey, a relationship that is forbidden by both familial code and his own guilt.
This inner conflict reflects the classic struggle between personal desire and larger responsibilities, where the characters must navigate the consequences of pursuing what they want versus what they are expected to do. Joey, likewise, struggles with balancing her desires for independence, freedom, and love, all while being constantly reminded that she belongs to a family where loyalty and duty are paramount.
Their love story represents the clash of personal fulfillment with societal or familial expectations. It becomes clear that any romantic or personal indulgence may come at a heavy price, either through betrayal, guilt, or the unraveling of established power structures.
Ultimately, both characters must decide whether they can live with the cost of their choices, leading to a narrative steeped in sacrifice, desire, and the pursuit of emotional satisfaction.
The Emergence of Female Empowerment in a Patriarchal World
Joey’s journey in Joey serves as a poignant exploration of female empowerment within a patriarchal, mafia-dominated society. Initially treated as a naïve and sheltered young woman, Joey slowly transforms into a powerful and respected figure, breaking free from the constraints placed on her by her family and society.
Her progression from a protected “princess” to a formidable force within the family business is a narrative of self-realization and empowerment, highlighting the obstacles women must overcome to claim power in male-dominated spheres. As she trains with her half-sister Toni, excels in her martial skills, and asserts her role in the family business, Joey gradually asserts her independence, showing that she can thrive even in a world designed to suppress her.
This theme is also mirrored in the relationships she forms with the male characters, particularly Max, where she challenges the traditional dynamics of power and submission. Ultimately, Joey proves that she is not just a passive participant in the drama but an active, integral player in the unfolding events.
This empowerment is not without its struggles, but Joey’s eventual rise signifies the potential for women to reclaim agency in even the most oppressive environments.
Redemption Through Love and Forgiveness
Lastly, the theme of redemption is central to the characters of Max and Joey. Throughout the story, both struggle with the idea of redemption—Max, in particular, feels he is unworthy of love due to his past mistakes and dark deeds.
His guilt over the death he caused and his controlling nature make him feel like a man unfit for love or happiness. However, as his relationship with Joey evolves, it becomes clear that love, particularly love for Joey, offers a path to redemption.
For Joey, the process of forgiving herself for her own internal conflicts and embracing her love for Max also symbolizes a form of self-redemption. She must confront the contradictions within herself, accepting that she can be both a powerful, independent woman and a loving partner.
Through their eventual union, both characters experience healing, finding solace and growth in their love for each other. The novel concludes with the idea that redemption does not always come through external acts of penance but can be found in accepting love, forgiving past wrongs, and choosing to move forward with those who understand and support you.