4 weeks, 28 days, 672 hours—that’s all I have left until my fate is sealed.
I am promised to a monster. A man twice my age. He plans to keep me like a pretty doll, making me move to whatever whims he has.
Trapped, all my choices are taken away apart from one.
A handsome stranger. He tells me his name is Lucas and for one night I'm able to leave my cursed future behind. The pull to Lucas is unexplainable and undeniable. One thing is certain—I have to find a way out of this arranged marriage. I have to claim my life back. And Lucas might be the key.
Lucas
Sariah has secrets. I can see it in her eyes. There's a sadness that swirls within them, a fear of what we're doing. I want to know who put that look on her face and protect her from it. I will burn the world to ashes to keep her safe. But when the truth is revealed, and I learn she is being forced to wed a man who has a reputation darker than my own, I realise how much danger Sariah is in. I'm not sure the might of the Fraser crime family will be enough to save her life.
Or mine.
*Warning : Contains adult content, reading age 18 +. Graphic violence and dark emotional scenes that may trigger some readers.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Trope: kidnapped at the alter Angst: 😱😱 Smexy: 🔥🔥 Triggers: assault
Sariah is trapped. Engaged to man more than twice her age, she knows he's going to hurt her. So this mafia princess decides she's going to take (minimal) control over her body and give herself to someone of her choosing, rather than be a virgin on her wedding night. She's immediately attracted to Luke, a stranger in a nightclub and he turns out to be everything she could have wished for. Nothing surprises her more when she's kidnapped on the way to her wedding and forced to marry someone from an opposing family... especially when it turns out to be her mystery man.
I just really loved this story! It's not a complicated read and it doesn't have a bunch of angst - just a nice story with a bunch of action that leaves you feeling good when you're done. I loved how they didn't try to fight or deny their attraction for each other and were willing to believe in one another from the start. I can't wait for the next book!
Fractured Vows is the first book in the Fraser Crime Syndicate by Jessica Ames. It is a standalone and the series is in the same world as her Untamed Sons series. The story is told in first person, from dual perspective.
DNF@57% There's something not working for me on this one. While I enjoyed the beginning, and I applauded what Sariah did overall I just don't like either Lucas or Sariah.
3.75 🌟 This story follows Sariah Easton and Lucas Fraser, both children of mobsters. Sariah is promised to a man over twice her age who is just as scary and abusive as her “father”. Without her mother to save her and her father that doesn’t give a shit about her, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t want this man she’s been sold to to take her virginity so she decides to sneak out and let it happen on her own terms. That’s when she meets Luke.
Luke is the son of another crime lord in London and they hit it off nicely. He takes her virginity and she’s happy she had some control over her life. But it was much more than that. Sariah lies about her true identity and she doesn’t really know who Luke is either but they begin to form feelings for each other, both annoyed that they can never be together.
Most of the crime families in London are not happy about Sariahs planned marriage and intend to stop it, including the Fraser’s (especially the Fraser’s).
I’d be saying too much if I told you what happened but you can read to find out!
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a decent read and the author did a good job showing the connection between Sariah and Lucas. However, the writing was a little off for me. I can’t pinpoint what it was but although the story line was good, the writing seemed somewhat bland and didn’t pull me in and keep me on the edge of my seat like most mafia books do/have. I did enjoy it though and the story line was promising enough to keep me reading!
I’m looking forward to the second book so we can find out about Sariah’s complicated family lineage and see how her relationship with Lucas progresses.
I have a strange feeling her father was actually the man she was supposed to marry 🤔
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Safety warnings: - H 22 / h 18 - No cheating - No OW/OM drama - Physical abuse - S*xual assault - Descriptive violence/torture/d*ath - HEA
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I've had this book on my TBR for a while and I finally decided to pick it up. This was my first book by the author and despite the fact it's sort of a spin off her MC series, I love mafia books more so this one had to be read first.
We meet Sariah who lives a sheltered life (not by choice). Her father absolutely hates her and is forcing her to marry a man who is old and abusive. She just turned 18 and has a month left before she has to say her ''I do's'' to this disgusting pig. He manages to assault her right at the table where her father is, and nobody bats an eye and that is where we find out her father isn't her biological father since her mother admitted to having an affair (also why her mom is dead as he killed her).
I don't blame her at all for wanting to experience something for herself before she is tied forever to Jeremiah. She manages to leave her house and go to a club to meet a stranger and lose her virginity to him. She ends up meeting Lucas ''Luke'' who hesitates but sleeps with her.
They do meet a few more times but she gives him a fake name and no information about herself so he cannot find her outside of their short meetings. This is definitely insta-love/lust/infatuation.
Lucas is the youngest son in the Fraser family. He is dangerous and pretty much capable of causing any sort of violence to protect his brothers and sister.
I really liked how the interception of the wedding day happened. I thought the family would show up and shoot the place up but instead they just stole her on her way to the church. Lucas had no idea that the girl he was being forced to marry to strengthen his family was Sariah so imagine his surprise and happiness when it was her.
I enjoyed watching this brute and violent man fall to his knees for Sariah. He definitely fell hard and fast for her.
The mystery of who her father was never resolved, and I hope we get answers in the next book? I wonder why her mother had the affair as we are shown time and time again how much Declan loved her and was devastated by it, but it could of been one sided.
I'm really intrigued by Kane and Aurelia (Lucas's siblings) their stories are going to be interesting!
Sariah and Luke are a force together. Their love is steamy and consuming. I caught my heart racing all through out this book and spent every moment I was able to reading this.
This is the first book I’ve read by Jessica Ames and I’m head over heels. Her writing style is so smooth and the spice? *chefs kiss*.
Sariah lives a forced life under her fathers reign as a mob boss. Due to be wed off to an older, far worse man, Sariah takes it upon herself to let herself live freely before living a life trapped in a cage with a man who seeks only to harm.
Giving a false identity she meets Lucas (Luke) at a club and their chemistry is instantaneous.
Lucas is the youngest son in his mob family and is a perfect alpha male with the “touch her and you die” persona. I love love LOVE the touch her and die trope.
Not only are the steamy scenes spicy but the tender and heartfelt moments that are sprinkled in are so amazing. This book is full of action and whew does it leave you breathless.
Fractured Vows is written in first person, dual POV between Lucas and Sariah. Both POVs are written to perfection 🥵
If you like dark mafia romance with heavy action… in all ways ;) then you’ll want to pick this up when it releases 1/20/2022
I received an ARC from Next Step PR & Netgalley for my honest review, all opinions are my own*
This is a well written mafia romance with strong characters in Sariah and Lucas. The author does a fantastic job painting her scenes in vivid detail and moves the story fluidly. She brings action and drama along with the danger and sizzling hot chemistry. It's an action packed story and is a great read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Another new series ! I loved this . I am a mafia romance fanatic though . I loved Luke, but Kane is going to be my favorite, and Zeke. Luke was possessive but still had a dark bloodlust side of him. Saraiah was a lovable heroine who trusted her man. She didn't run out and do stupid things like a lot of heroines who think that they can save themselves.
Luke and Sariah were in an arranged marriage but with a twist . If you are looking for a mafia family series then the Fraser's are here.
I am really interested in seeing how the rest of the siblings pair up and I can't wait to see what happens to the parents.
Fireworks and Rainbows - That is what Sariah is expecting, but definitely not Lucas. Another intense story and I'd love to strangle the villain(s) just as the story begins. The Fraser family is not a good family, but they are much better than most. The intensity between Sariah and Lucas is hot, the connection is there, but they are not being truthful with each other. I was cheering for the two of them right from the start, it was just a matter of figuring out how they were going to make it happen. Loved the journey that the author wove and I was sucked in right from page one. Highly recommend this book and this series. I can't wait for Kane's book!
Oh what a freaking phenomenal book this is. First thing I have to say is what gorgeous cover. This story was a wild ride from beginning to end. I love love Luke and Sariah. No matter what Sariah endured at the hand of her father she stood strong even doing something that would cause her death. By going against her father she meets Luke and boy do the sparks fly. Even though their time together is coming to a close, neither one could ever anticipate what the future holds, how tragic it will be. When Luke realizes who Sariah is he will do anything to keep her safe even if it means his death. There is a hea for these two but its definitely not a road paved with roses. I HIGHLY recommend this book and can't wait for the next book.
This was the first book in the Fraser Syndicate, and it was home run. I loved Sariah and Luke; their chemistry was off the charts. This story was intense, lots of drama, passion, looking forward to next storyline in the Fraser Family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh my gosh, Jessica Ames is the best! We got a look at the Fraser family in Bailey and Zeke’s book and they definitely caught my interest. Luke and Sariah’s story is gritty and raw and hard to read some of the time but it’s also sweet and sexy and “edge of your seat” exciting. Jessica’s books aren’t hearts and flowers but they definitely grab your attention and keep it! Luke is perfect for Sariah. He’s a little vicious…well a lot vicious…but he’s caring and protective of Sariah and she deserves to have someone care for her. Sariah has spent the majority of her life being beaten down but with Luke she finds her inner strength…it’s great! Looking forward to Kane’s story and hopefully we’ll get Aurelia’s story too. The little tease at the end of this book has made me extremely curious. Great job, Ms. Ames, you never let me down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Tense, exciting and nail biting read, it had my heart beating way to fast while I fisted a cushion holding my breath. It had me wanting to punch a few characters and hug others, mostly it held me gripped with suspense. This was not always easy reading, the violence is graphic and some of it against women. Some of the characters despite their lifestyle I actually felt for, they didn't ask to be born into the family or forced to work for the their mother and weak father. Yes now as adults they do what is required and even have a certain amount of bloodlust but I still felt they had hearts and did what they did to protect their siblings and wives. It is a powerful story but it also has some softer moments, full of care and love and that made it an excellent read. Can't wait for Kane's book because that too will be a rollercoaster I know. Started 3/1/22 Finished 4/1/22
I got sucked into Lucas and Sariah's wonderful story as they had the best instant chemistry and was filled with tons of mafia action. Sariah is living a forced life of being stuck in an arrange marriage to a ruthless person. While finding a night of escaping her reality she meets Lucas and their connection is intense and down right steamy. I love both characters as Lucas is willing to do anything to protect his family and Sariah has a fight in her that makes her more mature then her youth. The mafia connections and politics makes things interesting and thrilling as Lucas Fraser's family will stop at nothing to make their empire bigger than ever.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jessica Ames has managed to create a world that I can't get enough of. It was introduced with the Untamed Sons and now is bridging towards the Fraser Crime Syndicate, a family that runs part of London. They were introduced in Bailey, with Zeke Fraser saving and falling for an Untamed Sons princess. Now, it's Luke Fraser's turn. And this story is darker and so good!
Luke and Sariah are all-consuming, hot, and steamy. She is set to marry a much older man, picked by her father. She has been hidden from the world and is not allowed to question his father's decisions. Sariah knows she is a means to an end. And while people see her as weak, she decides to make one thing happen how she wants it and only follow her own terms.
Luke is looking to have a good time at the club. He needs to unravel and leave behind her family demands at least for one night. When he sees Sariah entering the club, so out of place, he knows she is the one he wants. She gives in freely. But what is supposed to be a one-time thing, quickly fills their minds consuming both of them. Even when they really don't know anything about each other. Yet, both are willing to do what their families ask of them. Blood is supposed to be thicker than anything else. Except, they are surrounded by so many secrets.
Fractured Vows is freaking amazing. I'm completely invested in this world, and I can't wait for what will come next.
Holy moly, what a fantastic story! This book takes you on an adventure that has you wanting to claw out the eyes of certain characters in the protection of the main character, that’s how strongly you feel about things and how absorbed you get in the storyline.
Sariah was one sweet young girl who knows what it’s like to suffer in silence. She had an inner strength though that is great to witness, even if at times it didn’t always pan out for her. I thoroughly enjoyed her character and her determination to take as much control of her life as possible.
Lucas was the youngest son of a mob boss and as such grew up trained to be a family soldier in their London criminal world. I loved his strong sense of family with his closeness and love for his two brothers and sister. He was fierce when needed but could be gentle too. Together, Sariah and Luke were a sexy, passionate couple but so much more.
This story had loads of drama and action, yes, there were warnings so take note but the scenes aren’t too detailed, they are written very well with enough information to paint a clear image but not make you run for the hills… too much. 😆
I definitely will be reading more in this series and totally recommend it.
*** Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for my honest review ***
Trigger Warning: abuse and sexual assault
- Mob family - Marriage of convenience - Hidden identity - Touch her and I'll kill you vibes - Spice
Sariah Easton is the daughter of a Mob boss and every aspect of her life is controlled. Set to marry a man who is twice her age, she's determined to take control over one aspect of her life while she can. Sariah sneaks off to a club in search of a man to lose her virginity to.
Lucas Fraser is the son of a Mob queen who will do anything for his family. In search of some fun for the night to let off some steam, he finds the beautiful and innocent Sariah, only she provides him with a fake name. Intrigued by "Alice", he takes her virginity and realizes one night with her was not enough. Except after a few nights together, she disappears and he now has to fulfill a family obligation.
"I twist around and peer up at my savior. He's not the white knight on the horse. He is the black robed horsemen coming to claim my soul."
This thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down once I started it. It was a roller coaster of a journey. I love the "touch her and I'll kill you" vibes. Luke embodies an alpha while also being so gentle and loving with Sariah. His nickname, "little dove", for Sariah melted my heart! So cute!
A few things I didn't like about the book. Luke constantly brought up his obligation and love for his family. We get it dude. You love your family and will do anything for them. This being constantly brought up throughout the entire book was a minor turn off.
This is the first in a new series and is Sariah and Lucas’ journey. Sariah is the daughter of a mob boss who is being forced into an arranged marriage to a mobster who is twice her age, to expand her fathers’ empire. Weeks before her marriage Sariah sneaks out of the house and goes into a bar and she meets Lucas, to whom she gives a fake name. Lucas is from another crime family, and he can tell Sariah has secrets, and he is adamant he is going to protect her. This is a well written story which is dark and gritty, and filled with undeniable chemistry, emotions, secrets, intrigue, danger, twists, action, truths, and love, which leads to a heartfelt and steamy compelling read. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Gritty, raw and explosive! With the first book in her Fraser Crime Syndicate series Jessica Ames is turning Lucas Fraser loose on the world and showing us a side to him we never expected in FRACTURED VOWS. Their lifestyle is dangerous and ugly, but the love this group of siblings feels for one another as life threatens to beat them down on a daily basis is addictive. I loved Sariah and Luke together and their love story was beautiful, but I really wanted more for the ending. It ended abruptly and I wanted at a minimum to hear how his family faired in the fallout of her association. I enjoyed seeing familiar faces from the Untamed Sons MC series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series and would recommend it to anyone who likes a mafia style romance that has strict rules for the family and ugly fallout when tested. I'm looking forward to more to come in the series.
This has to be one of the best reads of 2022 so far from Jessica ames. And I really would reccomend everyone jumping on board and reading this one, if not all of her work. I love sariah and her innocence yet her determination and passion not to let her fate control her and lucas raw passion and agreesion to do everything known to him to protect and free her from her impending horrors. Utterly loved it. Well done. 5 stars and than some!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holy moly, what a fantastic story! This book takes you on an adventure that has you wanting to claw out the eyes of certain characters in protection of a main character, that’s how strongly you feel about things and how absorbed you get in the storyline.
Sariah was one sweet young girl who knows what it’s like to suffer in silence. She had an inner strength though that is great to witness, even if at times it didn’t always pan out for her. I thoroughly enjoyed her character and her determination to take as much control of her life as possible.
Lucas was the youngest son of a mob boss and as such grew up trained to be a family soldier in their London criminal world. I loved his strong sense of family with his closeness and love for his two brothers and sister. He was fierce when needed but could be gentle too. Together, Sariah and Luke were a sexy, passionate couple but so much more.
This story had loads of drama and action, yes, there were warnings so take note but scenes aren’t too detailed, they are written very well with enough information to paint a clear image but not make you run for the hills… too much. 😆
I definitely will be reading more in this series and totally recommend it.
**Thank you to The Next Step PR, NetGalley and Jessica Ames for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review**
If you love romance and mafia stories, you will love this book!!
This is the first Jessica Ames' book I've read and I am excited to read more. She keeps you intrigued to where you don't want to stop reading. And the sex scenes are spicy like red hot chili peppers.
Sariah is born into a Mafia family where her life has always been controlled by her father. She is to be married off to a much older, horrible man from a different mob family. Sariah has two weeks before the wedding so she decides that those two weeks will be her time to live her own life knowing that after that her life will be controlled by a monster.
Lucas is a bad man to-the-bone mafia style. He meets Sariah and his life is about to change.
This book is definitely a roller coaster that you won't want to stop.
Wow! This was my first Jessica Ames book, and I was absolutely blown away! I love her writing style; it pulled me in from the first page, and didn’t let up. Actually, still hasn’t let up! I’m dying for another book. I need more of these characters! I absolutely love Sariah. Her story was so engrossing, and the way that Luke and her interacted was so intriguing. Reading this and watching them come together was EVERYTHING y’all! Highly recommend this if you enjoy: ✨ Mafia Romance ✨ Dark Romance ✨ Arranged Marriage trope ✨ Happily ever afters ✨ Sibling bonds ✨ Steamy reads ✨ loss of virginity trope
Can’t wait to see what else Jessica Ames has for us in the Fraser Crime Syndicate series!
Fractured Vows by Jessica Ames is the First book in the Fraser Crime Syndicate Series. This starts the story of Sariah Easton. Sariah's father is a awful man who has promised her to Jeremiah Wood a man more dangerous and awful. So she gets a plan to escape and give her virginity away. This leads her to meet Luke. This was a page turning read and I can't wait for more from this series.
This is filled with suspense and action with a love story slowly unveiling. I love how Sariah tries to take control of what she can in her life. Lucas is both sweet and alpha. Together these two sizzle. Eager for the next in this new series.
This book was soo good ! I didn’t want to put it down ! I love Lucas he seems older than his years ! Book 1 of this series and I can’t wait for more .. there was so much in this book , love , betrayal ,hope , fear, murder, blood, Mayhem you name it ! Absolutely loved it give me more .
Oh, this is a GOOD start to the Fraser family and all of their issues. A little twisted, a little dark and shadowy, and a lot fast-paced make for a book that I absolutely could not put down!
Lucas is beyond interested in his mystery woman, so imagine his surprise when fantasy and reality come crashing together when Sariah becomes his life. They just have to deal with betrayals, both expected and one they never saw coming, survive the wrath of three syndicate families, maybe get some sleep, and enjoy all that the future has to offer. Easy peasy, yeah?
I enjoyed the glimpses of Zeke and his love for Bailey, some of our favorite Sons, and the probable future for at least one other Fraser sibling. Maybe Kane will have a less eventful path with his woman, but I doubt it. I just know that I’ll be here for it because this author has more than delivered on my expectations. Sariah is incredibly stubborn and strong, Luke is the warrior who will do anything for her, and I’m pretty sure they’ll stand with the rest of his siblings to take down the tyrants who rule with iron fists soon enough.
Sariah and Luke are perfect for each other. She needs someone strong enough to protect her. He needs someone to draw him back from the darkness. I loved the way everything played out across the book. It flowed well. I'm hoping for some more of them in Kane's story.