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Vows of Blood
SIENNA
Ten years ago, I fell for the wrong man and paid for it in blood.
Now he's back, and he's determined to pull me into his world all over again.
When witnessing a shooting forces me under Luca Castellano's "protection," I know it's not safety he's offering. At least not without strings attached. The heir to the Castellano crime family doesn't do anything without an agenda.
He says it's to keep me alive. He says his enemies will use me to get to him. He says I have no choice.
But when he puts a ring on my finger and publicly declares he'll make me his bride in two weeks, I realize the most dangerous threat isn't the men hunting us.
It's the secret I've buried for a decade. The truth he can never know. The revenge I've been planning since the night his family destroyed mine.
This is my chance, and I'm not going to let Luca, or vengeance, slip through my fingers.
LUCA
I lost her once. I won't lose her again.
Ten years ago, Sienna left me bleeding at the altar of our escape. Now fate, or an attempt on my life, has delivered her back into my hands.
My fiancée is dead. My father wants me to marry for the good of the family. My enemies want me dead.
But all I want is the woman who still owns a piece of my black soul.
So I'll make her mine the only way I know how, with lies, manipulation, and the kind of dark possession that will bind her to me forever. Whether she likes it or not.
She thinks she can resist. She thinks she knows who I am. She has no idea what I'm capable of doing to keep her.
Some obsessions never die. And mine, over the last ten years, has only grown stronger.
A second chance mafia romance with forced proximity, fake relationship, and a hero who will burn down the world for the woman who got away.
Ten years ago, I fell for the wrong man and paid for it in blood.
Now he's back, and he's determined to pull me into his world all over again.
When witnessing a shooting forces me under Luca Castellano's "protection," I know it's not safety he's offering. At least not without strings attached. The heir to the Castellano crime family doesn't do anything without an agenda.
He says it's to keep me alive. He says his enemies will use me to get to him. He says I have no choice.
But when he puts a ring on my finger and publicly declares he'll make me his bride in two weeks, I realize the most dangerous threat isn't the men hunting us.
It's the secret I've buried for a decade. The truth he can never know. The revenge I've been planning since the night his family destroyed mine.
This is my chance, and I'm not going to let Luca, or vengeance, slip through my fingers.
LUCA
I lost her once. I won't lose her again.
Ten years ago, Sienna left me bleeding at the altar of our escape. Now fate, or an attempt on my life, has delivered her back into my hands.
My fiancée is dead. My father wants me to marry for the good of the family. My enemies want me dead.
But all I want is the woman who still owns a piece of my black soul.
So I'll make her mine the only way I know how, with lies, manipulation, and the kind of dark possession that will bind her to me forever. Whether she likes it or not.
She thinks she can resist. She thinks she knows who I am. She has no idea what I'm capable of doing to keep her.
Some obsessions never die. And mine, over the last ten years, has only grown stronger.
A second chance mafia romance with forced proximity, fake relationship, and a hero who will burn down the world for the woman who got away.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2026
About the author
Reece Barden
63 books737 followersReece is a steamy paranormal romance author writing wickedly wild romance. She is currently working on the shifter romance series, The Shifters of Grey Ridge and the Steel Pack Alphas.
She loves creating steamy stories about hot, growly alpha men and the women who love and torment them.
She writes for people just like her who love a little light-hearted fun with their naughty heroes and edge-of-your-seat storylines.
She loves creating steamy stories about hot, growly alpha men and the women who love and torment them.
She writes for people just like her who love a little light-hearted fun with their naughty heroes and edge-of-your-seat storylines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
September 15, 2026
Show of hands if you have ever heard of Vows of Blood? No? Well you're in luck because I am about to put a new mafia romance on your tbr! This book has everything you want in a mafia romance:
- Plot that sucks you in from page one ✔️
- Second chance romance turned to forced marriage ✔️
- A morally grey OTT J/P MMC ✔️
- Toe curling spice ✔️
- A FMC who doesn't care that he is a big bad mafia man ✔️
- Duet narration by Adam Gold and June Deborahae ✔️
Oh and I can sweeten the deal even more with this man telling Sierra how much he respects her BUT in the bedroom it will seem like he doesn't 🫠 yeah, I would be sold too.
Ok, I am going to be 100% honest with you. I went into this one pretty much blind. All that I knew when I signed up for the ALC is that this was a mafia romance and who the narrators were. Reece Barden is a new to me author and let me tell you, this will NOT be the last book of hers that I will read. This is also my sign that I need to go into more books blind and read more new to me authors. And let this be your sign as well, that if you have never heard of this book or this author to put it on your TBR because you will not be disappointed.
First off, I absolutely loved this plot. I was sucked in almost immediately. Our FMC is a waitress and at work where she is working an engagement party for the new owner of the restaurant. Only for the new owner to be her college sweetheart that she's still technically engaged to. And plot twist, he is actually the head of the mafia! The plot had me hooked til the bitter end. Luca is everything we love in a mafia hero and Sierra pushed every single one of his buttons.
The narration was also perfection. Adam Gold truly was amazing and brought Luca to life! His deep voice was perfect for a morally grey mafia hero. And June? This is the first time I have ever heard her narrate a book before and holy moly, I need to listen to more because her voice was literal perfection!
Overall, I am so happy I decided to listen to this audio and go in blind. Reece now has a new reader and can't wait to read more from this series!
- Plot that sucks you in from page one ✔️
- Second chance romance turned to forced marriage ✔️
- A morally grey OTT J/P MMC ✔️
- Toe curling spice ✔️
- A FMC who doesn't care that he is a big bad mafia man ✔️
- Duet narration by Adam Gold and June Deborahae ✔️
Oh and I can sweeten the deal even more with this man telling Sierra how much he respects her BUT in the bedroom it will seem like he doesn't 🫠 yeah, I would be sold too.
Ok, I am going to be 100% honest with you. I went into this one pretty much blind. All that I knew when I signed up for the ALC is that this was a mafia romance and who the narrators were. Reece Barden is a new to me author and let me tell you, this will NOT be the last book of hers that I will read. This is also my sign that I need to go into more books blind and read more new to me authors. And let this be your sign as well, that if you have never heard of this book or this author to put it on your TBR because you will not be disappointed.
First off, I absolutely loved this plot. I was sucked in almost immediately. Our FMC is a waitress and at work where she is working an engagement party for the new owner of the restaurant. Only for the new owner to be her college sweetheart that she's still technically engaged to. And plot twist, he is actually the head of the mafia! The plot had me hooked til the bitter end. Luca is everything we love in a mafia hero and Sierra pushed every single one of his buttons.
The narration was also perfection. Adam Gold truly was amazing and brought Luca to life! His deep voice was perfect for a morally grey mafia hero. And June? This is the first time I have ever heard her narrate a book before and holy moly, I need to listen to more because her voice was literal perfection!
Overall, I am so happy I decided to listen to this audio and go in blind. Reece now has a new reader and can't wait to read more from this series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Highly effective and well paced foray into mafia romance, tells a story well with skill and craft. Sienna and Luca were college sweethearts, but when they were about to elope, each thought the other didn't show. Ten heart-broken years later, they meet again, but it's, oops, when Sienna is working as a server at Luca's engagement party. Yada yada she's witness to a crime, he for Mafia Romance Reasons needs a new bride, her staying with him to ID a shooter quickly morphs into a marriage contract where he pays her debts and lump sum and you know how that's going to turn out.
Look, there's no real reason this has to be a "bargain" or a "marriage of convenience" in the first place. Once they realize how they were mutually lied to (not a spoiler, in the blurb), and of all the wasted years, they seem ready to reconnect and seize the second chance. So a lot of the "she'd never choose this" etc is just chaff being thrown up by the author. There is a little test drive being mafia don wife and see if you like it (she does) and a little our connection is still scalding hot (it is) but ultimately this is the story of two people who loved each other finding each other again and realizing quickly they both chose each other years ago and would again.
What follows is complicated mafia politics, both internal and external, balanced with a great meta-takedown of some of the hypermasculine posturing of Mafia Romance, and a fantastic side character (destined to star in the next book). And all told with Barden's usual straightforward style and deadpan humor. This is a high heat book, and this couple seems to be very much making up for their lost time. I very much appreciate that Barden keeps her intimate scenes highly reciprocal and weighted toward his acts of service, maybe it is only US authors who are pendulum swinging the other way. There is a fair amount of "and then this was happening secretly, ta dah!" in this book, but it is not like we are reading this genre for the hyperrealism.
There are some big secrets she has her POV characters keeping from the reader, and I'm not sure the "I stuffed it down and never thought of it" method really works as a narrative choice. First person POV makes keeping secrets tricky, and it really seems like revealing 70% of a story to the reader in character's thoughts at one time, and the full last 30% later for dramatic effect shows the weaknesses of secret-keeping and first person POV.
I've read a few of Barden's shifter books, and I've dinged them for character inconsistency and easy-to-fix continuity errors, and the lazy superabundance of non-US slang and vocabulary (the author is Irish) for books set in the US. I'm happy to report she's apparently found a great second set of eyes, because both issues have been reined in. I thought the clever plotting and pacing paid off, and seemed like she had leveled up in her storytelling. Readers who enjoy a quick paced mafia romance will enjoy this book.
The author clearly and accurately content warns that her mafia men are fully engaged in mafia violence on page.
Thank you to the author for the arc.
Look, there's no real reason this has to be a "bargain" or a "marriage of convenience" in the first place. Once they realize how they were mutually lied to (not a spoiler, in the blurb), and of all the wasted years, they seem ready to reconnect and seize the second chance. So a lot of the "she'd never choose this" etc is just chaff being thrown up by the author. There is a little test drive being mafia don wife and see if you like it (she does) and a little our connection is still scalding hot (it is) but ultimately this is the story of two people who loved each other finding each other again and realizing quickly they both chose each other years ago and would again.
What follows is complicated mafia politics, both internal and external, balanced with a great meta-takedown of some of the hypermasculine posturing of Mafia Romance, and a fantastic side character (destined to star in the next book). And all told with Barden's usual straightforward style and deadpan humor. This is a high heat book, and this couple seems to be very much making up for their lost time. I very much appreciate that Barden keeps her intimate scenes highly reciprocal and weighted toward his acts of service, maybe it is only US authors who are pendulum swinging the other way. There is a fair amount of "and then this was happening secretly, ta dah!" in this book, but it is not like we are reading this genre for the hyperrealism.
There are some big secrets she has her POV characters keeping from the reader, and I'm not sure the "I stuffed it down and never thought of it" method really works as a narrative choice. First person POV makes keeping secrets tricky, and it really seems like revealing 70% of a story to the reader in character's thoughts at one time, and the full last 30% later for dramatic effect shows the weaknesses of secret-keeping and first person POV.
I've read a few of Barden's shifter books, and I've dinged them for character inconsistency and easy-to-fix continuity errors, and the lazy superabundance of non-US slang and vocabulary (the author is Irish) for books set in the US. I'm happy to report she's apparently found a great second set of eyes, because both issues have been reined in. I thought the clever plotting and pacing paid off, and seemed like she had leveled up in her storytelling. Readers who enjoy a quick paced mafia romance will enjoy this book.
The author clearly and accurately content warns that her mafia men are fully engaged in mafia violence on page.
Thank you to the author for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📚Vows of Blood by Reece Barden
🎤June Deborahae and Adam Gold
DUET NARRATION
4.5 ⭐
Narration: All the stars
Thank you Reece Barden and Must Love Audio for a #gifted copy of the ALC. All thoughts are my own.
Reece is a new to me author and man.....I completely DEVOURED this book. Mafia romance is honestly hit or miss for me but this one hit it outta the park and HIT a home run and the audio??? I can't even. These narrators absolutely elevated this story to the stars with their amazing performances. I was completely locked in from the very first chapter and hung onto every word that was said.
What I loved:
🖤The plot of this book sucks you in immediately and it doesn't stop.
🖤I LOVED this second chance romance. Two people who are pulled apart because they come from two completely different worlds and meet up again in dangerous and unusual circumstances.
🖤An FMC who isn't wooed or flattered by her big mafia boss man. She could care less about his status or money and she's not afraid to tell him.
🖤A MC who has NEVER stopped loving her.
🖤The flashbacks we get. Finding out about their past, how they met and fell in love and what tore them apart.
🖤This man acts like he's got all the respect for her in the world, but in the bedroom???? Um...excuse me sir while I melt and kick my feet. There's nothing respectful about what he says to her. 😂 It's hot, it's steamy and I freakin loved it!
🖤Mafia romance isn't my usual go-to. I went into this completely blind and I am so glad I did. I loved every minute of it. Loved the story, the characters and the twists!
🖤Adam Gold and June Deborahae!!! ENOUGH SAID! These two were absolutely INCREDIBLE. I was completely mesmerized by their performances and honestly didn't want this audio to end.
🖤A morally grey MC with a heart, a strong, feisty and resilient FMC, action, spicy time and a cat that got on this man's nerves to no end and it was SO funny!
🖤This story and audio really just had it ALL! Ate it up, licked the crumbs and wiped the plate clean.
🎤Let's talk audio: You guys, I cannot stop obsessing over these two in this audio. For reals! When I say these two were incredible it's no exaggeration. June has quickly become a female that I am eager to listen to and this audio showcases her incredible range and talent. She has such a pleasing voice that's so natural and full of emotion and she was able to give Sienna spunk, determination and sass all while conveying all the emotions and frustrations that have come with the hard life she's been living since splitting with Luca. She just was so freaking good and I absolutely LOVED her in this role.
One gosh darn minute for Mr. Adam Gold. (Insert a round of applause) because people, this man is extremely talented, far more than I ever realized. He has quickly shot up to the top for me as one of my favorite male narrators in the biz without question. This man knows how to act, how to convey every emotion, every nuance with every word he utters and it is absolutely captivating. At one point in the audio, he's having a conversation with 4 different male characters, voicing them all at the same time. Luca's father, The Mob Boss with a deep, thick Italian accent, a Russian accent, Luca, the MC, a voice which is possessive and gritty and then Luca's brother. Every single character with a distinct voice and character and my mind was blowing up! 🤯 Truthfully, he is EXCEPTIONAL in every aspect in the audio world! His talent is some of the best I've ever heard! I will die on the Adam Gold hill. Just bury me now!
Do NOT miss out on this audio. I will absolutely be listening to the next book in this series without question and relistening to this one on repeat! Reece is on my radar and I can't wait for her next audio! Absolutely AMAZING performances from both narrators and one I can't recommend enough!
🎤June Deborahae and Adam Gold
DUET NARRATION
4.5 ⭐
Narration: All the stars
Thank you Reece Barden and Must Love Audio for a #gifted copy of the ALC. All thoughts are my own.
Reece is a new to me author and man.....I completely DEVOURED this book. Mafia romance is honestly hit or miss for me but this one hit it outta the park and HIT a home run and the audio??? I can't even. These narrators absolutely elevated this story to the stars with their amazing performances. I was completely locked in from the very first chapter and hung onto every word that was said.
What I loved:
🖤The plot of this book sucks you in immediately and it doesn't stop.
🖤I LOVED this second chance romance. Two people who are pulled apart because they come from two completely different worlds and meet up again in dangerous and unusual circumstances.
🖤An FMC who isn't wooed or flattered by her big mafia boss man. She could care less about his status or money and she's not afraid to tell him.
🖤A MC who has NEVER stopped loving her.
🖤The flashbacks we get. Finding out about their past, how they met and fell in love and what tore them apart.
🖤This man acts like he's got all the respect for her in the world, but in the bedroom???? Um...excuse me sir while I melt and kick my feet. There's nothing respectful about what he says to her. 😂 It's hot, it's steamy and I freakin loved it!
🖤Mafia romance isn't my usual go-to. I went into this completely blind and I am so glad I did. I loved every minute of it. Loved the story, the characters and the twists!
🖤Adam Gold and June Deborahae!!! ENOUGH SAID! These two were absolutely INCREDIBLE. I was completely mesmerized by their performances and honestly didn't want this audio to end.
🖤A morally grey MC with a heart, a strong, feisty and resilient FMC, action, spicy time and a cat that got on this man's nerves to no end and it was SO funny!
🖤This story and audio really just had it ALL! Ate it up, licked the crumbs and wiped the plate clean.
🎤Let's talk audio: You guys, I cannot stop obsessing over these two in this audio. For reals! When I say these two were incredible it's no exaggeration. June has quickly become a female that I am eager to listen to and this audio showcases her incredible range and talent. She has such a pleasing voice that's so natural and full of emotion and she was able to give Sienna spunk, determination and sass all while conveying all the emotions and frustrations that have come with the hard life she's been living since splitting with Luca. She just was so freaking good and I absolutely LOVED her in this role.
One gosh darn minute for Mr. Adam Gold. (Insert a round of applause) because people, this man is extremely talented, far more than I ever realized. He has quickly shot up to the top for me as one of my favorite male narrators in the biz without question. This man knows how to act, how to convey every emotion, every nuance with every word he utters and it is absolutely captivating. At one point in the audio, he's having a conversation with 4 different male characters, voicing them all at the same time. Luca's father, The Mob Boss with a deep, thick Italian accent, a Russian accent, Luca, the MC, a voice which is possessive and gritty and then Luca's brother. Every single character with a distinct voice and character and my mind was blowing up! 🤯 Truthfully, he is EXCEPTIONAL in every aspect in the audio world! His talent is some of the best I've ever heard! I will die on the Adam Gold hill. Just bury me now!
Do NOT miss out on this audio. I will absolutely be listening to the next book in this series without question and relistening to this one on repeat! Reece is on my radar and I can't wait for her next audio! Absolutely AMAZING performances from both narrators and one I can't recommend enough!
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Instabooktoursuk for sending me an ARC as part of the readalong tour 💫
I think this is a good read for someone who either wants to get into mafia romance or who started more recently. It has a good mixture of plot, suspense and romance as well as the mafia MMC x new to the mafia world FMC dynamic. I liked that the MCs had history and were pulled apart 10 years ago and part of the book is finding out why. This is also the first book where the FMC’s best friend actually freaks out that the FMC is going into the mafia world and she’s like girl are you insane??? It’s the first time ever I’m reading someone warn them against it 😂 Overall, it was fast-paced and basically has my fave tropes.
That being said, I couldn’t really get into the book. While it’s fast-paced, it’s also relatively short so it feels like we’re rushing through quite a few bits and pieces of the story. For instance, for a second chance romance, I needed to feel more yearning, or at least if they’re “enemies”, this should have been more obvious. I think it felt quite easy. I also felt quite disconnected to the characters and didn’t care much for what happened in the book. It could also be my mood right now, but I didn’t find it compelling enough. Still, I think if you’re looking for a quick, easy to read and follow mafia romance, this one’s for you.
I think this is a good read for someone who either wants to get into mafia romance or who started more recently. It has a good mixture of plot, suspense and romance as well as the mafia MMC x new to the mafia world FMC dynamic. I liked that the MCs had history and were pulled apart 10 years ago and part of the book is finding out why. This is also the first book where the FMC’s best friend actually freaks out that the FMC is going into the mafia world and she’s like girl are you insane??? It’s the first time ever I’m reading someone warn them against it 😂 Overall, it was fast-paced and basically has my fave tropes.
That being said, I couldn’t really get into the book. While it’s fast-paced, it’s also relatively short so it feels like we’re rushing through quite a few bits and pieces of the story. For instance, for a second chance romance, I needed to feel more yearning, or at least if they’re “enemies”, this should have been more obvious. I think it felt quite easy. I also felt quite disconnected to the characters and didn’t care much for what happened in the book. It could also be my mood right now, but I didn’t find it compelling enough. Still, I think if you’re looking for a quick, easy to read and follow mafia romance, this one’s for you.
October 21, 2026
This mafia second chance and marriage of convenience was so good. Luca and Sienna had amazing chemistry and history. I really liked how she was aware of his criminal background and family and accepted it because of her love for him.
Luca was a possessive man but just the right amount. It came from a place of love, care and adoration.
The story was fast paced and the introduction of Luca’s brothers Nico and Enzo were great too.
I’m very excited to read Rebecca, who’s Sienna’s bestie, and Enzo’s story.
Vows of Blood was a fabulous book and surprise.
Luca was a possessive man but just the right amount. It came from a place of love, care and adoration.
The story was fast paced and the introduction of Luca’s brothers Nico and Enzo were great too.
I’m very excited to read Rebecca, who’s Sienna’s bestie, and Enzo’s story.
Vows of Blood was a fabulous book and surprise.
October 9, 2026
GENRE:
Dark Romance • Mafia Romance
TROPES & THEMES:
• Second chance romance
• Mafia heir hero
• Forced proximity
• Marriage of convenience
• Protective/possessive hero
• Touch her and die
• Hidden secrets
• Revenge plot
• Childhood sweethearts
• Obsession and devotion
• Family loyalty and betrayal
CLIFFHANGER:
No major cliffhanger (but can't wait for more books with these side characters)
CONTENT WARNING:
Mafia violence
Murder and shootings
Threats and intimidation
Family trauma
Grief and loss
Manipulation and coercive behavior
Dark themes
RECOMMENDED TO:
Fans of dark mafia romance with plenty of tension
Readers who love obsessive, morally grey heroes
Anyone who enjoys second-chance romances with a complicated past
Fans of forced proximity and marriage tropes
Readers looking for a fast-paced, entertaining read
Honestly, I had way more fun with this book than I expected.
Mafia romances can sometimes feel overly dramatic or repetitive, but Vows of Blood kept me hooked from beginning to end. Even though the story deals with some dark themes, it was incredibly entertaining and easy to get invested in. Between the secrets, revenge, family drama, and constant tension between Sienna and Luca, there was always something happening to keep me turning the pages.
Luca is definitely the type of possessive, obsessed mafia hero who walks a very fine line between infuriating and irresistible. His determination to get Sienna back after ten years made for plenty of angst, while Sienna's own hidden agenda added another layer of suspense to the story.
What I enjoyed most was that I was never bored. The plot kept moving, the chemistry was strong, and I genuinely wanted to know how all the secrets were going to unravel. Even when things got dark, the story maintained a level of fun and entertainment that made it difficult to put down.
If you're a fan of mafia romance and don't mind morally grey characters, revenge plots, and larger-than-life drama, this one is definitely worth picking up.
🎶die for you by the weeknd
Dark Romance • Mafia Romance
TROPES & THEMES:
• Second chance romance
• Mafia heir hero
• Forced proximity
• Marriage of convenience
• Protective/possessive hero
• Touch her and die
• Hidden secrets
• Revenge plot
• Childhood sweethearts
• Obsession and devotion
• Family loyalty and betrayal
CLIFFHANGER:
No major cliffhanger (but can't wait for more books with these side characters)
CONTENT WARNING:
Mafia violence
Murder and shootings
Threats and intimidation
Family trauma
Grief and loss
Manipulation and coercive behavior
Dark themes
RECOMMENDED TO:
Fans of dark mafia romance with plenty of tension
Readers who love obsessive, morally grey heroes
Anyone who enjoys second-chance romances with a complicated past
Fans of forced proximity and marriage tropes
Readers looking for a fast-paced, entertaining read
Honestly, I had way more fun with this book than I expected.
Mafia romances can sometimes feel overly dramatic or repetitive, but Vows of Blood kept me hooked from beginning to end. Even though the story deals with some dark themes, it was incredibly entertaining and easy to get invested in. Between the secrets, revenge, family drama, and constant tension between Sienna and Luca, there was always something happening to keep me turning the pages.
Luca is definitely the type of possessive, obsessed mafia hero who walks a very fine line between infuriating and irresistible. His determination to get Sienna back after ten years made for plenty of angst, while Sienna's own hidden agenda added another layer of suspense to the story.
What I enjoyed most was that I was never bored. The plot kept moving, the chemistry was strong, and I genuinely wanted to know how all the secrets were going to unravel. Even when things got dark, the story maintained a level of fun and entertainment that made it difficult to put down.
If you're a fan of mafia romance and don't mind morally grey characters, revenge plots, and larger-than-life drama, this one is definitely worth picking up.
🎶die for you by the weeknd
September 25, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
Vows of Blood was the perfect second chance mafia romance. This was my first book my Reece Barden and I am so excited to discover a new mafia romance author. I was sucked in from the beginning and appreciated the perfect mix of mafia politics and romance.
Luca Calvano is about to get married to an Irish mafia princess to form an alliance and finally force his father into stepping down as the head of the Calvano mafia. He runs into his first love Sienna Fox the same night his fiancé is shot. Sienna was the only one who saw the killer and now Luca forces her to help him figure out who it is and keep her protected in his home. When his fiancé dies, he offers a marriage of convenience to Sienna to help clear all her debts.
There was a lot of love and history between Luca and Sienna. The angst and longing is strong and when they finally learn the truth about what broke them up there is no stopping their reunion. I loved how protective and obsessed Luca was with Sienna. They were perfect together.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Duet Narration by Adam Gold & June Deborahae
The duet narration by Adam Gold and June Deborahae was fantastic. Adam Gold provided a top-notch performance as a possessive and protective mafia hero. June impressed me as well. I loved the audio!
Thank you to Must Love Audio for providing the ALC.
🌶️🌶️.5
Vows of Blood was the perfect second chance mafia romance. This was my first book my Reece Barden and I am so excited to discover a new mafia romance author. I was sucked in from the beginning and appreciated the perfect mix of mafia politics and romance.
Luca Calvano is about to get married to an Irish mafia princess to form an alliance and finally force his father into stepping down as the head of the Calvano mafia. He runs into his first love Sienna Fox the same night his fiancé is shot. Sienna was the only one who saw the killer and now Luca forces her to help him figure out who it is and keep her protected in his home. When his fiancé dies, he offers a marriage of convenience to Sienna to help clear all her debts.
There was a lot of love and history between Luca and Sienna. The angst and longing is strong and when they finally learn the truth about what broke them up there is no stopping their reunion. I loved how protective and obsessed Luca was with Sienna. They were perfect together.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Duet Narration by Adam Gold & June Deborahae
The duet narration by Adam Gold and June Deborahae was fantastic. Adam Gold provided a top-notch performance as a possessive and protective mafia hero. June impressed me as well. I loved the audio!
Thank you to Must Love Audio for providing the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I am a jealous man, Sienna. Especially when it comes to you. No other man touches you. No other man ever sees you like this. You are mine, all fucking mine, and that's the end of it."
4.75 stars
While this book was a completely new and fresh genre for Reece to venture into, it held all of her signature romance, suspense, angst, and easy writing, and I absolutely devoured Luca and Sienna's twisted love story! From the very first page, I was entranced by their immediate chemistry which was clouded by years of hurt and a tangled web of lies meant to manipulate them both. I loved how Luca's dominance clashed with Sienna's stubbornness--a classic combination but the chemistry between them meant their passion sparked just as hot when they succumbed to the love that never left. Sienna was the perfect balance to Luca's controlling intensity, while Luca's devotion to his wife was just everything. I really enjoyed all of the side characters and cannot wait for book 2🖤
Tropes: lovers-to-strangers-to-lovers, forced marriage-of-convenience, he's the mafia heir who can't help but protect the woman who left him, she's the down-on-her-luck waitress who can't say no to the man who broke her heart, touch her and die, burn the world down for her, who did this to you, it's always been you, forced proximity, morally grey hero, second chance romance, mafia politics and violence, found family, STEAMY🔥
*ARC provided by the author, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
October 21, 2026
Sorry but I couldn’t wait for this to be over
September 26, 2026
Two college sweethearts ripped apart by someone else’s doing. With a weird chance of fate they meet again at his engagement party.
This book was really good. I don’t think this author has ever written mafia before but she did a really good job. She typically writes shifter romance and a couple other styles.
There’s no cheating, and the mmc is so far gone for her. She is all in for him as well. The flashbacks and the chemistry they have from the past make the way they pickup believable.
This was a fun and short read.
This book was really good. I don’t think this author has ever written mafia before but she did a really good job. She typically writes shifter romance and a couple other styles.
There’s no cheating, and the mmc is so far gone for her. She is all in for him as well. The flashbacks and the chemistry they have from the past make the way they pickup believable.
This was a fun and short read.
September 25, 2026
“Amore mio, I will always come for you.”
I continue to reign in my mafia romance era and have found another gem in this genre. Vows of Blood is an enthralling and explosive masterpiece! This book begins with a bang and doesn’t let off the gas. Pure, heart-pounding addiction!
Second chance, dark romance is my weakness, and Vows of Blood was my kryptonite, pulling me into its fiery, feel-worthy web where I felt every word and everything. I was swept away by this Romeo and Juliet meets Cinderella mafia sensation. A hard-fought journey of soulmates and survival.
Mafia Don, Luca, is a protective prince with a touch-her-and-unalive persona, and a heart that only softens for this princess. My undoing! Beautiful and brave Sienna is a baddie who’s battled a difficult past. I admired her strength!
This hero and heroine were created for each other. I felt their chemistry, deep connection, and love explode through the pages. I fell so hard for this couple. And oh my did I want revenge for these characters so bad I could taste it.
Vow of Blood is forged of fate, loyalty, and love. A mafia romance full of fire and feels that dominated me. I reveled in the intensity of this saga—the betrayal, the banter, the enemy families, and the sinister elements—as much as I smoldered and swooned over the love story brimming with history and emotional depth. I lived and breathed this book that’s brilliantly told.
Reece Barden Author is a new-to-me author whose writing hooked me from beginning to end. Vows of Blood still lives rent-free in my head and heart. Sweet sigh … every woman needs a Luca. I can’t wait to see what mafia gem Barden crafts next.
💋💋💋💋💋 forever kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/4AwJRHN
#bookreview #mafiaromance #darkromance #bookedit
I continue to reign in my mafia romance era and have found another gem in this genre. Vows of Blood is an enthralling and explosive masterpiece! This book begins with a bang and doesn’t let off the gas. Pure, heart-pounding addiction!
Second chance, dark romance is my weakness, and Vows of Blood was my kryptonite, pulling me into its fiery, feel-worthy web where I felt every word and everything. I was swept away by this Romeo and Juliet meets Cinderella mafia sensation. A hard-fought journey of soulmates and survival.
Mafia Don, Luca, is a protective prince with a touch-her-and-unalive persona, and a heart that only softens for this princess. My undoing! Beautiful and brave Sienna is a baddie who’s battled a difficult past. I admired her strength!
This hero and heroine were created for each other. I felt their chemistry, deep connection, and love explode through the pages. I fell so hard for this couple. And oh my did I want revenge for these characters so bad I could taste it.
Vow of Blood is forged of fate, loyalty, and love. A mafia romance full of fire and feels that dominated me. I reveled in the intensity of this saga—the betrayal, the banter, the enemy families, and the sinister elements—as much as I smoldered and swooned over the love story brimming with history and emotional depth. I lived and breathed this book that’s brilliantly told.
Reece Barden Author is a new-to-me author whose writing hooked me from beginning to end. Vows of Blood still lives rent-free in my head and heart. Sweet sigh … every woman needs a Luca. I can’t wait to see what mafia gem Barden crafts next.
💋💋💋💋💋 forever kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/4AwJRHN
#bookreview #mafiaromance #darkromance #bookedit
October 2, 2026
Thank you to Must Love Audio for the alc.
Holy wow this was so so good! I love a good mafia romance every now and then and when I saw two of my favorites, Adam Gold and June Deborahae were narrating I knew it was going to be amazing! Luca and Sienna are seriously goals…college sweethearts ripped apart before they could get their HEA. When an unlikely situation brings them back into each orther’s orbit they are truly magnets. The story as a whole had me rapt from start to finish. I cannot wait to see where this series goes!
The tension and chemistry and you guys the communication was so refreshing and unexpected. Luca is possessive in the best ways and we all love a “my wife” moment. 🫠 Sienna is such a strong female lead and I love when she shows her true strength in such a cutthroat world.
Audiobook Thoughts
Adam and June…the Gold standard, pun completely intended! If Adam Gold narrates, I am going to listen to it! June is also one of my all time favorite narrators, she is just so good and every character and voice that she does. Get this one in your ears asap!
🔫 Mafia Romance
💘 Second Chance
❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🩶 Morally Gray Hero
💍 Marriage of Convenience
💀 Touch Her & Die
🫠 My Wife
Holy wow this was so so good! I love a good mafia romance every now and then and when I saw two of my favorites, Adam Gold and June Deborahae were narrating I knew it was going to be amazing! Luca and Sienna are seriously goals…college sweethearts ripped apart before they could get their HEA. When an unlikely situation brings them back into each orther’s orbit they are truly magnets. The story as a whole had me rapt from start to finish. I cannot wait to see where this series goes!
The tension and chemistry and you guys the communication was so refreshing and unexpected. Luca is possessive in the best ways and we all love a “my wife” moment. 🫠 Sienna is such a strong female lead and I love when she shows her true strength in such a cutthroat world.
Audiobook Thoughts
Adam and June…the Gold standard, pun completely intended! If Adam Gold narrates, I am going to listen to it! June is also one of my all time favorite narrators, she is just so good and every character and voice that she does. Get this one in your ears asap!
🔫 Mafia Romance
💘 Second Chance
❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🩶 Morally Gray Hero
💍 Marriage of Convenience
💀 Touch Her & Die
🫠 My Wife
September 27, 2026
Vows of Blood by Reece Barden was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it!
Sienna and Luca were once college sweethearts that get separated by cruel fate. Fast forward ten years later, Sienna is working an event and who does she see, Luca Castellano, the man who broke her heart! There's a shoot out, all h+ll breaks loose, and Sienna is forced under Luca's protection.
Luca fights so hard to hate Sienna after thinking she left him behind all those years ago. Secrets and truths are revealed. This one had me on the edge of my seat!
The audiobook was so good! Adam Gold as a Mafia boss was pure magic 🙂↕️😮💨. Swoon paradise! His performance was fantastic! I loved June's portrayal of Sienna. She brought out her vulnerable parts beautifully.
This was a second chance romance with all the dark, gritty aspects of the Mafia world. I'm excited to pick up the second book next!
Thank you Reece and Must Love Audio for the ALC copy ✨
Sienna and Luca were once college sweethearts that get separated by cruel fate. Fast forward ten years later, Sienna is working an event and who does she see, Luca Castellano, the man who broke her heart! There's a shoot out, all h+ll breaks loose, and Sienna is forced under Luca's protection.
Luca fights so hard to hate Sienna after thinking she left him behind all those years ago. Secrets and truths are revealed. This one had me on the edge of my seat!
The audiobook was so good! Adam Gold as a Mafia boss was pure magic 🙂↕️😮💨. Swoon paradise! His performance was fantastic! I loved June's portrayal of Sienna. She brought out her vulnerable parts beautifully.
This was a second chance romance with all the dark, gritty aspects of the Mafia world. I'm excited to pick up the second book next!
Thank you Reece and Must Love Audio for the ALC copy ✨
October 14, 2026
Audiobook review the narration on this one was pretty good. Both narrators did a good job.
Sienna and Luca met when they were in collage and had a relationship however its 10 years since they split and they are seeing each other for the first time at Luca's engagement party.
Sienna has had a hard life since her and Luca split (well in her mind he ghosted her) Her fathers business burnt down and it was arson and the insurance wouldn't pay out and everyone on town accused her father even his fiends so he started drinking and dies, then her mother gets cancer and dies. Sienna dropped out of school to work 3 jobs to try and support them and pay the medical bills but its not working.
Luca is now due to take over as head of the "family" his father is due to step down if he marries Kate from the Irish mafia. Marriage of convince as Kate is in love with a Russian hitman. Luca now hates Sienna as he believes she didn't turn up to the lake house that fateful night when they were due to leave the mafia behind.
Some how Luca manages to make Sienna move in with him to protect him and to be honest they quickly clear the air. Sienna did turn up to the lake house and so did Luca so they could run away but Luca's father gave Sienna medication to abort their baby and sent her away and told her he would kill Luca if she didn't leave him alone. He told Luca that she didn't turn up and he just believed this I have no clue why didn't try and contact her at all. Sienna sent Luca a letter and that is what got her fathers business burnt down.
I couldn't really believe if this was such an impressive love that Luca gave up so easily didn't even keep track of her at all it just didn't ring true to his personality. I also hated the fact Sienna was on track to become a Doctor then she had managed to get on a nursing course at at the end she is just sitting in on meetings what a waste of talent. Pretty sure the mafia would like a Dr on the books! But she was just sitting around waiting to have children. Why she would want to bring them into this world I have no clue as she was nearly killed a few times.
Sienna and Luca met when they were in collage and had a relationship however its 10 years since they split and they are seeing each other for the first time at Luca's engagement party.
Sienna has had a hard life since her and Luca split (well in her mind he ghosted her) Her fathers business burnt down and it was arson and the insurance wouldn't pay out and everyone on town accused her father even his fiends so he started drinking and dies, then her mother gets cancer and dies. Sienna dropped out of school to work 3 jobs to try and support them and pay the medical bills but its not working.
Luca is now due to take over as head of the "family" his father is due to step down if he marries Kate from the Irish mafia. Marriage of convince as Kate is in love with a Russian hitman. Luca now hates Sienna as he believes she didn't turn up to the lake house that fateful night when they were due to leave the mafia behind.
Some how Luca manages to make Sienna move in with him to protect him and to be honest they quickly clear the air. Sienna did turn up to the lake house and so did Luca so they could run away but Luca's father gave Sienna medication to abort their baby and sent her away and told her he would kill Luca if she didn't leave him alone. He told Luca that she didn't turn up and he just believed this I have no clue why didn't try and contact her at all. Sienna sent Luca a letter and that is what got her fathers business burnt down.
I couldn't really believe if this was such an impressive love that Luca gave up so easily didn't even keep track of her at all it just didn't ring true to his personality. I also hated the fact Sienna was on track to become a Doctor then she had managed to get on a nursing course at at the end she is just sitting in on meetings what a waste of talent. Pretty sure the mafia would like a Dr on the books! But she was just sitting around waiting to have children. Why she would want to bring them into this world I have no clue as she was nearly killed a few times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2026
This surprised me in all of the best ways! From the beginning, I was on the edge of my seat. it’s everything I love, done so well. This is my first book by Reece, and definitely won’t be my last.
The audiobook is narrated in duet by Adam Gold and June Deborahae. They made it even more entertaining - their voices were perfect together and for the characters. I have listened to Adam many times, but never in a dark morally gray role and oh my! He was made for it.
Produced by East House Productions
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇢ dark mafia • suspense • enemies to lovers • second chance • forced marriage • morally gray possessive hero • touch her + ☠️ • forced proximity • dual POV • spice
Thank you to Must Love Audio for the advanced copy!
The audiobook is narrated in duet by Adam Gold and June Deborahae. They made it even more entertaining - their voices were perfect together and for the characters. I have listened to Adam many times, but never in a dark morally gray role and oh my! He was made for it.
Produced by East House Productions
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇢ dark mafia • suspense • enemies to lovers • second chance • forced marriage • morally gray possessive hero • touch her + ☠️ • forced proximity • dual POV • spice
Thank you to Must Love Audio for the advanced copy!
September 27, 2026
Calling all Mafia lovers!!! This book was amazing! This was my first book by Reece Barden. I went into this audio blind beside knowing it was mafia romance. I feel like going in blind was the best. It made the book so much better.
This audio was absolutely amazing and it will definitely hook you from the first chapter. This book is narrated by Adam Gold and June Deborahae. They did absolute amazing job with this narration. This is a Duet Narration.
Tropes:
Second Chance
Enemies to Lovers
Fake Relationship
Forced Marriage
OTT Possessive Hero
Touch Her and Die
Who Did This to You?
Morally Grey Hero
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Luca Calvano is at his engagement party at a restaurant that he just bought. When something happens to his fiancé the last person he excepted to help was Sienna.
Sienna is fighting her way through school, work and life. When she showed up for her job tonight the last person she thought she would see was Luca Calvano.
Luca is so confused and has so many questions about why Sienna is here but then everything in his world gets turned upside down.
If you love dark mafia romance go grab with audio! This book will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat and waning more of the story. I absolutely cannot wait for what is next in the series. So excited for what is to come.
** I want to thank Reece Barden and Must Love Audio for giving me the chance to listen to Vows of Blood as an ALC. In exchange for my honest review and thoughts.***
This audio was absolutely amazing and it will definitely hook you from the first chapter. This book is narrated by Adam Gold and June Deborahae. They did absolute amazing job with this narration. This is a Duet Narration.
Tropes:
Second Chance
Enemies to Lovers
Fake Relationship
Forced Marriage
OTT Possessive Hero
Touch Her and Die
Who Did This to You?
Morally Grey Hero
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Luca Calvano is at his engagement party at a restaurant that he just bought. When something happens to his fiancé the last person he excepted to help was Sienna.
Sienna is fighting her way through school, work and life. When she showed up for her job tonight the last person she thought she would see was Luca Calvano.
Luca is so confused and has so many questions about why Sienna is here but then everything in his world gets turned upside down.
If you love dark mafia romance go grab with audio! This book will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat and waning more of the story. I absolutely cannot wait for what is next in the series. So excited for what is to come.
** I want to thank Reece Barden and Must Love Audio for giving me the chance to listen to Vows of Blood as an ALC. In exchange for my honest review and thoughts.***
October 21, 2026
The audiobook for Vows of Blood was really well done. Adam Gold and June Deborahae were both great, but Adam especially gave a fantastic performance. Honestly, most of my rating is probably for the narration. Unfortunately, that’s primarily where my praise ends.
Was this bad? No. It was acceptable. The beginning was actually really solid and had me thinking the story was going somewhere interesting. But as everything unfolded and the revelations started coming, I just found myself caring less and less. I never became particularly invested in Luca or Sienna, and so much of their story felt like it could have been resolved with a few simple conversations.
My biggest issue though was Luca. There’s possessive, morally grey romance hero, and then there’s just toxic. Punching walls, deleting every male contact from Sienna’s phone and getting angry at her for wearing a bikini around men who work for him was an instant fuck right off for me. Even worse, Luca literally acknowledges that he’s toxic and Sienna basically just goes along with it. Come on, authors. We can do better than this. Great narration, decent start, but the romance and characters ultimately did very little for me.
Was this bad? No. It was acceptable. The beginning was actually really solid and had me thinking the story was going somewhere interesting. But as everything unfolded and the revelations started coming, I just found myself caring less and less. I never became particularly invested in Luca or Sienna, and so much of their story felt like it could have been resolved with a few simple conversations.
My biggest issue though was Luca. There’s possessive, morally grey romance hero, and then there’s just toxic. Punching walls, deleting every male contact from Sienna’s phone and getting angry at her for wearing a bikini around men who work for him was an instant fuck right off for me. Even worse, Luca literally acknowledges that he’s toxic and Sienna basically just goes along with it. Come on, authors. We can do better than this. Great narration, decent start, but the romance and characters ultimately did very little for me.
October 16, 2026
I absolutely devoured this one, and give me a Luca any day of the week! This man is fierce, loyal, protective, and knows exactly what he wants. So when Sienna is unexpectedly thrust back into his life, there’s no way he’s letting her slip away again! These two have a past filled with love, heartbreak, and misunderstandings, but as they begin to see their history in a whole new light, it becomes clear just how perfect they are for each other. I was rooting for them every step of the way and couldn't have been happier to see them finally get the HEA they deserved!
Adam Gold and June Deborahae were absolutely phenomenal! Adam completely nails Luca’s fierce, commanding Mafia persona while effortlessly bringing out that softer, tender side reserved just for Sienna. And June portrays Sienna so beautifully, capturing the perfect balance of sweetness, strength, and vulnerability. Their performances brought so much emotion and depth to this story, and I loved every single second of it!
Thank you, Reece Barden for the audiobook review copy.
Adam Gold and June Deborahae were absolutely phenomenal! Adam completely nails Luca’s fierce, commanding Mafia persona while effortlessly bringing out that softer, tender side reserved just for Sienna. And June portrays Sienna so beautifully, capturing the perfect balance of sweetness, strength, and vulnerability. Their performances brought so much emotion and depth to this story, and I loved every single second of it!
Thank you, Reece Barden for the audiobook review copy.
September 8, 2026
I Love Reece's work and have found that each series and book gets better and better, I Love shifter books AND Mafia books so when Reece advertised a mafia book I was very interested in how it would be. I signed up for an ARC copy but didn't think I'd get one so when one landed in my email it was like my birthday early! The only downsize was life got in the way and it took me 4 days before I could read it and it was hard not to pick it up and rush read it, I wanted to give it the time it deserved.
I Love the marriage of convenience (MOC) trope and this was advertised as one (the title is VOWS of blood) but they don't get married till the end I don't feel either the deal or the convenience part was required at all and shouldn't be listed as one coz when they do marry its not for convenience - Forced Proximity was already establish coz Sienna was a witness to a murder. I felt mislead a little coz I went in to this thinking I was going to read a MOC with revenge element enemies to lovers book what I read was a very good book but not as billed it is really a fake fiancée mafia romantic suspense.
The Mafia element wasn't overly dark and wouldn't faze a seasoned Mafia romance readers but that's not a bad thing not everyone wants a book with a mountain of tigger warnings and lord knows I love these too but this book can act like a plate cleanser for after darker books. This is more on the Romantic suspense side and it shines here. I would have liked their to have been more tension in the beginning and for things to have not been clear up so soon but I can't deny it all flowed really well. Reece always brings the feels when it comes to the main characters love for each other and this book is no different.
I loved the side characters especially Vito the cat I loved how he showed support for Sienna's anger at Luca by breaking his things. Rebecca is another good character I can't wait to read her story in Vows of Ruin with Enzo, This time I won't go in expecting a marriage coz the title says VOWS!
I loved the story and would reread again I give this 4 Stars :) I would recommend
I received an ARC version of this book and this is my honest opinion on it.
I Love the marriage of convenience (MOC) trope and this was advertised as one (the title is VOWS of blood) but they don't get married till the end I don't feel either the deal or the convenience part was required at all and shouldn't be listed as one coz when they do marry its not for convenience - Forced Proximity was already establish coz Sienna was a witness to a murder. I felt mislead a little coz I went in to this thinking I was going to read a MOC with revenge element enemies to lovers book what I read was a very good book but not as billed it is really a fake fiancée mafia romantic suspense.
The Mafia element wasn't overly dark and wouldn't faze a seasoned Mafia romance readers but that's not a bad thing not everyone wants a book with a mountain of tigger warnings and lord knows I love these too but this book can act like a plate cleanser for after darker books. This is more on the Romantic suspense side and it shines here. I would have liked their to have been more tension in the beginning and for things to have not been clear up so soon but I can't deny it all flowed really well. Reece always brings the feels when it comes to the main characters love for each other and this book is no different.
I loved the side characters especially Vito the cat I loved how he showed support for Sienna's anger at Luca by breaking his things. Rebecca is another good character I can't wait to read her story in Vows of Ruin with Enzo, This time I won't go in expecting a marriage coz the title says VOWS!
I loved the story and would reread again I give this 4 Stars :) I would recommend
I received an ARC version of this book and this is my honest opinion on it.
October 5, 2026
Vows of Blood by Reece Barden
MMC: Luca Castellano
FMC: Sienna Fox
🔫dark mafia romance
💘second chance
❤️🔥enemies-to-lovers
🩶mafia Don morally gray hero
💍marriage of convenience
💀touch her & die
🫠my wife
This audiobook is narrated by Adam Gold & June Deborahae. The narration was also perfection. Adam Gold was absolutely amazing and brought Luca to life! His deep voice was perfect for a morally grey mafia hero. He was perfect for a Mafia Don!! 😍 the audio was top-notch !
This was my first book my Reece Barden and I believe this might be her first mafia romance. This is on the lighter side for mafia (it’s not really that dark). I would have loved a little more smut or description or torture 🤣 — there should have been more showing and less telling… I felt like we were told more things than we actually got to see 🤷🏻♀️
the overall storyline & the writing was good. I listened to this on audio and Adam made the whole thing worth it.
Sienna and Luca were college sweethearts. They actually loved and wanted to be with each other. However, they go to escape/elope but they each thought the other didn't show. Ten years later, they run into each other again not expecting it. Sienna is working as a server at Luca's engagement party. Luca is everything we love in a mafia hero and Sierra pushed every single one of his buttons. A tangled web of lies meant to manipulate them both was crafted and they spent ten years apart from each other. Now, they’re back in the same space & secrets/betrayal are bound to come out.
"I am a jealous man, Sienna. Especially when it comes to you. No other man touches you. No other man ever sees you like this. You are mine, all fucking mine, and that's the end of it."
Narration: 5 ⭐️
Overall story: 3 ⭐️
MMC: Luca Castellano
FMC: Sienna Fox
🔫dark mafia romance
💘second chance
❤️🔥enemies-to-lovers
🩶mafia Don morally gray hero
💍marriage of convenience
💀touch her & die
🫠my wife
This audiobook is narrated by Adam Gold & June Deborahae. The narration was also perfection. Adam Gold was absolutely amazing and brought Luca to life! His deep voice was perfect for a morally grey mafia hero. He was perfect for a Mafia Don!! 😍 the audio was top-notch !
This was my first book my Reece Barden and I believe this might be her first mafia romance. This is on the lighter side for mafia (it’s not really that dark). I would have loved a little more smut or description or torture 🤣 — there should have been more showing and less telling… I felt like we were told more things than we actually got to see 🤷🏻♀️
the overall storyline & the writing was good. I listened to this on audio and Adam made the whole thing worth it.
Sienna and Luca were college sweethearts. They actually loved and wanted to be with each other. However, they go to escape/elope but they each thought the other didn't show. Ten years later, they run into each other again not expecting it. Sienna is working as a server at Luca's engagement party. Luca is everything we love in a mafia hero and Sierra pushed every single one of his buttons. A tangled web of lies meant to manipulate them both was crafted and they spent ten years apart from each other. Now, they’re back in the same space & secrets/betrayal are bound to come out.
"I am a jealous man, Sienna. Especially when it comes to you. No other man touches you. No other man ever sees you like this. You are mine, all fucking mine, and that's the end of it."
Narration: 5 ⭐️
Overall story: 3 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book so much! Reece Barden is such an amazing writer that I would read her grocery list, and this novel was no exception. I loved the characters, the undeniable chemistry between them, and the plot and pacing of the entire story. This book is perfect for mafia romance lovers, especially those who have a soft spot for second-chance romance.
I loved this book so much! Reece Barden is such an amazing writer that I would read her grocery list, and this novel was no exception. I loved the characters, the undeniable chemistry between them, and the plot and pacing of the entire story. This book is perfect for mafia romance lovers, especially those who have a soft spot for second-chance romance.
October 5, 2026
Good read. Liked the characters. I feel like I am going to like the 2nd book even more as the FMC & MMC in the second book were both fun & feisty in book one. I am glad that they are getting their own story!
Read
October 18, 2026Eh - it was free so I just vibed
October 21, 2026
Luca ❤️🔥, I really liked this. It was fast-paced, easy to read, not much drama, but very good plot twist, and dark in only the necessary places.
Audio 5⭐️
Audio 5⭐️
October 27, 2026
I didn’t want it to END!
October 4, 2026
A new genre for me, I enjoyed the twist!
October 12, 2026
I enjoyed this book but it was missing something
September 30, 2026
Really a 4.5-star.
The story was good, and the characters are well-defined. Looking forward to more from this author.
The story was good, and the characters are well-defined. Looking forward to more from this author.
October 9, 2026
It started off well. Above average. As the story progressed, it didn't feel realistic, and I could no longer identify with the MCs.
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