The Shadow Syndicate

by Simone Sumner

She was never meant to inherit the empire.
He was never meant to want the heir.
But fate doesn’t care about rules—or blood.

When Zara Santoro returns home with nothing more on her mind than sharing good news with her father, she walks straight into a nightmare instead. Victor Santoro—the ruthless head of The Shadow Syndicate—is dead. Murdered. Betrayed. And the princess he spent decades hiding from the underworld has just become its most valuable weapon… and its most tempting target.

Vince Romano, Victor’s most loyal soldier and the man trusted to protect Zara at all costs, knows exactly what her father’s death means. Chaos is coming. Rivals are circling. Blood is in the water. And Zara—stubborn, fiery, off-limits Zara—is stepping straight into the darkness she was never meant to touch.

She is innocence wrapped in defiance.
He is loyalty twisted into obsession.
And the deeper she falls into this world, the harder it becomes for Vince to keep his vow:

Protect her.
Never touch her.
Never want her.
You sent
But Zara is no longer the girl he was forbidden to want. She is the woman who now owns the empire he bleeds for. And when a night out spirals into danger, when another man puts his hands on her, Vince stops being a protector…

…and becomes something far more lethal.

With enemies tightening in, secrets clawing to the surface, and desire burning between them like a lit fuse—Zara and Vince must face a truth darker than the Syndicate itself:

Some kingdoms are built on blood.
Some bonds are sealed with it.
And some loves are dangerous enough to start a war.

557 pages, Unknown Binding

Published December 1, 2025

About the author

When reviewing books I use this method:
1 Star - DNF'd the book
2 Star - The author took time to write & publish the book but it was missing something. The grammar was bad. The editing was bad. It wasn't worth finishing but I finished. Would not recommend.
3 Star - It was meh. It was just okay. It wasn't terrible but wasn't worth recommending.
4 Star - Worth recommending but will probably forget about it after a few days.
5 Star - Roman Empire. Plays like a movie in my head and will never forget. This is the type of book I will promote all over social media.

I never dreamed of being an author. I just got the bug in early 2025. I am in the process of writing my debut novel to be released in Spring 2025.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! I absolutely love the growth that Zara shows and the fight in her! Vince was exactly what she needed! The roller coaster of this book with all the turns was written so well!

[MandysBookish Mind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victor and his number two, Vince, spent years trying to keep Zara far from the Syndicate so she could have the “normal” life her father wanted for her. But after Victor’s death, the walls constructed to protect her start to crack because Zara can’t ignore the questions or the lies she grew up with.

With every chapter, you learn every half-truths and secret that reshape everything Zara thought she knew. Vince thinks he’s honoring her father by keeping her in the dark. Zara sees it as betrayal. And honestly? You can feel both sides, which makes their dynamic even more compelling.

One thing I loved: Zara never reads as weak. Each event forces her to grow sharper, stronger, and more self-aware. Her stubborn curiosity, and yes, her growing feelings for Vince, push her into becoming the woman her father never expected she’d have to be and it's the best thing to watch.

I was so frustrated that Vince initially viewed Zara as a walking problem, stubborn, impulsive, impossible to protect. But he made up for it with his devotion to her. His feelings run deep, and you can feel it in every scene… even when he’s fighting them.

Their chemistry? Completely undeniable. They both try to resist it out of respect for her father, but once they finally give in? It’s everything. The slow burn, the tension, the longing, all of it hits exactly the way it should.

Whether you hate me for it or not, I’m yours. I always have been.

[Kim Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your average Mafia Romance! If you’re looking for a story that holds one of the strongest FMCs I have ever read this is for you! The detail in Simone’s words will take you into the Mafia world and have you turning pages to see what happens next.

Vince, Zara’s right hand man, has always looked over Zara as she is tucked away from the Mafia world and business of her Father’s dealings. But what happens when she is thrown into the world both unprepared and swiftly? Can she handle her father’s empire? Can she handle Vince? 😏

One of the best Mafia Romances I have read to date! Highly recommend.

🔥 Age Gap
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Touch her and 💀
🔥 Bad*se FMC
🔥 Family Betrayal
🔥 Secrets
🔥 Dual POV
🔥 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Gina Wooldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best written mafia stories I’ve read. It’s a really slow burn as far as romance goes but the rest of the story is fast and demands you turn the pages. The character development and story is so full of details that you can actually find yourself holding your breath.

Zara is a strong female and demands respect and the truth. Vince sees her as a young girl needing to be protected. There are lies, betrayal and a chemistry that burners so hot you can feel it as you read.

Loved this book and can’t wait to read more from Simone Sumner.

[Margaret Worrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not your average mafia. I love that the fmc while unsure dug deep, learned, and refused to let go of herself to live under the mmcs thumb. There was back and forth. Protect vs living. And while he had trouble letting go he finally woke up and decided to help instead of hinder. While some part seemed too fast or not taken with the weight it should have been to overall story is well worth the read.

[Christie Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Syndicate by Simone Sumner
MMC- Vince
FMC- Zara
This book is a slow burn. Zara’s father spent years trying to keep her away from the Syndicate. He wanted to give her a chance at a normal lifestyle. After his death, Zara begins to learn the truth about her father, his lifestyle and the Syndicate. Vince wanted to keep her in the dark but she seen it as betrayal/avoidance. It unfolds into a wild ride of secrets & mystery. Around every turn, there is a new twist.

[Katie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an intense, slow burn. A story of darkness, fierce loyalty, betrayal, and a deep forbidden love hiding in the shadows. It unfolds into a wild frenzy of schemes, secrets, mystery. Around every corner, there is a new twist.
The entire book is everything I wanted as it came together in the last several chapters. Zara is a complete badass with much to prove. Vince is a guy we should probably hate but he's so likeable that I found myself pulling for him!
I did not want this story to end!

[Tina Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books I couldn’t stop thinking about while I wasn’t reading it. The slow burn builds so much tension, and it kept me turning pages late into the night. Completely worth the read.

[Maxine Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm literally obsessed! I'm a sahm and books are my getaway. This book is definitely my new favorite. The story line is so perfect. There is enough details but not to little. the slow burn romance gets me every time. I have my husband ready to buy it on audible and I'm ready to buy it as well. I've been telling all my dark romance friends to get this book. Worth every single penny. I would be fine if this was the only book to read!

[Liz Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it grabbed me chapter one, if your looking for a age gap mafia romance that will take you on a roller coaster and keep you on the edge of your seat this one is for you! Zara and Victor journey of loss and growth is riveting. There's blood sugar space and everything not so nice for the holiday season or just everyday read. I will tell everyone about this book and add it to the book rec and add it to your TBR. I'd say it was four chili's on the spice scale.

[Becci Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an arc. I am a huge fan of mafia dark romance so this was right up my alley.
Zara is the heir of The Shadow Syndicate, Vince the right hand man to her father. Zara was never apart of that life, her father made sure of that by shipping her off to her grandmothers. Vince the ever so dutiful soldier to the head of The Shadow Syndicate made a vow to protect Zara at all costs.
As the story unfolds rules are broken, vows are tested. Time and time again Vince and Zara were put into situations that would bring them together. Kidnapping, auction, saving Zara. I am not normally a slow burn kind of girl, but I wanted to give this a shot. I felt as if this was extra slow and at times it felt as if it stalled and when I thought I would put it down I kept going. I am so glad I did. To watch Zara coming into her own as a woman, as a leader, as the heir of The Shadow Syndicate. All the while Vince is right by her side through it all. Vince learning how to allow Zara to come into her own and in her own time and stop trying to protect her at every cost. In the end they were able to help one another in the control of the Syndicate. The spice when it was on the page was good. You can tell on the page that Vince loves Zara very much.

[Jax(Jacqueline) Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Syndicate has a good storyline, though it wasn't as spicy as I thought it was going to be. However, it is action-packed, and I finished the book in 10 days. I do wish it were a little more descriptive. The best way I know how to describe this book is to compare it to movie ratings; this would be an equivalent of PG-13, borderline R rating in my opinion. I did really enjoy the read and would still recommend it to friends. Vince and Zara definitely have quite the connection. The age gap of 20 years makes for a perfect balance between the two. It's a Hot rollercoaster of emotions and business.

[Jeniffer Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So took me a LONG time to find how to do this. Haha.

So let me say this, if you haven’t read Simone’s books PLEASE do! This is a 100000% amazing book. This does give a lot of insight and pulls you into the story. The book has a great flow, and is definitely easy to read. I am dyslexic and the read was easy. Normally I have such a hard time sticking to the story. Victor is amazing. Dove gives me such an inspiration! I am beyond blessed to have ARK read this amazing book and can’t wait to see how everyone else likes it! If anyone likes dark romance mafia books, with a (at age age gap) please read! I’ll definitely re-read this again!

[Rebekah Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good! So well written, the plot was thought out and had so many great twists. It’s a slow burn and I’d rate it like a 🔥🔥 of spice, I honestly wish it had a little more towards the end. I love the development of Zara’s character and she becomes such a badass! Vince goes back and forth between protective and then more supportive as the story progresses. Great Age-Gap Mafia Romance, definitely worth the read!

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never thought that I would love a mafia romance. But boy was I wrong! From the minute you pick this book up from start to finish this 100% keeps you on your toes. Zara and Vince have been through it all and they're the power couple that no one sees coming. Their story is one for the books from trust to trial and tribulations these two are somehow making it all work. Slow burn with a lot of tension that everyone can feel all around them. Will 10/10 recommend this book.

[Kelli Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to say, phenomenal job with the storyline and plotting. A many of times I was on the edge of my seat with my emotions going. I felt the hurt and betrayal, also the protectiveness and fire, and finally the realization that they both were meant to be despite what their mind thought. It was definitely a book I had a hard time putting down.

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way I couldn’t stop reading this book. It is non stop action from page one. I love the character development for Zara and even Vince. The twists and turns that go on in the storyline had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This was my first book from Simone and will be now going down the rabbit hole of her other books.

[Audury Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! Vince is 🔥 chef kiss!! 😘 this book was so good and so hard to put down when I had to adult. The writing was so detailed I felt like I was there. She makes you feel the emotions throughout the book and let me say it’s a lot of them. The action scenes were well thought out too. I highly recommend this book!! Can not wait to read more by this author.

[Tammy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me right at the start and would not let me go. I couldn't put it down. Betrayal, fear, lies, honesty, and forbidden love. it has it all.
Vince was everything Zara needed, and Zara was stronger that she ever knew.
100/10 would definitely take this roller-coaster again.

[Salima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia romance with lies, betrayal, strong courageous FMC and protective alpha MMC. This book has it all. I absolutely love Vince and Zara’s strong. I was reeled right in from the beginning. Love all the twist and turns. Can’t wait for the next book by Simone Sumner!!!

[MJ NB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a slow burn but I love it. I love the Story of Zara and Vince and how eel they are written. if you are looking for a good twist and range of emotions this is the book for you