What do you think?
Rate this book
Kastaris Greek Mafia #2
Before Broken Vows
The man I ran from is the only one who can save me.
And the only one who might ruin me.
Four years ago, I disappeared without a word.
I left behind my heart, my future, and Theo Kastaris. The most dangerous man I’ve ever
known.
He called it betrayal. I called it survival.
Now, an enemy I can't outrun has forced me back to his city, desperate and exposed.
Theo hasn’t forgotten what I did. Hasn’t forgiven me either.
His touch is colder. His eyes burn with questions I can’t answer, not yet. Not without destroying us both.
But what started as a desperate plea for protection is reigniting the intoxicating fire between us, threatening to spiral into the delicious darkness only he can command.
He still owns me. In every way that counts.
And when he finds out the truth I’ve buried?
He’ll never let me go again.
This dark, high-heat second chance mafia romance
• 🔥 Possessive, Obsessive Morally Grey Hero
• 🔥 Woman in Jeopardy With A Devastating Secret
• 🔥 Intense Second Chance After Betrayal
• 🔥 Don't Touch What's Mine
• 🔥 Forced Proximity
• 🔥 Dom/Sub Dynamic
• 🔥 Emotional Angst + Explosive Chemistry
• 🔥 Greek Mafia Power Struggles
• 🔥 Standalone with HEA
Book 2 of The Kastaris Greek Mafia Series. Can be read as a standalone, but the full experience starts with Book One. Contains mature themes, graphic violence, and explicit content. For readers who love dominant men, dangerous secrets, and second chances that burn.
And the only one who might ruin me.
Four years ago, I disappeared without a word.
I left behind my heart, my future, and Theo Kastaris. The most dangerous man I’ve ever
known.
He called it betrayal. I called it survival.
Now, an enemy I can't outrun has forced me back to his city, desperate and exposed.
Theo hasn’t forgotten what I did. Hasn’t forgiven me either.
His touch is colder. His eyes burn with questions I can’t answer, not yet. Not without destroying us both.
But what started as a desperate plea for protection is reigniting the intoxicating fire between us, threatening to spiral into the delicious darkness only he can command.
He still owns me. In every way that counts.
And when he finds out the truth I’ve buried?
He’ll never let me go again.
This dark, high-heat second chance mafia romance
• 🔥 Possessive, Obsessive Morally Grey Hero
• 🔥 Woman in Jeopardy With A Devastating Secret
• 🔥 Intense Second Chance After Betrayal
• 🔥 Don't Touch What's Mine
• 🔥 Forced Proximity
• 🔥 Dom/Sub Dynamic
• 🔥 Emotional Angst + Explosive Chemistry
• 🔥 Greek Mafia Power Struggles
• 🔥 Standalone with HEA
Book 2 of The Kastaris Greek Mafia Series. Can be read as a standalone, but the full experience starts with Book One. Contains mature themes, graphic violence, and explicit content. For readers who love dominant men, dangerous secrets, and second chances that burn.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
About the author
Gabriella Blackrose
19 books22 followersWelcome, dark romance lovers.
I'm Gabriella Blackrose, and I write steamy, high-stakes mafia romances set in an interconnected world. My books are filled with morally gray men who would burn down a city for the woman they love and the fierce, complicated heroines who challenge them at every turn.
If you crave obsession, forbidden tension, touch-her-and-die protectiveness, and slow-burn danger that explodes into heat, you're in the right place.
Fair warning: these stories might ruin you for nice fictional boyfriends forever, but honestly, isn't that half the fun? 😂
When I'm not writing, I'm chatting with readers, untangling new betrayals, and expanding the world where my mafia families rise.
I'm Gabriella Blackrose, and I write steamy, high-stakes mafia romances set in an interconnected world. My books are filled with morally gray men who would burn down a city for the woman they love and the fierce, complicated heroines who challenge them at every turn.
If you crave obsession, forbidden tension, touch-her-and-die protectiveness, and slow-burn danger that explodes into heat, you're in the right place.
Fair warning: these stories might ruin you for nice fictional boyfriends forever, but honestly, isn't that half the fun? 😂
When I'm not writing, I'm chatting with readers, untangling new betrayals, and expanding the world where my mafia families rise.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 25, 2025
I did not like this one. I enjoyed the first book and those two main characters, but this one just fell very flat. The beginning just annoyed me. Stassi comes back into Theo’s life and wants Theo’s help, she says she will tell him the truth about everything, but then wants to wait until she finds the perfect words??? The perfect time???? Just drawing it out in an unsuccessful attempt to be suspenseful but it was too far of a reach.
And the storyline itself was just far too predictable.
And the storyline itself was just far too predictable.
August 16, 2026
I thought I wasn’t going to like Theo after reading the first book.
I was wrong. Why? Because author seemed to have forgotten what she wrote in the first book.
What we know about Theo from book one:
And
And
And
And
But in this book there is no mention of that, as if it was never written.
In this book we have:
And
And
There is no mention of his club, no mention of him being a walking std. They get down and dirty without protection. Like he was never written in book one.
Then there is Stassi.
Stassi was insufferable and annoying. Almost 50% of the book she is like, I need help, but I’m not going to tell you from who or why, but I need your protection, but I’m still not going to tell you from who or why, but I was scared, and no, I’m not going to tell you of what or why, but I will tell you, just not now, but I will tell you later, because I don’t know how to say it and I need time to prepare what I’m going to say and how I’m going to say it and I need to be prepared for your reaction to it.
F*ck off with this back and forth. This is not suspense, this is not angst, this is dragging of an overly used stupid plot of
On the same page:
We don’t need stupidity to drive the story; Stassi wakes up, Theo is still sleeping, how weird because he is always up early, let’s ignore it and go find Marlena and Xander. Marlena should have breakfast already done, but there is no hint of it, Xander should also be running around, but it’s very quiet. Maybe they went to check on the trees outside. That’s it, because it can’t be that we are being targeted and people want to kill us. Not at all. Let’s make some coffee and enjoy the calm and quiet.
Her whole character was underdeveloped. Sure she was hiding, but that was the only thing she was doing. No family, no friends, no life, just Marlena helping her out.
Then some plotholes
I was wrong. Why? Because author seemed to have forgotten what she wrote in the first book.
What we know about Theo from book one:
"So how many girls do you bring to sex clubs?" I ask.
Ares rubs his chin, acting like he's thinking, and then looks at me through his mask.
"Only one. You," he says simply. "Truthfully, this is Theo's domain. He runs this club."
"Wait. What?" I nearly choke. "Theo? Your brother? Mr. Uptight?"
Ares laughs. "Yes. He used to practically live here. Maybe still does, for all I know. He started this. I wasn't so keen on it, but when he showed me the money, I wanted him to open up two,"
And
Theo laughs it off and stands, realizing he's not going to win this right now.
"Speaking of women, I'm heading to Hades. I have two women waiting for me who need to be taught a lesson." He winks, already heading for the door.
And
"You're my right hand, Theo, you know that, so I'm just going to say it—no bullshit."
"Jesus, Ares. What is it?"
I lean back, unsure of how he's going to take this. "Lately, every time we have to come here, you wind up spending the night before we leave fucking anything that moves and drinking yourself into a mess."
I can see a wave of emotions fly across his face until he settles on defiance.
"I like to have fun? So what? It hasn't stopped me from doing my job, has it?"
And
"Are you worried you'll run into her?" I ask plainly.
He rubs his forehead. "No, of course not. She's in Los Angeles anyhow." I nod.
"Okay, so why do you know that?" I ask.
"Look. I'm just processing some shit, Ares. Alright? It's not affecting us, or our family, so what does it matter?"
And
Theo came out of the back bedroom looking a bit hungover and talked to Ares about something he did at their little sex club.
But in this book there is no mention of that, as if it was never written.
In this book we have:
Since I laid eyes on her, there's been this cold and vicious feeling in my chest. From the moment she left, I've wondered where she went. Why she vanished. Over the course of four years, I buried the pain beneath layers of work, control, and too many one-night stands—searching for meaning in a meaningless situation.
And
"And yet..." Theo's eyes flick down my body, to the hem of the robe riding up my thigh, then back to my face. "I never stopped wanting you. Not for a single goddamn minute," he says and rubs his face. "Damn you for making me love you so much it felt like losing a limb when you left."
And
"I'm going to punish you for every goddamn night I spent alone," he growls.
There is no mention of his club, no mention of him being a walking std. They get down and dirty without protection. Like he was never written in book one.
Then there is Stassi.
Stassi was insufferable and annoying. Almost 50% of the book she is like, I need help, but I’m not going to tell you from who or why, but I need your protection, but I’m still not going to tell you from who or why, but I was scared, and no, I’m not going to tell you of what or why, but I will tell you, just not now, but I will tell you later, because I don’t know how to say it and I need time to prepare what I’m going to say and how I’m going to say it and I need to be prepared for your reaction to it.
F*ck off with this back and forth. This is not suspense, this is not angst, this is dragging of an overly used stupid plot of
"Where is he?"
"He's safe."
"Where?" I growl.
"Don't worry. I'm protecting him."
On the same page:
"After all this time, why come back now?"
She takes a ragged breath and steadies herself.
"Because someone found us," her voice shakes. "And I can't keep him safe alone anymore."
We don’t need stupidity to drive the story; Stassi wakes up, Theo is still sleeping, how weird because he is always up early, let’s ignore it and go find Marlena and Xander. Marlena should have breakfast already done, but there is no hint of it, Xander should also be running around, but it’s very quiet. Maybe they went to check on the trees outside. That’s it, because it can’t be that we are being targeted and people want to kill us. Not at all. Let’s make some coffee and enjoy the calm and quiet.
Her whole character was underdeveloped. Sure she was hiding, but that was the only thing she was doing. No family, no friends, no life, just Marlena helping her out.
Then some plotholes
June 14, 2026
Theo's story was an emotional and suspense-filled addition to the series that answered some long-standing questions while introducing even more intrigue for what's still to come.
Theo, the middle brother, is in Greece determined to uncover the truth behind the murder of his father and finally discover who ordered the hit. At the same time, he is haunted by the disappearance of the woman he never stopped loving. Four years ago, Anastasia "Stassi" vanished without a word, leaving Theo heartbroken and desperately searching for answers. He spent years trying to find her, coming close more than once, only for her to disappear again. When Stassi suddenly reappears seeking Theo's protection from an unknown threat, he is forced to confront not only his lingering feelings for her but also the questions that have plagued him for years. Why did she leave? Who is after her? And most importantly, can he ever trust her again?
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how it continued to unravel the mystery surrounding the brothers' father's death. Each installment reveals new pieces of the puzzle, and Theo's story sheds significant light on the past. We learn much more about their father and the choices he made, and it becomes clear that he was far from perfect. In fact, some of the revelations may leave readers feeling conflicted or even angry toward him. I know they certainly changed my perspective.
Theo and Stassi were both easy characters to root for. Their chemistry was undeniable, and despite everything that had happened between them, I found myself wanting them to find their way back to each other. Theo's loyalty, determination, and willingness to protect Stassi made him a compelling hero, while Stassi's resilience and strength helped balance the relationship.
That said, my biggest frustration with the story was Stassi's reluctance to reveal her secrets. Theo repeatedly asks her what's going on, and time after time she insists she needs a little more time before explaining everything. While I understood her hesitation and fear, the delay went on for so long that it became frustrating. There came a point where I just wanted her to tell the truth already. Waiting wasn't making the situation any easier or less painful. Although the secret itself was understandable, the constant postponement of the reveal tested my patience.
Even with that frustration, I was fully invested in Theo and Stassi's journey. They are the kind of couple you can't help but cheer for, hoping they'll overcome their obstacles and finally get the happy ending they deserve. Their emotional reunion, the lingering trust issues, and the danger surrounding them kept me turning pages. Without giving away spoilers, I was very satisfied with how their romance ultimately played out.
As with the previous books, readers should pay attention to the trigger warnings provided by the author. The story contains scenes involving violence and torture. While not excessively graphic, the events are clear enough to make an impact and add to the darker tone of the series.
The ending leaves readers with a bit of a cliffhanger, clearly setting the stage for Dimitri's book, and I have no doubt the story will pick up right where this one leaves off.
Overall, I am really enjoying this series. The mystery continues to deepen, and while the growing cast of characters and suspects can occasionally make it challenging to keep track of every clue, it never becomes overwhelming. There were a few minor editing issues throughout the book, but they didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. With more secrets being uncovered and the stakes continuing to rise, I'm excited to jump straight into Dimitri's story and see where the series goes next.
Theo, the middle brother, is in Greece determined to uncover the truth behind the murder of his father and finally discover who ordered the hit. At the same time, he is haunted by the disappearance of the woman he never stopped loving. Four years ago, Anastasia "Stassi" vanished without a word, leaving Theo heartbroken and desperately searching for answers. He spent years trying to find her, coming close more than once, only for her to disappear again. When Stassi suddenly reappears seeking Theo's protection from an unknown threat, he is forced to confront not only his lingering feelings for her but also the questions that have plagued him for years. Why did she leave? Who is after her? And most importantly, can he ever trust her again?
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how it continued to unravel the mystery surrounding the brothers' father's death. Each installment reveals new pieces of the puzzle, and Theo's story sheds significant light on the past. We learn much more about their father and the choices he made, and it becomes clear that he was far from perfect. In fact, some of the revelations may leave readers feeling conflicted or even angry toward him. I know they certainly changed my perspective.
Theo and Stassi were both easy characters to root for. Their chemistry was undeniable, and despite everything that had happened between them, I found myself wanting them to find their way back to each other. Theo's loyalty, determination, and willingness to protect Stassi made him a compelling hero, while Stassi's resilience and strength helped balance the relationship.
That said, my biggest frustration with the story was Stassi's reluctance to reveal her secrets. Theo repeatedly asks her what's going on, and time after time she insists she needs a little more time before explaining everything. While I understood her hesitation and fear, the delay went on for so long that it became frustrating. There came a point where I just wanted her to tell the truth already. Waiting wasn't making the situation any easier or less painful. Although the secret itself was understandable, the constant postponement of the reveal tested my patience.
Even with that frustration, I was fully invested in Theo and Stassi's journey. They are the kind of couple you can't help but cheer for, hoping they'll overcome their obstacles and finally get the happy ending they deserve. Their emotional reunion, the lingering trust issues, and the danger surrounding them kept me turning pages. Without giving away spoilers, I was very satisfied with how their romance ultimately played out.
As with the previous books, readers should pay attention to the trigger warnings provided by the author. The story contains scenes involving violence and torture. While not excessively graphic, the events are clear enough to make an impact and add to the darker tone of the series.
The ending leaves readers with a bit of a cliffhanger, clearly setting the stage for Dimitri's book, and I have no doubt the story will pick up right where this one leaves off.
Overall, I am really enjoying this series. The mystery continues to deepen, and while the growing cast of characters and suspects can occasionally make it challenging to keep track of every clue, it never becomes overwhelming. There were a few minor editing issues throughout the book, but they didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. With more secrets being uncovered and the stakes continuing to rise, I'm excited to jump straight into Dimitri's story and see where the series goes next.
July 26, 2026
Theo & Stassi.
This is the first series that I have read from this author. I absolutely love the first book and it broke me out of a book slump. However, I didn’t really enjoy this second book. I did not care for the FMC. She comes back to ask for his help but yet refuses to talk to him and tell him what’s going on. Then he wants to provide protection to her and their son, but she wants to do it her way. She has no resources no power but yet she thinks she can coordinate the whole thing safely. I didn’t feel the connection between the two. Their whole relationship and relationship building was in the past. And this book she comes back he’s mad at her. She finally tells him the truth and then all is forgiven. He loves her. She loves him and they’re together. Apparently, in the past, he was her Dom and they just felt right back into that routine. Their whole relationship felt forced. I mostly skimmed the majority of this book. The family is based in both Greece and Chicago. To me that is too much. I would expect if based in another country that there would be more familiar details about the location and not a few random city/town names. It applies to both locations.
This is the first series that I have read from this author. I absolutely love the first book and it broke me out of a book slump. However, I didn’t really enjoy this second book. I did not care for the FMC. She comes back to ask for his help but yet refuses to talk to him and tell him what’s going on. Then he wants to provide protection to her and their son, but she wants to do it her way. She has no resources no power but yet she thinks she can coordinate the whole thing safely. I didn’t feel the connection between the two. Their whole relationship and relationship building was in the past. And this book she comes back he’s mad at her. She finally tells him the truth and then all is forgiven. He loves her. She loves him and they’re together. Apparently, in the past, he was her Dom and they just felt right back into that routine. Their whole relationship felt forced. I mostly skimmed the majority of this book. The family is based in both Greece and Chicago. To me that is too much. I would expect if based in another country that there would be more familiar details about the location and not a few random city/town names. It applies to both locations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2026
I don't remember much from the first book but I did enjoy it based on my review so I gave the second one a shot. I did enjoy the read. It follows you typical mafia romance with a betrayal steeped in misunderstanding/poor communication. After trying to throw us off of the scent of a hidden heir, the "shock" factor was minimal when we find out that Stassi didn't have an abortion but has hidden Theo's son. Of course, I adored the child and every single part that he had with Theo. The dinosaur room and everything. I loved the bond that everyone had, the banter, and protectiveness was great. We got some action, a bit of slow burn/angst, and lots of spice. On to the next one.
December 14, 2025
I loved this book. I was afraid I was going to hate it if he treated her poorly after finding out her reason for leaving but I loved how quickly he saw it from her side and recognized the bravery in what she had done. If you prefer a book where the main characters fight the world side by side instead of fighting each other, add this one to your reading list!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2026
Before Broken Vows: A Second Chance Dark Mafia Romance (Book 2)
This second book is as great as the first, makes you look forward to book three! These Mastitis men are deadly sin and steamy rolled up in one. I can't wait to start book three and read about Dimitri as story!
This second book is as great as the first, makes you look forward to book three! These Mastitis men are deadly sin and steamy rolled up in one. I can't wait to start book three and read about Dimitri as story!
January 19, 2026
good book. love the series
This second book in the series did not disappoint. The story has held my interest until the end. I look forward to book three.
This second book in the series did not disappoint. The story has held my interest until the end. I look forward to book three.
May 26, 2026
Good book, great characters and a continuing mystery.
August 3, 2026
5 ⭐️ usually I don’t like second chances but this was good.
May 8, 2026
Very well written. Loved the series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews