What do you think?
Rate this book
Syndicate Rules #1
Urgent Vows
An exciting and steamy Cosa Nostra mafia romance from USA Today bestselling author Lucy Monroe.
CATALINAI’m done with life under my father’s brutal thumb. I’m running from the mafia right after my sister marries the don. It doesn’t matter that one touch from him sparks all sorts of things it shouldn’t. That’s only one more reason to leave. But when my sister leaves the ruthless and proud don standing at the altar, I’m forced to marry him to save her life.
SEVERUFor the stability of la famiglia, I need to marry. I don’t want a wife that will disrupt my life. That’s why I chose her sister, but I crave this woman. Once my intended bride runs, nothing will stop me from having Catalina. She’ll marry me to protect her sister, but who is going to protect her from me?
This is a standalone spicy mafia romance with a guaranteed HEA. No cliffhangers. No explicit intimacy, graphic violence, foul language and domestic violence (past reference and on the page - not between the main characters)For readers who love morally grey heroes and devour mafia romance by authors like Cora Reilly, Michelle Heard and J.T. Geissinger.
CATALINAI’m done with life under my father’s brutal thumb. I’m running from the mafia right after my sister marries the don. It doesn’t matter that one touch from him sparks all sorts of things it shouldn’t. That’s only one more reason to leave. But when my sister leaves the ruthless and proud don standing at the altar, I’m forced to marry him to save her life.
SEVERUFor the stability of la famiglia, I need to marry. I don’t want a wife that will disrupt my life. That’s why I chose her sister, but I crave this woman. Once my intended bride runs, nothing will stop me from having Catalina. She’ll marry me to protect her sister, but who is going to protect her from me?
This is a standalone spicy mafia romance with a guaranteed HEA. No cliffhangers. No explicit intimacy, graphic violence, foul language and domestic violence (past reference and on the page - not between the main characters)For readers who love morally grey heroes and devour mafia romance by authors like Cora Reilly, Michelle Heard and J.T. Geissinger.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2023
737 people are currently reading
2419 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Monroe
605 books1,567 followersI write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
December 4, 2023
3.5 Stars
If you have followed me for any decent amount of time, you know that I LOVE mafia romance. And I also really like Lucy Monroe. I also love me some arranged marriage shtick. So I was excited to start this series. I know this was technically not the first book, but it called to me more at the time than the first book, which is billed as a prequel.
That said, I liked this a lot. I will say that the only reason I'm not rating this higher is because I think my expectations for the chemistry between the main couple were probably too high and while I liked them, I just wasn't feeling them all the way.
Regardless, I definitely enjoyed this and can see it being one of those books that I re-read and rate higher later. Much like the Cora Reilly mafia series, which I thought were okay the first read them, but now LOVE and re-read constantly. In fact, since reading this I have already gone back and read the aforementioned prequel and I really, really liked it.
I will definitely be continuing the rest of the series.
If you have followed me for any decent amount of time, you know that I LOVE mafia romance. And I also really like Lucy Monroe. I also love me some arranged marriage shtick. So I was excited to start this series. I know this was technically not the first book, but it called to me more at the time than the first book, which is billed as a prequel.
That said, I liked this a lot. I will say that the only reason I'm not rating this higher is because I think my expectations for the chemistry between the main couple were probably too high and while I liked them, I just wasn't feeling them all the way.
Regardless, I definitely enjoyed this and can see it being one of those books that I re-read and rate higher later. Much like the Cora Reilly mafia series, which I thought were okay the first read them, but now LOVE and re-read constantly. In fact, since reading this I have already gone back and read the aforementioned prequel and I really, really liked it.
I will definitely be continuing the rest of the series.
May 21, 2024
Part 1
2 🙄🤔⭐️s
The plot was somewhere in the background, the smut highly focused.
2 🙄🤔⭐️s
The plot was somewhere in the background, the smut highly focused.
August 3, 2024
Changing my review from 4.5🌟 to 5🌟 because after reading the prequel I feel so much more connected to the characters.
I’ve been waiting so long to read this book and what a fantastic journey it was.
Catalina definitely stole the show. She was such a resilient soul with dangerous intelligence, which nobody who meets her will suspect.
It took me time to connect with Severu AND like him. But towards the end I was convinced of his utter devotion to Catalina.
There were some angsty moments in the book in which one particular scene broke my heart.
Overall an amazing mafia romance book.
—bride swap.
—age gap.
—arranged marriage.
—uber possessive & protective hero, touch her and die vibe.
—hot🔥🔥🔥🔥
I’ve been waiting so long to read this book and what a fantastic journey it was.
Catalina definitely stole the show. She was such a resilient soul with dangerous intelligence, which nobody who meets her will suspect.
It took me time to connect with Severu AND like him. But towards the end I was convinced of his utter devotion to Catalina.
There were some angsty moments in the book in which one particular scene broke my heart.
Overall an amazing mafia romance book.
—bride swap.
—age gap.
—arranged marriage.
—uber possessive & protective hero, touch her and die vibe.
—hot🔥🔥🔥🔥
March 13, 2024
I actually started this story a while back, and DNF'd it. I just read the new prequel and even though I didn't like the formula of that story, I thought I'd give this story a go again having more of a backstory to it.
I'm so bummed about this story for real though. I usually adore Lucy Monroe, but I'm seriously not loving this mafia series. And BTW, this story is nowhere near the storytelling of Cora Reilly and the others who are written about in the blurb. LM should stick with her awesome HR stories. That is where she really shines.
November 23, 2023
I was curious how this author would handle a different genre, and I was pleasantly surprised. I can’t say I LOVED it, but it doesn’t feel soapy/HP at all, IMHO.
The book starts with a sister swap wedding when Catalina is forced to step in for her younger sister (Carlotta) to mob boss Severu. I’ve read a few books somewhat recently with the sister swap fiancée theme, (The Wrong Bride & The Wrong Wife) the difference here is that Severu was always attracted to Catalina and never had feelings for the sister. (I think this is the dynamic in The Sweetest Oblivion)
I found both mc’s likable. Catalina is smart and resilient and has an unsinkable soul thing going on. Severu is a total besotted jellybean when it comes to her. They had chemistry, and the two have a lot of sex.
My biggest complaint is that (for me) there wasn’t enough plot to fill up 300+ pages. The couple have no real obstacles. The sister was portrayed as self-centered and spoiled but was hardly around. I kept hoping she'd pop back up wanting to claim him and try to cause trouble, but that never happens... and when they finally find the little witch, she gets rewarded rather than punished… There is a small mystery regarding the family business, but that felt like background noise.
Bottom Line- It was good but not great. I needed something more... mobster action or more drama... even if he was occasionally a prick, but he was such a softy with her. Everything felt safe and vanilla.
The book starts with a sister swap wedding when Catalina is forced to step in for her younger sister (Carlotta) to mob boss Severu. I’ve read a few books somewhat recently with the sister swap fiancée theme, (The Wrong Bride & The Wrong Wife) the difference here is that Severu was always attracted to Catalina and never had feelings for the sister. (I think this is the dynamic in The Sweetest Oblivion)
I found both mc’s likable. Catalina is smart and resilient and has an unsinkable soul thing going on. Severu is a total besotted jellybean when it comes to her. They had chemistry, and the two have a lot of sex.
My biggest complaint is that (for me) there wasn’t enough plot to fill up 300+ pages. The couple have no real obstacles. The sister was portrayed as self-centered and spoiled but was hardly around. I kept hoping she'd pop back up wanting to claim him and try to cause trouble, but that never happens... and when they finally find the little witch, she gets rewarded rather than punished… There is a small mystery regarding the family business, but that felt like background noise.
Bottom Line- It was good but not great. I needed something more... mobster action or more drama... even if he was occasionally a prick, but he was such a softy with her. Everything felt safe and vanilla.
December 12, 2023
3.5 ⭐
MCs:
- Severu, 35
- Catalina, 25
Book info:
- Arranged marriage
- No cheating, opd, third act breakup
- Mafia romance
- Age gap
- Abuse (Domestic, Physical, and Emotional)
- Violence (Torture, Gore death)
- Death of a loved one (off and on page)
- "Who did this to you?" / "Touch her and you die"
- OTT jealous, possessive, and obsessed MMC
- Virgin FMC, no info on MMC (not giving a manhoe vibes)
- Steaaaaaaamy! So much smut 🫣
- HEA
I think it's preferable to read the prequel before this book. It'll give the readers an idea of how Severu and Catalina were introduced. Anyhow, should the readers decide to skip the prequel, I don't think they'll get confused jumping into this right away.
So as an overview, Catalina's younger sister was supposed to marry Severu, but she ran away on the day of the wedding. Their angry father wanted to be clever, probably thinking he could fool Severu, so he made Cat walk down the aisle instead. People in attendance were confused by the sudden switch, but this bride swap all works in favor of Severu. You see, the first time they met three months ago (in the prequel) had him obsessing and thinking about Cat. He knew it was fucked, knowing he was supposed to marry the younger sister, but he was lusting after the older one. Anyway, he used this chance to finally possess Cat because, according to him, she's his and no one else's.
This is your usual mafia romance where there's a rat in their circle that needs to be found and punished. And how the MCs will navigate their marriage. How the MMC can't give the FMC the love she wanted but would protect her against anyone and anything who'll try to hurt her, and how they're going to fall in love eventually along the way. Another common recipe is the toxic and abusive family that needs to be dealt with.
The plot isn't something I haven't read before, but I still enjoyed it. I liked the writing style (first time reading from this author) and the characters, especially the FMC. I love her feistiness, sassiness, caring, protective, and headstrong personality. I'm really glad she's not a doormat. Although there are times her hormones get the best of her, I can ignore that because, for a huge part of this book, she holds her ground and goes toe to toe with Severu.
As for Severu, I love that he's OTT in everything and that he's caring, protective, and loving when it comes to Cat. It always makes me smile to read an MMC who swore that he wouldn't fall in love but got it so bad for the FMC. Not going to fall in love, huh?? 😏 Anyway, readers, we should get a mafia don who will:
Overall, I enjoyed it. Though I think the smut is too much for the first half of the book, Also, when they found out about the rat, I honestly felt the last 15% felt dragging since then. But I pushed through, and it was still somehow satisfying reading about the small and great things that happened to the characters. This is a good read, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
MCs:
- Severu, 35
- Catalina, 25
Book info:
- Arranged marriage
- No cheating, opd, third act breakup
- Mafia romance
- Age gap
- Abuse (Domestic, Physical, and Emotional)
- Violence (Torture, Gore death)
- Death of a loved one (off and on page)
- "Who did this to you?" / "Touch her and you die"
- OTT jealous, possessive, and obsessed MMC
- Virgin FMC, no info on MMC (not giving a manhoe vibes)
- Steaaaaaaamy! So much smut 🫣
- HEA
I think it's preferable to read the prequel before this book. It'll give the readers an idea of how Severu and Catalina were introduced. Anyhow, should the readers decide to skip the prequel, I don't think they'll get confused jumping into this right away.
So as an overview, Catalina's younger sister was supposed to marry Severu, but she ran away on the day of the wedding. Their angry father wanted to be clever, probably thinking he could fool Severu, so he made Cat walk down the aisle instead. People in attendance were confused by the sudden switch, but this bride swap all works in favor of Severu. You see, the first time they met three months ago (in the prequel) had him obsessing and thinking about Cat. He knew it was fucked, knowing he was supposed to marry the younger sister, but he was lusting after the older one. Anyway, he used this chance to finally possess Cat because, according to him, she's his and no one else's.
This is your usual mafia romance where there's a rat in their circle that needs to be found and punished. And how the MCs will navigate their marriage. How the MMC can't give the FMC the love she wanted but would protect her against anyone and anything who'll try to hurt her, and how they're going to fall in love eventually along the way. Another common recipe is the toxic and abusive family that needs to be dealt with.
The plot isn't something I haven't read before, but I still enjoyed it. I liked the writing style (first time reading from this author) and the characters, especially the FMC. I love her feistiness, sassiness, caring, protective, and headstrong personality. I'm really glad she's not a doormat. Although there are times her hormones get the best of her, I can ignore that because, for a huge part of this book, she holds her ground and goes toe to toe with Severu.
As for Severu, I love that he's OTT in everything and that he's caring, protective, and loving when it comes to Cat. It always makes me smile to read an MMC who swore that he wouldn't fall in love but got it so bad for the FMC. Not going to fall in love, huh?? 😏 Anyway, readers, we should get a mafia don who will:
- kill and punish people who hurt you
- run you a bath and bathe with you
- wash, blow-dry, and put anti-frizz conditioner on your hair
- put healing cream on your injuries
- throw away expensive heels because they make your hips hurt
- stay with you in the hospital cuz he's jealous that other people will see you
- build you an office with secret rooms
- give you an access code to his safe after you had a panic attack after finding out someone you trusted stole your money
- put you in birth control cuz he wants you to have a hip replacement, and getting pregnant will prevent that.
- and soooo many more sweet gestures ☺️
Overall, I enjoyed it. Though I think the smut is too much for the first half of the book, Also, when they found out about the rat, I honestly felt the last 15% felt dragging since then. But I pushed through, and it was still somehow satisfying reading about the small and great things that happened to the characters. This is a good read, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
August 10, 2023
Classic mafia romance with too sassy h!
August 8, 2023
Pleasantly Suprised
I was pleasantly surprised by Lucy Monroe's venture into the world of mafia romances.
In order to fully enjoy this romance I suggest reading the prequel first as it gives the premise for this book.
Enjoyable read and looking forward to more of her books in this genre.
Tropes...Mafia,age gap,forced marriage,virgin heroine.
Trigger for paternal physical abuse.
I was pleasantly surprised by Lucy Monroe's venture into the world of mafia romances.
In order to fully enjoy this romance I suggest reading the prequel first as it gives the premise for this book.
Enjoyable read and looking forward to more of her books in this genre.
Tropes...Mafia,age gap,forced marriage,virgin heroine.
Trigger for paternal physical abuse.
July 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
RTC
RTC
May 11, 2024
3.5 stars
I don't know how to rate this book.
You may ask why so I'll tell you why:
First off, the very unpopular opinion: there was too much sex.
I know this is a mafia marriage of convenience trope, so smexing is necessary.
And don't get me wrong: I'M A HUUUUUGE FAN.
But.
I like to wait for the goodness to happen. I wanna feel the tension, the longing and the sparks flying like the fireworks on the 4th of July.
And Monroe had every opportunity to make them wait, with the heroine's injuries and all, she could have made them postpone the bedroom gymnastics till later, you know, out of necessity. Then throw some misunderstanding/ argument in the meantime so they could wait some more, only to deliver some long-awaited scene when they finally do the deed.
This would've been sooooo much better in my opinion.
And because they didn't, that was a big bummer.
Another thing was that I absolutely hated the heroine's sister, she was the Triple S - selfish, shallow and stupid. And so fucking annoying. I am surprised the heroine forgave her so easily.
Also, not really a fan of Aria, the hero's mother, she was too nice, too supposrtive, too perfect. Also, very annoying in her perfection. She wasn't a bad character, she just gave the vibes of a rather two-faced heartless bitch under the sweet facade.
So yeah, I didn't like these two.
Apart from these, I must admit, I did enjoy the book.
I liked the characters, they had good chemistry, and the heroine wasn't a doormat, surprisingly.
So all in all, it was a good read.
I didn't love it, but I did like it, so I think I'll round it up to 4 stars.
Because I love me a hero who worships the heroine.
And Severu did deliver here.
I am not sure if I wanna read the next book tbh, because I was hoping for Miceli's story, and Forced Vows will be out in July.
Dunno why book 2 Demanding Mob Boss is about people I don't know. I was kinda hoping to get the family's stories in later books, so that's kinda weird.
Maybe I'll give it a go but I will deffo read Miceli's book once it's out.
I don't know how to rate this book.
You may ask why so I'll tell you why:
First off, the very unpopular opinion: there was too much sex.
I know this is a mafia marriage of convenience trope, so smexing is necessary.
And don't get me wrong: I'M A HUUUUUGE FAN.
But.
I like to wait for the goodness to happen. I wanna feel the tension, the longing and the sparks flying like the fireworks on the 4th of July.
And Monroe had every opportunity to make them wait, with the heroine's injuries and all, she could have made them postpone the bedroom gymnastics till later, you know, out of necessity. Then throw some misunderstanding/ argument in the meantime so they could wait some more, only to deliver some long-awaited scene when they finally do the deed.
This would've been sooooo much better in my opinion.
And because they didn't, that was a big bummer.
Another thing was that I absolutely hated the heroine's sister, she was the Triple S - selfish, shallow and stupid. And so fucking annoying. I am surprised the heroine forgave her so easily.
Also, not really a fan of Aria, the hero's mother, she was too nice, too supposrtive, too perfect. Also, very annoying in her perfection. She wasn't a bad character, she just gave the vibes of a rather two-faced heartless bitch under the sweet facade.
So yeah, I didn't like these two.
Apart from these, I must admit, I did enjoy the book.
I liked the characters, they had good chemistry, and the heroine wasn't a doormat, surprisingly.
So all in all, it was a good read.
I didn't love it, but I did like it, so I think I'll round it up to 4 stars.
Because I love me a hero who worships the heroine.
And Severu did deliver here.
I am not sure if I wanna read the next book tbh, because I was hoping for Miceli's story, and Forced Vows will be out in July.
Dunno why book 2 Demanding Mob Boss is about people I don't know. I was kinda hoping to get the family's stories in later books, so that's kinda weird.
Maybe I'll give it a go but I will deffo read Miceli's book once it's out.
September 26, 2023
I liked the prequel but this, nope, I don’t enjoy super controlling idiot heroes, very long s*x scenes and a very long and detailed violent torture/murder.
January 3, 2025
DNF'd - I read the prequel to this and was interested in seeing where this one would go but quickly lost interest
February 20, 2025
DNF. This was embarrassing...she refers to her vagina as a vajayjay...there's no build up. The sexy time is awkward. It's not romantic. Blah.
December 27, 2023
I loved this one but it was a little too perfect, if you know what I mean, but still 5 stars of hard to put down enjoyment.
It's a mafia story, so there is descriptive violence but you are never stressed or worried about the H or h.
We start the story exactly where the first story ended. I highly recommend starting with Convenient Mafia Wife: Mafia Romance Series Prequel but it's not necessary.
Severu is the NY don and it's time he married (he's 34). He wants a wife who will do her job but not affect him doing his job. So no emotional ties. Yet when he meets his prospective bride (Carlotta, 19yrs), he finds himself more drawn to her older sister Catalina (25yrs). Still he plans to marry Carlotta anyways, until she runs off just before the ceremony.
It's a well paced story that kept me hooked all the way through. Catalina who becomes his bride on that fateful day is not a wimp and proceeds to wow them with her many talents. And yet she's a Cinderella bride who had a sad home life with her abusive father and apathetic sister and aunt.
Once she marries Severu, he sets out to write all those wrongs. Although neither of them trusts easily they do communicate.
There were still bumps on their way to an HEA and it was fun reading about them building a relationship and her also building a relationship with his mother and sister.
safety is fine.
It's a mafia story, so there is descriptive violence but you are never stressed or worried about the H or h.
We start the story exactly where the first story ended. I highly recommend starting with Convenient Mafia Wife: Mafia Romance Series Prequel but it's not necessary.
Severu is the NY don and it's time he married (he's 34). He wants a wife who will do her job but not affect him doing his job. So no emotional ties. Yet when he meets his prospective bride (Carlotta, 19yrs), he finds himself more drawn to her older sister Catalina (25yrs). Still he plans to marry Carlotta anyways, until she runs off just before the ceremony.
It's a well paced story that kept me hooked all the way through. Catalina who becomes his bride on that fateful day is not a wimp and proceeds to wow them with her many talents. And yet she's a Cinderella bride who had a sad home life with her abusive father and apathetic sister and aunt.
Once she marries Severu, he sets out to write all those wrongs. Although neither of them trusts easily they do communicate.
There were still bumps on their way to an HEA and it was fun reading about them building a relationship and her also building a relationship with his mother and sister.
safety is fine.
Read
November 4, 2024Just couldn’t get into it. Writing was off.
Heroine was strange - she went from this meek shy abused heroine to this rude, annoying wife of the Don. How was she so abused for so long by her father, yet she doesn’t say a word? But then tells her father off at her reception? She went from fearing the Don to mouthing him off. It was strange and I just couldn’t get over it.
Heroine was strange - she went from this meek shy abused heroine to this rude, annoying wife of the Don. How was she so abused for so long by her father, yet she doesn’t say a word? But then tells her father off at her reception? She went from fearing the Don to mouthing him off. It was strange and I just couldn’t get over it.
July 9, 2024
Okay but like why did I love this so much ???? LOVED IT!!
July 10, 2023
Start of the Syndicate Rules it is an age gap of course forced so hang on and double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love (ALL THINGS TO EXPECT FROM THE MAFIA WORLD). By the time you’ve figured out who is who and what is what, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter! CAN’T SAY YOU WEREN’T WARNED!!!!!. Severu sexy as all get out Don of NY has to marry has always wanted one woman but agrees to marry her younger sister no emotions, just a wife, a heir, however, when she runs away the women he has craved is forced to take her place and he couldn’t be happier until he learns the truth behind why the younger sister was offered before the older sister. Catalina is so strong, yest still sweet despite all that she has been through, her father is a piece of work who physically abusing her, beating her, breaking her bones, mentally, emotionally abuse and yet she still smiles, still sees happiness in things around her never allowing her father to break her spirit and she is extremely intelligent everything he didn’t want but needed. The attraction was so intense, the pull between them was so something that couldn’t be ignored especially after learning the abuse she has endured for most of her life and the deal she made with him for her sister safety as well as her own will be honored but will be take things further by teaching her father the lesson he needs to learn, will she finally get the love she deserves, will they find her sister, why did her sister run, will her father have a fit or find someone else to marry her off to once she is found, are they exactly what each other needed, did fate get it right as usual, and can she finally have peace, maybe a little happiness?
September 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book!! Mafia books are probably one of my fav so when I saw the no cheating in the description I had to give this author a try. The prequel gave us a little insight on what’s going on with Severu and Catalina.
Severu is engaged to Catalina’s younger sister through an arranged marriage orchestrated by Catalina’s awful father. Her sister, Carlotta, may be considered the most beautiful mafia princess of her time but Severu immediately wants Catalina the minute he meets her though he doesn’t admit it to anyone. Even his family can see she is a better match than the selfish younger sister. (I call her selfish because her later actions) Carlotta runs away the morning of her wedding leaving Catalina to marry Severu and though neither show it to one another but both of them are very happy about this development because she wants him as much as he wants her.
Catalina was good FMC. I liked that she stood up for self to Severu on certain occasions. She was strong yet sweet. I do wish that strength transferred over to how she dealt with certain members of her family because I feel like a couple of them got the benefit of the doubt when they definitely shouldn’t have. (Carlotta being one, I couldn’t stand her)
Severu was a great MMC. He doesn’t always say the right things but his POV shows how deeply possessive he is of his new wife even though he doesn’t express all of his feelings to her. You can tell her already loves her even though he swears it won’t happen. He takes great lengths to make sure Catalina is safe and comfortable. He definitely had touch her and die vibes. Calling her “mine”, carrying her everywhere and making sure she had no pain. Carlotta may have been considered the most beautiful mafia princess but to Severu his wife was the most perfect woman.
There was a lot more mafia info in here than I’m used to reading but other than trying to read through that it was a quick and easy read. The missing star was probably for the amount and length of the sex scenes. Just a little too much. I like more story. Also Catalina was led by her body just a little bit. Had me rolling my eyes at some parts.
We don’t meet anyone who’s in the next book so I’m excited to meet some new characters.
NO CHEATING
NO OW/OM DRAMA
VIRGIN FMC
NON MANWHORE MMC (I’m assuming here because we don’t hear anything about his sexual past which we love!!!)
TRIGGER WARNING FOR THE TORTURE BECAUSE ITS PRETTY GRAPHIC
Severu is engaged to Catalina’s younger sister through an arranged marriage orchestrated by Catalina’s awful father. Her sister, Carlotta, may be considered the most beautiful mafia princess of her time but Severu immediately wants Catalina the minute he meets her though he doesn’t admit it to anyone. Even his family can see she is a better match than the selfish younger sister. (I call her selfish because her later actions) Carlotta runs away the morning of her wedding leaving Catalina to marry Severu and though neither show it to one another but both of them are very happy about this development because she wants him as much as he wants her.
Catalina was good FMC. I liked that she stood up for self to Severu on certain occasions. She was strong yet sweet. I do wish that strength transferred over to how she dealt with certain members of her family because I feel like a couple of them got the benefit of the doubt when they definitely shouldn’t have. (Carlotta being one, I couldn’t stand her)
Severu was a great MMC. He doesn’t always say the right things but his POV shows how deeply possessive he is of his new wife even though he doesn’t express all of his feelings to her. You can tell her already loves her even though he swears it won’t happen. He takes great lengths to make sure Catalina is safe and comfortable. He definitely had touch her and die vibes. Calling her “mine”, carrying her everywhere and making sure she had no pain. Carlotta may have been considered the most beautiful mafia princess but to Severu his wife was the most perfect woman.
There was a lot more mafia info in here than I’m used to reading but other than trying to read through that it was a quick and easy read. The missing star was probably for the amount and length of the sex scenes. Just a little too much. I like more story. Also Catalina was led by her body just a little bit. Had me rolling my eyes at some parts.
We don’t meet anyone who’s in the next book so I’m excited to meet some new characters.
NO CHEATING
NO OW/OM DRAMA
VIRGIN FMC
NON MANWHORE MMC (I’m assuming here because we don’t hear anything about his sexual past which we love!!!)
TRIGGER WARNING FOR THE TORTURE BECAUSE ITS PRETTY GRAPHIC
November 20, 2024
I tried so hard to continue this book. Picked it up and put it back so many times. Now I give up.
The writing style and dialogue is cringeworthy. It’s downright atrocious. I hate saying this because I’ve like other works by LM, but this was an epic fail for me.
Also, there was no chemistry between the mmc, nor was anything realistic. On top of that, I got MAJORRRR ick and creepy vibes in this book…from both the MMC AND FMC!
Normalized abuse as well, ‘if you can’t change it you must endure it.’
Hell she had sprained and bruised ribs, was slapped in her face, a hairline fracture in her finger, and bruised swollen hand and shoulder, and the FMC still danced multiple dances at her wedding. Mind you these are all new injuries she received 15 min before and after her wedding.
The writing style and dialogue is cringeworthy. It’s downright atrocious. I hate saying this because I’ve like other works by LM, but this was an epic fail for me.
Also, there was no chemistry between the mmc, nor was anything realistic. On top of that, I got MAJORRRR ick and creepy vibes in this book…from both the MMC AND FMC!
Normalized abuse as well, ‘if you can’t change it you must endure it.’
Hell she had sprained and bruised ribs, was slapped in her face, a hairline fracture in her finger, and bruised swollen hand and shoulder, and the FMC still danced multiple dances at her wedding. Mind you these are all new injuries she received 15 min before and after her wedding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2023
(ARC) but all opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
"𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐲. 𝐈'𝐦 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥. 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐚. 𝐘𝐨𝐮.
This is Lucy’s first mafia book & it was amazing! Catalina deserved the world & more, she was so strong. Severu (love his name) at first I wasn’t sure how I felt about him, he did a few things to annoy me but once that men fell he fell freaking hard his possessiveness & need to care for Catalina more than anything is what won me over. The only odd thing to me was how one day took up 40% of the book, but I didn’t mind it. If you’re looking for an arranged marriage mafia romance, this is for you!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
"𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐲. 𝐈'𝐦 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥. 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐚. 𝐘𝐨𝐮.
This is Lucy’s first mafia book & it was amazing! Catalina deserved the world & more, she was so strong. Severu (love his name) at first I wasn’t sure how I felt about him, he did a few things to annoy me but once that men fell he fell freaking hard his possessiveness & need to care for Catalina more than anything is what won me over. The only odd thing to me was how one day took up 40% of the book, but I didn’t mind it. If you’re looking for an arranged marriage mafia romance, this is for you!
January 4, 2024
Home girl got married to a man she barely knew and 2.2 she felt so comfortable sharing her deepest darkest secrets about her father who she was supposedly scared off. Said man she is sharing all of this info to is her fathers employer and could very much be exactly like her father (these are men in the mafia we’re talking about). And this ‘holier than thou’ attitude where she expected the man to suddenly flip the whole world upside down for her when they were supposed to have just met…
Also, I wish we had more back story about what they were like together before the wedding. Maybe I would’ve been okay with a lot that happened on the wedding day if there was a pre established relationship shown.
Also, I wish we had more back story about what they were like together before the wedding. Maybe I would’ve been okay with a lot that happened on the wedding day if there was a pre established relationship shown.
September 20, 2024
I have no idea why LM decided to write Mafia romance, but I wish she hadn’t. This was awful - it romanticises crime, violence, abuse, coercion, misogyny and cruelty. The characters are all cardboard cutouts, and the dialogue is so unrealistic.
This is not at all romantic.
I cannot believe the writer whose romances I’ve enjoyed so much before, actually wrote this. I’ll not be reading any more.
This is not at all romantic.
I cannot believe the writer whose romances I’ve enjoyed so much before, actually wrote this. I’ll not be reading any more.
November 26, 2023
Uhmmm, this was a disappointment. I had such high expectations, given the first installment, but this did not do.
It grew stale the minute the heroine married the Hero. Yeah, they were both secretly attracted to each other and were relieved to be married to each other. So ... no more angst. No more secrets.
Everything became boring.
It grew stale the minute the heroine married the Hero. Yeah, they were both secretly attracted to each other and were relieved to be married to each other. So ... no more angst. No more secrets.
Everything became boring.
September 23, 2025
Disfruté mucho de Catalina y Severu. Tuvieron muchos momentos encantadores y la forma en la que él cuidó de su esposa cuando ella sufría el dolor físico causado por su padre abusivo... fue lindo verlo derretirse por ella. Catalina es fuerte y se merece el mundo, y él es quien se lo da. La trama está bien pensada y desarrollada. Además, tiene mucho más spicy que los libros anteriores 🙂↕️
Lo único que me pareció súper extraño fue que un día, o quizás un día y medio, ¡ocupaba la mitad del libro! Al principio tenía un ritmo lento, pero no demasiado lento, y luego se aceleró. Creo que si no hubiera sido así, podríamos haber obtenido información más detallada sobre la mafia y cómo funciona su sistema, especialmente en lo que respecta a otras mafias y, por supuesto, a los personajes. (tbh quedé con la sensación de que le faltaba algo más a esta historia)
En general, me sorprendió gratamente y disfruté de este libro, ¡y leería más de esta serie!
Lo único que me pareció súper extraño fue que un día, o quizás un día y medio, ¡ocupaba la mitad del libro! Al principio tenía un ritmo lento, pero no demasiado lento, y luego se aceleró. Creo que si no hubiera sido así, podríamos haber obtenido información más detallada sobre la mafia y cómo funciona su sistema, especialmente en lo que respecta a otras mafias y, por supuesto, a los personajes. (tbh quedé con la sensación de que le faltaba algo más a esta historia)
En general, me sorprendió gratamente y disfruté de este libro, ¡y leería más de esta serie!
July 8, 2023
This is a well written mafia romance with strong characters in Catalina and Severu. The author does a great job developing the story and pulled me in with the interesting storyline. She kept me glued to the pages with all the twists and turns as well as the intense relationship. She paints her scenes perfectly and delivers a fantastic story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
September 3, 2024
Well it was not bad not good
For god sake stop saying your the don wife we fet it by now
Last 10 or 15 chapter was un necessary
I liked the plot but was too short too too fast
For god sake stop saying your the don wife we fet it by now
Last 10 or 15 chapter was un necessary
I liked the plot but was too short too too fast
March 22, 2024
Very slow moving
Too much time spent on sex and not enough time spent on an actual storyline and characters. I grew bored and skimmed some of this book.
I enjoy a good story whereas the characters engage in sex, but a good solid story needs balance which I felt the story lacked. The writing was okay and the basis of the story, ie, abuse of a child and women by their father was good, but the rest of the story fell short.
Characters had their moments, there just wasn’t enough of them to hold my attention.
I am an avid reader of this genre, so my expectations are higher than many readers. It just boils down to personal preference.
Too much time spent on sex and not enough time spent on an actual storyline and characters. I grew bored and skimmed some of this book.
I enjoy a good story whereas the characters engage in sex, but a good solid story needs balance which I felt the story lacked. The writing was okay and the basis of the story, ie, abuse of a child and women by their father was good, but the rest of the story fell short.
Characters had their moments, there just wasn’t enough of them to hold my attention.
I am an avid reader of this genre, so my expectations are higher than many readers. It just boils down to personal preference.
September 24, 2023
5 ‘unexpected’ stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Omg the book got me! I wasn’t expecting much. But I loved every bit of it. Even the parts that made me roll my eyes. Catalina and Severu were so fleshed out the felt real. So were the side characters.
For me the shed tears for her Zio. I knew this was no 4 star read for me.
Their story was full of love, pain, sacrifice, family, respect. Everything.
I totally recommend this. I legit have no critiques, 10/10 🌟
Omg the book got me! I wasn’t expecting much. But I loved every bit of it. Even the parts that made me roll my eyes. Catalina and Severu were so fleshed out the felt real. So were the side characters.
For me the shed tears for her Zio. I knew this was no 4 star read for me.
Their story was full of love, pain, sacrifice, family, respect. Everything.
I totally recommend this. I legit have no critiques, 10/10 🌟
July 19, 2024
20% in and I can already tell this book isnt for me. All that drama in the span of their wedding day. The mc's both went through 4 different personalities in the span on 60 pages. I'm not a fan of the writing either, nothing really clicked or felt right with this book tbh.
July 7, 2023
Catalina was waiting for her sister to marry Severu, the Mafia Don of New York before she runs away from her abusive father. When her sister is a no show for her wedding, Catalina is forced by her father to take her place. Who was her father kidding? Like Severu wouldn’t know the difference. Her sister is beautiful, tall and slim while Catalina is shorter and curvy. Severu notices because he’s been attracted to his fiancée sister since he met. Catalina tells Severu the truth so he makes her pay by becoming his wife. There will be hell to pay. No one makes a fool of him. He does realize that Catalina is the innocent one here. The more time he’s with her, she becomes a distraction. As the Don he needs to be focused. He wants to protect her from her horrible father, who has beaten her and broken her bones. Severu is very possessive of his wife. It’s time for her father to pay. Catalina is a strong, innocent, sassy young woman. She’s not afraid to stand up to him against all of the mafia protocols and no one ever has. Will they be able to make a go of it? Will she be able to handle being the wife of the Don, the King of New York? Will she fail him. This is an awesome read. Well worth reading. Lucy Monroe brings it. Love it. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews