Bound to Him: A Dark Romance

by E.B. Fox

He owns her body. Her soul. Her future.

Dante Severino is the devil in a suit—a ruthless, psychotic mob boss with no moral code and a darkness that runs deep. When he saw her for the first time, he knew she was meant to be his. Hannah Brightley, the innocent daughter of a family drowning in debt, becomes his obsession. He orchestrates the debt just to have an excuse to claim her—and he doesn’t just take her. He marks her. Tattoos his name across her skin. Steals her birth control and forces her to bear his child. His love is brutal. Unforgiving. All-consuming.

This is a dark romance that explores intense themes of obsession, possessiveness, and control. For mature readers only.

This book ends in a cliffhanger. Stay tuned for the next installment to find out what happens next!

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2025

Reviews

[Brenda A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cringe-worthy

The MMC is not over top possessive he's a crazy sadistic psycho. Prisoners of War are treated better than this poor 19 year old. Stockholm syndrome brainwashing this is not a romance in any way. Not enjoyable I would not recommend it.

[Darkreads]

DNF. Dark for darkness sake. Where's the emotion?

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nineteen-year-old Hannah's (h) life ends the night her father’s debt becomes hers. Taken from her home and delivered to Dante (H), a powerful, calculating man obsessed with owning her, Hannah is thrown into a gilded prison where every move is watched, every choice stripped away, and survival means playing by rules she never agreed to. Dante doesn’t just want obedience. He wants everything: her body, her mind, her soul. As her world shrinks and his control deepens, Hannah struggles to hold onto the last pieces of herself while knowing any rebellion could cost innocent lives. A dark, billionaire, captivity romance, exploring the brutal weight of psychological control, the cost of resistance, enduring an obsessive relationship, loss of freedom and independence, and the terrifying blur between submission and survival. Content includes emotional and physical coercion, forced proximity, power imbalance, and obsessive control. Ends on a cliffie.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea was here, but not the execution. Kidnapping and Stockholm is probably my favorite trope, but there was ZERO affection from the heroine at any point during this book. I'm not even sure there was any attraction that could possibly lead to affection later. His obsession didn't fall into the hawt category for me, he said he wanted her, but then completely changed her into someone other than the girl he took and claimed to be in love with. Not only that, but all of the good tropes that dark romance readers crave, they were just thrown into chapters. It seemed like every Hero chapter, another trope/kink was given. There was no buildup, the kink/trope would just appear, then not be mentioned again in future chapters. Had this trilogy been together as 1 book, or maybe even a duet, it might have come together for me. But as is, I just don't see how there will ever be a believable relationship between these two. And based on how it started, I don't care enough to see how it ends.

[Tm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, I like dark romance books. I like when the bad guy has a soft spot and falls in love.
But this was not about love at all. It was very sad. He didn’t want what’s best for the fmc or for her to be happy.
I was so sad that she was never able to paint or draw again. Never finish school. Never talk to her family again.
I’ve read books where the mcc was obsessed and possessive, but this went beyond that. This was not about love. It was about control. Obsessive control.
Not sure I’ll continue this trilogy. I don’t want her to end up with the mmc.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Originally 4.5 stars. I was still hopeful that the author knew what she was doing with this couple and could bring it around. How naive I was.


After reading the 2nd book:

Idk how I feel about this one yet. I need to see where the next book goes
Definitely needed another round of editing: soo repetitive

Star rating to come


After finishing the 3rd book:

This was not a romance.
I have a number of complaints about this book series but none more so than this is not a romance. This is not a dark romance. It’s just not no matter what the literal title says.

If this had been marketed as a thriller/psychological horror (and had some serious editing bc omg was it repetitive, also perhaps condensed into one book), it would easily have been at least 4 stars.
If you want to read this, I recommend going in with the expectations of a thriller.


I don’t consider it a spoiler to say none of the books in this trilogy contain anything that could be considered romance.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante and Hannah. Shes an art student. Shes working towards a scholorship. Her father is a gambler and has run up an impossible debt. The only payment Dante will except is Hannah. He navigated it that way. Hes kept her in her room alone with only him as company. Must be weeks feels like years. Hes taken everything from her. Shes only a shell of a being. When hes not with her hes watching her. Shes stopped eating. She doesnt flinch any longer. Speaks when spoken to. Empty words to placate him. Hes going further to claim her. Shes frightened and hes pleased for the reaction. She rebels. Shes threatened. She gives in. He promises more ways to claim her as she lies there with no hope. Everything he does is theaterical so that she will remember the event. Hes taking her as his possession not as a loving wife. She shows a defiance he thought was extinguished. He marks her finger permantly. Shes told this is much her doing as his. She retreats into herself.
Excerpt
""Every attempt at defiance will be met with a more permanante solution. Every rejection will result in a deeper claiming"".
Another warning another lesson. Hes takes her out, to dinner. Its time. A man dares to look at her. He disappeares not to return. She realizes that she will never escape because if anyone she crosses paths with will disappear. Better to stay in her gilded cage than put anyone in danger. She truely is trapped. He will not stop till he has controlled every aspect of her being. Even her thoughts. Not only is she being watched on video 24/7 she is being watched 24/7 by someone. Her days are scheduled to the minute. He wants a stepford wife. But he sees the smallest defiance still in her eyes. Her body knows what her mind denies. He has all but ignored his business. His entire existance is now Hannah. Hes gone completlly mad. Shes truely trapped with no way of escape.
Hes not only a monster hes an obssessed, dranged, insane, mad monster. He wants more always more never enough. I cant wait to see what happens next.

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

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine this: you're nineteen, teetering on the edge of adulthood, with dreams stretching out like open roads before you. Your family may be drowning in debt, but there’s love. There’s hope. That is, until Dante Severino steps into your life like a shadow falling over the sun. With one calculating glance, Dante chooses Hannah. Not out of love, but obsession and the need to possess this untouched, sparkling jewel. And like a spider drawing in its prey, he extends a poisoned thread of credit to her father—one he knows he’ll never repay. A debt trap with a single, horrific condition: Hannah, traded like currency. From the moment she's handed over, Hannah’s nightmare begins. A locked room becomes her universe, shrinking by the day, suffocating her spirit. But the true horror is Dante himself—impossibly calm and methodical in his madness. He may profess his love, but it’s a twisted delusion draped in control and cruelty. He doesn't want Hannah’s affection—he wants submission. Worship. Absolute dominion. Dante doesn’t rage. He breaks her with a smile. Every act of rebellion she dares is met with consequences that chill the blood—subtle, strategic, and soul-shattering. And when punishment isn’t enough, he inscribes his ownership into her flesh—his name, his mark, binding her body like a brand. There is no redemption here. No flicker of remorse in Dante’s eyes. No evolution, no thaw. Only the slow, suffocating realization that the monster you thought might be human is anything but. As Hannah clings to a flicker of resistance, Dante tightens the chains—not just the physical ones, but the psychological ones as well, in an effort to erase Hannah’s sense of self. This book reads less like a romance and more like a descent. A harrowing plunge into psychological horror, where love is twisted into obsession and hope is the most dangerous thing you can hold onto. I can’t imagine where this is going, but be warned—there are no heroes here. Only monsters in love with their own darkness.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Booksprout for the ARC to write this review.

Bound to Him is the first book in a trilogy. While it has dark themes, I'm not sure I’d label it as a dark romance—there's little romance to speak of in this book. Instead, we get a controlling mafia lord with serious personal space issues, who seeks to break and dominate a young woman sold to him to pay off her father’s debt. Throughout the entire first book, he focuses on breaking her spirit, even training her to react to him in specific ways. From the moment Dante sees Hannah, he decides she belongs to him, and nothing will stand in his way.

I spent much of the book frustrated by how easily Hannah seemed to be broken down. Despite losing her freedom, I thought she’d at least try to escape or push back more. Maybe we'll see more of that in book 2. By the end of book 1, though, I was tired of Dante's character and felt he lacked any character growth or backstory that would make me want to see him succeed in captivating Hannah. I wasn’t sure I was eager to dive into more of his preening over his control issues in the next book.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars, hoping that book 2 will bring more to the story and keep me hooked.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not call this series romance -at all. I'm a fan of the captive/captor, forced marriage tropes, but this, wasn't that. There is very little spice in these books and not much of anything happens through the 3 books in this series. I continued, because I wanted to know how the author would end this, but this bares little to no resemblance to any of the other captive/captor, forced marriage romances I've read previously. The fmc NEVER stops fighting, NEVER truly comes to love the mmc. Oh she says she does in the end, but it wasn't believable. Nothing in the pages of this book will lead you to believe that she truly does love him when she says she does. The author did not make believe it.

This series felt like an exercise in what total ownership of another human being might look like. That's it. Very little spice and no plot beyond that. Nothing between the main characters that could be considered love at the end of it all. Just obsession, control and a fmc that finally decides to stop fighting because its pointless.

3 stars because I read all three books, but this could have been so much better than it was.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is a student trying to make her way, but her father's gambling debts put her in path of a madman. He holds her father's debt, and the only payment he will take is her. All of her. He will do anything to keep her. He strips everything away from her, making her completely dependent on him. He warns her that every time she defies him, he will punish her with a permanent response and every time she rejects him, he will force his will and claim her deeper. This is a full claiming dark obsession. He wants to fully possess her and will use everything physical and psychological to do it. This is dark and disturbing, so I would pay attention to trigger warnings. This is also part 1 of 3 parts. There is no HEA here, just a completely OTT obsessed man that has absolutely no boundaries at all, enough money to do anything he wants and the lack of anything resembling morality. He is beyond gray, he bleeds into the black with his obsession.

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

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might want to make sure to 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 along the way. We have all heard this song and dance, Hannah an exceptional art student working towards a scholarship. Her father a gambler who thinks he can win or he almost wins until he realizes he is in so much debt, the kind he could never pay back and the only valuable thing he has is his daughter. Her father agrees she will be payment for his debt she is given to the one he owes, and his slate is wiped clean. Dante picks Hannah up from school and put in a beautiful cage, where she becomes a shell of herself just the way his goal is to rebuild her into what he wants to me but will he accomplish his goal of a Stepford wife (if you saw the show) will he accomplish or will he push to far losing her all together?

[Sabryna Madrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this series. If you need a quick read that's spicy and dark, this is the book. I read all three in two days. I couldn't seem to put it down despite my annoyances with it. This could have been an amazing series if it wasn't so repetitive. Every chapter alternates with the main characters and I swear they give the same monologue EVERY chapter. I get it.....he's obsessed.....she doesn't want to give in, just please give me more than that. I also didn't like how it jumped around a lot. It would have been amazing to get more details about their characteristics and story line between what we were given. I didn't even know how old Dante was, and it bothered me to the extreme. Little details were missed, story line needed more, and was repetitive.
I know I've been bashing, my apologies, I was merely venting. This serious was very captivating though, I admit. I couldn't put it down and wish I could have had some more answers after the last book. I hope you enjoy the series despite my venting. Don't take my word for it, experience it yourself.

[Malini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking what he wants by MeemsAngel82

Another book that is well written and has details to the story. You get a feel for the characters and in this particular book, there is not happiness yet. The leads are good people I believe, but he doesn't charm her and she feels trapped.

He encouraged her father's debts after while. The man was powerful and took what he wanted. And he wanted her.

I truly think that he is a the a good man. I think his obsession has taken over. His businesses, his world and hers. I wished he charmed her, I wish he did a lot of things. She was a good girl but she gave up so easily. It's hard not to but everything that happened she wasn't happy about. I don't doubt she felt pleasure, but there was no warmth and I was shocked. I know that something huge must be in store for these two and I can hardly wait to discover just how he'll win her over!

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

[Kerry Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read book 1 “Bound to Him” and book 2 “In His Name.” Hate to give low star ratings but these were simply boring.

I’ll give E.B. Fox her due. Expertly captured obsession and the breaking down of someone in captivity. But as a story arch that was not enough to pull together a plot. And quite frankly nothing else happened.

He obsesses. She try’s to flee or hold back pieces of herself and he chips away at this wall. There is no relationship building, his controlling behavior becomes repetitive and frankly predictable.

I’m skipping book 3. I don’t think this story is salvageable. If she escapes - what was the point of 3 books. It should have been a novella. If she breaks, same should have been pared down to a novella. And if he suddenly pivots to gain enlightenment and catches human feelings for her, well that would be a break from the character the author has crafted and come across as false.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know where to start. I had a hard time getting through this. And it wasn't the writing. It was the MMC. I couldn't stand him. And this is rare for me. I love captor/captive romances, especially dark. I got hung up on how he was supposed to be obsessed with her and yet he wanted to change her, drastically. And this is why it took me so long to review. It took me that long to get through it. Dante would irritate me and I'd have to stop reading for some time. He was also too cold towards her for my liking. Just something doesn't hit right. One of my top favorite trilogies of all time is this trope and I re-read it all the time. This just didn't do it for me. But as I said, the writing is good. I've read a lot from her under her other pen name and I have loved all of her books. I'm going to read the next two as well. I'm really hoping that Dante has some redemption.

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

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante and Hannah’s story is dark, twisted, and strangely addictive. Dante is ruthless and calculating, but the way he fixates on Hannah is unsettling in a way that makes you keep reading just to see what he’ll do next.

Hannah, caught in something she never chose, is relatable in her fear, confusion, and quiet strength. Her inner thoughts are what kept me grounded throughout the story. The tension between them is heavy from the start, but it’s written in a way that feels deliberate, not romanticized.

This isn’t a love story—it’s control, obsession, and survival. And somehow, it still manages to be captivating. Definitely not a light read, but if you like dark themes and morally complex characters, this one sticks with you.

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

[Thea Kubicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound to Him

Dante and Hannah

A dark and alluring romance novel that delves into themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human connections. It captivates with its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, making it a delightful choice for fans of the genre.

The story revolves around the intense chemistry between the protagonists, whose lives intertwine in unexpected and deeply passionate ways. E.B. Fox expertly crafts moments of emotional depth and vulnerability, exploring the challenges the characters face as they navigate their feelings and the circumstances that bind them together.

Overall, "Bound to Him" is a compelling tale that balances heartache, longing, and redemption. It does end on a cliffhanger.

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

[DJ Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot believe the MFC made this toxic f’d up situation seem ok. Like she’s pregnant and co-signed making it seem like her child will be ok to grow up in this environment. I would’ve set the whole house on fire. I can’t take a weak willed woman. Like she had opportunities to slice this man’s throat and didn’t. He never changed and is partly (wholly) crazy. Like her baby is gonna be a psychopath. This is an origin story for those diddy style relationships. This was pathetic. I should’ve listened to the comments.

I’m not victim blaming but at some point at one of those parties or when she had a knife she should’ve took action. If not for herself for her child. SMH. THIS IS NOT OK 🙄

On a positive note, the author did go all the way with the dubcon/noncon trope. Some of these stories pussyfoot around it or deliver it apologetically. E.B definitely went for “BIG MONEY NO WHAMMY”

[Kelsey Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

I didn't see any at the beginning of the book so I would recommend a trigger warnings at the beginning of it for people. This book has very obsessive behavior, rape, and mentions murder and self harm (not in great detail but it's still there).

I am usually a historical or fantasy romance reader
but I have trying to branch out into dark romances. This book definitely got the dark part covered but there isn't much in the way of romance. This book is very much a forced proximity, one sided "romance" that's really more obsession than romance/ love.

The writing style is good and the book flows easily. A very short read that makes you kind of go "what the heck am I reading" but you don't want to put it down.

I am very much rooting for Hannah to get a HEA so we'll see where the next 2 books go

[LeMiliere · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book in this trilogy is a short and fast-paced read. But I would not describe this as a romance it's more of a dark domination of a captive story about Dante and Hannah. Dante has been obsessed with Hannah from the first time he saw her and decided he had to have her, and then he got her.

The characters are well-drawn and I couldn't help but feel for Hannah whilst I took an immediate dislike to Dante. His behaviour towards Hannah was somewhat extreme.

But if you're a fan of obsessive, cruel, jealous and possessive alpha males he may appeal to you.

I look forward to reading the next instalment of this trilogy.

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

[J.p · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never in all the years that I’ve enjoyed reading have I ever disliked an MC more than I dislike Dante. Usually they have redeeming qualities but Dante is obsessed with Hannah and he means to break her 19 yr old innocent spirit. This is dark but I’ve yet to see any romance, He made it impossible for her father to pay his gambling debts as he just wanted her and nothing else. Hannah is innocent and naive and I just wished she had more of a backbone, let’s hope he hasn’t broken her for good and we start to see a stronger Hannah in book 2, I’m rooting for her to get a hea. This does end on a cliffhanger, and I await to see what’s next. This is by no means a negative review it’s just I’m so intrigued by what route the author is going to take Dante and Hannah’s story.

[Courtny Renee Taylor]

- Over the top MMC
- Possessive MMC (some may say addicted)
- Tampered BC
- Forced Proximity
- Virgin FMC
- Dual POV

The story line / plot of this book were so good. Dante basically doesn’t know the word no. He gets what he wants & what he wants is Hannah. The book ends on a cliffhanger & I NEED to know what happens next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout & am voluntarily leaving a review.
The only thing I wish the book had, was more detailed spicy scenes. I’m hoping in the next book those pick up. Other than that, no complaints on the story, progression of character growth, etc.

[R Rais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obsession is not love. Thats what my logic brain said. So this man, this main male charachter, Dante really had my jaw dropped with his POV. In this first book, i dont see any redeeming quality. I dont see how this call romance. I'm open for the author to change my mind though.
Although, with Hannah, i'm bit skeptical. Too.. Demure? Not sure what to call her. Its like little porcelain doll with her. No emotion, no fight, no fire. I just... Is it because her young age? Her virginity status before Dante?
I just dont feel attachment with her. Shes just words the author wrote, and dont feel like a charachter for me. I need more fire in her to love and root for her.

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

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dante is an unforgiving man who takes what he wants.
Hannah is the eldest of three children their life at home in modest but her dad has a painful secret. He gambles and he’s in debt with a lot of different people and is struggle to repay what he owes.
Dante sets his sights and Hannah and decides this is how her father will clear his debt.

All Hannah wants is to get her scholarship and fulfil all her dreams little does she know her dream are about to come crashing down.

Great first book in the trilogy and very dark can’t wait to read the next one.

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

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

This was a great book to read this story was written well with triggers also this ends on a cliffhanger and the characters were amazing. This book was about Dante is a Dominant, ruthless, manipulative, psychotic, mob boss, the first time he sees her he became Obsessive he had to have her. Hannah has been dancing with the devil, playing his games, being obedient, dark romance, bdsm, there was so much to this author and the cliffhanger was so much more throughout. Now I have to wait for the next one.

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

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound To Him is the first book in the Marked For Him Trilogy which is a dark Mafia romance between Dante, a Mafia boss, who becomes obsessed with Hannah whose family is deep in debt mostly contrived by him. He accepts Hannah as payment for the debt and immediately begins to mold her as his. This intriguing dark romance has a complex and domineering male character, possessiveness, manipulation, vulnerability, emotional drama, and eroticism. The book ends in a cliffhanger which will be followed by Book Two, In His Name.

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

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and fast paced read. It held my attention throughout.
I would consider this a darker, captive romance.
From the moment Dante laid his eyes on Hannah, he wanted her. More importantly he got her.
I'll be honest it brought out lots of emotions for me. My heart hurt for Hannah. She hasn't given up completely at least.
Also, I'm not a fan of Dante. I kept hoping he might soften or show more emotions beyond obsession. That was not the case.
However, if your looking for a MMC who's jealous/possessive and his obsession knows no bounds, he is just that.

[thecontinuitybibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dual POV, Spicy, Dark, Mafia MMC, Captor x Captive, Age Gap, Her First Time

Dante becomes obsessed with Hannah and decides he'll do anything to make her his including locking her in his home where the only contact she's allowed is him. Hannah character doesn't have much depth other than being a naïve young woman who is stripped of all autonomy. This is the first in a trilogy so I'm hoping to see some character growth as Dante's ruthlessness and his need for absolute control paired with Hannah's submissiveness doesn't exactly scream romance.

[Brandy Alamari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is going to be very triggering for a lot of people. I don't have any trigger issues, and I even cringed a few times.
This guy takes obsession and possessiveness to the next next next level.
My friend asked me what kept me hooked and wanting to continue reading the story, and I thought "morbid curiosity"?
How far will he go?
I do have to say, aside from all of this I did enjoy reading this, and am looking forward to reading the next book more than I should admit.

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