What do you think?
Rate this book
These Vows That Bind Us
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jul 26I 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.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 1, 2026
About the author
Bethany Shay Porteous
5 books77 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 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!!!!!
✨✨✨
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
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.
June 6, 2026
ARC Read:
👏👏👏👏👏👏
I LOVE THIS BOOK! Holy shit this was good.
This mafia romance was beautifully written. The characters are fabulous, complex and multifaceted. We have Selene and Santo as our main characters. They’re both very strong willed and determined. Their love story is complicated, messy and has real life issues as well as mafia related issues. They come from opposing families that have a years long blood feud going on between them that is putting immense strain on all the crime families in New York and the surrounding cities.
Selene has experienced extreme trauma at an early age and as a result carries so much anger and rarely lets people in. Her emotions are palpable and well demonstrated in Shays writing.
Santo is our morally grey hunk of a man who will burn it all down if only she asked him. You can feel his true and unyielding devotion to not only his family but also to our very stubborn Selene.
My favorite side character is Alessia, the carefree bright sunshine of Selene’s family.
If you’re looking for a new mafia romance realm where nothing is as it seems, has feminine rage, twists, betrayal and quotes like “you look like the kind of trouble that would drag a Man under- and he’d thank you for it”, “the truth of the matter, Mia sposa, is that I’ll burn the world down for you” and “I watched as Zia crossed herself twice in outrage, then declared that any man who judged a woman for eating pasta should be put down” you
Need to add this book to your TBR.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
I LOVE THIS BOOK! Holy shit this was good.
This mafia romance was beautifully written. The characters are fabulous, complex and multifaceted. We have Selene and Santo as our main characters. They’re both very strong willed and determined. Their love story is complicated, messy and has real life issues as well as mafia related issues. They come from opposing families that have a years long blood feud going on between them that is putting immense strain on all the crime families in New York and the surrounding cities.
Selene has experienced extreme trauma at an early age and as a result carries so much anger and rarely lets people in. Her emotions are palpable and well demonstrated in Shays writing.
Santo is our morally grey hunk of a man who will burn it all down if only she asked him. You can feel his true and unyielding devotion to not only his family but also to our very stubborn Selene.
My favorite side character is Alessia, the carefree bright sunshine of Selene’s family.
If you’re looking for a new mafia romance realm where nothing is as it seems, has feminine rage, twists, betrayal and quotes like “you look like the kind of trouble that would drag a Man under- and he’d thank you for it”, “the truth of the matter, Mia sposa, is that I’ll burn the world down for you” and “I watched as Zia crossed herself twice in outrage, then declared that any man who judged a woman for eating pasta should be put down” you
Need to add this book to your TBR.
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
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
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 Santa 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 Santa 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 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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had EVERYTHING! The suspense, the plot, the characters was just everything. This was my first mafia romance and I’m hooked. I knew this was going to be something special and it definitely was. I didn’t want it to end. I’m not mad at the cliffhanger and I’m anxious for the series to continue. This just became my new favorite author. Her writing just captivated me. I was right there with the characters as if I was a fly on the wall watching everything unfold. Special, this was special.
June 26, 2026
What an absolutely fantastic read this book was.
I think I need time to process before I can start a new one lol
The writing was so good, you could feel the mixed emotions from Selene, and Santo well a man of many sides.
The storyline just kept me enthralled and that ending, omg I need the next book now.
A truly great mafia read I wish I could give more than 5 stars.
Thankyou to the author for letting me read an advanced copy.
This is my honest review
I think I need time to process before I can start a new one lol
The writing was so good, you could feel the mixed emotions from Selene, and Santo well a man of many sides.
The storyline just kept me enthralled and that ending, omg I need the next book now.
A truly great mafia read I wish I could give more than 5 stars.
Thankyou to the author for letting me read an advanced copy.
This is my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
I definitely need the next book. That ending...like you can see it coming but it hits harder when it does. Selena life to a hard turn only at 13 and she tried to make the best of life. Until one letter threatened to topple everything. This story is full of lies, betrayals and so many secrets. Gather yourself and be ready to unravel the lies.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from the author.
'I hated him. Wanted him. Feared him. All in equal measure, and I couldn't have said which feeling was winning.'
This was a dark mafia romance, heavy on the romance. We didn't have to wait long for our first taste of the heat and spice. Selene was full of fire and anger, she was stubborn and strong. She destroyed, she fought back. Santo was a dream, strong, powerful, protective, secretive, obsessed.
I LOVED all the Italian throughout the book, it was done so well. I think ready naughty things is the best way to learn a new language.
The pacing of the books was fairly moderate, with a lot happening near the end, it was full of action. The ending, oh that ending.. we had heartbreak, betrayal then finally love, then the rug was pulled from our happy couple. I need the next book!
'I hated him. Wanted him. Feared him. All in equal measure, and I couldn't have said which feeling was winning.'
This was a dark mafia romance, heavy on the romance. We didn't have to wait long for our first taste of the heat and spice. Selene was full of fire and anger, she was stubborn and strong. She destroyed, she fought back. Santo was a dream, strong, powerful, protective, secretive, obsessed.
I LOVED all the Italian throughout the book, it was done so well. I think ready naughty things is the best way to learn a new language.
The pacing of the books was fairly moderate, with a lot happening near the end, it was full of action. The ending, oh that ending.. we had heartbreak, betrayal then finally love, then the rug was pulled from our happy couple. I need the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was in a reading slump until I was gifted the advanced copy of this book. From beginning to end, I was hooked. The character development perfectly matched the slow burn and I appreciated Selene’s acknowledgement of her trauma. It was refreshing to see her actively address and overcome it, a rarity in dark romances. The enemies-to-lovers trope had me giggling, especially the MFC’s constant confusion about her feelings for him. I gave it five stars because while it’s a dark romance, it’s not solely focused on smut. The smut is perfectly placed and not rushed or overly fantasised, which is a common issue in dark romances. The ending left me wanting more and I can’t wait to see the side characters get developed further and have their own stories, the world building was done so well that I can’t wait to read EVERYTHING that comes from it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews