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what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence and Rape
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Audiobook review with Ebook review attached... I loved Michael and Elsie's story when I read it, but listening to it made it come alive and added another layer of emotion. While the ebook is great by itself, if you love extended epilogues or bonus chapters, you have to check out the audiobook. I'm a firm believer that the narrator can make or break a story. Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton did an amazing job with this story. Thank you to the author for giving me an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily. 5/5 stars for the audiobook 5/5 spice This had me on tenterhooks from the beginning. It's dark. Like, very dark and emotional. It can be draining if you aren't prepared for it. What Elsie goes through is nothing sort of traumatic with a capital T...and that she was able to rise above and find happiness is testimony to her strength. Michael is a cinnamon roll for his little girl but is a fierce protector for his family and ruthless man to anyone who crosses him. Afraid to love because of the life he lives, he only wanted to have a marriage of convenience...but Elsie rattled his walls and ignited a protectiveness he had only reserved for his daughter. This story hurt...not gonna lie it was almost too much with the triggers but I am glad I finished it. The HEA was just that much more emotional because of all the things these two went through. Plus the next books in the series were set up nicely and I can't wait for the other stories. Also, if you read the Cavaleri brother's series this one intersects with that series. So obviously I'm going to read that series too... Also, super spicy...like off the charts. So that's an added plus. Please check the trigger warnings below before reading. Stay safe! Trigger warnings/Content warnings: -Trafficking -Torture -Rape -Sexual Abuse -Violence -Murder -Death -Graphic sexual content -Child endangerment -Explicit language -Cheating/Adultery (not the MCs)caseykaldahl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gun violence, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
maddiesbooksta's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Gun violence, Death, Violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
bookswithdawn's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This was my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the writing and the way the plot and romance developed, as well as how the plot twist was revealed.
Elsie has been through so much and had been subject to horrific things for the last 9 years of her life. When she finally sees a way to escape and subsequently help her friends escape the hell they were in, she takes it. She ventures into the unknown, knowing anywhere is better than where she was. When she escapes, she meets Michael. Michael needs a wife in order to take over his family, but he is not looking for love. He gives Elsie a choice: marry him or be sent back to the hell she escaped. Knowing this is her only chance at freedom and to save her friends, she says yes.
I really enjoyed Elsie’s character. She had been through a lot of trauma and suffering, experiencing horrific things for nine years. I loved how strong she was and how determined she was to help her friends escape as well. She connected to Sophia, Michael’s daughter, instantly. I loved seeing their relationship develop and how much Sophia grew to love her.
Michael was great. To most people, he is very dominating. He is going to take over the family and everyone follows his orders. This contrasts to how he is with Sophia and Elsie when she enters his life. His kindness and loving nature truly shines when he is around them. He wants to protect his family at all costs and his actions show this. My heart melted whenever Michael and Sophia interacted.
I really enjoyed the development of Michael and Elsie’s relationship. They were both attracted to each other, and this grew once they saw each other interact with Sophia. She was sort of their light in their dark worlds. I loved how they helped each other as well. Michael, because of many instances in his life, has given on finding love and has a lot of self doubt about his ability to be enough for Sophia and protect her. Elsie helped erase those doubts. Michael helped Elsie gain back her power and control over her body after having that taken away from her for nine years. Their relationship truly grew to become something beautiful.
Overall, really enjoyed this and absolutely can’t wait for the next book!
**18+ | This is a dark romance. Please check trigger/content warnings before reading.**
Thank you to GreysPromo for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Elsie has been through so much and had been subject to horrific things for the last 9 years of her life. When she finally sees a way to escape and subsequently help her friends escape the hell they were in, she takes it. She ventures into the unknown, knowing anywhere is better than where she was. When she escapes, she meets Michael. Michael needs a wife in order to take over his family, but he is not looking for love. He gives Elsie a choice: marry him or be sent back to the hell she escaped. Knowing this is her only chance at freedom and to save her friends, she says yes.
I really enjoyed Elsie’s character. She had been through a lot of trauma and suffering, experiencing horrific things for nine years. I loved how strong she was and how determined she was to help her friends escape as well. She connected to Sophia, Michael’s daughter, instantly. I loved seeing their relationship develop and how much Sophia grew to love her.
Michael was great. To most people, he is very dominating. He is going to take over the family and everyone follows his orders. This contrasts to how he is with Sophia and Elsie when she enters his life. His kindness and loving nature truly shines when he is around them. He wants to protect his family at all costs and his actions show this. My heart melted whenever Michael and Sophia interacted.
I really enjoyed the development of Michael and Elsie’s relationship. They were both attracted to each other, and this grew once they saw each other interact with Sophia. She was sort of their light in their dark worlds. I loved how they helped each other as well. Michael, because of many instances in his life, has given on finding love and has a lot of self doubt about his ability to be enough for Sophia and protect her. Elsie helped erase those doubts. Michael helped Elsie gain back her power and control over her body after having that taken away from her for nine years. Their relationship truly grew to become something beautiful.
Overall, really enjoyed this and absolutely can’t wait for the next book!
**18+ | This is a dark romance. Please check trigger/content warnings before reading.**
Thank you to GreysPromo for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Infidelity
lostinfictionaluniverse's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
* ARC received for an honest review *
Sinful Vows is the first book in the Messina Crime Family series. I was excited to read this every since we got some crumbs of them in Lilian's previous series. And it really didn't disappoint. I really liked this book so much.
I'm so hooked to Lilian's work since the first book I read of hers. And she just keeps getting better and better with every book. And I love them.
This book was a bit darker than I had expected. But I enjoyed it anyways. Elise was such an amazing character. She went through so much but her will and strength made her not give up and stay strong until the end. Michael was really a dark and dangerous mafia man. He was cold and heartless in general. But has a soft side which comes out for his daughter, Sophie. The way he cares for people close to him would make anyone melt. Sophie was so cute. The way she has Michael wrapped around his fingers. And accepted Elise as her family from the minute she met her. She is so special.
Both Elise and Michael were closed off and weren't easily trustful because of the traumas in their life. But they learned to trust each other, healed and helped eo to overcome their traumas. Michael gave so much to Elise that she had lost in the years she had been a captive. And Elise gave him a feeling of home and helped him love and share his life with another person who isn't just his family. They both are just everything. All their moments as a couple and with Sophie were just so amazing.
Also for people who want to read this book, it has a lot of dark themes. Make sure to check the tws before you read them.
Overall this was a good read. I can't wait to read the next book. The crumbs we got sounds so interesting.
Thank you, Lilian Harris for giving me the arc.
Sinful Vows is the first book in the Messina Crime Family series. I was excited to read this every since we got some crumbs of them in Lilian's previous series. And it really didn't disappoint. I really liked this book so much.
I'm so hooked to Lilian's work since the first book I read of hers. And she just keeps getting better and better with every book. And I love them.
This book was a bit darker than I had expected. But I enjoyed it anyways. Elise was such an amazing character. She went through so much but her will and strength made her not give up and stay strong until the end. Michael was really a dark and dangerous mafia man. He was cold and heartless in general. But has a soft side which comes out for his daughter, Sophie. The way he cares for people close to him would make anyone melt. Sophie was so cute. The way she has Michael wrapped around his fingers. And accepted Elise as her family from the minute she met her. She is so special.
Both Elise and Michael were closed off and weren't easily trustful because of the traumas in their life. But they learned to trust each other, healed and helped eo to overcome their traumas. Michael gave so much to Elise that she had lost in the years she had been a captive. And Elise gave him a feeling of home and helped him love and share his life with another person who isn't just his family. They both are just everything. All their moments as a couple and with Sophie were just so amazing.
Also for people who want to read this book, it has a lot of dark themes. Make sure to check the tws before you read them.
Overall this was a good read. I can't wait to read the next book. The crumbs we got sounds so interesting.
Thank you, Lilian Harris for giving me the arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Rape, Trafficking, and Violence
what_karla_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.5
4.5/5 stars
5/5 spice
This had me on tenterhooks from the beginning. It's dark. Like, very dark and emotional. It can be draining if you aren't prepared for it.
What Elsie goes through is nothing sort of traumatic with a capital T...and that she was able to rise above and find happiness is testimony to her strength.
Michael is a cinnamon roll for his little girl but is a fierce protector for his family and ruthless man to anyone who crosses him. Afraid to love because of the life he lives, he only wanted to have a marriage of convenience...but Elsie rattled his walls and ignited a protectiveness he had only reserved for his daughter.
This story hurt...not gonna lie it was almost too much with the triggers but I am glad I finished it. The HEA was just that much more emotional because of all the things these two went through. Plus the next books in the series were set up nicely and I can't wait for the other stories. Also, if you read the Cavaleri brother's series this one intersects with that series. So obviously I'm going to read that series too...
Also, super spicy...like off the charts. So that's an added plus.
I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please check the trigger warnings below before reading. Stay safe!
5/5 spice
This had me on tenterhooks from the beginning. It's dark. Like, very dark and emotional. It can be draining if you aren't prepared for it.
What Elsie goes through is nothing sort of traumatic with a capital T...and that she was able to rise above and find happiness is testimony to her strength.
Michael is a cinnamon roll for his little girl but is a fierce protector for his family and ruthless man to anyone who crosses him. Afraid to love because of the life he lives, he only wanted to have a marriage of convenience...but Elsie rattled his walls and ignited a protectiveness he had only reserved for his daughter.
This story hurt...not gonna lie it was almost too much with the triggers but I am glad I finished it. The HEA was just that much more emotional because of all the things these two went through. Plus the next books in the series were set up nicely and I can't wait for the other stories. Also, if you read the Cavaleri brother's series this one intersects with that series. So obviously I'm going to read that series too...
Also, super spicy...like off the charts. So that's an added plus.
I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please check the trigger warnings below before reading. Stay safe!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Trafficking, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Infidelity and Suicidal thoughts
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