His Faith: A No-Spice Dark Romance

by Kess Avalon, Bree Livingston

She was his calculated move. Until she became his only weakness.Faith
I never planned to become anyone’s wife.
Definitely not his.
But when my father tries to sell me off to clear his debts, I'm left with one choice… choose my own husband.
Ethan Blackwood is ruthless, controlled, and dangerous in ways I don’t fully understand.
Our marriage is supposed to last one year.
I never planned on him being someone I’d never want to leave.

Ethan
Marrying Faith Dalton was a calculated move. Nothing more.
Then she looked past the name, the power, and the reputation—and saw something I couldn’t afford to let matter.
Now nothing is going according to plan.
Because I’m learning the most dangerous thing to enter my world…
Is her.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 23, 2026

Reviews

[BookishVibesClub · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for your TBR 🙌🏻 This is everything I want in a romantic suspense with billionaires and questionable societies. This has all the feels of an amazing mafia romance, but it’s high society and dangerous rivalries.

A clear cut business-like arrange marriage but they can’t help but falling 🫠 The frustrated tension and the playful banter brings some steamy tension that is REALLY fun to read 🥵🫠 but don’t worry, it’s all completely closed door 🙌🏻

♥️ Meddling Grandma (the best trope ever)
♥️ Marriage of Convenience
♥️ One Bed
♥️ Age Gap (24 x 34)
♥️ Morally Gray MMC
♥️ Suspense
♥️ Betrayal
♥️ Broken to Healing
♥️ Slow Burn
♥️ Caretaking
♥️ Sweet Protective Romance
♥️ Morally Gray
♥️ Romantic Suspense

Standalone - or, at least ended with closure

I couldn’t have loved this book more 😍 It’s a sweet romance in a dark world.

Do you ever read a book where a side character steals the show in the best way? That’s Grandmother 🤭 I love a meddling grandma and I think she may be my favorite I’ve met so far.

🫑🫑 kisses only, no spice (hard earned kisses 🥹)
No Language

[Michaela (Reading in the Heartland) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I absolutely devoured it. This no spice dark romance was the best I’ve read. I loved how it didn’t glorify or put a ton of focus on the MC or his friends doing illegal acts. I adored this marriage of convenience between sweet Faith and tough as nails Ethan. Except, his heart! The moments between these two as the suspense creeps around and hearts are walled off melted me.

This book holds so much, and is thorough, but I absolutely adored it all. There is an age gap but it doesn’t play a big role in this book. I loved the addition of Faith’s healthcare background and their “meet cute.” I cannot wait to read more from this author. The romance is just kisses, intimacy level 2.

TW: Injuries, Death, Mentions of Drunkenness, Gambling, Infidelity, and Divorce

I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

You had me at Marriage of Convenience! And this did not disappoint! Okay, I have to laugh when I see a 400+ page book and mentally plan that it will take days to read… and then I binge read it practically in one sitting! THIS was that kind of book!

Faith has her future set on college and her studies… not a forced marriage arranged by her father. Ethan has his own plans for his life, certainly not a bride. But when Faith comes to his rescue, he owes her a favor, and little did he know what she had in mind. A marriage of convenience? It is mutually beneficial. She gets to choose her husband instead of her father choosing for her, and Ethan gets to show his business partners that he is a stable married man. It is only meant to be on paper, and with both their walls up, neither expects the other to break through… but break through they do! And this temporary arrangement starts to turn into lasting feelings. Add in unknown threats neither were expecting, requiring them to truly rely on each other, and things may not go as planned!

You all, I loved this. The way these two met was unique, and I loved their arrangement and the rules that, as we know... end up becoming pretty flexible as the walls come down. And the way these two supported the other, and showed love for the other through their actions... Gosh, I loved this. I also did not see the suspense and mystery behind everything coming. There were SO many layers! And no, I will not be spoiling it for you.

Curious if this is a standalone or if some favorite side characters are going to get romances too?

I recieved a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

Content Info: Closed door romance, violence on the page, and discussions of past violent events.

[Tia Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan and Faith were two people with fractured hearts and souls who take a journey towards healing in all its complexity! What do you do when the source of your pain is the first place children are meant to find safety? There is family drama, secrets, and betrayals. There is a slight theme of found family in this book which I loved! Evidence that love and loyalty can come from unexpected places and people. You’ll laugh, you’ll be sad and you’ll swoon! This is a no-spice, no language dark romance. Check the trigger warnings if you have sensitivities to darker themes. Although personally, I didn’t perceive this story in that way. You’ll definitely feel repulsed and irritated by some characters and their behaviour but there is no concerning on page descriptions. I liked the banter between our two main characters and I also loved a certain older poised woman. I would definitely re-read this book and add it to my physical library.

[Hannah Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️meddling grandma
⭐️marriage of convenience
⭐️age gap
⭐️billionaire
⭐️morally grey MMC

Kess does what she does best and writes another hit morally grey romantic suspense novel.
This is different than her Vow series, but still the clean language, closed door content we love from her.
Both the MCs have some healing to do, and seeing them grow was so great to read.
The depth of intrigue throughout the plot line kept me engaged from start to finish. It had several moments when it felt like my heart was tugged out of my chest and onto the pages (🙋🏻‍♀️ book cryer)!
And there were so many things I highlighted from Ethan, just 🫠. I loved Faiths sticking power. Even when it hurt, she could see and understand Ethan and chose to stay, to love. It was no longer about a contract but heart instead. When he finally lets down those walls 🥹.

[Beth DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read from this author before, so I honestly didn't know what to anticipate from this book. But five chapters in, and I already had multiple passages highlighted with lines that had me swooning, cackling, or simply enjoying her writing style.

That said, I *thoroughly* enjoyed this book! Kess has such a way with words, describing everyday human behavior, especially grief, in a way that is raw and truly hits home.

I loved the games, the swoon, the banter!

But also... the heartbreak. For both MCs. There was a lot of tearing up going on, especially those last couple chapters.

So yeah. Loved it. Highly recommend if you're into dark romantic suspense. And I will absolutely be following this author for more!

⚠️ No cursing
🫑 Kisses only

Thank you so much to the author for the chance to ARC read for you!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! Intrigue, suspense, and romance. Oh, and a meddling grandmother. A dark no-spice romance that did not disappoint at all. A contract marriage to help one and protect the other, Ethan and Faith figure out who they can trust and who they can depend on. Grandmother ‘helps’ along the way 😏. One of my favorite quotes has to be,”You are worth the work, Faith.” “And I want to spend the rest of my life doing it right.”

[GPReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this one! I couldn't put it down. There's action, secrets, pain and love. The romance is tender despite the morally grey male lead. And the plot had me guessing where it was all leading. Kisses only, no cussing, no graphic violence. Thanks for the early read Kess!
Tropes: fake marriage,morally grey

[Amanda Shinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

No-spice dark romance with a fake-marriage? Yes please!! I was dropped right into the plot, and I didn't catch my breath until the end!! This story gave me all the giddy feels I love in a dark romance: delicious chemistry, melty kisses, one-bed (let's go!), plus, suspense & plot twists!
*I was not paid to review her book.

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Ethan & Faith's fiery, protective, caring, heartbreaking, hopeful, sweet , swoony happily ever after!!!

[BrittNeedsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ 5/5 - (I had the time of my life)
🌶️ 1/5 (glimpses and kisses)

Fair warning to everyone that thinks, "oh I'm stuck at the DMV, I'll just finish this book real quick to pass the time and not hate it here." You will end up crying before your drivers license photo and have to explain to the kind people at the DMV everything is okay the book is just devestating in the best way. I did not know going into this book I would be going on a healing journey to forgive people for not being what they were suppose to be and to learn that you don't have to beg to be loved.

This book is beautiful and so well done. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at certain parts (iykyk). 10/10 would recommend to add this to tbr asap!