Pretty sure that’s going to haunt me for the rest of my life.
I’m trying to make up for it.
Be a good person.
Live a normal life outside of the mafia.
Too bad my father’s stupid blood oath is going to come due.
Conall
We are in a war that might be impossible to win.
It won’t stop me from taking the wife I’ve dreamed of for years.
Francesca Santelli has been my obsession for longer than she knows.
I’ve been patient, giving her time for a life, but I’m done waiting.
I also might have rigged things so she could be mine, but I’ll never tell.
Francesca has secrets she thinks she can keep from me, but I will uncover every last one of them.
❤️Irish Mob Interconnected Standalone
❤️Age gap
❤️Forced Marriage
❤️Touch her and...
❤️Jealous & Possessive Hero
❤️"My Wife"
❤️He falls first
❤️Who did this to you
No cheating. HEAs. All books are part of the interconnected worlds that Haven creates. Expect to see all characters more than once. While these can be read as standalone novels, they are best read sequentially.
Irish mafia boss Conall O’Kelly values control above all. Every move he makes is calculated, every piece of his environment kept in perfect order — except for Francesca Santelli, the little sister of his friend Angelo, an Italian mafia boss. A blood oath names Francesca as his bride. He doesn’t know that Frankie is aware of the bond, having stumbled upon the document on her 18th birthday. The knowledge that her future was not her own drove the formerly well-behaved, sweet mafia princess to years of self-destruction. When that “party girl” path leads to murder at age 24, she makes a sudden 180, intriguing Conall. He loves a good puzzle and Frankie’s drastic change makes him buzz with the desire to solve the mystery. Two years later, Frankie is attacked at her nursing job, and although Conall isn’t sure why — and Frankie’s keeping mum — he does know it’s high time to claim his headstrong bride. As a mafia war brews and attacks keep coming, how much blood will spill before Frankie comes clean?
I enjoyed this book, thought it was a bit more of a slow burn than I usually prefer. I was expecting some epic fireworks as Conall’s possessiveness clashed with Frankie’s independence but they didn’t materialize. Sure, Frankie wasn’t happy with the arrangement, but there wasn’t the blazing anger I was waiting for. It was a fairly tepid heat really.
I liked Francesca overall, but I lost count of how many times I shouted “Just tell him already!” in my head. It was frustrating, especially because she knew at the very least her secret would have an impact on Conall’s and Angelo’s mafias (and those of their two other friends) and at worst, it could spell betrayal and death.
I love a possessive man (in book form) and Conall was definitely that, but I did struggle with his personality at times. He was of course calm and controlled thanks to his heartbreaking past but I wanted to see him be more emotional with (rather than about) Frankie. I did love the fury that consumed him any time someone hurt or threatened his woman — that’s always swoon worthy to me — but I guess I was hoping for more feels. I would’ve liked the same from Frankie. However, I understand that neither of them was that kind of person, though, and it didn’t detract from the book. It’s just that my little romantic heart loves a tough man who melts around his partner.
The hot and heavy wasn’t particularly either but it wasn’t bad. It just lacked some sizzle. The plot was interesting and not too complicated and the book was an easy read. I’ve not 100% made up my mind, but I’ll probably read the next one. (My hesitancy isn’t due to the author; I’m just not a fan of Frankie’s friend Theo and the next book is hers.)
Great palette cleanser, though don't expect the world from this book. You get a lot of action and story but not a lot of relationship building. Definitely better as a series than as a standalone. Personally, I'm enjoying the story enough to keep reading the series. Took about 20% of the book going over the backstory and setting up the story. Then the ending was a bit anticlimactic.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, what a rollercoaster of a ride! This is a dark mafia romance, & the 2nd book in The Commission Novel Series. Ok, let's get to it...
FULL REVIEW & POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD: So this is the story about Conall O’Kelly & Francesca Santelli. Conall is the eldest of the group. He's meticulous, broody, & all about control to the very last detail. He's OCD af, but for good reason. His childhood was rough, which in turn made him who he is today. From a bloodoath pact made years ago by their father's, Maxim, Angelo, Ilias, & Conall's lives are bonded together, creating a powerful union between all 4 mafia's through marriage. His fate lies with Francesca, Angelo's little sister.
Francesca is independent, smart, & hard-working. Her life changed forever when she accidently killed the family's rival, Fausto Oliveto. Whoopsie! 🤦♀️ Not knowing what to do she calls her ride or die bff, Theo (who is chaos wrapped in couture btw) & they take care of business. Vowing to secrecy, Francesca tries to keep out of trouble, so she goes to nursing school. Life seems to be going good, until Oliveto's brother catches wind that good ol Francesca might have something to do with his death. So he sends his goons to scare her into confessing, leading Conall to swoop in to protect her.
Conall fell hard for Francesca years ago, & now his well thought out plan to get hitched is finally coming to fruition. No time for a romantic honeymoon cause all hell breaks loose & the whole band of mafia men are back together. Taking a deep dive into the unknown abyss of chaos, this story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster as a whole basket-full of plot twists ensues! Thank goodness these men bring snarky "brotherly" banter with them & Theo is the bff we all need! 🤣🙌 Overall, this book hit different than the rest. A definite intriguing read, 3.25 ⭐️'s
TROPES & TW's: 🖤 Dark Mafia Romance 🖤 Arranged Marriage 🖤 Age G@p 🖤 My Wife 🖤 Slow Burn 🖤 He Falls First 🖤 Protective, OCD MMC 🖤 Strong, Witty FMC 🖤 Emotional Trauma, He Helps Her Heal 🖤 Revenge & Plot Twist 🖤 Burn the World for Her, T0uch her & ☠️ 🖤 Spice 🌶🌶
FAV QUOTES/SCENES: Theodosia Anthakos was my best friend, but she was lightning in the middle of a tornado, even during the best of times. The girl was a disaster. I loved her anyway, but it was wise to approach her (and all her hare-brained schemes) with caution.
One, two, three, four. Exhale.
"Don’t think for a second that I’ll let you dictate everything, Francesca. This is still my world, my rules. You may have your conditions, but don’t test your luck." - "I wouldn’t dream of it."
"Do you think they’ll kiss at the end? Or is that asking too much?” Brody smirked. “She might slap him first.”
My wife
You're mine
A-Hole Chat - Me: We need to talk about protection. Maxim: You need to talk about the birds and the bees? Ilias: You need extra small condoms? I’ll pick you up a box. Angelo: For fuck sake, you assholes. I hate you all. He’s married to my sister. Can we not talk about his dick?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Frankie and Conall have been tied to each other before they even knew one another by a blood oath created by their fathers. They have always flirted and even since Frankie’s eighteen birthday Conall has not stopped thinking about her. That’s the night Frankie found out herself that she was already to be married off.
After what her mother put het through she never wanted to be married or have children but she doesn’t have much of a say with her marriage part.
Conall is going about his life and Frankie is now 24 or so and she endured something I wish upon no one. She is almost raped by a man she meets at the club so she does what her brother taught her defend herself but then she is in a whole other debacle, she finds out that this man is Fausto Oliveto. Now and she calls on Theo her ride of die who comes up with the plan to ditch and burn all evidence of said accident and deny deny deny until proven otherwise.
After that night Frankie decided going forth that she would only do things to help people and now she is a nurse and is loving it, until one day at her ER there’s a man and she pushes him and asks too many questions and assaulted her and he tells her “We’re watching you,” he hissed in my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “You’re a murderer.” so now she is freaked out and Conall comes to the rescue and makes her stay with him for the night to be safe or so she thought. But no, this will be the night of her wedding and to say that Frankie is less than thrilled after her traumatic day is saying something. But she knows this must happen and agrees but she has her terms and I love her for this! Conall agrees to them but has some of his own too.
But this is only the start of the push back from the Oliveto, now cosmio is still trying to figure out who murdered his brother and hers to Frankie when she is out and all four men part of the blood oath are not happy and now double protection is in order. It now she must come clean to Conall about what happened those two years ago. And he is saddened that she didn’t tell him. But now that this is all out in the air I feel like they have a stronger bond. But now all the other men need to know and those men include her brother. To say that they are shocked is that are all shocked with what she had done, now they are questioning what cosmio really motives are with joining as an ally with them. Is it to see what information that he can get or something else but the questioning doesn’t last long until another attack and this time cosmio get his 10 monies with Frankie to ask her the questions he has been wanting answers but vallento doesn’t allow his the time, this man shots him and then comes to let Frankie know that he is her father. Like what!!!!!
Now he is trying to have a relationship with her but will she allow this, and what is his end game?
Will she change her rule of not wanting children for Conall and how is with his nephew. Frankie knows that Conall will never leave her and will protect her with each dying breath.
I LOVED reading this one!!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was an absolute rollercoaster from start to finish — action-packed, full of twists, and bursting with chemistry between the leads. Francesca and Conall's story was gripping, layered, and frustrating in the best possible way at times. Irish mafia boss, Conall O’Kelly is a man who needs order and control more than air to breathe. Impulsive is a dirty word and he always acts with calculated consideration, but he meets his match in Francesca “Frankie” Santelli, his friend, Angelo’s little sister. A fiery, headstrong, woman, carrying a secret that could shake the foundation of multiple mafia families. Their arranged marriage, sealed by a blood oath, is a powerful hook, and watching their relationship unfold kept me turning the pages. I loved how Frankie’s transformation from a self-destructive, reckless party girl to a composed, driven woman completely fascinated Conall. It made him itch to discover why and elevated their connection beyond just obligation or attraction. The chemistry between the two was off the charts. You could feel the tension simmering every time they were on the page together. However, considering the fact that Frankie had known about the blood oath for years, I expected more resistance. Frankie’s independence clashing with Conall’s domineering, possessive nature had so much potential for explosive scenes, but instead, things stayed surprisingly muted. I found myself wishing for more of that raw push-pull energy — especially from Frankie, who, despite her resistance to the arrangement, never brought the blazing fury I anticipated. I liked Frankie a lot, but her stubborn secrecy was maddening at times. Given the dangerous stakes and the potential fallout for all four families, her silence was hard to justify, even if understandable on a personal level. As for Conall, he was a possessive alpha male through and through, and I definitely loved that. His all-consuming fury whenever Frankie was hurt or threatened was a sight to behold. But I found myself wanting him to be more emotionally vulnerable with Frankie. His past explains a lot of his guarded nature, and I respected that, but I just craved a bit more softness underneath the steel. Still, none of these critiques dulled my enjoyment. Their story was explosive, full of drama, suspense, and high-stakes intrigue. The plot never let up, and the mafia world felt vividly real and dangerously addictive. While my romantic heart yearned for a few more emotional highs, the intense storyline and scorching chemistry more than delivered. A thrilling, sexy, and suspenseful ride — I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves mafia romance with grit and heart. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She found out about the blood oath when she was 18. Her brother is part of The Commission, a mafia alliance of 4 families, and they all promised to marry into each other's families in order to strengthen their alliance. She was born an Italian mafia princess. She knew it was out there, but when she got into her twenties she hopes it will never come to fruition. But when a mistake from her past comes back to threaten her, he steps in and tells her he is enacting the oath and they are getting married. She resists at first but ultimately knows she has no choice. He is the head of the Irish mob, and the richest of all of them. She has always known him as one of her brother's inner circle, but now he informs her they are to be married. When they drew names to figure out which families would marry, he made sure to stack things in his favor. He knew he wanted her, he has been content to let her experience a little life while he watches from the wings, but the second she is in danger he steps in. She might not like being forced into marriage but she can't deny that her new husband is a force and they have incredibly steamy chemistry. He will compromise on many things but her sleeping in his bed isn't one of them....He is a strong possessive morally gray hero who is obsessed with his bride. He also suffers from OCD which has great representation in the story. Not only it happening and how he deals with it, but also his own frustration with it as he has so much control in his life, and the influence she has over it and him. This is the second book in a 4 book series. While each couple story is it's own stand alone, the back story is laid out over the course of the books, there is mafia family drama that continues through the series and you will get little updates on previous characters in the subsequent stories so I recommend you read them in order. It is a good and well written series, each with a happily ever after. This is the second in the series, in the first book the MMC's sister marries into the Russian mafia. The next book features the FMC's brother marrying her best friend, both who appear in this book. Read the whole series, you won't be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I will Say this tho: 1. I didn't see the plot twist coming. kudos! 2. Idk who Sean is but I'm gonna need his book because this:
"However, Sean wasn’t as restrained. He lunged forward, gripping the man by the throat.
“You better pray he keeps holding me back,” Sean growled, his fingers tightening until the man’s face turned an alarming shade of red. “I’m going to start cutting off body parts. We’ll start with fingers and move on to other appendages.” -"
WAS HOT AF. idc what anyone says lmao.
few errors:
“How was your visit with our wonderful niece?” I reached up and pulled him down into a kiss, savoring the hint of lemon on his lips. His eyes lit up.
“So good. He’s such a good baby.”
Cora and Maxim’s baby was a little darling. Conall took his role as an uncle seriously, insisting on seeing his nephew every chance he got. It was a bit crazy how much he loved carrying him around.
IS IT A BOY OR A GIRL????
Ilias’s expression darkened. “Scarpato. They underbid by a lot.”
Angelo scoffed, leaning back. "Fantastic. Just what we needed."
I finished the rest of my whiskey, placing the glass down with a gentle clink. “Looks like we’re not just rebuilding a club. The Scarpeto’s may be stepping to the plate. Bold moves.”
SCARPATO or SCARPETO????
I really can't deal with this types of mistakes 🫠
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was the story I had been waiting for since the start of this series. The sturdy man, the tough one who she couldn't help thinking about. And she was the one he couldn't stop thinking about. I loved that they both were so curious about one another and both are so strong in different ways. The side characters are entertaining and we get a huge surprise near the end!
She did it in self defense and her best friend helped her cover it up. Now someone was after her. And he would finally take what was his.
I loved that they both were kind of dancing around the other! I loved their chemistry and what a steamy one. The friends made their pact and this man was all in and letting her know that this was going to be real and forever. He had to deal with a lot and so did she. Their world was so dangerous but each found peace together. I loved that she changed her mind on children and enjoyed how the side characters play off one another! I look forward to the rest of this exciting series and hope she bonds more with a certain character.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This the second Commission series, the series should be read in order due the overarching storyline. Maxim, Conall, Angelo and Ilias were made to take a blood oath by their fathers to marry someone in one of the other families. This was meant to cement and alliance. Each of the now man have stopped some of their fathers' businesses like human trafficking. The timeline picks up sometime after Maxim’s Promise.
Conall has been obsessed with Francesca Santelli for some time and knew that eventually she would be his wife. When she is attacked, it is time to let her know some truths and move up the marriage timeline. He thinks this is the first time she is hearing about but she find out years ago by accident.
I love how Frankie takes over his home, and he really let her even though the clutter stressed him out. She really helps him relax. More secrets are revealed but there is still unanswered questions. Cannot wait for the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Conall’s Reign is absolutely suspenseful and a page turning mafia romance. The story is fabulously written, exceptionally balanced with action/romance and perfectly executed by Haven Fox. She continues to showcase what an incredible author she is with each book I’ve read by her thus far. I can’t wait to see what Haven Fox’s next book will be about. Conall’s Reign follows the journey of Conall and Francesca. The chemistry between these two characters is absolutely breathtaking and undeniably irresistible. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know both Conall and Francesca as well as witnessing their story unfolding throughout the book. I absolutely love that they have a happy ending to their story with them being happy together as a couple. I can hardly wait to read more fantastic mafia romance stories from this series in the future. I would absolutely give this book as a recommendation for anyone to checkout and give it a read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Conall's Reign by Haven Fox, Book 2 of The Commission series, is a thrilling blend of billionaire luxury, Irish mafia grit, and slow-burn passion. Conall is the kind of anti-hero you love to hate — powerful, possessive, and deeply complex. His chemistry with the leading lady crackles from the start, pulling you into a world of danger, desire, and high-stakes tension.
The story moves at a great pace, with plenty of twists and emotional moments that keep you hooked. The mix of romance and mafia drama is intense, and the stakes feel real — you’ll definitely find yourself rooting for their love to survive the chaos.
If you enjoy dark romance with dominant alpha males, strong heroines, and a gritty underworld edge, Conall’s Reign is a gripping and emotional ride. A solid addition to a series that just keeps getting better.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This Irish mafia romance was a fun exciting read for me. I was flying through the pages. I just love the world Haven Fox created. Her main characters and supporting characters are all great. This book was full of suspense, action, and of course steamy romance.
Our FMC is Francesca (aka Frankie) she's fierce and intelligent. I love her independent attitude. She's a mafia princess determined not to be a pawn.
Our MMC is Conall our tatted, protective, obsessed, morally-grey hero. I love a sexy Irish man. She left an impression, he's been secretly pining for her and watching her from the shadows. He set things in motion to make her his bride and finally claim her.
These two are a trip together. Their banter and chemistry were hot.
We get: Forced marriage Age-gap (11 yr) Possessive/obsessed morally-grey MMC
This series is fantastic. This is the second book in the interconnected series of standalone. I'm eager for the next book!
Conall’s Reign gives us Francesca and Conall’s story and it was a pretty decent mafia book. I really liked both characters and I loved how Conall wasn’t like a lot of the typical mafia men I’ve read about. The blood oath part was interesting to me but I would have like some more background on that. I didn’t read the first book so maybe it was explained better there? I will say my biggest thing that prevented me from rating higher was that the story was really fast paced - almost too much at some parts. It left me feel like there were still things that could have been expanded more on throughout the book. I would have liked to see more of how Conall manipulated certain things and I think more of an epilogue would have been nice as well.
I received a free ARC of this book from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Conall is a possessive, OCD, Irish psycho with a soft spot for one very stubborn mafia princess, and honestly? It works. Francesca’s messy, guarded, and so deep in her own guilt spiral she almost drowns in it, but girl’s got grit. The tension between them is slow but heavy, less fireworks, more low-key emotional claustrophobia with sex on standby. I kept waiting for her to finally spit it out and stop playing mystery nurse, and when she didn’t, I nearly screamed into my pillow. The blood oath thing adds weight, but it’s the small moments (like her reorganizing his perfect life just to watch him twitch) that made me grin. It’s not as spicy as I wanted, but the vibe? Thick. You get possessive rage, mafia politics, and a man who’s basically been waiting in the shadows to wife her up since puberty. I liked it more than Maxim’s book. On to the next.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book, I was flabbergasted reading this story was an absolute treat. I was mesmerised by the story that it left me speechless. It's about four men that took over their fathers Empires in the mafia. Conall Irish Mob, Angelo, Maxim and Ilias had been forced to sign in their own blood after their fathers signatures. This was about murder, alliances, hot, spicy, jealousy, obsessive, mafia, forced marriage, revenge, enemies to lovers. Conall is to marry Francesca, with one of the sister's is to marry one of the men so the four guys are entwined together for a stronger alliance. Francesca wants to be a nurse so she told Conall she wants a contract drawn up before she said yes.
I’m kind of on the fence about this one because I didn’t much care for the MMC. He was emotionally constipated. He was the J/P hero type about her, but just couldn’t connect with Francesca. Francesca was a party girl until she became an unaliver, at which point she turned her life around. She had grit, and I like and admire grit. She and Theo (who was not always easy, but was a great character) are the reason why I gave this book four stars instead of three stars. The burn was a little slow for me, too. But it’s an easy read with strong female characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fox has become one of my go to authors as of late, and this installment to The Commission series is a testament as to why that is. Her stories hook you right from the beginning, no mundane filler to drone through, just the goods. Full of suspense, action, twists and turns, the story of Francesca and Conall has it all. I will be anxiously waiting for the rest of what’s coming from this blood oath the fathers made all those years ago!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Conall's Reign is fantastic! It's Conall and Francesca's story and what a ride it is! Irish Mafia Boss Conall O'Kelly and Francesca Santelli, sister of Italian Mob Boss Angelo Santelli, who's also Conall's friend, are set to marry each other. Their journey is absolutely explosive in every way. The chemistry, the storyline, the drama, the intrigue, I loved it all! I can't wait to see what's next in The Commission Novel series!
Frankie and Conal is the second book in the Comission series. Frankie found out about the blood oath by accident. She wanted nothing to do with it and went into nursing. Conal has always known he was going to marry her. But he had to do it underhandedly. She insisted on a contract. And Ireland and Italy combined forces. But troubles on the horizon and secret fathers is not be excluded. Find out for yourself. I totally recommend this book.
The story doesn’t let up; it’s a ride filled with sharp turns, moments of vulnerability that gut you, and passion that feels almost too much but exactly right for these two. And when the dust settles, you’re left with that ache in your chest—the kind that comes from watching two broken people find a way to fit their jagged edges together.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a fast paced story with twist and turns to keep you on your toes. Connally and Francesca were great characters who were easy to love. Conell had been interested for years so when he suggested their marriage she agreed. I received an advanced copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Conall always knew Francesca would be his, and whe he calls in his fathers oath of marriage pact it brings Francesca right into his arms, but she wasn't all to happy to be brought back, but Conall won't give up so easily. Well written engaging, steamy desires, arranged marriage and more. Great addition to the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
WOW, Loved reading Conall’s Reign. I love books that capture you from the first page and this book was right on target. This book was action packed until the very end with some twist and turns in it too. The chemistry between Francesca and Conall was off the charts and loved their story! I can't wait for the next book to come out to see what happens next!!
I have been waiting for this one since the beginning on the first book when our H made sure our h was the one for him. If you looking for an OTT JP who knows what he wants and doesn't back down and a book thats also filled with so much chemistry and drama.... this needs to be your next read. It hits all the spots.
Honestly I am loving to get to know the men and the ladies of this series. Conall is so OCD and Francesca is a breath of fresh air. They shouldn’t work together but they do and to see the changes in both of them. I would definitely read this book again.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was mediocre. Fine but not satisfying. Hero and heroine were fine and likable but action wasn’t enough. If there were more action then it would be a 5 stars from me because the writing is good, characters were rich and the editing was good. The story is intriguing but the lack of action makes this story meh…
A good story with well drawn out plot. The MCs were very well developed. World building was excellent. received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!
I thought this book was well written and I couldn't put it down. Haven Fox did it again and I can't wait to read more. This is the second book in this series. I recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Conall's Reign: A Billionaire, Irish Mafia Romance Book 2 of The Commission Novel Series Haven Fox
The story and characters, Conall and Francesca, are well written with chemistry, passion and substance. I enjoyed the journey this book took me on. Good read.