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Vows of Blood & Betrayal
He’s my father’s enemy, twice my age… and now the father of my unborn twins.
The silver fox. The legend I grew up fearing.
Anthony “The Pen” Conti.
Dangerous. Deadly. Sin in Armani.
I’d seen his face in my father’s classified files—files I wasn’t supposed to touch. He was the monster who destroyed my family. The man whose icy blue eyes promised death.
I never planned to meet him. Not on a blind date gone wrong. But when I witnessed a rival gang attack, I was dragged into his world—used as leverage, accused of being a Bratva spy.
I never planned to want him. To crave his touch. To beg for more.
Yet here I am—
In his bed.
Caught between blood and betrayal. Between my father… and the man who owns me.
Because passion is a weapon. Trust is a gamble. And when Anthony Conti learns I’m carrying his twins… he’ll kill anyone who stands in his way of redemption.
The silver fox. The legend I grew up fearing.
Anthony “The Pen” Conti.
Dangerous. Deadly. Sin in Armani.
I’d seen his face in my father’s classified files—files I wasn’t supposed to touch. He was the monster who destroyed my family. The man whose icy blue eyes promised death.
I never planned to meet him. Not on a blind date gone wrong. But when I witnessed a rival gang attack, I was dragged into his world—used as leverage, accused of being a Bratva spy.
I never planned to want him. To crave his touch. To beg for more.
Yet here I am—
In his bed.
Caught between blood and betrayal. Between my father… and the man who owns me.
Because passion is a weapon. Trust is a gamble. And when Anthony Conti learns I’m carrying his twins… he’ll kill anyone who stands in his way of redemption.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
12 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 4, 2025
This book was complicated but definitely worth the read. I loved it. It moved at a rapid pace. The MMC was strong and very strategic in everything he did. Time was of the essence in all decisions. The FMC was strong also and knew what,was right. Some situations in the story made me unsure of how to feel, until it played itself out. It was understandably a slow burn with a great ending. It actually couldn’t have been better. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I would definitely recommend this book.
September 26, 2025
1,25/5 ⭐
Firstly, I wanna thanks booksirens and the author to provide me of this copy of the book.
The book itself was not good. All the characters were so unlikable, specially Antony. And Willow was so clueless and out of her mind. The only likable character was the father because he thought all of what happen was insane and everyone was out of their mind. I liked some plot lines like the betrayal and unexpected pregnancy that it was out of nowhere.
And last but not least. Why all the man barked. While reading, I was seeing thous words and thought that why are grown man barking.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Firstly, I wanna thanks booksirens and the author to provide me of this copy of the book.
The book itself was not good. All the characters were so unlikable, specially Antony. And Willow was so clueless and out of her mind. The only likable character was the father because he thought all of what happen was insane and everyone was out of their mind. I liked some plot lines like the betrayal and unexpected pregnancy that it was out of nowhere.
And last but not least. Why all the man barked. While reading, I was seeing thous words and thought that why are grown man barking.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2025
Willow, an ER resident, shows up for a blind date only to be stood up. Planning to use the washroom before she leaves, she is distracted by noise in a private room, only to walk into what appears to be a mafia initiation or ceremony. When all hell breaks loose and bullets start flying, she finds herself dragged back in by the man her father has been after for years, and asked to save his son’s life. Forced to stay with him or face certain death, she never expected to fall for her captor.
Anthony has spent his life fighting for his family, losing his wife to cancer ten years ago, when his son is gunned down by a rival gang, he finds himself embroiled in a battle he never anticipated, only to find out the woman he is keeping captive is the daughter of the agent who has been chasing him for years.
The premise of this story was really good, and the description hooked me. The story itself had a lot of great parts, but there were some inconsistencies in timeline that made it a little less than I had hoped. At one point a chapter switches from 1st person to 3rd person POV, and there was a 60 hour countdown that dropped to 48 hours only 2 hours later. Also, talking about pregnancy symptoms and positive tests less than 2 weeks after the MCs met was a bit far fetched.
I received a review copy of this book from book sirens, and can definitely see the potential, but it would likely have benefitted from a bit more editing to catch the inconsistencies.
Anthony has spent his life fighting for his family, losing his wife to cancer ten years ago, when his son is gunned down by a rival gang, he finds himself embroiled in a battle he never anticipated, only to find out the woman he is keeping captive is the daughter of the agent who has been chasing him for years.
The premise of this story was really good, and the description hooked me. The story itself had a lot of great parts, but there were some inconsistencies in timeline that made it a little less than I had hoped. At one point a chapter switches from 1st person to 3rd person POV, and there was a 60 hour countdown that dropped to 48 hours only 2 hours later. Also, talking about pregnancy symptoms and positive tests less than 2 weeks after the MCs met was a bit far fetched.
I received a review copy of this book from book sirens, and can definitely see the potential, but it would likely have benefitted from a bit more editing to catch the inconsistencies.
October 20, 2025
The spice was light, but the action was jam packed right from the start! 💥 💥
I was getting whiplash from the rapid succession of events, and my heart stuttered every time Anthony or Gianni's phone would buzz. I kept thinking what now?!😳.
My head and heart both ached with the weight that Anthony Conti carries in his world where “joy, terror, rage are all part of the same storm, and he is standing at its center trying not to break.”
I couldn't help but feel empathy for Willow Reese as well. She was just out for a blind date and ends up collateral damage in a war she never asked to join, where peace is just the silence before the next conflict.
This wasn’t a happily ever after story where everything ended perfectly, but rather one that was simply, a happy for now. 😏 Since this was my first experience with this author’s writing, I wonder if a sequel might be on the horizon—it definitely feels possible. I did enjoy this page turner and if your jam is dark mafia romance with loads of action packed into its pages then buckle up and read this book for sure!
I was happy to receive a free copy of this book, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
I was getting whiplash from the rapid succession of events, and my heart stuttered every time Anthony or Gianni's phone would buzz. I kept thinking what now?!😳.
My head and heart both ached with the weight that Anthony Conti carries in his world where “joy, terror, rage are all part of the same storm, and he is standing at its center trying not to break.”
I couldn't help but feel empathy for Willow Reese as well. She was just out for a blind date and ends up collateral damage in a war she never asked to join, where peace is just the silence before the next conflict.
This wasn’t a happily ever after story where everything ended perfectly, but rather one that was simply, a happy for now. 😏 Since this was my first experience with this author’s writing, I wonder if a sequel might be on the horizon—it definitely feels possible. I did enjoy this page turner and if your jam is dark mafia romance with loads of action packed into its pages then buckle up and read this book for sure!
I was happy to receive a free copy of this book, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
October 8, 2025
Rating: ⭐ 1/5 | Spice: 🌶️ 1/5 | Plot: 2.5/5
I was genuinely excited to read this ARC based on the blurb and setup. The age gap, mafia dynamics, pregnancy twist, it had all the ingredients of a spicy, emotionally intense read. Unfortunately, the execution fell very short.
The story felt more like a rough draft than a completed book. There was a lack of flow, significant repetition, and abrupt transitions between scenes. Characters fell empty, also fell in love almost instantly without development. The writing often repeated entire sections or contradicted itself. Some confusing POV shifts and it takes a moment to catch who it is now.
Her brother is one time Daniel another time John Jr.
Huge lack of character and story development and depth.
There’s a genuinely interesting plot idea here, with work, this could become a strong dark romance. But in its current state, it needs much more polish, depth, and editorial attention to reach its potential.
I was genuinely excited to read this ARC based on the blurb and setup. The age gap, mafia dynamics, pregnancy twist, it had all the ingredients of a spicy, emotionally intense read. Unfortunately, the execution fell very short.
The story felt more like a rough draft than a completed book. There was a lack of flow, significant repetition, and abrupt transitions between scenes. Characters fell empty, also fell in love almost instantly without development. The writing often repeated entire sections or contradicted itself. Some confusing POV shifts and it takes a moment to catch who it is now.
Her brother is one time Daniel another time John Jr.
Huge lack of character and story development and depth.
There’s a genuinely interesting plot idea here, with work, this could become a strong dark romance. But in its current state, it needs much more polish, depth, and editorial attention to reach its potential.
October 22, 2025
What a fantastic story of Anthony and Willow and the mafia. Anthony is a Don of the Conti family and Willow is a resident in the emergency room of the hospital. I liked how you began the story and how you kept building the plot through out the entire story. This story was filled with action, suspense, and daily life within the life of a mafia Don. There is just enough steam to keep the story believable and true to life. The wars that take place in the story are quite interesting and true to what I think happened during the life of a Don. The alliances that were made were also what I believe would have really happened. I really liked how in the end the Don used Willow’s father to take revenge against the family that took out his son. I loved the ending of the story and I believe that once you are in the mafia it is truly impossible to totally get out. I would recommend this book to adults.
October 12, 2025
The blurb piqued my interest. The book failed to fulfill that. It started out interesting with Willow getting stood up by her blind date. As she was leaving she's going into the wrong room only to find Anthony, his injured son, and men. Trying to leave, the tact team which her father is head of charged in. No one seemed to notice her and apparently, being one way out, she leaves and then is stopped in the bathroom by Anthony who also had no problem leaving through the tact team. The characters were never flushed out and remained one dimensional. The pov kept changing which led to some confusion on who it was. The head of a family leaving the business needs to stop. The "twist" at the end was telegraphed. The frustrating part is this book had potential. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 29, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed "VOWS OF BLOOD & BETRAYAL" This is an intense, action packed, rollercoaster ride, with danger, intrigue, fear, steam, you can't put down.
Willow Reese goes to The Cellar on a blind date that turns bloody, tactical team comes in & attacks Anthoni Conti.
Willow is take by him to save his son Felix who was shot, the doctor tells Anthony it'll take 24hrs. to see if he survives.
Anthony tells Willow she's his till says so, she seen & knows to much.
Anthony gets his Consiglier to look into Willow Reese to see if she's a plant, they were attacked by Mikhail & Vasillis's men.
Willow & Anthony end up on bed together what will happen later when he finds out she's carrying his twins its a fantastic page turner to the end.
Willow Reese goes to The Cellar on a blind date that turns bloody, tactical team comes in & attacks Anthoni Conti.
Willow is take by him to save his son Felix who was shot, the doctor tells Anthony it'll take 24hrs. to see if he survives.
Anthony tells Willow she's his till says so, she seen & knows to much.
Anthony gets his Consiglier to look into Willow Reese to see if she's a plant, they were attacked by Mikhail & Vasillis's men.
Willow & Anthony end up on bed together what will happen later when he finds out she's carrying his twins its a fantastic page turner to the end.
October 5, 2025
VOWS OF BLOOD & BETRAYAL is an age gap forced proximity mafia romance full of intense moments. The romance ignites early and reluctantly on both parts. Anthony is immediately embroiled in a mafia war on several fronts and we witness the lengths the family goes through to protect its own.
What I particularly liked about the book was the details about some of the rituals and traditions of the mafia family. The interactions between the enemies in the boardroom, the battle area, the warehouses, etc. made the story feel tense and authentic. I knew when I chose to read this advance copy that it ends on something of a cliffhanger, but the author still leaves the reader satisfied with the temporary conclusion.
What I particularly liked about the book was the details about some of the rituals and traditions of the mafia family. The interactions between the enemies in the boardroom, the battle area, the warehouses, etc. made the story feel tense and authentic. I knew when I chose to read this advance copy that it ends on something of a cliffhanger, but the author still leaves the reader satisfied with the temporary conclusion.
October 13, 2025
Vows of Blood & Betrayal by E. L. Blue
Willow Reese's best friend Ally wants to set up a blind date for Willow. She waited, then got impatient and decided to leave. She needed to go to the restroom, but on her way, she heard men's voices, and she wanted to see what was going on, so she opened the door and stepped in. It was the mafia boss, Anthony Contis, and his men. The door was closed, but 2 minutes later, all hell broke out. This is a great mafia story. I really enjoy reading. I love the way the author wrote his characters in this book, and I recommend this story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my honest opinion.
Willow Reese's best friend Ally wants to set up a blind date for Willow. She waited, then got impatient and decided to leave. She needed to go to the restroom, but on her way, she heard men's voices, and she wanted to see what was going on, so she opened the door and stepped in. It was the mafia boss, Anthony Contis, and his men. The door was closed, but 2 minutes later, all hell broke out. This is a great mafia story. I really enjoy reading. I love the way the author wrote his characters in this book, and I recommend this story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my honest opinion.
November 1, 2025
Such a gripping read from the start! I really enjoyed this novel and following Anthony & Willow’s story. Coming from two separate worlds, never meant to collide, they find themselves entangled in all out war between empires with lines of loyalty, blood, and betrayal shifting at every turn. The fight they face going up against a world built to destroy the weak is astronomical and they must learn to lean on and trust each other to survive.
Favorite quotes:
“Your life stopped being just yours the second your curiosity got the best of you. Now it’s tied to me.”
“Respect isn’t bought with words. It’s bought with blood, with action.”
Favorite quotes:
“Your life stopped being just yours the second your curiosity got the best of you. Now it’s tied to me.”
“Respect isn’t bought with words. It’s bought with blood, with action.”
September 27, 2025
I liked that the story grew and added to the couple but for me there was a lot of arrival aspects that kept taking over the plot of the book. While their attacks on different war fronts had a huge impact, I do not believe I should have been the forefront of the book. The author added a lot of details that brought the reader back to the moments. Just need a little more plot behind the relationships between everyone.
September 29, 2025
This is an action packed, age-gap, enemies to lovers romance. Anthony and Willow fell for each other soon after they met and the attraction was undeniable. The plot is fast paced and full of lust, intrigue, betrayal, drama, suspense, twists, turns and steam. It’s entertaining and gripping. I liked the decision Anthony made in the end. An amazing story.
November 13, 2025
A story of wrong place, wrong time which leads to a difficult relationship between the 2 main characters. A story which kept my interest from start to end and held plenty of twist and turns to the plot.
A great read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A great read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 26, 2025
A good story with interesting characters as you watch their love grow. Lots of treachery, lies and deceit to keep the reader engrossed. First book I’ve read by E.L. Blue and looking forward to the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2025
Really excellent mafia romance
Great book! Lots of action, nifty.plot twists, minimal angst, low spice but lots of steam. Really just could not put it down. Not positive if the ending left room for a sequel or not but still was very satisfying.
Great book! Lots of action, nifty.plot twists, minimal angst, low spice but lots of steam. Really just could not put it down. Not positive if the ending left room for a sequel or not but still was very satisfying.
January 23, 2026
I love a mafia story and this one was well done. It had age gap between 2 people who should have never been together. Willow is the cop who has been trying to take him down's daughter and he is twice her age and her father's enemy. Fast paced and action filled.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews