Forced Promises

by Alexis Abbott

From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Alexis Abbott comes a steamy, slow burn to obsession Russian Mafia romance.
To escape an arranged marriage, I'll become the wife of a killer.
I had to flee the cult, or be forced to marry my own brother.
I have no money, no ID, no family.
Hated by my mother, disowned by my father.
My twisted salvation comes in the form of
a beautiful monster with silver eyes.

His need for revenge has him infiltrate the Bratva.
They demand a rite of initiation.
When he tells me to be a good girl and submit, I obey.
I'm touch-starved. Desperate for love.
And he publicly claims my innocence
to become one of them.

The Bratva and the cult want to destroy us.
But we're already broken,
shattered by the dark secrets of our past.
And when we pick up each other's pieces
Our tortured obsession is made lethal.

Forced Promises is a spicy mafia romance that features a touch averse, morally grey antihero and a touch-starved, innocent heroine. His love language includes stalking and touch her and die, and hers includes physical touch and forehead kisses. There are themes of forced proximity, age gap, grumpy x sunshine, mutual hurt/comfort and mental illness rep.
Safe from cheating; please check the content warning as there are very dark themes.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance

ebook

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

Alexis Abbott is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author who writes about dangerous men and the women who love them. If you can't resist a bad boy who is a good man, you just found your next addiction. With heart-stopping action, mouth watering sex, and passionate romances that will leave you breathless, Alexis Abbott writes romantic thrillers like no one else can.

When she's not writing your next book boyfriend, you'll find her living a real life romance novel with her own bad boy soulmate in Newfoundland, Canada.

http://alexisabbott.com/newsletter

*****

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Reviews

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review

Forced Promises by Alexis Abbott

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
🖤 Age Gap (19/30)
🖤 Dark Mafia Romance
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Mental Health Representation

⚠️ Please check the trigger warnings before reading, as this book touches on sensitive topics. ⚠️

Favorite Quote:
“The riverbed guided our streams together. I believe that, no matter how the past might change, our currents would have always found a way to converge.”

Evelyn and Laszlo’s story was heartbreaking from the very beginning. Both characters carried incredibly traumatic pasts that completely shattered my heart. 💔 Evelyn was on the run from a religious cult, while Laszlo was determined to exact revenge on the parents who abandoned him and the people who abused him, all while desperately searching for any information about his missing sister. When their paths crossed, Evelyn found herself in a dangerous situation where keeping Laszlo’s secret became the only way to stay alive. As they spent more time together, what started as survival slowly grew into something much deeper.

Watching them slowly learn to trust one another and heal from their pasts was one of my favorite parts of the story. It truly felt like they were destined to find each other, helping one another find peace while Laszlo pursued the answers and justice he’d been searching for all along.

And the spice? Wheeeew. 🥵 The dirty talk from this man was absolutely sinful in the best way. I was blushing more than once! And the 🐓 warming? HOT. If you know, you know. 👀🔥

This was such an enjoyable dark mafia romance with emotional depth, healing, and plenty of steam. I can’t wait to read more by Alexis Abbott!

[kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like all the mafia books recently have been very similar and predictable, but not Forced Promises! Evelyn ran away from a cult and Laszlo was on a journey to infiltrate the Bratva, and they met in an unlikely way. I really appreciated the mental health representation and the sad backstories, from both sides. I feel like it’s always the woman who has trauma, and it was nice to see it from the males side. It takes a little bit of time to get spicy, but once it does, it really does! I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy revenge plots, slow burn, and sex therapy (just go with it). Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Севдалина · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ласло Сас (30) и Евелин Блейк/Бел Смит/Лин (19)

⚜️Получих ранно копие на тази книга от автора⚜️

📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣



Евелин е 19 годишно момиче, отгледано в сектата "Децата на Аер". Когато баща й, водача на сектата решава, че Евелин трябва да се омъжи за своя полу-брат, Евелин рискува всичко и бяга от дома си.
Тъй като няма никакви документи, тя започва работа като хостеса в съмнителен клуб собственост на руската братва.
В клубът всяка седмица "ВИП-овете" хората от братвата избират с кое момиче да прекарат вечерта, но никой никога не избира Евелин, която се представя като Бел Смит. До деня в който не се появява загадъчен мъж, и не решава да избере именно нея. Пробема е, че това е мъжа, който преди няколко дни Евелин хваща в опит да постави бомба на колата на мъж, който неочаквано умира от инфаркт, и сега загадъчнияг бомбаджия със сиви очи, е нает на неговото място.



Ласло е поел по пътят на отмъщението. Когато е на 14 той и сестра му са дадени от родителите им в ръцете на Руската братва, и преживяват зверства, каквито никое дете не бива да преживява. Ласло оцелява, но е вкаран в лудница и всички се опитват да го убедят, че Лилиан, сестра му, не съществува.
Измъквайки се от лудницата, той се заема да придобие всички нужни качества, за да се внедри в Братвата и да отмъсти за всичко, което той и сестра му както и други деца, са преживели.
Но когато бива забелязан, докато опитва да монтира бомба, на колата на един от злодеите, които смята да унищожи, Ласло се озовава лице в лице с Ангел. И сега ще трябва да се погрижи този Ангел да не провали плановете му за отмъщение.



Това е първата книга, която чета от тази авторка. Трябва да призная, очаквах нещо съвсем различно, от мафиотски роман. Макар да имаме списък с предупреждения, който беше доста подробен с описания, за което съм много благодарна, историята не е типично мафиотска.
Да имаме досег с Братва, но само това. Ласло е по-скоро хакер, отколкото мафиот, при това готик хакер, с дълга черна коса, черни дрехи, лакирани с черен лак нокти и ръце покрити с пръстени.
Ласло е решен да накаже всички, които нараняват деца, защото той и сестра му са били наранени, и макар да не знае какво се е случило, той е убеден, че сестра му е мъртва и се самоубвинява, че не е могъл да я спаси, затова ще направи всичко, че да отмъсти.
Ласло беше странен герой, имаше пост травматичен стрес, не се хранеше, не спеше, не обичаше да го докосват, беше по-слаб от всичко мъже около него, но на моменти реагираше доста типично за Алфа мъжкар, макар външно да не беше такъв.
Нещото което ме изнерви леко беше, че всички казваха на героинята колко е "странна". Дори героя.
Евелин, предствяща се за Бел, а по-късно наричана Лин, беше момиче расло в секта. Много ясно, че всичко ще е ново и чуждо за нея. За мен това беше нормално. Но авторката малко си противоречи що се отнася до външността й. Евелин в началото е описана като невзрачна, с плоски гърди, едри задни части, и дълга до коленете коса. Със срамежливото й държание и евтините дрехи, които не са й по мярка, всички "ВИП-ове" я пренебрегваха. Обаче за Ласло тя бе ангелски красива и след като той я забеляза, изведнъж вече не беше невзрачна. Беше ми доста трудно да си я представя, затова както винаги направих изображения на героите.



Наистина ми се искаше да се влюбя в книгата, но не ми се получи. Мисля, че имах очаквания за типична мафиотска книга и това ми изигра лоша шега. Действието ми беше модно. В голяма част от книгата имаме повече размисли и страсти от героите и много малко вълнение и действие.
И двамата герои имаха своя багаж, своите проблеми и начина по който се събраха направи сцените помежду им малко сковани. Секси сцените пък ми бяха странни и леко неловки. Голяма част от причината за това беше начина по който бяха принудени да бъдат интимни пред погледите на висчки от братвата, но така или иначе не усетих тръпката, не усетих вълнението помежду им.
Може би ако авторката беше показала какво се е случило в миналото им, вместо само да загатва и да споменава разни неща, като не влиза в подробности, щеше да ми бъде по-лесни да симпатизирам на героите. За Евелин научихме, че майка и е била гаднярка, баща й не й е обръщал внимание и нищо повече. Не бяхме вкарани в динамиката и зад колисите на сектата, а мисля, че това щеше да бъде едно от най-интересните неща в книгата за мен. За Ласло научихме само че пленничеството му е било ужасно и травматично, но какво се е случило точно, каква е причината за преживяното от него, аз така и не разбрах. В контекста на случващото се, ни беше дадена бегла идея защо е бил подложен на нещо ужасно, но отново нямаше твърда причина. Мисля, че причината, за която ни беше загатнато, не е такава, която да има смисъл и цел. Поне за мен.



Да се върна към историята. Нещата не се развиха както Ласло си ги мислеше след срещата с Евелин и в крайна сметка те взеха, че се ожениха, което за мен винаги е голям бонус, обожавам уредени или принудителни сватби.
Книгата започна да става малко по-динамична към края, което ме накара да добавя една звезда към оценката си, защото макар и леко разпиляна, екшън частта ми хареса. Имахме няколко странни секси сцени, като обсъждане на нападение по време на орално забавление... но хей, поне е нещо ралзично. Имахме някои доста кървави моменти... аз лично съм фен на такива неща и ми беше ок
... и все пак не усетих страстта между двойката. Ласло и Евелин имаха от онази кротката любовна история, без фойерверки или спиращи дъха моменти. И главното за мен е, че макар да има мафия въвлечена в историята, за мен това не е мафиотски роман, от типа с който аз лично съм свикнала. Ласло имаше някои алфа моменти, но като цяло не ми даваше мафиотско усещане.
Като цяло книгата не е лоша, просто различна и изсква да не бъде четена с предварително изградени грешни представи, за да не остане човек разочарован, че не е това, което е очаквал.
И като казах това, само ще отбележа, че аз съм любител на хубавите корици и на това да отговарят на сюжета. Тази корица няма нищо общо. Ласло е много слаб и висок, с бледа кожа дълга черна коса, чисто черни елегантни дрехи, той е готик персонаж, а не мафиот. Това на корицата не е Ласло и аз лично не я харесвам и не мисля, че отговаря на съдържанието на книгата.

💫Обобщение: 💫

⭐️⭐️⭐️

🔢 Част от поредица ли е?

Не

📚 Сюжетни линии:

🌀 Героиня отгледана в Секта
💻 Герой Хакер
🗯 Slow Burn
👰 Фалшива връзка и уреден брак
💣 Герой с тежко минало
💢 Героиня бягаща от принудетелн брак
💥 Отмъщение
❤️‍🩹 Принудителна близост
🤍 Невинна героиня
🫆 Морално сив герой
👩‍❤️‍👨 Възрастова разлика - 11 години

💪 Главният герой: Ласло
Хакер. Внедрява се в Братвата, за да я унищожи от вътре. Има пост травматичен стрес. Не обича да го докосват. Не се храни редовно и не обича някой да го гледа как яде. Носи вина, която го смазва. Грижовен е към Евелин и се влюбва в нея от пръв поглед.

🎀 Главната героиня: Евелин
Наивна, неопитна. Не знае нищо за света извън сектата и не веднъж е наричана странна. Търпи обиди и унижения без да се защити по никакъв начин. Много бедна и много самотна. Едва след времето прекарано с Ласло успява да излезе от черупката си, да добие самочувствие и самоувереност. Обича да прави бижута.

🫣 Има ли проблем с друг мъж или жена?
Не

🤬 Има ли изневяра?
Не

😏 Колко опит имат героите?
Ласло е бил насилван като дете, след това почти не е имал връзки и лекарствата за посттравматичният стрес потоскат либидото му. Евелин е девствена.

🥵 Колко горещи са секси сцените?
🌶🌶🌶 Не особено горещи, леко неловки на моменти 👅 орално, 🫣 принудителен ексхибиционизъм, 🍆 warming

💔 Разделят ли се героите за определен период от време?
Не

😍 Има ли щастлив край?
Да

⚠️ Списък с предупреждения:

💥 Сексуално насилие над деца ( в миналото на героя)
💣 Принудителни сексуално отношения пред други хора
🧠 Психични проблеми и психична травма
🕳 Заплахи, насилие и опасност за живота на гланвите герои
☠️ Графично насили е смърт на трети лица
🫯 Обиди и подигравки по адрес на главните герои относно външност, сексуалност, характер и държание.
🍔 Хранителни разстройство (при главния герой)
😰 Пост травматичен стрес (при главния герой)
💦 Сексуални трудности при главния герой, заради прием на лекарства.

[Milena Vasileva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the advance reading copy. It is always a curiosity and pleasure for me to discover new authors. This is my first book by Alexis Abbott and as far as I have been informed about her, the first one in a long time. I will leave my five-star rating because this is my small "reward" for the work and efforts to write a novel, but unfortunately this will probably be the most positive of my overall opinion. I admit, without wanting to be rude, that this book really bothered me until I finished it. In general, I read a lot of mafia novels and this type of plot excites me, but I did not find a mafia novel here. This is more of a fiction of a made-up story in which mafia elements are present, as well as some direct titles suitable and used for the Russian mafia. There is some cult that is not well described and which is mentioned in only two places, if I am not mistaken, that they abused children, to which the main character Belle/Lynn/Evelyn belongs. The construction of her image was very messy and full of ambiguities. Somehow she escaped from this cult group, running away, it is unclear how and with whose help. Somehow it remained unclear what exactly happened to her there, how exactly she was raped, what her father, who she was afraid of and panicked at the mere mention of his name, did to her. Also, how she suddenly became an incredible jeweler - from drawing doodles on sheets of paper, suddenly the owner of a store that sold her incredibly crafted jewelry. Yes, the store bought her husband, but I mean her skills, which no one understood where she got them from. How from a girl locked up in the mountains until she was 18, limited by everything - school, television, the internet, she had these abilities. Sorry if this is considered some spoilers, I just can't refrain from more detailed comments so that what I wrote doesn't sound like just rude criticism. Her constant crying was extremely irritating to me the whole time. For two pages, she was shedding tears for nothing. There was even an absurd scene in which she was giving oral sex to her husband and still crying... Not because she didn't want to, but because she simply thought he might die. On the other hand, Laszlo, the main male character, was also beaten up in the moments when it came to his abuse. I wasn't very convinced whether his parents sold him and his sister into the torture he went through. And how come he was the only one who survived as a child. How and who helped him escape. Because he was then put in a psychiatric clinic to "cure" his memories. Who paid for this... In general, I had a lot of questions and holes. I found his overall rapprochement with the main character very absurd. How he supposedly prevented her from revealing that he was planting a bomb under a car, because she accidentally saw him and, even though he was disguised, she remembered who he was!?! So suddenly this Laszlo became obsessed with her, that he even bought her a house in another state and after a total of 5 sentences where they had exchanged and said he would save her and send her to live her life. The sex scene in which he took her virginity - oh my gosh. Not only did he not realize that she was a virgin, but suddenly from a man who couldn't get it up because he was taking psycho pills, and also didn't want anyone to touch him, because it was another psycho problem for him, so suddenly he possessed her and quite productively. She on the other hand somehow went from being a religious laywoman who escaped from a super closed cult group to working exactly as an escort in a men's bar. Why didn't she become a florist or a baker in a diner, something more modest, something that a limited girl with no social skills could be subjected to. Of course, after the unfortunate first time between them, she very quickly developed sexual creativity and games. And as if to convince us of this, the author has a scene, right before the scene where she cries while giving him oral sex, in which he does, but while practicing cunnilingus, he talks to her about the upcoming "assassination" they are preparing. He: "As soon as I get the hard drive, we will remove them" She: "How will we do it?" licking from vagina to clitoris, "you will plant the bombs, and I will collect the data" licking the vagina...Some such absurdism in almost an entire chapter.
The final straight - with the ball, the bombs and the murders, as well as the "elegant" ending of printed articles, oh and look at the surprise - his sister is alive after all, was satisfactory enough for me. Overall, I devoted a lot of the too little free time I have to this book, as well as to this long commentary.

[Tracy Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could have given this book ten stars I would have.
I will say this multiple times...PLEASE CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS

This is an emotional Story of Survival, Healing, and Revenge
Some stories entertain you, while others leave a permanent mark on your heart. This was one of those books.
Evelyn has never known freedom. Raised in a controlling religious cult, every aspect of her life has been dictated by fear, manipulation, and abuse. When she finally escapes just before being forced to marry her own half-brother, she's thrown into a world she doesn't understand. Everything is unfamiliar, overwhelming, and dangerous, but returning to the life she escaped would be far worse. Watching her navigate a normal world with childlike innocence was both heartbreaking and incredibly moving. At times, her naivety frustrated me, but it also felt authentic. Considering the sheltered life she'd endured, her innocence wasn't a flaw—it was a realistic consequence of everything she'd survived.
Laszlo is carrying wounds just as deep. Haunted by unimaginable horrors from his past, he's spent years focused on one thing: revenge against the people who destroyed his life. His carefully constructed plans are nearly complete when Evelyn unexpectedly crashes into his world. She quickly becomes both a complication and someone he can't seem to walk away from.
The relationship between Evelyn and Laszlo develops beautifully. There are no instant fixes for their trauma. Instead, their connection is built on patience, understanding, and learning to trust when neither of them truly knows how. Evelyn's resilience shines throughout the story. Despite everything she has endured, she refuses to let the darkness steal her kindness or her hope. In many ways, she becomes the light that slowly pulls Laszlo out of his own darkness, while he gives her the safety and love she's never experienced before.
The emotional depth of this novel is what truly makes it stand out. Both characters are carrying unimaginable pain, and the healing journey feels genuine rather than rushed. Their growth as individuals is just as rewarding as watching their romance blossom. I found myself completely invested in their happiness, celebrating every small victory they earned together.
Alongside the romance is an engaging revenge plot involving the Bratva that kept the story moving at a steady pace. The suspense, danger, and underlying mystery added another layer to the book, making it much more than simply a romance. I found myself desperately wanting justice for everything both Evelyn and Laszlo had suffered, and the villains were written so well that it was impossible not to hate them.
The spice doesn't appear until later in the story, but honestly, it fits perfectly. The emotional connection between the characters takes center stage first, making every romantic moment feel earned and meaningful rather than rushed.
The supporting cast also deserves recognition. Every secondary character felt important to the story and added depth to the world without overshadowing the main couple.
While I occasionally struggled to fully connect with Evelyn because of how sheltered and immature she could seem, I ultimately realized that those qualities were intentional and completely believable given her upbringing. It made her character arc all the more satisfying as she slowly found her confidence and independence.
Overall, this is a beautifully written story about survival, healing, love, and finding hope after unimaginable trauma. It's emotional, suspenseful, and full of heart, with complex characters you'll find yourself deeply invested in. If you enjoy character-driven romances with revenge, Bratva intrigue, damaged but lovable characters, and powerful emotional growth, this is definitely one to pick up.
Please check the trigger warnings before reading, as this story explores several heavy and potentially distressing themes.

[Cigi cini · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖤 Dark Mafia Romance
💍 Marriage of Convenience
🔪 Morally Grey Antihero
🌸 Innocent Heroine
🔥 Age Gap Romance
🏠 Forced Proximity
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💔 Mutual Hurt and Comfort
🤫 Hidden Identities
👀 Stalker Romance
🛡️ Touch Her and Die
💞 Touch-Starved Heroine
🧠 Mental Health Representation
🐌 Slow Burn Romance
🌶️ Spicy Romance
⚠️ Dark Themes

Star: ⭐⭐⭐

Forced Promises is a dark, intense, and emotional mafia romance that brings together two deeply damaged characters who find an unexpected sense of safety in each other. Alexis Abbott delivers a story filled with danger, obsession, trauma, and a marriage of convenience between a morally grey killer and an innocent heroine desperate to escape a horrifying future.

Evelyn’s situation immediately pulled me in. After escaping a cult where she was expected to marry her own brother, she is left with no money, identification, family, or safe place to go. She is incredibly vulnerable, touch-starved, and desperate to experience the love and affection she has been denied her entire life. My heart broke for her, especially as she tried to understand the outside world while carrying the emotional damage caused by her family.

Laszlo is cold, dangerous, and driven by revenge. He hates being touched, keeps everyone at a distance, and is willing to do whatever it takes to infiltrate the Bratva. Claiming Evelyn publicly begins as part of his initiation, but their arrangement soon becomes far more complicated. I enjoyed the contrast between Laszlo’s discomfort with physical affection and Evelyn’s desperate need for it. The forehead kisses, protective moments, and the way he slowly allowed her past his walls added some sweetness to an otherwise very dark story.

Their relationship is built through forced proximity and mutual hurt and comfort. Both Evelyn and Laszlo are broken in completely different ways, and there are some genuinely emotional moments as they begin picking up each other’s pieces. Laszlo’s obsession and protective behaviour become increasingly intense, giving the romance plenty of touch her and die energy.

While the premise was intriguing and the emotional connection had potential, the pacing felt uneven for me. The slow burn occasionally moved too slowly, and there were parts of the story that felt repetitive. I also wanted more development within the mafia storyline and a deeper exploration of certain relationships and conflicts. Some moments felt rushed despite the overall slower pace, which made it difficult for me to become completely invested.

Forced Promises is a dark, spicy, and emotional romance about two damaged people finding comfort and acceptance in each other. It contains extremely heavy themes involving abuse, trauma, cult behaviour, mental illness, and violence, so I strongly recommend checking the content warnings before reading.

[Stephanie Dalman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The story follows Belle/Evelyn/Lyn who is learning to live a "normal life" after running away from the cult she was raised in. The leader of Children of Aër is her father who denies this but then divines that she is to marry her half brother Henry. She runs away to town and works at a club that is frequented by the Bratva, where she meets Laszlo.

Laszlo is on a mission to hunt his demons from his past, which he needs to infiltrate into the Bratva to achieve this goal. Little does he know how important Belle is to those plans and his own mental growth.

Somethings I truly struggled with this book is the world building. Mafia romances are something I enjoy and I have read a few Bratva based stories so I was a little surprised that the setting for this story was not only in a fictional part of Massachusetts but not in a busy fictional space. The reason this was so poignant is because Laszlo kept wanting to save Belle by taking her to Idaho and it would be a 4 day road trip. I couldn't figure out where I was in the USA till about 31% in when New England was mentioned because Arkham, Dunwich and the Miskatonic River don't exist, they do in H. P. Lovecraft books. Mafia romances tend to be in locations that exist, and are busy since the mafia wants to not get caught by the police. The world just felt small and off. I am not sure if that was the point because of the cult and mysticism in the story but I think a bigger city was needed with more going on then crypto.

The connection between Laszlo and Evelyn also felt muted. Her catching him doing something and his response to being caught (trying to be vague to not spoil anything), it wasn't very powerful to see why they were drawn to each other or why the yearning. His instant overprotectiveness of her doesn't make sense to me. Nor why Evelyn is drawn to him other than his eye color. The growth of the relationship was great, the growing together and acceptance because of their shared traumas was great building point.

There is one continuity issue, while minor, also stuck out to me. Evelyn has hair that is supposed to go to her calves and at one point in the book it is described to be at her waist and then later down to her calves again.

I also think it ended well with the opportunity for a second book about the sister as there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

All in all I enjoyed the read.

[Nikki Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forced Promises is a dark, intense, and emotionally consuming novel that delves into the complexities of survival and the search for love.

Evelyn, a victim of a cult that controlled and isolated her throughout her life, finds herself adrift in the outside world after escaping. With no money, identification, family support, or understanding of how to survive, she encounters Laszlo a dangerous, possessive, and revenge driven man determined to infiltrate the Bratva.

Laszlo embodies the archetype of a morally ambiguous hero, challenging readers to question their perceptions of right and wrong. While he is violent, obsessive, and emotionally scarred, his unwavering protection of Evelyn reveals a surprising vulnerability and tenderness within him. Despite his flaws, his devotion to her is absolute.

Evelyn’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment stands out as the book’s most captivating aspect. Initially frightened and uncertain, she gradually reclaims her identity, gains independence, and confronts the people who once controlled her. Her transformation is both satisfying and inspiring.

Their relationship is fraught with darkness and complexity, stemming from their tumultuous beginnings. However, it transcends physical attraction, evolving into a profound connection based on mutual understanding and shared trauma. They find solace in each other’s presence, providing the patience, protection, and acceptance they lacked during their formative years.

Forced Promises weaves together elements of mafia politics, cult secrets, revenge, suspense, violence, emotional healing, and a touch of spice. The climax of the story is particularly intense, culminating in Evelyn’s transformative journey when everything comes to a head.

This novel is not for the faint of heart. It delves into sensitive topics such as childhood trauma, religious trauma, abuse, captivity, dubious consent, PTSD, disordered eating, violence, torture, and other potentially triggering subjects. Readers should be aware of these content warnings before embarking on this emotional journey.

Overall, Forced Promises is a powerful narrative about two broken survivors finding love, safety, and strength in the most unexpected circumstances. Their relationship is messy, obsessive, unconventional, and undeniably beautiful.

I am grateful to Alexis Abbott for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Thank you Alexis for the advanced reader copy of Forced Promises - this is the first book of yours I've read, but I'm quite sure it won't be the last!!

The story centres around the FMC (Evelyn) and the MMC (Laszlo) who meet accidently while he's planting a bomb (as you do). She has escaped from a cult, and he's plotting revenge on the bratva - and both come with more baggage than your average airport baggage reclaim area🧳

I wouldn't necessarily identify this as a full blown traditional Mafia Romance, with a far greater emphasis on the revenge plot, for both protagonists. The early part of the book hinted at the MMC being a fairly typical mafia type, but there was a definite switch, and I found myself willing him success in both his revenge and relationship.

Evelyn posses some very childlike/innocent aspects, as befits her upbringing in the cult, yet when she meets the man who makes her believe in herself and her abilities, and loves her like she's never been loved, or even thought capable of being loved, she becomes a powerful, strong and fearless woman - willing to die for him.

There's slow burn romance, with open door spice (some of which is pretty - "You're such a good girl, you take directions so well"🥵). There are several TWs which should be heeded before starting this book, particularly relating to historical abuse.

I feel there could have been more detail on Evelyn's past at the cult, and the story didn't fully hit the mafia romance mark for me - hence my slightly reduced overall rating

My overall rating is 4.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My spice rating is 3.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (open door, consensual, on page reference to historical rape)

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy the following:
💍 Fake Relationship
🩶Morally grey MMC
🌸 Innocent FMC
🏠 Forced Proximity
💔 Past Trauma and Healing
💀Touch Her and Die
🐌 Slow Burn Romance
🌶️ Spicy

One of my favourite extracts shows the softer, vulnerable side of Laszlo, proving beyond doubt he's far from a stereotypically written, one dimensional mafia man:

💫"She was the woman who made me believe. Not in god or heaven, or even a hell, but in her. The only holy thing I'd ever known. If she were my religion, I'd worship her daily. Get down on my knees and pray at the alter of her divinity."💫

[Lace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do NOT SLEEP ON THIS AUTHOR OR BOOK!

from the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. This was one of those books that had me saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 2 a.m. and I had finished half the book. I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. This story wasn’t just excitin it made me feel. I cried happy tears more than once, and every emotion the characters experienced felt like it settled deep in my heart. Their pain, their healing, their fears, and their hope all felt incredibly real. I became so attached to them that it felt like I was living the journey alongside them.
The way the author handled the FMC’s escape from a cult and the MMC’s pursuit of revenge was gripping and heartbreakingly believable. Nothing felt superficial. Their trauma shaped who they were, and watching them slowly learn to trust, heal, and find safety in each other was absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite parts was the romance itself. He never expected to fall in love and didn’t even know if he could love and that was taken from him. She had spent so long believing she wasn’t worthy of being loved that she didn’t know how if she could ever be loved. Watching two broken souls teach each other what love, acceptance, and home truly mean was incredibly moving. Their happily ever after felt earned in every possible way. It wasn’t just an ending it was a new beginning after everything they had survived. By the time I reached the final page, I was smiling through tears because these characters deserved every ounce of happiness they found. If you’re looking for a mafia dark romance that delivers suspense, emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and a love story built on healing as much as passion, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time.

This book will live rent free in my mind. I was in such a book slump until I dove into this.

[A.Onstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Alexis Abbott for the ARC of Forced Promises-Release date: July 28th, 2026

Before reading any mafia romance, ALWAYS read the triggers! The author is clear about what is coming, so please…..read the TW before reading.

As an English teacher, I both love and appreciate the Percy Shelley at the start. Additionally, while I have read many Russian mafia books, I have not often seen pages of descriptions of what the terms of the Russian mafia mean. While they are not totally needed to follow the story, I still thought it was an interesting addition to the story.

Some context for this review… I just finished reading eight mafia romance books in the last two weeks. They were just fine for mafia stories, but they weren’t my favorite. So, when I got the email that this ARC was ready, I was hesitant to read it since I was in the burned-out phase of mafia books.
But….
BUT…
BUT!!!!

I really enjoyed this book. Alexis Abbott is a new-to-me author, and I kind of enjoy that since I’m not always sure what direction the story will go.

The story centers around Evelyn who has escaped from the Cult she was raised in and finds herself working at a club frequented by mafia men. Enter…Laszlo who has spent years working on his revenge against the Bratva. The reason for his revenge unfolds as we read, and we know that it is awful, but Abbott does not get as graphic as some other authors might with the details about his trauma.
Their lives intersect one evening when Evelyn inadvertently sees Laszlo planting a bomb. What happens next could be described as ‘insta-love.’

This contains many mafia-romance elements, but the story doesn’t all happen in a short time span, which I REALLY enjoyed–maybe because so many stories happen in one time period and then BOOM–story over with a brief epilogue.

I am hopeful there will be another novel that highlights some of the characters we met in this one!.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW OF ADVANCE READER COPY FROM AUTHOR

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

Forced Promises pulled me in right from the beginning with its dark atmosphere, high stakes, and mystery. This book completely surprised me. I went in expecting a dark mafia romance, but I wasn’t expecting to get so invested in the characters.

Laszlo quickly became my favourite part of the story. He’s dangerous, intelligent, and completely in control, yet underneath all of that is a man carrying so much pain. Watching the walls he built around himself slowly crack whenever Evelyn was around made me fall for him even more.

And Evelyn was such a refreshing FMC. She’s gentle, kind, and sees the good in people even after everything she’s been through. I loved that she never lost who she was, and somehow her innocence balanced Laszlo’s darkness perfectly.

Their relationship was what really kept me turning the pages. It wasn’t just the chemistry, it was the little moments between them. The conversations, the trust that slowly built, and the way Laszlo quietly supported Evelyn’s dreams made me smile more than once. He was so gone for her, and I absolutely ate it up.

I also really enjoyed the suspense running alongside the romance. There were enough twists and secrets to keep me hooked, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything was going to unfold.

If you love dark mafia romance, a protective and obsessed MMC, emotional healing, suspense, and a romance that slowly gets under your skin, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.

[Nightwalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evelyn has lived a trapped and secluded life, until the day she escapes. She finds herself in a world that is strange and dangerous. A world she isn't prepared for but one she refuses to run from, because the alternative is worse. Laszlo has suffered unspeakable horrors and he has been focused on making those who are responsible pay. He is so close to finally making that happen. Then he crosses paths with Evelyn. Now she is part of his world and a liability. She is drawn to the handsome, quiet, dangerous man. Can he let someone else in? Can she learn to be loved? Can they both overcome their pasts?
This story was deeply emotional. It will definitely make you feel. Each character was dealing with deep trauma. You felt their pain. You also felt their hope that things might could be better, their deep love and devotion for each other. No matter how much she was hurting Evelyn never let go of her joy. She pulled Laszlo out of the darkness. You truly feel a hatred for the evil people in the story and want to see justice served. I also enjoyed the underlying story regarding the Bratva and the purpose for the revenge. Overall I loved this story. I enjoyed the characters and their story. The minor characters were wonderfully written as well. I recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good complex story that makes you feel deeply about the characters. Please me aware of the trigger warnings.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Read the TW if you have any triggers. Thank you Alexis Abbott for this Arc read of Forced Promises Release date: July 28th 2026.

I enjoyed this book, the story and characters keep you wanting to know what’s going to happen next. It is an emotional roller coaster, from their past traumas to them finding each other and the things they had to endure together to get to where they are.

The two main characters are Evelyn and Laszlo. Evelyn is determined to get away from the cult she was living in, she is a young 19yr old innocent girl in many ways of the world, but she is very strong willed and loves with her whole self. Laszlo is much older in his thirties and determined to find out what happened to his sister and he has past trauma to overcome. He will do anything to get the info about his past. When the two of them meet, their lives change. They each save one another, from their past to their future, they do it all together and find love in the end. There are other good characters in the story as well like Roxy.

I like that the story was told more in the book and not rushed like some are, let you feel closers to the characters and learn more of their story.

I recommend this book to anyone that reads dark mafia romance. An added bonus in the beginning there are pages of descriptions of Russian mafia meanings and terms so that’s pretty cool.

[Sarah Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received the ARC via NetGalley. Thank you Alexis for the opportunity.

Overall I enjoyed this book, there were times where I struggled, but I believe it was because i just didn't always vibe with our FMC.

We meet Evelyn on the run working in a club after leaving the cult that held her for her entire life. She escaped when she was about to be forced to marry her half brother. She lands somewhere where she doesn't know how to navigate or truly grasp what is going on around her.

Laszlo meets her and instantly feels a connection to her.

Both characters are hurt, filled with a boat load of trauma and are just trying to live life the best way that they can. Our MMC has a revenge plan to infiltrate the Bratva and gain revenge for what was taken from him. Our FMC is on the run and trying her hardest to stay out of the hands of the cult (ran by her father).

It was a great story, the spice started off later in the book, but the plot was great. My only complaint was at times our FMC seemed childish, but i believe that was on purpose, due to her upbringing in the religious cult and how sheltered she was.

We are taken on a wild ride of healing, navigating relationships and watching these two grow as people and as a couple.

Mafia romance
Cult vibes
Healing
Touch her and d*e

[Shana kay Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Force Promises is a dark mafia romance that pulls you into a world where loyalty, power, and obsession collide.

The story follows Lynn, better known as Belle, who grew up in a ruthless mafia family where women are expected to obey without question. When she’s told she’ll be forced to marry one of her half-brothers, Belle refuses to accept the life chosen for her. She runs away and starts over working at a club, determined to claim her own future.

That’s where she meets Lazlo. Their first encounter is anything but ordinary—he’s planting a bomb when he notices Belle, and what stands out to him is her unwavering loyalty. She keeps his secret, and from that moment on, he decides she’s under his protection. He makes it clear to every man in the club that Belle is off-limits because she belongs to him.

Having never experienced genuine love or protection growing up, Belle quickly finds herself drawn to Lazlo’s fierce possessiveness. She craves the affection, safety, and validation she’s never had before. While Lazlo is undeniably protective, he’s also battling demons of his own, making their relationship as emotional as it is intense. Watching them navigate their trauma and fight for each other made their journey compelling, and ultimately, love wins.

If you enjoy dark romances with an age gap, a morally gray hero, “touch her and die” energy, forced proximity, found family, and a fiercely protective MMC, Force Promises is definitely worth adding to your TBR.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It delivered plenty of angst, possessiveness, and emotional moments, making it an enjoyable read for fans of dark mafia romance.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw this book show up on my booksta feed looking for readers. I LOVE mafia romance so much, and I don't think I'll ever tire from it. This is a different kind of mafia romance that I found myself falling into with willingness and enjoyment. This book is about revenge, finding love, and taking back your power when something has been stolen from you.

Both Lyn and Lazslo are survivors of horrific childhood traumas, and fate brought them together in a beautiful, steady, unbreakable bond. Their discovery of what it is to be loved and learning how to love is a beautiful, if not, painful and heartbreaking journey. I was hooked from the start and yearning as much as they were for each other. The angst, the naivete, the desperation for one another was written in a way that had me aching on their behalf.

I really enjoyed the revenge part of the story, especially. Lyn has escaped from a cult, while Lazslo has escaped a life of nobility that led to childhood sacrifice. When they got their moments of comeuppance I was giddy with excitement for them. Sometimes when you're trapped in the darkness for so long, your belief that a light exists ceases to be, but in their darkest times they found light in one another and broke through the darkness together.

Plot ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice 🌶 🌶 🌶

[Chelsey Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤 Bratva Romance
🩶 Forced Proximity
👀 Hidden identity
💀 Revenge/ looking for truth
💍 She designs jewelry
☠️ Touch her and no longer exist.
😭 Trauma

“Free will is an illusion. The water of a stream might feel free, but the riverbed itself guides the water on a confined path.”


This had alot going on you had cults, bratva, corruption, romance, and alot of hurt. Both characters fit well together and it worked well that can be eachothers support along the way.

The FMC escapes a cult but still holds on to some of the teachings. It obviously would take time to break free of that mindset. She is naive, young, and holds in alot when it comes to her thoughts.

The MMC is easy to love and he so needs love. He is so traumatized that he is touch averse. He spends his time looking for answers and saving others who needed saved. His background is dark but it didn't go into graphic details. Towards the end when everything comes out you can't help but wonder what the future will hold.

Mind the TW and know the villians are in all directions. I was thinking good grief when do they get peace before it finally eases up. I am looking forward to the potential future books and hoping for the best with the MMCs sister.

[Brittany Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Forced Promises follows Evelyn (often referred to as Belle or Lyn) and Laszlo. Belle was raised in a cult environment known as the Children of Aër where her father was the cult leader and she was set to marry her half brother, Henry, when she became of age. Refusing to accept her fate, she ran away and began working at a club called the Gilt and Gloam. It’s there she meets Laszlo in a compromising position and their story begins.

Laszlo has ghosts in his past as well that he’s trying to extract vengeance for by infiltrating the Bratva. Little did he know, Belle would become a huge part of these plans.

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and the relationship and trust that Laszlo and Belle built with each other. Where the story fell short for me is in how fast everything between them happened. This gave more insta love vibes which would be fine except for both MCs weren’t capable or never experienced love before so I wish there was some more tension upfront to make it more realistic. I also feel like some things that happened in the story could have been left out.

[De Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Soulmates

Alexis Abbott sure knows how to draw out your emotions with this book. At times I laughed, I cried and I cheered. There are a lot of triggers in this book but remember this is a story with both the mafia and a cult involved. There is also a lot of goodness, friendship and love.
Laszlo aka Python and Evelyn aka Belle aka Lyn aka Angel were soulmates. They both endured tragic childhoods but in the end came out on the other side. Evelyn might have grown up sheltered but she was no shrinking violet and a perfect match for Laszlo. I like that it also showed that Laszlo had his own insecurities and was eventually able to share them with Evelyn. He really did every thing he could to keep her safe and show her how much she meant to him. It was great when the love word was spoken.
There were plenty of villains including Caleb, Henry, Gorky, Jimmy, Ivan Vasilyev and Laszlo’s family and doctors. I was glad they received their just rewards. I liked Roxy and Zach was a strong young man.
There were a lot of twists and turns and a great ending.
I received an ebook copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I also purchased a paperback copy.

[Karen Voitik · Rating 4 out of 5]

>Book Review – Forced Promises

>I am an independent reviewer. This book is a mob romance with a touch of cult. The triggers are real and nicely listed by the author, so abide by the warning. The story works because Lyn escapes the cult and ends up working for a mob bar. I wanted more about her escape. Why can’t she find a job as a waitress? She is supposed to be naïve, not stupid. Working around scantily clad people and being scantily clad, plus serving the evil alcohol should have sent her to any other job, but the one she chose. Maybe she tried waitressing first and something happened. I needed to know why she thought her bar job was the best option.

>Lazlo’s plan to infiltrate the mob made sense to a point. If he knew he couldn’t perform sexually, how did he ever think his plan would work? He had to have known that public sex was part of the mob life. The story, as written, worked anyway, but these questions made the book just good, not great.

>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. I loved the backstories we get for both Lyn and Lazlo. Their stories made the characters people we could relate too as humans.

[BookishBarbie (Annette) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first read from Alexis Abbott, and now I have plenty to add to my growing tbr. After reading this book, all I wanted to do was hug these two so tight and speak affirmations of love and bravery into their souls.
Evelyn ran away from her family and the arraigned marriage set up by the Father. With no documents, she found herself working at a sketchy club with nefarious clientele. Until the night she came face to face with a pair of silver eyes she would never forget. Laszlo is a man on a mission for revenge. Single-minded, he has everything planned out needing to find the truth. His past trauma leaves him void of any feelings or emotions, leaving him a shell of the person he used to be. That is until "Bella" looked into his eyes, and his heart started to beat again.
This one had me invested from the first page. I'm usually not a fan of slow burn, but this one was worth the wait. Respect, consent, and boundaries were a constant in this read for many reasons. But the twist and turns with have you mind blown. Having more questions than I feel a lot of answers. But I do love the time jump we get and how the story just kept flowing to the end.

[Dominique’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love mafia romances, so this was one of the books I was most excited to pick up. Thank you so much for the advance reader copy!

Overall, this one landed somewhere in the middle for me. I didn't love it, but I didn't dislike it either. One thing to know about me is that I'm just not an insta love reader, and this relationship felt very close to that at times. That's completely a personal preference, though, and I know plenty of readers enjoy that dynamic.

I also felt like the first half moved a little slower than I was expecting, and I had a hard time fully connecting with the story early on. Around the halfway point, though, everything started clicking. The relationship became more compelling, the stakes were higher, and the plot really found its stride. If I were rating just the second half, it would easily be a 4 star read for me.
Overall, I'd give it about 3.5 stars. While it wasn't a new favorite, I'm glad I stuck with it because the second half definitely delivered more of what I was hoping for.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have access to an ARC copy of Forced Promises (thanks #NetGalley and Pathforgers Publishing). I do love a good mafia romance and this one didn’t disappoint.

The love interests are both as broken as can be - Evelyn having escaped forced marriage to her own half brother in a cult and Laszlo having survived horrific ritualistic child abuse that stole his sister. He can’t love and she doesn’t know how to love, but somehow their fates become intertwined. I enjoyed their awkward first encounters and the way that their relationship grew and changed as they got to know each other. Laszlo’s protectiveness and possessiveness is adorable, once he gets over his initial resistance. The broader Cult / Bratva plot line is engaging, and the final 20% or so had me up late to find out what happened.

I highly recommend this one, but as for all dark romances do check the trigger warnings.

[Clover ~ ARC Reader and Narrator 🌶️💕 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded to 4
3.75 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ rounded to 4 as well.

We watch Evelyn/Lyn/Belle grow from a timid girl who barely knows how the world works and still is a bit childish grow into something and someone strong and able to handle herself.

The only reason it is 3.75 stars is how childish she is at times. I know that it’s part of who she is but it starts to be an… ick???. It really does showcase her innocence but when she starts to get all hot and wild for Lazlo it’s… interesting.

The spice doesn’t pick up until around 60% through the book.

However, the plot? It was pretty dang good. I’m still questioning things at the end. Wondering if there will ever be any kind of closure for what happened to his sister.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alexis Abbott for allowing me to ARC read Forced Promises.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forced Promises is a dark mafia romance with danger, betrayal, and healing from past trauma.

This story focuses on Lazlo and Evelyn, two people from different worlds who collide in a chance encounter. I found their meeting to memorable and sets the tone for the book. I loved seeing their relationship develop throughout the story. Abbott introduces readers to the complex organization of the Bratva and how Lazlo intellect plays into it. For those who might not be as familiar with a mafia romance, this is a great introduction before the main story.

This story picks up halfway through the novel where I found the character chemistry, action, and worldbuilding much stronger. There are some unanswered questions that I hope might be answered in a future novel. All in all, if you enjoy mafia romances with revenge laced with healing (and spice) this story is for you.

[Kayla Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc through NetGalley.
Forced Promises follows Evelyn aka Lyn or Belle. A runaway who left the cult she was raised in, the Children of the Aër, escaping her fate of being forced in to marriage to her half brother, Henry. Evelyn found herself working under the table at Gilt and Gloam as a Club Hostess. Where she stumbles upon Laszlo!

Laszlo is chasing his past! He needs answers and will do anything to get them.

As soon as I read the description of this book, I knew I needed to read it. I love a Mafia Romance. I love the instant connection between “Belle” and Laszlo.
Also love how obsessed Laszlo is, most definitely giving “touch her and 💀”!

It did take me a few chapters to get into it but I’m so glad I gave it a chance and finished it.

I would love a second book following Roxy and maybe a certain bodyguard!!

[Vedece Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE, read the CW's!
Are you ready to have the very heart of your emotions shattered then put back together?
Our past can haunt us but, it's possible to go on, to conquer the pain and the fear if we can remember, we're stronger than we think we are.
Two people that the ugly of the world has tarnished, found each other by accident. Helped each other be brave enough to stand after being beat down by abuse in their life.
One confused, on the run and looking for answers and a place to belong. One determined to bring down the world that took his innocence and the ghost of his past. Both finding healing, love and vengeance. But the rabbit hole of the past is as deep as it is dark with a culmination that left my mouth hanging open.
This story is excellent but has a lot of triggers, some on page, so please read the CW's
This review is my opinion and is not AI generated.

[Shannon Ricker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.

This was an intriguing read from a new to me author. I loved the innocence of the FMC but also appreciated her spine and courage as she navigated a world foreign to her upbringing. The morally MMCs determination to protect her from the darkness made him likable. Despite his darkness, his whole purpose in committing crime was admirable. I also appreciated the time skips in the novel, making the plot development more believable. There were a couple of developments in the story that introduce a potential problem but then were not followed through on or resolved, which made those portions aggravating in development, but overall, I enjoyed this and look forward to more books by this author in the future.

[Amanda Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forced Promises is a dark, mafia romance by Alexis Abbott. As someone who devours mafia romances; I was excited to have the opportunity to read this book especially since there was a cult plot line. This book, though didn’t live up to its potential. Truthfully, I did have difficulty with connecting with either of the main characters, Evelyn or Laszlo. Though the spice between Evelyn and Laszlo was written well, I didn’t feel their connection. Even though the plot was action packed; at times I had difficulty following the plot. Even though this book wasn’t for me, I would be interested in reading more from this author. Thanks NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.