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The Santoro Mafia #1
Possessive Vows
I was locked away my entire life… until he set me free.
Dario Santoro, head of the Italian mafia.
He has decided that he wants me for himself.
So, on the day of my wedding to another man,
Dario whisks me away to become his instead.
I’ve been held shackled by my father my whole life.
But Dario shows me that I can have freedom.
The way he touches me,
The way he treats me,
I’ve never known such kindness.
But how can I let this man into my life when I have demons of my own?
Even though I’m out of my tower,
I’m still stuck from the trauma my father inflicted on me.
Now, he’s after Dario.
My husband has to protect me but at what cost?
Dario and I will either get our happily ever after
… or our marriage will crumble and collapse.
And I don’t know how I will survive without my husband.
Possessive Vows is the first book in the Santoro Mafia series but can be read as a standalone and has a guaranteed happy ending.
Dario Santoro, head of the Italian mafia.
He has decided that he wants me for himself.
So, on the day of my wedding to another man,
Dario whisks me away to become his instead.
I’ve been held shackled by my father my whole life.
But Dario shows me that I can have freedom.
The way he touches me,
The way he treats me,
I’ve never known such kindness.
But how can I let this man into my life when I have demons of my own?
Even though I’m out of my tower,
I’m still stuck from the trauma my father inflicted on me.
Now, he’s after Dario.
My husband has to protect me but at what cost?
Dario and I will either get our happily ever after
… or our marriage will crumble and collapse.
And I don’t know how I will survive without my husband.
Possessive Vows is the first book in the Santoro Mafia series but can be read as a standalone and has a guaranteed happy ending.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2023
505 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 24, 2023
4/5 ☆
2/5 🔥
Ivy Davis did it again, she wrote another FANTASTIC mafia book! This is book 1 of a new series- The Santoro Mafia. This novel is about Pia, the daughter of a mafia man. She witnessed something horrible when she was just 8 years old. She became selectively mute from the trauma. Ten years later, she's being held as if she were a prisoner in her father's house.
Who comes to the rescue? A badass, tattooed, possessive mafia man. He's been obsessed with her for months and desperately wants to marry her. When they meet, sparks fly! But will Pia's father catch up to them and take her back to the place where she's been held for the last ten years?
I love love love how they didn't automatically jump into bed with each other! She needed time after what she had been through- that little tidbit made it much more realistic. There was also a pretty accurate v-taking scene-- it wasn't all fun for the heroine and that's normal and OKAY. ❤
Anyways, I loved it. It's pretty tame for a mafia book but I needed a palate cleanser. I'm a huge Ivy Davis fan. I can't wait for the next book in the series!!
tropes: kidnapping, forbidden love, touch her and die
triggers: physical abuse, violence, murder, panic attacks
safety:
virgin heroine
age gap (18/19h, 30H)
no OM/OW (there's a HINT of om in the beginning but it goes away very quickly)
no cheating/sharing
HEA ❤
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2/5 🔥
Ivy Davis did it again, she wrote another FANTASTIC mafia book! This is book 1 of a new series- The Santoro Mafia. This novel is about Pia, the daughter of a mafia man. She witnessed something horrible when she was just 8 years old. She became selectively mute from the trauma. Ten years later, she's being held as if she were a prisoner in her father's house.
Who comes to the rescue? A badass, tattooed, possessive mafia man. He's been obsessed with her for months and desperately wants to marry her. When they meet, sparks fly! But will Pia's father catch up to them and take her back to the place where she's been held for the last ten years?
I love love love how they didn't automatically jump into bed with each other! She needed time after what she had been through- that little tidbit made it much more realistic. There was also a pretty accurate v-taking scene-- it wasn't all fun for the heroine and that's normal and OKAY. ❤
Anyways, I loved it. It's pretty tame for a mafia book but I needed a palate cleanser. I'm a huge Ivy Davis fan. I can't wait for the next book in the series!!
tropes: kidnapping, forbidden love, touch her and die
triggers: physical abuse, violence, murder, panic attacks
safety:
virgin heroine
age gap (18/19h, 30H)
no OM/OW (there's a HINT of om in the beginning but it goes away very quickly)
no cheating/sharing
HEA ❤
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2025
Dnf 28%
Oh wow, this is bad. It's written in first person present tense.... rarely does that bode well. And it is so horrible, I feel like I'm reading a middle schoolers writing.
This is beyond insta-love. The h was kept in a tower for 10 years but her father (but had watched movies, can read (though she was put in the tower at the age of 8 and had only ever been around a maid, so not sure where or how this education ever occurred) and the H heard rumors about her (again, never saw her or knew anything about her) and knew he had to have her. Insert eyeroll.
Plot holes like, she's mute from the age of 8 but knows sign language.... how??? How does she know sign language?? The maid, the only person besides her father that she sees, doesn't know sign language... so stay clear of this book.
Oh wow, this is bad. It's written in first person present tense.... rarely does that bode well. And it is so horrible, I feel like I'm reading a middle schoolers writing.
This is beyond insta-love. The h was kept in a tower for 10 years but her father (but had watched movies, can read (though she was put in the tower at the age of 8 and had only ever been around a maid, so not sure where or how this education ever occurred) and the H heard rumors about her (again, never saw her or knew anything about her) and knew he had to have her. Insert eyeroll.
Plot holes like, she's mute from the age of 8 but knows sign language.... how??? How does she know sign language?? The maid, the only person besides her father that she sees, doesn't know sign language... so stay clear of this book.
December 12, 2024
DNF - this book was so bad I tried to push through but gave up. Life is too short and too many books still to read to persevere with this.
March 3, 2023
A heartwarming story about a mafia man going to a rivals home as the rivals daughter is suppose to get married and grabs her. He tells her that she’s his and that they’re getting married but she’s not sure about it but he tells her that he would be hers and they get married in a little church close to her father’s mansion.
She is the daughter of a father that killed her mother, she watched him kill her mother and afterwards he locked her in the tower of the mansion. She hasn’t talked since the day that her mother’s death. Her father has never loved her but locks her from the rest of the world, it has been ten years since he locked her in the tower but now her wants her to wed but before she can wed the man that her father picked for her the man that married her comes taking her away.
He takes her to him home where he introduces her to his twin sisters. One is rude and the other one is nice. That night they sleep together even though they both want to do something. The next day their aunt and uncle shows up out of the blue. He introduces them to his wife and the aunt starts asking questions as the one sister starts getting rude, the man and his sister starts to argue, the man informs his aunt and uncle that they should go and reminds them to keep their mouth shut about his wife being there and the agree to keep their mouths shut before leaving.
He goes to a meeting leaving his wife with his sister’s informing them to stay at the house but the rude sister talks his with into going to the city for lunch and some shopping. The get kidnapped while their out. He finds out that they’re not home and calls his biker associate to have him and his bikers look for them. When he gets a call from the biker he gets to where their at, the vehicle flips and they go to get his wife and sisters, they kill a couple of men during the process and the rude sister was unconscious but wakes up when the bikes pours water on her as well as shaking her a little. The take them to his car and he tells the biker to clean up the mess as they go home he finds out about them leaving the house and he’s upset. That night the wedded couple makes love.
In the morning they go down stairs and he makes breakfast for them all. Later they’re in the living room, his wife has been teaching them sign language. They hear a bang, the man goes to investigate finding that the window in the front door is broken out and glass is all over the floor. He takes his wife and the twin sister through another doorway to the kitchen before they get their the intruder notices them, the man fires his gun into the kitchen and the man cover the women with his body then moves with his wife to the other side of the island before the intruder shoots again. The sisters are huddled under the table, the man grabs a knife off the counter throwing it at the intruder, the knife sicks into the intruders shoulder. They make their way back to the living room out to the foyer then up the stairs to the couples bedroom, during their way to the bedroom one of the sisters get glass in their foot. They put a dresser against the locked door then he goes to grab his gun from the night stand, then he fixes the sister’s foot. Before he can go to check where the intruder’s at his wife kisses him signing to him not to die and he promises her that he won’t. Looking around before he goes down stairs, he hears a bang from up stairs. The intruder has a gun pointed at his wife’s head, he drops his gun and the intruder shoots him in the shoulder. The intruder takes his wife down stairs, he’s shot in the shoulder but he still grabs his gun going down the stairs. He shoots the intruder in the leg and he falls letting go of the woman, she runs to the kitchen. The man shoots at the intruder again but misses. The man comes into the kitchen where the intruder has his hands on his wife and he grabs a big knife, running at him he keeps stabbing him. The wife moves away screaming, she looks at the knife the man looks at it and drops it before she runs out of the house, he keeps trying to hold her but she keeps running and he tries talking to her as well. He grabs her arms and he talks to her, she talks and also signs. She finally tells him the truth about her mother’s death and about why her father locked her in the tower. He tells her that he will kill her father for her and her mother but she tells him no that he wants him to live and suffer like she has and he promises to her that he will to that to for her. They tell each other that they love one another and they kiss.
They head back to the house and once they’re inside a car drives into the house and her husband once again shields her with his body. Out of the car comes her father and three of his men. She falls and gets glass stuck into her arm and her husband is getting beat by her father’s men. She runs to the bedroom where the twins are at, they get the glass out of her arm and stitches it up. The have the door locked and they decide to go from the balcony to the trellis down to the ground, the two sisters go down first but she doesn’t go. The father’s at the door banging on it when she opens it. He takes her and her husband back to his mansion to kill them both but before they get there the father has his mean knock them unconscious.
She wakes up locked in the tower again and he’s wakes up by getting punched in the face by one of her father’s men. The father brings out a gun and points it at him tell him that he’s going to kill him then kill his wife because his wife looks like her mother and he killed his wife because she cheated on him. The man lunges at the father knocking him to the floor but the father’s men grab him. All of a sudden there’s a big bang as his biker associate with some of the biker’s men and some of his men all come in killing the father’s men. He tell the men to keep the father alive and the biker associate unties him from the chair he’s in. The man grabs the father and a gun, he orders the father to show him how to get to the tower but he won’t show him. He winds up finding the door to the tower himself but the father won’t open the door so he uses the father to get the door open. The door opens and his wife comes to him, The man throws the father into the tower and locks the door. He leaves some of his men there to watch the father. The couple’s tells each other that they love one another and the they belong to one another.
They get back to the twins and the all hug. A doctor comes to fix them up and check them all out. The next evening the couple’s in bed and they’re talking. They make love, they call each other’s names when they orgasm together. Telling each other that they love one another. He roll to one side pulling her into his arms. She looks out the window at the ocean when she thinks about the tower window with the olive trees. This new view represents her new life with the man she love, her husband. Nothing is better than that.
The characters amazing, a wonderfully written that a page turner. This is a dramatic, steamy romantic, thriller that’s a marvelously happily ever after story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She is the daughter of a father that killed her mother, she watched him kill her mother and afterwards he locked her in the tower of the mansion. She hasn’t talked since the day that her mother’s death. Her father has never loved her but locks her from the rest of the world, it has been ten years since he locked her in the tower but now her wants her to wed but before she can wed the man that her father picked for her the man that married her comes taking her away.
He takes her to him home where he introduces her to his twin sisters. One is rude and the other one is nice. That night they sleep together even though they both want to do something. The next day their aunt and uncle shows up out of the blue. He introduces them to his wife and the aunt starts asking questions as the one sister starts getting rude, the man and his sister starts to argue, the man informs his aunt and uncle that they should go and reminds them to keep their mouth shut about his wife being there and the agree to keep their mouths shut before leaving.
He goes to a meeting leaving his wife with his sister’s informing them to stay at the house but the rude sister talks his with into going to the city for lunch and some shopping. The get kidnapped while their out. He finds out that they’re not home and calls his biker associate to have him and his bikers look for them. When he gets a call from the biker he gets to where their at, the vehicle flips and they go to get his wife and sisters, they kill a couple of men during the process and the rude sister was unconscious but wakes up when the bikes pours water on her as well as shaking her a little. The take them to his car and he tells the biker to clean up the mess as they go home he finds out about them leaving the house and he’s upset. That night the wedded couple makes love.
In the morning they go down stairs and he makes breakfast for them all. Later they’re in the living room, his wife has been teaching them sign language. They hear a bang, the man goes to investigate finding that the window in the front door is broken out and glass is all over the floor. He takes his wife and the twin sister through another doorway to the kitchen before they get their the intruder notices them, the man fires his gun into the kitchen and the man cover the women with his body then moves with his wife to the other side of the island before the intruder shoots again. The sisters are huddled under the table, the man grabs a knife off the counter throwing it at the intruder, the knife sicks into the intruders shoulder. They make their way back to the living room out to the foyer then up the stairs to the couples bedroom, during their way to the bedroom one of the sisters get glass in their foot. They put a dresser against the locked door then he goes to grab his gun from the night stand, then he fixes the sister’s foot. Before he can go to check where the intruder’s at his wife kisses him signing to him not to die and he promises her that he won’t. Looking around before he goes down stairs, he hears a bang from up stairs. The intruder has a gun pointed at his wife’s head, he drops his gun and the intruder shoots him in the shoulder. The intruder takes his wife down stairs, he’s shot in the shoulder but he still grabs his gun going down the stairs. He shoots the intruder in the leg and he falls letting go of the woman, she runs to the kitchen. The man shoots at the intruder again but misses. The man comes into the kitchen where the intruder has his hands on his wife and he grabs a big knife, running at him he keeps stabbing him. The wife moves away screaming, she looks at the knife the man looks at it and drops it before she runs out of the house, he keeps trying to hold her but she keeps running and he tries talking to her as well. He grabs her arms and he talks to her, she talks and also signs. She finally tells him the truth about her mother’s death and about why her father locked her in the tower. He tells her that he will kill her father for her and her mother but she tells him no that he wants him to live and suffer like she has and he promises to her that he will to that to for her. They tell each other that they love one another and they kiss.
They head back to the house and once they’re inside a car drives into the house and her husband once again shields her with his body. Out of the car comes her father and three of his men. She falls and gets glass stuck into her arm and her husband is getting beat by her father’s men. She runs to the bedroom where the twins are at, they get the glass out of her arm and stitches it up. The have the door locked and they decide to go from the balcony to the trellis down to the ground, the two sisters go down first but she doesn’t go. The father’s at the door banging on it when she opens it. He takes her and her husband back to his mansion to kill them both but before they get there the father has his mean knock them unconscious.
She wakes up locked in the tower again and he’s wakes up by getting punched in the face by one of her father’s men. The father brings out a gun and points it at him tell him that he’s going to kill him then kill his wife because his wife looks like her mother and he killed his wife because she cheated on him. The man lunges at the father knocking him to the floor but the father’s men grab him. All of a sudden there’s a big bang as his biker associate with some of the biker’s men and some of his men all come in killing the father’s men. He tell the men to keep the father alive and the biker associate unties him from the chair he’s in. The man grabs the father and a gun, he orders the father to show him how to get to the tower but he won’t show him. He winds up finding the door to the tower himself but the father won’t open the door so he uses the father to get the door open. The door opens and his wife comes to him, The man throws the father into the tower and locks the door. He leaves some of his men there to watch the father. The couple’s tells each other that they love one another and the they belong to one another.
They get back to the twins and the all hug. A doctor comes to fix them up and check them all out. The next evening the couple’s in bed and they’re talking. They make love, they call each other’s names when they orgasm together. Telling each other that they love one another. He roll to one side pulling her into his arms. She looks out the window at the ocean when she thinks about the tower window with the olive trees. This new view represents her new life with the man she love, her husband. Nothing is better than that.
The characters amazing, a wonderfully written that a page turner. This is a dramatic, steamy romantic, thriller that’s a marvelously happily ever after story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2023
Pia Vitale is the coveted mafia princess locked away in a heavily guarded ivory tower by her cruel and ruthless father. She’s traumatized and damaged after witnessing her father brutally murder her mother. He is an abusive savage and the devastation leaves her unable to speak or utter a sound. Dario Santoro first learned of Pia’s existence and knew he would one day take her for himself. He intervenes during Pia’s arranged nuptials with Lorenzo Esposito and whisks her away to his home after marrying her himself.
Pia was such a wonderful heroine. She was so sweet and kind despite her upbringing. I adored her spirit and the kindness she had in her heart. Dario is probably one of my most favorite hero’s from Ivy Davis’ books. He knew how fragile and sensitive Pia was and he did everything he could to prove he was worthy of earning her love and affection. He was never cruel or pushy. He immediately began learning sign language so he could communicate with her. *swoon* My only complaint with Dario is that he wasn’t more aggressive with his sister and her terrible behavior towards Pia. I understand that the sisters have their own issues but one of them was insufferable. Gosh, she almost ruined this entire book for me and I hope she doesn’t get her own book.
Dario would do anything for Pia. He would burn the entire world down for her. He’s technically the villain, but he’s the hero in Pia’s story. I loved this book and will definitely be re-reading!!!
Tropes: Contemporary romance, mafia romance, arranged marriage, forced proximity, billionaire romance, virgin heroine, mute heroine, happily-ever-after
Heat: 3/5.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pia was such a wonderful heroine. She was so sweet and kind despite her upbringing. I adored her spirit and the kindness she had in her heart. Dario is probably one of my most favorite hero’s from Ivy Davis’ books. He knew how fragile and sensitive Pia was and he did everything he could to prove he was worthy of earning her love and affection. He was never cruel or pushy. He immediately began learning sign language so he could communicate with her. *swoon* My only complaint with Dario is that he wasn’t more aggressive with his sister and her terrible behavior towards Pia. I understand that the sisters have their own issues but one of them was insufferable. Gosh, she almost ruined this entire book for me and I hope she doesn’t get her own book.
Dario would do anything for Pia. He would burn the entire world down for her. He’s technically the villain, but he’s the hero in Pia’s story. I loved this book and will definitely be re-reading!!!
Tropes: Contemporary romance, mafia romance, arranged marriage, forced proximity, billionaire romance, virgin heroine, mute heroine, happily-ever-after
Heat: 3/5.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2023
This is the start to The Santoro Mafia with a possessive sexy and the women who forces him to see things another way. Pia will have you reaching through the book to give her a hug, helping her kick her father’s you know what for mistreating her locking her away from the world to be used to his benefit and being mute makes everyone that comes in contact with her including her father think she is stupid never getting the respect she deserves. Her father arranged a marriage to a man who will further him without her ever meeting the man until the day of her wedding. Dario sexy as all get out mafia prince responsible for his two sisters a goal to bring the mafia boss down Pia’s father and he knows he wants her so the day of her wedding he marches in kidnaps her from her father and the man he intended for her to marry. Trust is an issue for her since no one ever gave her reason to trust, especially her father and she doesn’t want to be with Dario, but she doesn’t want to go back to her father either. But the moment they meet and take the time to get to know one another the attraction grows and the magnetic pull is too strong to ignore but she also wakes of the possessiveness that lives within him and he will do everything including die for those he love and she is quickly becoming a part of the circle of those he loves but will he be strong enough to best her father, will her father come for her to secure his place, will she grow into her strength with the help of Dario, and where are they headed hopefully to happiness?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2023
His Priceless Treasure to Protect Forever
Dario learns his enemy's daughter, Pia is going to wed a man her dad has chosen. She has spent her life locked up in a tower since she was 8 yrs old when she witnessed her mom's brutal death by her dad's hands. She's remained mute since that day which Dario learns quickly when he comes to her rescue & sweeps her away from her arranged marriage. One way to keep her safe from her dad is to marry her immediately before taking her back to his house. He shows the strength of a patient man by not forcing himself onto her. Dario is possessive of her & tells her to trust him at every moment so she doesn't remain fearful of him. As her feelings & confidence get stronger being with her husband, Dario is on full-alert on her dad's location as her dad intends to kill them.
Book 1 of a new series & reading this one has been one of tenderness, patience, a learning experience, on-the-edge-of-your seat drama & excitement of what happens next between Dario & Pia. A great story of another mafia family. As Dario has 2 sisters that he is protecting at his home, I'm looking forward in learning on what the future holds for his sisters & will their HEA's be as good as Dario & Pia's?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dario learns his enemy's daughter, Pia is going to wed a man her dad has chosen. She has spent her life locked up in a tower since she was 8 yrs old when she witnessed her mom's brutal death by her dad's hands. She's remained mute since that day which Dario learns quickly when he comes to her rescue & sweeps her away from her arranged marriage. One way to keep her safe from her dad is to marry her immediately before taking her back to his house. He shows the strength of a patient man by not forcing himself onto her. Dario is possessive of her & tells her to trust him at every moment so she doesn't remain fearful of him. As her feelings & confidence get stronger being with her husband, Dario is on full-alert on her dad's location as her dad intends to kill them.
Book 1 of a new series & reading this one has been one of tenderness, patience, a learning experience, on-the-edge-of-your seat drama & excitement of what happens next between Dario & Pia. A great story of another mafia family. As Dario has 2 sisters that he is protecting at his home, I'm looking forward in learning on what the future holds for his sisters & will their HEA's be as good as Dario & Pia's?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2023
When Pia was 8 years old, she saw her father kill her mother. Her father caught her and punished her. Soon afterwards he locked her up in her tower. The trauma kept her unable to talk. When she turns 18, her father comes to tell her that he has arranged a marriage for her with a man who could fortify his power in his territory. Pia has no choice but to go along with the plans. During the wedding when the priest asks if there is any objections, Dario Santoro, her fathers main rival stands up. He tells her father that he is there to take Pia and make her his. After a battle between her father and Dario's men, Dario carries Pia away. She fights him until he promises her the freedom that she has always longed for.
Dario is the head of the Santoro family in Naples. Tommaso Vitale is one of his main rivals. When the news comes out that he had a secret daughter that he has kept locked up for years, Dario knows that he has to be the one to marry Pia. He crashes the wedding and starts a fight. Pia runs from him but he finds her and offers her freedom from her tower. It was just meant to be business and revenge but Pia worms her way inside his heart.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dario is the head of the Santoro family in Naples. Tommaso Vitale is one of his main rivals. When the news comes out that he had a secret daughter that he has kept locked up for years, Dario knows that he has to be the one to marry Pia. He crashes the wedding and starts a fight. Pia runs from him but he finds her and offers her freedom from her tower. It was just meant to be business and revenge but Pia worms her way inside his heart.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2023
This is a great start to the The Santoro Mafia series. Pia is a beautiful young woman whose father has kept her locked up since 8 years old. Dario is the mafia boss of his family, Santoro after his parents passed in a car accident and tasked with raising his two younger sisters. When Dario decides he wants Pia he steals her with force on her wedding day that her father arranged to a man that will benefit his business. Dario learns quickly that Pia doesn’t speak, only uses sign language and all he wants to do is protect and care for her. After Pia is taken Dario marries her right away for promising her freedom. Pia feels a calmness and trust in Dario and goes along with the marriage. Pia suffered unimaginable trauma as a child causing her to become mute. When Dario shows nothing but kindness and care for Pia she slowly blooms into a stronger woman who genuinely cares for others. When the girls are taken Dario and Pia do what they can to find their way back to one another! This is a beautiful love story and wonderful to see how Pia and Dario grow into a loving couple. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2023
Ivy Davis once again has written a beautiful story. One filled with love about a hero who just wants to protect the heroine and heal years of damage she has suffered. Her writing is solid and Ivy's books have never failed to draw me in capturing my full attention. I read this book in a couple of hours and I slipped into a dream world that ignited me to feel extreme empathy for Pia while causing me to swoon over Dario. This man is the type of hero I have dreamt of finding who has compassion, honor, patience, confidence, charism, the desire to protect at all costs and a heart of gold with the capacity to love completely. Pia has been isolated and mistreated by her father pretty much her whole life. I enjoyed watching her bloom and become stronger as well as more confident with Dario's help. Ivy had a line up of supporting characters for these two who I loved and really added another layer to the enjoyment I found between the pages of this book. At the end of her books I always find myself anxiously waiting for the next one to be released and now I wait.....
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2024
As a child Pia witnessed her father, murder her mother. As punishment for witnessing the event and asking too many questions, she was locked in a small tower. Because of this traumatic event, she doesn't speak. There are several incidents where she is supposedly signing and her father and Dario understand what she is saying. How was she able to learn how to sign? There was no mention of books or a teacher.
After many years of no interaction with anyone other than her father and a maid, Pia is told she is to be married that evening to someone she has never met or seen before. Her father tells her she is something of a mystery since she hasn’t been seen in years.
Pia was supposed to marry someone else but when Dario heard about Pia's wedding, he saw it as a way to defeat her father and he makes plans to steal the bride for himself. Dario seems really concerned with Pia and wants to help her achieve some elements of freedom. How will Pia react to living with Dario in the real world? This was a great premise for a book. However just a few things made the story a little confusing for me. I enjoyed the book lots of action and of course steam.
After many years of no interaction with anyone other than her father and a maid, Pia is told she is to be married that evening to someone she has never met or seen before. Her father tells her she is something of a mystery since she hasn’t been seen in years.
Pia was supposed to marry someone else but when Dario heard about Pia's wedding, he saw it as a way to defeat her father and he makes plans to steal the bride for himself. Dario seems really concerned with Pia and wants to help her achieve some elements of freedom. How will Pia react to living with Dario in the real world? This was a great premise for a book. However just a few things made the story a little confusing for me. I enjoyed the book lots of action and of course steam.
January 28, 2023
I have to admit I had strong questions about whether I would become invested in the main characters Pia and Dario. Dario's character did not seem like a typical Mafia Don who had been in power for at least 10 years. His reason for showing up at the wedding of the Tommaso's mysterious daughter Pia who was the subject of years and year of mysterious speculation since no one had seen her for over 10 years. What Dario wants, Dario takes and as the relationship between Pia and Dario begins to become the subject of fairytales and HEAs I started to warm up to their characters and quickly decided that this story, while unique, was quickly becoming one that I enjoyed reading. I can't wait to read Brutal Vows which is the next in the series and I've already become fascinated with the main characters who were introduced in this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 8, 2023
Just a little girl at 8, Pia Vitale witnesses the most tragic event of her life at the hands of her father (Tommaso). Trauma causes Pia to go mute and she hasn’t spoken a word in 10 years. Locked away in a tower for 10 years by her father, Pia is shy, smart, innocent, and beautiful. Dario Santoro is the leader of the Santoro mafia, having taken over at the young age of 20 when his parents were killed. Pia’s father is marrying her off to another family, but Dario wants to hurt him, so he steals Pia away and marries her himself. What starts out as a plan to use Pia. Turns into so much more!
The emotions, twists, betrayals, sparks, understanding, admiration, deceptions, and revenge made it very hard for me to put this book down. Great story, great characters, and I cannot wait to see what happens next with Dario’s sisters and a biker! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The emotions, twists, betrayals, sparks, understanding, admiration, deceptions, and revenge made it very hard for me to put this book down. Great story, great characters, and I cannot wait to see what happens next with Dario’s sisters and a biker! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2023
4.5 Stars!! Imagine being locked away since you were eight years old with limited to no contact with others. This happened to Pia. She is also mute from a tragedy when witnessed when she was young. Then there is Dario, a mafia prince who gets what he wants. What he wants, is Pia. Pia's father arranges for Pia to be married to someone who will help him. On the day of her wedding, Dario storms in and takes her from her father and fiancé that she is meeting for the first time. Pia is not sure who to trust though she knows she never wants to go back to her father. She has no choice but to trust Dario and her new family. His two sisters are good secondary characters. This was a good read with a story line that moves and keeps you reading to the end.
I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of the book from Booksprout.
I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of the book from Booksprout.
January 24, 2023
This is my first Ivy Davis book, but it won't be my last.
Posessive Vows is the story of Pia, the young daughter of a big mob boss, traumatized at a very young age by witnessing a terrible scene. Mute by the trauma, she is locked up in a tower, away from everyone and grows up with the hope of being free one day. That day comes thanks to Dario, another mafia boss, who plans her kidnapping and subsequent wedding, in order to gain more power.
That is the beginning of a story of great sexual attraction first, and love later between the characters.
I love Pia's evolution, her shyness and her courage, the honesty of her feelings towards Dario. And the great sexual chemistry, that little by little growing intimacy in the relationship?
I liked it a lot. Highly recommended.
Forced marriage
Age difference
Mafia
Trauma
HEA
180 pages
Posessive Vows is the story of Pia, the young daughter of a big mob boss, traumatized at a very young age by witnessing a terrible scene. Mute by the trauma, she is locked up in a tower, away from everyone and grows up with the hope of being free one day. That day comes thanks to Dario, another mafia boss, who plans her kidnapping and subsequent wedding, in order to gain more power.
That is the beginning of a story of great sexual attraction first, and love later between the characters.
I love Pia's evolution, her shyness and her courage, the honesty of her feelings towards Dario. And the great sexual chemistry, that little by little growing intimacy in the relationship?
I liked it a lot. Highly recommended.
Forced marriage
Age difference
Mafia
Trauma
HEA
180 pages
June 3, 2023
An instalove mafia romance. The MMC is Dario Santoro head of the Santoro mafia. The MFC is Pia Vitale daughter of the infamous Tommaso Vitale(enemy of Santoro Mafia).
Pia, who is mute has been locked in a tower for the last 10 years by her father after witnessing her father murder her mother. She stops talking because of what she witnessed. Her father has promised to marry her off to further his mafia business. At the wedding a stranger objects to the wedding. The stranger is Dario. After escaping the fallout they immediately wed. He feels an instant connection to Pia that he can’t explain. Can there love survive at all the attempts being made to destroy their marriage?
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2.5/5 🌶🌶.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pia, who is mute has been locked in a tower for the last 10 years by her father after witnessing her father murder her mother. She stops talking because of what she witnessed. Her father has promised to marry her off to further his mafia business. At the wedding a stranger objects to the wedding. The stranger is Dario. After escaping the fallout they immediately wed. He feels an instant connection to Pia that he can’t explain. Can there love survive at all the attempts being made to destroy their marriage?
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2.5/5 🌶🌶.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2023
Possessive Vows is book one in the new Santoro Mafia series. It's an arranged marriage story that starts off with lots of excitement! Pia is the daughter of Tommaso Vitale. She's locked away at the age of 8 because she witnessed something she shouldn't have and has been silent ever since. Having no contact with anyone except her father and a maid all of these years you can imagine her surprise when she's been arranged to marry Lorenzo Esposito. Of course it's not for her benefit. Dario Santoro, head of the Santoro Mafia in Naples, Italy. He's got other plans for Pia, namely for her to be his. And what better way than to take her from her wedding. Their story is an exciting, fast-paced journey that captures you and pulls you in right along with them what a great ride it is.
January 25, 2023
Pia became mute after she witnessed her father stab her mother to death. And her father has kept her prisoner, locked in a tower, ever since.He finally lets her out, but only to lead her to her marriage to a stranger he chose.
Before the ceremony begins, rival mob boss Dario Santoro and his men raid the wedding, capturing Pia, whisking her away, and marrying her himself. He does this in a plan to destroy Pia's father, and take over his territory. Neither he nor Pia planned on falling in love.
This is an engaging mafia tale, with action and violence, but also romance, familial love, caring, understanding, and plenty of steam.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Before the ceremony begins, rival mob boss Dario Santoro and his men raid the wedding, capturing Pia, whisking her away, and marrying her himself. He does this in a plan to destroy Pia's father, and take over his territory. Neither he nor Pia planned on falling in love.
This is an engaging mafia tale, with action and violence, but also romance, familial love, caring, understanding, and plenty of steam.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2023
This story was an interesting take on Mafia Romance I hadn't read before. The story follows Pia the daughter of one Mafia boss who has become mute due to a traumatic event in her childhood. She was then locked in a tower for the next ten years by her father until the day of her arranged marriage. In comes Dario a rival Mafia boss who steals away Pia for his own.
The story had some The Little Mermaid and Tangled/Rapunzel vibes which I thought was pretty cool. For being a mobster Dario was surprisingly tender and sweet and loved his character. I would be interested to read the sisters stories hopefully will be next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story had some The Little Mermaid and Tangled/Rapunzel vibes which I thought was pretty cool. For being a mobster Dario was surprisingly tender and sweet and loved his character. I would be interested to read the sisters stories hopefully will be next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2023
Taken from her prison only to lock up her heart
There were things I really loved about this book. I loved their relationship, and Dario's relationship with his sisters. However, much about Pia's time in her tower seemed a little unrealistic. Dad won't give her a decent bed or blanket, but gives her books and tv? She taught herself sign language? To talk to whom, herself? Dario did not feel like a mafia guy. He kept no muscle around his house, his second in command has his own motorcycle gang, and there was not a safe room. Hell, I have more firearms around my house than this guy seems to keep. Despite both Dario and dad seeming to be incompetent as mafia leaders, I still really enjoyed the book.
There were things I really loved about this book. I loved their relationship, and Dario's relationship with his sisters. However, much about Pia's time in her tower seemed a little unrealistic. Dad won't give her a decent bed or blanket, but gives her books and tv? She taught herself sign language? To talk to whom, herself? Dario did not feel like a mafia guy. He kept no muscle around his house, his second in command has his own motorcycle gang, and there was not a safe room. Hell, I have more firearms around my house than this guy seems to keep. Despite both Dario and dad seeming to be incompetent as mafia leaders, I still really enjoyed the book.
January 24, 2023
This book will leave you feeling happy and fulfilled by the love that is born between Dario and Pia. Pia has been locked in a tower her entire life by her father. The only time he lets her out is to inform she is to be married. Pia is mute after witnessing something tragic and doesn’t know what is happening to her. Then this handsome man Dario appears out of nowhere and is kidnapping her from her own wedding. You will love their journey together and they are an adorable mafia couple. You will love their strength and courage that is brought out of Pia when she finally realizes she could be happy. The story is fast paced and keeps you entertained from start to finish. Happy Reading!!.
January 24, 2023
I felt Pia's character was unrealistic. After ten years in solitude she adjusted to the outside world very well and quickly. Much too quickly. I feel there ought to have been an adjustment period if even for a little while to fit into the story. Dario was too much of the superhero type not very mafia. I did find Dario's twin sisters realistic. I enjoyed reading them. I also liked Matteo. A good guy with macho tendencies. He sounded hot! Overall it was disappointing. I do look forward to the next book about Matteo and Adelina... Dario's sister.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2023
This is the first book in the new The Santoro Mafia series. Pia Vitale is the mafia princess, locked away and heavily guarded by her father. She’s traumatized after witnessing her father brutally murder her mother as an 8years old kid, so she’s left mute. Dario Santoro learns of her existence and decides she’s to be his. He intervenes with the arranged wedding and whisks her away to marry her himself. The characters of this book are very likable, she’s sweet and kind, he’s caring, attentive. This is a good book, I recommend the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 5, 2023
This is the first in a new series and this is Pia and Dario’s story. Dario is the head of the Italian mafia, and from the moment he sees Pia, he wants her. Pia is a mafia princess, who has spent her life locked away in heavily guarded tower, and she is being forced into am arranged marriage by her ruthless and abusive father. Dario kidnaps Pia on her wedding day and whisks her away to safety. This is a well written story which is fast paced, with combustible chemistry, intrigue, family, friendships, suspense, danger, twists, romance, trust, and is an emotionally charged addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 11, 2023
Needs editing, better story and character development. Feels like a young teenager wrote this book. Plot holes and errors throughout - I’m gobsmacked how freaking unbelievable and unreal the story and characters are! I liked a couple of smexy scenes that showed some promise (something a 16yo might dream up). Hero is supposedly a mafia boss he’d tell you, seriously doesn’t he have any friends cohorts guards in his little mafia or any sidekicks (oh other than random MC guy star of next in series and his 18yo sisters and anonymous ‘men’ - what men??). One star for the cover add a half star for what this book could be.
January 24, 2023
Sweet Mafia Story
My rating: 3.5
Heat: 7/10
Emotion 6/10
Story: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Interest: 6/10
POV: Dual
No Cheating
No Cliffhanger
"Possessive Vows" is a sweet mafia story between a mafia boss and the daughter of an enemy family who was kept prisoner for most of her life.
Both characters are nice and sweet.
The story is steamy, there is suspense and some action.
My issue was that some things were too much, to a point that made the story less believable. Also some information which i thought should be there, wasn't.
Overall it was a sweet story with a good plot.
My rating: 3.5
Heat: 7/10
Emotion 6/10
Story: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Interest: 6/10
POV: Dual
No Cheating
No Cliffhanger
"Possessive Vows" is a sweet mafia story between a mafia boss and the daughter of an enemy family who was kept prisoner for most of her life.
Both characters are nice and sweet.
The story is steamy, there is suspense and some action.
My issue was that some things were too much, to a point that made the story less believable. Also some information which i thought should be there, wasn't.
Overall it was a sweet story with a good plot.
January 30, 2023
Good but
This was a good story but had lots of editing errors. The characters also has a bad habit during a fight or attack they would get injured, run to the bedroom, push a dresser in front of the door to keep the attacker out while they stitched or bandaged their injuries and then went back to the fight. 🙄 This happened on a couple of different occasions. I’m sorry but no one in the mafia stops to bandage their injuries in the middle of a fight. Otherwise it was a pretty solid read.
This was a good story but had lots of editing errors. The characters also has a bad habit during a fight or attack they would get injured, run to the bedroom, push a dresser in front of the door to keep the attacker out while they stitched or bandaged their injuries and then went back to the fight. 🙄 This happened on a couple of different occasions. I’m sorry but no one in the mafia stops to bandage their injuries in the middle of a fight. Otherwise it was a pretty solid read.
February 4, 2023
This book is Dario and Pia's story. Pia witnesses a huge traumatic event when she was 8. She was kept locked away from the world and rendered speechless. Dario is the head of the Mafia and has a vendetta against a rival mafia family vowing to take his rivals daughter Pia. Throughout the story Dario would not seem like a Made Man because he is very sweet and caring throughout the book. His sisters on the other hand. Well you will have to read it to find out the rest. This was a great start to a new series.
January 24, 2023
I have long been looking forward to this book in the Possessive Vows of the new series The Santoro Mafia series. The chemistry and attraction between Pia and Dario is amazing. Together with the danger, action, betrayal, misunderstandings and the exciting romance and steamy scenes, this is a great book and I can hardly wait for the next part of this new series.
I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2023
Pia was locked away by her father, a mafia boss until he arraigned for her marriage. Dario rescues Pia and wants her for himself. Sparks fly between them and Pia is adapting to being free but her father won’t give her up that easy, can Dario keep her safe? Fast-paced read with plenty of emotion, drama and suspense. The chemistry is intense and the story draws you in from beginning to end. I loved it.
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