Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Broken Vows: A Dark Mafia Romance

Rate this book
It was supposed to be one night.
No names. No past. No consequences.

Then I missed my period.
And the man I thought I’d never see again—
Walked into my family’s gala.

Vincent Russo.
The enemy. The threat.
The father of my child.

He says marrying him is the only way to protect the baby.
But he doesn’t want a wife.
He wants obedience.
Control.

And maybe something more.

Because sometimes, when he touches me,
It feels like he’s trying to forget who we are.
And when I look at him...
I start to forget too.

But our last names were built on blood.
Our families don’t forgive.

And now I’m caught in a war I never meant to start—
With the one man I was never supposed to love.

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

94 people are currently reading
46 people want to read

About the author

Clara Dunn

85 books36 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
58 (49%)
4 stars
38 (32%)
3 stars
14 (11%)
2 stars
6 (5%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Emma Clouten.
281 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2025
Tropes:
* Enemies to lovers
* Mafia
* Marriage of convenience
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish i just could not put it down. The story from start to finish had twists through out that kept you thinking of who was actually good and who was bad.

Melinda and Vincent come from the same world but that one night they share with each other changes everything around them and the world they once knew.

Vincent is very protective over his family and who he cares for even if that means turning on his own family and blood to make sure Melinda does not get killed.

Melinda is very strong minded she tried to escape her family ties but returned home and back into that world and will do anything to keep her family and the ones she loved alive.

The spice was incredible i loved reading throughout the book the relationship between Melinda and Vincent blossom and change from two people that hated each other to two people who could not live with out one another.

this book is worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rebel.
2,654 reviews
July 4, 2025
Broken Vows by Clara Dunn wrecked me—in all the best ways.
Let me paint the scene from my side of the wreckage: One night. No names. A little revenge sparkle in my eye and just enough liquid courage to drown all sense of logic. What I didn’t plan for? My period to ghost me. And definitely not the gorgeous stranger from that night walking into a freaking family gala like some dark knight in a custom suit.
Plot twist?
Vincent. Russo.
The name alone should’ve made my blood run cold. Instead, it made it boil.
Our families are like gasoline and matches, both built on power, secrets, and generations of bad blood. We’re supposed to be enemies. Period. End of story.
But nope—turns out I’m pregnant, and now Mr. Russo says marrying him is the only way to keep the baby safe. He doesn’t promise love. Just control, protection, and a shiny diamond ring that might as well be a leash.
Here’s where it gets messy (and oh so addictive): He touches me like I’m his. Kisses me like he’s trying to erase every brutal thing that came before. And me? I can’t decide if I want to stab him or beg him to stay. My heart doesn’t know what the hell to do—especially when those stolen moments between us feel like something real is trying to bloom in all this chaos.
But our last names are war banners, and our hearts? They were never meant to bleed for each other.
What I devoured:
• That delicious enemies-to-lovers tension. 🔥
• Vincent’s cold dominance cracking every time he looks at her like she’s the only light he’s ever known.
• A heroine who knows her worth—even when she’s scared, vulnerable, and completely in over her head.
• The slow, aching realization that what started as a power play is turning into something neither of them can undo.
What made me scream:
Every time they started to open up only for the damn family drama to yank the rug out. This isn’t just romance—it’s survival. It’s strategy. It’s navigating love with a target on your back and a baby on the way.
Final Words from Me:
Broken Vows is mafia romance done right—it’s gripping, messy, tender in the darkest corners, and it doesn’t hold back. I felt every stolen breath, every bitter truth, and every forbidden kiss.
If you're like me and you love dangerous love stories that make your pulse race and your heart ache, Broken Vows is a five-star surrender.
Vincent Russo? He may not be the hero I asked for—but damn if he didn’t ruin me anyway. 💋💔💍.
19 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2025
I've read many books from this author. I really liked it! I just wish that certain parts weren't skipped over. This is a somewhat dark romance, set in a violent world. The story was really engrossing & well-developed. It captured my interest from the very beginning. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend reading this book!

It's written in a dual point of view style with the chapters mostly going back & forth between the main characters. It helps you understand where each are coming from & why they act in certain ways.

The main characters are Melinda & Vincent. Melinda is a doctor & the eldest daughter of the Mafia boss of the Mastroni family. Vincent is the son of the Mafia boss of the Russo family. These two families have been rivals for a very long time. Melinda & Vincent have a brief encounter without knowing who the other person is. When the truth is revealed, they must deal with the consequences. There are rules in their world, and they must make the best of the situation at hand. They are still attracted to each other. They get to know each other better the more time they spend together. Their chemistry is combustible. Melinda & Vincent must also deal with enemies who don't approve of their relationship. Alliances are fragile & betrayals abound.

A couple of twists keep things interesting. There's a good amount of spicy scenes. The secondary characters, good & bad (some very bad), help to flesh out the world of the story. Personally, I like how strong Melinda is - she is not a victim. I don't want to say more so as not to spoil anything. This book is a must read!

I received a free ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Profile Image for Victoria Golby.
1,791 reviews13 followers
July 23, 2025
Brilliant dark mafia romance

A great dark mafia romance, with enemies-to-lovers, forbidden attraction, pregnancy, angst, betrayal, action, spice, love, trust and a HEA.

Melinda Mastroni has tried to lead a life away from her mafia family but after an assassination attempt she returns to the protection of her brother Max (Stolen Vows), though she tries to keep her job as a trauma surgeon. But when she goes to a gala she sees the man she'd had an evening with and thought she'd never see again, though she hadn't been able to forget him as she was now carrying his child.

Vincent Russo is the son of a rival mafia family and didn't expect to see the Melinda again, though now he knows her name he's not going to let her slip away again. His suggestion is marriage, so he can protect her and their child; though presented as a business deal for their families he's more intent on protecting her than she first realises. But not everyone in the family is happy about the arrangement and they might not be able to stop the war that's coming.

This is the second in a mafia romance series by Clara Dunn and I have enjoyed it as much as her other romances (I couldn't put it down once I started it). I would definitely recommend.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shanna Smith.
189 reviews12 followers
July 8, 2025
This is like no other mafia romance I have ever read. I mean I really, really enjoyed Vincent and Melinda's story. With a night of passion and not knowing who each other was stirred them in a direction each was not expecting. This chance encounter brought two of the biggest mafia families together...the Russo's and the Mastroni's. Not everyone is happy with this union and unfortunately this puts Melinda and their child in danger. Vincent will do what ever it takes to protect his family but at the same time Melinda will do anything to protect her child.

Usually when you read a mafia romance the FMC is some damsel in distress or just someone needing rescued...not Melinda. She knows what it's like to be in a family that rules by force and will do anything to get ahead...even if this sacrifices there own family. With the help of her brother, Max, and her sister, Maya, she becomes the one person that can bring everyone together.

Clara has captured my heart with this series. I didn't think I could lover her writing even more after reading about Max and Cara in Stolen Vows. Now I can't wait to read Maya's story and I have a feeling she will be nothing short of a challenge for all she encounters.
July 26, 2025
1,5/5 ⭐️
DNF’ed at 72% 💀. I really liked the synopsis and with the majority of the reviews being good, I thought that I was about to read a good book.

First of all the pace of the book ?? It was completely incoherent ?? From one chapter to another you go from her being with him for a week at most, to her being with him for 3 MONTHS and half ??

Scenes repeated themselves MULTIPLE times like, how do they learn an information, seems to forget about it the next chapter (??), and then learn about it AGAIN 2 chapters later ?
The book needs SEVERE editing and proofreading, because why would you change the gender of the baby 3 times ? And why would she learns the gender of the baby whilst she is 4months and half pregnant, and seems to mysteriously forget it, since like 10 chapters after that. They say that she learned the gender at 7months and half ??

There was NO chemistry between the 2 main characters, they go from being stranger to alluding to love so fast it was incomprehensible.

Oh and repeating multiple times that a certain item “costs more money than most people’s cars” or whatever, doesn’t help the reader comprehend the level of wealth the MCs reached. It just started sounding corny the second time it was used.

Don’t waste your time like I wasted mine 😀
Profile Image for Dolly.
139 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2025
Imagine wanting to escape the dangers of your last name for one night.
You know the name of the stranger you shared a bed with but he doesn't know yours.
Then because things can't get any worse, >boom< you're pregnant. And when you find out that the stranger just so happens to be of the family that is your family's enemy.
Then he proposes you marry him for protection because your child has the bloodline of both powerful families and that just puts a target on your back.

Melinda tried really hard for anonymity, so much so she changes her name when she leaves the family to become a doctor. But that doesn't protect her from two attempts on her life.
But a one night stand with Vincent, the son of your family's enemy just complicates things.
Can marrying him save her?

I love the chemistry between the MMC and the FMC. There's just so much passion there even though they try to pretend that the whole thing is just a business transaction.
It's a really great story, expecially if you like the mafia/surprise baby trope.
Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Sarah Putrow.
104 reviews
June 30, 2025
This is book two of the Empire City Syndicate series a dark mafia romance and it did not disappoint. It was fast paced and hard to put down till the end. I did notice some things being repeated but otherwise I felt the story to be pretty interesting.

Melinda is a doctor and also the daughter of one of the Mafia families and Vincent is heir to another Mafia and rival family. They end up having a one night stand having no idea who each other are. Melinda ends up being pregnant and they run into each other again at a function which starts a whole lot of intriguing drama and action. I liked the dynamic between these two characters and the spicy scenes between them were definitely hot.

A nice quick read and an overall intriguing action filled mafia read. I didn't find it too dark and the storyline I felt was good. It will be interesting to see what comes next for the next book and character for that Maya.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11 reviews
December 8, 2025
why?

Poor editing. This should have been proofread another dozen times before being published. I’m baffled about the good ratings and reviews this book has. It had all the potential to be a great 4-5 star read, but failed to live up to the potential. The time line doesn’t make sense. The FMC is 18 weeks pregnant when they find out the gender, then it jumps to her being 7 months pregnant and they mention having had an ultrasound the day prior and finding out the gender. In multiple chapters it is repeated that evidence has been gathered and they know who is attacking both families and it is reveal to multiple parties, then back tracks in the next chapter or two that someone didn’t know and the person that does is keeping it a secret. Again, potential, but poor execution and poor editing.
3,292 reviews48 followers
July 2, 2025
One hot night, no names just heat. Never to meet again… Well the night will never be forgotten for Dr Melinda, as morning sickness kicks in and never expecting to see the dad again. Having to return home and going to a Gala of mafia families the two lovers come eye to eye again. One problem their families are enemies. Vincent can’t believe his eyes when he sees the woman that has been in his thoughts and angry thinking it is a set up.
The heat between Melinda and Vincent is scorching, the two of them work together using her knowledge of anatomy and physiology to figure out ways to kill the people who are trying to kill them.
This action-packed drama, full of heat and brilliant characters.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
2,880 reviews19 followers
July 4, 2025
A one night stand …she was wanting to forget about her family. Unfortunately fate had other plans when she ends up pregnant by her mystery man. Things take a drastic turn when she learns his identity. Family drama issues on both sides. Things take a volatile turn and they find themselves in the midst of a family war. Will it be then end of them? Or will they come out the other side better? What an intense romance. Absolutely riveting. Loved it so much and the ending has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the final book. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.
Profile Image for Diana Page.
1,081 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2025
Melinda and Vincent’s story is book 2 in the Empire City Syndicate trilogy and it’s a fast paced well written book with cameos from the characters in book 1. The heat between Melinda and Vincent is palpable and her being a doctor that uses her knowledge of anatomy and physiology to figure out ways to kill the people who are trying to kill them is a fantastic turn of events ! The heat between Melinda and Vincent during the sex scenes is 4🌶️’s on a scale of 1-5, with 5🌶️’s being the highest. I can’t wait for Maya’s story to come out. 4✨’s
Profile Image for Danee.
4,921 reviews
July 4, 2025
It should have remained a one night stand but after that steamy night that Vincent and Melinda had together it did not remain without consequences. When she becomes nauseous after a while and a bit grumpy, a test shows 2 pink lines. What amusingly surprises them is that when they see each other again during a gala they discover that their families are rivals. Will they stand a chance and be able to form a family together?




I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Patricia Lord.
1,042 reviews
July 12, 2025
Have you ever just wanted to get away from everything and everyone and just be someone else?
Melinda just wanted to forget who her family is and had a one night stand with Vincent.

The one night turns into an unexpected pregnancy and she finds out who her one night stand truly is.

Even though their families are at war with each other, Vincent and Melissa realize they can’t live without each other.
The spice is incredible, the twist, turns and action keep you invested and on the edge of your seat
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
13.6k reviews156 followers
July 2, 2025
It was supposed to be a one-night stand, but Melinda received a parting gift from Vincent. They meet again at a gala where they realize that they are from rival families with a dilemma on their hands. This action-packed drama delivers in a big way with two off the charts characters that heats up the pages and had me in their corner from page one.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Book Addict.
820 reviews7 followers
July 3, 2025
A fast-paced romance that will satisfy those who enjoy the dark mafia genre. It explores morally gray territory, and while it may not be for everyone, those who enjoy high drama and forbidden love will find plenty to think about in this story. The main character VIncent and Mel are quite explosive together. The plot is this novel's strength although the secondary characters could be developed more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Petra Hart.
840 reviews29 followers
September 6, 2025
Enjoyable premise, but off-putting continuity problems.

I loved the premise and the characters are well-drawn, but this book feels like different pieces put together badly.

Most noticeably, when our MMC Vincent goes from being the respected heir apparent to abruptly being shut off from every single family resource, with all of his father’s organization in unity against him and marked for death, to being able to completely take over the entire organization by simply killing his father and 3 of his capos. With only the few men still loyal.

There are also unexplained months-long time gaps, and the sex gets repetitive. Not copy and paste, but it feels like the same scene anyway.

If you love crime boss love stories, I highly recommend Neva Altaj, SJ Tilly, and some of JT Geissinger’s books.
3,008 reviews31 followers
July 2, 2025
“Broken Vows” by Clara Dunn

-A dark mafia romance that’s fast-paced and addictive. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Melinda and Vincent’s secret fling ignites deadly tension between rival families. Pregnancy, danger, and scorching chemistry keep the stakes high.

A gripping read with strong women, intrigue, and steamy twists.
12.3k reviews75 followers
July 2, 2025
The author has given us a dark enemies-to-lovers story that pulls us into the lives of Melinda and Vincent. The heart pounding story keeps us turning the pages with a one-night stand, secrets, revelations, danger, action and steam.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
550 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2025
Vincent and Melinda's story. This is a very interesting book. It starts with a one noght stand, and she learns his name but refuses to give hers. The action really picks up after that, and you find out what the true meaning of family is in the mafia. Marco and his dad should have learned that before going up against Vincent. A great book to read if you love a good dark enemies to lovers romance.
Profile Image for Vanessa Hilario  Mata.
811 reviews19 followers
July 4, 2025
No names, no past, not consequences with a one night stand, but ended with a surprise. Months later Melinda is at her family gala and runs into the enemy which is her one night stand. When Vincent founds out that Melinda is carrying his child he has to make a quick decision to keep them safe. An amazing dark mafia romance with suspense, secrets, danger, and powerful couple!
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,525 reviews31 followers
July 4, 2025
Broken Vows is the second book in the Empire City Syndicate series. The spice grabbed my attention right away! I loved Melinda and Vincent’s forbidden, unexpected baby, mafia romance. It was fast paced, entertaining and full of danger and suspense. I enjoyed the intriguing plot. Definitely a page turner.
Profile Image for Kandiemarie.
2,225 reviews3 followers
July 17, 2025
I knew from the first page that this was going to be amazing. Clara Dunn has done it again. I was hooked from the first paragraph and knew I was going to enjoy the ride. Highly recommend reading. Although this book is amazing I can't wait to read Maya's story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
393 reviews5 followers
September 21, 2025
Vincent & Melinda

I absolutely loved this book. I think this is the best Mafia novel I've read. Had it all, one night stand, rival families, unplanned pregnancy, power struggle within family. You captured your audience from page one. Keep up the talented writing. I highly recommend this book, now moving to the 3rd book in this series. (Reviewed by Lin)
Profile Image for Jackie Harding.
336 reviews2 followers
October 22, 2025
Vincent and Melinda, two strangers that have a chance encounter and has a one night stand that ends up with two pink lines. Only to later find out their families are enemies. This gives you the mafia drama and enemies to lovers feel. Worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,365 reviews5 followers
July 1, 2025
Definitely an edge of your seat read. Never know where or who the danger is coming from. Interesting characters, strong determined, formidable and those are the women!! Another good one by Clara Dunn.
417 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2025
Ok. This was hot. Good sex scenes. I love the push and pull dynamic between Melinda and Vincent. Both trying to show strength and love without looking weak. I love how Melinda doesn't back down and Vincent knows better than to try and make her look like a victim. Definitely a great read.
Profile Image for Jocelyn Masson.
282 reviews6 followers
July 2, 2025
Holy shit. I thought the first book in this series had me hooked, this was 10000x better. Take mafia bosses, hidden (or rather not fully disclosed) identities and you have the perfect mafia romance. I could not put this book down and devoured every word. I cant wait to see what Clara writes next!
4 reviews
July 4, 2025
I got an ARC copy of this book and really enjoyed the read. It was fast paced and had wonderful character development. I did find some repetitive wording which did confuse me a little but overall was easy to get past. Would definitely recommend this book
Profile Image for Shannon.
303 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2025
Read Max's story not long ago and really liked it. This did not disappoint. Felt like I couldn't stop reading. Couldn't wait to see what happened. Was thrilling, exciting and steamy at the same time. Cannot wait to read Maya's story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.