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Volkov Bratva #1

Broken Vows

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A Dark Mafia Romance

She’s my fake wife, my property… and my last chance at redemption.
She’s beautiful. An angel.
I’m dangerous. A killer.
She’s my fake bride for a single reason – so I can crush her father’s resistance.

But marrying Eve brings me far more than I bargained for.
She’s fiery. Feisty. Won’t take no for an answer.
She makes me believe that I might be worth redemption.

Until I discover a past she’s been hiding from me.
One that threatens everything.

Now, I know that our wedding vows are not enough.
I need to make sure she’s mine for good.

A baby in her belly is the only way to seal the deal.

And in the end, the Bratva always gets what it wants.

A don’s daughter is sold to a ruthless Bratva kingpin in this full-length mafia romance from author Nicole Fox. Eve wants desperately to escape a marriage she never asked for… but Luka isn’t about to let his newest prize go free. Taming the girl might cost him everything. The question is: Is she worth it?

Find out in BROKEN VOWS, Book One of the Volkov Bratva duet.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2019

4004 people are currently reading
3464 people want to read

About the author

Nicole Fox

195 books4,824 followers
Nicole Fox writes smart, sexy mafia romance novels. She is a crazy cat lady in her late 30s with a coffee addiction, an overactive imagination, and a husband who somehow puts up with her impulsive need to keep buying new plants for their house.

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5 stars
2,072 (43%)
4 stars
1,456 (30%)
3 stars
846 (17%)
2 stars
259 (5%)
1 star
103 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
Profile Image for Kat |Demented Paramour.
174 reviews15 followers
January 12, 2020
God, another doormat heroine in sight

Why is every heroine from all of the mafia books that I've read always a doormat? Some might hide behind snarky comments, but they're all the same. They're all talk and no action. The only heroine that is not a doormat (and that I really like) is Melody from Ruthless People by J.J. McAvoy. The other heroines? They're all interchangeable.

Let me introduce you to Eve, the heroine of this book.

She's the daughter of a mafia boss, and like every heroine of every mafia book ever, she's pure/kind/innocent/nice/perfect and doesn't want to have anything to do with the mafia world. Basically the opposite of our dark dangerous hero which is the heir to another mafia group. They get into an arranged marriage, and despite Eve's refusal to marry him, she falls all over Luka and getting comfortable with him the first chance she got. Two days into the marriage, Luka disappears for three days and Eve can't stop thinking what she does wrong. Then on day three he comes back, saying he should impregnate her to make sure her father can't ever go back on the deal, she agrees without much consideration. A week after that he forces to have sex with her (because he wants to impregnate her remember?) and at first she tries to push him away, but then think better of it and just enjoy it. This girl really has no self-respect. After that despite Luka ignoring her and leaving her all alone in the mansion, she stays up in the living room waiting for Luka to come home and making sure he's okay. Because that's her husband. Of course she has to make sure he's comfortable even though he doesn't even spare a glance towards her. Because that's what every good girl would do.

His green eyes fall on me, and I plead with him silently, begging him to stay. To stay with me. To cross the room and hold me and be with me and forgive me for all the things he thinks I did.


The keyword here is all the things he thinks I did
This girl doesn't even know what makes Luka hates her and yet she accepts all of his treatments towards her.

Basically Eve in one sentence:

It’s embarrassing how eager I am to please him.


An embarrassment

Luka is no better. He only comes to her when it's her ovulation cycle just to get her pregnant and then leaves right afterward and she will never see him again until the next cycle. He’s so keen on the idea that Eve is betraying him it’s ridiculous. And it’s all based only on the fact that she was previously engaged to someone else. Just....wtf? There's nothing else that support his theory. If she really cares for her ex-fiance why didn’t she married him then you idiotic fucker. For someone with such a high ranking in the mafia Luka is really stupid. And he knows exactly that Eve’s father is a cunning piece of shit yet he still believes that Eve is the one betraying him. And the cherry on top, when he realizes he loves her. Bitch how? They don't ever spend time together except for their first two days of marriage. They even rarely see each other. The only time they're together is when they have sex and there's no conversation and Luka leaves right after. Someone please tell me how these two people come to love and care for each other because I really can't see it.

description

After around 75% I started skimming and only read the dialogue because all the characters are idiots. I don't even care if they ended up dead.

Note to every author out there:
You don't have to make a heroine to be such a doormat just because she's a goody two shoes. A girl can be kind and still take no shit from anyone. Thank you
Profile Image for Nicole Fox.
Author 195 books4,824 followers
October 14, 2019
From hatred to hope.

What makes us human? That is a question I found myself facing again and again while writing Broken Vows. Is it our strengths - our humor, our fire, our passion, our love? Or is it our weaknesses - and, ironically, can those be the same things as our strengths?

Luka and Eve are vastly different people, and in a just world, they might never even cross paths. Maybe that would've been for the best. But the darkness in one and the lightness in the other make for a delicious blend of something very wrong that maybe, just maybe, has a chance at blossoming into something very, very right.

Nothing ever transforms quite that easily, however. Both the Bratva boss and his woman are headstrong and often refuse to see the truth staring them in the face. But by the time I typed "THE END," I realized something else: maybe that's the most human thing of all.

I hope you enjoy this thrilling romantic suspense as much as I enjoyed writing it - and believe me, I had a blast. Luka is probably my favorite bad boy yet, and Eve is the smart, sassy chick I always dreamed of being. But be sure to buckle in...

Broken Vows is one heck of a wild ride.

Enjoy!
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,526 reviews322 followers
April 9, 2020
This was a pretty good read. Luka was an underboss, his father Ivan was the boss of the Volkov Bratva. Eve is a is a sous chef in a restaurant that they left like to eat in when she insults Ivan they wanted her to apologize to him. I didn't like Ivan or Eve's father Benedetto. Eve who grew up in the mafia wanted her own life Luka also grew up in the Bratva when his father orders him to kill her he comes up with a plan to save her by marrying her she says no so he goes to her father. This was a good read they had a lot of hot chemistry, but Luka made a lot of mistakes and she was taken. This was a good read with a lot of action in it. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. This book left off with a cliffhanger I can't wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for 🦉Maggie Whitworth.
3,254 reviews113 followers
December 7, 2021
❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
💋💋

Excellent book, brilliant characters that pull at your heartstrings and make this a very satisfying read.
The Volkov’s are an explosive breed, tough, bloodthirsty and fill every want you could possibly have if your into reading Mafia fiction.
Luka is awesome and I love his no nonsense ways.
Great book
Profile Image for elara.
231 reviews14 followers
May 2, 2024
nicole fox you’re going to hell wtf was that ending
160 reviews
February 7, 2020
Meh

I read the reviews and I was rather excited to read this book however I was left feeling a bit meh about it and not really wanting to continue the series.

Everything happened so fast, how she hated him for being the Don of a rival mob and then within 48hrs her being madly in love with him.

He was ok but the vibe which he was supposed to have, a super bad ass-no fear- will cut you from ear to ear fell a little flat.

His ear worm father was just as awful as her own, demanding he ‘mate’ with her for an heir and of all things she bloody let him!

I normally like the bad boy don with a nonsense outlook but not this one!
Profile Image for Maria11.
2,001 reviews45 followers
July 4, 2020
Ok

Good read plot twist or two. It was ok just a regular mafia story. Quick read that ends with a cliffhanger. I will read the next
Profile Image for Kate Edward.
168 reviews4 followers
January 3, 2021
OMG I READ THIS IN UNDER 3 HOURS! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT OMG OMG OMG this is the best one yet!
Profile Image for Sophie Lark.
Author 45 books23.8k followers
June 30, 2020
I really enjoyed Luka and Eve’s story. Nicole Fox has such a solid grip on her mafia worlds. She really brings the sense of menace in these dangerous men.

I’m also a sucker for characters who are chefs or bakers, because I’m slightly obsessed with food, and love to read about people cooking. I appreciated that Eve had her own passions and goals before she met her love interest.

The story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but the main arc was wrapped up, so I didn’t mind that. It was more just a teaser for the next book.
Profile Image for Rosalie.
589 reviews
May 14, 2020
3.5 stars, I liked this a lot - didn’t love it.

The beginning set up the story great - Eve is a chef and disrespects the mafia (not knowing they’re her fathers mafia rival) and in retribution, she has to marry Luka.

I liked both characters ... Luka was into her and protective from the very beginning and Eve was fun.

Unfortunately I felt like not much happened and their romance / buildup didn’t go as far as it should’ve. By the time they said I love you I said huh?

Hahah but it was good. But again - I really didn’t like the fact Luka was mad at her cause he assumed stuff (no spoilers) and acts like an asshole and she takes it ... I wanted her to explode and be like YOU CANT HAVE ME !!! Instead she’s thinking of ways to get her Luka back.

There wasn’t enough romance to see how they would be as a couple Inlove.

Won’t read the next one - would’ve loved if it was one book I don’t think the book needs a second part ...

So it was good but storyline was underwhelming and lacked depth but I do think it was fun to read and I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Jeon  Diana.
81 reviews
January 21, 2020
Not my favorite.

The book wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t fairly alright either. Eve is forced into a marriage with Luka Volkov because their parents hate each other and she just so happens to be the person who could bring peace to both families, allegedly. Luka doesn’t trust her but feels a strong connection to her. This is a repeated cycle of her being treated unfairly just because of who her father is. They start to somewhat work things out but not once does he ever stay when she asks him to. He comes off as selfish and childlike, pushing her away and claiming later on that he did in fact trust her. And despite his ever changing behavior she still goes back to him pleading for him to stay with her. They’re both eager to please their father, especially Luka. Honestly, their relationship was doomed from the start but it would’ve been a good read if he was at least willing to work it out with her, hence the two stars.
Profile Image for Karla Lopez.
340 reviews77 followers
January 15, 2020
4.5/5


This book was so good. I couldn’t get over it. It’s a dark romance mafia book with an arranged marriage and baby trope. I love the development of the story. I was so hooked. Separations within books get to me, but I seriously love the way the author demonstrated it. Because they were still married, but a few things happen...

I was hooked the whole entire time. And there was so much angst I couldn’t get enough. The hero of the book Luka he would get on my nerves, but he was also a dream. The ending was so cute and adorable with their baby until you know it wasn’t. It left you with such a cliffhanger, but I needed a break from all the emotions, but I plan to read book two because I need to know what happens.
Profile Image for Maria (Ri).
5,145 reviews15 followers
November 18, 2019
4.3 stars

This surprised me. I love mafia, so I'm always on the lookout for new series and authors. This book had a plausible storyline. My only real complaint was in the characters. I wanted them fleshed out more. I couldn't really connect with them because I never really saw them open up and progress the way that I wanted.

Still a good start. I'll look for more from this author in the future.
Profile Image for Romance Between The Sheets.
1,175 reviews66 followers
December 7, 2019
Love this mafia romance it was dark and delicious. Has all the elements I love, plentiful fire and ice and also mystery mafia family ties.

It ends on a cliffhanger of sorts so if you want to find out their next drama you will need to read the next story which was my only complaint as I did not realise this.
Profile Image for beth m.
873 reviews
June 13, 2020
Book 1

It was just okay. It’s your classic bratva book. Nothing super special. I was hoping the female lead would’ve had more to her. She grew up as a don’s daughter, she had no skills except cooking. So that was a little boring.
Profile Image for Literary  Harlot.
73 reviews14 followers
October 29, 2020
I just couldnt get into it

Im not one to leave bad reviews as an authors work is their passion. What I will say is Im a huge mafia fan and this book missed the mark for me. It did keep me interested enough to finish the book however I will not be reading the second.
Profile Image for April.
1,202 reviews25 followers
December 30, 2020
3.5 Stars.

I’m interested enough to keep reading, however it’s missing a little something. Her books while good are all exactly the same structure just dressed up a little differently. However this is a two parter so I interested it what lies ahead.
Profile Image for minnie𓂀.
204 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2024
qué libro más aburrido acabo de leer, y qué protagonistas tan planos tiene
me he leído todo el libro y siento que no conozco nada a los protagonistas
Profile Image for Martha Gutierrez.
70 reviews2 followers
February 20, 2024
2.5/5
Realmente no puedo decir si me gustó o no, el enamoramiento de Eve por Luka se siente exageradamente veloz, desde el inicio se ve el insta-love de Luka así que no puedo juzgarlo pero la manera tan rápida y obsesionada en la que cayó Eve por alguien que literalmente solo le dedico 2 días te atención me pareció exagerada, sin mencionar que Luka ni siquiera se arrastró por todo lo malo que hizo y encima siento que en los últimos capítulos literalmente es otro personaje, no es el calmado, icy protagonista, sino un niño asustado y nervioso.
La razón de las dos estrellas es que sin duda la química está ahí y es lo que salva el libro pero más que eso tenemos a dos protagonistas que comienzan con una gran fuerza y voluntad y que conforme avanza el libro en lugar de hacerse más fuertes se debilitan al punto de que ni siquiera pueden mantener sus convicciones más básicas.
234 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2021
I’ve really enjoyed Luka and Eve’s story so far.

Luka,an underboss, propositions Eve so that she can essentially save her fathers behind from an all out war. She agrees to it to stop any further bloodshed.

Their marriage starts off well but soon goes sour thanks to the master manipulator. Eve is also taken by the enemy just to get to Luka.

I think only two things that annoyed me about this book is that the heroine wasn’t the strongest character. She was like a puppy pining after it’s master.
Added to that, the author used Italian mafia ranks instead of brat a ranks, so it was confusing but still a good read.
35 reviews
February 12, 2025
Couldn’t even finish the book. It was just too much and it was too slow. I usually enjoy Nicole Fox books, but this one just seems to drag on a lot. It’s just slow going and unlike her usual books, for the first time there’s a condom involved during the intercourse scenes. I think I read about half (but it put me to sleep) before I quit (and I never quit reading).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Loli.
655 reviews8 followers
November 27, 2025
Estas historias de mafia, donde sus protagonistas son malos malísimos y ellas aunque de apariencia frágil, también son guerreras, me gustan mucho.
Hay que leerla para saber que pasará, y hay que tener preparada la segunda parte de la bilogía porque en cuanto acabas la primera parte, quieres leer la segunda. Me ha gustado mucho y voy a leer a ver como acaba esta tremenda historia.
Profile Image for ੈ♡˳.
212 reviews
June 21, 2024
Loved it. Can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book and hope Eve and Milaya are safe.
Profile Image for Nessa.
3,938 reviews72 followers
March 20, 2020
NOT BAD, BUT IT DIDN'T GET MY ATTENTION ENOUGH FOR ME TO FINISH THIS TILL THE NEXT DUET. AN AVERAGE TYPE OF MAFIA ROMANCE.

LUKA follows in his father's footsteps, and I hate to say this but he reminded me of Daddy's boy until he met Eve. Luka had never questioned what he does as part of the Bratva, but then again he's never met a woman he wanted with a fiery passion. For some reason, this woman calls to him and before he knows it, he's proposing marriage to the enemy's daughter. His chemistry with Eve wasn't even the main problem....but perhaps it didn't happen rather quickly. Luka's problem was he never talked things out before jumping to conclusions. It probably comes with his profession and the way he was raised. Shoot first, ask questions later. I think in this book, Luka did the stupidest thing by abandoning his wife and hurting her when he believed she was just playing with his feelings when he discovered that she was once engaged to another man. He could have just asked.

EVE is a strong, confident woman whose dream is to open up her own restaurant one day. But, when you're the daughter of the mafia, there's little you can do but be a pawn in your own father's political games. When Eve accidentally insulted and humiliated Luka's father in the restaurant she's working at, she indirectly declared war and as a result, her death is warranted. That is until Luka saved her life by offering marriage. Eve doesn't want to marry this cold-blooded killer, but then she also didn't want to be attracted to him but she is. Passion and lust turns into blurred lines and Eve soon falls for her not-so but oh so charming husband.

OVERALL it was an averagely modest mafia crime story. I know. Can't believe I'm calling it such but having read darker stories, I guess this was quite tame. The chemistry while okay, didn't rock my socks off and I felt they still had plenty to explore even if they had a daughter together in the end. This book ends in a cliff hanger but frankly I'm not invested in the MCs enough to want to continue.
Profile Image for Wendy.
453 reviews
June 17, 2020
Ugg...This book started out great. I thought it was going to really like it, but several things completely ruined it for me.
1) This is minor, but when Eve almost gets killed in the parking lot by the Irish hitman, no one even questioned why. Luca killed the guy and that was the end of it. Wouldn’t you wonder why a hitman was after you? Wouldn’t Luca?
2) I didn’t get the relationship between the two main characters. She hated him, he liked how she looked. Then she’s hot for him, and everything’s fine? I just didn’t get it.
3) I also didn’t get the relationship between Eve and her father. He seem to care and love her but then turns around and tells his enemy to do whatever they want to her. It didn’t make any sense.
4) it seemed awfully easy to get to these high ranking gangsters. Doesn’t any of them know about security systems?
5)Luca never asks Eve a single question about her past. Nothing at all. He knows nothing about her other than she’s his enemies daughter. Yet, Luca and his family get really pissed off when they find out something about her past that they really should not be pissed at. At all. They say it’s her fault she did not tell them. Why would she? She was forced to marry the guy. Then they threaten to kill her, but tell her they won’t if she agrees to get knocked up. WTF.
5) At that point (65%) I quit reading. I realize somethings might have made more sense if I had finished the book, but it was too ridiculous. There are lots of really good books out there, and I’m not wasting my time with something totally stupid.
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