Stolen Bride

Vows of Violence #1

by Ajme Williams

I was walking down the aisle to seal my father’s mafia alliance…
when his deadliest enemy stole me for himself.

Three hundred guests.
A cathedral full of guns.
A groom waiting at the altar.

And then HE walked in.

Leonardo Santoro.

Italian mafia king.
My father’s deadliest enemy.
Eleven years older.
Cold, beautiful, and dangerous enough to silence a room.

He didn’t come to stop my wedding.
He came to destroy my father.

Five years ago, my father killed his brother.

Now Leo wants revenge.
And I’m the price.

He drags me from the altar in my wedding dress.
Locks me inside his fortress.
Tells me I belong to him until my father pays.

I should hate him.
I do hate him.

But hatred gets dangerous when I’m trapped with him.
When every fight ends with his hands too close.
When the monster who kidnapped me starts looking at me like I’m not a hostage…
- but his.

Then my father comes for me.
Gunfire. Blood. War at the gates.

And I realize the most dangerous truth of all—
I don’t want to be rescued.

Because I’m already carrying Leonardo Santoro’s baby.

And when my father finds out, he won’t just want Leo dead.
He’ll burn the world to take me back.

Leo only has one answer for that.
Anyone who tries… dies.

For readers who love: ruthless mafia kings, stolen brides, fierce heroines, and forbidden captor/captive romance. A bride dragged from the altar. A dangerous age-gap antihero who becomes obsessed with the woman he stole. Explosive family betrayal, secret pregnancy, warring crime families, and a possessive monster who would burn the world down to protect what’s his.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Ebooks, Revenge, Contemporary Romance

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2026

About the author

Ajme Williams - mother, wife, daughter, dreamer, an avid reader and a writer.
When she's not writing romance, Ajme can be seen sipping coffee, gorging on dark chocolate, exercising, or travelling with family and friends. Cooking is therapeutic for her and she drools over Italian food...and men.
What to expect from her books?
Ajme loves variety, so expect a lot of second chances, secret babies, office romances, big fat fake weddings, curvy heroines and alpha heroes. HEA? Always, baby!
If you're a fan of emotional angsty contemporary romance, then you'll enjoy Ajme Williams.

Reviews

[Sally Jask-eh]

Stolen Bride was a good drama filled mafia romance. It starts off with Leo kidnapping Emma at her wedding to another mob family. It was slo mo gothic and violent without gore. This part was great. The plot kinda falls apart in the middle and there is no hookups till almost 50%, but it picks up again with sexy times and continued gangsta violence. Including tell my kids I love. them 😵over the top side character death. Daddy Connor stays true to his shoot first think later methods. Looking forward to next in this series. Writing style is basic but still fun if you are jonesing for a crime boss read. Leo is supposed to be grumpy emotionallly unavailable but he turns out to be the opposite. Emma is a bit of a brat and strings together a uniquie collection of swear words. Could have done without the psycho babble of why kidnapping does not lead to HEA

[Zainabandherbooks]

Dnf @ 29%

This is of no way a reflection on the author. I think I’ve devoured so much mafia romance in the past month that I’m just over it tbh

The premise sounds good and what i read was good enough. I just got bored

[kymagirl]

She was stolen from the altar, then chose the man who took her.

Emma is walking into an arranged mafia marriage when Leonardo tears through the ceremony and takes her for revenge. Leo wants her father to suffer for the brother he lost, and Emma becomes the one thing he can steal that will hurt most.

She fights him with every sharp word, bruised hand, and furious breath she has left. Leo expects a pawn, but Emma is too stubborn to break, too smart to underestimate, and too determined to let anyone else decide her future.

Captivity shifts into something more dangerous as grief, guilt, desire, and forced proximity blur every clean line between them. Leo is ruthless enough to take her, but vulnerable enough to be changed by her, and Emma has to face the unsettling truth that hatred is easier to understand than attraction.

As old wounds reopen and loyalties are tested, Emma is caught between the life she was raised to protect and the man who forces her to question everything she thought she wanted.

Emma learns to trust herself, claim her autonomy, and choose the future she wants. Leo slowly lets vulnerability, devotion, and love matter more than revenge. Their connection moves from hostility and power struggles into a partnership built on desire, trust, loyalty, and choice.

A dark, ultra-steamy, enemies to lovers, captor/captive mafia romance with forced proximity, possessive devotion, family warfare, and dangerous choices. It’s about revenge, grief, autonomy, loyalty, obsession, survival, and the tension between the life you're expected to live and the one you choose for yourself. It’s about a woman who refuses to surrender her voice, a man forced to confront the cost of vengeance, and a love that grows until choice becomes stronger than fear.

The Elevator Pitch: She was supposed to become a bargaining chip in a war between powerful families, but the man who steals her from the altar is carrying wounds as deep as her own. As revenge gives way to obsession, loyalty, desire, and impossible choices begin reshaping both of their lives. What starts as captivity becomes a fight over who gets to decide her future, and what she's willing to risk for the life she chooses herself.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance

[Darkromancearabia Jin]

4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙

I would never miss an Ajme Williams book! Once again, she gave me exactly what I love in a mafia romance.

Emma is walking down the aisle to fulfill her duty and secure an alliance for her father when Leonardo/Leo Santoro storms into the church and steals her right from the altar.

What impressed me most about this book was Emma. She wasn't a weak captive waiting to be saved. She fought back every step of the way, challenged Leo constantly, and refused to surrender her voice or her independence. She kept looking for ways out: she’s Emma Brennan, after all! Even when Leo treated her well, she never simply accepted her situation. She gave as much as she got, and I loved her for it. And later, she was done pretending she didn’t feel anything for him. She was done running from it! She knew what she wanted (Leo) and she went after him despite knowing her family would be against it.

Leo was supposed to be the ruthless mafia king seeking revenge, but beneath all that power and possessiveness was a surprisingly sweet man. Watching his feelings for Emma grow was one of my favorite parts of the story. He believed that taking her would finally balance the scales, but he was also tired and conflicted by the injustice of it all. Revenge wasn't bringing his brother back; it was just violence creating more violence, and Emma was the one paying the price despite having nothing to do with his brother’s death. And then he fell for the stubborn, strong, smart woman he had taken...

The tension between them is sizzling; they just can’t keep their hands off each other! 🔥 The story is packed with drama, danger, family conflict, and plenty of steam! Ajme proves once again why she's one of my go-to authors for mafia romance.

I can’t wait for Valentina and Cillian’s story!!! It sounds so promising!!! If you love stolen-bride romances, possessive mafia heroes, strong heroines, forced proximity, age gaps, family wars, and secret baby tropes, this one is definitely worth picking up.

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

[Read With Emily]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars

I swear AJME Williams knows exactly how to pull me into a mafia romance and refuse to let me leave. Stolen Bride had me hooked from the very first chapter, and I devoured it in no time.

Leo is the definition of a possessive, morally grey mafia man. He’s ruthless when he needs to be, completely unapologetic about taking what he wants, yet underneath all that power is a man carrying more emotional baggage than he lets anyone see. Watching those walls slowly come down because of Emma was one of my favourite parts of the story.

And Emma? She was exactly the kind of heroine I love. She doesn’t just accept her situation—she challenges it. She’s stubborn, brave, and refuses to let anyone decide her future without a fight. The push and pull between her and Leo was packed with chemistry, banter, and so much tension that I couldn’t stop reading.

This book has everything I want in a mafia romance: danger, betrayal, family drama, forced proximity, explosive chemistry, and a hero who would absolutely burn the world down for his woman. Every chapter left me wanting “just one more”… which, of course, turned into finishing the whole book.

If you’re looking for something full of obsession, high stakes, emotional moments, and plenty of spice, this one definitely delivers.

Read this if you love:
🖤 Mafia romance
💍 Stolen bride
🔥 Enemies to lovers
❤️ Possessive, obsessed hero
🏡 Forced proximity
👶 Secret pregnancy
⚔️ Family rivalries
🌶️ Open-door spice

Favourite quote:

“You’re mine now, and I’ll destroy anyone who tries to take you from me.”

Overall, this was such an addictive read. The romance was intense, the suspense kept me turning the pages, and Leo and Emma’s journey was one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. If dark, possessive mafia romances are your thing, I definitely recommend picking this one up!

[Marie]

Emma is doing her duty to her family, marrying a man she doesn't love. But her father wants an alliance, and this marriage does that. Does it matter that it's not what I want. No. Does it matter that I hate what I'm wearing. No. This is duty, nothing more. Leo stands at the back of the cathedral watching and waiting. Then she appears, on her fathers arm. Walking down the aisle to a man who doesn't know her, or what her father has done to my family. Now I'm here to get my revenge and Connor Brennan won't know what's hit him until it's too late. Kidnapping a bride on her wedding day as she walks down the aisle, isn't really avenging my brother's murder. But this taking his daughter and stopping the alliance is a start. Taking Emma and hurting her father was never supposed to end the way it does. But when does anything go to plan. How will Emma cope being held hostage. Can she find an escape of her own. Does Leo have an end game. When will he finally return Emma to her family. Or will it ever end and at what cost. Especially as Emma has a secret that could destroy both families. This is a brilliant story Emma is such a strong willed woman with so much strength and courage even when she's scared. Leo is hiding his true feelings. But everyone around him knows, even if he won't accept it. Can they find a solution that ends without bloodshed. Or is there more at play than Leo knows. I can't wait for Valentina's story

[Korkoi]

Fighting for her Freedom to Love -
Emma may not have been happy with her father forcing her into an arranged marriage, but she never expected the chaos that happened at her wedding and to find herself kidnapped. When Leo kidnapped Emma from her wedding, he had specific reasons for his actions, but what he didn’t expect was the ongoing battle between them, where they just seemed to push each other’s buttons with every encounter. Even though Emma tried everything possible to escape captivity, the ongoing tension-filled interactions with Leo ultimately led to them engaging in ongoing sexual relationship.

Unfortunately, just when Emma discovered her life with Leo was going to be connected for life, her father decided to wreak havoc on other lives, but even though he tried to keep her out of danger, she asserted herself in the middle of the conflict to end it. Even though Emma’s father wasn’t happy with the situation, she was able to get the happily ever after with Leo, that she had grown to love.

This was a gripping, intense romance story, where the chemistry between the characters steadily simmered rather than being rushed, which made every interaction feel loaded with tension. The deeply moving storyline drew me in from the first page and kept my attention all the way through to the end. You definitely won’t go wrong if you enjoy this book on your next reading adventure.

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

[Judy]

This is the 1st story in the Vows of Violence Series where we find Emma performing her duty to her family by marrying a man from another family for a powerful alliance. With no choice in the situation she does what is necessary until one of the most feared men, Leonardo walks in with chaos and walks up to Emma and takes her from the alter in in the name of revenge for the unnecessary death of his younger brother. Leo intends to keep Emma causing pain to her father and Emma understands where Leo is coming from and being his prisoner is exhausting. These two spend time together and as they get to know one another the situation between becomes more that neither one is ready to admit. Emma earns more freedom and starts to adjust after being isolated so when Leo’s home comes under attack he deals with the danger and keeps Emma safe. Life settles down, Emma realizes her feelings for Leo and true to his stubbornness Leo denies his. When Emma’s father returns with reinforcements the attack takes the lives of many men from both families and Emma discovers something that could totally destroy her new found relationship with Leo. Not wanting to be rescued has Emma on edge as doesn’t want Leo and her father to kill each so she uses the only ammunition she can, family! Leo should have planned better as Emma’s father is a deadly man bringing Valentina, Leo’s sister into a deal for power! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Clara Atkinson]

Stolen Bride is the 1st book in the new series Vows of Violence. It's an enemies to lovers, age gap, stolen bride, slow burn, unexpected pregnancy, mafia romance. It follows Emma Brennan Irish mafia princess and Leonardo "Leo" Santoro Italian mafia king.

As Emma walked down the isle towards her arranged marriage chaos erupts and gun fire soon follows and she's kidnapped by her father's deadliest enemy Leonardo Santoro. Leo is out for revenge for the brother her father murdered and what a better way than to take his precious daughter.
Emma isn't your typical wallflower mafia princess she's fierce, in your face, stubborn, intelligent and determined to do whatever it takes to find a way to escape. Then everything changes when she's torn between what her family expects and the man who holds her captive.

Buckle up because this one will grab you from the beginning and hold you tight as you anticipate what could come next.

I can't wait to see what happens in the next book Ruthless Claim- Valentina and Cillian’s story.

I received a free copy through Booksprout an I'm voluntarily leaving my review.

5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Jacqueline's Reads]

This is my first Ajme Williams book and I think the author's writing style isn't for me.

Stolen Bride has a great premise. Emma is kidnapped on her wedding day and Leo is her kidnapper. The book starts off into the storyline and I like we just JUMP into the action.

After Leo actually kidnaps Emma, things start to fall flat for me. I like my mafia books a little dark and dirty and maybe that is on me. Leo is the worlds nicest kidnapper and I just can't get into the romance aspect of it.

Leo's mom even yells at him for kidnapping Emma. What?! Leo is suppose to be a crime boss, why is he letting his Mom and Emma run circles around him?

Emma is okay as a character, she complains a lot (as she should) but I don't really care for it. I do like the interactions between the lead, but by the 50% mark, I'm just yawning. I don't care for the sister visit, I don't care that Dante (Leo's friend) is pressure Leo to do something, I JUST DO NOT CARE.

I usually like low angst and sugary reads but when someone gets kidnapped and is captive, I can't do sugary sweet.

I'm glad I gave a new author a try, but it wasn't for me.

[K T]

Leo & Emma's story is very sweet... it's fast paced with action, suspense, moments of levity, witty banter, hilarious insults, moments of passion & a HEA.

I really enjoyed their story... it didn't take long for Emma to realize that Leo is caring... he provided everything she could need or want (other than letting her go)... and listened when his Mom said he should give her more freedom... they have good conversations & as they spend more time together, they both start to fall...

I like that they were finally able to sit down & talk things through with her family to resolve things peacefully... although I found it sad that her Dad refused to come to their wedding. 😥

This is Book 1 of Vows of Violence... the sneak peek for Book 2 looks so good! Can't wait to read it & the rest of the series!!

Spice level: 3/5

*Mafia romance
*possessive/protective Alpha MMC
*morally grey MMC
*kidnapped/held captive
*rival Mafia families
*Irish Mafia x Italian Mafia
*secret baby
*age gap

Thank you to the author (Ajme Williams) & Booksprout for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[GKP2460]

Stolen Bride is book 1 in the Vows Of Violence series. It's Leo and Emma's yummy age gap read and it's smokin hot! Emma's all set to be married to create an alliance for her father when the unthinkable happens.

"Leonardo Santoro. Italian mafia king. My father’s deadliest enemy. Eleven years older. Cold, beautiful, and dangerous enough to silence a room."

Leo helps himself to Emma as a means of exacting revenge against Emma's father. Being held captive by your fathers greatest enemy isn't exactly what Emma had planned but strange things can happen when you're locked up with a man you hate. Stolen Bride and it's characters is absolutely fantastic! This author brings stories that I very easily get lost in and characters that I either love from start to finish or fall in love with by the end. There's lots of drama, danger, action and intrigue and soooooo much heat the pages steam. Stolen Bride is definitely a must read!

[Michele]

I 💕this story about Leo and Emma.

💍Arranged Marriage
🥷🏼Stolen Bride - she was contracted to another family
😈Enemies -> 💕Lovers
🧨Rival families
🥰Found Family

Leo stole Emma right from the alter of her pending wedding to another family. He wanted to avenge his brother's death at the hands of Emma's father. Though the situation wasn't ideal; they both began to get unwelcome feelings about the other.

Some of the best scenes were between Emma and Leo's mother and then Emma and Valentina, Leo's sister. Emma was a strong personality, and she did not flinch while being interrogated by Leo's family. They were actually impressed by her spirit and strength in an untenable situation.

Though Emma told her father about her love for Leo, he didn't want to give his blessing, and he refused to attend their wedding. We actually get a peek into the next story and how Emma's father intends to create a stronger alliance between Santoro and Brennan families. I can't wait.

[Debbie Lyon]

She isn't daddy's little girl anymore!

Leo kidnapped Emma Brennan because her father killed his baby brother and she is his revenge, so has she is being walked down the aisle to another man,he grabs her and puts her in her guided cage,she hates it and him.Emma is waiting for father to rescue her but days go by and there is a change in both Leo and Emma,he doesn't what he is going to with her and she stop calling him ever name in the book plus.There is attempt on trying to get back Emma but it failed,but it brings Leo and Emma more time together and they are forming a bond. This story is exciting, super intense,secrets galore, and finally a couple who who were enemies found love but it almost started a war but she lost her father,he couldn't seemed to handled his little girl not coming home and her loving his enemy,or kipnapper!Can't wait to read the next installment!

[Cathy Moir-Allen]

Book one of "Vows of Violence". Emma Brennan is walking down the cathedral aisle to an arranged marriage when all hell breaks loose. Amid gunfire, she is grabbed and kidnapped by her father's enemy, Leonardo Santoro. He says it's payback for her father murdering his younger brother five years earlier. He locks her in a gilded cage of a suite and keeps her there while the rumbles of war happen around them. Emma knows that her father will come for her, but Leo refuses to let her go. He's willing to sacrifice everything to make a point. But then he gives Emma the freedom of the house and gardens and suddenly things get complicated. Emma realizes that her cage has started to feel like the only safe space she's ever had. This is a really good book. While it doesn't end on a cliffhanger, it does offer an irresistible "tease" that will leave you wanting more.

[Cindy Jones]

Stolen Bride is the first story in the Vows of Violence series. It is a suspenseful story and a great way to begin a new series.

Emma has been arranged to be married by her father. She is at the wedding and walking down the aisle when everything happens. She is kidnapped by her father's enemy, Leonardo. He wants revenge against her father for murdering his brother. He takes her to his home and locks her up. Emma believes her father will come and rescue her. When Leonardo decides to give her freedom in his home, things change between them. As they spend more and more time together their feelings change.

I loved Emma and Leonardo's story. The suspense will keep you guessing until the end. It is one you don't want to miss. I look forward to the next story from this very talented author.

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

[Farakh Karim]

Enjoyable read

This was a very enjoyable read, and I really liked both of the main characters. It was refreshing to see a heroine who was neither shy nor overly innocent; instead, Emma was confident, feisty, and never afraid to stand her ground. She was the perfect match for Leo, whose personality complemented hers well.

I also enjoyed the balance between action and romance, as there was just the right amount of both. The story flowed smoothly, making it an easy and engaging read. The supporting characters added depth to the novel, and I particularly loved the witty banter and bickering between Leo and Emma, which brought humour and chemistry to their relationship.

Overall, this was an entertaining book that kept me interested from beginning to end, and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog)]

Emma knew she had to marry for the alliance, but she hated the groom, and it made her sick with every step she took toward the altar. Right when she was about to arrive, things exploded, and her father's enemy, Leo Santoro, walked in. And let's just say his revenge starts with Emma. He takes her right out of her wedding to exact his revenge. The problem is, once he has her, things don't go according to plan. He wants to break her, but Emma is stronger than she looks. And now they are at an impasse because the fireworks between them aren't the only thing setting off. The truth about what happened to his brother is about to be blown wide open. Find out if these two will kill each other or fall in love.

[Annie]

We’re told the MMC is a mob boss but hardly see it.
Why do we keep being told they’re having philosophical debates over breakfast/dinner??? It’s pretentious.
In the big fight scene the FMC becomes insufferable. What do you mean you want to fight? You’re pregnant and not trained in any sort of combat.
Also it feels like all of this could have been resolved by talking to her dad before the fight scene even happened ??
Also just not really keen on this writing style - most sentences are short and choppy and it throws me out of the story. I also feel like I’m reading about entirely different characters from the beginning few chapters to the rest of the book.
The plot about the secret organisation that wants Emma killed is also just dropped ??

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel]

This heated story jumps off right from the beginning. Leonardo vowed to get revenge for his brother's death and takes it at a critical time by storming the church and taking Emma before she gets the chance to say her vows. Now she is captive and up close and personal with the enemy but forced proximity and going at each other has feelings changing and hearts compromising among other things and before you know it two pink lines are in the picture. The fight is on and her father is at the gate, but who will win in this thrilling story that keeps you glued to the pages from start to finish.

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

[LeMiliere]

Just as Emma is walking down the aisle to marry another man to cement an alliance, she finds herself taken by her father’s deadliest enemy, Leonardo Santoro, the Italian mafia king.

Leo takes Emma to exact revenge against Emma's father. Finding herself held captive by your father's greatest enemy wasn't supposed to happen.

Stolen Bride and its characters are absolutely fantastic! I found myself lost in both the story and the characters. i loved the drama, danger, action and intrigue and their palpable chemistry.

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

[Danee]

We are taken into the lives of Leo and Emma. On the day she was to marry a man to cement an alliance, Leo throws a spanner in the works and kidnaps her on her wedding day because her father murdered his brother five years ago. And as soon as her father has paid for that, he lets her go, but we know things turn out differently, and so it does with Leo and Emma. They grow closer and feelings surface. What will she choose by the time her father comes to pick her up? Will she stay with Leo, or will she choose loyalty to her father, or the enemy of the man she loves?



I received an Advance Reader copy of this series and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[The Book Ssirren]

Damn, this was fire from the very beginning. Like this hit the ground running and didn’t stop. Leo was determined to get payback for what Emma’s father did to his brother, and Emma was the price. Dragging her right from the altar at her own wedding. Locking her into his place and keeping her until her father pays for what he did. This was so intense. I was gripping my iPad as I devoured this one. And when her father showed up to take her! Omg, it was wild. Emma was already pregnant and there was by way Leo would ever give her back now. There was so much chaos and steam. Just an absolutely amazing story.

[Jenni]

Emmas father murdered Leos brother 5 yrs ago and Leos planned for revenge comes on her wedding day to seal an alliance for her father, she takes her captive, till her fathers meant to pay, only as desire builds between them, when her father comes for her, Emma has to choose loyalty to family or to the one growing inside her, with her fathers enemy. Well written engaging steamy desires drama action and more

[Kelly Gregory]

I'm in love with Mafia stories at the moment, i loved the raw emotion from Emma as she battled her feelings, desires and family loyalty. I love that the heroine is smart and strong and really fights her situation. Leo is your typical alpha mafia man, determined to get his revenge! I truly enjoyed every twist and turn in the story.

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

[CJ]

The author has given us an older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Leonardo/Leo and Emma. The heart pounding story keeps us turning the pages with an arranged marriage, danger, secrets, connection, violence and steam.

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

[Christine]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Leonardo santoro has been waiting to gets revenge for his brothers death and has finally found it the daughter of his enemy .this story was so adorable because he realized what he should of know before hand he didn't have a chance woman are smarter. lol.

[nicolenyy]

Absolutely loved. I want to do this without spoilers so i’ll keep it short and simple.

Leo and Emma are perfect for each other. I loved their dynamic. I loved their story. I loved their relationship. I especially loved how she gave him a run for his money. And i loved the ending. I really enjoyed this book and finished in one sitting. 5star read for me.

[Pamela]

Emma is kidnapped from her arranged wedding by Leonardo Santoro. He wants revenge on her father for his brother's death. He plans to keep Emma until he gets his revenge. Emma fights things at first but things change over time. A secret baby will make things even more dangerous for the couple. Will things work out or burn into ash?

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout.

[cloudyapplejuice]

idk mannnnn. the writing just wasn't working for me.

I think the biggest issue is that he clearly just wasn't meant to be in mafia lol, he's a sustainability architect and he's giving sustainability architect vibes. like wdym at the start of the book you put the fmc between you and his dad's gun? Idc that it's her dad, you're a man bro deal with the gun and face it.