Auctioned Innocence

by Ajme Williams

I wake up in silk sheets that aren't mine.
Designer clothes in my size hanging in a gilded cage.
And a price tag of fifteen million dollars on my head.

Then he walks in—salt and pepper hair, cold Russian accent.
But I know those storm-gray eyes anywhere.

Dante Moretti.
My brother's enforcer.
Seventeen years older and completely forbidden.

"Don't flinch," he'd whispered once, backing me against library shelves.
Now he's bidding on me like I'm merchandise,
Playing the perfect predator to save me from real monsters.

Every word from his lips is a lie.
Every glance across the room burns with truth.

He came to rescue Marco's little sister.
Instead, he claims his woman.
Ruins me with stolen kisses and whispered promises.

Until two pink lines change everything.

Now I'm carrying the baby of my brother's best friend.
The man who swore to protect me just broke every rule.
And when Marco finds out his enforcer knocked up his little sister?

There won't be a wedding.
There'll be a war.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Contemporary

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2025

About the author

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.

Reviews

[angies.booknook · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
1/5🌶️

Started strong and then just flopped… the book could have been half this length, honestly. It was a lot of capture, unrealistic survival, running, capture again, unrealistic survival again, running again and just repeat that another 2 or 3 times.

Don’t forget to throw in some spicy scenes after the unrealistic survival when they never really eliminated the threat. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good morally wrong spicy scene with the bodies of those you just killed are scattered around you, but at least make it believable that the mission was actually completed beforehand. Even the ambushes and attacks seemed rushed or incomplete.

While I was reading, I kept thinking I had read the page before. So much so that I would go back to make sure I wasn’t imagining it, and sure enough, it was because the author repeats paragraphs and quotes SO MUCH.

Around 75%, it was really frustrating when I would reread a phrase or sentence that provided not contextual information or fundamental meaning to the storyline but I KNEW I had already read it a few pages prior.

The spicy scenes are very similar and only occurred 5-ish times. Each encounter seemed rushed. Even some of the character building seemed rushed and incomplete. The author would allude to things and then never illustrate what it meant.

I loved that the FMC was such a strong and independent baddie but most of what she accomplished was unrealistic and then to have the MMC completely turn to a submissive mush at the end of the book, it just came off as blah to me. I feel like a man can appreciate and encourage a strong FMC without losing his own dominance.

I believe this was the first book I’ve read from this author and although the storyline has potential, the execution could have been better.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive turned warrior, protector turned lover, enemies turned ash

Sofia grows up underestimated, shielded by her powerful family and shadowed by their enforcer, Dante. But when she’s dragged into a brutal underground auction, her fight to survive strips away innocence and forces her to claim her own strength. Every scar and secret becomes her weapon.

Dante infiltrates with one mission: to save Sofia. Bound by loyalty to her brother yet torn by the desire he’s denied for years, he walks the knife edge between protector and partner. Each battle binds them tighter until the line between duty and love is gone.

As the conspiracy deepens, Sofia rises as more than a survivor. She becomes the leader her family never saw coming, while Dante learns that love doesn’t break his promise, it completes it. Their war against cruelty and corruption forces them to face betrayal and fight for their future.

Sofia evolves from the fragile youngest of her family into a fierce strategist who proves her strength through resilience and grit. Dante transforms from a guarded enforcer into a man who embraces love and vulnerability. Together, they shift from forbidden desire to an equal partnership built on trust, survival, and the choice to build something beyond violence.

A dark, steamy, forbidden mafia romance, exploring survival, betrayal, love, power, trauma, family, revenge, resilience, justice, identity, and freedom. It’s about finding strength in love and family, seeking justice against cruelty, and reclaiming freedom without fear. For Sofia and Dante, every scar becomes part of the vow they make: to protect, to fight, and to love without limits.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sofia is up in an auction. Dante has bought her. She is off limits because she is his best friends sister. He will protect her with everything he has. This is a great mafia story that keeps you engaged.

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

[Cherie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN INCREDIBLE STORY LOVED IT. SO MUCH ACTION AND LOTS OF HEAT AND STEAMY SCENES.
📚🔥🔥💓✨🔥✨🔥📚

[NL Clarke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the main characters, Sofia and Dante, UNTIL Sofia turned into Superwoman Extraordinaire and Dante turned into Sofia’s slack-jawed, drooling fangirl. Realistically, Sofia could NOT have known, nor could she have done, most of the things she knew and did in the latter parts of this novel. Also, there were actions that the author later stated Sofia did “while in captivity” that were never portrayed during her captivity (which was pretty brief – maybe three or four days?).

On top of that, I felt that the author “forgot” what she had written previously. For example, in one chapter, one of Dante’s/Sophia’s informants had all of the fingers on his right hand broken and his face was described as a bloody mess. This scene happened at night. In the very next chapter, the same character showed up at breakfast THE NEXT MORNING to serve coffee (????) with NO mention of splinted/bandaged fingers or facial bruises/split lips. WTH???

I’m not going into detail about the over-the-top descriptions of a sweaty Superwoman…uh, Sophia…hacking into compromised systems, re-routing “security protocols” and communications, activating defensive “systems” that the author NEVER mentioned before, all while she monitored advancing bad guys and directed good guys into proper positions.

I love a good romantic, spy-ish, action novel just like anyone else, but this was too over the top, had too many technical errors, and was just too darned confusing for me to give anything more than two stars.

For those of you who are fans of this author, please read and enjoy this novel, and forget this review. For those of you who’d like to partake in a more well-imagined and more realistic action/spy/romance novel, may I recommend Leslie Charteris’ “The Saint” novels…chef’s kiss for those (they’ve aged well)!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auctioned Innocence is third book in the Bonds of Betrayal series. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating and ends on a happily-ever-after. This is Sofia and Dante's story which is told from a dual point of view. Captivating. Dangerous. Decadent. Dark. Sinful. Irresistible. Hang on to your kindle and prepare yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride of cravings, drama, tension, longing, emotions, angst, and anger. An unputdownable and absorbing addictive read. A definite page turner with enticing erotic scenes that will have you gasping and wanting more. An exquisitely written story with extraordinary individuals and a twisty and complex storyline that captures the reader attention from the start and keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat with non-stop twists and turns, suspense, high-octane adventures and pulse-pounding action. Hang on to your seat and brace yourself for this mesmerizing story of two unlikely individuals falling in love.

☑️Human Trafficking
☑️Kidnapping Retaliation, Lies
☑️Attacks, Threats, Revenge
☑️Deception, Darkness, Madness
🩸🩸Enemies, Murder, Bloodshed
☑️Old & New Foes, Rivalry
☑️Contemporary Romance
☠️☠️Organize Crime Story
💀💀Dark Mafia Romance
☑️Best friend Sister Romance
🫃Surprised Pregnancy Romance
☑️Auction Romance
☑️Forced Proximity Romance
👼👼Secret Baby
☑️Betrayals, Deception, Massacre
☑️Forbidden Romance
☑️Aged Gap Trope Romance
☑️Off-limit Relationship
Twenty-two year old mafia princess Sofia Renaldi of the Renaldi family is only daughter of a very powerful family. Dante Moretti a thirty-two year old enforcer for the Renaldi family on loan from Mario after he and Sofia helped him to rescue Elena from the clutches of Anthony Calabrese. Sofia had always had a crush on Dante who is not only the family's enforcer but her brother's childhood best friend and always followed them around as a child. She wanted Dante to see her for than more than just Marco's little sister so she bought a beautiful emerald slip form fitting dress to wear to her dad's party that was being held at her home hoping to get his attention. Dante didn't started seeing Sofia for more than Marco's little sister until her nineteenth birthday party. He's attracted to her but is not fit to marry the mafia princess because of his status in the family.
Additionally, he promised Marco that he would stay away from her after Marco caught him staring at his sister on her nineteenth birthday. It was her nineteenth birthday party when he realized that his feelings had sifted from protective to something more complicated. Three years ago Dante made a promise to Marco that he would keep Sofia safe even from himself. Marco believes that The Calabresses had started up the underground auction again after Mario and Elena had shut it down and sent Anthony Calabrese to prison. They have a particular interest in the daughters of powerful families. The higher the status the sweeter the victory of taking them. And he knows that a Renaldi daughter would be the ultimate prize and that's why he had increased the security around her and asked Dante to also personally check in on her.
Dominic Calabrese is Anthony's younger brother and since the Renaldi's helped put him away he wants revenge. Dominic has rebuilt Anthony's old network including the auction house. He decided to kidnap Sofia Renaldi in order to human trafficked her and sell her to the highest bidder. Sofia had been shielded from all the dangers of the mafia world even though she had been running cons for the family since she was ten years old. Although Marco thought her what to do in the event of someone attacking her she freeze in the situation and when they came for her she called Marco and told him that someone had gotten past the security which was impossible. He had to hear everything as they took her and felt helpless. When Marco call Dante with the news he was livid. And knows that he had to go on a war path. Marco find out that there's an underground auction.
Dante had to go incognito to the auction so that no one would know him. Sofia is mine to protect. Mine to save. Mine in ways I've never allowed myself to acknowledge not even in my darkest hours of the night when her face haunts my dreams. He has three days to save before the next auction. She's being kept at The Glided Rose. Sofia found out that she was the only one that was there that it was seven of them all from different walks of life but from influential family. And she became the leader and strength of the group planning their exit strategy. Dante meets an old foe Viktor from Russia there which mess up his cover. There was a bidding war for Sofia but Dante wasn't going to let her go without a fight but sacrifice will be made and friend loss as collateral. He and Marco and his team had a plan on when to go in and extract the girls. But they were betrayed from someone inside their organization, as it turns out James whose Marco's head of security of betrayed their plans to the enemies and all hell broke loose. They had to shoot their out of there and was able to get away. But they couldn't go back home because all there safe houses and buildings were hit.
They had to go on the run and in hiding until they figure it out. But they were being tracked by their phones and was found and was able to get away again. They were being hunted like animals and they found out that Marco was hurt really but while investigating whose behind everything. While in hiding they succumb to their attraction and Sofia got pregnant and when the dust settled Marco is going to kill Dante for touching his sister. Marco wasn't happy that Dante had went back on his word and touched his sister. He was happy be because Dante was much older than her. But he realized that they love each other and that they were partners. They learned to lean on each other and became a team. Viktor is working with Dominic not just to get revenge but to convince the Council that the current system is failing and that a stronger centralized control is needed.
Lorenzo Abate is her dad's Francesco Renaldi oldest friend and advisor. And as it turns out he as been trying to destroy the Renaldi's for years from the inside out and working with Viktor to do. They were a lot of betrays, twists and turns, panty-melting passion, suspense, surprises, high-octane adventures, non-stop action, secrecy, danger, violence, enemies, rivalry, lies, deception, darkness, madness, hatred, bloodshed, dominance, submission, dirty talking, revelations, power struggle, internal conflicts, power play, consensual intense rough sex, and love.

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

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off great but quickly took a dive. SO MANY redundant paragraphs/thoughts.
There were references to his past but no back story given just comments like "He's seen things". ??? And what was the significance of his secret contact being a former associate of his father's? Again, no back story but we ended that chapter with something like "the only tie he had left to his father was now gone" which would make you think that's something important to the story. ???
I love an accomplished, capable woman but she took over and he sounded like a push-over (putting it politely) for the rest of the book. How many times are they going to be attacked with her saving him when he's supposed to be some badass assassin for the family? A lot, apparently.

[Shelley G · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy cow this story was a wild ride. violence, vengence, betrayal, lies, jealousy, strength, determination, personal growth, loyalty, love, tenderness, protection, danger, excitement, persistence, and so much more. this book has it all in spades. Dante an older mafia enforcer has loved Sophia since she was 19 and him 36 but her brother his best friend marco has warned him not to cross that line. protect his baby sister at all costs but nothing more. so dante fights himself and his feelings every day to offer her only protection. but now sophia is 22 and has has feelings for dante since she was 19 and has decided she's a grown woman and her brother has no right deciding for her who she loves. but others are watching, betrayal is everywhere, trust is in limited supply and enemies are around every corner. sophia is kidnapped and put up for auction and dante will do whatever it takes to rescue the woman he's loved from afar but they are betrayed. suddenly its all out war and the entire family is hit at all once and dante and sophia must run together to survive protecting each other alone. this just deepens their feelings and while trying hard to survive they decide the risk is worth anything esp if they don't survive so they cross the line. every minute is a fight just to breathe another few hours as those they thought were family and friend turn on them. there's no help coming they must rely only on each other.
can they survive? can they find out who has betrayed them in time to save their family and loved ones plus themselves? what happens if marco finds out dante is sleeping with the baby sister he made him swear to stay away from? will loving sophia bring a massacre and tear two best friends apart? will every survive the war they are in the middle of? and will love win out in the end esp when sophia finds out she's pregnant by a man who promised not to touch her. a man 17 yrs her senior. and what happens to innocent virginal 22 yr old sophia when she decides she's done being a victim, that she's more than marco's baby sister and she rises like the warrior she always was but nobody truly saw except for dante
the character development was outstanding. sophia was like a phoenix rising from the ashes of war death violence and victim showing the inner strength she knew she had all along, becoming a mafia goddess of vengence. dante proud, strong, alone, deadly, a killer who had a heart like a marshmallow for sophia, who couldn't stop loving her no matter if it cost him his life, who saw the real girl nobody else saw and became the partner she needed not to lead or walk in front of but to stand strong beside her and allow to be the deadly warrior queen she really was. marco the loving over protective brother who just couldn't accept his baby sister had grown up until the proof slapped him in the face. the detail of this story was exceptional, the descriptions of their struggles, their run for their lives, their passion for each other, the ultimate love inside their hearts, their incredible connection to each other, the events that transpired in each part of the war and ultimately the ending. this book was outstanding.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Furlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whole cow this book had a turn of events from being kidnapped in her own home then taken to auction…. But getting out because she was found by her brother solider. But who was behind this and trying to take the family down and make them a bad name you ask, I thought it would of been the security guy Jacob well I wasn’t wrong but who else had been involved was in the long game for 35 years and planning this for 15. But does he have what it takes to take them down or will Sofia take him down instead with all her knowledge of computer coding that he thinks he taught her?


But as you know we can’t have a story that downs end in a happy ending with two of the main characters that’s where Sofia’s rescuer comes into play Dante.


It was to only protect her now they are on the run and have to stay alive on the process. He thinks she’s not thinking right when Sofia makes a move on him but she never been surer of one thing than him. She had wanted him since she was nineteen and new she is twenty two and she is no little girl any longer and I think that is where Dante snuggled to get over this, he has know her her whole life, but he finally puts that past and takes what he has always wanted and claims her as she wants him too. Macro is not happy when he finds this out but who would be when this is your baby sister who happens to fall for a man that is seventeen years older than her, but he finally sees what has happened. They are partners, Dante stood by her and taught her how to fight and win while her brother taught her things it wasn’t on the level she wanted and knew she could come out on top. Her brother came to realize also that she is no longer that little girl and a beautiful strong woman who is capable of.


This story sucked me in and I read it in one day. I needed to know of Dante and Sofia got their happy ending and who was behind the auction and trying to take them down.

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

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’s my brother’s best friend.
Seventeen years older.
And the man who bought me at a mafia auction to save me.

Now he refuses to let me go.

Dante Moretti was sworn to protect me.
Instead, he pins me to velvet sheets and growls, “You were never off-limits. Just untouched.”

He was Marco’s most trusted soldier.
Now he’s the man corrupting his little sister behind locked doors.

Every kiss is a betrayal.
Every moan a loaded gun.

But secrets don’t stay buried in this world.

Because I’m not just ruined.
I’m knocked up.

With the baby of the man who broke every oath.

And when my brother finds out?
There won’t be a war.
There’ll be a massacre.

This contemporary dark mafia brother's best friend age-gap auction romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is engulfed by darkness, danger, violence, and grit, and characters that are an alpha mafia male exuding power/wealth, dangerous, violent, brooding, and ruthless, and a resilient/fierce female heroine, who are both captivating and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with auctioned innocence, mature, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, a secret pregnancy/secret baby, secrets, deception, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, drama, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with auctioned innocence and an explicit dark mafia romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly dangerous, dark, and unforgettable.

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

[Vidisha Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Auctioned Innocence was a dark, emotional rollercoaster that pulled me in from the very first chapter. Ajme Williams has a way of mixing suspense, forbidden romance, and raw intensity that kept me glued to the pages. Sofia and Dante’s story had me torn between swooning over their chemistry and stressing about all the danger swirling around them.

What I really enjoyed was how layered the characters felt—Sofia wasn’t just a “mafia princess” but someone strong, clever, and resourceful. Dante, as the brooding protector with conflicting loyalties, had such a magnetic presence that I couldn’t help rooting for him, even when I was frustrated by his choices. Their relationship was messy, passionate, and sometimes heartbreaking—but that’s exactly what made it feel so real.

The plot definitely doesn’t shy away from darker themes, which added to the tension and stakes, though at times I felt some of the dramatic twists came a little too fast. Still, that unpredictability kept me flipping the pages. Personally, I liked how the ending tied things together while still leaving room for that lingering edge of danger.

Overall, this book gave me everything I look for in a dark mafia romance: tension, angst, and that guilty-pleasure kind of love story. It wasn’t perfect but it was absolutely captivating. If you enjoy steamy, high-stakes romances with a dangerous twist, this one is worth picking up.

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

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd story in the Bonds of Betrayal Series where we find Sofia a young adult who works on the edge of the family business. Her older bodyguard, Dante has made a promise to Matteo the Don and best friend and Sofia’s brother to keep her safe, protect and not act on his hidden attraction to Sofia. When an enemy has Sofia brutally taken from the family home and forced to fight for survival in a high stakes underground auction. Her strengths become evident in the way she learns their patterns when the time comes to use it against them. Dante has a mission to get Sofia back while being her protector and desire for her, duty or love. During her captivity Sofia becomes a leader and strategist ready to do what is necessary for her and the other woman’s survival. Dante has an uneasy feeling that his cover is blown when the one man shows up that can destroy his background story. Family and alliances join forces in rescuing the women and a war breaks out putting friends in danger and enemies forced to continue their destruction and dismantling the current order of how the families do business among generations of rules. This dark forbidden romance is full of secrets, revenge, cruelty, trauma, danger, passion, love and much more all for control, greed and power. What a possessive alpha mafia man will do for his warrior and their unborn child will have your heart pulse forever! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jaime Penwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t understand why the male lead was almost two decades older than her and was talking about how he wanted to kiss her at 17? I feel like he’s giving groomer vibes because of that. Just because he didn’t actually kiss her then doesn’t make it not creepy. The brother’s best friend thing could still be done with a less dramatic age gap. Or he could’ve just not had feelings until she was in her 20’s. Even that would be better.

I also feel like the synopsis was misleading. It said “ Every kiss is a betrayal. Every moan a loaded gun.
But secrets don’t stay buried in this world. Because I’m not just ruined. I’m knocked up. With the baby of the man who broke every oath. And when my brother finds out? There won’t be a war. There’ll be a massacre.” Well, her pregnancy wasn’t discovered until the last maybe 30 pages. And her brother did not care. He got over them being together after like 5 minutes and he never had an issue with the pregnancy. He immediately gave them his blessing to get married.

Other than those issues, the book was okay. I think it could’ve been better if the synopsis was more accurate and they didn’t have the whole being attracted to a SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD thing.

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

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante Moretti. Just saying his name makes my pulse spike. He was my brother’s best friend, seventeen years older, and the man who literally bought me at a mafia auction to save me. And now? He refuses to let me go. Honestly… I don’t even want him to. 😈
Ajme Williams doesn’t hold back. Every stolen glance, every heated kiss, every growl of “You were never off-limits. Just untouched” had me clutching my Kindle like my life depended on it. The tension between us is immense, and the forbidden angle makes it so, so deliciously dangerous. And then… bam. Knocked up. With his baby. Cue my heart racing and my stomach twisting in the best, worst way possible.
This book is messy, intense, and utterly addictive. Secrets, betrayal, mafia-level danger, and a romance that makes your heart ache and your pulse pound. Dante’s possessive, alpha energy had me weak in the knees, and watching this forbidden love unfold had me rooting for them every agonizing step of the way.
If you crave forbidden romance, alpha heroes who break every rule, and stories that hit you right in the feels while keeping you breathless? Auctioned Innocence is your next obsession. I couldn’t put it down—and I’m still thinking about Dante.

[Malini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman by MeemsAngel82

This was something else! Now if you want action and a strong female lead, then you have it here. The writing is as always impressive, the world is dark and dangerous and yet has hope and family elements which I love. There were details and world building and connections that I appreciate because it builds on people I care about. The dynamic is one of a younger sister loving her brother's best friend and it is returned, but this is also a story of a strong female and showing her capabilities.

They had danced around one another for a while and now she was in danger. He couldn't hide what he felt and she couldn't hide what she was.

I love and admire her power! She really showed her skills and blew her older brother away with her fierce nature and her skills. Her tactical knowledge and her computer knowledge were amazing. The battles they fought...wow. I love the chemistry between the two leads as well. The anticipation was delicious and them being together was fantastic. Her brother seeing her all grown was so powerful. This was exciting, steamy and emotional, just amazing.

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

[Debbie Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Warrior Princess!

Sofia was treated like a pampered princess, but she was stronger, fierce and she knows she wants Dante her brother's enforcer. But he can't do anything about it being a older man and Sofia being his best friend and his boss. Things change between Sofia and Dante but nothing can happen until the night she is taken,Dante is furious until he fines out where she is but he must get her back,but when he does he finds that she is going on the auction block and also she will bring in the highest price to,one is who her family is.While still is held captive she meets only girls whole are held captive and who change Sofia's life.Sofia and Dante go thru alot of life changes,from finding love for each other,finding out there is people out there who have it out for them,who are jealous, greedy,lies. It looks like Sofia and Dante and her brother have their work cut out for them,trying to clear the damages done to their family.They find that they can't even trust people who are like family.Sofia goes thru so many changes,she doesn't set on the side lines anymore,she fights back for the friend she lost,for the girls who were taken to prove to Dante and her brother Marco that she is strong!She is ready to fight back and win!

[Clara Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a captivating, intense, dangerous and emotional ride.

Auction Innocence follows Sofia and Dante. I absolutely loved that Sofia was a strong, fierce force to be reckoned with especially since she was underestimated and treated with kit gloves. Dante was dominating, dangerous, possessive and protective. Yet when it mattered he let go and trusted that she knew what needed to be done.

It's an incredible storyline with intriguing characters that will keep you engaged, captivated, holding your breath waiting for the next OMG moment. With betrayals, manipulation, vengance, deception, kidnapping, sex trafficking, unexpected twist and of course there's steamy passion and undeniable chemistry galore.

What happens when those closest to you betrayal you? You don't want to miss this one.

I received a free ARC through Booksprout an I'm voluntarily leaving my review.

Five + captivating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the third Bonds of Betrayal story, Sofia, a young woman on the fringes of her family’s mafia business, is protected by her older bodyguard, Dante, who hides his attraction to her due to a promise to her brother, Matteo, the Don. When enemies kidnap Sofia from her home and force her into a brutal underground auction, she uses her cunning to observe their patterns for survival. Dante, torn between duty and love, leads a mission to rescue her, but his cover is threatened by a man who knows his secrets. Sofia emerges as a strategic leader, fighting for herself and other captive women. As family and allies unite to save them, a war erupts, challenging old mafia rules and risking lives. This dark, forbidden romance brims with secrets, revenge, danger, and passion, as Dante, a possessive alpha, fights for Sofia and their unborn child. A solid 4.5 star read

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

[Carolyn Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 in the series is built upon the events of Book 1 & 2. Each book getting better and better so I’m rating this one 4.5 ⭐️.

The romantic tropes in this book:
- age gap
- mafia romance
- pregnancy

The reason I loved this series so much is because the women were allowed to participate and lead.

Dante and Sofia are the couple that’s highlighted here. Dante has been loaded to the Renaldo family to do some enforcement work. Sophia is the daughter in the Renaldo family. She has been running cons and hacking systems since she was a little girl.

There’s so much violent action and sex as Dante and Sophia move through an abduction, a run in with human trafficking, a revenge plot and family betrayal. They save the family from destruction and get their HEA.

But don’t go by the book blurb because it’s deceptive. It’s what enticed me to read the series but the thing it highlights happen 3/4rds of the way into the book.

I really enjoyed this series and will miss these characters!

[Dee Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Of The Series So Far

This third installment in the Bonds of Betrayal series is the best of the 3 books so far. It has the most action - even if the FMC turns out to be some super commander and strategist in a very far-fetched way - and the love story is the most organic of the 3 couples we’ve been introduced to. I didn’t mind the ridiculous seemingly super warrior the FMC turned into and instead found it refreshing to see a partnership of equals develop between her and the MMC. Even in books where the FMC is feisty and strong, she often somehow needs saving by the strong hero figure. In this story, however, our FMC and the MMC seem to take turns saving each other. There are sexy scenes but nothing over the top. As mentioned earlier, the love relationship between the 2 main characters has been developing organically and predates the start of this story. A few glitches in continuity but I wasn’t distracted by them. A few typos but, again, not an issue.

[Scatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Sofia & Dante.

Sofia is a mafia princess who is treated as a prized, sacred little girl who is always protected. Little did they know that she is a strong, clever, tech savvy & very capable of anything she puts her mind to.
She has feelings for dante that is frowned upon because of the age difference & him protecting her from the sidelines.

Dante is the protecter, right hand man & sticks to promises that he made to his best friend. He has liked Sofia & tried to hide his feelings, even from himself.

Sofia gets put up for auction, there is danger every where, trust, loyalty & betrayal. Dante is there to help her. There are so many twists & turns in this book.
I have loved this book & couldn’t put it down.

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

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Proved her Worth After Being Underestimated -
OMG! I feel like I have just been on the highest rollercoaster ride in the world. Most of the mafia books I have read usually have the female character kidnapped and the male character rescuing her, but this story had a twist where a Mafia Princess went from a sneaky young lady to a fierce fighter with strategic skills that could surpass the military intelligence team. This Mafia Princess also embarks on a relationship with the last person her family would have accepted, whilst dealing with all the obstacles placed in her path. If you are looking for a book that has drama, heat, action-packed encounters, emotionally challenging moments and deals with a very traumatic topic, then grab a copy of this totally consuming book.

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

[Crystal Junebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Ajme Williams's works and this one didn't disappoint. Even though I'm not a lover of age-gap trope, I was able to look past it and enjoy the book anyway. It had high quality spice and this one isn't a slow burn. It's more like a flash fire. The writing is great (as always), with plenty of twists and turns in the story. This is a full length novel so I couldn't finish it in one sitting, but I definitely ended up staying up waaaay too late to read it. The story is very engaging and entertaining, but do review the TWs before you dive into it, if you tend to get triggered easily. Overall, I definitely recommend this one.

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

[Michelle Peralta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, gritty, and absolutely addictive—this book has everything: betrayal, danger, forbidden love, and one hell of a strong heroine. Dante, an older mafia enforcer, has loved Sofia from afar for years, bound by loyalty to her brother. But when Sofia is kidnapped and thrown into a brutal underworld, Dante will stop at nothing to save her.
On the run, with enemies closing in and no one to trust, their love finally explodes—but so does the war around them. Sofia rises from protected princess to fierce warrior, and Dante finally lets himself love the woman he’s always seen as more than just Marco’s little sister.
Fast-paced, emotional, and full of twists—this story is a wild ride from start to finish. A must-read for dark romance lovers!

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from Ajme Williams and I really enjoyed it! Based on the book's blurb, I thought I had an idea of what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised by how it turned out. This wasn't just a typical mafia romance. The FMC was badass and held her own. The plot was also very intricate and had a lot of moving parts. What I appreciated most about this book is that there was not a lot of back and forth between the MCs. Once they were together, they were TOGETHER and they built a strong partnership based on their love and trust in one another. This may be my first book by this author, but it won't be the last!

[Cindy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auctioned Innocence is another amazing story from this talented author. The story is suspenseful and well-written.

Sofia has always been protected and treated as a treasure. But she was strong and smart. She wants to be with Dante but they have an age gap. Dante has promised to protect her and still tries to deny himself for how he feels for Sofia. He is also her brother's best friend. Their story is full of danger and revenge.

I loved how Sofia was so strong and surprised her family with her strength. The chemistry with her and Dante was so good. Highly recommended.

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante is the Renaldi enforcer and close friend to Marco, the heir apparent. He has had eyes from his friend's sister Sofia for some time but has given Marco his word to not cross that line. When Sofia is taken but human trafficker, Dante knows he has at save her. Once he is able to they are on the run as it seems there was more to her abduction. As they race against the clock find out who is behind everything, they will not be able to resist each other.

Loved Sofia she had more strength they most men and props to Dante for letting her be herself and no hiding her away.

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

[Nora · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 disappointed star. Like, she doesnt even know she's pregnant until the end, and then her brother, who is teased to start a war over her, accepts it immediately and encourages it as if he's been actively waiting for it. I hate when authors tease the ending in ANY part of their synopsis, because that's usually the drama I am excited to eat the meat of the book for, but its a close out. And thats on top of the straight up lie that the brother might not approve, theres no drama there at ALL, so in the end I just feel LIED to. Beyond this book not being my thing, is the black mark of being LIED to.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auctioned Innocence is an intense, brothers best friend, age gap read and is Dante and Sofia's story. It's a fantastic, forbidden love story that'll have your feelings on your fingertips. Sofia has had feelings for Dante for years despite the difference in age and Dante has had feelings for Sofia as well, yet neither has ever acted on those feelings. Their journey is intense and full of danger, chaos, twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Auctioned Innocence is another great read from this author. You absolutely don't want to miss it!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What another wonderful read by this author. Filled with deceit, revenge, danger, with twists and turns behind every corner, it is impossible to put down. Sofia has been in love with her brother’s best friend and right hand man since childhood, even though Dante there is an age difference. Dante made a promise to Sofia’s brother to always keep her safe, even from himself. Will Dante be able to keep his promise or will Sofia finally get her man?.

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