Promised

by Mae Doyle

It's time for me to collect on a promise. It's been ten years in the making, but Janele is finally mine. Janele is pure, perfect. She's untouched, set aside for me. When the time comes for me to take her for my own, I do. Her sassy mouth begs to be kissed, her body cries out for me to touch her. Waiting has been almost impossible. But the reward is going to be worth it. I'll protect her, defend her, and do whatever it takes for her to know that she belongs to me. Only to me. Forever. This is a standalone arranged marriage novel with a HEA!

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2021

Reviews

[lf · Rating 3 out of 5]

It may be arranged but he is feeling all sorts of things for her that he never expected

Promised is the story of Janelle and Xavier who have an arranged Mafia marriage. It is now ten years since that arrangement was made and Janelle has no intention of going through with it, even as Xavier is more resigned to the marriage which will unite the two families. That is until he actually sees Janelle when he goes to collect her......she literally knocks him sideways. He may be sexy as all sin but Janelle still tries to escape but Xavier is not about to let his prize get away from him know that he has her.
This story was a mix for me as there were some intense and very sexy parts which I loved and I liked both characters a lot. But there were some detail inconsistencies which made me annoyed and I also did not like that Janelle just gave in to Xavier so quickly, as she is supposed to be strong and gives him a definite run for it. But this story was entertaining and delivered on the heat scale as Mae Doyle's books do.

[Jessica Patoka · Rating 2 out of 5]

confusing

So at the beginning, his father is alive and met with Jenele, then a little bit later the father has been dead for years?

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janele had been promised to Xavier since she was 8 years old, now just before her 18th birthday she meets the man himself once again fully knowing she will become his wife. Xavier didnt expect the rush of feelings towards Janele that he experienced, it was meant to be a marriage of alliance, but one look changed it all in his mind. But Janele wanted her freedom one she had been planning since learning of the meaming of the word betrothed. All that planing was in vain as she ends up in Xaviers clutches before their wedding, where desires build between them, but will that be enough for Janele? And although Xavier's claim to Janele is a signed deal theres another who wants her dead or alive?. Can Xavier keep his wife to be safe from the danger of his world?
This is well written arranged mafia romance with an age gap love, action  suspense, drama, desires hot scenes and more, the story grabs and hold your attention and the characters are nicly developed.

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

[Patricia Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Promised: A Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance

Arrangement made years before when she was young, promised to be wed on her eighteen birthday. A Virgin and pure woman, was promised. Janele didn't want anything to do with this arrangement. Refuse to let it happen, well Xavier was in line waiting for her to come of age. He was older and head of the family. She tried to run away and she got caught. Taken to Xavier home to wait to be wed. Sparks fly when they get together, she kept telling him she hated him! But the sexual attraction was eating her alive. This author writes amazing stories and WOW does those stories are outstanding pieces of work!!! Loved this story and the way it was written you would think you were involved in the story itself. So, enjoy this story, its WILD!!!!!!

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good!! It had all the right feels for a dark arranged mafia storyline. I loved the heroine Janele, she was a fighter and I love that in a heroine. Then we meet Xavier who is so intense, stubborn, sexy and determined to make Janele his...I loved their chemistry and the push and pull between them. My only slight disappointment was how quickly Janele gave up her fight for freedom....I really get fed up with heroines one minute try to kill their captors to the next minute pleasuring him!
Despite this frustration the overall storyline was good and I enjoyed it a lot.

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

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance was a bit dark, but really I just felt bad for Janele. She didn't have a choice in her life being born the daughter of a mafia boss. Her betrothed, Xavier finds himself enthralled unwillingly when he sees her again after 10 years. There are definite sparks and a ton of chemistry between Xavier and Janele though it takes them a while to reconcile themselves to it. In the meantime, issues with a competing gang, some rivalry and other issues threaten their relationship. I found this book entertaining to read.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Janele has been promised to Xavier for a decade. It is an arranged mafia marriage that she plans to get out of one way or another. Xavier is resigned to the arrangement, but when he sees her again his view changes. He realizes that she is what he wants regardless. She proves herself to be strong and a perfect match for him. She did not want him or the marriage but he soon changes her mind. Their story has plenty of drama, danger, lust and finally love. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters

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

[Shirley Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did like Xavier in this story because he was a real bad boy but he met his match with Janele who stood up to him. They had a super sexy conection and loved their conversations. Good storyline with betrayal and intrigue. Just one small mistake though. At the beginning when Xavier went to meet Janele just before they were to marry, he went with his father and a doctor. Later on in the story it was said that his father had dies 10 years previously. This did not detract from this super read.

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

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave up at the first chapter when the H meets the h in her father’s library and has her virginity inspected by a doctor in front of both of their fathers… Like ewwww..
Then he tells her in front of her father that he can fuck her anytime he wants and then he thinks that he should probably fuck her in front of their fathers to show them that she is his- and she’s 17 and he’s 34- gross— I kept reading and I actually liked how they started to like each other but then boom it was over —the book was way too short—

[Misty Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janele and Xavier's story.

Janele was promised to Xavier when she was just eight years old and he was twenty-six. Now two weeks before her eighteenth birthday she is finally meeting the man she is supposed to marry. After meeting him she vows to run away but gets caught and ends up having to spend the next two weeks locked up in her soon to be husband's house. This is a great read and I highly recommend it.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given a higher star rating but to be honest the author needs to check what she has written, or get a beta team to check her work, there are to many errors. For example: Xavier and his father arrived at Janele’s house a few weeks before the wedding, but to then have Xavier say a few chapters later his father died ten years ago!

[Betty H. Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many errors already

The book begins with Xavier and his father going to meet Janele, his wife to be and by page 94 it tells us his father died ten years ago. So far I'm enjoying the book but I don't think I'll be able to readit all if the author can't keep simple facts straight.

[Lindsey Brower · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly fake and slow

I know this book isn't based off of a true story, but this is ridiculous. She's trapped in his basement then over night she's in love, come on! None of this story even has any sincerity. Its like a book had to be wrote by this date, and this was the best they could come up with, but hey its on time. Don't waste your time..

[gregory · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got to 10%, that's it.

I was hoping for a good read after trying and failing many times, I latched on to this nonsense. The girl is 17 and being roughed up and forced to check and see if she is a Virgin in front of her dad, his dad, and him. Couldn't go any further. Thanks but no thanks.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome storyline it is great and flows easily from beginning to the end. The characters are great and kept me turning the pages.

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

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! Such a hot and spicy story that will capture your attention and keep it on the pages. Definitely one to add to your to be read list.

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

[Stacey Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Mafia Romance

Great book! Loved the age gap, destiny romance aspect with the HEA that starts before the ending. (Sometimes they are too short, ya know?) 😊 Mae Doyle is added to my favorite authors list 😉

[Julie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet read.

Quick paced and very action packed. Xavier has waited forever for his bride and he is ready to take her. Janele doesn’t want any of this but she has no choice. Together, they face impossible obstacles. Excellent writing.

[Yolanda Glasgow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than expected

Well, this book was definitely better than the 1st one I read by this author. So, would probably read another by this author. Biggest pet peeve is that he describes the heroine as perfect and I just can’t get past that, they are all human.

[annette k · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced!

When Xavier comes for his bride, Janele he never expected to get such a spitfire! Janele is determined not to marry him and there are a lot of people hidden who want to pass her along. Can Xavier keep Janele safe and marry her or will someone get to her first?

[TT · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

The really needs editing and a possible rewrite it’s all over the place. We all know that is mafia trope usually has nothing new to offer but we do expect an edited well written story.

[Vicki Staufer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it


A good read snd a good getaway for a lazy afternoon. Loved the characters. Get it and enjoy a arranged marriage romance.

[Anne-Marie Goyette]

First read by this author and it will not be last
This book has the right amount of angst and love
To make it a good story.

[Patience R · Rating 2 out of 5]

May/December relationship w/ 17 yo = creepy

The situations are creepy and at most times immature. It almost felt like a 17 year old wrote this. I couldn't finish it.

[MNKNMNKN · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, if she’s not a virgin then she’s a whore... but it doesn’t matter is he’s had sex a million times because he’s a man!

[Shirley Rentzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

It was ok, nothing amazing, nothing that made you want to turn the pages faster. The story was ok, the characters ok. Read it's a fast non emotional read. Shirley

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

These are usually my guilty pleasure reads but this one was just not good. The continuity is off and the main characters are just wishy washy.

[J K M · Rating 1 out of 5]

yuck.

The inconsistencies were hard to ignore.
But the worst part of this book was that the heroine was 17 years old for every sexual encounter. While the hero is 36. Nope. Yuck.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it

I loved this book, there is the perfect amount of violence and romance. With the perfect Happy ever after. I loved it

[Kevin McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

I loved this book despite the inconsistencies in parts of this story. I love the author and her imagination. I can not wait to read the next book.