Bound by Lies

Fatal Alliances #1

by Lylah James

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.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2026

About the author

Author 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.

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. ✨

[Nouf · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Riri]

So sat for anything by Lylah James I can’t wait 😭🤞🏻

[Buffy ❤️‍🔥💀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 👀

[madame S]

Super excited for this new book 🤭

[Sentranced Jem]

Genre/Tropes: Dark Romance / Mafia Romance / Arranged-Marriage / enemies to lovers / forced-proximity / age-gap

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!!

[Andreea · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[c.kingreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 😳😳😳

[Aiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many times I said
Wtf: 2/5
Wait what: 4/5
No no NO WAIT WHAT: 5/5

Not only does this book completely catch you off guard at the end, the story will have you on the edge of your seat. The pull between the characters is insane, the hatred between them is insane, I honestly don’t feel comfortable even fully explaining what the book is about because of how good it is. I don’t want to ruin even a second about it. I will say, if you enjoy mafia enemies to lovers books… this book is 10000% for you. But even then, are they lovers 🤔 I’ll leave it at that 10/10 ! Keep up the amazing work!!

[Ellaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my God !!! what just i read!!! the plot twist like Oh my God!!!!! i need book 2 immediately!!! ,,,, when i tell you i was shocked i didn't see it coming like Omg 🫨🫨😦,, i really need their happy ending!!! 😭😭😭

[Tracy Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark, emotionally catastrophic mafia romance that completely immerses readers in a world built on obsession, vengeance, manipulation, and the dangerously thin line separating love from possession. From the very first chapter, the novel establishes an atmosphere of emotional instability and tension that only grows more suffocating as the story unfolds. Every interaction feels sharp, volatile, and unpredictable, creating a reading experience that is as addictive as it is emotionally exhausting in the best possible way. This is not a romance rooted in healing or redemption; it is a story about destruction, grief, toxic desire, and the devastating consequences of loving someone capable of ruining you completely.

At the centre of the novel is the deeply chaotic relationship between Adrian Salvatore and the heroine, and honestly, their connection is what makes this story impossible to forget. Their dynamic is not soft, healthy, or comforting. It is brutal, emotionally violent, and fuelled almost entirely by hatred, obsession, power, and unresolved pain. Yet somehow, despite how toxic their relationship is, the chemistry between them is absolutely magnetic. Every scene they share carries this overwhelming intensity that keeps the tension constantly simmering beneath the surface. Whether they are fighting, manipulating one another, or giving in to their attraction, there is always an undercurrent of emotional danger that makes every interaction feel explosive.

Adrian Salvatore himself is one of the darkest male leads I have read in a long time. He is cruel, reckless, obsessive, and driven almost entirely by vengeance. The novel never tries to soften him or excuse his behaviour, which honestly makes his character even more compelling. He is morally black in every sense of the word; manipulative, destructive, possessive, and fully capable of causing immense emotional damage without remorse. Yet despite all of that, his presence dominates every scene he appears in. There is something deeply unsettling yet fascinating about a character who is written to embody obsession so completely. You are not supposed to view him as redeemable in the traditional romantic sense, and that is exactly why he works so well within this story.

What makes this book stand out so strongly within the dark romance genre is how fearlessly it commits to the emotional ugliness of its themes. The story does not romanticise trauma in a superficial way, nor does it shy away from the damage caused by revenge, grief, manipulation, and possessiveness. Instead, it fully embraces the destruction left behind by these emotions. The pain throughout this novel feels intentional, raw, and deeply personal. Every betrayal cuts deeply, every moment of vulnerability feels earned, and every emotional breakdown leaves a lasting impact. The characters constantly hurt one another, yet the emotional dependence between them only grows stronger, creating this incredibly toxic but undeniably captivating cycle that becomes impossible to look away from.

The emotional intensity is relentless from beginning to end. There are very few moments where the story allows readers to fully breathe before throwing them back into the chaos again. The pacing is incredibly well done because it keeps escalating the emotional and psychological stakes without ever losing momentum. Every chapter leaves you desperate to know what happens next, and the tension between the characters only becomes more consuming as the story progresses. This is genuinely one of those books where “just one more chapter” quickly turns into finishing the entire novel in one sitting. I started reading at 9pm expecting to read for maybe an hour or two, and before I realised it, it was suddenly 4am and I had reached the final page completely emotionally destroyed. That level of immersion says everything about how addictive this book truly is.

The mafia backdrop also adds so much depth and danger to the story. The violence, power struggles, betrayals, and family obligations woven throughout the narrative create an atmosphere that constantly feels unstable and threatening. There is this overwhelming sense that everything could collapse at any moment, which only heightens the emotional stakes between the characters even further. The world feels harsh, claustrophobic, and unforgiving, perfectly matching the tone of the romance itself. Rather than simply acting as background aesthetics, the mafia elements actively shape the characters’ decisions, emotional trauma, and destructive behaviour throughout the story.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is how effectively it balances brutality with emotional vulnerability. Beneath all the rage, manipulation, and obsession are two deeply damaged individuals driven by grief, trauma, and emotional desperation. The quieter moments between them often hit even harder than the explosive confrontations because they reveal just how broken both characters truly are. Those fleeting moments of softness feel dangerous rather than comforting, which makes them incredibly impactful. The novel constantly reminds readers that love, in this world, is not healing; it is consuming.

That being said, readers absolutely need to take the trigger warnings seriously. This is an unapologetically dark story that explores several distressing and emotionally heavy themes. The relationship dynamics are intentionally toxic, and the novel never pretends otherwise. It pushes boundaries emotionally and psychologically, making it best suited for readers who genuinely enjoy darker romances that fully lean into obsession, possessiveness, revenge, and destructive passion without attempting to soften the darker elements.

I would highly recommend Bound By Lies to readers who enjoy extremely dark mafia romances with morally black love interests, obsessive relationships, intense emotional conflict, and devastating character dynamics. Fans of stories centred around vengeance, toxic love, emotional destruction, and dangerously addictive chemistry will likely become completely consumed by this book. If you enjoy romances where the characters destroy each other just as much as they love each other, this novel will absolutely deliver.

Overall, Bound By Lies is a brutal, addictive, emotionally explosive dark romance that leaves a lasting impact long after the final page. Equal parts toxic, heartbreaking, and utterly consuming, this story delivers obsession, devastation, and destructive passion at full force. It is the kind of book that completely takes over your thoughts while reading and lingers painfully in your mind afterwards. Few dark romances manage to capture emotional chaos and obsession with this much intensity, but this one does it effortlessly. Without question, this was a five-star read for me — and honestly, if I could rate it even higher, I absolutely would.

[Севдалина · Rating 3 out of 5]

Адриан Салваторе и Серафина Морели

📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣

⚜️Получих ранно копие на книгата от авторката като част от ARC читателите⚜️



Серафина Морели е сгодена за Матео Салваторе от много години. Сега след смъртта на майка й, Серафина се връща у дома и скоро трябва да изпълни дълга си и да стане съпруга на Матео, който дори не е срещала.

Серафина знае, че това е брак по сметка, заради съюза между фамилиите Морели и Салваторе, и знае, че неин дълг е да бъде послушна дъщеря и покорна съпруга. Когато среща обаче брата на Матео, Адриан, нещата стават много по-сложни.



Адриан е вторият син. Не е наследник като Матео и всички знаят, че той е жесток и безскрупулен. Адриан ненавижда брат си и е готов на всичко, за да си отмъсти на Матео за нещо случило се преди години. По тази причина, той си поставя за цел да отнеме годеницата на Матео.

Той е готов да мами, да манипулира и да загърби всички принципни, но Серафина ще бъде негова съпруга, а не на Матео.



Това е първата книга, която чета от авторката. Книгата е динамична, на моменти хаотична. Не ме грабна както се надявах. Може бинстила на авторката не е моят, или пък фактът, че е първа книга от дует. Не знам, но на моменти ми беше трудно да я продължа. Серафина е кротка и хрисима, но от първия момент разбираме, че крие нещо, тя все трябва да си напомня да бъде спокойна и учтива. На моменти изглежда, че адски наивна, но дали? Адриан пък на моменти е ужасяващо жесток, той е властен, арогантен и не се интересува от нищо и никой. Като цяло не успях да се влюбя в нито един от героите. С напредването на историята научаваме защо е тръгнал по пътят на войната. Детайлите бяха доста кървави и абсолютно го разбирам защо мрази собственият си брат.

Тук ще вметна, че авторката на всеки 3 изречения пуска едни Thud.Thud.Thud. Сиреч напрегната обстановка тупкащо сърце, но това Thud.Thud.Thud. ме изнервяше до степен в която бях готова да редактирам файла на книгата само и само да премахна тази думичка изцяло. Не знам принципно авторката в другите книги използва ли го, но аз не съм му фен. Та продължаваме.



Бракът между Адриан и Серафина не е лесен, имат доста проблеми, има доста тежки моменти. Списъка с предупрежденията дава ясно да се разбере през какво минава двойката. Към краят на книгата човек започва да мисли, че знае какво се случва, че познава героите... и тогава имаме последните 7 изречения от последната глава... и останах с отворена уста. Сега имам повече въпроси отколкото съм си мислила, че мога да имам. И преосмислям всичко. Започвам да се връщам назад към прочетеното и започвам да се съмнявам във всички заключения, които бях направила. Чела съм книги с клифхенгъри, ама те това не го очаквах, макар че знаех, че книгата е първа, и че не завършва с хепи енд, защото има продължение... и все пак не бях подготвена да завърши така, както завърши.
Аз съм нетъпелив човек, какво се очаква да правя докато излезе следващата? Аз искам да разбера сега каква е истината, какво точно се случва... ама искам веднага да разбера.



💫Обобщение: 💫

⭐️⭐️⭐️

🔢 Част от поредица ли е?

Първа книга от поредицата "Fatal Alliances"

📚 Сюжетни линии:

⚜️ Италианската мафия
💍 Сгодена за брат му
👰‍♀️ Принудителен брак
😈 Жесток герой
💣 Отмъщение

🫣 Има ли проблем с друг мъж или жена?
Не точно, но тя е сгодена за брат му.

🤬 Има ли изневяра?
Не.

😏 Колко опит имат героите?
Той има опит, тя е девствена.

😍 Има ли щастлив край?
Не книгата е първа от дует, завършва с cliffhanger.

⚠️ Списък с предупреждения:

😈 Жесток герой
💀 Насилие и смърт на трети лица
☠️ Хладнокръвни убийства
💊 Замяна на противозачатъчни с плацебо хапчета
🤰Бременност и спонтанен аборт
👶 Спомени за смърт на бебе
🩸 Сцени с кръв, черва и т.н.

[AussieBookAddict (Mel) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: ★★★★★

Bound By Lies by Bound By Lies from Lylah James is a dark, emotionally devastating mafia romance that thrives on obsession, destruction, and the dangerously blurred line between love and possession. Built around betrayal, vengeance, and forbidden desire, the story delivers an intense reading experience filled with volatile chemistry, brutal emotional stakes, and characters so deeply flawed that it becomes impossible to look away.

At the heart of the novel is the chaotic and deeply toxic connection between Adrian and the heroine; a relationship fuelled by hatred, obsession, grief, and power. Adrian Salvatore is the definition of morally black. Reckless, cruel, and driven almost entirely by vengeance, he is not written to be redeemable in the traditional sense, and that is exactly what makes his presence so compelling. Every interaction between the two characters feels emotionally charged, balancing fear, desire, resentment, and vulnerability in a way that creates constant tension throughout the narrative.

What makes this novel stand out so strongly within the dark romance genre is its ability to maintain emotional intensity alongside its brutality. The story does not shy away from the uglier aspects of obsession, manipulation, and trauma, instead leaning fully into the destruction left behind by both love and revenge. The emotional damage inflicted throughout the book feels raw and deliberate, making the quieter moments hit just as hard as the explosive ones.

The pacing is relentless in the best possible way. From the very beginning, the story pulls readers into its toxic world and refuses to let go. The escalating tension between the characters, combined with the constant emotional and psychological conflict, makes the novel incredibly difficult to put down. In my case, I started this book at 9pm and somehow found myself finishing it at 4am without once wanting to stop reading. That alone says everything about how addictive this story truly is.

Despite the heavy romance focus, the surrounding mafia world adds another layer of danger and instability that heightens the emotional stakes. Violence, betrayal, and family obligation are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating an atmosphere that feels suffocating, chaotic, and immersive all at once. Readers should absolutely take the trigger warnings seriously, as the story explores several deeply distressing themes and does so unapologetically.

I would strongly recommend Bound By Lies to readers who enjoy extremely dark mafia romance, morally black love interests, obsessive relationships, emotional devastation, and high-intensity character dynamics. Those who enjoy romances rooted in vengeance, toxicity, and destructive passion will likely become completely consumed by this story.

Overall, this is a brutal, addictive, and emotionally explosive dark romance that delivers obsession, heartbreak, and destruction at full force. Equal parts toxic and captivating, Bound By Lies is the kind of book that completely consumes you long after the final page; and if I could rate it higher than five stars, I absolutely would.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓, 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒍𝒚, 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒚 𝒊𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆.

I have missed Lylah’s writing so much. I know with every story she is going to break me, but slowly she makes it all make sense at the end. There is always a reason for her madness. This one is WILD… It’s not for the faint of heart; it packs a lot of triggers, so you’ve been warned.

𝑨𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒆𝒍 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒏.

At a young age, Serafina was promised to the Salvatores. Her marriage to Matteo served only two purposes: a business alliance between the families and for her to have Matteo’s baby. Like many arranged marriages, Serafina did not have a choice in the matter. After her mother tragically passed away, she had 6 weeks until she was to marry Matteo, but all that was about to change because Matteo’s brother, Adrian, had other plans; he was going to make his brother pay for all the pain and loss he had suffered, and he had the perfect pawn in mind: Serafina.

𝑾𝒆'𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒄 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒎𝒚 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉. 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑾𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑾𝒆'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕. 𝑾𝒆'𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕.

𝑻𝒐𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒚.

🖤Adrian makes her unravel and lose control

🖤He steals her first kiss and many other firsts 😈

🖤I f—king hate your guts, but I’m dripping wet for you

🖤Tries to unalive him with strawberries, his one and only weakness (LOL this one had me chuckling)

🖤Loves to watch her sleep

🖤Princess or Wife

🖤Tit for tat

𝑭--𝒌, 𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒅, 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒇--𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄💦𝒎𝒆.

Throughout the story, you see why each of the main characters is the way they are and see the pain and suffering they’ve endured.

𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅.

𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅, 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆. 𝑺𝒐 𝒔𝒘𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏, 𝒔𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒅. 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕.

This story has it all: heartbreak, manipulation, grief, betrayal, revenge, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, tension, a touch of spice, snarky banter, and a ton of bl🩸🩸dshed!

𝑮𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒔, 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔.

If anyone is shocked or surprised by that cliffhanger, they haven’t read a Lylah James book before. Girl, I’ve missed your writing and can’t wait to read Torn by Fate. Please don’t make us wait until the end of July!

𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕. 𝑯𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅, 𝒄𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚.

Will this book be for everyone? Probably not, but did I have one heck of a time reading? Hell, yes, I did. The last few pages leave you reeling with so many questions, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW OF ADVANCE READER COPY

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm speechless like WTF did I just read???😭
THIS was messy, toxic, dramatic, and exactly the kind of mafia romance that keeps you hooked!

The whole arranged marriage setup already had tension from the start, but what made it interesting is that neither of them actually trusts the other. Everything feels like a game of manipulation and control.
The tension between them never really disappears. Even during softer moments, there’s always this feeling that something is wrong underneath everything.

Adrian was definitely a walking black flag.
He was actually insane in that very controlled way. Not loud, not constantly raging, but the type who always feels ten steps ahead. The man clearly feels things but would rather suffer in silence than communicate like a normal person.

The things he did to Serafina were honestly hard to forgive, and there were moments where I genuinely questioned how will they move forward in their relationship..??

I saw someone describe him as
“a manipulative tragedy in a suit”
and honestly that fits him perfectly.

Serafina, Now she was definitely badass and I really liked the way she held her ground. She wasn’t just blindly accepting everything, She knows she’s being used as a pawn half the time, and I liked that she actually questioned things, gets angry, pushes back, and honestly some of her reactions felt very valid because Adrian was doing TOO much sometimes.

Their relationship is toxic, emotional, complicated, Like everybody is suffering, hiding secrets, making terrible decisions but I think it works for the kind of story this is.

A little frustrating, though I still needed to know what was going to happen next.

But that last chapter??? 😭

Yeah no, the plot twist actually got me.
I just sat there staring at the page for a second because WHAT was that 😭 I thought I had everything figured out and then the book just completely flipped everything at the end. Definitely one of those endings that leaves you speechless and immediately needing the next book. 🫠

[Heather Papp · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!*** I don’t have the first clue where to begin giving a review for this one without any spoilers being involved so consider yourselves fully warned!

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What. In the (BLEEP!). Did I. Just read?!?!?! It’s not often that I’m rendered completely speechless, but I’m having trouble putting my thoughts and feelings about this book into words. Awe? Yes. Shock? Absolutely. Love? Without a doubt. A slight little bit of rage? ALSO YES!
I have so many questions. The main one being was anything about Serafina real? Like, at all?? Anything she said, anything she did? Was the marriage legit? Did the baby ever actually exist? And, if not, good job faking the outcome of that! And what on Earth was her reason for any of it?? Is Adrian dead or alive?? I was just innocently reading and enjoying the story and having feelings about “omg, poor Serafina”. But now? I have no idea, after that ending, what was real and what wasn’t. I mean, clearly I shouldn’t have been pitying poor Miss Morelli/Mrs. Salvatore!
Then there’s the last two words of the epilogue: “My vengeance.” FOR WHAT????? The Doberman stunt? All of the lies and manipulation coming at her from literally every single direction? Because I think it’s more than that. She stated that she had been waiting years to do what she did. All of those things are much more recent than that.
I’m not sure who I want to ask this question to more, Serafina or the author, but girl, who hurt you?! In the “About The Author” at the end of the book, it says Lylah James is mostly known as the Queen of Cliffhangers and the #evilauthorwithablacksoul…. Well, I can certainly see why! Kudos to you, Miss James. I realize where your reputation comes from, and it is well earned. Also, please continue exactly what you’re doing because you’ve gained a new fan right here! I want to read the upcoming sequel so bad I can barely see straight! Wow, just…. WOW! (*insert standing ovation here*)

[Akku · Rating 5 out of 5]

• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5✨

• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - May 13, 2026

• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- mafia arranged marriage
- brother’s fiancée
- revenge
- obsession & possession
- morally black hero
- forbidden love
- family betrayal
- dark secrets
- she falls first

• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Bound by Lies follows Serafina, mafia princess who has spent her whole life as a pawn between two powerful empires, promised to one brother Matteo for peace and alliance, only to be completely ruined by the other. Adrian Salvatore is reckless, cruel, and dangerous, and from the very beginning he makes it clear that he wants her for himself. What starts with stolen moments turns into something darker, messier, and far more destructive, where revenge, lies, and obsession blur every line between love and hate.
Adrian was everything that dedication promised. He was not a hero pretending to be dark. He was the VILLAIN, fully unapologetic, possessive, cruel, and impossible to look away from. His obsession with her felt intense from the very first page and only got darker as the story went on.
The chemistry between Adrian and Serafina was addictive. It had that dangerous pull where every scene felt heavy with tension, anger, and desire. I loved how messy their relationship was because it felt raw and real for the world they were in. The mafia politics, family betrayal, and secrets made everything even more intense.
Every chapter made me want more and the foreword makes so much sense once the story starts unfolding. The writing pulled me in so easily and I was completely hooked.
I honestly did not expect this book to end on a cliffhanger and my god that ending was shocking. I just sat there staring because I need the next book immediately. That last part changed everything and now I need answers.
Please check the trigger warnings before reading because this book deals with heavy and dark themes.
Thank you Candi pr for the ARC!

[NickiReads04 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Martina Peeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

Wow. Just wow. An absolute masterpiece of lies and obsession!

Bound by Lies is the perfect title for this book. So many lies, so many secrets... and I loved every second of it!

This was my first time reading Lylah James, and I am beyond impressed. The story kept me on edge the entire time, with a million scenarios running through my head. The writing style is sleek, without unnecessary fluff. My only minor gripe was the repetitive 'thud, thud, thud'. I just skipped over it to keep the vibe going.

While it’s a mafia romance, the focus is deeply on the characters. Seraphina was raised to be the 'perfect' daughter and wife, and while she seems naive, she has a strong character and her own dark secrets. I got the impression that everything she did was a way to get revenge on Adrian, even if the 'why' isn't fully clear yet.

To me, this felt more like Adrian’s story. He is a true monster - heartless, cruel and manipulative - but of course, he has his reasons. The ugly scene at the end from his past actually made me cry (as a mother of two, my heart broke into tiny pieces after reading it. I definitely feel that the trigger warnings for that specific scene should be much more prominent, as it is incredibly heavy). Watching the ice around his heart start to melt was so captivating, and then... BAM! A plot twist that left me blinking in shock. I haven't been this obsessed with a book in a long time. I have so many unanswered questions after that epic cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next one!

Also, those hints about Giulia and Damon? Yes, please!

[Maria Rodrigues · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐀𝐔𝐇𝐎𝐑

Rating : 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bound by Lies by Lylah James is a dark mafia romance which follows Adrian and Serafina.

I knew this book was going to hurt me, but I wasn’t prepared for how completely it would consume me.
Lylah James truly cannot write a bad book, and Bound by Lies just proved that once again. This was my second ARC from her, and somehow she still managed to exceed every expectation I had.

This story was intense, addictive, emotional, and impossible to put down. From the very beginning, I was completely invested in the characters and their story. The chemistry, the tension, the angst… everything felt so perfectly done. Every interaction carried emotional weight, and I found myself obsessing over these characters more and more with every chapter.
The pacing kept me hooked the entire time, and I constantly told myself “just one more chapter” until I had to really force myself to stop.

And that plot twist??? I genuinely had to stop and stare at the page for a second because I did NOT see it coming. Lylah James completely caught me off guard in the best way possible.But nothing could have prepared me for that cliffhanger. I’m still thinking about it and honestly don’t know how I’m supposed to survive until book two.

If you love dark mafia romances filled with tension, obsession, emotional damage, addictive characters, and twists that leave you speechless, I cannot recommend Bound by Lies enough.

This book consumed me completely, and I already know these characters are going to live in my head rent free for a very long time.

[Milena Vasileva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book from the author.
I will leave my first opinion about the book and the author, for whom I have no impressions so far. I have read many books about the mafia with similar tropes: dark romance, arranged marriage, from enemies to lovers, forced intimacy, age-gap, etc. but most of them here were on the verge of detail. I will not explain what I have in mind because I do not like to leave spoilers. In principle, there are no triggers that bother me in dark romances, but I was uncomfortable that the darkness of this book is built mainly from incidents of violence against women, including two murders described. No mafia stuff actually, except for two scenes of violence against prisoners. Not to mention that the main character did not know at all what world she was in - she was very shocked and passive at times, and tough as a daughter raised in the mafia. Somehow both the characters of Adrian and Serafina were very chaotically built and the strangest of all was the tense twist at the end. Yes, it unraveled some of the hints that the whole book carried, but for me it was somehow incomplete, short and too rushed.
There was also a constant repetition of the beat throughout all the chapters, which I think was overexposed as a use.
Despite my conflicting thoughts after reading it, I gave the book five stars. It has always been important to me to support each author for the time, work and effort and to encourage them that I hope the next book in the series will be even better.

[InkedSirenXO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Author



Bound by Lies completely wrecked me in the best possible way. This book feels like silk gloves wrapped around brass knuckles: beautiful, brutal, and impossible to look away from.

Serafina was such a compelling FMC. She’s trapped between duty, family loyalty, and the kind of obsession that stains everything it touches. Watching her unravel under Adrian’s attention had me clutching my Kindle like it owed me money. She’s soft without being weak, and every choice she makes carries emotional shrapnel.

And Adrian Salvatore? That man is a catastrophe in an expensive suit. 🖤 He’s cruel, possessive, manipulative, and somehow still magnetic enough to make you understand exactly why Serafina can’t escape him. Every scene between them crackled with tension like a lit fuse crawling toward dynamite.

The arranged marriage drama.
The betrayal.
The obsession disguised as hatred.
The mafia politics dripping in danger and decadence.

It all blended into this addictive spiral where every chapter felt darker and more intoxicating than the last.

Lylah James wrote a romance that doesn’t ask permission before dragging you into the fire. If you love dark mafia romance with obsessive antiheroes, emotional devastation, twisted family dynamics, and chemistry sharp enough to cut glass, this book delivers all of it with blood-red ribbons on top.

I’m already emotionally preparing for the next book because this ending left me staring at the wall like I survived a car crash in slow motion.

[book_fairy13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to get my hands on this book by Lylah James. She writes the best dark romance books.

Serefina has been the perfect daughter, sister and princess.
She knew what was expected of her and that she had been raised to marry her fiancé, Mateo, since childhood. She was meant to bring peace between 2 rival families.
She perfected the art perfectly and was ready to do what was expected of her, even though she knew she would never be happy.
She never expected that everything would be ruined by Adrian- her soon to be brother in law. He is unpredictable and keeps pushing her in ways that confuse her and make her lose control.

Adrian is the 'Monster' in the family, and now he has his eyes on Serefina.
Adrian has a secret, and he wants revenge against Mateo. The only way he can do that is by going after someone close to him, his fiancée.
Adrian is a great anti-hero; his actions were terrible, but he never harmed Serefina maliciously and unforgivably...
I enjoyed him fighting his attraction to Serefina, even more when he could see that Serefina is powerful in her own way

In a world where women are controlled and looked down upon, Serefina finds herself at a crossroads. She is not a doormat and will fight back. I love that she was able to stand up and fight, not letting anything silence her again.
Serefina has been underestimated her whole life, but she is smarter and deadlier than anyone believes.

I cannot wait for the next book; this book ended in a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to get the answers.

[Karen Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He wasn’t just watching me … He sees me.”

Holy hell!!! I am shooketh!!! I just read my first Lylah James book, and nooooo … I am not okay. Bound by Lies is pure depravity and debauchery in prose, and I loved every demented minute. My poor heart and mind were annihilated!

Dearest reader, if you’re looking for a romance, Bound by Lies is not that … yet. But have hope because there is more to come. I have faith in our hero, heroine, and their hot mess entanglement. They will reach love, but it will be hard-fought love because would we expect anything easy for our twisted couple?

This arranged marriage meets mafia saga stars a sheltered mafia princess and the dark prince who wants to break her. Serafina and Adrian are full of fire with a connection so fierce that it just radiates throughout the story. I felt their fiery angst through the pages. Adrian and Serafina are toxic XD, but I loved them together!

Bound by Lies is brilliantly told and brutally psychotic … and I reveled in this dark delight. This mafia sensation dominated me! My heart raced the whole time reading … the anticipation … the high intensity … the heartbreak … the heat … I felt it all!! And that twist meets cliffhanger at the end? I didn’t see it coming. Well played, Ms. James. I need more now!

Side note: I’d love a model cover for this mafia sensation because need a visual that burns like the words.

💋💋💋💋💋 stolen kisses

➡️ https://amzn.to/4ty90x8

Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog

[Mala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Bound by Lies and I still feel like I haven’t emotionally recovered from it. Honestly, this was one of the most intense and addictive reads I’ve had all year. I devoured it in a single night because I physically could not stop reading. Every chapter ended in such a brutal way that I needed to know what would happen next.

Adrian was exactly the kind of antihero I’m obsessed with: ruthless, manipulative, dark, and completely impossible to justify… yet I still couldn’t get enough of him. That man is pure evil and somehow still steals every single scene he’s in. I was literally screaming over all the push and pull between him and Serafina because the tension between them is absolutely insane.

But honestly, Serafina was the best part of the book for me. She carries the story so perfectly. No matter how broken, confused, or trapped she feels, she never stops being strong. There were moments when I wanted to jump into the book and hug her, and others where I was just in complete awe of her.

Their relationship is toxic, intense, painful, and obsessive in the best possible way. There’s betrayal, manipulation, power plays, desire, and nonstop emotional chaos. And even though Adrian is completely unhinged, the chemistry he has with Serafina makes it impossible to look away.

This book had me suffering, excited, frustrated, and obsessed all at once, exactly the kind of book that stays in your head long after you finish it. And now I honestly cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

[Jaimee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advance Reader Copy from Author

Addictive. Unhinged. Obsession. Manipulative. Vengeance.

This is a dark mafia romance that reels you in from the very first chapter, plunging you into a world of manipulation, obsession and vengeance that is deliciously unhinged in all the right ways. I had heart palpitations due to the intensity of the tension and chemistry between Adrian and Serafina from the outset.

Adrian isn’t just morally grey, he is pitch black and very much the Villain - completely unhinged, brutal, possessive and impossible to ignore.

Serafina is a badass. She may have been trained to be the perfect mafia princess - demure, compliant and submissive - but there is a fire in this woman that no one, not even Adrian can extinguish. If anything, he just ignites it into an inferno.

Their relationship was full of tension, desire and a magnetic pull that would be considered toxic if it weren't for the world they belong to.

If you’re after a story that pulls you in, shackles you and is equal elements dark, messy, destructive and leaves you wanting more, this is the book for you.

That last chapter? The plot twist? It had me CATANONIC. Like, grab the defibrillator and shock me back to this world because I am GONE 🤯

I need the second book RIGHT NOW❤️‍🔥 I need to know how this ends!!!!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEWARE! Bound by Lies is the first book in the dark Fatal Alliances series by Lylah James. Dark Mafia, Enemies to Lovers, and an Arranged Marriage is just some of the tropes in this twisted edition that will leave you shocked with that cliffhanger. You will hate the MMC, will never suspect the ending, and will question "what did we miss"? Dark is the clue here and if you're looking for romance you'll not find it in this book...think toxic poison.

TW:(explicitly) Blood, Torture, Gore, Murder, Violence, Deaths, Dubious Consent, Hateful Language, Manipulations, Depression, Sex Discussion, Revenge, Bullying, and on-page scenes of asphyxiation, breeding, pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage and child loss.


I would like to Thank Lylah James for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.


Adrian Salvatore is a cold cruel man with bloody hands and too many sins to atone for. He's seeking revenge and when the woman who his brother is arranged to marry arrives he knows he just found his pawn.

Serafina Morelli has always done what she is told. She has been controlled into a perfect image and with the arranged marriage she knows she will be in a guilded cage.

Plans change when she is caught in the wrong mans bed and is forced to marry him. Serafina soon learns her fate is worse than thought and now she must beat the devil at his own game.

[Jinane Abou Hassan zahran · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This book is another level of darkness, mutual destruction, revenge, obsession, and a consuming, volatile passion that never offers comfort or safety. Adrian Salvatore is a ruthless, morally black antihero whose vengeance and possessiveness shape a relationship built on control, emotional warfare, and fixation, while Serafina is pulled into a world of betrayal, shame, and shifting loyalties where love and hate constantly blur together. Serafina was taught since her childhood that her only worth came from being married into power, never to make mistakes and never to falter. However, Adrian shatters that entire foundation. Together, they become each other’s refuge in the most toxic, destructive, and poisonous way, like fire and water, constantly using each other’s weakest points to hurt one another. The story is intense and chaotic, with graphic violence, bloodshed, manipulation, secrets, and emotional shaming woven into a brutal mafia backdrop that keeps the tension very high. It escalates nonstop until it ends on an absolutely insane cliffhanger. Nothing is what it seems: it's all an illusion, and both of them are liars. This is another level of dark, and I can’t wait for book 2. Destructive, obsessive, and intense... Recommended! (ARC in exchange for an honest review).

[Ashley Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: Bound by Lies is a dark mafia romance featuring an arranged marriage between Serafina and Mateo to unite and bring peace between their families. Serafina was raised as the perfect, polite, daughter & mafia princess - so she's known since childhood what was expected of her with this marriage.

Leading up to their wedding, Serafina has several encounters with Mateo's younger half brother, Adrian. 👀 Adrian is SUCH a perfect anti-hero: he's manipulative, driven by revenge, and completely brutal and unhinged. But he's also unfairly charming and the chemistry between him and Serafina is WILD, albeit toxic.

And then the two of them are caught in a verrrry compromising position - and Adrian insists on taking Mateo's place in the arranged marriage. After the wedding, Adrian and Serafina go back and forth between obsession and destruction... until the ABSOLUTELY INSANE cliffhanger.

Readers are warned at the beginning of the book that the narrator is a liar... and let me just say, there needs to be more books with unreliable narrators! It's such an insane ride, and it left me wondering throughout the entire book what was actually happening or what someone's motive was. The twists and turns are intense, and I was completely sucked in for (almost) 400 pages. Absolutely can't wait for book two!