He’s twice my age. My fake husband. And the father of my unborn child. I seduced the mafia king to get his money… And now I’m carrying his heir.
Dean Savoy needed a wife to silence his enemies. I needed cash to pay off my criminal ex. And to find the sister my family swore was dead.
So, I walked into his life with a pretty smile and a desperate story. He got a wife with curves and secrets. I got a marriage of convenience, a luxury penthouse… And his hands all over my body.
I never planned to fall for him. Then I saw two pink lines. Now I’m pregnant. And every lie I told is a fuse waiting to blow.
Because Dean doesn’t forgive betrayal. He destroys it.
I thought I could outplay the king of the underworld. Instead, I gave him my body, my loyalty… And a baby he never saw coming.
Ajme Williams - mother, wife, daughter, dreamer, an avid reader and a writer. When she's not writing romance, Ajme can be seen sipping coffee, gorging on dark chocolate, exercising, or travelling with family and friends. Cooking is therapeutic for her and she drools over Italian food...and men. What to expect from her books? Ajme loves variety, so expect a lot of second chances, secret babies, office romances, big fat fake weddings, curvy heroines and alpha heroes. HEA? Always, baby! If you're a fan of emotional angsty contemporary romance, then you'll enjoy Ajme Williams.
3.5✨ Honestly, I’ve read a handful of her books and for some reason this one just felt different. Ajme Williams really knows how to keep you invested in the story and wanting more. To me Dean was more on the softer side of a mafia don, but I actually thoroughly enjoyed his character. As far as Clover I understand why she did the things she did, but I just wish she would’ve confessed a lot sooner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Malicious Marriage is a full-length standalone novel and part of the Mafia Lords of Sins Series. A beautiful written story with complex individuals and a twisty and fascinating storyline that grabs the reader attention from the start and keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat and brace yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride filled with non-stop action, secrecy, suspense, drama and danger. This is Dean and Clover story which is told from a dual point of view. Captivating. Dangerous. Dark. Compelling. A definite page turner with enticing erotic scenes that will have you sweating and gasping for more. An unputdownable and absorbing addictive read. A fast paced, thrilling, twisted and thrilling story. Immerse yourself in this mesmerizing story and follow along as these two unlikely individuals fall in love with each other as they navigate through treachery, attacks, twists and turns. A romance collections & anthologies story, aged gap trope romance, action & adventure romance, contemporary romance, organize crime story, romantic suspense story, touch-her-and-die romance, protective alpha hero romance, secret pregnancy romance, fake marriage romance, polar opposite attracts story, hate-to-love vibes story, enemies-to-lovers romance, forced proximity romance, rags-to-riches romance, damsel-in-distress romance, marriage-of-convenience story, a-relationship-that-started-on-contract, business arrangement marriage, dark mafia romance, billionaire romance, with passion, steam, obsession, angst, emotions, family issues, possessiveness, tension, deception, darkness, madness, violence, lies galore, hidden agendas, fear, hatred, threats, family found, submission, consensual intense rough sex, dominance, dirty talking, revelations, power and control, bloodshed, murders, trust issues, spice, connection, surprises, betrayal, violence, enemies, rivalry, revenge, retaliation, revelations, resilience, survival, forgiveness, acceptance, loss, grief, friendship, loyalty and love. Clover Byrne is a beautuful curvy Irish mafia princess who have had a rough life because she's viewed as the outcast in the family. And everything got even worse for her when her father died and her horrible and evil uncle Malcolm took control of the family and she was disown and threw out without any financial means of taking care of herself. She has a sister Hailey but was told that she had died but she doesn't believe it and her sole purpose in life now is to find her. She's alone except for her beloved bodyguard Bobby/best-friend and heavily in debt because uncle Malcolm discard of her with nothing from her former life. Dean Savoy is a mafia boss and Don of the Savoy family. Handsome, rich, feared powerful, intelligent and ruthless . He has a trifling ex-girlfriend who's claiming that she's carrying his heir because she wants to be his wife, his queen and rule by his side in his organization. But Dean is not sure of her claim and doesn't want any part of her. He's getting a lot of heat and pressure in his organization to have a heir and marry her but doesn't want to do that. Bobby knows that Dean is powerful and has connections that would be beneficial to them in locating Hailey so he and Clover came up with a plan where she would meet him and use her feminine vile to seduce him in noticing her. He was having a party and she miraculously managed to obtain an invite to the event. She hid out inside his office hoping that she would get to meet the older silverfox daddy and initiate her plan. And when they meet in his office he was drawn to her and instantly he see her being his solution to get rid of his cheating conniving toxic ex who was demanding marriage because she was carrying his child. He made a proposition to Clover one that would be beneficial to both of them. A marriage-of-convenience to help him get out of marrying his ex. She agreed because they arrangement with also help her in finding her sister because of his connections. They both had deep hidden secrets which was not shared in their arrangement. It was supposed to be a business arrangement but because of their attraction, the lines lot blurred and soon they started to burn up the sheets and before long she got pregnant and was carrying his heir. One that he can be sure that it was his. It went from fake to real the more time that they spent together. Clover finally found someone apart from her best-friend to see her for who she really was and loved her in a way that she needed. They weren't supposed to fall in love but they did really fast. Their relationship wasn't a soon sailing because they were surrounding by enemies who double-cross and back-stabbed them and continually try to sabotage and kill them at every turn. However, through shared trauma and overcoming hardships they managed to get their hard fought HEA and she learnt that not all families comes from your bloodline but people who you meet along the way who show you love.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
He’s twice my age. My fake husband. And the father of my unborn child. I seduced the mafia king to get his money… And now I’m carrying his heir.
Dean Savoy needed a wife to silence his enemies. I needed cash to pay off my criminal ex. And to find the sister my family swore was dead.
So, I walked into his life with a pretty smile and a desperate story. He got a wife with curves and secrets. I got a marriage of convenience, a luxury penthouse… And his hands all over my body.
I never planned to fall for him. Then I saw two pink lines. Now I’m pregnant. And every lie I told is a fuse waiting to blow.
Because Dean doesn’t forgive betrayal. He destroys it.
I thought I could outplay the king of the underworld. Instead, I gave him my body, my loyalty… And a baby he never saw coming.
And when the truth comes out.
There’s no saving either of us.
This contemporary mafia age-gap enemies-to-lovers romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is engulfed by darkness, danger, violence, and grit, and characters that are alpha male exuding power/wealth, ruthless, dangerous, violent, brooding, and a female heroine, who are both captivating and realistic. Their journey is entrhalling with the king of the underworld, malicious marriage/fake marriage, an age-gap, mature, explicit romance that is consumed by sizzling steamy passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, a marriage of convenience, drama, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, deception, secrets, heartfelt emotions, loyalty, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the malicious marriage and an explicit mafia romance that is sure to transport readers into a world where danger and lust collide. The result is an entertaining, unforgettable journey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clover (h) steps into Dean's (H) dangerous world with one goal in mind: to save her sister. He offers her a solution in the form of a marriage that benefits them both, but trust is in short supply. Secrets are their constant companions, and neither is ready for how much is at stake.
What starts as a calculated arrangement turns volatile when old enemies, family betrayals, and deadly truths surface. Dean's loyalty to his name collides with Clover's desperate search for answers, pulling them into a battle neither of them can fight alone. Every choice draws them closer, but every secret comes with a price.
As the past crashes into the present, the dangerous world they share threatens to tear them apart. Every lie pushes them toward disaster, and every truth could be the breaking point. In the end, their bond transforms from a contract to a lifeline, proving that even in the darkest worlds, redemption is possible.
Dean and Clover grow from living in secrets, survival, and mistrust to finally confronting their pasts and owning their choices. Clover goes from desperate and guarded to a woman who stands strong on her own, while Dean shifts from a duty-bound heir to a man willing to fight for his happiness. Together, their relationship evolves from a calculated arrangement into a partnership grounded in honesty, mutual respect, and love.
A dark, age gap, enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, mafia romance, exploring love, deception, trust, family, loyalty, redemption, power struggles, betrayal, survival, and forgiveness.
I knew what I was signing up for with Malicious Marriage—a fake relationship, off-the-charts tension, and a dangerous man I was supposed to keep at arm’s length. What I didn’t expect was to be dragged into an emotional rollercoaster that had me clutching my heart one minute and needing a cold shower the next. Dean Savoy? The man is lethal. Twice her age, built like a dark god in a tailored suit, and absolutely not someone you lie to—unless you’re this curvy, desperate heroine who walked right into his world with a fake smile and too many secrets. She needed his money. He needed a wife. Simple, right? Except nothing’s ever simple when your fake husband is the king of the underworld and every stolen touch turns into something you both start craving. And then... those two pink lines. Whew. Girl, I felt that panic in my bones. I could see the whole damn house of cards start to wobble—and I couldn’t look away. What made this book hit so hard? It's not just the chemistry (which is pure FIRE). It’s the way these two broken people fall into each other, despite all the lies. It’s her fierce heart, her determination to protect what little she has left. It’s the moment Dean—stone-cold and unshakable—starts to realize he’d do anything to protect her and the baby she never meant to give him. The tension? Breathtaking. The twists? Sharp as a dagger. The emotional payoff? Worth every single betrayal. Ajme Williams wrote the kind of story that makes you ache in all the right places. If you love dangerous men with soft spots they refuse to admit, heroines who fight tooth and nail for love, and high-stakes steam with heart underneath—this book is everything.💋🔫💍.
Her Lies Came Back to Haunt Her - Clover thought she could use a little white lie to manipulate a dangerous man into helping her achieve her goal, but everything started unravelling not long after he agreed. Dean thought making the agreement would be on a hands off basis and for mutual benefit, but he forgot to take into account, that feeling would grow the more time you spend together. Unfortunately, everything started going wrong for Clover from the moment her ex-boyfriend came to collect and nothing went as planned after than.
However, just when Clover realised her true feeling for Dean, he discovered she had lied to him, but fate gave her a second chance to redeem herself when she finally found the strength to fight for herself. Even though Dean was initially upset with Clover, everything changed after he found out the truth about everything, including the best life changing news he had ever received. Luckily, Dean and Clover were able to finally confess their feelings to each other and get a chance at having the future they wanted.
Warning! If you have heart problems, then this isn’t the book for you because this story started as an easy read, but it took me on one heck of a rollercoaster ride, with angst, drama, suspense and intense emotional moments, that pulled me in from the beginning and made sure it was hard to put down. Grab a copy of this book now and make it your next weekend indulgence.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clover was like the black sheep of the family,her parents are passed on and all she has is her sister Hailey, but she isn't sure if she is even alive,and her uncle Malcom who kick her out from the family,no money,nothing. So it's just her and her old bodyguard Bobby.So they come up with a plan to meet Dean Savoy who has tons of money and that's what she needs to find her sister.Dean is pulled in all directions, he needs to produce a heir to keep the bloodline alive for one,he is being force to marry his ex girlfriend who says she is pregnant and the baby is his,which he isn't sure off!So one night Clover is hiding in Dean's office and thinking about her life and what she needs to do and in walks Dean but he doesn't she her at first because the room is dark but they do meet and hit it off.Clover has alot of lies that she has to keep hidden from Dean which makes the story good and even Dean has a few secrets from Clover but he does tell her but she gets deeper with her lies.Even when everything comes to a head and breaks down,Clover can't tell Dean everything and still being threatened by her uncle but she breaks when it came down about hurting Dean! This story wasn't bad,about a women who is being treated like crap by almost everyone, just because she is big and Dean comes along and sees a different person that no one sees and it brings them together!
I picked up Malicious Marriage because I’m a big fan of Ajme Williams, and while the premise was intriguing: a fake marriage, mafia power plays, and a secret pregnancy, I didn’t fully connect with the characters this time.
Dean is rich, powerful, and burdened by his role as the head of the Savoy family. He needs a wife to keep his enemies in check. Clover is younger, struggling financially, and desperately searching for her sister, who vanished under mysterious circumstances. Their marriage begins as a calculated arrangement, but emotions start to blur the lines, especially once Clover finds out she’s pregnant.
The story had all the right ingredients: secrets, tension, and emotional stakes. And as always, Williams delivers a compelling backstory. But for me, the chemistry fell a little flat. Dean was too guarded, too careful like he was afraid to fully engage. And while I appreciated Clover’s vulnerability and motivation, something about her didn’t quite spark for me.
Still, it was a solid, emotional journey. The writing was strong, and the pacing steady, though a bit slow in places. If you're into age-gap romances with emotional weight and a dark, secretive edge, this one will likely hit the mark.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a greatly written story and featured two leads that were very likable. The plot is entertaining and for those who love their drama, there is that! The story is a whole one with everyone keeping a part of themselves from the other. There are some wonderful side characters and a crazy ex.
He had been hurt and had closed himself off until her. She needed his help, if only she told him sooner.
I don't blame her one little bit, but her timing was off. Asking him and telling him that he was more than she thought and special to her would have done great things to a man who already had enough lies in his life. The side characters were so good and I appreciate them except for the ex. I don't do OW drama and this one had a surprising central theme of this woman lying and trying to force herself back into his life. Luckily all prevailed and along the way I admired how our h was a strong person. He was more closed off but thankfully had some good people on his side as well. And a fitting HEA!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Malicious Marriage had me hooked from the first page! Ajme Williams masterfully blends age-gap tension, mafia danger, and emotional stakes into one explosive romance.
The forced marriage trope is handled with intensity and surprising tenderness. The hero is everything you'd expect from a mafia alpha—cold, commanding, and heartbreakingly vulnerable underneath. The heroine? Fierce, independent, and absolutely relatable, especially as she navigates a secret pregnancy and dangerous new world.
The chemistry is scorching, the plot twists kept me flipping pages, and the emotional depth caught me off guard in the best way. It’s dramatic, angsty, and steamy with a satisfying ending that ties all the chaos together perfectly.
If you love high-stakes mafia romance with a possessive older hero, a fierce heroine, and all the juicy tropes (secret baby, marriage of convenience, and delicious tension), this one's for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clover Byrne has found herself in precarious situation being heavily in debt, disowned but determined to find her missing sister no matter what. She and her best friend/bodyguard Bobby hatch up scheme for her to seduce Dean Savoy the notorious mafia boss. Dean is feeling his own pressure from within his organization to marry his cheating ex who is pregnant but comes from an influential family. Can a run in with a beautifully woman be just the answer they're both looking for? Clover and Dean's story was supposed to be a marriage of convenience one that will solve both of their problems but what happens when lines get blurred and secrets are exposed? Not everything is as it appears will they be able to sort it put before it's too late?
I received an ARC through Booksprout an I'm voluntarily leaving my review.
This dark mafia romance packs a punch with all the twisted drama. I love Ajme Williams' writing style and stories. She has a way of pulling me in and wanting to stay in this delicious world she creates with these interesting characters.
This book is for you if you enjoy: Mafia romance Fake marriage Secret pregnancy Age-gap Forced proximity Enemies to lovers Dual POV
Dean and Clover gave great chemistry and build-up. The secrets and the lies made me sit on the edge of my seat just waiting for all of it to come out. I just love how their relationship evolved and developed through the book.
This is book 10 of the Mafia Lords of Sin series and can be read as a standalone. It's a fantastic series and I'm looking forward to the next one!
Clover has a heart of gold & is always looking out for everyone else & puts herself last.
Dean is mafia but he is very guarded & doenst trust easily.
They both wanted something to benefit each other but feelings blurred the lines.
Still, it was a solid, emotional journey. The writing was strong, and the pacing steady, though a bit slow in places. If you're into age-gap romances with emotional weight and a dark, secretive edge, this one will likely hit the mark.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a marriage of convenience Mafia story. It was so well done though.
When Mafia Don Dean needs a wife and Mafia Princess Clover needed financial help to find her sister, they agrees on a marriage by the secrets and lies are woven into it.
I really liked Dean. He had a brutal reputation but much was based on lies but Clover also had her secrets deeply hidden. But the attraction and romance was also there.
So well done I loved this book. It was an original take on a familiar subject but very much enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Malicious Marriage by Ajme Williams is the action-packed story of Dean and Clover. After being removed from the family…and desperately trying to find her sister, Clover decides that Dean is her only option. She never expected what happened!!
This story never rested for a moment!!! There was action, shocks, surprises, twists, unexpected dynamics and so much more!! Couldn’t stop reading this story that just engulfed me!!! Dean is fierce, impenetrable, and distrusting. Clover is naïve, determined, and wears her heart on her sleeve. The forces working around them make this story that much more intriguing and hugely entertaining!! Great read!!!
Malicious Marriage is another great story from this talented author. It follows Clover and Dean.
Clover is struggling and trying to find her sister. She and her friend Bobby devise a plan. She wants to make Dean notice her. Dean is being pressured into finding a wife. When he meets Clover he purposes to have them marry to satisfy both of them. What they don't plan on is having feelings for each other.
I loved the chemistry between Clover and Dean. I also loved that she was so strong and would do anything for her family. I loved these characters and look forward to more from this talented author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've decided that I'm not a big fan of these drastic age gap romances. It's all fun and games now, but when he is eighty and you're still sixty, you're going to regret marrying the old dude. Anyway, outside of these uncomfortably large age gap issue, I found this book to be engaging and entertaining. This is the 9th book in the Mafia Lords of Sins series. I believe I've read every single book in this series and this one slapped just like its eight predecessors. It had drama, angst, danger, and spice like nobody's business. If you like any or all of these, read this one. You won't be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a well written and captivating romance read as you would expect if you've ever read Williams. This book hooked me from the start and overall I very much enjoyed it. Our main characters are Clover and Dean, each of whom have the opportunity to use each other for their own gains and so delve into a marriage of convenience which of course become more real than not. I think my only wish was that Dean was more of a mafia don...he came through a bit softer than I think a don would or should be but the overall storyline and character chemistry was there and I very much enjoyed this read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Chloe is looking for her missing sister and she is deep in debt. She and her body guard devise a plan to seduce Dean Savoy, mafia boss. Dean has his own issues, feeling pressure to marry a cheating ex. When he meets Clover in his office he find her intriguing and offers her a marriage of convivence. She has her reasons for agreeing and keeps that information to herself. It is not long before the chemistry heat up between them and she ends up pregnant.
Will she able to get her husband to forgive her for all the lies she has told. The authors stories never disappoint.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is good book and very different thought about the characters, I thought the mafia boss would be hard headed and very to himself, but he isnt he just doesn't like liars and want to find someone to love and care for which i understand and when he find his girl it did take time for him to trust her with what she did to him but it did become special at the end and happy they had gotten their happy ending and especially those sassy moments they bought to the tables!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clover (FMC) has lots of problems that lead her to go to desperate measures like getting involved with Dean. A Mafia Boss with pressures that come with the job that gave him a reputation. Apart from an instant attraction they find a common ground with a mutual agreement to help each other by getting married. Only their backstories start to interfere with their relationship. I genuinely liked Dean and Clover's dynamic. It was endearing especially with Dean being a Mafia Boss. The plot twists were so flaming good and kept me on my toes from start to finish. A great read.
Have you ever read a book that had you captivated by the first sentence? That is what happens to me whenever I read one of Ajme Williams books, this book is no exception. Clover is on a mission. What? why? There is a little glimpse into who. Dean is wealthy, smart, perceptive, powerful, and curious. How will their story play out?? YOU MUST READ to find out the answers. You’ll be glad you did😉🤭!
This Booksprout ARC grabbed my attention and didn’t let go until the last word in the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clover has a heart of gold and is lost in saving her family after her sister Hailey has disappeared. She sees no way to save herself after being disowned by her uncle Malcolm except to find a benefactor. Enter Dean Savoy and the rest is a marriage of convenience to true love. Will they be able to move past her lies?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Malicious Marriage is book 9 in the Mafia Lords Of Sin series and is a fantastic age gap, marriage of convenience story. Dean and Clover find themselves in the perfect position. They both need something that the other can help with. They bring us a steamy journey full of danger, suspense, intrigue and lots of chemistry. Malicious Marriage was easily read in one sitting. I couldn't stop once I started! Definitely recommend reading this one!
Clover and Dean take you one thrilling adventure in this action-packed story. She needs money to pay off her ex and to find a sister who has gone missing. She connects with Dean under lies and secrets and when the truth comes out will she and Dean be able to continue with their relationship. this story kept me glued to the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Such a great love story between Clover and Dean. I enjoyed reading how it started and even with the downs, how it ended so happily. There were a lot of moments when I so wanted to yank some sense into some people, one or two in particular. Clover found her true family, even if not by blood. I was hooked from the beginning. It's a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you enjoy dark mafia stories, this is a must-read. We follow Clover and Dean, their attraction and chemistry are incredible. But the secrets, twists, and lies make it impossible to put the book down. It's so immersive that I had a hard time putting it down. I thoroughly enjoyed their story, and it's highly recommended! I
received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Malicious Marriage: An Age Gap, Secret Pregnancy, Marriage of Convenience, Mafia Romance story of Dean and Clover..A mafia king who needs a wife to silence his enemy..a damsell in distress needs money to pay her debt and funds to search for her sister..An intriguing,interesting,emotional,with family drama,angst,twist,steam and romance..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.