Heartless Vows

The Santoro Mafia #3

by Ivy Davis

He wants to control me… I’d like to see him try.
Known as the wild one in my family,
I’ve always craved freedom.
But when my brother marries me off to Enzo Barone,
All my options in life are snatched away.
Now, I’m expected to be a little housewife,
With a husband who wants to keep me in line.
But what Enzo doesn’t know,
Is that I am impossible to tame.
And yet, my desire for him grows every day.
I hate myself for it.
Torn between wanting my husband and hating him,
I’m so confused on how to feel.
This game between Enzo and I won’t last forever.
One of us is going to bend and break.
Another thing my husband doesn’t know:
I don’t plan on breaking anytime soon.

Heartless Vows is the third book in the Santoro Mafia Series but can be read as a standalone and has a gaurenteed happy ending.

Genres: Romance, Love

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Babette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dang

Serafina is a wild child, and Enzo is all alpha. They make the perfect pair right from the start no matter how much she fought it. It's tough to be vulnerable, but when you find the right one it isn't so scary

[Moni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is the first book of the author's that I've read but it won't be the last. The other books in the series are on my kindle waiting to be read.It's book 3 of The Santoro Mafia Series but you won't feel lost if you don't read the previous books. The synopsis is straightforward. It's a good dual pov romance about power & control.

Although Serafina could be reckless at times, I liked that she had a fire in her. She wasn't going to obediently accept things without questioning them or letting her displeasure be known. &, given the situation & marriage that she is forced into, I can't say I blame her for wanting to escape it. Also, she was aware of what kind of person she was & didn't pretend otherwise.

As for Enzo, he is someone who loves having control. Since he is a Don, it comes with the territory but he also enjoys having it in his personal affairs. So, naturally, he sees Serafina as the woman for him. Though he gave her more freedom than she expected, I didn't care for him too much because his needs & Serafina's wants didn't exactly match up but he kept trying to convince her otherwise. Even at the end, there's a sentence or two about how Serafina has somewhat finally started to like his spankings but she literally spent the entire book not enjoying it & that's what stands out more. I'm sure others won't mind his character though.

I liked seeing Serafina fight against her feelings & making things a bit difficult for Enzo. It actually made Enzo like her even more. Aside from Serafina's conflicting feelings, there wasn't other conflict. So, it's an easy & quick read that readers, especially fans of the series, can enjoy.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spoiled mafia princess meets her match! Serafina Santoro is a beautiful, snobby, and bitchy mafia princess with an attitude problem. She is the polar opposite of her perfect twin sister as Serafina has always craved freedom. Enzo Barone is a handsome and wealthy mafia member with a specific appetite for obedience and punishments. He’s powerful, dangerous, and demanding. He is offered Serafina’s hand in marriage and tasked with shaping her to be the perfect obedient mafia wife. Challenge accepted.

This was my least favorite story by this author. Serafina is insufferable (and always has been in the previous books). Enzo was her perfect match, but the entire book was basically him getting off on spanking her until she was black and blue. Basically every conversation was him threatening to punish her or actually punishing her. I really needed more substance that wasn’t centered on Enzo taming her. I wanted them to connect deeper. My brow definitely furrowed a few times and I had to skim these scenes after a while. I thought it was definitely teetering on "k!nk punishment vs actual abuse" at times. Serafina was always a bitch and Enzo was always an asshole. I just didn’t like either of them.

Overall, this author is still in my top ten favorites so I will continue to read, review, and support her books.

Tropes:
Contemporary Romance
Mafia Romance
Arranged Marriage
Enemies to Lovers
Age Gap
Opposites Attract
Virgin Heroine

TW:
Violence
Explicit Content
Punishments

Heat: 3/5.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of The Santoro Mafia now each book can be read as a standalone but connect via charters some way each with a cold hearted sexy and the girl he is arranged to marry. Serafina is sassy, feisty, intelligent, extremely independent some may say out of control, untamable or so most think but it is time to do her duties to the family and be married off to a mafia man who wants to clip her wings but she never though she would be married off to ruthless man with a reputation proceeding him. Enzo sexy as all get out of the Rome mafia but he isn’t looking for a women to control he wants one that will challenge him keeping him on his toes or so he tells himself but the moment he is met with just that all he wants to do is break her, control her, thus clipping her wings. Both are immature in their own way and need each other to grow up yes he is a great leader ruling with an iron fist, ruthless when needed, but when it comes to Serafina he isn’t sure how to approach her living life on the edge running at every turn but he believes in punishment and she believes in doing her own thing her way will they ever come together on one page, will she ever trust him enough to see that he is a good leader, could be a good husband, will he allow her freedom she wants so badly with him watching, and can they find happiness some where along the way?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherri Leisure · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and have been patiently waiting for Serafino's story. Ivy Davis made it worth the wait. Somehow, she managed to surprise me with this one. I have come to expect certain patterns Ivy uses when writing her stories. I was three chapters from the end when I realized she changed it up and gave me something different. It is a blessing when an author does this because it is refreshing and breathes new life into their writing. It made me more excited to continue reading her books. I will say that her delivery for Heartless Vows was perfect. After reading the book I couldn't imagine Serafino and Enzo's story being written any other way.

Enzo is bored of submissive women who do not challenge him. He wants a woman who won't cower and is a little spitfire. This is where Serafino's big brother Dario comes in offering her as Enzo's future bride - the perfect match.

Serafino wants her freedom so she can experience life to its fullest. She has spent years trapped within the walls of her family home and has no desire to change one cage for another. Serafina doesn't want to be controlled and dominated by anyone.....especially her new husband.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Jabour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Davis’ wonderful story about an arranged marriage between the head of the Rome Mafia and the sister of the Naples Mafia Don is an absolute delight to read! I could not put it down once I started and for good reason, it was an intensely hot, interesting story of Serafina Santoro, the difficult twin sister of the head of the Santoro Crime Family who gets married off against her will to Enzo Barone, the Don of the entire Rome Mafioso, a fearsome, calculating and very physical man who speaks with his hands and fists and everyone fears him. Enzo loves the idea of marrying a woman who has caused her brother nothing but trouble because he knows he will always win by sheer will and physical force as necessary. So Enzo is more than happy to accept her brother’s offer of an alliance between their two families which makes the beautiful Serafina his wife who will never become a boring doormat. Serafina will always continue challenging Enzo which will allow him to keep correcting her behavior, one of his favorite things to do. As usual, Ms. Davis has another exciting novel with all the feels and heat a romance reader could want. This novel is one to have on your bookshelf!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd story in the The Santoro Mafia Series and in this one we get to see how Serafina deals with her arraigned marriage to Enzo a mafia boss and new business partner of her brothers, Dario. We know from the previous stories that Serafina is independent and strong willed so when told about her upcoming marriage she takes off, running away with little to no experience in the real world wanting nothing but her freedom. When Dario has an agreement from Enzo to work together and to marry Serafina he knows she’ll be a good match for him as he wants a wife by his side with strength. When Enzo finds Serafina he takes her and she is surprised to find this man attractive and when she finds out she’s to marry him things seem to be up and down for them. With Serafina learning control and how good Enzo can make their lives together she starts to see more to her life. Enzo being the head of his family is a strong man with strict rules so when Serafina learns the hard way with being spanked it slowly evolves into more for them. In the end the need for control and freedom find a way to be one! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Renee Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebellious Mafia Princess

Serafina is the last sister in her family to marry. For many years, she's always been the spoiled brat, getting her own way, dreaming up plans on escaping as her brother is too strict. Her brother has found her a perfect match & has plans for Enzo, a successful Mafia leader living in Rome, to be her husband. Choosing to run away instead of marrying him, the fun starts when Enzo agrees to locate her & bring her back home. The chase is on! She's rebellious & Enzo absolutely loves this spitfire beauty, bringing in more excitement to this new relationship, before & during their marriage. Will Serafina give in to her real feelings for Enzo or will she continue to be the rebellious young lady that nobody can tame? Is Enzo up to the challenge in having a wife who will make him proud? Has he met his match?

This is my favorite book of this series. A page turning, entertaining story worth reading. I recommend this novel & Books 1 & 2 as Serafina has cameo appearances in the other 2 novels. She is a treasure!

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has amazing characters, fun banter between our lovers and the entire read has an edge to that is both sexy and kinky! I’ve been waiting patiently for Serafina’s book and I’m ecstatic to report it was amazing! Serafina is Dario’s sister who still needs a husband but she is also witty, sassy, funny, and also bratty when she sees fit so he’s been struggling to find a match for her. However, Serafina will not go quietly and she is ready to give whosever Dario chooses a run for their money.

Enzo is the head of mafia in Rome and enjoys current elements of the lifestyle but he loves the control that spanking gives him, so when Dario approaches about his sister the bratty demeanor he speaks us makes Enzo want her even more. Enzo is taking back by Serafina the moment he saw her but she is protecting her heart and he has to break down her walls.

This is an intense and very kinky book with the punishments and sweetness between Serafina & Enzo. This was much more romance than mafia but it was perfect!! Happy Reading!!

[Chronic Chihuahua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still Smacking Her About At The End Of The Book, Pretending Long Term Pain, Against Her Will, Isn't Traumatic.

Control Is The Reason People Abuse.

Make No Mistake.

Its Not Sexual.

Its All Control.

Patriarchial Parable.

Tamed Like A Chihuahua, Telling Him At The End How The Spankings Makes Her Feel And He Still Intends To Do It.

BDSM is consensual.

Again, she didn't know that he cared about her because he was hitting her against her will.

Its not the damage that abuses the victim, its the sense of safety, the lack of control.

So romantic.

Having a hero that doesn't grow and a heroine that isn't heard.

Inagine Mr Darcy still huffing in the corner and refusing to learn from his choices.

RIGHT:

Virginity IS NOT REAL.

The hymen is not a barrier.

Men are unlikely to find a woman with an issue with TIGHTNESS you are FAR MORE LIKELY to find one with an issues with LETTING GO.

Its call Vaginismus.

Its also probably a contributing factor to your periods being so painful too.

Being obsessed with tightness.

[ReadonReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

From day one when we met Serafina we knew she was the independent, out of control, wild one that anyone would have a hard time trying to tame. When it comes her time to due her duties for her family and enter in an arranged marriage she does what she does best and runs. Serafina wants her freedom, she doesn’t want to married to someone who wants to keep her caged, but she wasn’t expecting Enzo. Enzo is the head of the Rome mafia, he has his own quirks and wants a woman who won’t just submit to him, he wants someone who will constantly challenge him. Serafina was a character that I didn’t start out loving, in fact she was immature and annoying, yet in this story we see her grow some and it was actually Enzo that I found myself getting mad at. Enzo was a character that I liked him and yet at times I was so angry at him for his double standards. In the end one craves control and the other craves freedom but can they find it in each other?

[K. Smock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!! This is the last of the Santoro books in this series and it does not disappoint. Serafina has always wanted to be the wild child. Live life and not be bogged down though her only way to be free is to marry. Otherwise, she is stuck in her brother's house. When her brother decides it is time for her to marry, who he picks is not who she expects. Enzo believes in tradition and discipline in all that he does. He is also a bit kinky. When offered Serafina's hand in marriage, it is a bit of a shock though he knows it will do well for expanding his territory and create a good alliance. Serafina is a good challenge for him. Will they be able to work it out or will it all come tumbling down? Serafina keeps running and may be running right into a bad situation. Good read that keeps you interested to the end.

I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book from Booksprout.

[Merry One Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story for Enzo and Seraphina

The read was good. The storyline bothered me. This was an arranged marriage by Dario, Seraphina’s brother, and Enzo. Both men are mafia leads in their regions. Dario wants to gain power and marry off his spitfire sister Seraphina. Enzo agreed to the deal. This young woman is very naïve and luckily the focus of the book was not on being a mafia story at all, but just their relationship. The storyline was mostly of Seraphina running away from Dario and then Enzo multiple times. Enzo believes in domestic discipline FYI. Enzo was alpha and demanding but he was flexible and understanding with Seraphina. It was a struggle to understand the main female character because Seraphina did the same thing over and over expecting different results, just insanity. Read On!

[Alejandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartless Vows is the third installment in the Santoro series. It is the story of Serafina, the most temperamental of the sisters, and Enzo, the big boss of the Mafia in Rome. A marriage arranged for the benefit of the business and which will leave Serafina with no freedom of movement. The novel is a tug of war between the couple. The power struggle, the incredible sexual attraction, and the protagonist's constant need for spanking.
I love Serafina, her desire to fight for a different destiny, her insecurities only hinted at (I miss that this part of the character will not be developed).
Other parts I don't understand ( the H's need for spanking the maid?!?).
Arrange Marriage
Page Turner
HEA.

[Coastie Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serafina is entitled, snarky, feisty, rude, and scared. I had a very hard time liking the girl because she thought too much of herself and that she was better than others when they didn’t stick up to her standards. Enzo is the head of the Rome Mafia. He is looking for someone to make him feel again. He is tired of submissive women. He might just have met his match with Serafina!

This story was a little different from the others. There really was not “mafia” business taking place other than Dario planning for his sister to marry Enzo. You get a little drama, lots of spankings, talk of punishments, immaturity, and revelations during this story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TarNisha Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smh….Serafina, she really grated on my nerves. I understand that she didn’t want to be tied down and wanted to enjoy a free life but she didn’t even just try to see what that with Enzo would be like before assuming that he would be a bad man/husband. And then, when she started having feelings for him….she ran away again. A lesser man would have said the hell with her and moved on but Enzo really cared for her and wanted her to truly happy with him as his wife; and then she finally get her shit together when he gets hurt….lol! I enjoyed their story, and I also enjoyed that this book didn’t have a villain trying to hurt Enzo by hurting Serafina like majority of Mafia series do….all in all, I enjoyed the book! 💜💜💜💜💜

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Santoro Mafia series, but as all the others is reads like a stand alone just fine. This is Serafina and Enzo’s story. She’s sassy, intelligent and extremely independent, but her family decides she’s to be married off to a mafia man. He’s ruthless, sexy and looking for a woman that will challenge him. And so it begins. They are both immature, selfish and can’t communicate. But without all of that what would be the story? This is a well written arranged marriage mafia story, worth your time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series, and this is Enzo and Serafina’s journey. Serafina is feisty, rude, and snarky, and she is the complete opposite to her twin, and her brother marries her off to Enzo, who is the head of the Rome mafia, and he is dangerous, powerful, and controlling, knowing he will keep her wild ways in check. Enzo has certainly met his match with Serafina. This is a well written story whish has family, friendships, drama, intrigue, revelations, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartless Vows is book 3 in the fantastic Santoro Mafia series. This one is Serafina and Enzo's story and is a delicious arranged marriage read that I absolutely couldn't put down. Unlike her twin Adelina, Serafina is a bit of a spitfire. Where one played by the rules the other (Serafina) liked to live a little more on the edge. Enzo Barone is the Head of the Mafia in Rome. He rules with an iron fist and he wants a woman who will challenge him. And he definitely has his hands full with Serafina.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot tempered, cold hearted Serafina Santoro just wants to escape her protected mafia princess existence, have fun, and live life on her own terms. Her brother Dario decides to marry her off to Rome's mafia boss Enzo Barone. Serafina can't run quickly enough or far enough to escape. Can Enzo convince her to stop running and give marriage to him a chance?

This story contains graphic violence, BDSM, but also patience, understanding and love. And plenty of steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gwen Smith-leak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dario has decided that it time for his sister Serafine To marry. So he goes to Rome to visit Enzo to marry his sister , he tells him she a little spitfire..Enzo is the head of the mafia in Rome. Serafine tries to run away several times time during this story before being married, and during the ceremony. Enzo believes in punishment and he told her but she kept getting in trouble. . Serafine is a person who you can’t settle that easy , she has to come to her senses my her self. This makes a great addition to Santoro series.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serafina is the wild sister, head strong and not willing to back down. When her brother arranges her marriage to Enzo, boss of the Mafia in Rome, she runs for freedom. Enzo is strict and knows how to doll out punishments, he plans to keep her in line, but she wont be tamed so easily,  but could Serafina ever let her walls down? Well written, engaging, spankings galore, steamy, arranged marriage romance, a great addition to the series

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the fantastic Santoro Mafia series by Ivy Davis.. This is a story of an arranged marriage between Serafina and Enzo. Once I started the book I couldn't put it down. Enzo is the head of the Rome Mafia and Serafina is the sister of the Naples Mafia. Serafina doesn’t like being locked up for her safety so she keeps trying to run away. Will marring Enzo keep her from running?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The feisty Serafina is finally told that Dario, her brother has secured her a husband for her arranged marriage. Enzo Barone, a man with a penchant for spanking seems the perfect man to tame Serafina's wild ways. Unlike the other stories that isn't an underlying dangerous Mafia threat for the characters to contend with, but it seems that Serafina is enough to cause some danger and chaos. I am sad to see the conclusion to this series!

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the Santoro series. Serafina lashes out but behind the attitude I feel there is pain she is hiding. I loved book one and two but book three Serafina and Enzo was not as exciting. This is a bit romantic but there is no mafia action nor any real danger in this story. It is just Serafina's brash attitude and Enzo's smirky attitude. This was ok.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Keema Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serafina truly is full of surprises, which is why her actions are baffling. She has long to be married and free, but only when it’s on her terms. I’m glad Enzo is up for the adventure when Dario approach him with a proposition. I love that the twins have each others ideal husband’s. I also love that Serafina finally express her fears to Enzo. Most of all I appreciate both Serafina and Enzo for finding their middle ground of what works for them.

[Sam Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read

I wasn't sure that I liked Serafina at first but she did grow on me. Enzo is what you would expect from the genre although there was less mafia badness than I was expecting. All in all a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. Serafina is forced into an arranged marriage by her brother and runs. Enzo wants Serafina for his own and he tracks her down. What will happen when sparks fly between them and Serafina realized marriage to Enzo may be better than she imagined. Entertaining read with loads of drama and intense chemistry. I loved it.

[Nicole Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Serafina open her heart to Enzo?

Ivy Davis always delivers a brilliant reading experience & Heartless Vows definitely delivers. A 5 star enemies to lovers mafia romance that is dark & erotic. It's a battle of the wills between Enzo & Serafina. Who will give in first?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Known as the wild one in my family, she’s always craved freedom. But when her brother marries her off to Enzo Barone. All her options in life are snatched away. Her desire for him grows every day.
And she hates herself for it. Torn between wanting Enzo and hating him. She's confused on how to feel. It was an addictive read for me. And am voluntarily leaving my review.