What do you think?
Fatal Alliances #1
Bound by Lies
From Amazon bestselling author Lylah James comes a new dark, arranged-marriage romance about a mafia princess and the cruel man who did everything to ruin her in an effort to make her…his.
For the longest time, I had been a pawn between two empires built on blood.
I had been promised to Matteo, who was supposed to be my future.
But it was his brother who ruined me.
Adrian Salvatore—reckless, merciless, carved from sin and evil. The brother no one dared to control. The one who looked at me like I was always meant to be…his.
He stole my first kiss beneath the moonlight, right there at my engagement party.
And he never stopped.
Not when I begged.
Not when I threatened.
Until one night…
One mistake. One unforgivable moment that shattered everything I was raised to protect. My modesty, my virtue, my family’s honor.
Somehow I found myself bound to Adrian in ways I never wanted.
But he didn’t believe in love.
Everything he had ever done was driven by vengeance.
Adrian wasn’t going to protect me.
Instead, he had promised to break me.
Somewhere between the hate and fear became a reckless obsession.
And with that obsession came more destruction.
We were both damned, but only one of us would survive the monster we’d become.
BOUND BY LIES is book one in the dark and twisted FATAL ALLIANCES series. Please read the trigger warnings.
For the longest time, I had been a pawn between two empires built on blood.
I had been promised to Matteo, who was supposed to be my future.
But it was his brother who ruined me.
Adrian Salvatore—reckless, merciless, carved from sin and evil. The brother no one dared to control. The one who looked at me like I was always meant to be…his.
He stole my first kiss beneath the moonlight, right there at my engagement party.
And he never stopped.
Not when I begged.
Not when I threatened.
Until one night…
One mistake. One unforgivable moment that shattered everything I was raised to protect. My modesty, my virtue, my family’s honor.
Somehow I found myself bound to Adrian in ways I never wanted.
But he didn’t believe in love.
Everything he had ever done was driven by vengeance.
Adrian wasn’t going to protect me.
Instead, he had promised to break me.
Somewhere between the hate and fear became a reckless obsession.
And with that obsession came more destruction.
We were both damned, but only one of us would survive the monster we’d become.
BOUND BY LIES is book one in the dark and twisted FATAL ALLIANCES series. Please read the trigger warnings.
Unknown Binding
Published May 13, 2026
About the author
Lylah James
30 books5,102 followersAuthor of The Mafia and His Angel. Creator of Alessio Ivanshov and Aylessio.
Reading is her first love and always will be.
Writing is her passion. She writes because the voices in her head won't stop and because they deserve to be heard and read. Lylah James writes about drool worthy and total alpha males, with strong and sweet heroines. She makes her readers cry - sob their eyes out, swoon, curse, rage and fall in love. Mostly known as the Queen of cliffhanger and the #evilauthorwithablacksoul, she likes to break her readers' hearts and then mend them again.
She uses all her spare time to write. If she is not studying, sleeping, writing or working - she can found with her nose buried in a good romance book, preferably with a hot alpha male.
Reading is her first love and always will be.
Writing is her passion. She writes because the voices in her head won't stop and because they deserve to be heard and read. Lylah James writes about drool worthy and total alpha males, with strong and sweet heroines. She makes her readers cry - sob their eyes out, swoon, curse, rage and fall in love. Mostly known as the Queen of cliffhanger and the #evilauthorwithablacksoul, she likes to break her readers' hearts and then mend them again.
She uses all her spare time to write. If she is not studying, sleeping, writing or working - she can found with her nose buried in a good romance book, preferably with a hot alpha male.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
June 21, 2026
1 ⭐️
This review contains spoilers, strong opinions and the documented decline of my sanity over the course of 400+ pages.
As always, this reflects my personal reading experience. If you loved this book, genuinely happy for you. We clearly had very different journeys.
Also, if you decide to proceed, grab a snack.
This is not a short review.
It's longer than my patience lasted.
Now then.
I'd like to congratulate this book on achieving something I previously thought was impossible:
It made me actively hate a mafia romance with a forced marriage trope.
What Worked For Me
(aka: the premise had potential)
Unfortunately, what started as a promising mafia romance slowly transformed into my personal villain origin story.
To this book's credit, I finished it. In fact, I started and finished it in a single sitting.
Now, was that because I was enjoying myself? No.
I was ready to DNF by 22% and only made it to the end because this was a buddy read commitment and my brain refused to quit.
Reading this book felt like watching a car crash in slow motion. Every chapter convinced me the payoff was just around the corner. The obsession would make sense. The romance would improve. The unreliable narrator reveal would finally recontextualise everything.
It never happened.
Instead, I spent 400+ pages fueled by hope, spite and catastrophically bad judgment.
Unfortunately...
Where It Lost Me
(aka: Chat, is this real?)
Adrian Salvatore and The Alleged Obsession
This man spent the entire book claiming he was obsessed.
The narration claimed he was obsessed. The plot claimed he was obsessed. Every character with functioning vocal cords seemed convinced he was obsessed.
And yet I finished the book still asking for receipts.
Because what I actually saw was a man who wanted to own Serafina.
The book also kept insisting Adrian understood her better than Matteo did. How? This man couldn't understand a complete sentence if it came with footnotes and a PowerPoint presentation. He observed her. He noticed her fears, vulnerabilities and insecurities with alarming accuracy. The problem is that he immediately weaponised them.
The book wanted me to see obsession.
Unfortunately, I kept seeing a man who confused possession, control, jealousy, revenge, intimidation, humiliation, manipulation and reproductive coercion with love.
Sir.
Please.
Final Thoughts
This book spent hundreds of pages telling me Adrian was obsessed, protective and incapable of living without Serafina. Unfortunately, I found those ideas far more convincing in theory than in execution.
By the end, I understood his trauma. I understood his guilt. I even understood why he became the man he was.
What I never understood was why I was supposed to mistake possession for devotion, control for love or emotional terrorism for romance.
And that's ultimately where the book lost me.
Final Verdict
I spent 400+ pages waiting for the obsession to obsession, the romance to romance and the reveals to reveal.
None of those things happened.
I came for obsession. I got possession.
I came for romance. I got emotional terrorism.
I came for a forced marriage mafia romance.
I got Adrian Salvatore aggressively failing every vibe check.
1 ⭐️ - This review is my closure. I wish book 2 the very best without me.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Mafia Romance
• Brother's Fiancée
• Forced Marriage
• Revenge Plot
• Unreliable Narrators
• Possessive MMC
• Obsessive MMC (citation needed)
• Pregnancy Trope
• Family Rivalries
• Emotional Manipulation
• Weaponised Vulnerabilities
• "Just Wait For The Reveal"
• The Dogs Remember. I Remember.
• Adrian Salvatore Failed Every Vibe Check
• Read Entirely Out Of Spite
• Everybody Needs Therapy
• Emotional Payoff Not Found
• Cliffhanger? Unfortunately Yes
• Marriage of Convenience Supremacy Remains Untouched
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read:
A mafia MMC. His brother's fiancée. A cliffhanger ending.
I've made peace with my choices and chosen optimism (read: chaos) 🤞🏻✨️
**TPAM-BR**
This review contains spoilers, strong opinions and the documented decline of my sanity over the course of 400+ pages.
As always, this reflects my personal reading experience. If you loved this book, genuinely happy for you. We clearly had very different journeys.
Also, if you decide to proceed, grab a snack.
This is not a short review.
It's longer than my patience lasted.
Now then.
I'd like to congratulate this book on achieving something I previously thought was impossible:
It made me actively hate a mafia romance with a forced marriage trope.
What Worked For Me
(aka: the premise had potential)
Unfortunately, what started as a promising mafia romance slowly transformed into my personal villain origin story.
To this book's credit, I finished it. In fact, I started and finished it in a single sitting.
Now, was that because I was enjoying myself? No.
I was ready to DNF by 22% and only made it to the end because this was a buddy read commitment and my brain refused to quit.
Reading this book felt like watching a car crash in slow motion. Every chapter convinced me the payoff was just around the corner. The obsession would make sense. The romance would improve. The unreliable narrator reveal would finally recontextualise everything.
It never happened.
Instead, I spent 400+ pages fueled by hope, spite and catastrophically bad judgment.
Unfortunately...
Where It Lost Me
(aka: Chat, is this real?)
Adrian Salvatore and The Alleged Obsession
This man spent the entire book claiming he was obsessed.
The narration claimed he was obsessed. The plot claimed he was obsessed. Every character with functioning vocal cords seemed convinced he was obsessed.
And yet I finished the book still asking for receipts.
Because what I actually saw was a man who wanted to own Serafina.
The book also kept insisting Adrian understood her better than Matteo did. How? This man couldn't understand a complete sentence if it came with footnotes and a PowerPoint presentation. He observed her. He noticed her fears, vulnerabilities and insecurities with alarming accuracy. The problem is that he immediately weaponised them.
The book wanted me to see obsession.
Unfortunately, I kept seeing a man who confused possession, control, jealousy, revenge, intimidation, humiliation, manipulation and reproductive coercion with love.
Sir.
Please.
Final Thoughts
This book spent hundreds of pages telling me Adrian was obsessed, protective and incapable of living without Serafina. Unfortunately, I found those ideas far more convincing in theory than in execution.
By the end, I understood his trauma. I understood his guilt. I even understood why he became the man he was.
What I never understood was why I was supposed to mistake possession for devotion, control for love or emotional terrorism for romance.
And that's ultimately where the book lost me.
Final Verdict
I spent 400+ pages waiting for the obsession to obsession, the romance to romance and the reveals to reveal.
None of those things happened.
I came for obsession. I got possession.
I came for romance. I got emotional terrorism.
I came for a forced marriage mafia romance.
I got Adrian Salvatore aggressively failing every vibe check.
1 ⭐️ - This review is my closure. I wish book 2 the very best without me.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Mafia Romance
• Brother's Fiancée
• Forced Marriage
• Revenge Plot
• Unreliable Narrators
• Possessive MMC
• Obsessive MMC (citation needed)
• Pregnancy Trope
• Family Rivalries
• Emotional Manipulation
• Weaponised Vulnerabilities
• "Just Wait For The Reveal"
• The Dogs Remember. I Remember.
• Adrian Salvatore Failed Every Vibe Check
• Read Entirely Out Of Spite
• Everybody Needs Therapy
• Emotional Payoff Not Found
• Cliffhanger? Unfortunately Yes
• Marriage of Convenience Supremacy Remains Untouched
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read:
A mafia MMC. His brother's fiancée. A cliffhanger ending.
I've made peace with my choices and chosen optimism (read: chaos) 🤞🏻✨️
**TPAM-BR**
May 20, 2026
At the center of an alliance between the Morelli and Salvatore families, Serafina Morelli, has been promised to the eldest Salvatore.
A perfect opportunity for exacting vengeance, Adrian Salvatore ensures there will be a wedding, but that he’ll be the groom.
Equal parts dutiful and defiant, Adrian, gets more than he bargained for when he steals away Serafina, the bride meant for his brother.
A paradox himself, Adrian is both cruel and, at times, quietly tender. Not to mention broken underneath the implacable veneer.
Another new author. Another great read. I was, admittedly, thrown by the twist and was ready to throw hands over the cliffy. I mean, what the actual fuckity fuck fuck was that?!?! And, I’m not usually one to call out triggers, but there was a disturbing scene that will certainly be triggering for some readers.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult, Psychological Thriller
Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present • Past}
Emotions: 🤔🥵🫠😳🤯
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Bad Boy x Good Girl, Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Stolen Bride
💫 Microtropes: “Fuck It”, Pet Name (Princess), Secrets & Lies, Sex Lessons, Tattooed MMC, Used as Pawn, Tragic Past, Virgin FMC
🔆 Character: Illegal Enterprises, Mafia Princess, Underground Fighter, Writer
💋 Kinks: Biting/Marking, Body Betrayal, Cum Jammer, Dirty Talk, Domination
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: Minor Storyline
🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, BC Tampering, Dominant MMC, DubCon, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!
⛔️ Safety Squad: Cheating (Not Really/Before Together), Miscarriage, Murder of Mother and Unborn Child, Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: Chicago, Illinois 🇺🇸
📣 Type: Bound by Lies is the first book in the Fatal Alliances series and ends on a cliffhanger.
⚠️ Warning: The hate-to-want-you in this one will give you whiplash and damp panties.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
A perfect opportunity for exacting vengeance, Adrian Salvatore ensures there will be a wedding, but that he’ll be the groom.
Equal parts dutiful and defiant, Adrian, gets more than he bargained for when he steals away Serafina, the bride meant for his brother.
A paradox himself, Adrian is both cruel and, at times, quietly tender. Not to mention broken underneath the implacable veneer.
Another new author. Another great read. I was, admittedly, thrown by the twist and was ready to throw hands over the cliffy. I mean, what the actual fuckity fuck fuck was that?!?! And, I’m not usually one to call out triggers, but there was a disturbing scene that will certainly be triggering for some readers.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult, Psychological Thriller
Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present • Past}
Emotions: 🤔🥵🫠😳🤯
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Bad Boy x Good Girl, Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Stolen Bride
💫 Microtropes: “Fuck It”, Pet Name (Princess), Secrets & Lies, Sex Lessons, Tattooed MMC, Used as Pawn, Tragic Past, Virgin FMC
🔆 Character: Illegal Enterprises, Mafia Princess, Underground Fighter, Writer
💋 Kinks: Biting/Marking, Body Betrayal, Cum Jammer, Dirty Talk, Domination
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: Minor Storyline
🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, BC Tampering, Dominant MMC, DubCon, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!
⛔️ Safety Squad: Cheating (Not Really/Before Together), Miscarriage, Murder of Mother and Unborn Child, Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: Chicago, Illinois 🇺🇸
📣 Type: Bound by Lies is the first book in the Fatal Alliances series and ends on a cliffhanger.
⚠️ Warning: The hate-to-want-you in this one will give you whiplash and damp panties.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
May 13, 2026
4.5🌟, 3🌶️
If you’re looking for a book that will destroy your sleep schedule, this is it.
I finished it in complete shock and spent a solid few minutes staring at the wall after that ending. Set in a dark mafia world where obsession and revenge blur every line, this story pulled me in and had me in a chokehold.
The chemistry between Serafina and Adrian is intense, messy, and impossible to look away from. Adrian is deeply flawed and often hard to love, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Serafina was just as compelling. She may seem like a pawn on the surface, but underneath she’s strong, sharp, and far more powerful than anyone gives her credit for. Their relationship is toxic and explosive, yet I couldn’t help rooting for them.
What I loved most was how the author balanced the brutal side of the mafia world with quieter, more vulnerable moments. Some of Adrian’s actions were difficult to stomach, but the writing was so gripping that I was hooked the entire time. I’m desperate to see Adrian grovel in the next book, and I need more of Serafina and Giulia’s friendship.
July truly cannot come soon enough.
~~~~
Huge thank you to the lovely author, Lylah James, for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
If you’re looking for a book that will destroy your sleep schedule, this is it.
I finished it in complete shock and spent a solid few minutes staring at the wall after that ending. Set in a dark mafia world where obsession and revenge blur every line, this story pulled me in and had me in a chokehold.
The chemistry between Serafina and Adrian is intense, messy, and impossible to look away from. Adrian is deeply flawed and often hard to love, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Serafina was just as compelling. She may seem like a pawn on the surface, but underneath she’s strong, sharp, and far more powerful than anyone gives her credit for. Their relationship is toxic and explosive, yet I couldn’t help rooting for them.
What I loved most was how the author balanced the brutal side of the mafia world with quieter, more vulnerable moments. Some of Adrian’s actions were difficult to stomach, but the writing was so gripping that I was hooked the entire time. I’m desperate to see Adrian grovel in the next book, and I need more of Serafina and Giulia’s friendship.
July truly cannot come soon enough.
~~~~
Huge thank you to the lovely author, Lylah James, for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
May 14, 2026
what do you mean ?????? need book 2 ASAP
August 29, 2026
انا قريت رسميا اقرف كتاب بحياة امي وحياتي وحباة الناس ، وحياة العالم وكلش ، واقسم بالله مش متخيلين بوش حاسة الحين من قرف ،والله دمعت من شدة قرف المشهد ، واجتني صدمة كبيرة مش متخيلينها يناس ، مش ببالغ يزم
كنت اقرا الرواية كثييييير متحمسة لها وكنت حاسة حقيمها خمس نجوم كليا لان الكاتبة اموت فيها بس فجأة
في مشهد بالرواية ، صريح جدا ، مكتوب بتفصيل جنسي مقزز جدا ، عن البطل يسوي شي مقرف مع خادمة و البطلة واقفة تشاهدهم 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢 يراصي والمشهد كيف مكتوب بطريقة جنسية مفصلة
اشوف تكملة المشهد اقول بلكي يتصرفو بشكل طبيعي مثلا ، بلكي هم مش معفنين ، بس لااا .
لقيته لما شافها بتشاهده ، استمر بالفعل الجنسي مع الخادمة وهو مبتسم عادي ويناظرها ، وهي اثارت بالمعنى الحرفي وصارت هورني.
الله يقرف الكاتبة ويقرف الابطال ، يلي سويتولي تروما.
And please please , read this :
Everything about this was filthy and crude, but I couldn’t look away.
When he thrust his hips hard, pushing his… cock… deeper in her throat…
And Adrian’s eyes snapped open, locking with mine across the room.
Dark amusement and something predatory danced in his stormy blue eyes. His lips curled into that same mocking half-smile I’d seen at the gazebo as he continued thrusting in the mouth of the maid.
Jerky, deep thrusts.
There was a feeling brewing inside of me, a pressure between the juncture of my thighs. My chest heaved.
And to make it even more disgusting book ,she just wrote the next chapter about him fucking another girl and enjoying it ,and it was written with details actually , not just mentioning it ,as if writing that scene wasnt enough , she decided to write a whole other chapter about him with another girl , that was so disgusting in a way you can't imagine , I'm done with this author , she was my favorite , but what a let down ?.
كنت اقرا الرواية كثييييير متحمسة لها وكنت حاسة حقيمها خمس نجوم كليا لان الكاتبة اموت فيها بس فجأة
في مشهد بالرواية ، صريح جدا ، مكتوب بتفصيل جنسي مقزز جدا ، عن البطل يسوي شي مقرف مع خادمة و البطلة واقفة تشاهدهم 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢 يراصي والمشهد كيف مكتوب بطريقة جنسية مفصلة
اشوف تكملة المشهد اقول بلكي يتصرفو بشكل طبيعي مثلا ، بلكي هم مش معفنين ، بس لااا .
لقيته لما شافها بتشاهده ، استمر بالفعل الجنسي مع الخادمة وهو مبتسم عادي ويناظرها ، وهي اثارت بالمعنى الحرفي وصارت هورني.
الله يقرف الكاتبة ويقرف الابطال ، يلي سويتولي تروما.
And please please , read this :
Everything about this was filthy and crude, but I couldn’t look away.
When he thrust his hips hard, pushing his… cock… deeper in her throat…
And Adrian’s eyes snapped open, locking with mine across the room.
Dark amusement and something predatory danced in his stormy blue eyes. His lips curled into that same mocking half-smile I’d seen at the gazebo as he continued thrusting in the mouth of the maid.
Jerky, deep thrusts.
There was a feeling brewing inside of me, a pressure between the juncture of my thighs. My chest heaved.
And to make it even more disgusting book ,she just wrote the next chapter about him fucking another girl and enjoying it ,and it was written with details actually , not just mentioning it ,as if writing that scene wasnt enough , she decided to write a whole other chapter about him with another girl , that was so disgusting in a way you can't imagine , I'm done with this author , she was my favorite , but what a let down ?.
May 25, 2026
A dark, messy, and consuming read, Bound by Lies perfectly balances tension and heartbreak. It excels at drawing you into a brilliantly written, volatile, and toxic relationship, completely flipping your expectations on their head by the final chapters. The brutal cliffhanger will have you demanding the sequel immediately.
March 31, 2026
Ever since Lylah James’s 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 (a series you 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 read), her books have me on a chokehold. After many moons, she’s released Bound by Lies and you have no idea how excited I was to read it!
𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒
☠️Dark mafia romance
💍Arranged Marriage
⚡️Enemies to lovers
🚫Age-gap
🔥V!rgin FMC
🏰Forced proximity
👀Breeding
🌶️Everything dark and sinful!
💀Family rivalries
💋Plot twists you won't see coming!
I admit, I was a little unsure of the MMC cause Adrian Salvatore is reckless, merciless and let me tell you..he doesn’t give off morally grey ..he is pure villain. For most of the book,I was like “ this is the MMC that I’m suppose to fall in love with?! But he’s horrible to the FMC!”.
On the opposite end, Serafina, our FMC,is innocent but not docile.
But Lylah has written their push and pull so well that it’s addictive! Their storyline is intense, volatile, dark and is one hell of a ride…and the cliffhanger 🤯
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Candi kane.
It was a quick and enjoyable read. I read the first half of the book in one sitting. I particularly loved their banter early on it was so fun to read! The last chapter was very shocking i didn't see that coming. I can't wait for book 2 !!
The only thing I didn't like was that I still don't know much about the characters. There was so much betrayal and secrets yet at the same time I didn’t get clear answers about what was really happening.
Thanks to Candi kane and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
It was a quick and enjoyable read. I read the first half of the book in one sitting. I particularly loved their banter early on it was so fun to read! The last chapter was very shocking i didn't see that coming. I can't wait for book 2 !!
The only thing I didn't like was that I still don't know much about the characters. There was so much betrayal and secrets yet at the same time I didn’t get clear answers about what was really happening.
Thanks to Candi kane and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Did Not Finish
May 30, 2026What a dysfunctional H and delusional h 🙄
For safety reasons: the H sleeps/kills OW after meeting the h. I don’t know if this was on page to show how “savage” he was but it was yucky.
For safety reasons: the H sleeps/kills OW after meeting the h. I don’t know if this was on page to show how “savage” he was but it was yucky.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2026
Advance Reader Copy Review (from the Author)
—————
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Reading time: 1 Sitting
Characters: Complex, morally grey & addictive
Chemistry: *chefs kiss* 😉😚👌 Instant tension & addictive dynamic
Writing: Easy to read and I got pulled into the story straight away.
Plot twist:🤯🤯🤯
—————
I’ve read Lylah James’ books years ago and really enjoyed them, so being able to read her comeback book early honestly felt so surreal. Thank you so much for the ARC opportunity!!🫶
Bound by Lies pulled me in right from the start. The writing style is super easy to get immersed in and I got emotionally attached to the characters so quickly.
Serafina was definitely one of my favorite parts .. I loved her inner thoughts and how fierce and strong-willed she was despite her mafia princess upbringing. And Adriano… his POVs completely got me 😭 He’s harsh, morally grey, Manipulative ..completely unhinged at times and I was HERE for it. 🚩🚩 The tension between them was so good from the beginning.. I also genuinely could not predict where the story was going at all. That ending left me questioning everything in the best way possible and now I already want to reread it for all the clues and foreshadowing I probably missed 👀
The only tiny thing that personally stood out to me a little was the repeated “thud thud” heartbeat mentions, but it honestly didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story at all. I really enjoyed this book and now I desperately need book 2!!! So excited to know what happens next!!
✅ Mafia romance
✅ Morally grey MMC
✅Br33ding
✅ Innocent FMC 🤭😉
✅ Strong-willed FMC
✅ Tension
✅ Emotional intensity
✅ Mystery & plot twists
✅ “Just one more chapter” energy
✅ Unhinged MMC
—————
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Reading time: 1 Sitting
Characters: Complex, morally grey & addictive
Chemistry: *chefs kiss* 😉😚👌 Instant tension & addictive dynamic
Writing: Easy to read and I got pulled into the story straight away.
Plot twist:🤯🤯🤯
—————
I’ve read Lylah James’ books years ago and really enjoyed them, so being able to read her comeback book early honestly felt so surreal. Thank you so much for the ARC opportunity!!🫶
Bound by Lies pulled me in right from the start. The writing style is super easy to get immersed in and I got emotionally attached to the characters so quickly.
Serafina was definitely one of my favorite parts .. I loved her inner thoughts and how fierce and strong-willed she was despite her mafia princess upbringing. And Adriano… his POVs completely got me 😭 He’s harsh, morally grey, Manipulative ..completely unhinged at times and I was HERE for it. 🚩🚩 The tension between them was so good from the beginning.. I also genuinely could not predict where the story was going at all. That ending left me questioning everything in the best way possible and now I already want to reread it for all the clues and foreshadowing I probably missed 👀
The only tiny thing that personally stood out to me a little was the repeated “thud thud” heartbeat mentions, but it honestly didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story at all. I really enjoyed this book and now I desperately need book 2!!! So excited to know what happens next!!
✅ Mafia romance
✅ Morally grey MMC
✅Br33ding
✅ Innocent FMC 🤭😉
✅ Strong-willed FMC
✅ Tension
✅ Emotional intensity
✅ Mystery & plot twists
✅ “Just one more chapter” energy
✅ Unhinged MMC
May 23, 2026
5/5 ⭐️
This was an incredible read and I’m so upset the second book isn’t out because there’s a cliffhanger! The enemies to lovers was strong in this book and I could see the MMC and FMC very slowly warming up to each other. I was rooting for them. The story kept me hooked at every twist and turn. Not many notes because it was great, but 10/10 recommend. Remember to check triggers!
Thank you Lylah James for providing this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
#BoundbyLies #LylahJames #ARC
This was an incredible read and I’m so upset the second book isn’t out because there’s a cliffhanger! The enemies to lovers was strong in this book and I could see the MMC and FMC very slowly warming up to each other. I was rooting for them. The story kept me hooked at every twist and turn. Not many notes because it was great, but 10/10 recommend. Remember to check triggers!
Thank you Lylah James for providing this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
#BoundbyLies #LylahJames #ARC
May 14, 2026
GIVE ME THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!! The cliffhanger had me staring off into nothing with my jaw on the floor for like a good 10 minutes… I was in shock, still am tbh
Full review will be under the second installment of this duet… but just know I loved the fuck out of this book 👀
Full review will be under the second installment of this duet… but just know I loved the fuck out of this book 👀
August 9, 2026
Spannendes Ende! Mal sehen, wie es weitergeht!
Currently Reading
March 24, 2026So sat for anything by Lylah James I can’t wait 😭🤞🏻
Read
March 23, 2026Super excited for this new book 🤭
May 15, 2026
Serafina (21) and Adrian (30). An arranged marriage trope in this dark mafia romance book.
She was supposed to marry his brother Matteo but things change in the last minute due to inexplicable circumstances.
It’s a story full of twists and secrets that kept my interest from the beginning till the end.
Adrian is unhinged and far from a good guy. Sera is ok although at times I couldn’t explain her attitude. They have a constant banter and hate/lust relationship.
The flow was nice but I believe some things were missing when we skipped forward to a few weeks later (eg how she got over her initial shock and started behaving like a good wife). I think the editing needs some more polishing too, some phrases were repeated way too many times.
But the thing that annoyed me the most is that it ends in a cliffhanger and now we have to wait for the next part.
-Dual 1st person POV (60-40%)
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an Adv. Readers version of this book and I have given this honest and voluntary review.
She was supposed to marry his brother Matteo but things change in the last minute due to inexplicable circumstances.
It’s a story full of twists and secrets that kept my interest from the beginning till the end.
Adrian is unhinged and far from a good guy. Sera is ok although at times I couldn’t explain her attitude. They have a constant banter and hate/lust relationship.
The flow was nice but I believe some things were missing when we skipped forward to a few weeks later (eg how she got over her initial shock and started behaving like a good wife). I think the editing needs some more polishing too, some phrases were repeated way too many times.
But the thing that annoyed me the most is that it ends in a cliffhanger and now we have to wait for the next part.
-Dual 1st person POV (60-40%)
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an Adv. Readers version of this book and I have given this honest and voluntary review.
September 11, 2026
⭐ Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
💭 Thoughts:
Honestly, I thought this book was going to be like Vow of Hate. I REALLY loved Vow of Hate, and it felt so much like my type of book, so I had high expectations for this one.
I also love Lylah James’ writing when it comes to enemies-to-lovers, which was one of the main reasons I picked this up. And my friend told me this would totally be my thing, so I went in expecting to love it.
She was also right about the twist—it was really good.
But honestly, despite being in the mood for this kind of book, it just didn’t work for me.
The first 50% was especially not my thing at all. I almost DNF’d it because I wasn’t enjoying the story or the characters enough to keep going.
After the 50% mark, though, it got better. Not GOOD good, but definitely better. The events started getting more interesting, and I finally started enjoying the story a little more.
So yeah… I really wanted to love this one, but sadly, it wasn’t for me.
📌 Tropes:
✦ Mafia Romance
✦ Brother’s Fiancée
✦ Red Flag MMC
✦ Innocent Virgin FMC
✦ Cliffhanger Ending
💭 Thoughts:
Honestly, I thought this book was going to be like Vow of Hate. I REALLY loved Vow of Hate, and it felt so much like my type of book, so I had high expectations for this one.
I also love Lylah James’ writing when it comes to enemies-to-lovers, which was one of the main reasons I picked this up. And my friend told me this would totally be my thing, so I went in expecting to love it.
She was also right about the twist—it was really good.
But honestly, despite being in the mood for this kind of book, it just didn’t work for me.
The first 50% was especially not my thing at all. I almost DNF’d it because I wasn’t enjoying the story or the characters enough to keep going.
After the 50% mark, though, it got better. Not GOOD good, but definitely better. The events started getting more interesting, and I finally started enjoying the story a little more.
So yeah… I really wanted to love this one, but sadly, it wasn’t for me.
📌 Tropes:
✦ Mafia Romance
✦ Brother’s Fiancée
✦ Red Flag MMC
✦ Innocent Virgin FMC
✦ Cliffhanger Ending
May 13, 2026
Thank you Lylah James for the opportunity to read this ARC book. I'm in need of book 2 ASAP!! That ending I didn't see coming at all. Serafina is arranged to marry Matteo, the heir of Salvatorre family but his brother, Adrian, has set his eyes on her and he won't back down till the end. The push/pull between these two is messy and intense. If mafia romance is a favorite of yours you need to read this book!!
May 27, 2026
Girl! What a way to make a comeback after your time away! You blew this one away! I had never read anything from Lylah before. And while my husband was in Utah, he stopped at a Little Free Library. And there sat a copy of A Vow of Hate. So he grabbed it and brought it home for me. I devoured it! From there, I searched for every other book written. Devoured those too. So when I found out there no more being written, I was seriously sad about it. When I saw this pop up looking for ARC readers, I was all on top of it. I ran, not walked to sign up. So here I am, got picked to read, and was not disappointed.
Adrian and Serafina are my new faves in this mafia world. Adrian is most definitely an alpha male and I was all about it. Serafina was sweet yet not a push over. The back and forth between these two was everything. They were fire and spice and I was not about to put this down until I reached the end. I was obsessed with these two. And those twists and turns, had me turning the pages like my iPad was on fire. I so cannot wait for the next book on this obviously amazing new series.
Adrian and Serafina are my new faves in this mafia world. Adrian is most definitely an alpha male and I was all about it. Serafina was sweet yet not a push over. The back and forth between these two was everything. They were fire and spice and I was not about to put this down until I reached the end. I was obsessed with these two. And those twists and turns, had me turning the pages like my iPad was on fire. I so cannot wait for the next book on this obviously amazing new series.
July 1, 2026
Hmm, I'll be waiting for the next part and I hope I don't forget the plot
August 29, 2026
شخصيات الابطال يعع بالنسبالي الصراحة بيج نووو
نقطه زياده علشان بصراحة كان فيه شويه حماس وتوتر
نقطه زياده علشان بصراحة كان فيه شويه حماس وتوتر
August 31, 2026
well i decided a while ago not to read this author again because she always starts her books so well and then ruins them..
the ending makes absolutely no sense to me like i get that you wanted to shock us with something unexpected but NOT LIKE THIS
i’ll wait for book two before rating this cuz i need to know what serafina’s motives are!
the ending makes absolutely no sense to me like i get that you wanted to shock us with something unexpected but NOT LIKE THIS
i’ll wait for book two before rating this cuz i need to know what serafina’s motives are!
May 26, 2026
This book destroyed me.
I don't think I have ever been lied to so much like I have been in this book. Was i warned at the start of the book that I was going to be lied to? Yes. Did i still fall for all the lies? Also yes. At this point i don't even know what actually is as a lie and what wasn't.
The ending??? OMG the ending...it's been more than a week since I finished the book and I still think about the ending. And i can't stop.
Ooh and Adrian. Is he a black flag? Yes. Do I still love him to the moon and back? Also yes. No one comes for my baby. Yes he does some questionable things...okay a lot of questionable things. BUT my man has his reasons. And we are gonna let him be. He has lots of trauma okay?
Serafina... Serafina Serafina...Idk what I think of her...why? I'll let you read the book and find out.
All I have to say is this book is everything. Literally everything. I can't wait for book two!!?
3000% recommended!!
I don't think I have ever been lied to so much like I have been in this book. Was i warned at the start of the book that I was going to be lied to? Yes. Did i still fall for all the lies? Also yes. At this point i don't even know what actually is as a lie and what wasn't.
The ending??? OMG the ending...it's been more than a week since I finished the book and I still think about the ending. And i can't stop.
Ooh and Adrian. Is he a black flag? Yes. Do I still love him to the moon and back? Also yes. No one comes for my baby. Yes he does some questionable things...okay a lot of questionable things. BUT my man has his reasons. And we are gonna let him be. He has lots of trauma okay?
Serafina... Serafina Serafina...Idk what I think of her...why? I'll let you read the book and find out.
All I have to say is this book is everything. Literally everything. I can't wait for book two!!?
3000% recommended!!
Read
September 13, 2026I was genuinely intrigued by Bound By Lies by Lylah James when it was suggested as a BOM read. The premise sounded like exactly the kind of book I would enjoy, and after reading a number of reviews, I went into this one thinking it was going to be right up my alley.
Unfortunately… it really, really wasn’t.
And honestly, I think that’s what makes this one so disappointing for me. I wanted to like it. I kept waiting for that moment when everything would click and I’d understand what everyone else was seeing. I kept telling myself, Okay, maybe it’s coming. Maybe this is all going somewhere.
It never did.
I did finish it, so there’s that. I have this ridiculous need to finish every book I start, especially when I’m reading in a group setting. So even when I was frustrated, annoyed, and questioning why I was still reading, I kept going.
But I’m not going to be able to give this one a favorable review.
And if you loved this book—or even really liked it—I’m genuinely happy for you. Truly. We just clearly had very different reading experiences.
For me, this felt like a “mafia-ish” romance that desperately wanted to be dark. The problem was that the darkness never felt earned. Within the first few chapters, I already had that sinking feeling that I was going to struggle to finish this book. And unfortunately, those opening chapters ended up being a pretty good preview of everything that continued to frustrate me.
First, there was the endless “Thud. Thud. Thud.”
Serafina and her constantly thudding heart.
Are we twelve?
I’m sorry, but I just could not get past it.
And then there was the crying. The panicking. The trembling. The gasping. The apologizing. The fear. The spiraling. The constant physical manifestations of terror.
But even that wasn’t really my biggest issue.
My biggest issue was that the book kept piling on horrific things happening to Serafina without ever giving me the emotional foundation I needed to make any of it meaningful.
And Adrian did terrible things to Serafina. A lot of terrible things.
But instead of those things creating some kind of complicated emotional journey, character development, or meaningful payoff, it felt like the book simply kept adding another terrible thing because it needed to prove how dark Adrian was.
And I kept waiting for the payoff. I kept waiting for the moment where all of this would come together. I kept waiting to understand why these two people were supposed to belong together.
I never got there.
Adrian could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and Serafina was mostly just… there. Taking it. Crying. Panicking. Apologizing. Being afraid. Then occasionally finding enough strength to stand up for herself, only to eventually sit back down and cower again.
And that became exhausting.
The ingredients were all there. Mafia romance? Check. Arranged marriage? Check. Obsessive, possessive MMC? Check. Manipulation? Check. Trauma? Check. Secrets? Check. A man who is supposedly completely obsessed with the heroine and incapable of living without her? Check.
But checking boxes isn’t the same thing as creating a compelling romance. For me, the whole thing felt far more juvenile than dark. And that was such a letdown.
Because I wanted the darkness. I wanted the complicated relationship. I wanted the morally questionable MMC. I wanted the obsession and possessiveness to feel intense and consuming.
Instead, I spent a huge portion of the book wondering why Serafina continued to tolerate any of this and why I was supposed to believe Adrian’s behavior was rooted in some deep, overwhelming love rather than simply control.
After 400+ of pages of secrets, manipulation, mysterious motivations, and Serafina’s fear being exploited over and over again, I was just tired.
Not emotionally wrecked.
Not desperate to understand Adrian.
Not invested in their relationship.
Just tired.
Adrian was supposed to be obsessed with Serafina. Protective of her. Completely incapable of living without her. But unfortunately, those things worked much better as concepts than they did in the actual story. I never felt the connection between them strongly enough to understand why these two were worth all of this.
By the end, I understood Adrian why he became the man he was. But understanding his backstory didn’t suddenly make his behavior romantic for me.
I know this is a duology, so I wasn’t expecting every question to be answered in book one. I’m perfectly okay with unanswered questions when they make me desperate to find out what happens next. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was that I stopped caring about the questions.
The book kept telling me that future revelations would change everything. That once I knew the truth, everything I had seen would make sense. But after a while, I stopped investing in the mystery because I was no longer sure I cared what the answers were.
And that is probably the biggest disappointment of all. A good cliffhanger should leave me screaming for the next book. It should make me need answers. It should make me desperate to know what happens next. This one made me grateful I had finally reached the end.
By the time I got to the epilogue, I wasn’t thinking, I NEED book two. I was thinking, Thank God I finished. And that’s not where I wanted to end up with this book.
I went into Bound By Lies expecting a dark, angsty, obsessive mafia romance that would completely suck me in. Instead, I spent most of the book waiting for it to become the story I thought it was going to be. And eventually, I realized it wasn’t coming.
I’m genuinely glad this book worked for other readers. I wish it had worked for me. Unfortunately, for this reader, the biggest thing Bound By Lies left me with wasn’t curiosity about book two. It was disappointing that I had spent so much time waiting to care.
1.5 stars
Unfortunately… it really, really wasn’t.
And honestly, I think that’s what makes this one so disappointing for me. I wanted to like it. I kept waiting for that moment when everything would click and I’d understand what everyone else was seeing. I kept telling myself, Okay, maybe it’s coming. Maybe this is all going somewhere.
It never did.
I did finish it, so there’s that. I have this ridiculous need to finish every book I start, especially when I’m reading in a group setting. So even when I was frustrated, annoyed, and questioning why I was still reading, I kept going.
But I’m not going to be able to give this one a favorable review.
And if you loved this book—or even really liked it—I’m genuinely happy for you. Truly. We just clearly had very different reading experiences.
For me, this felt like a “mafia-ish” romance that desperately wanted to be dark. The problem was that the darkness never felt earned. Within the first few chapters, I already had that sinking feeling that I was going to struggle to finish this book. And unfortunately, those opening chapters ended up being a pretty good preview of everything that continued to frustrate me.
First, there was the endless “Thud. Thud. Thud.”
Serafina and her constantly thudding heart.
Are we twelve?
I’m sorry, but I just could not get past it.
And then there was the crying. The panicking. The trembling. The gasping. The apologizing. The fear. The spiraling. The constant physical manifestations of terror.
But even that wasn’t really my biggest issue.
My biggest issue was that the book kept piling on horrific things happening to Serafina without ever giving me the emotional foundation I needed to make any of it meaningful.
And Adrian did terrible things to Serafina. A lot of terrible things.
But instead of those things creating some kind of complicated emotional journey, character development, or meaningful payoff, it felt like the book simply kept adding another terrible thing because it needed to prove how dark Adrian was.
And I kept waiting for the payoff. I kept waiting for the moment where all of this would come together. I kept waiting to understand why these two people were supposed to belong together.
I never got there.
Adrian could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and Serafina was mostly just… there. Taking it. Crying. Panicking. Apologizing. Being afraid. Then occasionally finding enough strength to stand up for herself, only to eventually sit back down and cower again.
And that became exhausting.
The ingredients were all there. Mafia romance? Check. Arranged marriage? Check. Obsessive, possessive MMC? Check. Manipulation? Check. Trauma? Check. Secrets? Check. A man who is supposedly completely obsessed with the heroine and incapable of living without her? Check.
But checking boxes isn’t the same thing as creating a compelling romance. For me, the whole thing felt far more juvenile than dark. And that was such a letdown.
Because I wanted the darkness. I wanted the complicated relationship. I wanted the morally questionable MMC. I wanted the obsession and possessiveness to feel intense and consuming.
Instead, I spent a huge portion of the book wondering why Serafina continued to tolerate any of this and why I was supposed to believe Adrian’s behavior was rooted in some deep, overwhelming love rather than simply control.
After 400+ of pages of secrets, manipulation, mysterious motivations, and Serafina’s fear being exploited over and over again, I was just tired.
Not emotionally wrecked.
Not desperate to understand Adrian.
Not invested in their relationship.
Just tired.
Adrian was supposed to be obsessed with Serafina. Protective of her. Completely incapable of living without her. But unfortunately, those things worked much better as concepts than they did in the actual story. I never felt the connection between them strongly enough to understand why these two were worth all of this.
By the end, I understood Adrian why he became the man he was. But understanding his backstory didn’t suddenly make his behavior romantic for me.
I know this is a duology, so I wasn’t expecting every question to be answered in book one. I’m perfectly okay with unanswered questions when they make me desperate to find out what happens next. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was that I stopped caring about the questions.
The book kept telling me that future revelations would change everything. That once I knew the truth, everything I had seen would make sense. But after a while, I stopped investing in the mystery because I was no longer sure I cared what the answers were.
And that is probably the biggest disappointment of all. A good cliffhanger should leave me screaming for the next book. It should make me need answers. It should make me desperate to know what happens next. This one made me grateful I had finally reached the end.
By the time I got to the epilogue, I wasn’t thinking, I NEED book two. I was thinking, Thank God I finished. And that’s not where I wanted to end up with this book.
I went into Bound By Lies expecting a dark, angsty, obsessive mafia romance that would completely suck me in. Instead, I spent most of the book waiting for it to become the story I thought it was going to be. And eventually, I realized it wasn’t coming.
I’m genuinely glad this book worked for other readers. I wish it had worked for me. Unfortunately, for this reader, the biggest thing Bound By Lies left me with wasn’t curiosity about book two. It was disappointing that I had spent so much time waiting to care.
1.5 stars
June 15, 2026
Just not my cup of tea 🤷🏼♀️
May 22, 2026
***5 "Thud. Thud." stars***
"Our story was forged from shattered bones and built on splintered spines; our pages soaked in blood and stained with death, cursed from the first sentence by a fate neither of us would ever outrun."
After I finished this story, my husband thought I was losing my mind for real!!! I had almost an hour that I was doing the signal of mind blow... and after a whole day, I am still thinking the same.... My mind exploded with this unbelievable and very shocking cliffhanger!!!
And now... what am I suppose to do with my life when I don't know what will happen next???
Please, Lylah!!! I am begging you, don't take too long to deliver the next part!!!
My mind and soul is broken after that ending... I need answers!!!
Yep, I had a long time to be so consumed by a story as this one... Everything were wrong, but sooo perfect.... I devoured this book and trust me when I am saying that I had a long time to do something like that!!!
"Everything had been tainted.
With lies. Vengeance. Resentment.
There was no washing this stain away.
It was our life now."
Serafina was promised to marry the eldest Salvatore brother since she was just a child!!!
As the time was coming closer for her wedding, Serafina was angry with her life... Angry because she was just a pawn in her family's games... But she couldn't do anything except smile and accept her fate...
But then, she got stuck in another game, the one with the second brother of the Salvatore family, Adrian, who was everywhere and he was stealing things from her that she shouldn't ever given him!!!
Adrian was playing his own games!!! Games of revenge... And Serafina Morelli was the perfect pawn for his plans... Their families wanted a marriage to create an alliance between them??? Adrian was determined to give them one, but not with the groom that they wanted!!!
"This was war and there would be a bloodbath... there would be casualties. And Serafina was merely collateral damage in a battle that had begun long before she entered our lives."
I am obsessed with Adrian and Serafina...
They were making my heart sing and my pulse to dance wildly while I was reading their story!!!
Don't fool yourselves!!! This was not a normal romance....
It was a brutal, toxic, full of tears and darkness tale!!! This was a marriage built in lies, deception and betrayal!!!
These two were explosive when they were tearing each other apart or when they will falling in bed together...
These two were everything, until... they weren't!!!
What the fuck happened to the end??? What the fuck will happen next???
This wild guessing is driving me crazy!!!
Is there something real or everything is a big, fat lie???
Lylah, I'm dying here!!! I need redemption!!!
"We had waged a war on each other, and through this bitter hate, this hostile resentment had come to be a reckless obsession that would consume us both. Only one of us would survive the monsters we had become."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"Our story was forged from shattered bones and built on splintered spines; our pages soaked in blood and stained with death, cursed from the first sentence by a fate neither of us would ever outrun."
After I finished this story, my husband thought I was losing my mind for real!!! I had almost an hour that I was doing the signal of mind blow... and after a whole day, I am still thinking the same.... My mind exploded with this unbelievable and very shocking cliffhanger!!!
And now... what am I suppose to do with my life when I don't know what will happen next???
Please, Lylah!!! I am begging you, don't take too long to deliver the next part!!!
My mind and soul is broken after that ending... I need answers!!!
Yep, I had a long time to be so consumed by a story as this one... Everything were wrong, but sooo perfect.... I devoured this book and trust me when I am saying that I had a long time to do something like that!!!
"Everything had been tainted.
With lies. Vengeance. Resentment.
There was no washing this stain away.
It was our life now."
Serafina was promised to marry the eldest Salvatore brother since she was just a child!!!
As the time was coming closer for her wedding, Serafina was angry with her life... Angry because she was just a pawn in her family's games... But she couldn't do anything except smile and accept her fate...
But then, she got stuck in another game, the one with the second brother of the Salvatore family, Adrian, who was everywhere and he was stealing things from her that she shouldn't ever given him!!!
Adrian was playing his own games!!! Games of revenge... And Serafina Morelli was the perfect pawn for his plans... Their families wanted a marriage to create an alliance between them??? Adrian was determined to give them one, but not with the groom that they wanted!!!
"This was war and there would be a bloodbath... there would be casualties. And Serafina was merely collateral damage in a battle that had begun long before she entered our lives."
I am obsessed with Adrian and Serafina...
They were making my heart sing and my pulse to dance wildly while I was reading their story!!!
Don't fool yourselves!!! This was not a normal romance....
It was a brutal, toxic, full of tears and darkness tale!!! This was a marriage built in lies, deception and betrayal!!!
These two were explosive when they were tearing each other apart or when they will falling in bed together...
These two were everything, until... they weren't!!!
What the fuck happened to the end??? What the fuck will happen next???
This wild guessing is driving me crazy!!!
Is there something real or everything is a big, fat lie???
Lylah, I'm dying here!!! I need redemption!!!
"We had waged a war on each other, and through this bitter hate, this hostile resentment had come to be a reckless obsession that would consume us both. Only one of us would survive the monsters we had become."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
May 14, 2026
4⭐️ This ARC was gifted to me by the author: all opinions are my own
🔪 Mafia Romance
👰🏻♀️ Stolen virginal bride
🍼 Surprise pregnancy
🌶️ Spicy
😵 Cliffhanger
I don't know what to think anymore.
I enjoyed the story which is a classic Mafia dark romance. I didn't get attached to Serafina as I found her a bit dumb and emotionally everywhere. Adrian was qui manipulating and I still not sure if he liked her 😶 Almost every interaction was told by Serafina instead of "lived" by the reader. I was going to give 3 stars and, probably, skip the next book.
BUT THEN, the plot twist at the end 🤯 It could change everything I thought of Serafina and the writing style. I know that the author warned us in the introduction but I didn't listen to her 🤭
Now, I'm rethinking everything and I want the second book fast. I hope we get more of her writing journey too 📖
🔪 Mafia Romance
👰🏻♀️ Stolen virginal bride
🍼 Surprise pregnancy
🌶️ Spicy
😵 Cliffhanger
I don't know what to think anymore.
I enjoyed the story which is a classic Mafia dark romance. I didn't get attached to Serafina as I found her a bit dumb and emotionally everywhere. Adrian was qui manipulating and I still not sure if he liked her 😶 Almost every interaction was told by Serafina instead of "lived" by the reader. I was going to give 3 stars and, probably, skip the next book.
BUT THEN, the plot twist at the end 🤯 It could change everything I thought of Serafina and the writing style. I know that the author warned us in the introduction but I didn't listen to her 🤭
Now, I'm rethinking everything and I want the second book fast. I hope we get more of her writing journey too 📖
May 11, 2026
I devoured Bound by Lies by Lylah James! It’s the kind of book you simply can’t put down!
“She was Serafina. My Serafina.” 💗
I loved that, even though there are moments when Serafina is deeply affected by Adrian’s words and attitude, there are also moments when she manages to stand up to him and even surprise him. The resentment she carries toward Adrian comes through so strongly, and I was proud of her every time she managed to crack his armor, even just a little. Other times, she pushes him beyond his limits. But I was also heartbroken for her whenever she reached her own limits. Those were the moments when this story truly made me cry.
Every interaction between Adrian and Serafina makes your heart tighten, especially because you can never predict what their next move will be. So many secrets and lies surround this story and I’d be lying if I said it was predictable. I tried paying attention to every clue, looking for something that could support my theories, but I was left completely confused. There’s a rivalry between the brothers, but it feels like there’s something much deeper beneath it all and I was desperate to uncover what was really hidden there and why Serafina becomes a pawn in Adrian’s plans.
I’ll admit that Adrian is hard to like at times, but that’s exactly what makes this reading experience so special. He’s the character who brings so much emotion to the story because you truly manage to put yourself in Serafina’s place. When Adrian is cold, heartless, almost inhuman, you genuinely fear for her. At the same time, you keep wondering how things could ever turn into something more, how their relationship could evolve, how they could possibly grow closer. I desperately wanted to uncover Adrian’s secrets because he speaks in riddles. There’s always something hidden behind the characters’ words and actions, and they let you know it’s there without revealing too much. The author truly knows how to build her stories, especially the suspense that defines them, but that doesn’t surprise me since this isn’t my first read by her.
And the ending? What was that ending!? Where did it even come from? Maybe certain scenes made me suspicious, but never enough to predict the magnitude of that ending. How does everything connect? And now I’m dying to know what happens next!
★★★★★
Happy release day, Lylah James! Thank you @candikanepr for the ARC!
“She was Serafina. My Serafina.” 💗
I loved that, even though there are moments when Serafina is deeply affected by Adrian’s words and attitude, there are also moments when she manages to stand up to him and even surprise him. The resentment she carries toward Adrian comes through so strongly, and I was proud of her every time she managed to crack his armor, even just a little. Other times, she pushes him beyond his limits. But I was also heartbroken for her whenever she reached her own limits. Those were the moments when this story truly made me cry.
Every interaction between Adrian and Serafina makes your heart tighten, especially because you can never predict what their next move will be. So many secrets and lies surround this story and I’d be lying if I said it was predictable. I tried paying attention to every clue, looking for something that could support my theories, but I was left completely confused. There’s a rivalry between the brothers, but it feels like there’s something much deeper beneath it all and I was desperate to uncover what was really hidden there and why Serafina becomes a pawn in Adrian’s plans.
I’ll admit that Adrian is hard to like at times, but that’s exactly what makes this reading experience so special. He’s the character who brings so much emotion to the story because you truly manage to put yourself in Serafina’s place. When Adrian is cold, heartless, almost inhuman, you genuinely fear for her. At the same time, you keep wondering how things could ever turn into something more, how their relationship could evolve, how they could possibly grow closer. I desperately wanted to uncover Adrian’s secrets because he speaks in riddles. There’s always something hidden behind the characters’ words and actions, and they let you know it’s there without revealing too much. The author truly knows how to build her stories, especially the suspense that defines them, but that doesn’t surprise me since this isn’t my first read by her.
And the ending? What was that ending!? Where did it even come from? Maybe certain scenes made me suspicious, but never enough to predict the magnitude of that ending. How does everything connect? And now I’m dying to know what happens next!
★★★★★
Happy release day, Lylah James! Thank you @candikanepr for the ARC!
May 15, 2026
Thanks to Candi Kane and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
This was the most fucking -perfect- mafia book i've read so far this 2026, i don't think anyone could beat it. GIVE ME THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!! 😭💔
The cliffhanger had me staring at the wall with my jaw on the floor for like 10 minutes, i’m still in shock tbh. This book is perfect because... Dark mafia romance, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, age-gap, and a MMC that is pure villain. Adrian Salvatore is reckless and merciless, he don’t give off morally grey vibes at all... he is just bad. At first i was like, "is this the guy i'm suppose to fall in love with?!" because he is so horrible to her, but the push and pull with Serafina is so addictive! She is innocent but sharp, not docile at all. She was suppose to marry his brother Matteo, but Adrian set his eyes on her and he won't back down. The banter early on was so fun to read and the writing is so gripping that I read the first half in one sitting. It's intense, messy, and toxic, but you just can't look away. My only issue is that there is so many secrets and betrayal that I still don’t get clear answers about what is really happening. Also I need more of Serafina and Giulia’s friendship!
July truly cannot come soon enough, I need book 2 ASAP!! 🤯
This was the most fucking -perfect- mafia book i've read so far this 2026, i don't think anyone could beat it. GIVE ME THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!! 😭💔
The cliffhanger had me staring at the wall with my jaw on the floor for like 10 minutes, i’m still in shock tbh. This book is perfect because... Dark mafia romance, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, age-gap, and a MMC that is pure villain. Adrian Salvatore is reckless and merciless, he don’t give off morally grey vibes at all... he is just bad. At first i was like, "is this the guy i'm suppose to fall in love with?!" because he is so horrible to her, but the push and pull with Serafina is so addictive! She is innocent but sharp, not docile at all. She was suppose to marry his brother Matteo, but Adrian set his eyes on her and he won't back down. The banter early on was so fun to read and the writing is so gripping that I read the first half in one sitting. It's intense, messy, and toxic, but you just can't look away. My only issue is that there is so many secrets and betrayal that I still don’t get clear answers about what is really happening. Also I need more of Serafina and Giulia’s friendship!
July truly cannot come soon enough, I need book 2 ASAP!! 🤯
May 13, 2026
4.25 ⭐️.
THE ENDING. I’m SHOOK. I’m speechless. I can’t wait to read the second book! The fact, it’s until July. But I wait. I. CAN. DO. IT. Right???? 😭
Serafina and Adrian’s chemistry is everything good in this life. They got me blushed every time they appear together in the book. Adrian being her first everything was HOT while she was promised to Matteo, Adrian’s older brother is Angsty ANGSTY🔥.
I must confess I can’t stand Matteo. 🤐
Adrian’s past is so mysterious and I need to know more about that. I like him, but I almost hate him what he did to Serafina. As someone who is so scared of dogs, I could never to talk to him again 👀.
Serafina is a special FMC. She can be docile and shy because it’s what the world expect from her, but also, she’s FIERCE and could do EVERYTHING to show that is not just a pawn, SHE IS THE QUEEN. I need her to make Adrian grovel. I just want to see him going feral over her. 💋💋💋💋
Also, I need more scenes between Serafina and Giulia. Giulia’s my GIRL 😳😳😳
THE ENDING. I’m SHOOK. I’m speechless. I can’t wait to read the second book! The fact, it’s until July. But I wait. I. CAN. DO. IT. Right???? 😭
Serafina and Adrian’s chemistry is everything good in this life. They got me blushed every time they appear together in the book. Adrian being her first everything was HOT while she was promised to Matteo, Adrian’s older brother is Angsty ANGSTY🔥.
I must confess I can’t stand Matteo. 🤐
Adrian’s past is so mysterious and I need to know more about that. I like him, but I almost hate him what he did to Serafina. As someone who is so scared of dogs, I could never to talk to him again 👀.
Serafina is a special FMC. She can be docile and shy because it’s what the world expect from her, but also, she’s FIERCE and could do EVERYTHING to show that is not just a pawn, SHE IS THE QUEEN. I need her to make Adrian grovel. I just want to see him going feral over her. 💋💋💋💋
Also, I need more scenes between Serafina and Giulia. Giulia’s my GIRL 😳😳😳
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