Promises are Forever

by K.C. Mills

What happens when your marriage is arranged to pay a debt for your family's business?

What happens when your marriage is arranged to pay a debt for your family's business?

You make a proposition to the biggest boss in the underworld to marry you instead.

Just to find that he only wants you... All of you!

Holiday Novella

Crime Family

Arranged Marriage -with a twist!

Insta Love

HEA



*Previously released in the Sin & Snowflakes Anthology*

Genres: Christmas, Marriage Of Convenience

79 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2025

About the author

KC Mills is an international bestselling author, speaker, and CEO. Ranked along with well respected authors, Mills has over 100 books which have hit number 1 bestsellers. She has proven herself as a leader in her industry with over 120 successful books written and published within a five year timeframe. She is committed to bringing exceptional literary works that offer a romantic twist, as well as subtlety veering away from the norm. She still however leaves you captivated by her stories, characters and always wanting more. Mills’ current focus is her cross over to the script writing arena where she will begin writing for some of Atlanta’s top production companies and the nation’s most notable television networks.

Reviews

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really do be ya own people. Just ask Cia. She went from pullin’ up to her family’s estate ready to celebrate Christmas to escaping out the back door to avoid an arranged marriage she was being forced into. You see, Daddy Malone has gotten himself deep in debt with a notorious mafia boss and, the only way to clear that debt, is to hand over his daughter to said deranged mafia boss. Which her brother and daddy will gladly do. But, there’s one individual with an ulterior motive who wants to keep Cia from walkin’ down that aisle. Nex has been hired to kidnap Cia and hold her hostage long enough to keep her from sayin’ “I do” to Warren Harte. While staring at her captor, Cia decides Nex is the lessor of two evils and proposes her own arrangement. The question is, will Nex agree?

[Melise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read not the author’s strongest, but still enjoyable. What took me out of it a bit was the author’s note at the beginning. I completely understand trigger warnings or quick shout-outs, but lately I’m seeing more notes telling readers not to expect anything or to “go in blind.” As a reader, that feels a little dismissive. Fiction is meant to make us think, engage, and build expectations that’s part of the joy of reading. So being told up front to turn my brain off confused me more than it helped.
The story itself is solid: quick pacing, a small twist near the end, and generally good writing. I just wish the characters had more descriptive detail tall, rugged, dark-eyed only gets me so far when trying to picture someone. The author is talented and usually delivers great stories; this one just left me wanting a bit more depth overall.

['The Book Queen' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Gangsta Christmasy

The story was short, gangsta and still it was really good. Nex was a real life shoot em up bang, bang gangsta. And I loved that man. He was the problem solver for the Mafia. In this one, Nex's improvisation to stop a marriage to an old coot, was real dope. Ciana Malone would be the pawn in the game. And in the end, I think the plan worked beautifully for Nex.

[Pookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ciana x Nex

K. C. pens the best Christmas stories as well books about crime bosses. Mix them together and we have a juicy marriage of convenience, holiday novella.

This insta-love read was the palette cleanser I needed. It was short and sweet with a hint of spice and a smidgen of danger.

4.5 ⭐️

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice quick forced proximity/marriage of convenience read. I liked Nex’s energy and I know with a full length novel he’d be HIM! Ciana chose herself and did what she thought was necessary to save herself and it ended up being the best choice for her. I was also surprised by the little plot twist towards the end. But I love a novella that leaves me wanting more in a good way. Because I’d love to see the two of them grow in love since the chemistry and attraction are already there. Ciana never wanted a part of the stuff her family was into so seeing her as a boss’ wife would’ve been a time I’m sure.

[Wind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merrick promised to keep Ciana safe from the life he and their dad lived. Their dad did something to caused Merrick to break his promise and Nex came to the rescue. This was a good twist to the arranged marriage trope. Ciana did get on my nerves which is why I gave this a 3.5

[Ko MAC · Rating 5 out of 5]

worth the read even being a novella

Sometimes all it takes is one person to come into your life to change the way you think. Nex didn’t play no games and when he was hired to do a job he ended up doing to opposite of what he was hired to do. This book was good, yet short!

[Kimyatta Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Promises Are Forever

Arranged marriage and InstaLove for the win!!! This was incredibly cute. Cia thought she was outsmarting someone and smarted herself into happily ever after! Of course I want more but that’s me being greedy. Enjoyed it!

[Danni Phantom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more

This as a freak quick read. However I wish there was more I need a part 2 or something lol. Maybe a novella every holiday

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoyed this fast pace read. I will be reading more books by this author.

[Darcy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ & 3🌶️

Enjoyed this short/Novella - A great & quick read!
-These two were spicy and the way KC wrote the characters, I believed it
-Love a good plot twist
-The banter. Yes.
-A man knowing what he wants and showing that he will do whatever it takes? Yes. Always yes.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

💻 Nex & Cia😍
This was really good!
An assassin and a mobster’s daughter who takes matters into their own hands and does the unthinkable with the unthinkable.

When Cia discovers a ploy by her father and brother to marry her off to the biggest creep of all in exchange for her father’s life and repentance for a debt he accumulated, she proposes to the man sent to capture her-that he marry her instead.
After all, she can’t get married to the creep if she’s already married to the assassin, right?
And no one who truly values their life would challenge an assassin either.

Nex, whose profession is not ideal for such liabilities as love and family so has willingly opted out thus far, soon finds himself rethinking his motives once he lays eyes on Cia. Not in the business of harming women, he was only supposed to capture her. But when she negotiates and proposes he marry her, he agrees with only one condition. The marriage will not just be on paper, they will act as true husband and wife and Cia will be expected to share a bed with him also.

What begins as a temporary solution to a much bigger problem, turns into a vow that neither Nex or Cia want to renege on later once feelings start to sprout and once the threat is eliminated. And now Cia’s father and brother have a new member to add to the family and a new partner in the family business regardless if they approve or not. 😉

[Mz_MELLO YELLO from the BAY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Net was that 🥷🏽!!!

Everyone deserves love and to loved, even if he the devil himself🤭. What’s that saying - opposite attracts. Sometime it’s necessary to make unexpected decision if they are better then the current one. Let’s chat.

Again, not going to make this real long. However, can I admit that I’m felling Nex. Him not your average man or thug, but he definitely not the one to cross. When I say this man did a 360 to please his wife he did just that. Though he didn’t plan to ever marry, all that changed when it came to Ciana🥰. This man didn’t just save her or just become a husband, he also became one of the top families 🤭. Now as for Ciana, she did what she had to do to protect her. I’m with her, why she had to suffer because of her father choices. So hey, I would’ve made my own choice to if it was slight better the other🫣. Oh but when did what she did, I was speechless but felt her 100%. She also had every right to feel what she was feeling towards her family except her mother. Mom was 10 toes down for her daughter and didn’t care about the consequences☺️.

This was my very first read by this author and I was not disappointed. I will have to tap into her catalog cause her pen is amazing. I feel I been missing out and shorting myself on some amazing reads.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it 🥰

My gawd Nex 🥰 whew that man was everything and in my mind I was Ciana 🤪🤣 The things that man did to me I mean her 🤭 chyyyyy I know this was the best Christmas ever for my girl. This was sexy and spicy and just a all around great read. I loved how Ciana took control of her life by propositioning Nex. Neither of them wanted this but they both needed it and they realized that instantly. Love that for them ❤️

I expect greatness she delivers greatness 🤷🏽‍♀️ THEE 🐐 👏🏾 ✍🏾📚🔥

[Lizzy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARE WE GETTING A PART TWO🤣🤣🤣

THANK YOU KINDLE FOR THIS SUGGESTION 🔥🔥🔥! NEX & CIA WERE CUTE 🥰

HER FATHER NEEDED HIS AZZ 🤷🏽‍♀️! BROTHER TOO FOR EVEN PRETENDING TO EVEN ENTERTAIN HER BEING NEAR THAT DISGUSTING POS🙄. JOKES ON HIM WHEN SHE CHECKED HIM ABOUT HER DECISION 🤣🤣🤣

NEX WAS A HIGH PRICED HIT MAN WHO NEVER ENTERTAINED A WOMAN BEYOND THE PALACE, THAT AGREES TO SEVERAL JOBS THAT LEADS HIM TO THE ONE WOMAN THAT TURNED HIS WORLD UPSIDE IN THE WORST BEST WAY POSSIBLE 🥰

THUS BOOK LOW-KEY ENDED ON A MINI CLIFFHANGER, SOOO👀👀👀

[Shay Colbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

He loves Christmas now

Nex was a hired killer and Ciana was part of a crime family that mostly kept her out of their affairs until one bad move jeopardized their father’s life and placed her in an uncomfortable position. Not wanting to marry the enemy Warren, she proposed Nex marry her instead during the time he was sent to kidnap her. What initially was meant to only hold her captive for a few days, changed after she married Nex. Very unconventional but they actually yoked.. it was a short cute novella

[Shanae]

Promises are Forever is a solid crime family story. Unfortunately, I found the characters flat and boring, plus I thought there was absolutely no chemistry between the MMC and FMC. I guess if you really love crime family stories, then you might enjoy Promises are Forever, but it's not one that I would be eager to recommend.

Final rating: 2.75/5

Spice rating: 2/5

Content warnings:
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence

[Terri Sturghill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I likey liked this one, too! My girl Cia went from kidnapped to married! And to a professional killer! But I don’t blame her. Marry a sick criminal who abuses women or a fine killer who can offer protection. It’s a no brainer. All arranged by her brother and dad right before Christmas. The audacity of them selling her off to an abusive guy to fix their mistakes! And during Christmas! Nevertheless, it ended well for Cia and Promise.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what!! This was a cute surprise. I was giggling and swinging my feet from the very beginning. I love forced proximity and arranged marriage and this was straight to the point. In just 80 pages,Nex becomes one of my favorite book baes. I love a no bs man who had a soft spot for his girl. Can we get a part 2 please ?? I want to know what happened next Christmas lol

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute but dark vibes holiday book

Nex had me saying Sir Yes Sir! He can break me and put back together!! Cia’s response I said okay sis! Yes ma’am!!
I loved his energy, it could have gave more of his story, but it’s a short. Oh well. Cia came around quick and couldn’t resist this man.

[Unique Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice quick read. Cia just got on my nerves lol. The pushback she was giving felt so unnecessary and childish. Like girl you either like him or you don’t dang. I do wish we got a little more buildup though, I know this was labeled an insta love but it felt like a insta everything. I needed a little more depth and I think that could have happened even though it was a short story.

[Author Jen Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

I loved Nex from the very beginning. He was bout his business and didn't play about anything or anyone. Then comes Cia, determined, loyal, and frantic. I loved her later boldness and how the two of them carried on about each other. I loved the twists in this and loved how it played out.

[SheCozyAndLit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promises Are Forever by K.C. Mills was a quick, spicy little mafia moment with just enough danger to keep things interesting. Nex was giving rich, ruthless, and obsessed (we live for obsessed and unhinged), and Cia wasn’t no weak FMC. She knew what she wanted and went for it. I loved the holiday backdrop mixed with dangerous/mafia energy. Definitely worth the read.

[Rosetta Edwards-Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Quick read

this was a fast paced book. Nex was playing a game. He didn’t do holidays and was about his money. He ends up married to Cia to save her from Warren. Her dad owed a big debt and was going to pay it with her. Who knew her brother was basically Nex partner and they had a way to keep her safe and free.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

The book is jam-packed. While a short story, it truly felt longer because of the depth of the characters and solid holiday adjacent storyline. Next, the perfect brooding alpha male and Ciana was definitely the balance he needed with her own strength of character. They brought the heat and holiday cheer. More please. 😊

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nex 😍

I loved it! Nex was ready to “my wife” Cia to death and she know she loved it lol … this story was short but so fulfilling. I really think I’m starting to love reading about assassins falling in love 🥰

[Terry Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

merry Xmas

This was a nice quick read. I loved the main characters and how their relationship progressed over the days. I am totally a fan of instalove and this story didn’t disappoint.

[TheReaderVert · Rating 3 out of 5]

a decent quickie. I can acknowledge my personal problem to want a book to lean a little bit more into the dark concepts promised but as always with KC Mills the writing is right and crisp, the pacing good and the sex a little 🥵

[Maryanna Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy Christmas Novella

Absolutely enjoyed every page. My first KC Mills book and I'm definitely a new fan. If you need to keep warm ☺️ on a cold winter night and want a quick Mafia read with a bit of Christmas spirit to help heat things up, this'll do it.

[Phoenix Grei Blaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love it!!

I started this read as I'm busy with work mostly, I appreciate this read, it gave me all the feels and still had action. I love K.C. Mills very appreciative of her pen.