Silent Vendetta: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Jade Rowe

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Angela]

This book had the bones of something intense… but it never fully became it.

It starts with a moment that should change everything, a murder, a girl in the wrong place, a man who should have ended her life without hesitation.
There’s tension there, raw and sharp, the kind that pulls you in and makes you hold your breath.

But then… it rushes.

Everything rushes.

The connection, the emotions, the shift from fear to something that tries to feel like desire, it all happens too fast, too easy.
There’s no real time to feel it, no space for the characters to unfold into something believable.
What could have been a slow descent into darkness becomes more of a sudden drop with no weight behind it.

Cassian is meant to be dangerous, controlled, the kind of man who lives in shadows, but he never fully settles into that role.
And she… she adapts too quickly to a situation that should have broken her, or at least reshaped her in deeper ways.
Instead, it leans heavily into a kind of instant attachment that feels less like connection and more like confusion wrapped in attraction.

At its core, this story dances very close to Stockholm syndrome, and instead of exploring that complexity, it simplifies it.
What could have been unsettling and psychologically layered becomes… soft.
Almost convenient.

There are moments where you see what the story could have been.
The idea of a "gorgeous monster," the tension between danger and desire, the moral grey… it’s all there.
But it is never given the time or depth it needs to truly breathe.

In the end, it is not a bad book, just an underdeveloped one.
A story that moves too fast to leave a mark, and characters that never quite get the chance to become real.

It is one of those reads that you finish and just think… this could have been so much more.

[Darcy’s Good Opinion]

So many inconsistencies

[Evie A]

It started really well and I had high hopes that this story was something different to the usual.

Sadly the characters lacked real development and it became quite formulaic. So whilst it was a ok read it didnt live up to the high expectations.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eva ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑ ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ‌]

2⭐️/5 DNF’ed at 66%

Why authors always have to make the fire burn soooo fast ??? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with slowburn I swear. Eg: their first ever skin on skin encounter came out of nowhere + he asked her to tell him that she’s his ??? And she did it ??? When they didn’t have any real significant and meaningful encounters before this.
They didn’t had any real connection before that and the next day the MMC start talking about how she’s “his” 😀

The book is “short” (not really but hey I’m trying to help out the author here) so she might have felt, has she reached the halfway point, that the characters needed to get closer and fast. But if the relationship had evolved more beforehand it wouldn’t have felt like them getting closer was rushed. Because if they had been previous hint about them getting to know each other, or even enjoying each other presence I wouldn’t have had whiplash about them just jumping straight into it.

Also everything was just overly descriptive, which might be a good thing for people who are really good at visualizing things. But personally it just felt like the author was trying to really show off how much money the MCS have. (Was it really necessary to add that the sweater he got for the FMC wasn’t as soft, or as expensive than the one she previously owned???)

I really feel like I’m an angry, sour and nitpicking woman, I even gave the book a second chance after their first s.x scene and kept reading. But it really wasn’t my cup of tea and I don’t think it’s fair to force myself into reading a book I’m really not enjoying.

[SBee Reviews]

★ “If she’s a civilian, I ruined her life. If she’s a spy, she’s about to ruin mine.” ★

Cassian’s strict code of operations: No innocents. Yet Iris’ unexpected appearance during one such event was suspicious, and he just couldn’t take a chance with the unknowns. Kidnapping her was the only thing he could do, and she soon becomes a temptation he had to fight to resist. “She thinks I’m the monster. She doesn’t know I’m just the weapon.” But for Iris, in the end, “I chose the criminal. I chose the monster. Because when the darkness came for me, he was the only one who burned bright enough to keep it back.”

Engaging suspense, action, and heat!

💝🫶🏼 Please mind your triggers before diving in 🫶🏼💝

[Cathy Moir-Allen]

Twenty-four years Iris Hale has been trying to portray the perfect daughter. Twenty-four years of biting sarcasm and dripping disappointment from her father, Judge Hale. When she panics and tries to correct an error, she ends up witnessing an execution and the killer takes her prisoner. Five years ago Cassian Drazic was framed for a murder. A prominent judge got him off and required a "favour" in return. Tonight the favour was called in and he went to kill a "terrorist", but something went wrong and there was a witness. Cassian takes her hostage until he can figure out what's going on. Something is off - something is very, very wrong !!!

[Johanna]

'Silent Vendetta is a standalone, dual pov, forced proximity, dark mafia romance featuring a possessive, ‘touch her & I’ll unalive you’ type anti-hero and a feisty, smart heroine.'

The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila]

5 stars for Silent Vendetta by Jade Rowe

A judge’s daughter and the Don of the Drazic empire.

Can I just say I loved everything… the well written story , characters tension and chemistry.
Cassian when he discovers he is on board with making Iris his well he will stop at nothing to do so …. My kinda guy !

Highly recommend!.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni]

Iris is the daughter of a judge whose got his sights set on the supreme cpurt when hee witnesses something she shouldnt shes taken by Cassian the ghost a man who doesnt leave witnesses behind but he cant end her, he protects her but is anything as it truly seems? Well written the story and characters draw you in with steamy desires drama action and more

[Cassie Marie]

This book kept me turning the pages and pouring through it. I loved the character arcs and the ending was satisfying

[Sandra Lane]

Dnf: 77%

I tried with this book. I really did but it was just way too dramatic for me and not to mention badly written.

[B Munoz]

Finally! A Mafia book that has a plot…

Finally! A good mafia story with editing and a cohesive story line. Look forward to reading more from this author.

[eepybooknook]

almost good

[Rachael]

Iris is the “perfect” daughter of the federal court judge who is up for Supreme Court consideration. She sees something she shouldn’t and is taken by the Ghost.

Cassian, AKA the Ghost, has pledged his loyalty to the Judge, whom he saved from death row.

Not everything is as it seems, and I loved how Iris grew out of her shell and became a strong, confident woman. Cassian was man enough to stand up for her and earn her loyalty and love.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced Mafia romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[wukn]

I feel like the pacing was off with this book and it lacked any real character development