A Vow So Soulless

Titans and Tyrants #2

by Vero Heath

I’ve taken everything from my Songbird. Her freedom. Her innocence. Even her name.

She’ll no longer be known as Deirdre O’Malley, but Deirdre Titone. My wife. Whether she wants to be or not. It’s the only real way to show this city who she belongs to. The only way to tell the world that she’s as protected as she is possessed. I’ll keep her safe, even if there’s no one left to keep her safe from me.

My Songbird made me believe in souls again. And maybe I don’t have one. Maybe I never did.

But she does. And I won’t stop until I’ve taken it along with everything else.

A Vow So Soulless is part two of Deirdre and Elio’s story. It is not standalone and A Debt So Ruthless should be read first. It is a dark mafia romance.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Mafia Romance

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2024

Reviews

[Vashti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 2 of Deidrie and Elio's book.
What a roller coaster for this couple.
This picks up immediately after part 1, and if I thought Elio was all out possessive and crazy before,he is ramped up now.
I enjoyed this couple, and I wanted more of them.
Book#3 is Valentina and Darragh's story,but it is another duet ,so I will wait till #4 is released.
Author,will you be writing Hades story? I would love to see him paired with one of Dr Moretti's daughters.I see potential hero material in him!

[Mariam · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fairy dies every time a KU romance author feels a desperate need to include a random third act plot for all of 10 pages

[Alaina Frankruyter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does anyone know how to infiltrate the Toronto Mafia so I can find myself an Elio?

[elle♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 62%

Llegué a un punto en el que ya no pude más, todo el libro era completamente relleno, el único plot era que se iban a casar pero para esto, hasta en el punto en el que lo deje, la protagonista a penas había aceptado casarse con él y no por voluntad propia pero por lástima, porque pobrecito se enfermó y por eso le prometió que si mejoraba se casaba con el ... Que estupidez.

El MMC ya ni siquiera parecía jefe de una mafia porque para empezar no se le ve trabajar NUNCA, nada más anda detrás de la protagonista oliendo le los pedos, y acompañándola a la universidad porque no la puede dejar ni un momento sola ni para ir al baño (literal) y obvio que el jefe de la mafia no tiene nada mejor que hacer que acompañar a su prisionera a la escuela... otra estupidez.

Desde que empieza la historia en el primer libro la protagonista no ha visto la luz del sol porque no la deja salir a ningún lado más que a la escuela, de milagro la deja asomarse en la ventana, lo cual reafirma mi rechazo al MMC, no es cute, es molesto.

Cómo ya había comentado, en este punto de la historia la FMC aún no había aceptado por completo al MMC que es ridículo porque ya vamos a más de la mitad del libro.

Pero, ese ni siquiera es mi problema, lo que pasa es que aún cuando la protagonista es vocal al rechazo que siente por el MMC, cuando ya expresó VARÍAS veces que no se quiere casar con el, que lo viene conociendo desde hace dos meses y que constantemente le quita su derecho a decidir, la prima del MMC que viene siendo como una especie de "apoyo" de la protagonista que eso es pura mierda porque le sigue siendo completamente leal a su primo, después de que la protagonista le expresa que no lo quiere ella se indigna y se ofende porque la FMC no quiere a su primo, le dice que es lo mejor que le pudo pasar porque es bueno y la quiere, y le empieza a decir un buen de mamadas pendejas a favor de él, HABER, el MMC secuestró a la FMC, prácticamente le quitó su privacidad, la está obligando a casarse con el, no lo conoce y está idiota de la prima se siente con el derecho de criticar a la FMC porque está lo está rechazando?

No puedo con su idiotez, la prima nada más es el títere del MMC que pregunta cuan alto cuando esté le dice que salté.

En general todo el libro es un relleno y se resume en el MMC obligando a la prota a hacer cosas que no quiere y literal cada capitulo es la continuación del capítulo pasado, entonces es súper tedioso porque no hay salto de tiempo en la trama y por eso la historia no avanza.

Es una cuenta regresiva a la boda que a nadie le importa.

[Sopha · Rating 5 out of 5]

”You,” he says, dropping the cloth into a bedraggled heap between us, “are a singularly scorching point of pain for me, Songbird. But it’s not like this,” he holds up his wet, scarred hand, “or like this,” he points to the bruising on his side. “It’s here.” He plasters his hand against his chest, lets it harden into a fist, then thumps it once, then twice, like a heartbeat.

—

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 3/5

What a conclusion to Elio and Deirdre’s story!

Book 1 ended on our crazy MMC announcing that his Songbird would simply have to marry him to keep herself safe from her father’s enemy. A Vow So Soulless opens up on Deirdre’s response to that outrageous command, which is a big fat NO. But of course, Elio is all about what she needs, not wants, and that is him.

Their story being told over the course of two books was a necessary move in my opinion. Their relationship needed to run its course and the progression is much more natural this way. This book alone, I have highlighted so many passages! Elio is as crazy as he is so damn adorable sometimes. Peek at his dramatic self here:

’Much as I try to ignore it, I feel worse and worse as the day goes on. I think I’m going into Deirdre withdrawal. It makes me feel like my whole fucking body is shutting down.’

Like boy, are you for real? 😂😂😂 He is a Deirdre-addict, plain and simple.

All loose ends are tied and the epilogue couldn’t be more perfect. I will honestly miss them but I am also ready tor Valentina’s story 👀

[Stephhh✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I really loved A Debt So Ruthless (which was Vero’s debut!!). It was so well written. Great character development, no plot holes, the angst was swoon worthy. I didn’t think I could love the second book even more but lo and behold, here we are.

A Vow So Soulless picks up right where we left off in A Debt So Ruthless. Elio “proposes” (or demands) that Deirdre marry him. Of course, she is resistant at first but the attraction she feels and has always felt towards Elio is undeniable.

Elio would do anything for Deirdre. Including walk through fire and if you’ve read the first book, you know that this is a big deal for Elio.

There was even more development of the characters in book two. We got to see more of Elio’s soft side and we got to see more of Deirdre’s soft side too. I love the relationship between these two and it evolved so beautifully.

This has to be one of my favorite books I’ve read in a while! I love Vero’s writing so much. It’s so well flushed out and the characters seem so authentic. I highly recommend for anyone who loves a mafia romance!

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so beautiful. I devoured it. It picks up exactly where A Debt So Ruthless left off, which was perfect.

I already loved the push and pull of Elio and Diedre's relationship, and the way everything develops between them was amazing.
This book is a dual POV, which I really enjoy. I love getting to see the story from both of their view points.

This series is one of my favorites in mafiä style romance and I absolutely recommend it.

[Stephhh✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I really loved A Debt So Ruthless (which was Vero’s debut!!). It was so well written. Great character development, no plot holes, the angst was swoon worthy. I didn’t think I could love the second book even more but lo and behold, here we are.

A Vow So Soulless picks up right where we left off in A Debt So Ruthless. Elio “proposes” (or demands) that Deirdre marry him. Of course, she is resistant at first but the attraction she feels and has always felt towards Elio is undeniable.

Elio would do anything for Deirdre. Including walk through fire and if you’ve read the first book, you know that this is a big deal for Elio.

There was even more development of the characters in book two. We got to see more of Elio’s soft side and we got to see more of Deirdre’s soft side too. I love the relationship between these two and it evolved so beautifully.

This has to be one of my favorite books I’ve read in a while! I love Vero’s writing so much. It’s so well flushed out and the characters seem so authentic. I highly recommend for anyone who loves a mafia romance!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Vow So Soulless picks up immediately where A Vow So Ruthless ended. Elio is still ridiculously hot in the second book of this duet. These books are fast-paced, only about 3 months in the course of both books, and the writing keeps up with the short timeline.

Remember that slow burn in Ruthless? Well, the gloves are off (literally and figuratively) now. Deirdre is now preparing to marry Elio as he demanded. We all knew he wasn't going to actually ask. There are still people after Deirdre, and Elio is definitely that "touch her and die" kind of guy.

There is a turning point for Deirdre in this book.The point where she realizes that Elio really is the person in her life who truly cares for her. There are several surprises in the story that help her with that realization. Aside from that, these two are, at the very least, physically compatible. Did I mention that Elio is still so, so hot? With a bilingual dirty mouth?

As a Mafia romance fan, these books did it for me. I'm looking forward to more of this family.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to first thank the author for an advanced copy of this book.

I have been waiting MONTHS for this sequel and let me say it does not disappoint. I'm rating it a 4.5 out of 5, but ultimately this is one of my most favorite dark mafia books I've ever read. The thorough detail thats throughout both books is incredible.

This will be one series I read again and again! I can't wait until Valentina gets her time to shine, and perhaps we have a tale of Curse to come??

[Nevena · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥 “My angel of perfect ruin. My Songbird, my phoenix, my fire. My wife.”
~~~
Elio and Deirdre’s story continues right from where it ended in book one. To protect her, Elio is determined to make Deirdre his wife no matter how she feels about it. And he’s willing to stand up to everyone and go against everything to make it happen.

But Deirdre is not a woman who easily gives in. She might be sweet, kind, stubborn and compassionate, but I loved that she managed to find the strength, courage and confidence to stand up for herself and learn to navigate through Elio’s dangerous world.

Elio, on the other hand, is as fierce, reckless, impulsive, possessive, dominant, dangerous and protective as ever. But I loved that we got to see another side of him, too. The side of a man hopelessly in love, a man who has a vulnerable side, a man who gives incredibly thoughtful gifts, a man who’s willing to destroy the world for his woman. Ahhh, Elio is absolutely swoon-worthy and utterly panty-melting, despite all his red flags (or maybe because of them) and I adored him more and more with every new page.

Elio and Deirdre together were absolute fire! I loved the tension, the banters and the bargaining. Elio might’ve taken a lot from Deirdre but he also gave her so much more! And the spice… was absolutely SPICING! I couldn’t get enough of the passionate moments they shared. They were truly perfect for each other. But wedding planning, debts and relationships aside, there are enemies lurking in the shadows. And both Elio and Deirdre will have to face unexpected truths, discoveries and dangers if they want a future together.

In addition, I really loved Valentina and, especially, Curse and I really hope we have the chance to read their stories in the future.

Overall, the story is another remarkable addition to the series! It’s filled with suspense, danger, action, twists, violence, drama, blazing hot passion and incredible characters.

I couldn’t put it down and absolutely loved every single page of it!

[Diana Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

FMC: Deirdre
MMC(s): Elio
Tropes: OTT J/P MMC, A King Deserves A Queen, Age Ga, Morally Grey MMC
> Reviewer add: HEA
Perspective: Dual first
Plot or character driven: Character with bits of plot
Spicy scenes breakdown:
> Present? Yes
> Detailed? Yes
> With only one character? Not this time.
> Multiple, with both/multiple characters?
> Personal favorite? When they’re trying to sleep and don’t.
> State of the joystick? Human.
Burn speed: Fast.
Can this be read as a stand-alone: It can but it’s going to make more sense if you read the first book.
Re-Readability: High. This series is delicious.
Content Notes: These are neither tropes nor warnings. Mafia (Italian) romance.
Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements:

I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Quote: Elio Titone celebrating Valentine’s Day. Goddamn elementary school shit. It’s so fucking saccharine it makes my teeth hurt.

A continuation of A Debt So Ruthless, we get more of Elio and Deirdre after he proposes to her. In true Elio style, he’s ambitiously ruthless when it comes to possessing Deirdre.

Look, watching Elio being so over the top possessive of Deirdre is like top tier chef’s kiss. I could eat it like popcorn for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And even while he’s morally grey and would be a walking red flag in real life, there are other people that are absolutely worse in her life. (They get what they deserve. Have you met Elio? He’s not letting that happen on his watch.)

Elio is Deirdre’s monsters and we’re all monsters for Elio. The math is mathing.

[Leesa Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Vero Heath for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

We pick off immediately where we left off in "A Debt So Ruthless", and I would head over to there to see my initial thoughts on the characters, setting, and plot. In order to keep herself safe, Deidre is forced to marry her kidnapper, Emilio. We get to see this couple navigate wedding planning, mafia debts, and other shenanigans.

I still think that the inner dialogue of the Deidre left something to be desired. The ignorance that continues through the whole book seems out of place, yet again. It takes about 30% of the book for Deidre to really start finding her confidence in handling her circumstances, although this does waiver (she's not perfect or nor do I expect her to be). She is still very sweet and kind, and she is a very likeable character.

Emilio is still...Emilio. We start to see him come out of his shell a bit, and be more vulnerable. He is still so reckless and impulsive, bit we do see him slow down at certain parts of this book. He does not become "perfect" but he does have some growth in this book, which I appreciated compared to the first book.

This is still an enemies to lovers, mafia romance that will be a hit for anyone familiar with the genre. If you are a Torontonian (I was for two years), you will recognize some of the settings throughout the book. This is something I did enjoy when I read the first book.

Overall I would give this book a 4.25/5. I would rate the spice a 4/5. It is on the spicier side so use discretion if you are not into that. This book does contain content warnings so please read those before consuming the book.

[Caitlin Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Marrying you is my sunrise, Songbird. It’s inevitable. Don’t think that you can fight me on this. Because you cannot fucking win.” - Elio

Book 2 in the Titans & Tyrant series. This book picks up right as book 1 ends, following Deirdre and Elio. Elio realizes the only way to keep Deirdre safe is marrying her, Deirdre is not convinced and fights Elio every step of the way. Until Elio's mortality shows its face and shakes Deirdre to her core, making her face how she really feels about this life that she now lives.

Elio, this man, jeez. There is absolutely nothing he would not do for his songbird. Yes he is completely obsessed with her, perhaps to a unhealthy extent, but everything he does is for her, to keep her safe and would rip the world apart to make her happy and safe.

I understand why Deirdre is so resistant to Elio and this life he wants for her but i think it maybe went on a little to long. She knew everything that he was, and that it was for her, there were instances where she agreed with his actions but it seemed she was just fighting him for the sake of it.
I did like this series, Deirdre was a little annoying but it was still a good read.
I want to read Valentina and Darragh's story which i believe is the next in the series. I have a feeling the banter in that book is going to be really well done.

[Soleil · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me personally this second book in the duet was not bad. There were so many things I wanted to happened in the second book that did not happen. One of them is I wanted both Elio and Deidre to get to know each other more and go out on dates. Did not happen, just one date they went on. I like to read books where the author develops the main characters relationship. I want more than just sex. Deidre did get on my nerves at the end when she got mad and depress because Elio killed her no good father. I'm just glad I finished reading this duet. I usually don't like to read duets or trilogies. I don't know if I will read anymore of this author's books in the future. I would like to see Curse and Aurora have their own happy story but might not happen. I didn't like Willow and Annabelle characters. Just my opinion.

[Micheala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic sequel and ending to Elio and Dierde’s romance. I adore the development of their romance as this one really takes the enemies to lovers trope into the lovers half of it. The plot is fantastic and honestly, just everything about this. This author has made me into a fan and I can’t wait for her next duet within this world/series. I hope Enzo and Dierde’s friend gets something, and I bet Willow will too in the future. Willow and Elio’s brother?

Favourite Quote:
“You are mine in ways you can’t even fucking fathom. You say you’re not going to marry me? That’s like saying the sun’s not going to rise tomorrow. I will drag you down that aisle kicking and screaming if I have to. I will shove a ring on your finger even while you try to claw my fucking eyes out. But make no mistake about it. You will be my wife.”

[Stela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how much I loved this story!!!!!
I have no words to tell you how much I enjoyed reading Deirdre and Elio's story. I would never get enough of the intensity that characterizes Elio in everything he does, but especially in loving Deirdre. His possessiveness is off the charts and I love it. And that ending, what he does for her, it's just beyond beautiful. 🥹🤍
A Vow So Soulless has the perfect ending for this amazing story. Everyone who wants to read a good dark mafia romance should give it a try. You won't regret it! It's beautifully written and has everything you wish for!

[Defontaine Isia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un petit 3 pour la deuxième partie de la duologie. J'ai trouvé ça trop long et ennuyant. Aucune intrigue intéressante et des personnages qui stagnent, d'autres sous exploités. Je pense que l'autrice aurait pu réduire la taille du premier tome et inclure quelques scènes de celui-ci pour donner un standalone. Cette suite n'avait pas beaucoup d'intérêt, ni de scènes vraiment marquantes.
La seule chose intéressante était le prochain love interest, qui avait plus de personnalité en une scène qu'Elio en 2 livres.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I love you, Songbird, and as your husband I will honour you and your wishes to the best of my ability. Starting tomorrow."

Vero Heath could very quickly become one of my top mafia romance authors. The balance between some absolutely unhinged, toxic, bat-shit crazy behaviour with tender love and heart warming scenes that had me tearing up was chefs-kiss. The fact that Elio, while only going soft for his girl, still was a ruthless menace to the end, is exactly what I want from my mafia MMC's.

[Maryam Mpr · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved elio
did i love some of the things he did? no but the man was so in love i was swooning. uhhh the picking of the rings, everything he did was for her
i did not like D so much tho. she was always so prickly and didnt give elio the softness he needed. she didnt give him as much as he gave and it made me sad for him. he was so starved for affection that any small act she did like hold his hand was a shock to him. and i hate how she never told him that his scars are beautiful and that he is worthy. i wish she had been better

[Candice Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m kinda disappointed with Dee… ain’t level headed enough to understand what her father had done. Her own father betrayed her in a most brutal way. And in her POV how Elio did alot of things for Dee especially how giving he was to her to be able to go to her mom after so many years… and yet she still contradicts herself… like come on girl (i wanna slap your face)… think…I wouldve done everything at my disposal (rich elio) to bring down my dad and mistress. But his ending was A okay with me. Anyway… anyway good story. I would still recommend reading both books.

[Robyn A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took some time to write this review to really reflect., and because sometimes life happens.
Anyway, this book picks up where we left off in book one. While it was good. I think I was in a romance slump and really more in the mood for a different type of story.
With that being said, I still really enjoyed this book and I love the way Vero spins the story. I definitely recommend this little series.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and if I thought the first part was good, this one surpassed that. I laughed, I cried, I clutched my chest like a granny clutching pearls. The story of Elio and Deirdre is one I will never get over.

[Tianna Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am at a loss for words…Elio and Deirdre will always hold a special place in my heart and mind. Their journey to find love is so backwards and full of anger, sadness, fear and joy that it sucks you in and doesn’t let you go. Vero Heath has outdone herself and I will forever be a fan.

[Shylo-Dawn Gjerlaug · Rating 4 out of 5]

The teapot 😭 I grew to love them together.

I didn’t love the spicy scenes but maybe that’s a me problem. And the end felt a little rushed.

I would kill for a Curse book tho, I want him to find love!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picked up perfectly from book 1. I loved it so much! The characters, incredible! I loved the finish to this 2 book couple to tell this couples story. I'm excited to read book 3 and start wish a new couple.

[Luckylovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved seeing Elio so vulnerable. However, there wasn’t really a plot. If there was, it was in the last 10% of the book. This could have been a much shorter book or even integrated into the first book, imo.

[Booklogger26]

I guess this one is on me, but I didn't realize that book 1 was part of a duet lol. I was enjoying book 1 enough to give this a shot, but the heroine was still so combative in this one and I was over it...

[Cait · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know what it was

I loved Elio but the FMC was so hard sometimes. She would fight just for the sake of it and Elio was eh. Took me way too long to finish this because I just didn’t feel the want to read it.

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb work!! I devoured this one! Full of obsession, angst and euphoria! Incredible read!!