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Twisted Vows

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Twenty-five-year-old kindergarten teacher Sophia Martinelli has built a quiet life far from her father’s criminal legacy, visiting her catatonic mother and avoiding any connection to the mob world that destroyed her family. When her estranged father, Vincent, a lawyer who betrayed the powerful Benedetti crime family, surfaces after years in hiding, the new family leader, Gabi Benedetti Jr., demands blood payment. The ransom isn’t it’s Sophia.

Enzo Ricci, the family’s most feared enforcer, expects to interrogate a spoiled mob princess. Instead, he finds an innocent woman whose defiance intrigues him and whose beauty ignites an instant, dangerous attraction. When rival Russian Bratva learn of Sophia’s existence and target her for her father’s crimes, Enzo makes an unprecedented he proposes a fake marriage to make her untouchable within mafia law.

Forced into Enzo’s dark world of luxury and violence, Sophia discovers her carefully maintained innocence was always an illusion. As their fake marriage becomes surprisingly real through shared passion and growing trust, devastating secrets emerge. Secrets that could shatter the fragile foundation of their marriage and endanger Sophia’s life.

When Vincent returns to New York with powerful allies, orchestrating a war between crime families, both Sophia and Enzo must choose between the safety of lies and the dangerous truth of their love. But some secrets have consequences that could destroy not just their relationship, but their lives.

428 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2026

22 people are currently reading
19 people want to read

About the author

Kathy Asher

87 books32 followers

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
2 reviews
April 28, 2026
ARC review

Straight from the start we are thrown head first into the Benedetti mafia world. The books follows Enzo Ricci the mafia enforcer and Sophia Martinelli the daughter of a traitor. They marry for protection and both try to navigate this new life together while getting to know each other. Not knowing who they can trust and what happend to her father.
I would have loved a bit more backstory for both of them just to get to know them better but am very curious for the rest of the series. Hope we get to see Nonna again!
168 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
Twisted Vows is the first book in the Kings of New York series. The night Sophia and Enzo meet is a very unusual one. Enzo is after her father’s secrets. He believe Sophia has them so he forces her to strip on a highway while she’s blindfolded and scared. She’s obviously terrified that a man she doesn’t know except by reputation is touching her. However, she feels something different when he’s near her. She actually feels an attraction and doesn’t understand why. She’s always scared that he’s gonna appear one day. She tries to be on guard as much as she can. She hasn’t forgotten him but she tries to move on. She works as a kindergarten teacher. She loves working with children and seeing the joy in their eyes. Unfortunately, Enzo finds her and kidnaps her. She doesn’t understand what he wants with her if he took what he needed the first time.

Enzo “The Blade” Ricci is an enforcer for the Benedetti crime family. He has been loyal for years. He’s ruthless, fearless, and gets the job done. People fear him when he walks into a room. The night he meets Sophia, he is intrigued but he also feels the chemistry. He never forgets her. When he is tasked to kidnap her, he does so without question. However, when he is told to hand her over to the bratva, he decides to protect her. He will do anything it takes to make sure she is safe. He is also obsessed now with claiming her as his own. He knows she feels the same way. The chemistry is obviously there. What will happen when they give into their feelings? Will he defy the family?

Kathy Asher had me pacing back and forth. Poor Sophia. All she wanted was to move on with her life. Instead, she gets kidnapped and dragged into the mafia world again. She even hates how much she wants Enzo. I felt bad for Enzo at times. He does not want to let the family down but he also did not want to hurt Sophia. I loved the bond he had with his friend. The scenes with Sophia were hot. I loved their banter. I also loved how she stood up to him. This was definitely action packed. It was definitely an emotional roller coaster. This was filled with drama, humor, danger, heat, betrayals, action, secrets, suspense, and crazy twists. I’m so excited for the next book.
1,100 reviews38 followers
May 2, 2026
Okay, but could have been better.

Enzo and Sophia's story goes back five years but picks up in real time when the Benedetti family goes after Sophia because of what her father did. Another predictable plot in a genre that produces too many "read and repeat" books. The Benedetti family's compound, as describe by the author seemed like a city instead of a compound with housing for soldiers and their families more like a barracks instead of proper living arrangement used by other authors. The Benedetti home was described like some kind of modern day castle, not a home of a crime family. It clearly gave you the impression of a kingdom that housed and fed everyone according to their position in the family hierarchy. Weirdly different.

The pace was very chaotic at times which I felt detracted from the real story which could have played out based on it's own merit. The author kept adding drama to a plot that had enough going for it without piling on.

I was very turned off from Sophia's imprisonment in the basement of the castle for what seemed like days, but lacked an actual time line. There is nothing positive about trying to get someone's cooperation like throwing them in a darkened hole below ground, with stale bread, water and ?

I couldn't stand the Benedetti family other than Nona. Her character was a stand out while the rest were nothing special. Gabi's character was a complete idiot as leader of the Benedetti crime family and his sister was just another woman who kept trying to get Enzo in her bed.

Enzo's character was a mixture of good vs. evil, who had a hard time finding his footing. He was devoted to the family, but also had an independent streak that I liked. He and Sophia's on again off again attraction was deeply sidelined when secrets and lies clouded the actual truth. These character's lives were based upon "miscommunication" and assertions. Sophia was caught in a world she wanted no part of and had to find her a way to survive, because at every turn; she was the only character who was constantly being sought by the Russians, her father, or the Benedetti's. There were several bad actors who just kept rearing their ugly heads.
Profile Image for Michelle Mulvey.
1,181 reviews13 followers
April 29, 2026
Loved reading this book about Sophia and Enzo. These 2 characters needed the other one and they didn’t even know it.
Enzo is the brutal enforcer for one family and Sophia is the daughter of a man who was out to better himself and didn’t care who he hurt or crossed to get what he wanted.

Enzo and Sophia came face to face on a dark road late one night when he was looking for something. He found what he was looking for hidden in her Panties. However while he was hovering over her, she was not scared. She welcomed his hands on her body. Once he got what he wanted, he was gone without a trace.

Now she’s a kindergarten teacher and he’s still the same old Enzo working for the Benedetti family. When they snatch up Sophia thinking she may have info they are looking for, Enzo does everything in his power to keep Sophia safe and comfortable.
Sophia and Enzo never forgot what happened years ago on the dark road and both still thought about that night.

When Gabi decides he’s going to handover Sophie to Volkov, Enzo does what he needs to do to keep her safe and where he can see her.

So many secrets come out in this book which made for an even better read. Definitely enjoyed reading this book and getting to see how Enzo and Sophia’s worlds collide. Cannot wait to see what’s in store for Marco
Profile Image for Jasmine.
480 reviews10 followers
May 1, 2026
⭐️ 5/5
🔥 5/5
🌶️ 4/5
💧 4/5

Twisted Vow by Kathy Asher, published by Rose Harbor Publishing, is an engaging mafia romance that combines arranged marriage tension, emotional conflict, and underlying mystery into a compelling start to a series.

The story follows Sofia, a kindergarten teacher who has worked to create a quieter life outside of her father’s criminal empire. However, her life changes when she is forced into an arranged marriage with Gabi, a mafia enforcer she barely knows.

One of the strongest aspects of the story is the progression of the relationship between Sofia and Gabi as they navigate cohabitation, trust, and emotional connection while adjusting to the realities of their arranged marriage.

The story also introduces additional layers of intrigue through Enzo, who is searching for information connected to Sofia’s father and believes she may hold the answers he needs. Sofia’s growing connection and attraction toward him adds emotional tension and mystery throughout the book.

The combination of romance, suspense, and emotional uncertainty keeps the pacing engaging while setting up strong anticipation for the next installment in the series.

Overall, Twisted Vow is a strong mafia romance filled with tension, mystery, and compelling character dynamics that leave readers eager to continue the series.
Profile Image for Jinane Abou Hassan zahran.
428 reviews27 followers
Review of advance copy
April 27, 2026
4.5 stars.
Not a perfect five, but the emotional connection made it feel like one for me.
What I really loved was the push-and-pull, the tension, and that addictive good girl/bad boy pull between Enzo and Sophia. I loved how the romance balanced action, revenge, and a touch of slow burn, and Enzo’s fierce need to protect her (through fake marriage) even while chasing his own vengeance on her father. The anticipation of him discovering the truth about her connection to his brother had me on edge the entire time. Sophia, a kindergarten teacher who loves her kids, is thrown into the mafia world because of her father, yet she proves to be strong, resourceful, and unwilling to be used as a pawn. She thought she had left that life behind, only for everything to come rushing back, forcing her to adapt to a life she never chose. Still, she finds love in the most unexpected place.
The story is fast-paced and packed with events, sometimes a bit chaotic but still enjoyable. I also really liked the side characters. Izzy stood out, even if she leaned toward a villain role at times; she knew when to step back. Definitely worth the read. Kathy Asher, you have a new fan.
Profile Image for Beth Hunt.
85 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2026
3.75/5⭐️ I enjoyed reading this, and I felt like there was some things that were different that I loved and some things that were on point with a lot of mafia romances. I really enjoyed the characters. Sophia was a refreshing character because she was a kindergarten teacher very sweet kind even though she grew up in a world where the mafia existed she still was just a kind soul. I also enjoyed Enzo a lot and how he just goes unhinged. The two main side characters were also really fun and I feel like their stories are gonna be interesting to read when the series continues. I enjoyed reading how the main characters went from visual infatuation to true love and commitment. I felt like this book had a lot of mafia aspects and was heavy on the mafia/violence story compared to being heavy on the romance. The ending set up for book 2, and I think that’s gonna be an awesome story as well and I will definitely be reading it.
Profile Image for Nicolereviewbooks.
52 reviews
May 1, 2026
ARC Review👩‍🏫🔪💸🔥

4.5⭐️

Tropes:

💀Mafia Romance
💥Age Gap
🔥Forced Proximity
💍Fake Marriage
🫦Enemies to lovers
🫣Posessive Hero
😈😇Good Girl x Bad Boy
🤫Secrets

I'd been waiting for this book for a while; you know I like morally gray characters. And I loved Enzo.

Sophia is the daughter of a traitor. Enzo must find her, get information from her, and then she'll be handed over to the Russians. Enzo doesn't quite complete his mission. To prevent her from being handed over to her enemies, he offers to marry her. And from then on, everything has been chaos for Enzo.
Sophia goes from being an innocent schoolteacher to a much stronger woman. Everyone wants to use her, and she's not willing to be lied to anymore to get the important information her father had.

Sorry for the delay with the review.

Thanks for the ARC
Profile Image for Raquel Brasil.
84 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 26, 2026
ARC Review

Finished this and it was a solid, addictive read 🖤📖

The story follows a woman trying to rebuild her life after a past she can’t fully escape, only for old secrets to slowly resurface and complicate everything she thought she’d left behind. There’s a steady sense of tension as the truth unravels and trust becomes harder to hold onto.

The romance leans into that forced proximity, high-stakes dynamic, with a MMC who is very much not the safe option but still hard to ignore. The pull between them builds gradually and keeps things interesting without ever fully softening the edges of the story.

Overall, it’s engaging, a little dark, a little messy, and easy to get pulled into.

Kelly (TheInkAddictsReads on Insta)
April 27, 2026
✨ ARC & TBR ALERT ✨

Just finished Twisted Vow by Kathy Asher… and WOW, what a ride 😮‍🔥 This is book one in the Kings of New York series and trust me—you’re going to want this on your radar.

We follow Enzo and Sophia, and these two will have you stressed, obsessed, and fully invested.
Enzo is our broody, broken, morally grey mafia enforcer with a dark past 😩
Sophia is the sunshine teacher with a heart of gold… and secrets of her own 👀

What to expect:
🔥 Captive trope
🔥 Forced proximity
🔥 Marriage for protection
🔥 Found family
🔥 Touch her and 💀
🔥 Mild spice

This one had me hooked from start to finish.

📖 Releases 29 April — add it to your TBR NOW.

You’re welcome, my little darklings 🖤
592 reviews5 followers
April 30, 2026
This book one in the Kings of New York. It's Enzo and Sophia's book. They meet earlier and meet again when he's ordered to kidnap her. Sophia is a kindergarten teacher and is flushed out better than some female leads I've read lately. Enzo is an enforcer who defies orders to turn her over. Their chemistry is good and the business side is good. Even the side characters are good. That's the issue - good not great. It's just not quite there. There is a bit of a flow issue with the story. This is the author's first in the series. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mrs Reads Between The Lines.
444 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 25, 2026
While the ‘good girl x bad boy’ dynamic is appealing, this particular story was a mixed experience. The friction between Sophia, a sweet kindergarten teacher, and Enzo, a ruthless enforcer, is undeniable. And even though the storyline has a solid foundation, the disjointed and choppy pacing occasionally disrupts the rhythm. Despite that, it remains a decent read—this one just wasn’t for me.

*Please read trigger and content warnings.*

I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advanced copy.
Profile Image for Holley McIntire.
15 reviews3 followers
April 29, 2026
Enzo and Sophie. Ugh I just love them. I’m such a sucker for the Villians who just want to be loved. And that is Enzo. He has such a hard shell but deep down just wants someone to choose him. And Sophie sees that.
No matter how much Enzo tries to push her away she won’t allow that. Enzo claims everything is a lie and it’s just for safety and protection. ( insert tears here). The way these two pushed each other away but came back together fighting harder ugh. I loved loved loved! I can’t wait for more from this author! Thank you so much for allowing me to be an ARC for this debut Kathy Asher
Profile Image for MistyWeezReads.
44 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2026
This was a great slow-burn mafia romance featuring Enzo, the deadly enforcer, and Sophia, an innocent schoolteacher forced into the mafia world because of her father. Their dynamic had that perfect grumpy, dangerous MMC meets soft, out-of-her-depth FMC energy, and the tension built really well throughout the story.

As the first book in The Kings of New York series, it does a solid job of setting up the world and pulling you in. I’m definitely hooked and can’t wait to see what happens next in this new series.
Profile Image for Debbie Hill.
130 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 28, 2026
This was the first book in the Kings of New York series and it did not disappoint. I love a mafia romance that brings the forced marriage and touch her and die vibes !!!! The main characters had the best chemistry and the banter was awesome. I am a huge mafia romance reader and a lot of them are the same but this one stands out among the best. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Thank you to the author for thr advanced copy.
Profile Image for Renee Ferritto.
126 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2026
Enzo & Sophia, Mafia
This slow burn story has betrayal, Mafia vs. Bratva, action, humor, and a marriage for protection. It is defiantly an emotional journey.
Enzo, a mafia enforcer, is ordered to kidnap Sophia to gain intel on her father’s location and destroy the secrets still hidden. Neither of them expects the love and loyalty that bonds them together.

I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
14 reviews
April 29, 2026
Twisted Vows

Review of advanced copy.

You can really feel the connection between Enzo and Sophia. I enjoyed the development of Sophia from mild teacher to embracing to strong and resourceful
However, I did feel like some parts dragged on but it was still a good read.
If you’re a fan of Renee Parker mafia books you’ll enjoy this.
Profile Image for Redcurlsangel.
144 reviews6 followers
May 5, 2026
ARC Review

The "good girl meets bad boy" theme isn't exactly new, and unfortunately, this book is no exception. The storyline is predictable, and the pacing is choppy.
I think the potential was there, but it could have been better utilized.
At least the chemistry between the two protagonists was palpable.
Sadly, the book just wasn't to my taste.
Profile Image for Monica R.
43 reviews
May 7, 2026
This book grabbed me from page one, it started with a punch of action and I think the story and plot carries through. The characters are well written and their chemistry is off the charts.

My favorite thing about this book is the twist on the mafia world, it is different in a good way. A great start to a new series!

I am personally looking forward to many more books from this author.
52 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Autor
April 29, 2026
Enzo & Sophia

This mafia romance keeps you on the edge of your seat with its multiple plot twists.
It tells the story of Enzo, a member of the Benedetti family, who, while tracking a traitor, encounters Sophia, the traitor's daughter. Sparks fly at their first meeting, bringing back memories of the past.

Four years later, Sophia is a preschool teacher caring for her mother, who has been in a psychiatric hospital since her father disappeared. Sophia tries to live a normal life until her path crosses with Enzo Ricci's once again.
4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 28, 2026
Bad boy and good girl trope is always fun read for me. The contrast between Sophia and Enzo creates strong chemistry. It was a fun book to read, I'm looking forward to the next books in this series.
Profile Image for Jessica Ritzo.
81 reviews
April 30, 2026
I have a weak spot for Mafia romance and this doesn't disappoint. From the second that Enzo and Sophia first meet you can feel the tension. I absolutely devoured this story like I was starving and I can't wait for more. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy for yourself.
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,813 reviews33 followers
April 30, 2026
This is the first book in the Kings of New York series. I enjoyed Enzo and Sophia’s story. There’s action, drama, secrets, danger, twists, kidnapping and spice. It’s a very entertaining mafia romance. I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Savanna West.
7 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2026
I loved the story line and wanted to know how things ended. I was hooked from the beginning. Enzo is a dark grumpy mafia man and Sophia is soft, sweet, and innocent. Together they are what a true mafia couple are made of.
Profile Image for Tammy.
312 reviews
May 1, 2026
3.75 I enjoyed this! I’m looking forward to more other couples!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews