Silent Vows

by Ajme Williams

FORCED TO A grieving mafia princess trapped in a deadly alliance…with the one man she swore she could never have.

She’s my best friend’s daughter.
Barely twenty-two.
Sacred. Forbidden. Mine.

She never dreamed she'd wear my ring, share my name, warm my bed...
But with her father's blood still fresh on the streets and vultures circling, I'm the devil she knows.

What began as duty ignites into an obsession I can't control.

Because when I look at Bella now, I don't see Giovanni's innocent little girl.
I see the woman who could bring me to my knees.

As she claws her way to power at my side, I'm losing the battle to resist her.
The walls I built from my first wife's betrayal are falling,
And the secrets in my past could get us both killed.

With my baby growing inside her,
And my brother plotting our destruction,
I'll paint this city red.
Because I'll slaughter anyone who tries to take what's mine

"You were never just a duty, Bella. You were always meant to be my salvation."

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark, Romance, Dark Romance, Crime, Marriage Of Convenience, Forbidden Love

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

Ajme Williams - mother, wife, daughter, dreamer, an avid reader and a writer.
When she's not writing romance, Ajme can be seen sipping coffee, gorging on dark chocolate, exercising, or travelling with family and friends. Cooking is therapeutic for her and she drools over Italian food...and men.
What to expect from her books?
Ajme loves variety, so expect a lot of second chances, secret babies, office romances, big fat fake weddings, curvy heroines and alpha heroes. HEA? Always, baby!
If you're a fan of emotional angsty contemporary romance, then you'll enjoy Ajme Williams.

Reviews

[Liz Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but...

When I started reading this book, I was fascinated. It was great, I loved both Bella and Matteo. The action was great, but then, about halfway through the book, it started becoming repetitive. Too much "her artist eye," "my artist eye." Too much repeating about family and protecting. Matteo was supposed to be the most feared Don in the city, but he didn't seem that cruel or harsh. I understand him being loving behind closed doors, but he just didn't instill fear in me. Then, these stupid secrets are never truly revealed. You just get part of it, never to be told the whole thing. It went on too long, then when the author introduced new characters and a new situation to bring in a second book. Well, I don't see how I would want to read about the brother when I so thoroughly disliked him.

It's a shame, really. There was definite potential with this book. I loved the romance and love between the characters. I loved how much Matteo and Bella gave into their love for each other. It was wonderful. No third act break-up, but then their entire story just became way too repetitive.

It really was a shame... truly had great potential.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia, age gap, dad's best friend— oh yes, please!

The Calabrese family murders Bella's father, and his dying wish is for his best friend Matteo to protect his daughter by marrying her. This union will ensure that she is safe and well taken care of, while also keeping Matteo's past secrets hidden. But now that he's married to Bella he soon realizes that not all secrets can stay hidden.

Oh, sweet Bella, with everything she has been through, she was one strong, fierce lady.
Matteo has long resisted his feelings for Bella, but now that she's his, he won't let her push him away.

I loved Matteo and Bella's story, and I can't wait to read Mario and Elena's story in Forbidden Vengeance.

[fynn ƪ(˘⌣˘)ʃ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 64% [i can no longer suffer through this, my life is mind-numbing enough let alone reading about bullshit] oh my fucking god is this dumb. i GET it she’s an artist and has an artists eye, no need to say that every two freakin’ sentences. the plot in this is so stupid. she found it so weird she’s marrying her fathers best friend to kissing him every five minutes and they are basically in love 2 seconds after her ‘processing’ the marriage. god i try, i try so hard to understand dark mafia romance books, i only read this because it was on kindle unlimited but i think i am going to sue amazon for allowing this shit on their store.

[Kiandra 🦋]

DNF at 40%.
I always finish books at some point, but I can’t take anymore of this

[Toni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dispointed

Kindle/Ebook Read
322 Pages
#1 Bonds of Betrayal
Dark Mafia Romance
Forbidden
Age Gap (16 Years)
Fathers Best Friend
Forced Proximity
Forced Marriage
Chosen Family

This book had so much promise but I wanted to DNF early on (I never DNF a book). I found a lot of repetitive language and saying in the book, it felt like scenes were almost copied and pasted with minor details changed. It distracted me from the story when I felt like I was re-reading scenes over and over. Lines like 'her artists eyes' and how every kiss was different from all they've had before but described almost the same. I had such high hopes but couldn't escape these phrases.
I am not sure if I will continue the series, I usually like to complete a set as sometimes books can improve the further into a series you read and I like to be fair and give them all a chance, but I really struggled to get through this one

[Shawna · Rating 1 out of 5]

A one star review is extremely rare for me... But this book! I'm not sure how the heck it was even published. The main female character is REPEATEDLY described as an artist from beginning to end... Like we didn't understand in the BEGINNING that she was an artist. Multiple phrases are repeated OVER and OVER and OVER..... This book repeatedly describes things by how much they cost... but like, in a weird way! 🤷🏻‍♀️And it repeatedly describes smells and tastes as something uniquely him/her... REPEATEDLY! Everybody's blood is always boiling and everybody's movements and actions are being compared to that of a shark. WHAT A STRANGE AND ANNOYING EXPERIENCE THIS BOOK HAS BEEN.

[Tristi Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started out incredibly enjoyable and interesting with the suspense of how it’s all falling together. However about halfway through I feel like it fell apart. It was just repetitive on the things happening to the FMC that it seemed like Deja-vu. I honestly struggled a lot in trying to finish the last like 10 chapters due to the unexciting events taking place. It was just boring honestly. There was a decent turn of events towards the end but that was pretty much the only good thing about it. The spice that I honestly thought was going to be there. WAS NOT THERE. Like not at all. It brushed around the subject three times I think in the whole book. Definitely not another book I would read again. The idea is there and it’s a great book in that aspect. But I just don’t think it was hit on the target with this one.

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

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickie Review: This book was absolutely amazing. The start broke my heart for all that Bella had lost, but truly, in the end, she gained so much more. The romance was so beautifully written and it was perfectly done. I inhaled this story with all of its intensity and opposition coming at them from all sides. I could have done without the overly used referencing of things costing more than her apartment or how blood doesn’t always equal family. But even still, this was a great read. I definitely recommend and cannot wait to get into the devious mind of Mario in the next book. 5 Stars.

[Lucy-Jane Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it possible for a book to have TOO MUCH going on? Like it felt like it was dragging out sooo much and I was getting bored.

Also, every time they kissed, they said it was “different than the others”, or everything Matteo gifted her “costs more than my old apartments monthly rent”, and that annoyed me a little bc it got a bit repetitive

[Caitlin Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet Bella as she receives horrible news about her loving father. As don of a mafia family in New York, enemies are always lurking and this one has taken Bella’s father’s life. As his dying wish he asks his best friend and fellow don, Matteo, to take care of Bella, protect her by marrying her. This marriage will ensure Bella’s safety and protection. While protecting Bella is what Matteo has done for most of her life, he has also kept his feelings and secrets very close and quiet as well. He now realizes that protecting his wife and family may mean that some secrets need to be told.

I really liked this book. Bella has a strength that she didn’t even know was there. Her father has been preparing her for this life and she is now realizing her abilities. Matteo is such a grumpy sunshine. This man radiate touch her and die vibes.

All that said there are some issues I had with this book, certain phases are repeated an unnecessary amount of times,
“ Artists eyes” “slip of a girl” there were also sentences that were word for word repetitive.
Would recommend but it wouldn’t be my first choice

[Rozebudzz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bella and Matteo

This is a forced/arranged marriage, age gap trope between Belle (22) a mafia princess artist, and Matteo (38) a mafia don and her father’s best friend. The 16 year age gap gives me the ick but I like this author, and her storytelling is usually interesting. The plot rolls along well until halfway through and then it starts dragging and becomes repetitive. There are pages and pages with dozens of paragraphs about Bella’s artistic talent, and so much repetition about the different meanings of family and love and on and on. Boring and unnecessary.

Bella’s character development gets a bit over the top as her “artist’s eye” is used for every superpower the author decided to give her. Like being an artist is the reason she’s analytical and calculating, she can fight and win against experienced killers, she seems to have photographic memory, she expertly knows how to use guns and knives, and is gifted in war strategy. And the final laughable plot twist is … she’s an expert sniper, using a sniper rifle for the first time and hitting her mark accurately. Seriously? And Matteo is surprised and proud with each revelation, even tho he supposedly has been watching her since she was a child. Somehow he must’ve missed seeing all her fighting and shooting lessons in between all her painting lessons.

Despite being a mafia don, Matteo didn’t seem all that ruthless and he often stepped back and let Bella take over with her supposed “expertise” in weaponry, fighting and strategic thinking. I think it’s to showcase that he’s a feminist mafia don.

There are massive secrets alluded to but never outright revealed. It’s an annoying plot device to keep us reading. While the main characters get something of an HEA, there’s still a cliffhanger because there are plenty of secrets that were promised but never delivered. It’s always “I’ll tell you everything later”. Later means the next book. Annoying.

The villains that were introduced in the beginning were typical cookie cutter bad guys. But suddenly when it looked like everything was going to be wrapped up at the 85% point, a NEW VILLAIN was introduced and what happens next is rushed and messy. It was apparently done to introduce us to the next book but we are made to hate this new villain so much, I’m not interested in reading about him. I think when someone threatens an unborn child, that pretty much makes him irredeemable and I don’t care that he’s just a book villain.

Overall, this started out great and then goes off the rails. Like way off to the point that so much of it is laughable and cartoonish.

[Corduroy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to like it…

Honestly struggled to finish. The sheer amount of verbal repetition is painful. The same words and phrases used over and over and over, page after page. And the repetition also extends into plot—reused each chapter (completely unnecessary). If I have to hear ‘artists eye’ one more time…making Bella so one dimensional that nothing exists besides her artistry, it’s infuriating to read past.

Plot wise, there’s much to be desired in the believable department. Not only are the timelines not believable for the context given, but the first half of the book is Bella being so far removed from the mafia world but in the entire second half she somehow is a master in all things weaponry, combat and tactics? I personally felt like the books power dynamic would have Matteo dominating but after the first quarter it swung to Bella.

I wanted to like it and the overarching plot and characters had promise but the writing was terrible. Will not read the second book.

[Dahlia · Rating 1 out of 5]

it’s never taken me so long to finish a book as it has with this one. it was trying SO hard to be dramatic all the time. it sounded like a soap opera or drama series literally all the time.
the writing was also very wattpad and not in a cute way. so many repetitive phrases that didn’t need to be overused that way. “something uniquely him/her” “appears younger than her age” “deluca features” and everything about the fmc was so ‘artist’.
she wasn’t part of her fathers mafia world but was apparently heavily trained? be so fr honestly this was so cringe by that point.
and the whole “mystery” of his father and his sins was so unnecessarily dragged out. the random threat at 80% percent was also so out of left field and added nothing.
the best friend turning into a bitch at the end was also unnecessary. “dOnT uNdeResTimAte mE” “i’m mOrE thAn aN eVenT plAnnEr” ……what. she’s not even born into the mafia world she’s just thrown them some parties and now she wants to go all power hungry. just chill oml.

[Kristen Bauerle]

DNF @52%


Insta love. She loved him after being forced to marry him after four days. Insane. Unrealistic. Also I understand mafia and all but the amount of terrible things that seemed so unrealistic that happened in a day is WILD. Also the main character is an artist and EVERY TIME she looks at something the author has to point out that she looks at things differently because she’s an artist. ANNOYING. Sorry. Probably would’ve been a 3 star if I finished it but there are way too many amazing books out there to bother

[WhiskeyandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many different plots. It was like everything was thrown in there. I still don’t know who the hell was the dad.

[PJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

wanted to like it

I liked the premise. Liked the characters. The execution didn’t do it for me. Lots of repeat content pieces, everything happened in the first week and then fast forwarded 6 weeks. Then more craziness with new characters. It just wasn’t for me.

[BookishAnya]

DNF 36% in

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings:
Age Gap/Age Difference
Arranged Marriage
Cheating/Infidelity (historical)
Child Abuse (historical)
Death Threats
Domestic Violence (mentioned)
Explicit Sexual Content
Grief
Injury/Injury Detail
Intimidation
Gun Violence
Kidnapping
Kidnapping of a Minor
Murder
Physical Assault
Pregnancy
Organized Crime
Stalking
Threats
Violence
Vomit




The first half of this book felt refreshing. Usually, I hate mafia romances because there’s so much assault and abuse, but this one was interesting and promising…at least until about halfway through. I liked the dynamic of Bella and her father, who wasn’t an abusive chauvinistic alpha male type character but someone who supported and loved Bella fiercely. I wished she could’ve had a better relationship with her mother, which felt painfully contrived in the way she constantly criticized Bella for everything from her outfits (yet Bella can point out designer clothes with no issue, despite claiming she doesn’t notice these things) to her passion for art. I enjoyed how Bella didn’t come across meek or naive or virginal, something I really can’t stand. The whole “I love your innocence” really always comes across as a corruption kink, which in and of itself isn’t horrible but to see it so often and so badly written? The relationship between Bella and Matteo felt incredibly rushed, and it didn’t feel like she processed a lot of things (her parents’ deaths, her own near death experiences, being forced into a marriage to a man double her age and her father’s best friend, becoming a stepmother to a girl close to her own age, etc). Their dynamic was lovely to see, though, healthy (for the most part) and consensual. I also really enjoyed how Bella and Bianca didn’t take a backseat to Matteo or other male characters the way I’ve seen from other mafia books, as if there weren’t female-led mafia. It was nice seeing female characters be given space by their partners’/the book to be badass. Though Bella being badass felt a little too convenient; it think there should’ve been more scenes of her training, handling guns with Matteo, maybe sparring because a few lines sprinkled in about her father took her to the range and taught her surveillance didn’t seem enough for her to believably be an expert with guns and proficient in outsmarting trained killers. And her friendship with Elena felt fleshed out and pretty realistic, though Elena’s character arc in the later half felt…out of left field. Why is Elena behaving in this fashion? Suddenly cold and cruel and calculating. And I didn’t understand her draw/fascination with Mario, either. As far as she knew, this was a random man who’d flirted with her then tried to (ostensibly) kill her pregnant best friend and her friend’s new family. Why would she be asking about him? And I would’ve been pissed too if a man spoke to me the way Matteo ordered her, honestly. Yes he’s a mafia don but she’s literally a civilian?? Who was kidnapped and tortured by Johnny?? Yes, she works with the Families (which, honestly, sounds a little goofy) but at the end of the day, she didn’t grow up in the mafia world. I hated how Bella didn’t correct Matteo and wasn’t the one to warn Elena off Mario, citing all the harm he’d tried to cause.

Speaking of writing, can we talk about the constant repetition? On and on Bella when about “DeLuca steel” and “dark violence” and “shadows.” And don’t get me started on the artist comments. Everything was her “artist’s eye” and “colors and shapes.” As if being an artist gave her an upper hand. It would’ve been better if she’d had a photographic memory or something; that would’ve been more believable, as someone who’s a creative. And Matteo’s chapters often yammered about “Giussepp’s shadow” and “his little artist.” If this book had an editor, it didn’t feel like it because this book could’ve been shaved down to half its size just by deleting all the repeated phrases.

And every chapter ended as if it were the final. I kept thinking the book was over, only to click my kindle screen and see I have so much more to go. The characters seemed to be in competition with one another for the award for the most dramatic monologue about found family and how blood isn’t everything and how they’re going to protect the family they built. And the amount of times they emphasize at the end that Matteo “doesn’t understand the unifying power of love” as if to hammer in how he’s broken and has no love in his life and Matteo does!!!

And we don’t even learn any of Giuseppe’s secrets, the ones that haunt the narrative—and Matteo—at every turn. Matteo never confides in Bella about everything, laying all his cards out for her, and I hate it because they spend half the book talking about “sins of the father.” Every fucking character makes remarks about Giuseppe, from Matteo to Bella herself, but his sins are never revealed. Shut up about the sins then if you’re gonna keep them hidden!

Speaking of fathers, the introduction of Matteo’s half brother felt rushed. We never see any mentions of a brother, and he’s not in any photos (Matteo has a singular photograph on his mantle that he keeps turned away for maximum drama, I guess.) And if he’s so dangerous and literally sending BOMBS to the house (which, after the first one, wouldn’t the guards NOT bring them into the house??? That felt especially stupid.) why wouldn’t they just kill him? He kidnapped Bianca as a child and put her life in danger; me thinks that’s grounds for the mafia to kill you?? It doesn’t make sense for them to “show him mercy” and I really hated that they didn’t go for the kill. Because he’s going to keep coming after them. They literally acknowledge it in the book.

And of course Bella’s pregnant. It wouldn’t be a mafia book without a potential “mafia heir.” And good God do they emphasize hands on her belly, the stereotypical pose for pregnancy announcement, and they all act shocked that Mario knew about the baby? Girl, you’re walking around with your hand touching/cradling your stomach every two minutes!! And Matteo does it too!! Can they be any stupider? And I know it’s a small thing but Bella gets sick near the end of the book and then kisses Matteo…without brushing her teeth. I was so squicked out by that.

All in all this book a strong start for me and petered out about 45% in but I wanted desperately for it to get better so I kept reading. The premise was interesting and fun but the execution was…meh. I’ll probably borrow the rest of the series on KU just to see if it gets better but I’m not sure it will.

[Laquisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am only giving this 3 ⭐️

Because I managed to finish the story. However I did not like the way this book turned out. It started out with potential. Matteo ( sexy name) I just knew he was going to be a devine male mafia lead. He started out that way but then… 😩what happened. He couldn’t find his butt without a flash light. You know who could? His little determined artist turned suddenly mafia queen. I hate plots like this. The female starts off soft, demur even and then bam they are so smart so tactically efficient. Planning takeovers, acting like snipers, in shoot outs and basically taking over for the H. Listen if you authors are going to go in that direction why not just start the book off with it. Let the h be a mafia princess with all that goes with it don’t take a character that basically did nothing but draw pictures was in her own little artist world (which by the way I got tired of reading) and then just let her start running the mob and making the H look incompetent and weak. Never did fully get the story of Matteo’s daughter biological parents but 🤷🏽‍♀️. Also stop using Christ as a curse word He is Lord. You would think as a writer you could come up with other efficient words. I will not read the next book in this series because I already could not stand Mario nor Elena.

[Katherine S. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, story wise, It was a good one. I love a good mafia romance then throw in Dad’s best friend and Age Gap? Yes please! Unfortunately as I read, there were some things that were so repetitive! I get it, she’s an artist and he’s a dangerous man. It wouldn’t really bother me that much but it felt like it was repeated every chapter. It’s just not necessary. What got me to really stop though was them escaping in his private plane but the one chasing after them got 2 military planes to fly along them to force them to land. Yeah…I’m gonna stop there. No

[carli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m convinced everyone who rated this 5 Stars was paid to do so.

It started out well, and had so much potential. Then, the FMC goes from despising this man to jumping him every chance she gets, in the SPAN OF 5 PAGES. Complete hatred to BEING IN LOVE IMMEDIATELY.

Not to mention every page for 4 chapters, there’s a new “secret.” Then, we’re getting a 3rd act level of war, 42% into the book.

DNFed @ 50%.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book could've ended at approximately 60% of the story... i would've loved it. But then they added a horrible brother and her best friend turned into a b1tch..
I mean...
Whose Dom would let anyone (even a half brother) alive after he attempted killing said Dom's family? Not once but twice...
I could've let pass a lot of annoying things if the book had ended after Bella kill the bad guy... again... Whose Dom would let his queen go into danger without him?

Well... it was an enjoyable read. I won't read book 2 because brother is an assh@le and the fmc are b1tch.

[Rita Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to save my best friend’s daughter.

I really enjoyed this book!! The enemies are circling and staying alive is the goal. Unfortunately it is not guaranteed. Matteo’s best friend’s daughter needs protection and the only way Matteo see that happening is to marry her. Bella is not on board with this or is she? I could not put this book down. There were so many things happening. Ups and downs, things to follow. I am sure you will love this book too!!!

[Kayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Officially DNF at 60%.

This actually started out really good, I enjoyed it up until the wedding night.

This book was so repetitive and it’s like the author didn’t know what she wanted Bella to be. She was this amazing, soulful artist who was also a secret badass with all of these hidden skills? It’s doesn’t make sense.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

FORCED TO WED: A grieving mafia princess trapped in a deadly alliance…with the one man she swore she could never have.

She’s my best friend’s daughter.
Barely twenty-two.
Sacred. Forbidden. Mine.

She never dreamed she'd wear my ring, share my name, warm my bed...
But with her father's blood still fresh on the streets and vultures circling, I'm the devil she knows.

What began as duty ignites into an obsession I can't control.

Because when I look at Bella now, I don't see Giovanni's innocent little girl.
I see the woman who could bring me to my knees.

As she claws her way to power at my side, I'm losing the battle to resist her.
The walls I built from my first wife's betrayal are falling,
And the secrets in my past could get us both killed.

With my baby growing inside her,
And my brother plotting our destruction,
I'll paint this city red.
Because I'll slaughter anyone who tries to take what's mine

"You were never just a duty, Bella. You were always meant to be my salvation."

This contemporary dark mafia forbidden dad's best friend is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is engulfed by darkness, danger, violence, and grit, and characters that are obsessive, possessive, alpha, exuding power, dark, dangerous, ruthless, violent, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with silent vows, mature explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, a secret pregnancy, dad's best friend, an age-gap silver fox mafia romance, protection romance, dominant mafia, drama, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, forbidden romance, betrayal, best friend's daughter, trapped in a deadly alliance, brother plotting our destruction, secrets in the past could get us both killed, forced marriage, mafia princess, heartfelt emotions, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with silent vows and a dark, mafia romance that is explicit in every sense, and will transport readers into a world that is wildly dangerous and unforgettable.

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

[BahiyYih · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, deep breath... So this book had me hooked in the beginning. The first few chapters? I was on edge, devouring every word. I LOVED the relationship with her father he was painted (pun intended) as this loving, protective, supportive mafia dad, and I was here for it. But then... somewhere along the line, things just went off the rails.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the “artist’s eye” mentions. OH. MY. GOD. If I had a dollar for every time she referred to “the artist in me,” I’d be rich enough to buy all the overpriced Chanel she kept name-dropping. Like girl... we get it, you paint. Not everything needs to be viewed through some moody, grayscale, tortured-soul lens. It got so cringey and pick-me coded I almost threw my book across the room. Not everything has to be poetic and edgy. Sometimes a hallway is just a hallway, not “a corridor of emotional brushstrokes whispering childhood trauma.”

And speaking of name-drops — the designer obsession. “Black Chanel,” “designer dress,” “Chanel No. 5,” “Chanel suit.” ENOUGH. I understand the author’s trying to set the mood and the vibe, but when it feels forced, it’s just distracting. I felt suffocated by brand names, like the fashion industry was personally chasing me through every chapter.

Oh, and let’s not forget the deep speeches about found family and loyalty. At first, I was nodding along, thinking okay, cool, mafia + emotional bonding, I see the vision. But then it became so overdone it made me cringe. It felt like every character was trying to win an Oscar for “Best Monologue About Loyalty” and I was just sitting there going eWW NO please STOP.

I wanted to like this. I really did. But the repetitive lines, forced emotional moments, and constant pick-me energy made it hard to connect with the characters. It started strong, but it fizzled fast and not in a good way.

[Murjani · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a slog to get through and that was disappointing. The premise read so exciting but I honestly don't know what the plan was for this story. The sex scenes were boring and kinda vanilla for the promise of dark and steamy as this book led on. Despite the author's effort, I wasn't buying that the FMC was deadly with guns despite that it was never set up that she's ever handled guns. We're told that her dad trained her in guns and espionage (mainly watching and strategy) and we're only shown when she's able to handle a precision shot with a sniper rifle.

...no. Also, for her to have shot people, we never see/read her dealing with the aftermath, considering up to that point, she's not shot anyone before. Of course, she winds up pregnant after all the sex they've been having and it was pinpointed that she got knocked up exactly 6 weeks prior-- their wedding night.

...no. And all of the shooting and action all happens in such a short time frame that they've gotta be the unluckiest people ever-- even to be in the mafia.

Also, I quite got tired of all the repetitiveness. How often did we need to be told that she has "artist hands", or how she uses her artistic skills to map faces and places she'd never been before, among other things.

There were way too many villains jammed pack in this one book, and this story just kept going! I feel like this story was trying to do too many things and hit so many points. I was honestly bored, so no I won't be reading the sequel about characters I don't know why should matter. I read this on Kindle Unlimited so if you're curious and want a "free" read, go for it. Otherwise, I'd skip this one.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing I love more than a forced marriage romance tangled in danger, obsession, and raw passion, and Silent Vows delivers all that and more. Ajme Williams masterfully weaves a dark, intoxicating story of power, betrayal, and the kind of love that burns through every boundary.

From the start, I felt Bella’s pain. She’s a grieving mafia princess, forced into a deadly alliance with a man she’s spent years trying to resist. But Luca? He’s every bit the ruthless, brooding mafia boss—untouchable, deadly, and fiercely protective. The tension between them crackles with unspoken history, forbidden longing, and the weight of a past neither of them can ignore.

Watching Bella rise from the ashes of her father’s murder to claim her place at Luca’s side was everything. She’s not just some fragile pawn—she’s fierce, determined, and refuses to be just another casualty of the mafia world. And Luca? He thinks he’s in control, but the moment she steps into his life, his cold, calculated walls begin to crumble.

The push and pull between them had me hooked. The way Luca fights his obsession, only to fall harder. The way Bella refuses to surrender, even as desire consumes them both. And when the secrets lurking in Luca’s past threaten everything, the stakes explode into a heart-pounding crescendo.

If you love mafia romances with forbidden passion, a heroine who refuses to be a victim, and a ruthless antihero who will burn the world down to protect what’s his, Silent Vows will have you obsessed. It’s dark, deliciously sinful, and impossible to put down!.

[Quae Scribit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join me on a journey into the ruthless underworld of the mafia, deep in the shadowed alleys of New York, where honor is a relic of the past, and death wears the crown.

When Gio Russo, the formidable Don of the Russo family, is assassinated by the Calabrese, the streets run red with betrayal. The order came from none other than Johnny Calabrese, igniting a war that threatens to consume everything in its wake.

But amidst the bloodshed, one-man steps forward—Matteo DeLuca. A formidable force in his own right and the unchallenged head of the DeLuca family, he has long ruled from the shadows, his influence pervasive yet unseen. But now, the war has reached his doorstep, and he has only one mission: to protect Isabella Russo—Gio’s daughter, the last remaining piece of his best friend’s legacy. In a world where loyalty is fragile and enemies lurk in every corner, Matteo will stop at nothing to shield her from the darkness threatening to consume them both.

With enemies closing in and betrayal lurking at every corner, Matteo must navigate a world where trust is a luxury and survival is never guaranteed. Because if the Calabrese get their hands on Isabella, it won’t just be her fate sealed—it will be the end of everything Matteo swore to protect.

Drop everything and read this now! You’ll thank me later, I promise. ~QS.

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

[Jen Speck · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite tropes is the mafia romance where the FMC is just as deadly as the MMC. It’s rare, which is why this book caught my eye. I wish it hadn’t.

There are a number of issues with this book. Each one on its own is annoying, but combined, they make a book unreadable.

First, repetition. The author beats the reader over the head with the same info. FMC is an artist. Family first. Better together. As a writer, you can’t assume your readers are dumb.

Beyond the repetition of specific words and phrases, there are several instances where whole sentences and paragraphs are repeated.

Then there’s the multitude of storylines. What is even happening?? Too many storylines leads to plot holes, confusion, and an inability to fully explore any one storyline.

The plot holes are egregious. Bella is an artist, protected from her father’s mafia life, except she is apparently skilled at all things mafia. Bella ignores fashion, to the point where her mother criticizes her regularly for what she wears, and yet, she can ID a Chanel dress or a Brioni suit? Father Romano takes Elena to a safe house, but that’s quickly forgotten (?) and there’s no mention of that again, even though Father Romano immediately proves to be a villain.

Authors: Editors are not a suggestion. Please, please, please get one. Or beta readers. Or read it yourself a few times.

1 ⭐️ I started skimming at 45%. I can’t believe I made it that far.