Bound Vows

by Clara Dunn

I swore I’d kill him.
Then I became his wife.

Andrei Volkov is the Bratva’s golden heir.
Ruthless. Obsessive.
And the reason half my family is dead.

So when he kidnaps me and demands marriage in exchange for peace, I agree—for one reason

To get close enough to slit his throat.

But living in his fortress turns into something else.
Every touch feels like a threat.
Every kiss feels like war.

And when our twisted game explodes into something real, I start to see the broken boy behind the monster.

Now our marriage is a ticking bomb.
We both know it ends in blood.

The only question is whose.

He made me his bride.

But I’ll decide if I become his queen…
Or his executioner.

Author’s
This is the final book in the Empire City Syndicate series.

Each story can be read as a standalone romance, with interconnected characters and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
Books 1 and 2 end on soft cliffhangers that naturally lead into the next couple’s story.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2025

Reviews

[Heather Schweit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐: I've read many books from this author. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I do wish it explored certain things a bit more, but that's my only critique. This is a 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 Maya & Andrei. Maya is the dangerous younger sister of Mafia boss Max Mastroni. Andrei is the Mafia boss of the Volkov family. These two families have a complicated history. Andrei & Maya are instantly attracted to each other. Andrei kidnaps & marries her as part of his plan for revenge/peace. Maya bides her time until she can escape. They get to know each other better the more time they spend together. The more she learns about Andrei's past, the more Maya understands what drives him. They must also deal with enemies who don't approve of their relationship. Alliances are fragile & betrayals abound.

A few 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 the growth arcs for both Maya & Andrei over the course of the story. 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.

[Renee Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrei & Maya

He’s been watching her every movement & is very impressed Maya is well-trained in protecting herself in the mafia world. She’s a force to be reckoned with. Andrei arranges to have her kidnapped & intends to marry her. When he was young, he witnessed his whole family being obliterated & strongly believes the family that is responsible for their deaths is Maya’s dad & his army. With Maya captured, she uses her training in trying to escape Andrei but is unsuccessful. He spends time with her & is finding his attraction towards her is growing. He’s kept on his toes when she tries to manipulate him in having him believe she’ll agree to marry him & link both families together. She shows a lot of courage & will stand beside her new husband so her family will be saved. It doesn’t take long for them to admit they have strong feelings towards each other & this unlikely couple is better off being the power couple to fight anyone who dares to separate them or destroy their empire.

In true mafia romance, this is a great story to read. There is the destruction, mysterious threats towards Maya & her involvement with Andrei. Someone is out to destroy her & it’s up to Maya & Andrei to stop the person. Time is running out for Maya. Can she be saved?

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOUND VOWS is a dark, mafia romance by Clara Dunn. It’s the final book in the Empire City Syndicate series and somehow I missed the previous book, BROKEN VOWS, which I hope to read soon.

This is Maya and Andrei’s story and it’s told from each of their points of view in alternating chapters. They are from rival crime families and there is a lot of violence due to the nature of their businesses. They are intelligent but ruthless and the families are surrounded by those they trust. But what happens when that trust is broken and betrayed?

When Maya and Andrei marry things take an interesting turn. There are steamy moments along with romance and eventually love. There are secrets, surprises, injuries, strategies developed and laid out, weapons and violence and through it all my heart was racing and my adrenaline pumping. The descriptions are vivid and seem appropriate to the world created and on display. There are multiple stories being told and a lot of twists and turns. Some were predictable but others weren’t. There is closure especially with the epilogue and a rewarding happily ever after.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

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

[Victoria Golby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant dark mafia romance

A brilliant dark mafia romance, with enemies-to-lovers, forbidden attraction, suspense, drama, angst, betrayal, action, violence, spice, love and trust with some great twists and a HEA.

Maya is the younger sister of Max (Stolen Vows) and Melinda (Broken Vows) who's married to Vincent Russo; and she is lethal particularly with knives (her weapon of choice). But she catches the eye of Andrei Volkov who's determined to make her his wife.

Andrei lost his family sixteen years ago and has been planning his revenge (involving marriage) since then; but once the vows have been said and they spend more time together the tension heats up with romance and love following. But not everyone is happy with the families joining together.

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

[Shanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad to see this series end but it did go out with a bang with Maya and Andrie's story. What started off as a kidnapping turned into something much more. I mean Maya didn't make it easy on Andrie but in a way they both needed each other. The banter between these two characters made the read rather fun and very interesting...and well the spice was truly spicing.

This was my first full mafia series with Clara and I have to say she hit it out of the park. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who wants to dip into the mafia word where family is everything but love seems to conquer it all.

[Shantrellia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My overall thoughts of the book are what a great freakin read!!! I am in love. The characters are great Maya is smart, strong, and bold. Andrei is a man who is on a mission. He has a plan for everything. Their chemistry is great. I love the back– and– fourth, combined with the humor, the plot, and the spice. This was deliciously entraining in every way possible. I will say there was a “I knew it” moment but there was still a twisted on it and it was good. The action was from beginning to end and I LOVED IT!!! NEW FAVORITE BOOK!.

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

[Rodney Wiedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great ending to this series. It has everything that you expect from a Mafia romance, lots of violence, and plot twists that keep you turning the pages. Maya and Andrei made a great power criminal couple. They merged the Italians with the Russian Bratva and made a bigger criminal empire that had never been seen before. If you would like to read a great Mafia romance, then you should give this series a try.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Andrei and Maya isn't about the Russians and the Italians, bringing two powerful families together to become even greater, but rather about creating a powerful couple who, when they're together and working hard, are unstoppable. It's not easy for them; there's drama, tension, enemies, betrayal, and twists and turns before they get their long-deserved HEA.






I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angee Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glorious thrill ride! This is a dark mafia romance. The story is familiar but interestingly executed. The story is well-developed and holds your attention. The main characters, Maya & Andrei have amazing chemistry and very spicy scenes together. It has a dual POV which I prefer. There are a lot of twists, but the flow of the book is perfect. An overall enjoyable story. Worth the read. 4.7 stars

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya and Andrei start as enemies, when the Italians and the Russian’s bring their families together. It is not a the making of a bigger empire but making a power couple.made a great power This story is full of heat, twists that will keep you turning and amazing characters. Enemies to heat.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a heart pounding story that pulls us into the lives of Andrei and Maya. The story keeps us turning the pages with a kidnapping, a forced message, the desire for revenge, violence, connection and steam.

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

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible ending to this series. I wish there were more to come though. It has been such a suspense filled, emotional ride. I honestly can’t tell you which of the three books in this series I love the most. They are all fantastic. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intense read this turned out to be. From the first page I knew I was in for a wild ride. Amazing characters and an extremely phenomenal storyline. The action, steam and suspense had me on the edge of my seat through the whole book. Highly recommend reading and look forward to reading more from Clara Dunn.

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

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the 3rd book in this series but can be read as a standalone. It's a quick read, fairly fast-paced with some tension between the FMC Maya and MMC Andrei.  It is a Mafia Romance with some darker themes, so please check your triggers.

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

[Diana Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrei and Maya’s story is full of heat, adversity and a psychotic nightmare hidden in plain sight ! The characters are well written and you want to know exactly what happened all those years ago ! Perfect blend mafia enemies and sexual heat ! 5✨’s

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya had lost over half her family to the Russians, but she wasnt one to shy away from danger, and when Andrei kidnaps her after growing obsessed, she vows revenge, but will fate have other plans and change their course? Well written engaging steamy  desires enemies to lovers and more

[Frances Packingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg. This is so good. While reading it, I couldn't decide how I was hoping things would turn out. Maya and Andrie definitely kept things hot and interesting. This is the third book in the series and all are fantastic! Highly recommend

[Stacey Hupperich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mafia Romance that is enemies to lovers. When the families merge they merge the Italians with the Russians and have a big criminal empire. Andrei and Maya are the ultimate criminal power couple. Plenty of twist and turns that will keep you wanting more and plenty of spice. Grab your copy today.

[Jocelyn Masson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not wait for Maya's story to be told and it did not disappoint. There was so much to unpack in this book, I dont even know where to start. From start to end, I was hooked on the intensity and the non stop action throughout the book. I cant wait to see what's next.

[Mrs Reads Between The Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Bound Vows’ had me hooked from the first words. Andrei and Maya’s story draws you in and keeps you wanting more. If you fancy a gorgeous, lethal, possessive man with an obsession for a beautiful, strong, stabby-in-her-own-right woman, then Andrei and Maya’s story is for you!

[Patricia Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in the series that grabs ahold of you and not let you go till the end.
This is a hauntingly seductive dark romance that dives into obsession, secrets, and forbidden love, gripping suspense.

[Kate W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being abducted and forced into marriage with your families enemy can weave a streak of attraction and fondness to a strong character. I really enjoyed this story it was medium paced with a few twists and turns. So steamy intimacy moments. I would recommend this book.

[Jackie Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara once again outdoes herself with her characters. She pulls you into their story and keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. Maya and Andrei’s story does exactly that. Highly recommend.

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

[Richard Kruzewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew & Maya

Great read, unexpected relationship. 3rd book in series bringing together the mafia families along with the Russians to change to legitimate businesses for future heirs. This has violence, kidnapping and unexpected truce then love. (Reviewed by Lin)

[JoAnna VanDorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya is hands down in my top five bad @$$ FML in all my books. Andrei sure did pick a feisty one when he decided on this arrangement. and that _____ I never liked them from day one and glad they got what they deserved. Probably a spicy pepper and half.

[Donna Nalbandian Woerner Homschek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, wonderful in-depth characters. Intriguing, interesting dynamic between the MMC and the FMC. Danger, subterfuge and love.

[Angie Calderon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great ARC mafia book. I enjoyed it a lot definitely a must read

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed bound vows which was Maya & Andrei‘s story. It was an intriguing read. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good final book to the series. Have really liked Maya in the previous books. This book about her and Andrei exceeded my expectations. Thrilling and exciting!

[Miranda Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series!

The ending of this book was a surprise, but a very nice closure to a series! If you haven’t read Clara Dunn‘s books, I highly recommend you do!