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No Promises, No Lies: Devils & Darlings, Book 1
I took her to get revenge, but now I want so much more.
Rory Kostalova was never part of the plan. Kidnapping the Russian mafia princess was a move for control, a way to gain the upper hand in a brutal war. She was meant to break, to bend to my will like everyone else.
But Rory is different—strong, fiery, untouchable.
What started as a way to get even turns into something darker, something neither of us can control. She stirs the chaos inside me, makes me crave her in ways I shouldn’t.
I took her freedom to punish her family, but now she’s the one I can’t let go. To save her, I’ll have to break every rule, cross every line.I’ll be the one to set her free—even if it destroys me.
No Promises, No Lies is a standalone crossover mafia hockey romance with dark themes and spice.
Tropes
Hockey Romance
Mafia Romance
Arranged Marriage
New Adult
Enemies to Lovers
Captive Romance
"I didn't know where else to go."
Rory Kostalova was never part of the plan. Kidnapping the Russian mafia princess was a move for control, a way to gain the upper hand in a brutal war. She was meant to break, to bend to my will like everyone else.
But Rory is different—strong, fiery, untouchable.
What started as a way to get even turns into something darker, something neither of us can control. She stirs the chaos inside me, makes me crave her in ways I shouldn’t.
I took her freedom to punish her family, but now she’s the one I can’t let go. To save her, I’ll have to break every rule, cross every line.I’ll be the one to set her free—even if it destroys me.
No Promises, No Lies is a standalone crossover mafia hockey romance with dark themes and spice.
Tropes
Hockey Romance
Mafia Romance
Arranged Marriage
New Adult
Enemies to Lovers
Captive Romance
"I didn't know where else to go."
Audible Audio
Published September 30, 2025
696 people are currently reading
2797 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Wilding
2 books117 followersAj is a mom of two from New England who balances the chaos of parenting, writing, and wrangling her furry crew of two dogs and two cats.
A dedicated hockey mom, she spends countless hours in cold arenas, finding inspiration for her stories while cheering from the sidelines or typing away between periods.
Aj’s love for writing began in childhood, where her imagination first took shape through short stories. Over time, this passion grew into crafting poetry and lyrics, eventually evolving into the novels she writes today. Her stories are often filled with intensity, heart, and a touch of chaos—just like the worlds she loves to create.
When she’s not writing, Aj enjoys sipping coffee, spending time with her family, and diving into digital art. She’s always dreaming of her next adventure, both on and off the ice.
A dedicated hockey mom, she spends countless hours in cold arenas, finding inspiration for her stories while cheering from the sidelines or typing away between periods.
Aj’s love for writing began in childhood, where her imagination first took shape through short stories. Over time, this passion grew into crafting poetry and lyrics, eventually evolving into the novels she writes today. Her stories are often filled with intensity, heart, and a touch of chaos—just like the worlds she loves to create.
When she’s not writing, Aj enjoys sipping coffee, spending time with her family, and diving into digital art. She’s always dreaming of her next adventure, both on and off the ice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 326 reviews
December 15, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was really good! And come to find out that this is the author’s debut novel?! 🤯🤯
The story line was great, and I loved the characters, but a few things were missing or just didn’t work for me:
1- Niko. I’m so confused by the turn of events with this man.. the way he’s described for the first half of the book, we almost assume that he’s done heinous things to her. I genuinely thought that he had been abusive to her behind her father’s back, especially with the way she interacted with him the first time we meet him and Alexei’s reaction to leaving her alone with him… and then boom, he’s always cared and was just faking it?
2- The chemistry/connectiong between the MCs. I think I’m alone with this based on the other ratings, but for some reason, I just wasn’t feeling their relationship. Maybe the pacing was off? It went from enemies, to indifference, to raging lust, to some feelings, back to distrust and then love? And throughout all of these phases, they never really talked or bonded about ANYTHING… more and more romances are including relationships that lack in a basic foundation and I’m really struggling with it. Maybe because I’m a romantic at heart, but I just miss really feeling the LOVE between my MCs.. I did like them and Aidan was sweet and protective, but it wasn’t enough
3- The sex scenes didn’t do it for me.. maybe because I just didn’t get behind the couple together, but I just skimmed through most of the scenes 🤷🏻♀️
4- I wanted more of his brothers! I would have loved to see more scenes of them interacting with her and getting to know a little bit more about them. I’m guessing that they’ll each get their own book 🤞🏼, but it was something I was missing.
5- Mafia and hockey DO NOT mix in my opinion… It was such a weird combination and it just didn’t work for me. It just kept taking me out of the story every time they would switch from mafia business to hockey practice. Weird 🥴
Things I really enjoyed:
1- Her budding friendship with Reagan! The girls were so cute!
2- The way Aidan was willing to let her go despite his feelings, to give her her freedom 😭😭
3- How protective he was over her! I’m a sucker for a guy who sacrifices himself for his girl 🥹
4- The playlist he made for her on the plane with songs he guessed were her favourite based on the music playing during her practices.
5- Rory was a tough bitch! No matter the situation or how scared she was, that girl stood on business, and I was here for it! Take the hockey skate away from her! ⛸️😂
Bonus:
Her new name: Rory O’Rourke! Say that name 5 times 😂😂
Tropes:
Dark romance
Mafia romance (Irish, Russian and Italian)
Hockey player/Figure skater
Captor/Captive
Marriage of convenience
Home invasion
This was really good! And come to find out that this is the author’s debut novel?! 🤯🤯
The story line was great, and I loved the characters, but a few things were missing or just didn’t work for me:
1- Niko. I’m so confused by the turn of events with this man.. the way he’s described for the first half of the book, we almost assume that he’s done heinous things to her. I genuinely thought that he had been abusive to her behind her father’s back, especially with the way she interacted with him the first time we meet him and Alexei’s reaction to leaving her alone with him… and then boom, he’s always cared and was just faking it?
2- The chemistry/connectiong between the MCs. I think I’m alone with this based on the other ratings, but for some reason, I just wasn’t feeling their relationship. Maybe the pacing was off? It went from enemies, to indifference, to raging lust, to some feelings, back to distrust and then love? And throughout all of these phases, they never really talked or bonded about ANYTHING… more and more romances are including relationships that lack in a basic foundation and I’m really struggling with it. Maybe because I’m a romantic at heart, but I just miss really feeling the LOVE between my MCs.. I did like them and Aidan was sweet and protective, but it wasn’t enough
3- The sex scenes didn’t do it for me.. maybe because I just didn’t get behind the couple together, but I just skimmed through most of the scenes 🤷🏻♀️
4- I wanted more of his brothers! I would have loved to see more scenes of them interacting with her and getting to know a little bit more about them. I’m guessing that they’ll each get their own book 🤞🏼, but it was something I was missing.
5- Mafia and hockey DO NOT mix in my opinion… It was such a weird combination and it just didn’t work for me. It just kept taking me out of the story every time they would switch from mafia business to hockey practice. Weird 🥴
Things I really enjoyed:
1- Her budding friendship with Reagan! The girls were so cute!
2- The way Aidan was willing to let her go despite his feelings, to give her her freedom 😭😭
3- How protective he was over her! I’m a sucker for a guy who sacrifices himself for his girl 🥹
4- The playlist he made for her on the plane with songs he guessed were her favourite based on the music playing during her practices.
5- Rory was a tough bitch! No matter the situation or how scared she was, that girl stood on business, and I was here for it! Take the hockey skate away from her! ⛸️😂
Bonus:
Her new name: Rory O’Rourke! Say that name 5 times 😂😂
Tropes:
Dark romance
Mafia romance (Irish, Russian and Italian)
Hockey player/Figure skater
Captor/Captive
Marriage of convenience
Home invasion
April 3, 2025
4 stars for Rory and Aidan.
Now when I first started this book I was convinced it was going to be a 5 star book. The story and the characters were intriguing, the writing was really good and it’s a mafia book which is my favorite. Even through most of the book I was gonna give it 5 stars but then there were just a few things that didn’t work for me personally.
I’ll start with the things that did:
it’s mafia/bratva/mob, literally my favorite romance to read. We have a FMC who finally doesn’t have BBS. Oh how I was so happy that Rory wasn’t ruled by her body. I actually liked how little interest she showed Aidan especially when he had her captive.
I liked that Aidan had his soft moments here and there and that he didn’t show any signs of a f boy. He never thinks about or mentions any women in his past or present. There was ZERO OW drama.
I also really liked the secondary characters and can’t wait for their books.
There were also a few surprises in here I was not expecting that made the book more interesting.
But as I went along there were just a few things that I didn’t care for:
people were introduced and it made it seem like there was going to be something happening with them but nothing ever panned out. Like the Natalia girl, also Jimmy. I needed some closure on those people.
This was a super slow burn. Not necessarily my favorite, but I don’t hate it. But here I wanted to see the characters together more. The arranged marriage doesn’t happen until like 80% which I felt like defeated the whole purpose.
I didn’t feel like Rory had any feelings for Aidan at all. Sure it was nice while he was being an ass but once he started being nice to her it didn’t seem like she even wanted to be with him. She hardly ever thought about him and her response to him felt lukewarm at best.
I liked Rory but she really pissed me off at one point. They have sex, and sleep together and are intimate. Aidan promises to always protect her and she’s all into it and then they get married and right after she’s such a bitch to him! For no reason! She even runs away from him and I’m like girl wtf are doing?!!!
Also some inconsistent things. Like they were at a cabin and Aidan was skating on the ice and then the next day Rory is trying to run away and skates on the ice to do it but the “ice is too thin” and it breaks, and then the next day they are back on the ice. I was so confused!!
Them having a safety talk would have been nice too. They don’t use any protection and it’s never talked about or thought about by either of them. Birth control? Any worry of getting pregnant? No talks at all.
Anyway it might sound like I didn’t like it but I actually did. I read it the entire way through. It was very easy to read and also entertaining. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I’m curious who Raegan will end up with.
NO CHEATING (not really, Rory is in an arranged marriage and she does kiss Aidan while engaged but she has no plans on marrying this guy)
NO OW DRAMA AT ALL!
OM DRAMA (she dances with some guy and talks with her friends about sleeping with him but it doesn’t happen, her arranged fiancé is around but he’s a douche)
NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP (not really anyway)
ATTEMPTED SA (very brief)
TALK OF SEX TRAFFICKING
TORTURE
MURDER
HEA (married)
Now when I first started this book I was convinced it was going to be a 5 star book. The story and the characters were intriguing, the writing was really good and it’s a mafia book which is my favorite. Even through most of the book I was gonna give it 5 stars but then there were just a few things that didn’t work for me personally.
I’ll start with the things that did:
it’s mafia/bratva/mob, literally my favorite romance to read. We have a FMC who finally doesn’t have BBS. Oh how I was so happy that Rory wasn’t ruled by her body. I actually liked how little interest she showed Aidan especially when he had her captive.
I liked that Aidan had his soft moments here and there and that he didn’t show any signs of a f boy. He never thinks about or mentions any women in his past or present. There was ZERO OW drama.
I also really liked the secondary characters and can’t wait for their books.
There were also a few surprises in here I was not expecting that made the book more interesting.
But as I went along there were just a few things that I didn’t care for:
people were introduced and it made it seem like there was going to be something happening with them but nothing ever panned out. Like the Natalia girl, also Jimmy. I needed some closure on those people.
This was a super slow burn. Not necessarily my favorite, but I don’t hate it. But here I wanted to see the characters together more. The arranged marriage doesn’t happen until like 80% which I felt like defeated the whole purpose.
I didn’t feel like Rory had any feelings for Aidan at all. Sure it was nice while he was being an ass but once he started being nice to her it didn’t seem like she even wanted to be with him. She hardly ever thought about him and her response to him felt lukewarm at best.
I liked Rory but she really pissed me off at one point. They have sex, and sleep together and are intimate. Aidan promises to always protect her and she’s all into it and then they get married and right after she’s such a bitch to him! For no reason! She even runs away from him and I’m like girl wtf are doing?!!!
Also some inconsistent things. Like they were at a cabin and Aidan was skating on the ice and then the next day Rory is trying to run away and skates on the ice to do it but the “ice is too thin” and it breaks, and then the next day they are back on the ice. I was so confused!!
Them having a safety talk would have been nice too. They don’t use any protection and it’s never talked about or thought about by either of them. Birth control? Any worry of getting pregnant? No talks at all.
Anyway it might sound like I didn’t like it but I actually did. I read it the entire way through. It was very easy to read and also entertaining. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I’m curious who Raegan will end up with.
NO CHEATING (not really, Rory is in an arranged marriage and she does kiss Aidan while engaged but she has no plans on marrying this guy)
NO OW DRAMA AT ALL!
OM DRAMA (she dances with some guy and talks with her friends about sleeping with him but it doesn’t happen, her arranged fiancé is around but he’s a douche)
NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP (not really anyway)
ATTEMPTED SA (very brief)
TALK OF SEX TRAFFICKING
TORTURE
MURDER
HEA (married)
April 1, 2025
I read this book as an ARC and I was hooked the second I read the synopsis.
I loved Rory and Aiden and the twists and turns their relationship took throughout the book. They were enemies and he kidnapped her but that was just the beginning of their story.
This book had my attention from page 1 and each twist and turn had me needing to know what happened next.
I will definitely read this book again because I loved it so much.
I loved Rory and Aiden and the twists and turns their relationship took throughout the book. They were enemies and he kidnapped her but that was just the beginning of their story.
This book had my attention from page 1 and each twist and turn had me needing to know what happened next.
I will definitely read this book again because I loved it so much.
December 26, 2024
I was hooked from the very beginning. The high stakes, the tension, the back and forth. Everything I love in a book is there. My emotions were everywhere. The story flowed so well. The character growth is awesome. Aiden and Rory have my whole heart. I hope there will be more in this world! I can’t wait to see where they go!
February 12, 2025
When I saw No Promises No Lies was a dark mafia/hockey crossover, I was both excited and reluctant. Excited because I seem to be drawn to hockey tropes more than any other, but reluctant because mafia/mob don’t seem to be my jam. Especially when they are heavy on the mafia and short on the romance. It’s nice when my expectations are both exceeded because I loved both aspects which made this story even more enjoyable. It added all these different layers to the story because you have the secondary characters in both tropes keeping things new and the story moving along. The fmc is a competitive ice skater so you had that bit of the story as well.
Afterword talks about this being the 1st of a series and gotta say I am there for it. The MMC has 2 brothers and a sister and fmc has a brother so a lot of places this series can go!
I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review on my own.
Afterword talks about this being the 1st of a series and gotta say I am there for it. The MMC has 2 brothers and a sister and fmc has a brother so a lot of places this series can go!
I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review on my own.
December 24, 2024
If you crave high-stakes danger, sizzling chemistry, and a wicked mix of mafia power plays and hockey brawls, No Promises No Lies is your next obsession.
The Setup:
Kidnapping Russian mafia princess Rory Kostalova was supposed to be a strategic move—a way for one formidable man to gain the upper hand in a brutal war. She was meant to bend, to break, to fall in line like everyone else. But Rory is tougher than anyone anticipated. Her fierce spirit and untouchable aura spark a craving that can’t be controlled.
As a hostage, she’s a potent mix of defiance and allure. He’s the captor who can’t resist her fire. When dark secrets and raw desires collide, the line between revenge and obsession blurs. Now, saving her might mean his own destruction—but he won’t stop until she’s safe. Even if that means breaking every single rule.
Why You’ll Love It:
• Mafia Meets Hockey: A unique crossover where cold, calculated power meets the heated intensity of the rink.
• Enemies-to-Lovers Tension: Sparks fly when the Russian mafia princess faces off against her captor—chemistry that’s as dangerous as it is undeniable.
• Dark & Captivating: Gritty themes, ruthless power struggles, and a love story forged in the shadows.
• Standalone Novel: Jump right into the action without needing any prior series knowledge.
Tropes & Themes:
• Hockey Romance
• Mafia Romance
• Arranged Marriage
• New Adult
• Enemies to Lovers
• Captive Romance
• Dark Themes & High Spice
Prepare for a thrill ride that blends heart-pounding action, steamy encounters, and razor-sharp tension. No Promises No Lies is the ultimate fix for readers who like their romances with a deadly twist and a promise of redemption just beyond the darkness.
#NoPromisesNoLies #AJWilding #MafiaRomance #HockeyRomance #EnemiesToLovers #CaptiveRomance #DarkRomance #NewAdultReads #DangerAndDesire #Bookstagram #BookTok #RomanceReaders
The Setup:
Kidnapping Russian mafia princess Rory Kostalova was supposed to be a strategic move—a way for one formidable man to gain the upper hand in a brutal war. She was meant to bend, to break, to fall in line like everyone else. But Rory is tougher than anyone anticipated. Her fierce spirit and untouchable aura spark a craving that can’t be controlled.
As a hostage, she’s a potent mix of defiance and allure. He’s the captor who can’t resist her fire. When dark secrets and raw desires collide, the line between revenge and obsession blurs. Now, saving her might mean his own destruction—but he won’t stop until she’s safe. Even if that means breaking every single rule.
Why You’ll Love It:
• Mafia Meets Hockey: A unique crossover where cold, calculated power meets the heated intensity of the rink.
• Enemies-to-Lovers Tension: Sparks fly when the Russian mafia princess faces off against her captor—chemistry that’s as dangerous as it is undeniable.
• Dark & Captivating: Gritty themes, ruthless power struggles, and a love story forged in the shadows.
• Standalone Novel: Jump right into the action without needing any prior series knowledge.
Tropes & Themes:
• Hockey Romance
• Mafia Romance
• Arranged Marriage
• New Adult
• Enemies to Lovers
• Captive Romance
• Dark Themes & High Spice
Prepare for a thrill ride that blends heart-pounding action, steamy encounters, and razor-sharp tension. No Promises No Lies is the ultimate fix for readers who like their romances with a deadly twist and a promise of redemption just beyond the darkness.
#NoPromisesNoLies #AJWilding #MafiaRomance #HockeyRomance #EnemiesToLovers #CaptiveRomance #DarkRomance #NewAdultReads #DangerAndDesire #Bookstagram #BookTok #RomanceReaders
March 6, 2025
If you’re in the mood to read a hockey, mafia, enemies to lovers, slow burn romance with zero owd then I highly recommend this book!
First in the series of what’s going to be interconnected standalones we have Rory- a bratva princess and Aiden- a hockey playing Irish mafia enforcer. This is a slow burn for the romance but they had a connection straight away and there’s lots of action on the way to their HEA.
If you want to know how long it takes for stuff to happen between them, they have their first kiss at 60%, sex at 74% and we don’t get an I love you until 91%.
I think the next book will be the mmcs sister Reagan who ran away at the end of this book and they hadn’t found her yet. Then we could have books for his brothers Liam and Koen or the fmcs brother Niko who took over the bratva at the end. There’s even the Italian Don or the other hockey players, So many possibilities 🥰
-Dual pov
-Russian bratva/ Irish Mafia
-Figure skater/ hockey player
-Zero OWD 👏🏻🙌🏻
-No virgins but no detailed history given, he didn’t seem like a manwhore and nothing mentioned about his past. I loved this, the focus only on the mcs.
-I would say HFN because the epilogue wasn’t too long after the end, they’re still married and he’s supporting her at the Olympics and he’s just signed a 4 year contract with his team to stay in Boston.
First in the series of what’s going to be interconnected standalones we have Rory- a bratva princess and Aiden- a hockey playing Irish mafia enforcer. This is a slow burn for the romance but they had a connection straight away and there’s lots of action on the way to their HEA.
If you want to know how long it takes for stuff to happen between them, they have their first kiss at 60%, sex at 74% and we don’t get an I love you until 91%.
I think the next book will be the mmcs sister Reagan who ran away at the end of this book and they hadn’t found her yet. Then we could have books for his brothers Liam and Koen or the fmcs brother Niko who took over the bratva at the end. There’s even the Italian Don or the other hockey players, So many possibilities 🥰
-Dual pov
-Russian bratva/ Irish Mafia
-Figure skater/ hockey player
-Zero OWD 👏🏻🙌🏻
-No virgins but no detailed history given, he didn’t seem like a manwhore and nothing mentioned about his past. I loved this, the focus only on the mcs.
-I would say HFN because the epilogue wasn’t too long after the end, they’re still married and he’s supporting her at the Olympics and he’s just signed a 4 year contract with his team to stay in Boston.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2025
When I saw No Promises No Lies was a dark mafia/hockey crossover, I was both excited and reluctant. Excited because I seem to be drawn to hockey tropes more than any other, but reluctant because mafia/mob don’t seem to be my jam. Especially when they are heavy on the mafia and short on the romance. It’s nice when my expectations are both exceeded because I loved both aspects which made this story even more enjoyable. It added all these different layers to the story because you have the secondary characters in both tropes keeping things new and the story moving along. The fmc is a competitive ice skater so you had that bit of the story as well.
Afterword talks about this being the 1st of a series and gotta say I am there for it. The MMC has 2 brothers and a sister and fmc has a brother so a lot of places this series can go!
I received an advanced copy for free on Book Sirens and am leaving this review on my own.
Afterword talks about this being the 1st of a series and gotta say I am there for it. The MMC has 2 brothers and a sister and fmc has a brother so a lot of places this series can go!
I received an advanced copy for free on Book Sirens and am leaving this review on my own.
December 25, 2024
No Promises, No Lies is an incredible book that immediately captivated me from the very start. The smooth, gentle flow of the plot combined with the strong, well-crafted characters keeps the reader hooked. At the heart of the story is Aurora, a determined Russian mafia princess who lives under the guise of Rory, an ice skater. Her kidnapping sparks an unexpected chemistry with Aidan O'Rourke, the second in line to the Irish mafia throne.
The thrilling blend of romance, chemistry, danger, and love is perfectly executed. The combination of intense games, heart-pounding fights, and emotional moments made the story even more gripping. I won’t deny that this book touched my emotions, making me smile, squirm, and gasp right up to the end. I absolutely loved this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.😊
The thrilling blend of romance, chemistry, danger, and love is perfectly executed. The combination of intense games, heart-pounding fights, and emotional moments made the story even more gripping. I won’t deny that this book touched my emotions, making me smile, squirm, and gasp right up to the end. I absolutely loved this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.😊
December 27, 2024
I went into this book with some hesitance. Never heard of the author before and only saw little snippets on social media but the story intrigued me. Signing up to read it early was a great decision.
High intensity that captures you from the start.
Aurora, known better as Rory, is a figure skater that was raised away from her mafia father and came back to Boston after her mother untimely death. During her time back in Boston she starts a hate-hate relationship with the Irish enforcer and pro hockey player, Aiden.
Through many ups and downs, twists and turns, Rory and Aiden find their place together.
1.5🌶️
5⭐️
Tropes:
Mafia
Hockey
Enemies to lovers
Kidnapping
High intensity that captures you from the start.
Aurora, known better as Rory, is a figure skater that was raised away from her mafia father and came back to Boston after her mother untimely death. During her time back in Boston she starts a hate-hate relationship with the Irish enforcer and pro hockey player, Aiden.
Through many ups and downs, twists and turns, Rory and Aiden find their place together.
1.5🌶️
5⭐️
Tropes:
Mafia
Hockey
Enemies to lovers
Kidnapping
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
I went in this book hoping to like it, and ended up absolutely loving it! I loved the mash up of Mafia and Hockey romance, enemies to lovers, and slow burn with my top tier tropes - touch her and ☠️, hurt/comfort and "I had nowhere else to go". I loved the writing style, characters, action, and plot. I hope we get more interconnected books about all the siblings!
December 28, 2024
I read this book as an ARC and wow, what a book!
Had me hooked from the start and I loved Aiden & Rory so much, such great characters with great chemistry!
A great Mafia/sports crossover, action packed and an all around great story! I will be buying the paperback when it goes on sale for my bookshelf!
Had me hooked from the start and I loved Aiden & Rory so much, such great characters with great chemistry!
A great Mafia/sports crossover, action packed and an all around great story! I will be buying the paperback when it goes on sale for my bookshelf!
February 5, 2025
Will you side with the Irish Mob, Italian Mafia or Russian Mafia?
Rory's only focus growing up was competitive figure skating. Having struck a deal with her mafia boss dad that kept her out of the family business. But due to unforseen events, Rory is thrown into the life of organized crime.
Enter Aidan O'Rourke. Hockey star bad boy who also happens to be the Irish mobs enforcer. And also one of her dad's biggest rivals. Can she maintain the idea of family loyalty or will she choose her own path?
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this and am so glad I did. The story, character chemistry and sexual tension definitely made the build up well worth the wait. And then they just keep going.
I especially enjoyed the mafia war aspect of this story. When I think of Boston mobs and mafias going at it, this is exactly what comes to mind. Wilding does an amazing job of not only capturing the what mafia life is like but also creating an unavoidable chemistry between two characters that cannot be together. I cannot wait for the next book. I need to know where a certain character ended up!
Rory's only focus growing up was competitive figure skating. Having struck a deal with her mafia boss dad that kept her out of the family business. But due to unforseen events, Rory is thrown into the life of organized crime.
Enter Aidan O'Rourke. Hockey star bad boy who also happens to be the Irish mobs enforcer. And also one of her dad's biggest rivals. Can she maintain the idea of family loyalty or will she choose her own path?
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this and am so glad I did. The story, character chemistry and sexual tension definitely made the build up well worth the wait. And then they just keep going.
I especially enjoyed the mafia war aspect of this story. When I think of Boston mobs and mafias going at it, this is exactly what comes to mind. Wilding does an amazing job of not only capturing the what mafia life is like but also creating an unavoidable chemistry between two characters that cannot be together. I cannot wait for the next book. I need to know where a certain character ended up!
May 16, 2025
Let me put it straight. Hockey and mafia don’t go well together, neither does ”let’s have a drink” with your abductors baby sis. DNF BYE
January 8, 2025
4,5 stars
This is the first time I am reading something by this author and I am very satisfied with both the story and the writing style. The story attracted me from the first to the last page and I read it with pleasure. The story follows two warring mafia organizations, Russian and Irish, and their fight for territory.
Collateral damage is a Russian mafia princess, a skating champion, and her kidnapper is a hockey star, a member of an Irish mafia family. The story is intense, raw, full of tension and mutual intolerance, and at the end, unexpected gratitude and trust. I lowered the rating by half because some things were a little too unbelievable for me, but all in all the story was good and it has all the best recommendations from me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the first time I am reading something by this author and I am very satisfied with both the story and the writing style. The story attracted me from the first to the last page and I read it with pleasure. The story follows two warring mafia organizations, Russian and Irish, and their fight for territory.
Collateral damage is a Russian mafia princess, a skating champion, and her kidnapper is a hockey star, a member of an Irish mafia family. The story is intense, raw, full of tension and mutual intolerance, and at the end, unexpected gratitude and trust. I lowered the rating by half because some things were a little too unbelievable for me, but all in all the story was good and it has all the best recommendations from me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 28, 2024
I felt all the feels with this book! I loved the Hockey aspects and getting the lay of the land with the different mafia families. I was kicking my feet when Rory and Aiden expressed their feelings. Aiden is the best protector with "who did this to you?" vibes. I feel like the end left me hanging on the lil sister situation. This may be the next book but could be conveyed that way. It's like life went on without her. If it's had half stars I'd give 4.5. Loved the HEA!
December 27, 2024
Omg!!! This book was soooo good the story line alone is everything! Rory and Ace…….swoon!! If you like hockey and m@fi@ this is for you! The banter between them is intense especially with Rory’s sassy ness!
February 27, 2025
Mafia with enemies to lovers YES!!!!
Join our fmc get wrapped up in a world she never belonged it and learn that our mmc hottie hockey player is also rival to her dads mafia side
The twist and turns for the relationship is intense with so many moments you wanna scream at them for being so dang stubborn
Can they let their stubbornness go and not let the family rivalry get in the way??
Join our fmc get wrapped up in a world she never belonged it and learn that our mmc hottie hockey player is also rival to her dads mafia side
The twist and turns for the relationship is intense with so many moments you wanna scream at them for being so dang stubborn
Can they let their stubbornness go and not let the family rivalry get in the way??
December 27, 2024
Really good cross between mafia and sports romance. I really enjoyed Rory and Aiden's story.
July 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3.75 stars- rounded to 4 stars✨
This was an entertaining read! I did enjoy it but the beginning had me a little skeptical. There was always some drama going on that was incredibly entertaining. I think if I wasn’t in a bit of a slump, I might have rated it higher…maybe…🤷♀️
All in all, it was an enjoyable read. Might recommend. I really want the next books in the series bc Im so curious abt all the siblings…also, Niko? I need a book abt him🤭
✦. ── TROPES: ── .✦
-kidnapper😇
-Irish mafia
-figure skater x hockey player🏒
-arranged marriage💍
-enemies to lovers
-found family🫂
This was an entertaining read! I did enjoy it but the beginning had me a little skeptical. There was always some drama going on that was incredibly entertaining. I think if I wasn’t in a bit of a slump, I might have rated it higher…maybe…🤷♀️
All in all, it was an enjoyable read. Might recommend. I really want the next books in the series bc Im so curious abt all the siblings…also, Niko? I need a book abt him🤭
✦. ── TROPES: ── .✦
-kidnapper😇
-Irish mafia
-figure skater x hockey player🏒
-arranged marriage💍
-enemies to lovers
-found family🫂
June 16, 2025
4.5 stars to this sexy, hockey mafia romance read! Yeess absolutely! I haven’t read too many hockey romances but I do love me a good mafia romance and this is the perfect marriage of the two, I loved this read!
Thank you so much to the author AJ Wilding for my ARC copy of No Promises, No Lies.. the first book in her Devils and Darlings series.
This was so addicting to read! I couldn’t put it down and forgot I was reading sometimes throughout. I was reading another book on my kindle and put it on hold to finish this one. I loved the FMC Aurora (Rory) and also the MMC Aiden.
**Rory is an absolute BADASS and loved seeing her confidence and grit develop throughout the book. Also that scene with her father towards the end? If you know you know and that was brilliant, loved her even more for that.
Rory and Aiden’s love story was violently cute, the best way I think I can describe it and it had me hooked.
Not only did I fall for the main characters and their relationship but it was easy to fall in love with other secondary characters too. I also loved that some characters I both disliked and loved and felt like I really got a good story on them and their background and not just the main characters.
The only part I got annoyed with, with the FMC was at the cottage with Aiden when she tried to run away on the lake because why! Silly girl… I knew that wouldn’t last long though, and thought maybe it could have either not been a part in the story or been dragged out just a little more for more suspense and/or anxiety but I’m a sucker for a book stressing me out. It ultimately was not a bad part just very quickly resolved.
There was great twists/turns and I said “oh shit” out loud more than once which is a great review from me if a book can do this.!
I loved this world and did not want to leave it, needless to say I can’t wait for the next one to come out because I need to know what happens after that ending!!
I actually teared up at the end as well and 3/4 of the way through which is very hard to get me to tears in a book but this did, loved it loved it loved it!!
Absolutely recommend.
Thank you so much to the author AJ Wilding for my ARC copy of No Promises, No Lies.. the first book in her Devils and Darlings series.
This was so addicting to read! I couldn’t put it down and forgot I was reading sometimes throughout. I was reading another book on my kindle and put it on hold to finish this one. I loved the FMC Aurora (Rory) and also the MMC Aiden.
**Rory is an absolute BADASS and loved seeing her confidence and grit develop throughout the book. Also that scene with her father towards the end? If you know you know and that was brilliant, loved her even more for that.
Rory and Aiden’s love story was violently cute, the best way I think I can describe it and it had me hooked.
Not only did I fall for the main characters and their relationship but it was easy to fall in love with other secondary characters too. I also loved that some characters I both disliked and loved and felt like I really got a good story on them and their background and not just the main characters.
The only part I got annoyed with, with the FMC was at the cottage with Aiden when she tried to run away on the lake because why! Silly girl… I knew that wouldn’t last long though, and thought maybe it could have either not been a part in the story or been dragged out just a little more for more suspense and/or anxiety but I’m a sucker for a book stressing me out. It ultimately was not a bad part just very quickly resolved.
There was great twists/turns and I said “oh shit” out loud more than once which is a great review from me if a book can do this.!
I loved this world and did not want to leave it, needless to say I can’t wait for the next one to come out because I need to know what happens after that ending!!
I actually teared up at the end as well and 3/4 of the way through which is very hard to get me to tears in a book but this did, loved it loved it loved it!!
Absolutely recommend.
May 18, 2025
Okayyyy this author had me sucked in from the start. A dark hockey mafia romance is the top tier combo. I didn’t know I needed this combo till now. I will be thinking of this book and the characters for way too long. For this book being this authors debut it was really freaking good. The plot had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The mix of the Russian mafia, the Italian mob and the Irish mafia and all three of them being in a war and trying to get alliances with different mafias to gain more power was so intriguing. The characters development too was done perfectly.
Rory is the Russian pakhans daughter but no one knows he has a daughter. Her identity has been kept a secret so when she’s at one of his places of business to meet him and it gets raided by the Irish mafia and they kidnap her they don’t know who exactly they have kidnapped. Aiden is the second heir to the Irish mafia but he wants out and wants to keep playing professional hockey but he keeps getting pulled into his family business. He accidentally kidnaps the Russian pakhans daughter and realizes that he knows her from the rink because she’s a figure skater and he sees her all the time. He’s confused as to why she was at the place where he kidnapped her from and she won’t budge and tell him who she is and what she knows. Her father plans to marry her off to the Italian mob but Aiden keeps getting in the way of things happening. Rory and Aiden are enemies to lovers in such a good way. She has trust issues from everything that has happened in her past between losing her mom, being kidnapped, being used as a bargaining chip and being married off without a say but when things get really down to it who can she trust? The guy who kidnapped her or her family? Aiden is struggling to comes to terms with the fact that he’s falling for the Russian mafia princess and is trying to keep himself out of her business but he just can’t seem to let her go, especially once she turns up broken and bruised…what will he do…?
“He’s a dead man.”
“I want him to hear death coming for him.”
Rory is the Russian pakhans daughter but no one knows he has a daughter. Her identity has been kept a secret so when she’s at one of his places of business to meet him and it gets raided by the Irish mafia and they kidnap her they don’t know who exactly they have kidnapped. Aiden is the second heir to the Irish mafia but he wants out and wants to keep playing professional hockey but he keeps getting pulled into his family business. He accidentally kidnaps the Russian pakhans daughter and realizes that he knows her from the rink because she’s a figure skater and he sees her all the time. He’s confused as to why she was at the place where he kidnapped her from and she won’t budge and tell him who she is and what she knows. Her father plans to marry her off to the Italian mob but Aiden keeps getting in the way of things happening. Rory and Aiden are enemies to lovers in such a good way. She has trust issues from everything that has happened in her past between losing her mom, being kidnapped, being used as a bargaining chip and being married off without a say but when things get really down to it who can she trust? The guy who kidnapped her or her family? Aiden is struggling to comes to terms with the fact that he’s falling for the Russian mafia princess and is trying to keep himself out of her business but he just can’t seem to let her go, especially once she turns up broken and bruised…what will he do…?
“He’s a dead man.”
“I want him to hear death coming for him.”
July 5, 2025
I was hooked with this book since the start.
Hockey and Mafia Romance? Yeeeeees!!
I love it so much
Hockey and Mafia Romance? Yeeeeees!!
I love it so much
October 10, 2025
I don't know where my og review went but its been months and its still all I think about its a 5⭐ read for me Aidan and Rory are EVERYTHING to me no notes AJ knows she ATE with this 😮💨
December 29, 2024
An amazing debut novel filled with emotion, action and of course some spice!
Rory was such a well developed character. From the first page, she intrigued me and hearing about her father mistreating her and not getting along with her psycho older brother, I felt connected to her instantly and was hoping she would get a happy ending.
As for our main MMC Aidan, the first introduction was already hot af, you could feel the tension between the two characters and I could not wait to see these two come together.
Definitely a slow burn romance so tons of tension but honestly there was so much going on in the book that it wasn’t overbearing.
When everything happened with Alexei I was crryyyinnnggg, he’s probably my favourite side character. I hope we get to see more of him!
My only critique is that I wish we knew more about Niko. With him doing what he did to help Rory, it felt a bit out of the blue and would’ve loved seeing more of that character arc. But I still liked the shock factor.
Overall, this book was so well written, I read it in a day and enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend checking it out once the book releases!
Rory was such a well developed character. From the first page, she intrigued me and hearing about her father mistreating her and not getting along with her psycho older brother, I felt connected to her instantly and was hoping she would get a happy ending.
As for our main MMC Aidan, the first introduction was already hot af, you could feel the tension between the two characters and I could not wait to see these two come together.
Definitely a slow burn romance so tons of tension but honestly there was so much going on in the book that it wasn’t overbearing.
When everything happened with Alexei I was crryyyinnnggg, he’s probably my favourite side character. I hope we get to see more of him!
My only critique is that I wish we knew more about Niko. With him doing what he did to help Rory, it felt a bit out of the blue and would’ve loved seeing more of that character arc. But I still liked the shock factor.
Overall, this book was so well written, I read it in a day and enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend checking it out once the book releases!
March 23, 2025
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝑹𝒐𝒓𝒚. 𝑴𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎, 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕.”
Oh wow. I loved this way more than I thought I would! I saw a TikTok post about it and had to try it, a hockey player Irish mafia enforcer and an ice skater Russian mafia princess? Yes pleaseeee!
I already loved it from the start but halfway through I was hooked! I could not put it down and the ending was everything!!!! I loved how Rory was the one to take care of business and that Cole showed himself better than I expected. I need more of this world and books of the other characters!! This was my first by this author and I’ll definitely be checking more of her work.
“𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚,” 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒂𝒘 𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, “𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏.” 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒎𝒆, 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. “𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒐—𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒆.”
Irish x Russia Mafia
Hockey Player MMC
Mafia Enforcer
Ice Skater FMC
Russian Mafia Princess
Enemies to Lovers
“I didn’t know where else to go”
Found family
Revenge
“No one will ever hurt you” MMC
“My Wife”
Oh wow. I loved this way more than I thought I would! I saw a TikTok post about it and had to try it, a hockey player Irish mafia enforcer and an ice skater Russian mafia princess? Yes pleaseeee!
I already loved it from the start but halfway through I was hooked! I could not put it down and the ending was everything!!!! I loved how Rory was the one to take care of business and that Cole showed himself better than I expected. I need more of this world and books of the other characters!! This was my first by this author and I’ll definitely be checking more of her work.
“𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚,” 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒂𝒘 𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, “𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏.” 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒎𝒆, 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. “𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒐—𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒆.”
Irish x Russia Mafia
Hockey Player MMC
Mafia Enforcer
Ice Skater FMC
Russian Mafia Princess
Enemies to Lovers
“I didn’t know where else to go”
Found family
Revenge
“No one will ever hurt you” MMC
“My Wife”
April 30, 2025
This mafia romance was gripping from start to finish. The story blends danger, passion, and emotional intensity in a way that kept me completely hooked. Rory is a fierce yet vulnerable heroine, trapped in a world of skating dreams and mafia duty, and her voice feels so raw and real. The tension of her arranged marriage, the looming threats from rival families, and the emotional trauma she carries had me deeply invested.
There’s a constant sense of anticipation—whether it's the danger stalking her or the slow-burning attraction with a certain infuriatingly charming hockey player, I was always eager to know what would happen next. The writing is sharp, the pacing tight, and the mix of mafia politics with emotional complexity made it impossible to put down. If you enjoy stories with strong heroines, protective bad boys, and high-stakes romance, this one will not disappoint.
There’s a constant sense of anticipation—whether it's the danger stalking her or the slow-burning attraction with a certain infuriatingly charming hockey player, I was always eager to know what would happen next. The writing is sharp, the pacing tight, and the mix of mafia politics with emotional complexity made it impossible to put down. If you enjoy stories with strong heroines, protective bad boys, and high-stakes romance, this one will not disappoint.
February 25, 2025
You like dark mafia romance? This is the book for you.
Aurora is a figure skater, daughter of Adrik Kostalov, head of the Russian mafia. He had an affair with her mother and moved them to Canada to keep them safe. He failed when her mother was killed in a car bomb, Aurora was not supposed to be there but she was and as a result, suffered a concussion that has left her with long term affects.
Adrik moved her to Boston to keep her protected.
He also had a plan to marry her off to Matteo, head of the Italian mafia.
Nikolai, Aurora’s half brother. Has never treated her well, blames her for the affair.
Alexei, Aurora’s bodyguard…among other things…
Then we have Aidan, hockey player, bad boy, Irish mafia. His father was killed. He and his brothers believe it was Aurora’s father…so they want blood.
Adrik owns a strip club, Aurora gets taken there one night, being told her father wants to see her.
While she’s in his office, the club gets raided by, we find out, the Irish mafia.
She is discovered by Aidan and taken.
Aidan is drawn to her immediately, feelings of owning her.
The story between Aurora and Aidan is so hot , you will want to keep reading.
I can not wait to read more from this author
Aurora is a figure skater, daughter of Adrik Kostalov, head of the Russian mafia. He had an affair with her mother and moved them to Canada to keep them safe. He failed when her mother was killed in a car bomb, Aurora was not supposed to be there but she was and as a result, suffered a concussion that has left her with long term affects.
Adrik moved her to Boston to keep her protected.
He also had a plan to marry her off to Matteo, head of the Italian mafia.
Nikolai, Aurora’s half brother. Has never treated her well, blames her for the affair.
Alexei, Aurora’s bodyguard…among other things…
Then we have Aidan, hockey player, bad boy, Irish mafia. His father was killed. He and his brothers believe it was Aurora’s father…so they want blood.
Adrik owns a strip club, Aurora gets taken there one night, being told her father wants to see her.
While she’s in his office, the club gets raided by, we find out, the Irish mafia.
She is discovered by Aidan and taken.
Aidan is drawn to her immediately, feelings of owning her.
The story between Aurora and Aidan is so hot , you will want to keep reading.
I can not wait to read more from this author
January 18, 2025
I was lucky enough to be able to arc read this and let me tell you, I could NOT put this book down. I was in love with the characters from the get go. I’ve never read a hockey romance or even a mafia inspired book lol so this just opened up a whole new area for me! I absolutely loved this so much. The high stakes, the spice, the plot, the romance…. Everything was just perfect. It has been a while since I’ve been so sucked into a book!!!!! I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
FREAKING AMAZING
FREAKING AMAZING
January 19, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and I was hooked from the start. This is my first book by AJ Wilding. I loved the story of Aiden and Rory. When I read the synopsis, I wasn’t sure if a “dark mafia/ hockey romance” would be in my wheelhouse, but this book checked all the right boxes. I enjoyed the slow burn between the two main characters. I also felt like the spice was just enough to not make me too uncomfortable.
I am invested in the other characters and look forward to future books by AJ wilding.
I am invested in the other characters and look forward to future books by AJ wilding.
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