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These Vows That Bind Us
I was thirteen years old when I learned what it means to be born a woman inside the world of made men. I learned it watching my mother die at the hands of brutality. In this world, women are not protected. We are positioned. Moved like pieces across a board by hands that call it love, call it tradition, call it family.
I learned that softness is a liability. That the only thing more dangerous than being born into this life is being born into it without power.
My father spent years keeping me far from New York—burying me in the quiet of Palermo, where I learned to shape clay and create beauty instead of survive violence. Now he's dead, and I'm standing in the city he kept me from for a decade, dragged back into a war I never started, confronted with horrors I was never supposed to survive long enough to understand.
The blood feuds. The violence. The betrayals.
My uncle tells me I'm to marry the enemy. A union meant to end a feud built on the bones of everything I have already lost. Santo D'Amico... the man with dark eyes I have seen before. The man who looked at me like I was someone worth knowing... and was lying through every moment of it.
He wants my heart. My uncle wants my loyalty.
Both want to use me for a war I never chose and was never supposed to survive.
But I am not my mother, and clay hardens under heat.
I have been burning for a very long time.
This is volume one in the These Vows series, a dark, enemies to lovers mafia romance.
I learned that softness is a liability. That the only thing more dangerous than being born into this life is being born into it without power.
My father spent years keeping me far from New York—burying me in the quiet of Palermo, where I learned to shape clay and create beauty instead of survive violence. Now he's dead, and I'm standing in the city he kept me from for a decade, dragged back into a war I never started, confronted with horrors I was never supposed to survive long enough to understand.
The blood feuds. The violence. The betrayals.
My uncle tells me I'm to marry the enemy. A union meant to end a feud built on the bones of everything I have already lost. Santo D'Amico... the man with dark eyes I have seen before. The man who looked at me like I was someone worth knowing... and was lying through every moment of it.
He wants my heart. My uncle wants my loyalty.
Both want to use me for a war I never chose and was never supposed to survive.
But I am not my mother, and clay hardens under heat.
I have been burning for a very long time.
This is volume one in the These Vows series, a dark, enemies to lovers mafia romance.
- GenresDark Romance
496 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2026
About the author
Bethany Shay Porteous
6 books82 followersBethany Shay Porteous is a young adult author hailing from Perth, Western Australia. Obsessed with stories and writing from a young age, Bethany went on to publish her first book Wolfsbane: Evelyn & Aiden when she was nineteen. Bethany dabbles in both fantasy and romance, preferring to write young adult stories.
To Bethany, writing is not a chore or a job; it's an escape to another world and a chance to share her many worlds with others.
To Bethany, writing is not a chore or a job; it's an escape to another world and a chance to share her many worlds with others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 25, 2026
✨ARC Book Review✨
Omg! I just finished this book, and it was so good!
This was such a unique mafia romance for me, especially with the Italian background and all the cultural references. It made the story so interesting!
The story starts with Selene as a young girl witnessing her mother’s murder at the hands of the D’Amico family, her family’s arch enemies.
The story then fast forwards to Selene as an adult attending her friend’s wedding. I loved the meet cute between Selene and Santo. They use aliases to keep their identities secret. It was hot, spontaneous, and definitely a night to remember. Life goes on, and a year later, her uncle basically forces her to marry Santo, the leader of her family’s enemy. When she meets him, she realizes he’s the man from her past! That scene was sooo tense 😩
First off, Selene is wild. Sis was not about to play the games of men. She was so bold and opinionated. Honestly, her feelings were completely justified! She’s just such a badass! She has no problem playing dirty, seriously her reactions are on another level 😅
Santo was all man! He’s composed, polished, and powerful. He definitely fell first and is determined to win Selene over. When I say “touch her and die”… let’s just say it’s graphic 👀 That man was not playing about his woman. I also appreciated how patient he was with her despite everything.
Their enemies to lovers dynamic had me hooked!
The last quarter of the book was packed with shocking revelations and nonstop tension! It ends on a cliffhanger and… omg, why?! I need answers!
Omg! I just finished this book, and it was so good!
This was such a unique mafia romance for me, especially with the Italian background and all the cultural references. It made the story so interesting!
The story starts with Selene as a young girl witnessing her mother’s murder at the hands of the D’Amico family, her family’s arch enemies.
The story then fast forwards to Selene as an adult attending her friend’s wedding. I loved the meet cute between Selene and Santo. They use aliases to keep their identities secret. It was hot, spontaneous, and definitely a night to remember. Life goes on, and a year later, her uncle basically forces her to marry Santo, the leader of her family’s enemy. When she meets him, she realizes he’s the man from her past! That scene was sooo tense 😩
First off, Selene is wild. Sis was not about to play the games of men. She was so bold and opinionated. Honestly, her feelings were completely justified! She’s just such a badass! She has no problem playing dirty, seriously her reactions are on another level 😅
Santo was all man! He’s composed, polished, and powerful. He definitely fell first and is determined to win Selene over. When I say “touch her and die”… let’s just say it’s graphic 👀 That man was not playing about his woman. I also appreciated how patient he was with her despite everything.
Their enemies to lovers dynamic had me hooked!
The last quarter of the book was packed with shocking revelations and nonstop tension! It ends on a cliffhanger and… omg, why?! I need answers!
June 24, 2026
✨✨✨
TO BE CONTINUED? ARE YOU FRICKEN KIDDING ME 😭😭😭😭
I’m a sucker for a mafia story, it is one of my favourite tropes after all! So when I received this arc I was more than excited to read it!!! Thank you to the author Bethany for giving me the opportunity to read this before release day.
I give it a solid 4.5 stars!!!! It would have been 5 but that ending, WHYYYYY. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the main characters, I loved they had a past and how she couldn’t shake the feeling off about the stranger she met a year ago.
Santo is literally the perfect man! Not even kidding, he was charming, infuriatingly smug but also the love and care he has for his ‘bella’ will literally make you melt into a puddle 🥹🥹🥹
Tragedy happens that solidify a future legacy between the Grimaldi’s and D’Amico’s and one event that was witnessed by a young Selene shaped her for the rest of her life. Never being able to connect to people except her family in Palermo, losing her mum the way she did shaped her and influenced her hatred towards the other. Think Romeo and Juliet but mafia style!!!! She has to fight her guilt of wanting and feeling for a guy, who’s family ‘killed her mum’
Their journey is a rocky one but I just know he loves them enough for the both of them, and Selene will slowly start to trust because he makes her a better person and lets her make decisions (except the whole forced marriage part💀) but who doesn’t love an overprotective husband to be 👀 Looking forward to anymore future books in this series because if I don’t get answers I may CRY!!!!!
✨✨✨
TO BE CONTINUED? ARE YOU FRICKEN KIDDING ME 😭😭😭😭
I’m a sucker for a mafia story, it is one of my favourite tropes after all! So when I received this arc I was more than excited to read it!!! Thank you to the author Bethany for giving me the opportunity to read this before release day.
I give it a solid 4.5 stars!!!! It would have been 5 but that ending, WHYYYYY. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the main characters, I loved they had a past and how she couldn’t shake the feeling off about the stranger she met a year ago.
Santo is literally the perfect man! Not even kidding, he was charming, infuriatingly smug but also the love and care he has for his ‘bella’ will literally make you melt into a puddle 🥹🥹🥹
Tragedy happens that solidify a future legacy between the Grimaldi’s and D’Amico’s and one event that was witnessed by a young Selene shaped her for the rest of her life. Never being able to connect to people except her family in Palermo, losing her mum the way she did shaped her and influenced her hatred towards the other. Think Romeo and Juliet but mafia style!!!! She has to fight her guilt of wanting and feeling for a guy, who’s family ‘killed her mum’
Their journey is a rocky one but I just know he loves them enough for the both of them, and Selene will slowly start to trust because he makes her a better person and lets her make decisions (except the whole forced marriage part💀) but who doesn’t love an overprotective husband to be 👀 Looking forward to anymore future books in this series because if I don’t get answers I may CRY!!!!!
✨✨✨
August 3, 2026
Was really glad to see this author publishing again. It's been like 10 years. I first knew of her on wattpad, where she posts her sample chapters for readers and hit follow on her page. I first read one of her shifter romance books, it was called Mine, it was, and still is, one of my favourite stories in the shifter genre.
Unfortunately I really didn't like this book. I guess I can understand others enjoying it and giving it a higher rating, there are some nice setting descriptions, especially of Palerma, and scenes when the heroine Selene finally interacts with others, namely her cousin, aunt and uncle are better than her inner monologues, then later with Santo. There are even a couple of funny moments.
But the book is 70% just the heroine's very long thought monologues. It's painful reading her thoughts constantly repeating over and over about how her mother's death affected her, her breakdown scenes throughout from it, her constantly thinking how she was being forced to marry Santo, how she hated her uncle, how she had to stop him over and over throughout.
I just finished the last chapter and again those last few pages are just the heroine thinking for umpteen pages that she hates and needs to stop the bad guy, well just shut up and do it then. Argh! There are numerous other issues, including that scenes are just too long. The opening scene for example, is an entire chapter of just the heroine thinking about her and her mother running through the house from bad men, and the mother being killed.
The second chapter was more of the same, just the heroine thinking back about her being sent to bordering school etc. Unimportant stuff. That was interspersed with one short scene, again unnecessarily detailed, of her getting out of bed, pulling on her silk robe, licking her lips, putting her hair in a messy knot, walking to the sliding doors, looking out the sliding doors, describing what she sees out the sliding doors, tying her silk robe.
Scenes are also so overly long and overly described that they repeat the same wording in the extreme. Like when Santo questions/tortures two men, the author uses the word "blood" 23 times in that one scene alone. 23! A single scene does not need to use the word blood 23 times! "Bone" was used 7 times in the same scene. Other words were also repeated too often in that one scene.
The heroine thinks about feeling "rage" and anger" in her very long winded inner thoughts at least 50 times each. Each! I used the book search tool. Then there were all the repeated phrases or unnecessary extra detail, like deliberate care, deliberate movement, deliberate circles, deliberate possession, deliberate precision etc. And "her dress shimmered like ...", "the glassses sparkled like cut diamonds...", "the crystals on the chandeliers were like jewels...".
Description is important in a book of course, but it isn't necessary to describe every chandelier she sees, three, by the way, or every time she sees drinks glasses, again at least three times, in such detail. It all only drags out the book more. Then the opposite happens, with some things missing. Like when she's sitting on a table and thinks 'the dress pools around my waist' but also thinks, 'I'm left sitting there in only my panties'. Um how?
Another example is when her cousin Alessa says "you took his watch". How would she know the heroine took the H's watch, when it states a number of times that she never told anyone including her cousin about meeting the H, and when she does proceed to tell her, she didn't mention taking his watch. It's not really important but just added issues.
I gave up twice before even getting to the end of chapter two, even after she mets Mr tall and dark. That should have held my interest but the scene they meet is cut into three parts, that flip back and forth between her meeting him that night, to a scene of her in the present, then back and forth, back and forth. And the fact I stopped reading at the exact moment there was probably going to be some sexy time happening to read, really says how slow this was.
The constant translating of Italian to English immediately following the Italian given in italics wasn't necessary. The author really could have left the very obvious meaning words like "Mangia" and "Perfetta" untranslated without writing "eat" and "perfect" immediately after them. But it was more than that, the translation could also have been done in a more natural way.
Like, the scene when the aunt gives the heroine her birthday gift and says 'É'delicato'. Instead of 'delicate' stuck in after it as the translation, the author could have had the heroine thinking, "I opened it carefully, after my aunt warned it was delicate". I ended up skipping the Italian and going straight to the english sentences/ words. It seemed a lot of wasted effort on the part of author, that could have been put into re-reading to cut repetition.
The book is simply far too long, almost 500 pages and it's not even the full story. I've read fantasy books in which author's have had to build and described entire new worlds, civilisations, and creatures and succeed in 200 pages fewer than this book's length. Cutting all the long inner thoughts and deleting repetition would have reduced the book pages by at least half, leaving plenty of pages for the remainder of the story to be added here.
Additional- some spoilers, so Spoiler Alert Below! Although a lot is easily guessed...
So I finally finished this book but I had to skim a lot from chapter 29, I just couldn't stand to keep reading the heroine's repetitive thoughts anymore. I didn't even want to read the sex scenes. It was only to discover the characters are too stupid.
More than 10 years of gathering information, files, evidence etc but has done nothing to stop the bad guy/guys. Really? Hasn't sent it to the fbi, cia, the marshall service, homeland, plenty of law enforcement to choose from if don't trust the cops. Could have leaked it anonymously if wanted to protect their mafia reputation. Instead let a decade of more young women get abducted, suffer/die.
They didn't send the info to Selene's father, that her mother and Santo's mother collected, to give Selene's father a chance to see the truth about his wife's death? Or to the mother's brother raising Selene? Really? That could have prevented it reaching the stage where Santo's own yonng sister was abducted. And on that point, Santo has known for a year who has his sister but hasn't been able to get her? Seriously?!
He's a rich mafia million/billionaire with connections, but he can't bribe one of that guy's men millions to tell him where she is? Or find a way to plant a tracker on the guy in all that time? Or to follow him with helicopters, planes, hundreds of drones? Whatever it took. Really? It says that she is "for that guy's personal use only", meaning the guy would have to go to her sometimes, multiple times, to actually use her. So, again, seriously?
Then Santo and Selene just leave her cousin Alessia, literally they abandon her in the midst of the enemy stronghold, even knowing what the bad guy is capable of and even knowing he's been "looking in a way he shouldn't at Alessia". Selene doesn't ask Santo to leave some of his men behind to ensure Alessia gets away. Or hey, take her with them on their helicopter when they leave?
Honestly my 2 stars is probably too generous with how repetitive this is and the tiresome heroines thoughts. If I hadn't enjoyed this author's shifter romance book Mine so much all those years ago and followed her wattpad page for updates on upcoming books, I wouldn't have finished this book. Have no interest in reading the next book to finish their story, even after having pushed through the almost 500 pages in this.
I do need to mention the cover, which I rarely ever comment on, it's not good. The guy looks exhausted, even ill, he looks like a middle aged working joe, aged beyond his years and worn down by a hard life, a plumber or maintaince man. Probably get that impression because his hair and clothes look soaked with water and grease. He's so scrawny, his clothes look like they're hanging on him at least a size too big.
The woman looks older than the supposed 23 year old heroine too, and looks like she's a rich b***h disgusted and angry that he's daring to touch her fingers. It's also so dark in its tone too. I'm shocked the author picked it to use it as her cover. It doesn't even convey mafia romance. It did make me wonder about covers, if the author picked it on purpose out of a large collection of possible images, or designed it herself, or if she paid for it upfront and couldn't refuse after seeing. Or maybe like the saying goes, one person's art isn't to another person.
I do hate saying the above about the story and the cover because at least this is a real person author, unlike many books flooding amazon. Just this week alone, and it's only mid week, I tried to read other books by different authors, and they were awful, despite having cool covers. I couldn't even read three pages in before deleting lexi asher's sample from my kindle.
The characters thoughts, dialogue and actions were so juvenile it was cringing. The writing was so basic, wrong words used, missing words, like "taking the grunt his choices" in the very first opening paragraph of lexi asher's book should have been "taking the brunt of his choices". The structure of the sentences in both author's books were basic, so stunted and robotic.
The page layout had paragraphs with only one or two sentences long, with blank spacing between every single short paragraph, falsely increasing page count, when half of every page is blank space. Numerous readers left reviews that the writing is so bad it had to be AI generated. I've actually seen sample stories on subreddits AI generated stories that were better.
At least this book is by a real person and there is some enjoyable moments, but just buried under too much boring. My review is meant as constructive criticism, because I know some author like detailed feedback.
Unfortunately I really didn't like this book. I guess I can understand others enjoying it and giving it a higher rating, there are some nice setting descriptions, especially of Palerma, and scenes when the heroine Selene finally interacts with others, namely her cousin, aunt and uncle are better than her inner monologues, then later with Santo. There are even a couple of funny moments.
But the book is 70% just the heroine's very long thought monologues. It's painful reading her thoughts constantly repeating over and over about how her mother's death affected her, her breakdown scenes throughout from it, her constantly thinking how she was being forced to marry Santo, how she hated her uncle, how she had to stop him over and over throughout.
I just finished the last chapter and again those last few pages are just the heroine thinking for umpteen pages that she hates and needs to stop the bad guy, well just shut up and do it then. Argh! There are numerous other issues, including that scenes are just too long. The opening scene for example, is an entire chapter of just the heroine thinking about her and her mother running through the house from bad men, and the mother being killed.
The second chapter was more of the same, just the heroine thinking back about her being sent to bordering school etc. Unimportant stuff. That was interspersed with one short scene, again unnecessarily detailed, of her getting out of bed, pulling on her silk robe, licking her lips, putting her hair in a messy knot, walking to the sliding doors, looking out the sliding doors, describing what she sees out the sliding doors, tying her silk robe.
Scenes are also so overly long and overly described that they repeat the same wording in the extreme. Like when Santo questions/tortures two men, the author uses the word "blood" 23 times in that one scene alone. 23! A single scene does not need to use the word blood 23 times! "Bone" was used 7 times in the same scene. Other words were also repeated too often in that one scene.
The heroine thinks about feeling "rage" and anger" in her very long winded inner thoughts at least 50 times each. Each! I used the book search tool. Then there were all the repeated phrases or unnecessary extra detail, like deliberate care, deliberate movement, deliberate circles, deliberate possession, deliberate precision etc. And "her dress shimmered like ...", "the glassses sparkled like cut diamonds...", "the crystals on the chandeliers were like jewels...".
Description is important in a book of course, but it isn't necessary to describe every chandelier she sees, three, by the way, or every time she sees drinks glasses, again at least three times, in such detail. It all only drags out the book more. Then the opposite happens, with some things missing. Like when she's sitting on a table and thinks 'the dress pools around my waist' but also thinks, 'I'm left sitting there in only my panties'. Um how?
Another example is when her cousin Alessa says "you took his watch". How would she know the heroine took the H's watch, when it states a number of times that she never told anyone including her cousin about meeting the H, and when she does proceed to tell her, she didn't mention taking his watch. It's not really important but just added issues.
I gave up twice before even getting to the end of chapter two, even after she mets Mr tall and dark. That should have held my interest but the scene they meet is cut into three parts, that flip back and forth between her meeting him that night, to a scene of her in the present, then back and forth, back and forth. And the fact I stopped reading at the exact moment there was probably going to be some sexy time happening to read, really says how slow this was.
The constant translating of Italian to English immediately following the Italian given in italics wasn't necessary. The author really could have left the very obvious meaning words like "Mangia" and "Perfetta" untranslated without writing "eat" and "perfect" immediately after them. But it was more than that, the translation could also have been done in a more natural way.
Like, the scene when the aunt gives the heroine her birthday gift and says 'É'delicato'. Instead of 'delicate' stuck in after it as the translation, the author could have had the heroine thinking, "I opened it carefully, after my aunt warned it was delicate". I ended up skipping the Italian and going straight to the english sentences/ words. It seemed a lot of wasted effort on the part of author, that could have been put into re-reading to cut repetition.
The book is simply far too long, almost 500 pages and it's not even the full story. I've read fantasy books in which author's have had to build and described entire new worlds, civilisations, and creatures and succeed in 200 pages fewer than this book's length. Cutting all the long inner thoughts and deleting repetition would have reduced the book pages by at least half, leaving plenty of pages for the remainder of the story to be added here.
Additional- some spoilers, so Spoiler Alert Below! Although a lot is easily guessed...
So I finally finished this book but I had to skim a lot from chapter 29, I just couldn't stand to keep reading the heroine's repetitive thoughts anymore. I didn't even want to read the sex scenes. It was only to discover the characters are too stupid.
More than 10 years of gathering information, files, evidence etc but has done nothing to stop the bad guy/guys. Really? Hasn't sent it to the fbi, cia, the marshall service, homeland, plenty of law enforcement to choose from if don't trust the cops. Could have leaked it anonymously if wanted to protect their mafia reputation. Instead let a decade of more young women get abducted, suffer/die.
They didn't send the info to Selene's father, that her mother and Santo's mother collected, to give Selene's father a chance to see the truth about his wife's death? Or to the mother's brother raising Selene? Really? That could have prevented it reaching the stage where Santo's own yonng sister was abducted. And on that point, Santo has known for a year who has his sister but hasn't been able to get her? Seriously?!
He's a rich mafia million/billionaire with connections, but he can't bribe one of that guy's men millions to tell him where she is? Or find a way to plant a tracker on the guy in all that time? Or to follow him with helicopters, planes, hundreds of drones? Whatever it took. Really? It says that she is "for that guy's personal use only", meaning the guy would have to go to her sometimes, multiple times, to actually use her. So, again, seriously?
Then Santo and Selene just leave her cousin Alessia, literally they abandon her in the midst of the enemy stronghold, even knowing what the bad guy is capable of and even knowing he's been "looking in a way he shouldn't at Alessia". Selene doesn't ask Santo to leave some of his men behind to ensure Alessia gets away. Or hey, take her with them on their helicopter when they leave?
Honestly my 2 stars is probably too generous with how repetitive this is and the tiresome heroines thoughts. If I hadn't enjoyed this author's shifter romance book Mine so much all those years ago and followed her wattpad page for updates on upcoming books, I wouldn't have finished this book. Have no interest in reading the next book to finish their story, even after having pushed through the almost 500 pages in this.
I do need to mention the cover, which I rarely ever comment on, it's not good. The guy looks exhausted, even ill, he looks like a middle aged working joe, aged beyond his years and worn down by a hard life, a plumber or maintaince man. Probably get that impression because his hair and clothes look soaked with water and grease. He's so scrawny, his clothes look like they're hanging on him at least a size too big.
The woman looks older than the supposed 23 year old heroine too, and looks like she's a rich b***h disgusted and angry that he's daring to touch her fingers. It's also so dark in its tone too. I'm shocked the author picked it to use it as her cover. It doesn't even convey mafia romance. It did make me wonder about covers, if the author picked it on purpose out of a large collection of possible images, or designed it herself, or if she paid for it upfront and couldn't refuse after seeing. Or maybe like the saying goes, one person's art isn't to another person.
I do hate saying the above about the story and the cover because at least this is a real person author, unlike many books flooding amazon. Just this week alone, and it's only mid week, I tried to read other books by different authors, and they were awful, despite having cool covers. I couldn't even read three pages in before deleting lexi asher's sample from my kindle.
The characters thoughts, dialogue and actions were so juvenile it was cringing. The writing was so basic, wrong words used, missing words, like "taking the grunt his choices" in the very first opening paragraph of lexi asher's book should have been "taking the brunt of his choices". The structure of the sentences in both author's books were basic, so stunted and robotic.
The page layout had paragraphs with only one or two sentences long, with blank spacing between every single short paragraph, falsely increasing page count, when half of every page is blank space. Numerous readers left reviews that the writing is so bad it had to be AI generated. I've actually seen sample stories on subreddits AI generated stories that were better.
At least this book is by a real person and there is some enjoyable moments, but just buried under too much boring. My review is meant as constructive criticism, because I know some author like detailed feedback.
July 2, 2026
“If that M-F’er wanted to light my world on fire, then I would show him what I looked like when I burned.” -Selene
Ok, that quote is seriously one of THE best quotes. Especially during the events surrounding it🙌🙌🙌🙌😏😏😏
I have read my fair share of mafia, dark romances. One of the reasons I think I’m drawn to them is the plain and simple fact that I GREW UP watching The Godfather movies pretty regularly (and I guarantee my first time watching The Godfather I, I was far too young… but, oh well💁🏻♀️😅) So, my gut feeling after reading the “epigraph” (pg 7)* was “Ok, well it isn’t MY favorite of the 3 Godfather movies, but just the presence of such an iconic quote from something so monumental (from my own formative years) tells me I’m either going to love this, or I’m going to be sorely disappointed.” Well, I have to say this book exceeded my ::very high:: expectations 👏 Without question, 5⭐️.
One thing I really appreciated from this book, is that while there certainly are aspects of this genre (mafia/organized crime) that are glamorized and romanticized, author Bethany Shay Porteous makes us aware of quite a bit of the ugly/scary that comes with it. My only “education” of this underworld comes from movies and shows and books - not firsthand. However, the choice for inclusion of SO much -both the light AND dark- Porteous’ portrayal of Selene and Santo’s world (mafia-life) really reads(feels?) incredibly “well rounded” - meaning, there is SO much to understandably swoon and drool over… How about those casually named (Jimmy Choo, Louboutin, etc), effortlessly beautiful, high end🤑 wardrobe pieces👠 of Selene and Alessia’s?🫠🫠🤭
But, on the other side of this world is the systematically, generational, complete disregard for a female’s LITERAL WORTH, in comparison to a male’s worth. In every aspect of “their world” (Selene and Santo’s world, aka life in the mafia) Selene points out the imbalance between sexes. The starting point of Selene’s history of trauma (and probably THE most TW-scenario I, myself, have so far encountered… It was so well-written but REALLY shook me up🥺 and has stuck with me 🫢🫣) involved witnessing atrocities done to her own mother. ::seriously, do yourself a favor and 👏check👏those👏Trigger👏Warnings🫣 From that point on, Selene’s inner thoughts (and occasionally her Sicilian spicy self 🔥😏cannot help but verbalize her thoughts outward…) become more aware and attuned to the female population, as a whole, within “her world.” I can guarantee that while taking notes in the Kindle app, the emoji I found myself using THE most was: 💔 (and with good reason!)
This book was ABSOLUTELY heartbreaking and devastating, however, it would be completely unfair to simplify and summarize this entire book as one, giant, broken heart emoji. The whirlwind task(s) put upon Selene, are 💔-worthy, yes -BUT, the chaos surrounding the arranged marriage involves SO many more emotions/trauma/healing… and yes -more opportunities to notate with more emoji’s…😏…
Selene’s struggle with connection and true intimacy and honesty (both within herself AND in relation to a partner) results in a push/pull, slow(ish) burn that had me SWEATING (for example, this emoji:🥵 became a “frequent flyer” throughout my notes,) and grinning and giggling like a lunatic 🤭😅
Be prepared for Porteous’ descriptive words so viscerally captivating, that you find yourself near tears and squirming in disgust and discomfort.
Fear not, though, because for all his misdeeds and questionable motives and loyalties, Porteous’ depictions of Santo (especially his interactions with/for/to Selene🌶️🌶️🌶️) will leave you squirming for….very different reasons…😏😉…
•I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.•
Ok, that quote is seriously one of THE best quotes. Especially during the events surrounding it🙌🙌🙌🙌😏😏😏
I have read my fair share of mafia, dark romances. One of the reasons I think I’m drawn to them is the plain and simple fact that I GREW UP watching The Godfather movies pretty regularly (and I guarantee my first time watching The Godfather I, I was far too young… but, oh well💁🏻♀️😅) So, my gut feeling after reading the “epigraph” (pg 7)* was “Ok, well it isn’t MY favorite of the 3 Godfather movies, but just the presence of such an iconic quote from something so monumental (from my own formative years) tells me I’m either going to love this, or I’m going to be sorely disappointed.” Well, I have to say this book exceeded my ::very high:: expectations 👏 Without question, 5⭐️.
One thing I really appreciated from this book, is that while there certainly are aspects of this genre (mafia/organized crime) that are glamorized and romanticized, author Bethany Shay Porteous makes us aware of quite a bit of the ugly/scary that comes with it. My only “education” of this underworld comes from movies and shows and books - not firsthand. However, the choice for inclusion of SO much -both the light AND dark- Porteous’ portrayal of Selene and Santo’s world (mafia-life) really reads(feels?) incredibly “well rounded” - meaning, there is SO much to understandably swoon and drool over… How about those casually named (Jimmy Choo, Louboutin, etc), effortlessly beautiful, high end🤑 wardrobe pieces👠 of Selene and Alessia’s?🫠🫠🤭
But, on the other side of this world is the systematically, generational, complete disregard for a female’s LITERAL WORTH, in comparison to a male’s worth. In every aspect of “their world” (Selene and Santo’s world, aka life in the mafia) Selene points out the imbalance between sexes. The starting point of Selene’s history of trauma (and probably THE most TW-scenario I, myself, have so far encountered… It was so well-written but REALLY shook me up🥺 and has stuck with me 🫢🫣) involved witnessing atrocities done to her own mother. ::seriously, do yourself a favor and 👏check👏those👏Trigger👏Warnings🫣 From that point on, Selene’s inner thoughts (and occasionally her Sicilian spicy self 🔥😏cannot help but verbalize her thoughts outward…) become more aware and attuned to the female population, as a whole, within “her world.” I can guarantee that while taking notes in the Kindle app, the emoji I found myself using THE most was: 💔 (and with good reason!)
This book was ABSOLUTELY heartbreaking and devastating, however, it would be completely unfair to simplify and summarize this entire book as one, giant, broken heart emoji. The whirlwind task(s) put upon Selene, are 💔-worthy, yes -BUT, the chaos surrounding the arranged marriage involves SO many more emotions/trauma/healing… and yes -more opportunities to notate with more emoji’s…😏…
Selene’s struggle with connection and true intimacy and honesty (both within herself AND in relation to a partner) results in a push/pull, slow(ish) burn that had me SWEATING (for example, this emoji:🥵 became a “frequent flyer” throughout my notes,) and grinning and giggling like a lunatic 🤭😅
Be prepared for Porteous’ descriptive words so viscerally captivating, that you find yourself near tears and squirming in disgust and discomfort.
Fear not, though, because for all his misdeeds and questionable motives and loyalties, Porteous’ depictions of Santo (especially his interactions with/for/to Selene🌶️🌶️🌶️) will leave you squirming for….very different reasons…😏😉…
•I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.•
July 1, 2026
I was given a free Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I adore this book! Going into it I had certain expectations that most people get when they read the genre and trigger warnings but holy moly, I have been craving a book that meets my criteria for a GOOD book. And this book certainly did meet my criteria and more!
Firstly, Massimo, I hate him! 🤬
The most infuriating person I have ever had the displeasure to read! He plays all nicey nice but then goes and starts manipulating and gaslighting the lovely but heavily traumatised Selene, his niece! True markers of the villain here and I wish to scrub him from existence just like everyone else does!
Selene, the poor young girl who had to witness atrocities at just 13....😭😭😭 I love how strong she is as a FMC but had the points where she is also real and vulnerable. Definitely didn't go down without a fight, oh no she went kicking and screaming! Her mother and father would be proud.
Santo, oh do I have mixed feelings about him. In the beginning I hated just how stubborn and uncompromising he was, like he was Massimos lap dog and did whatever he said. The marriage contract scene where he was going through it with her, because sleezy Massimo didn't, and he tells her they are to have the engagement party and wedding party at the estate where her mother was brutalised and killed; he witnessed her spiral and break down at the thought of going back there and for a second I thought that maybe he'd use his power to change the venue. Nope he just let her have to deal with all the trauma and not even try to move it! Ugh no points for Santo.
But as the book went on, I started to sense that things were not as they seemed. Yes Massimo is a prick, we got that from day dot, but the way Santo acted, his men, subtle things just made me pause and think that something was clearly going on behind the scenes here.
The USB was genius and also plot fucking twist! I did not expect for Selene to be digging into Massimo like that. Or to discover that her mother and future MIL were behind all of the evidence. Ten years that information had been waiting to be found! And would you believe that Santo was behind it?! Hell no I didn't!
As the book went on I started to see the full picture, D Amico's knew of Massimo's plot to kill Santo and 'avenge' Lucia, Selene's mother. So they were playing along so they could truly avenge her mother by proving the bastard framed the D Amico's to gain the family and hide his disgusting 'business'.
He was not messing around anymore, 10 years of unnecessary bloodshed and loss, all for the sleezy bastard control the image and try to throw NYC into complete choas and no more history of the five families ruling NYC.
NEVER did I expect the cliffhanger! I actually screamed. How could it end like that?😭 I need the next book now!
I need to see them take Massimo down, avenge Lucia, find Seraphina and Alissia. Most importantly to see Selene get her justice and for her and Santo to have a true relationship.
This was an emotional roller coaster and I thank you for giving me the book and trauma of knowing Massimo. I will be waiting, impatiently, for book 2. I cannot wait!!!
For anyone looking to read this book, please definitely read the trigger warnings and themes! Just so you know what you are getting yourself into!
I adore this book! Going into it I had certain expectations that most people get when they read the genre and trigger warnings but holy moly, I have been craving a book that meets my criteria for a GOOD book. And this book certainly did meet my criteria and more!
Firstly, Massimo, I hate him! 🤬
The most infuriating person I have ever had the displeasure to read! He plays all nicey nice but then goes and starts manipulating and gaslighting the lovely but heavily traumatised Selene, his niece! True markers of the villain here and I wish to scrub him from existence just like everyone else does!
Selene, the poor young girl who had to witness atrocities at just 13....😭😭😭 I love how strong she is as a FMC but had the points where she is also real and vulnerable. Definitely didn't go down without a fight, oh no she went kicking and screaming! Her mother and father would be proud.
Santo, oh do I have mixed feelings about him. In the beginning I hated just how stubborn and uncompromising he was, like he was Massimos lap dog and did whatever he said. The marriage contract scene where he was going through it with her, because sleezy Massimo didn't, and he tells her they are to have the engagement party and wedding party at the estate where her mother was brutalised and killed; he witnessed her spiral and break down at the thought of going back there and for a second I thought that maybe he'd use his power to change the venue. Nope he just let her have to deal with all the trauma and not even try to move it! Ugh no points for Santo.
But as the book went on, I started to sense that things were not as they seemed. Yes Massimo is a prick, we got that from day dot, but the way Santo acted, his men, subtle things just made me pause and think that something was clearly going on behind the scenes here.
The USB was genius and also plot fucking twist! I did not expect for Selene to be digging into Massimo like that. Or to discover that her mother and future MIL were behind all of the evidence. Ten years that information had been waiting to be found! And would you believe that Santo was behind it?! Hell no I didn't!
As the book went on I started to see the full picture, D Amico's knew of Massimo's plot to kill Santo and 'avenge' Lucia, Selene's mother. So they were playing along so they could truly avenge her mother by proving the bastard framed the D Amico's to gain the family and hide his disgusting 'business'.
He was not messing around anymore, 10 years of unnecessary bloodshed and loss, all for the sleezy bastard control the image and try to throw NYC into complete choas and no more history of the five families ruling NYC.
NEVER did I expect the cliffhanger! I actually screamed. How could it end like that?😭 I need the next book now!
I need to see them take Massimo down, avenge Lucia, find Seraphina and Alissia. Most importantly to see Selene get her justice and for her and Santo to have a true relationship.
This was an emotional roller coaster and I thank you for giving me the book and trauma of knowing Massimo. I will be waiting, impatiently, for book 2. I cannot wait!!!
For anyone looking to read this book, please definitely read the trigger warnings and themes! Just so you know what you are getting yourself into!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book completely captivated me from start to finish and left me desperate to get my hands on the next one. The story was emotional, gripping, and filled with enough surprises to keep me constantly turning the pages.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the FMC. She isn't written as a perfect heroine, and that is exactly what made her so compelling. She is a woman carrying years of heartbreak, pain, anger, and trauma from everything she has endured since she was a young girl. Her reactions, flaws, and struggles felt authentic, and I found myself deeply invested in her journey as she tried to navigate the weight of her past.
The MMC was equally fascinating in his own way. While I wasn't thrilled with the lies at the beginning of the story, I appreciated that the consequences of those choices weren't simply brushed aside once the truth came out. Watching him work to regain the FMC's trust made his character feel more genuine, and it highlighted just how deeply he cared for her. The lengths he was willing to go to and the depth of his love became one of the strongest parts of the story for me.
What truly elevated this book, however, were the twists. I thought I had a fairly good idea of where the story was heading, only to be completely blindsided by some of the revelations. More than once I found myself stunned by what was unfolding, and I loved every second of it. The surprises kept the story feeling fresh and unpredictable right up until the very end.
And that ending... I was absolutely not prepared for that cliffhanger. It left me with so many questions and a desperate need to know what happens next. If book two were sitting in front of me right now, I would be picking it up immediately.
This book completely captivated me from start to finish and left me desperate to get my hands on the next one. The story was emotional, gripping, and filled with enough surprises to keep me constantly turning the pages.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the FMC. She isn't written as a perfect heroine, and that is exactly what made her so compelling. She is a woman carrying years of heartbreak, pain, anger, and trauma from everything she has endured since she was a young girl. Her reactions, flaws, and struggles felt authentic, and I found myself deeply invested in her journey as she tried to navigate the weight of her past.
The MMC was equally fascinating in his own way. While I wasn't thrilled with the lies at the beginning of the story, I appreciated that the consequences of those choices weren't simply brushed aside once the truth came out. Watching him work to regain the FMC's trust made his character feel more genuine, and it highlighted just how deeply he cared for her. The lengths he was willing to go to and the depth of his love became one of the strongest parts of the story for me.
What truly elevated this book, however, were the twists. I thought I had a fairly good idea of where the story was heading, only to be completely blindsided by some of the revelations. More than once I found myself stunned by what was unfolding, and I loved every second of it. The surprises kept the story feeling fresh and unpredictable right up until the very end.
And that ending... I was absolutely not prepared for that cliffhanger. It left me with so many questions and a desperate need to know what happens next. If book two were sitting in front of me right now, I would be picking it up immediately.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Compelling from the start. The plot is devastatingly beautiful, so much emotion and context is sewed into this story that you really do feel for the characters. It has a very dark moody atmosphere throughout.
Who doesn't love an fmc who threatens to brutally kill the mmc, and an mmc who smiles like that's an endearment.
Santo lets her be exactly who she wants without judgement. She is explosive and witty but also has her mothers fire. She is strong for what she's survived.
The tension/angst/burn was so good, and it gets very steamy in parts.
Allessia is the best adhd/sarcastic wing woman. She really has a way with words.
Chapter 34/35 were emotionally perfect. Very satifying in parts. And that ending was Climactic and very well done, we know were in for a a very chaotic next book and i hope selene becomes a badass mafia donna who bring hell down on her enemies with Santo supporting her all the way. They will make one hell of a brutal pair.
The positioning of the translations of italian to english could be more consistent. As i often found myself searching for them in the paragraphs or translating them myself. Some were straight after the italian others were at the end of the paragraph, and others were grouped together.
Qoutes ♥️
"Yes, i would have," i hissed. "You're a liar."
"And yet i was the only person you could be honest with," he said - the words landing like a slap." I gave you a night where you could exist without the weight of our names choking us. I gave you the freedom you wanted."
"He looks as if my promise of his death was the most attractive thing i had ever said to him.
If that motherf**ker wanted to light my world on fire, then i would show him what i looked like when i burned.
"This is dedicated to the one i love." I murmured lowly, looking to the sky.
Who doesn't love an fmc who threatens to brutally kill the mmc, and an mmc who smiles like that's an endearment.
Santo lets her be exactly who she wants without judgement. She is explosive and witty but also has her mothers fire. She is strong for what she's survived.
The tension/angst/burn was so good, and it gets very steamy in parts.
Allessia is the best adhd/sarcastic wing woman. She really has a way with words.
Chapter 34/35 were emotionally perfect. Very satifying in parts. And that ending was Climactic and very well done, we know were in for a a very chaotic next book and i hope selene becomes a badass mafia donna who bring hell down on her enemies with Santo supporting her all the way. They will make one hell of a brutal pair.
The positioning of the translations of italian to english could be more consistent. As i often found myself searching for them in the paragraphs or translating them myself. Some were straight after the italian others were at the end of the paragraph, and others were grouped together.
Qoutes ♥️
"Yes, i would have," i hissed. "You're a liar."
"And yet i was the only person you could be honest with," he said - the words landing like a slap." I gave you a night where you could exist without the weight of our names choking us. I gave you the freedom you wanted."
"He looks as if my promise of his death was the most attractive thing i had ever said to him.
If that motherf**ker wanted to light my world on fire, then i would show him what i looked like when i burned.
"This is dedicated to the one i love." I murmured lowly, looking to the sky.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced reader copy!
WOW! what an excellent read.
Imagine you watched your mother get brutally killed at 13years old while you hid inside a closet. Only for you to find a ring of a rival mafia family on her body. Well that's exactly what happend to Selene.
After this Selene's dad decides that in order to protect her she needs to leave Manhattan to live in Palermo with her aunt and uncle.
Selene has lived for years with anger, guilt and resentment towards the D'Amico family for the death of her mother. Never been able to let anyone get close to her she's built walls of stone around herself in order to protect herself.
So imagine her suprise when she meets a man at a wedding and ends up sneaking off with him for 4 days and in that time for the first time in years she allows herself to be vulnerable and tells him things about herself that she's kept secret for years. Then they go there separate ways but she has never really been able to get over the mysterious man from the wedding.
After years of the Grimaldi's and D'Amico familys been at war and countless lives lost. Selene is forced back to Manhattan to marry the head of the D'Amico family. In a bid to end the war and stop the bloodshed.
Selene is on a mission to kill Santo D'Amico and avenge her mothers death no matter the cost. Arranged marriage be damned. But lines are crossed and not everything is as it seems.
Selene "Keep begging for my body, Santo. I always wanted a dog."
Fantastic read I can't wait for the next book to see what happens with all the characters. Great plot and a perfect first book to build the world would love to have more books and some of the side characters and other Mafia families.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
WOW! what an excellent read.
Imagine you watched your mother get brutally killed at 13years old while you hid inside a closet. Only for you to find a ring of a rival mafia family on her body. Well that's exactly what happend to Selene.
After this Selene's dad decides that in order to protect her she needs to leave Manhattan to live in Palermo with her aunt and uncle.
Selene has lived for years with anger, guilt and resentment towards the D'Amico family for the death of her mother. Never been able to let anyone get close to her she's built walls of stone around herself in order to protect herself.
So imagine her suprise when she meets a man at a wedding and ends up sneaking off with him for 4 days and in that time for the first time in years she allows herself to be vulnerable and tells him things about herself that she's kept secret for years. Then they go there separate ways but she has never really been able to get over the mysterious man from the wedding.
After years of the Grimaldi's and D'Amico familys been at war and countless lives lost. Selene is forced back to Manhattan to marry the head of the D'Amico family. In a bid to end the war and stop the bloodshed.
Selene is on a mission to kill Santo D'Amico and avenge her mothers death no matter the cost. Arranged marriage be damned. But lines are crossed and not everything is as it seems.
Selene "Keep begging for my body, Santo. I always wanted a dog."
Fantastic read I can't wait for the next book to see what happens with all the characters. Great plot and a perfect first book to build the world would love to have more books and some of the side characters and other Mafia families.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Can you imagine having an epic summer fling… years go by before you see each other again… only for him to reappear as part of the D’Amico family… the SAME family responsible for your mother’s death? All those years spent planning your revenge …just for him to walk back into your life like that…
Beneath all the revenge and emotional walls, Selene carried so much vulnerability. You could feel how trapped she was by the expectations of these powerful mafia families. Even when she tried to take control of her own fate, there was always this looming reminder that somebody else was pulling the strings.
And Santo… this man was frustratingly magnetic. 🫠 Beneath that hard exterior, you could see his walls slowly starting to crack every time Selene got under his skin. The fact that their relationship started under false pretenses added another layer of tension that kept me completely invested.
“Whatever conclusion you’ve been putting together in your head while you avoid me—stop. It doesn’t require as much thought as you’re giving it, Selene. I’m not letting you hide from me. Not when I know you want me.”
This story was messy, consuming, and filled with Selene and Santo making questionable decisions while trying to survive impossible situations… which is exactly why I ate this book up.
But of course, Mrs. Bathany Shay Porteous leaves us dangling off a cliff wanting more… and yall already know just how much I looove suffering through a cliffhanger 😏 I just hope we’re not hanging on for too long.
4 ⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Beneath all the revenge and emotional walls, Selene carried so much vulnerability. You could feel how trapped she was by the expectations of these powerful mafia families. Even when she tried to take control of her own fate, there was always this looming reminder that somebody else was pulling the strings.
And Santo… this man was frustratingly magnetic. 🫠 Beneath that hard exterior, you could see his walls slowly starting to crack every time Selene got under his skin. The fact that their relationship started under false pretenses added another layer of tension that kept me completely invested.
“Whatever conclusion you’ve been putting together in your head while you avoid me—stop. It doesn’t require as much thought as you’re giving it, Selene. I’m not letting you hide from me. Not when I know you want me.”
This story was messy, consuming, and filled with Selene and Santo making questionable decisions while trying to survive impossible situations… which is exactly why I ate this book up.
But of course, Mrs. Bathany Shay Porteous leaves us dangling off a cliff wanting more… and yall already know just how much I looove suffering through a cliffhanger 😏 I just hope we’re not hanging on for too long.
4 ⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! This is the first book I have read by Bethany Shay Porteous and it will not be the last. I really like her writing style and how she develops her characters and her plots. In These Vows That Bind Us #1 there are several stories within the story going on at the same time. They all seem to come together at the end but surprise, at least it was to me, it is a cliffhanger.
Selene Grimaldi was thirteen when the book opens. She experiences a life changing event. Eventually her father, the head of the Grimaldi family, sends her to Palermo, Sicily to live with her uncle, aunt and cousin. She was never to go back to New York again.
When Selene was twenty-two she met Luca aka Santo D'Amico at her cousin's wedding. After spending four days with him she left in the middle of the night. A year later on her twenty-third birthday she received a letter from her Uncle Massimo in New York calling her back. "You are our blood, Selene. Our future. I trust you to understand that when the family calls, one must answer."
Santo D'Amico is to be Selene's husband. Since she believes that the D'Amico's are responsible for her mother's death she does not want to marry him. The wedding is to stop the warring between the two families that has gone on for over ten years.
Great story, great plot and great characters and especially great writing. What more can you ask for
in a book? In this case book two, please don't make us wait very long. I always wonder how a person can think of a plot like this one and intertwine it the way she did. Kudos to Bethany Shay Porteous for a really fabulous mafia book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Selene Grimaldi was thirteen when the book opens. She experiences a life changing event. Eventually her father, the head of the Grimaldi family, sends her to Palermo, Sicily to live with her uncle, aunt and cousin. She was never to go back to New York again.
When Selene was twenty-two she met Luca aka Santo D'Amico at her cousin's wedding. After spending four days with him she left in the middle of the night. A year later on her twenty-third birthday she received a letter from her Uncle Massimo in New York calling her back. "You are our blood, Selene. Our future. I trust you to understand that when the family calls, one must answer."
Santo D'Amico is to be Selene's husband. Since she believes that the D'Amico's are responsible for her mother's death she does not want to marry him. The wedding is to stop the warring between the two families that has gone on for over ten years.
Great story, great plot and great characters and especially great writing. What more can you ask for
in a book? In this case book two, please don't make us wait very long. I always wonder how a person can think of a plot like this one and intertwine it the way she did. Kudos to Bethany Shay Porteous for a really fabulous mafia book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received These Vows That Bind Us as an ARC, and all I have to say is I need Book 2!! Not going to lie, it will have you going through the emotions. I did cry a few times. Bethany is an incredible writer; I felt like I was right there during some moments. It was intense, but all the cards fell in the right place towards the end...or so we thought. This book had me locked in from beginning to end. I will say I was frustrated at certain points. Santo had me wanting to punch him, Selene made me want to slap her, and Massimo, yeah, I just wanted to kill him. I couldn't believe the ending. My favorite thing was Selene's relationship with her cousin. It reminded me so much of the many cousins I grew up with and are very close to. Selene and Santo definitely remind me of The Joker and Harlequin in the best and worst ways. They are so passionate for each other, yet that passion can sometimes cause turmoil on both ends. Either way, they are both fierce characters, and it is overall a very interesting storyline. The spice was so good, 5/5. I want to be locked in a hotel room with a hot Italian man for a few days, yes, please. Can't wait for book 2!
Fave Quote: “Anyone who tries to take you from me,” I said, running my hand down the column of her neck, not encircling, just stroking. “I will destroy them. There is no world in which I exist where you are not safe. There is no version of this life where someone touches you and walks away from it.” I cupped her jaw, running my thumb along the softness of her lower lip, unable to help myself. “You are mine, Selene.”
Fave Quote: “Anyone who tries to take you from me,” I said, running my hand down the column of her neck, not encircling, just stroking. “I will destroy them. There is no world in which I exist where you are not safe. There is no version of this life where someone touches you and walks away from it.” I cupped her jaw, running my thumb along the softness of her lower lip, unable to help myself. “You are mine, Selene.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely devoured this book.
From the very first chapter, Bethany Shay Porteous throws you straight into the action and never lets go. I was hooked immediately and ended up reading this in essentially a day because I could not put it down.
The standout for me was the dynamic between Santo and Selene. The tension, the push and pull, the constant battle between what Selene knows she should feel and what she actually feels, it was all incredibly well written. Every emotion felt believable, and I found myself completely invested in both characters from the start.
And Santo? He was everything I want in a mafia romance MMC. Calm, possessive, dominant, protective, and completely magnetic. Bethany did an amazing job creating a character who commands attention without needing to demand it. Every scene with him had me glued to the page.
The chemistry between these two was addictive, and I loved how much depth was given to Selene’s internal conflict. I never felt frustrated by her decisions because I understood exactly why she felt the way she did. The emotional tension was just as compelling as the romantic tension.
The pacing was fantastic, the story kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I genuinely looked forward to every chance I got to pick it back up.
If you love mafia romance with an unforgettable MMC, incredible chemistry, and a story that grabs you from page one, I highly recommend this one.
I cannot wait to continue this series.
From the very first chapter, Bethany Shay Porteous throws you straight into the action and never lets go. I was hooked immediately and ended up reading this in essentially a day because I could not put it down.
The standout for me was the dynamic between Santo and Selene. The tension, the push and pull, the constant battle between what Selene knows she should feel and what she actually feels, it was all incredibly well written. Every emotion felt believable, and I found myself completely invested in both characters from the start.
And Santo? He was everything I want in a mafia romance MMC. Calm, possessive, dominant, protective, and completely magnetic. Bethany did an amazing job creating a character who commands attention without needing to demand it. Every scene with him had me glued to the page.
The chemistry between these two was addictive, and I loved how much depth was given to Selene’s internal conflict. I never felt frustrated by her decisions because I understood exactly why she felt the way she did. The emotional tension was just as compelling as the romantic tension.
The pacing was fantastic, the story kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I genuinely looked forward to every chance I got to pick it back up.
If you love mafia romance with an unforgettable MMC, incredible chemistry, and a story that grabs you from page one, I highly recommend this one.
I cannot wait to continue this series.
Review of advance copy
Oh what can I say about this book except I need book two now please 🙏. This is definitely a book that holds you from start to end, and then has you wanting more. Selene was thirteen when she hid in a cupboard and watched her mother murdered by masked men. Now she's twenty three and living in Sicily with her Aunt and Uncle and their daughter Alessia. Moving on wasn't easy, but she was trying every day. Until her cousins wedding. Sitting on the beach at the end of the night wishing she had a more simple life and maybe even love. Then he appeared from nowhere. Handsome and easy to talk too, but she gave a false name. Now twelve months later and she still cracked those four nights with him. Yet now she was summoned back to New York to help save her family there. Santo knows what will happen when she sees him. But she was his. He'd decided twelve months ago he would marry Selene no matter what it takes. The only problem is his family was blamed for her mother's death. But could he prove to her that he could be trusted. What will happen when Selene comes face to face with her past. Can she ever forgive. Or will she be doomed to marry her greatest enemy. Is she capable of following her uncles request. But then is everything as it seems. Or is there more st stake than she thinks. What will she risk to find out the truth. I can't wait to read the next installment. But please be sure to read the list of trigger points as some of the story may be triggering
June 27, 2026
📚🥀 ARC BOOK REVIEW🥀📚
My Overall Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
TROPES
Enemies to Lovers
Mafia boss MMC
Chaotic FMC
Touch-her-and-die
Obsessive/protective hero vibes
Mafia romance
Plot Twist
Morally gray hero
Arranged Marriage
Enemies to Lovers will forever be my favourite trope and I find the cliffhanger made me excited for book two. Can we talk about how this plot twist had me on the edge of my seat? Appreciate the opportunity to ARC read this.
Pros in my opinion:
I respect a book being very detailed because it makes you feel like you can see what you’re reading, as if it was a movie. I love that we do not have a virgin FMC and she stands her ground in what she wants. I’m excited for book two so we can see Selene and Santo be badass together. Alessia serves as Selene’s confidant and she is not afraid to call out Selene’s faults which can be hard but what Selene needs. The villain gave me the creeps from the get go which plays out so good that you hate by the end.
Cons in my opinion:
The thing that bugged me, the most was the constant Italian phrases and then the translation right after in my personal opinion. I understood that it added to the story but sometimes I felt it was not needed. Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope however, even I have to say that it dragged on more than necessary but overall I enjoyed this read and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
My Overall Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
TROPES
Enemies to Lovers
Mafia boss MMC
Chaotic FMC
Touch-her-and-die
Obsessive/protective hero vibes
Mafia romance
Plot Twist
Morally gray hero
Arranged Marriage
Enemies to Lovers will forever be my favourite trope and I find the cliffhanger made me excited for book two. Can we talk about how this plot twist had me on the edge of my seat? Appreciate the opportunity to ARC read this.
Pros in my opinion:
I respect a book being very detailed because it makes you feel like you can see what you’re reading, as if it was a movie. I love that we do not have a virgin FMC and she stands her ground in what she wants. I’m excited for book two so we can see Selene and Santo be badass together. Alessia serves as Selene’s confidant and she is not afraid to call out Selene’s faults which can be hard but what Selene needs. The villain gave me the creeps from the get go which plays out so good that you hate by the end.
Cons in my opinion:
The thing that bugged me, the most was the constant Italian phrases and then the translation right after in my personal opinion. I understood that it added to the story but sometimes I felt it was not needed. Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope however, even I have to say that it dragged on more than necessary but overall I enjoyed this read and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
July 1, 2026
First off thank you to Bethany Shay for this ARC and congrats on your newest release.
This story starts off tragically when a 13yr old Selene witnesses (hears) the murder of her mother. Fast forward to adult Selene who's pretty just going through the motions of life. While attending a wedding she meets Santo (introduced himself as Luca) she also used an alias (Isabella) she realizes quickly that he's unlike anyone else she's met. She feels something being around and she's not sure if she should listen to it or simply ignore it.
After spending four days with him she left in the middle of the night. She was sure she'd never see him again... that is until she discovers she's been betrothed to a member of the D'Amico family which turns out to be Santo (Luca). Problem is his family is responsible for her mother's death and she's been plotting her revenge.
What unfolds is an intense explosive relationship between the two, neither fully trusts the other, and both have loyalties that threaten to destroy any chance of a future together.
The book follows her transformation from a sheltered artist into a woman determined to claim power in a world built to silence her. As secrets surface and violence escalates, she learns that surviving the mafia requires more than obedience, it requires becoming someone her enemies never anticipated.
Their story isn't done and the way the book ended definitely waited impatiently for Vol.2 to be released.
This story starts off tragically when a 13yr old Selene witnesses (hears) the murder of her mother. Fast forward to adult Selene who's pretty just going through the motions of life. While attending a wedding she meets Santo (introduced himself as Luca) she also used an alias (Isabella) she realizes quickly that he's unlike anyone else she's met. She feels something being around and she's not sure if she should listen to it or simply ignore it.
After spending four days with him she left in the middle of the night. She was sure she'd never see him again... that is until she discovers she's been betrothed to a member of the D'Amico family which turns out to be Santo (Luca). Problem is his family is responsible for her mother's death and she's been plotting her revenge.
What unfolds is an intense explosive relationship between the two, neither fully trusts the other, and both have loyalties that threaten to destroy any chance of a future together.
The book follows her transformation from a sheltered artist into a woman determined to claim power in a world built to silence her. As secrets surface and violence escalates, she learns that surviving the mafia requires more than obedience, it requires becoming someone her enemies never anticipated.
Their story isn't done and the way the book ended definitely waited impatiently for Vol.2 to be released.
Review of advance copy received from Author
These Vows That Bind Us is not a book for the faint-hearted.
From the very first page, Bethany Shay Porteous makes it clear that this is a dark romance that isn't afraid to venture into the shadows. The atmosphere is intense, the emotions run deep, and the story fully delivers on every trope it promises.
🖤 Enemies to Lovers🖤 Forced Proximity🖤 Arranged Marriage🖤 Mafia Romance🖤 Dark Romance
The spice in this book is absolutely scorching. And honestly? The Italian woven into those intimate moments just took things to another level. 🔥🇮🇹
What really stood out to me was the depth of the story. Beneath the darkness, there's a complex and emotional journey filled with loyalty, obsession, sacrifice, and love.
And then there's him. A man who knows exactly what he wants and has absolutely no intention of walking away until he gets it. The determination, the confidence, the unwavering focus... elite book boyfriend material.
By the time I turned the final page, I was completely invested in these characters and their world. In fact, I need the next instalment immediately. Not next month. Not next year. Yesterday. 😭
If you're looking for a romance that's dark, addictive, spicy, and unapologetically intense, then this one deserves a place on your TBR.
⚠️ Please check the content warnings before reading.
From the very first page, Bethany Shay Porteous makes it clear that this is a dark romance that isn't afraid to venture into the shadows. The atmosphere is intense, the emotions run deep, and the story fully delivers on every trope it promises.
🖤 Enemies to Lovers🖤 Forced Proximity🖤 Arranged Marriage🖤 Mafia Romance🖤 Dark Romance
The spice in this book is absolutely scorching. And honestly? The Italian woven into those intimate moments just took things to another level. 🔥🇮🇹
What really stood out to me was the depth of the story. Beneath the darkness, there's a complex and emotional journey filled with loyalty, obsession, sacrifice, and love.
And then there's him. A man who knows exactly what he wants and has absolutely no intention of walking away until he gets it. The determination, the confidence, the unwavering focus... elite book boyfriend material.
By the time I turned the final page, I was completely invested in these characters and their world. In fact, I need the next instalment immediately. Not next month. Not next year. Yesterday. 😭
If you're looking for a romance that's dark, addictive, spicy, and unapologetically intense, then this one deserves a place on your TBR.
⚠️ Please check the content warnings before reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
No Spoilers !! Thank you to Nathalie Porteous and Porteous House for sending me an ARC copy of her debut mafia romance.
CALLING ALL MAFIA GIRLIES!!!!!
You need to read this book-like now- you will not be dissapointed.
This book will become a mafia romance classic- I’m not even kidding. Just go in blind.
The writing is impeccable. The spice is fantastic and has a few surprises. The main male character is very dreamy, speaks Italian fluently, cooks, is tall dark and handsome and charming as f—-!
The main female character is smart, adventurous, speaks Italian is gorgeous and a bit devious - in the best sort of way.
What makes this mafia romance different from all the others you might ask?
This novel and its characters are in between the old school mafia values and the new where women are not just treated as decoration and breeders but treated as potential real partners.
There is a mystery and a revenge plot. This book will bring you through all the feels: elation, ecstasy, grief and belonging.
The female friendships in this novel adds so much to the story.
Every scene in this book moves the plot forward- I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
CALLING ALL MAFIA GIRLIES!!!!!
You need to read this book-like now- you will not be dissapointed.
This book will become a mafia romance classic- I’m not even kidding. Just go in blind.
The writing is impeccable. The spice is fantastic and has a few surprises. The main male character is very dreamy, speaks Italian fluently, cooks, is tall dark and handsome and charming as f—-!
The main female character is smart, adventurous, speaks Italian is gorgeous and a bit devious - in the best sort of way.
What makes this mafia romance different from all the others you might ask?
This novel and its characters are in between the old school mafia values and the new where women are not just treated as decoration and breeders but treated as potential real partners.
There is a mystery and a revenge plot. This book will bring you through all the feels: elation, ecstasy, grief and belonging.
The female friendships in this novel adds so much to the story.
Every scene in this book moves the plot forward- I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
June 30, 2026
If the title doesn’t hook you, chapter one absolutely will.
This book had me kicking my feet one minute and questioning my emotional stability the next. Bethany’s writing is addictive—every chapter had me saying, “Just one more,” until suddenly it was 2 a.m.
Selene is everything I love in an FMC: fierce, resilient, and an absolute warrior. Watching her survive unimaginable tragedy and grow into her strength was incredible. The bond she shares with her cousin Alesia added so much heart to the story.
And Santo… 🥵 A protective mafia man who would burn the world down for his wife? Say less. Their relationship begins with lies, secrets, and betrayal, but the tension, chemistry, and emotional payoff had me completely invested.
Then THAT ENDING?! I genuinely did not see it coming. I’m usually the first to complain about cliffhangers, but this one left me desperate for book two in the best possible way.
If you’re looking for a mafia romance with forced proximity, emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and twists that will leave your jaw on the floor, These Vows That Bind Us needs to be on your TBR immediately.
#theseVowsThatBindUs
This book had me kicking my feet one minute and questioning my emotional stability the next. Bethany’s writing is addictive—every chapter had me saying, “Just one more,” until suddenly it was 2 a.m.
Selene is everything I love in an FMC: fierce, resilient, and an absolute warrior. Watching her survive unimaginable tragedy and grow into her strength was incredible. The bond she shares with her cousin Alesia added so much heart to the story.
And Santo… 🥵 A protective mafia man who would burn the world down for his wife? Say less. Their relationship begins with lies, secrets, and betrayal, but the tension, chemistry, and emotional payoff had me completely invested.
Then THAT ENDING?! I genuinely did not see it coming. I’m usually the first to complain about cliffhangers, but this one left me desperate for book two in the best possible way.
If you’re looking for a mafia romance with forced proximity, emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and twists that will leave your jaw on the floor, These Vows That Bind Us needs to be on your TBR immediately.
#theseVowsThatBindUs
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely LOVED These Vows That Bind Us! This book had me hooked from the very first page and kept me up two nights straight because I simply couldn't put it down.
Selene's rage and hatred toward Santo is on another level. I kept asking myself, "How is this arranged marriage ever going to work?" Their chemistry and tension were absolutely addictive. And Santo...yes, please! I'll take a Santo of my own. What a man!
One of my favorite parts of the story was the relationship between Selene and Alessia. Their bond felt so much deeper than cousins, they were sisters in every way that mattered. I also have to mention Massimo...I couldn't stand him from the very beginning!
Then came THAT ENDING. After sacrificing two nights of sleep because I couldn't stop reading, Bethany really left me hanging like that?! I wanted to throw my book across the room! I need the next book ASAP because I have to know what happens next.
Bethany Shay Porteous has officially gained a fan for life.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book, and I devoured it! I'm leaving my honest review voluntarily.
I absolutely LOVED These Vows That Bind Us! This book had me hooked from the very first page and kept me up two nights straight because I simply couldn't put it down.
Selene's rage and hatred toward Santo is on another level. I kept asking myself, "How is this arranged marriage ever going to work?" Their chemistry and tension were absolutely addictive. And Santo...yes, please! I'll take a Santo of my own. What a man!
One of my favorite parts of the story was the relationship between Selene and Alessia. Their bond felt so much deeper than cousins, they were sisters in every way that mattered. I also have to mention Massimo...I couldn't stand him from the very beginning!
Then came THAT ENDING. After sacrificing two nights of sleep because I couldn't stop reading, Bethany really left me hanging like that?! I wanted to throw my book across the room! I need the next book ASAP because I have to know what happens next.
Bethany Shay Porteous has officially gained a fan for life.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book, and I devoured it! I'm leaving my honest review voluntarily.
July 1, 2026
Thank you Bethany Shay Porteous for letting ARC read this book.
This book was one hell of a ride. It drops you right into the traumatic scene of Selene witnessing her mother’s death, something that leaves a permanent mark on her. She struggles to feel anything other than anger, and no matter how hard she tries, the feelings just aren't there in her relationships. That is, apart from the four days she spent with Lucas, whom she met at a family wedding.
A year later, she’s called back home by her uncle and forced into an unwanted marriage, only to find out who her groom is. Even worse, he belongs to the family responsible for her mother’s death. Then her uncle tells her what his plans are, and that's just the first twist. Every time I thought I knew where things were going, the author blindsided me with another plot twist!
This book has everything, deep feelings, action, sexual tension, and serious spice 🔥🔥🔥. Both Selene and Santo are so easy to connect with, especially with her trauma and his possessive "touch her and die" attitude. It completely pulls you in and doesn’t let go, only to leave you on a cliffhanger! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was one hell of a ride. It drops you right into the traumatic scene of Selene witnessing her mother’s death, something that leaves a permanent mark on her. She struggles to feel anything other than anger, and no matter how hard she tries, the feelings just aren't there in her relationships. That is, apart from the four days she spent with Lucas, whom she met at a family wedding.
A year later, she’s called back home by her uncle and forced into an unwanted marriage, only to find out who her groom is. Even worse, he belongs to the family responsible for her mother’s death. Then her uncle tells her what his plans are, and that's just the first twist. Every time I thought I knew where things were going, the author blindsided me with another plot twist!
This book has everything, deep feelings, action, sexual tension, and serious spice 🔥🔥🔥. Both Selene and Santo are so easy to connect with, especially with her trauma and his possessive "touch her and die" attitude. It completely pulls you in and doesn’t let go, only to leave you on a cliffhanger! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book 📖: These Vows That Bund Us (#1)
Arc copy given to me by the author
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .5/5
Who doesn’t love an FMC who threatens to brutally kill the MMC… and an MMC who smiles like it’s the sweetest thing he’s ever heard?
From the very first chapter, I was completely invested.
Selena witnesses her mother’s murder at the hands of the D’Amico family igniting a family feud.
By her dad Selena was sent away to go live with her aunt and uncle for protection.
Years later, fate throws her a curveball when Selena encounters a “mysterious stranger”— and has a connection she’ll never forget.
The banter between Selene and Santo was one of my favorite parts of this book. Their chemistry was electric, the tension was off the charts.
This book delivers everything I want in a mafia romance: enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, family rivalries, emotional baggage, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages.
But unfortunately I’m left on a cliff hanger, and left wanting more! Let’s just hope that we don’t have to wait too long for more!
Arc copy given to me by the author
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .5/5
Who doesn’t love an FMC who threatens to brutally kill the MMC… and an MMC who smiles like it’s the sweetest thing he’s ever heard?
From the very first chapter, I was completely invested.
Selena witnesses her mother’s murder at the hands of the D’Amico family igniting a family feud.
By her dad Selena was sent away to go live with her aunt and uncle for protection.
Years later, fate throws her a curveball when Selena encounters a “mysterious stranger”— and has a connection she’ll never forget.
The banter between Selene and Santo was one of my favorite parts of this book. Their chemistry was electric, the tension was off the charts.
This book delivers everything I want in a mafia romance: enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, family rivalries, emotional baggage, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages.
But unfortunately I’m left on a cliff hanger, and left wanting more! Let’s just hope that we don’t have to wait too long for more!
July 2, 2026
4.5!
These Vows That Bind Us is a mafia romance featuring an arranged marriage, enemies-to-lovers romance, and plenty of spice. From the very beginning, the tension between Santo and Selene kept me hooked. Santo is incredibly possessive and protective, while Selene carries so much rage and anger that you can’t help but understand after everything she goes through.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Selene’s relationships with Alessia, Zia Maria, and Zio Leon. Those moments brought so much warmth to such a dark story. Their relationships felt so real, heartfelt, and wholesome.
The betrayal in this book hurt. The way everything was planned so deliberately and meticulously made every reveal hit even harder, and I felt just as devastated as Selene when the truth came out. Between the blood, gore, torture, and nonstop emotional tension, this was such an intense read. And that ending… talk about stressful. The cliffhanger left me needing the next book immediately.
Thank you to the author for letting me read this book before the release!
These Vows That Bind Us is a mafia romance featuring an arranged marriage, enemies-to-lovers romance, and plenty of spice. From the very beginning, the tension between Santo and Selene kept me hooked. Santo is incredibly possessive and protective, while Selene carries so much rage and anger that you can’t help but understand after everything she goes through.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Selene’s relationships with Alessia, Zia Maria, and Zio Leon. Those moments brought so much warmth to such a dark story. Their relationships felt so real, heartfelt, and wholesome.
The betrayal in this book hurt. The way everything was planned so deliberately and meticulously made every reveal hit even harder, and I felt just as devastated as Selene when the truth came out. Between the blood, gore, torture, and nonstop emotional tension, this was such an intense read. And that ending… talk about stressful. The cliffhanger left me needing the next book immediately.
Thank you to the author for letting me read this book before the release!
July 18, 2026
warning cliffhanger
I am so annoyed right now… This book ended on a huge cliffhanger. I absolutely hate when there is no notice that a book is part of a continuing series and that it’s a cliffhanger. When I started getting to about the 75% mark I even went back to the blurb in Kindle books about it, and it said book one of one, and then I looked at the reviews and none of them mentioned a cliffhanger. So frustrating! The story was predictable from the very beginning, but the plot was interesting so I kept reading. The authors constant use of the Italian language, followed by the English translation was overdone and became tedious to read. This book was close to 500 pages long and with that length, there could be no resolution? Instead, the storyline just kept repeating Selene's issues over and over. Lastly, a little spoiler...I’m all for suspending disbelief while reading a story, but there is no world that what happened to Santo’s sister would have no immediate retribution. There is no way he would wait a year without a clear plan.
I am so annoyed right now… This book ended on a huge cliffhanger. I absolutely hate when there is no notice that a book is part of a continuing series and that it’s a cliffhanger. When I started getting to about the 75% mark I even went back to the blurb in Kindle books about it, and it said book one of one, and then I looked at the reviews and none of them mentioned a cliffhanger. So frustrating! The story was predictable from the very beginning, but the plot was interesting so I kept reading. The authors constant use of the Italian language, followed by the English translation was overdone and became tedious to read. This book was close to 500 pages long and with that length, there could be no resolution? Instead, the storyline just kept repeating Selene's issues over and over. Lastly, a little spoiler...I’m all for suspending disbelief while reading a story, but there is no world that what happened to Santo’s sister would have no immediate retribution. There is no way he would wait a year without a clear plan.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was an exhilarating book to read I couldn't put this book down, this story was written well and the characters were amazing. This book does have trigger so be aware. The Hamptons was the last place Selene had spent time with her mum, she had witnessed something she should never have seen as a child. Selene was sent to Sicily so she can stay away from this lifestyle, until her uncle drags her back because of her last name. Santo D'Amico found her in Sicily, they gave each other fake names. Santo wants a marriage alliance to stop the war between the two families, they were getting hot every time he touched her but he still needs to win her over and make her understand or not.
This was an exhilarating book to read I couldn't put this book down, this story was written well and the characters were amazing. This book does have trigger so be aware. The Hamptons was the last place Selene had spent time with her mum, she had witnessed something she should never have seen as a child. Selene was sent to Sicily so she can stay away from this lifestyle, until her uncle drags her back because of her last name. Santo D'Amico found her in Sicily, they gave each other fake names. Santo wants a marriage alliance to stop the war between the two families, they were getting hot every time he touched her but he still needs to win her over and make her understand or not.
Read
June 27, 2026My very 1st arc and honestly I couldnt put it down once I got into it I enjoy a good enemies to lovers and this topped it it was so much more serene has a deep well earned hatred for Santo and there are so many twists and turns many you dont see coming I cant wait for the next part this book is heart breaking and spicy you follow the fmc throughout the story and can actually feel her emotions you really feel her when she questions should she trust the mmc and is he telling her the truth ir playing her the plot is so good I can wait for part two i cant say any more without spoilers and honestly if this is on your tbr you really dont want the spoilers
Review of advance copy received from Author
These Vows That Bind Us is a beautifully written mafia dark romance. There is mystery and intrigue as well as spice and romance. I like our FMC right from the start she knows who she wants to be she just isn't sure how to get there and then there is the MMC and he is just swoon worthy. We have the best versions of the arranged marriage, he falls first, touch her and die tropes included. There are the twists you don't expects the reveals that you hope you are wrong about and so much more that keep you hooked. This was actually a fairly long read and at the end I was like dang, I could totally have read another right away from this author. Another must read.
Review of advance copy
Received Advanced Copy from Author
- Arranged Marriage? Yes!
- Family Secrets AND Vengeance? Yes!
- Protective MMC? Yes!
- A Bit of a Mystery Subplot? Yes!
- Spice AND Yearning?! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Sign me up every single time, and twice on Sundays!🤤
I absolutely devoured each page within 24 hours. I’m a sucker for any dark romance, especially a mafia romance, and this is exactly what I wanted, from an intricate plot to a magnetic romance between our FMC/MMC, Santo & Selene ❤️
Im so used to the typical bad mafia guy w/bad mafia friends ends up stumbling upon sweet innocent girl, and somehow sparks fly lol. Not in this book, our FMC Selene was not a weak or fragile pushover like many FMCs are written to be. She was a badass and the banter with Santo had me giggling throughout.
I enjoyed how the author had Italian phrases and sayings throughout the book, it felt very authentic, and for a non-Italian speaker, it was very simple to still follow along🤗
⚠️I’m only sad that I have to wait for the second book, because I need it now. I need to know badly of what happens next!
- Arranged Marriage? Yes!
- Family Secrets AND Vengeance? Yes!
- Protective MMC? Yes!
- A Bit of a Mystery Subplot? Yes!
- Spice AND Yearning?! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Sign me up every single time, and twice on Sundays!🤤
I absolutely devoured each page within 24 hours. I’m a sucker for any dark romance, especially a mafia romance, and this is exactly what I wanted, from an intricate plot to a magnetic romance between our FMC/MMC, Santo & Selene ❤️
Im so used to the typical bad mafia guy w/bad mafia friends ends up stumbling upon sweet innocent girl, and somehow sparks fly lol. Not in this book, our FMC Selene was not a weak or fragile pushover like many FMCs are written to be. She was a badass and the banter with Santo had me giggling throughout.
I enjoyed how the author had Italian phrases and sayings throughout the book, it felt very authentic, and for a non-Italian speaker, it was very simple to still follow along🤗
⚠️I’m only sad that I have to wait for the second book, because I need it now. I need to know badly of what happens next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mafia vibes to the extreme in this book. After a traumatic past Selene is sent to Sicily as a child. Her uncle brings her back to marry into the family that killed her mother.
But did he? There are so many twists in this book about what happened in the past and who was involved. Selene rightfully so has emotionsy all over the place on her feelings for Santo. When the truth was revealed I was in shock.
Santo is all in for Selene, he is a mafia man to the core but respectful for all her feelings. Even when he wants the burn the world down around her.
But did he? There are so many twists in this book about what happened in the past and who was involved. Selene rightfully so has emotionsy all over the place on her feelings for Santo. When the truth was revealed I was in shock.
Santo is all in for Selene, he is a mafia man to the core but respectful for all her feelings. Even when he wants the burn the world down around her.
July 1, 2026
WHOA! Have I ever found a new author I'm sure to be devouring her stories!
This was crazy un-put-down-able!
Selene's father was trying to protect her from his life!
But after he dies…well… She's being called back to New York to marry Santo.
A marriage to stop the wars between the two families!
Selene does not want the marriage!
Santo needs to prove to Selene that his family was not responsible for her mother's death. Can he?
Oh man, do I ever need book two like yesterday!
This was crazy un-put-down-able!
Selene's father was trying to protect her from his life!
But after he dies…well… She's being called back to New York to marry Santo.
A marriage to stop the wars between the two families!
Selene does not want the marriage!
Santo needs to prove to Selene that his family was not responsible for her mother's death. Can he?
Oh man, do I ever need book two like yesterday!
July 3, 2026
I absolutely loved the book and sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the second part.
The book captivates you from the very beginning and you cannot put it down until the last line.
The plot, the characters, the events, the spice, the whole story is incredible well written. There isn’t one dull moment. I was holding my breath in every page not knowing what the next twist will be. It has been a very long time since I felt this way reading a book.
I will be posting my review on the release day on every platform that I have an account.
This story is incredible!
The book captivates you from the very beginning and you cannot put it down until the last line.
The plot, the characters, the events, the spice, the whole story is incredible well written. There isn’t one dull moment. I was holding my breath in every page not knowing what the next twist will be. It has been a very long time since I felt this way reading a book.
I will be posting my review on the release day on every platform that I have an account.
This story is incredible!
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