I have to say I do love a good mafia romance and this absolutely hit the spot for me !

The writing style was amazing ! It was fast paced, had so much depth and detail to it and I just instantly knew this was going to be a five star read.

The plot and storyline had me at the edge of my seat ready for the next page !From the first page I could already tell it was going to be an amazing read, for me there was never a moment where the story had slowed down it kept the same pace and I loved it as sometimes changing the pace can be quite challenging to when reading. The plot was amazing I felt like everything just fit together like a jigsaw and wasn’t easily confused, I knew what was happening and how it was happening when reading and I appreciate that in a book, as sometimes it’s difficult focusing when things get confusing.

I loved the main characters, they were absolutely everything I expected and more!!!

Alora is such a strong female lead and I got that from the very start from protecting her sister and putting her first before herself, it was difficult for her and definitely made her a strong woman, so I absolutely think that she is a very strong fmc in this book. Alora is definitely one of those characters you can relate too if being in the situation she was with looking after her siblings, I felt I had a connection with her. And the fact that she ended up wi ty the big bad scary mafia boss is perfect it shows that she is just as strong as he is, and that’s why I absolutely love Alora!.

As for my man Kreos…. He would most definitely get it.

He was an amazing character from the very start to the very end, he is the definition of the Russian man I want but can’t have🫣he’s tough but he has that kindest in him and gentlemanly personality to him towards Alora, and that’s what we all love in a man to be able to be kind towards your lover. He would undeniably do anything and everything for Alora he has that aura about him! He’s possessive over her is something I will always crave from this book. He definitely has early a spot in my little heart.

The ending definitely tied everything together seamlessly, the answers we needed about Alora and Kreos have been answered, however we now need answers about her sister Dove, I would most definitely read a book based on Dove and would scoff it up like a nice jam scone.

All the spicy scenes I was eating up like a delicious bowl of soup! I appreciated the fact that there wasn’t smut in every scene but I think that’s what made me like this book even more.

I for one would most definitely re-read this book again and recommend it to others for when it comes out. It’s a strong Russian mafia romance with strong leads and that’s something won’t ever forget about this book along with the whole book in general!.

Amazing book! I would love to read more about their future so hopefully that comes!

This book had it all; spice, romance, thrill, suspense.
Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

✨Russian Mafia
✨Forced proximity
✨Dark Romance
✨He falls first
✨Forced Marriage

Chocolate Cake 🍰 😩 🤌🏼 tear jerker!

MMC was respectful yet dominating and fearless.
FMC was sassy and strong!

One of my favorite mafia romances!!

I loveddd these two and could not put this book down. Alora and Kreos are absolutely perfect! I loved how fierce Alora was and stuck to her goals and dreams. She didn't cave to a man who could give her everything in the blink of an eye. She stood up for herself and her sister and I just loved her. Kreos is the perfectly morally-grey gentleman. There is nothing better in a mafia romance than the "I lost her and now she's mine and I'm never letting her go" trope. Kreos is gold and I love, love, love how he worked for her love and didn't just demand it.

I loved that it was a slower burn as well. The tension that build is *chef's kiss*. The twists and turns in the beginning kept me intrigued and trying to figure out how all the pieces worked together.

Cannot wait for the next book!!!

I will post on Amazon on release day! Reviews posted on Storygraph and Goodreads.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

I love a good mafia romance and this one did not disappoint!

Immediately, I fell in love with the writing style. Not only was this book fast paced, but it was full of depth and detail. Honestly, my favorite kind of read.

The story line was packed full of substance and had me clinging to my kindle for more. There was never a moment where I felt like the story slowed down. It was engaging from the very first page, to the very last. Not only was the flow excellent, but the layers of conflict that all blended together seamlessly made for a truly interesting read. This was one of those books I desperately needed to finish because I had to have answers.

The main characters were seriously everything to me. I loved them both so much!

Alora is such a strong female lead. After being forced to look after her younger siblings while she was still a child herself and living a difficult life, it hardened her. Which honestly is so perfect since she ended up with a mafia boss. I just wholeheartedly adore strong female characters and Alora is no exception to that. Not only is she strong, but she is smart and extremely talented. It’s definitely easy to see why a billionaire mafia boss would be obsessed with her.

Now Kreos…. Raw, next question.

That man was everything I wanted in a Russian mafia book boyfriend. He is undeniably rough and scary, but the gentleness he has for Alora is heartwarming. His “touch her, you die” attitude is delicious and I was eating that shit up. His possessiveness and obsession with Alora is everything we want in our fictional men. But it’s not just how he would do anything to protect her, it’s also the love and trust he has for her. My heart!

The ending was mostly wrapped up really well. Everything in regards to Kreos and Alora is answered and then some. What we don’t really get is a conclusion to Dove’s story. (Alora’s sister) At first this bugged me but I think it’s because the author may be gearing up to give her a book of her own. At least, it was definitely set up that way. I personally am not mad at it and think it’s brilliant from a marketing standpoint. I never feel the need to read other books in a standalone series but best believe I will be reading Dove’s book if that day were to come.

The spicy scenes were definitely spicy. There wasn’t smut in every chapter which I totally appreciated but the bits we do get are steamy! I’m here for it!

I personally would read this one again and definitely recommend to anyone looking for a Russian mafia romance. Especially is you are looking for a possessive MMC and a strong FMC.

🔥 A Second-Chance Mafia Romance with Bite! 🖤

This mafia romance delivers everything I love—intensity, a complicated family dynamic, and a past that refuses to stay buried.

Alona is the responsible one, carrying the weight of her family’s survival. Her determination leads her to take odd jobs, unknowingly putting her right back in the path of Kreos—the mafia boss who needs a wife and just so happens to stumble upon the one that got away.

The writing weaves past and present seamlessly, giving just enough backstory to deepen the emotional impact. This is a lighter dark romance, with abduction, forced proximity, and a feisty FMC who refuses to go down without a fight. If you love mafia romance with sizzling chemistry and a second-chance twist, this one is a must-read! 🔥🖤

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a delicious mix of twists and turns, sweet and spice, emotion and anticipation!

I love dark romance. I love a good HEA. I love a bit of angst. But I'm thrilled when an author can bring out elements that surprise me. Dani Antoinette definitely did that. Books can sometimes blend together - especially in the romance genre - and this one stands out! I love knowing 'where we're going' and I enjoyed this tantalizing ride along the way. So...heck yes, this was a fantastic read.

Kreos was the perfect mix of scary/soft don't-f*ck-with-me/I-kneel-only-for-her. Alora is a survivor. She's strong and brave and so proud of it. She might have experienced unimaginable trauma, but she allowed it to fuel her growth to be stronger. And she never lost her humanity in the process.

The secondary characters were written with substance. They were real and didn't fade into the background. (Personally, I. Can't. Wait. to read Dove's story.) These friends and family will no doubt expand the world of the Hearts of Mayhem series in the best ways possible.

I received this ARC and squealed out loud. If you're looking for a delicious dark romance with forced marriage, an age gap, powerful and jealous MMC + he falls first...this is the one. You can't go wrong!

I shared this review on Goodreads and will also share on Amazon after the release (under the name Marisa).

Love this book! FMC is strong and smart but not bratty. MMC only soft to her. He massage her feet!!!😩😍

The suspense and plot just kept me hooked the whole time, well balance of spicy and plot.

Really enjoyed this book, can't wait for book and other characters' sotry!!

I read a decent amount of mafia books and - sometimes - they get a little repetitive. Ruthless Bonds had enough twists and plotlines that differ from other mafia books to hold my attention. I thought both K and Alora were well developed characters and their relationship was a slow burn but oh did it burn! All the side characters were also very interesting and I'm excited for them to all (hopefully) get their own book! This was a new author to me and I'm excited to see how this book series progresses!

This book was an exciting mix of romance, danger, and unexpected twists. The story follows a mafia boss and a woman who once saved his life. They spent one night together six years ago, but now she’s back in his world, against her will. With pressure mounting for him to marry, he makes a bold decision to move her and her sister into his home and announce their engagement. She wants to escape, but as the story unfolds, her resistance turns into love.
I really enjoyed the tension between the characters and how their relationship developed. The plot had a good mix of romance and action, especially when her long-lost brother is revealed to be alive and out for revenge. A misunderstanding leads him to believe her husband is his enemy, creating a high-stakes conflict. The mole within the mafia added even more suspense, and the resolution between the brother and the mafia boss was satisfying. The pregnancy reveal at the end was a sweet touch to wrap things up.
While I liked the book, I felt it could have been even better with more chapters. Some parts felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to see more character development and deeper emotional moments. Still, it was a solid read with plenty of drama and passion. If you’re into mafia romances with strong emotions and thrilling twists, this one is worth picking up!

This book will hook you with the first chapter. You have two people who met one night years ago. That night altered their lives and they haven’t seen each other since. Now K is the head of the Russian mafia and he is determined to stay that way even if it means getting married. Alora is all about protecting Dove and making sure she stays on the healing path after such a horrible kidnapping. Alora is working three jobs just to pay rent and she is determined to get out of their apartment he’ll hole and do so by winning the photographer contest. What fate has in store for these two is very different than what they were expecting and who knows if they will make it.

Checks all the boxes for dark mafia romance - forced marriage, violence, gore, betrayal, secrets, lies - he falls hard "touch her you die" is his vibe, lots of action, and complex story - this really moves, never dull and plenty of spice.