I really enjoyed Ties That Bind Us! I listened to the audiobook version of this story and narrators, Allie Shae and Jack Calihan, did a good job portraying Ava and Nick. I love a good mafia romance with unexpected twists and I was served with this one. It wasn't as dark as I expected, but the romance was truly heartfelt and beautiful!

6 stars. fucking kill me now😭😭
THE LAST 20% HAD ME SOBBING
Ava is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic and she has a one night stand with nick. It is insta love which I normally hate but it FELT PERFECT IN THIS BOOK.
This is also marriage of convenience BUT they have feelings for each other (NO MISCOMMUNICATION)
This book broke me. I thought our MCs died at points😭😭
This is amazing. The spice perfect. Everything was just perfect. I felt so connected with Ava emotionally and after reading I spent a good half hour crying. It’s amazing. I have NEVER wanted to recommend a book as much as I wanted to recommend this.
Nick is amazing, he helped Ava, and he was always there.


Thankyou netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!!!!!!!

While this book kept me entertained from start to finish, I can’t say it was the best thing ever. I’ve read my fair share of mafia romances and maybe this is why my expectations were a bit high and I ended up being disappointed?

As a story in itself, this book is good. There is an undeniable chemistry between our main characters, a backstory with a bit of betrayal, twists and turns, there’s even quite a cast of side characters, which makes everything so interesting. But it was still lacking for me.

When I read mafia romance, not gonna lie, I expect big red flag energy from the MMC. I love my morally grey characters, and that’s the main reason I enjoy dark, twisted mafia stories. In this one… the MMC is actually so soft, and it honestly made the arranged marriage part a bit blend because they both happy about it even though Ava is fighting it for no apparent reason…

Which brings me to the enemies to lovers tag… please don’t ever use that to lure people into reading a book, because it will end badly if it is misused. When I see enemies to lovers (especially in mafia) I expect "literally want to kill you" moments… I expect tension, so much of it… I expect I HATE that I love you… This is not this book. Here you get love at first sight, doubtable reasons for fighting this love and a bit of betrayal solved in one chapter with no real effect on this relationship. So yeah. It truly was disappointing on that side.

While some subjects broached by this book are dark, the story in itself didn’t feel that dark too me. If you are new to mafia romances, I’d say it’s a good start for something a bit lighter. There are twists and turns, while a bit predictable, but it keeps things going and moving forward. I have to say that most of the problems and confrontations in this one were always solved rapidly only to switch to a new one, which is not my favourite thing to keep me interested in a main plot point.

I still enjoyed my reading, it wasn’t bad, it’s just that it was a bit bland and maybe not the best match for me considering my expectations. I still think people will enjoy this one if this is their vibe.

As for the audiobook version, the narration was pretty nice, nothing bad to say except that I’m getting used to duet narrations and would have preferred that but still was nice.

Thanks to Wattpad for my copy of the book and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

I was super excited for this one when I saw it was a steamy mafia romance with an arranged marriage, but it ended up missing the mark a bit for me.

I enjoyed seeing the different family dynamics play out, both within their own family units, and with one other. The history of the falling out was very sad and I felt like it got brushed over fairly quickly.

The MMC, Nick, was the highlight for me. The way he fiercely loved and wanted to protect Ava. The way he stood by her, even when she pushed him away or made terrible choices. In the beginning I was totally on board with Ava and excited to see how her character navigated the challenges of an arranged marriage in a mafia setting, but I found myself getting super annoyed with her the majority of the time. She truly made one bad choice after another and it was so frustrating.

The ending was fast-paced and intense, but wrapped up quickly. I enjoyed the epilogue and glimpse at their lives 6 months later.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was an amazing audiobook!! This book had me hooked from the start! I could not stop listening!! The narrators did a phenomenal job with this audiobook! This is my first book by Nicole and I can’t wait to read more from her

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC of The Ties That Bind Us!

This was an enjoyable listen with a ton of plot and complexities that Ava and Nick had to navigate through. The characters had chemistry from the start which often doesn’t happen in arranged marriage tropes (which is why I usually shy away from them), but this one was well done! The characters themselves were given complex backstories which enhanced this read so much more, and the audiobook narrators did a really great job conveying emotion through voice acting!

The only thing that coulda made this better… I’ll never understand why some dual POV audiobooks don’t have the characters read their own lines in the other characters’ chapters. Ava’s narrator speaking as Nick wasn’t terrible, but this is just a pet peeve of mine.

Overall this was a good story and the narrators were really engaging to listen to!

Tropes:
- one night stand (turned more)
- arranged marriage
- mafia romance
- accidental pregnancy (trigger warning and spoilers: she loses the baby in an accident)

I love mafia romances and this certainly lived up to expectations! The main characters, Ava Moretti and Nick Caponelli, have a deep connection and explosive chemistry. Even though they hardly know each other, they agree to marry in arranged marriage so that the Moretti's and Caponelli's can form an alliance after years of being enemies.

Both Ava and Nick have to endure numerous sacrifices to protect their relationship and their families. Ava was an especially strong character - she previously lost her twin brother, became addicted to drugs, and had to endure physical and verbal abuse from her father. I love the way that Nick took care of her and how she taught him how to open his heart.

This was an amazing read!

i had the ALC and listened to it in just a couple sittings. it pulled me in quick and had that emotional, messy feel that i love when it’s done right. the characters were flawed and made a lot of mistakes, but they still felt real and layered. i liked the way their relationships were complicated without being over the top. some parts did get a little repetitive or too fast, but overall i was into it the whole time. definitely keeping an eye out for whatever she puts out next.

3/5 stars for me - ARC audiobook review

I did thoroughly enjoy this story, it was cute and endearing and surprisingly warm for a mafia enemies to lovers romance.

Ava and Nick's chance encounter sets everything into motion and little did they know, they come from two opposing ends of their world. I found that slightly hard to believe though, I imagine feuding mob families would know more about their rivals, but to be fair, it was clear that Ava tried to stay out of the details of the family's business.

I did love the backstory about Ava and her traumas and demons, but wanted to know more about Nick as well.

From a romance perspective, the spice was nice, there could have been more in my opinion and was surprised there wasn't a little more/more intensity other past mafia romance novels i've read.

Overall, the chemistry between Nick and Ava was great, I was pleasantly surprised with the plot and action within the story and was very happy with the ARC audiobook.

Regarding narrators: Ava's narrator - great, loved, perfect for what i was picturing for Ava. For Nick, in terms of narration, he was a really great narrator I just felt that his voice was a little mature for Nick's character.

Ties That Bind Us book review: 4 stars.
It’s my first time reading something by Nicole Knight and I’ve really enjoyed it!
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers involved to give me a copy of this book.
I’ve really enjoyed the storyline of Nick and Ava and the rollercoaster of a ride they went through. Nicks dad is a legend!
Nick is a perfect gentleman who anyone would be swooning over. The spice was just the right amount for a romance with this much plot.
I would have loved a bit more about Ava’s past whilst we were hearing about her rocky relationship with her Ex. But all in all I really liked this book!

Thanks again for a copy!
#nextread #newbooks #newbook #reading #book #books #booktok #fyp #tiesthatbindus #nicoleknight #bookreview #bookrecommendations #mafiaromance #4star

This was an enjoyable read, though it didn't quite hit all the marks for me. Nicole Knight crafted an interesting premise in "Ties That Bind Us," and I found myself drawn to the core concept. The characters were mostly likable, and there were moments of genuine connection. However, the pacing felt a bit uneven in places, and some of the plot developments leaned towards the predictable side. While it offered a decent escape, it didn't leave a lasting impression.

I have really mixed feelings about this. I thought the narration was done very well. I enjoyed both narrators a lot, and they did end up making the book better for me but personally, I didn’t like the book very much. There should be trigger warnings for Miscarriage and I don’t believe there was. I felt like the FMC couldn’t decide what she wanted in life and just kind of did whatever them around her wanted her to do which really irked me. This also felt too long and just felt like a drug on and on, and could not keep my attention. Thank you to NetGalley for my audio arc. This is my honest review.

This book was definitely a joyous ride. I like that the author included tropes that usually aren't seen in the genre. For example, I had never seen a mafia romance tie in addiction and a more realistic take on the burdens that come from being the daughter of a mafia leader. I believe some of the events in the story were a little cliché. Also, some aspects didn't feel fully fledged. Ava going to school was a nice touch because it gave her independence, but it felt somewhat of an afterthought. There were some cases I would get confused on where the story was going, having to rewind the audio a couple of times to make sure I didn't accidentally miss a chapter. Overall, it was a good book and had a lot of great aspects to it.

This is your typical mafia romance where they meet accidentally and have their moment and then end up stuck in close proximity and everything and everyone trying to get what’s best for their family. It’s all part of being a member of a mafia family and yet she has always wanted more. Maybe she still has that opportunity with this man she thought she could have a one night stand with. Little did she know he would change everything and do anything to keep her safe and to have her freedom. There is definitely spice and killing and torture.

Rating 5⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️

FULL ALC REVIEW

I actually liked it! The tea drama was piping and I'm alllll for it. But I really enjoy a good banter between the MCs. This is the kind of scenario where its an arranged marriage/marriage for convenience, they actually get to know each other on and off page. We get to see the romance grow before the characters realize it.

The story also shares the struggle with drug addiction and abuse as well as grief. I personally felt the author definitely express the hardship and perseverance.

Granted, both MCs were annoying at times, but the overall character growth makes up for their flaws.

The epilogue got me so hard that I did tear up a bit. It was the HEA that felt deserved.

I received the ALC through Netgallery. This review is my true and honest opinon

This was an entertaining mafia romance, but I struggled with the writing. There was a lot of chaos and like I get it, I think that was the point. Just a little too choppy for me.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

Fast paced with lots of secrets and reveals that brought in some drama within the characters. Ava and Nick had met and spent time together for only one night, months later Nick makes an arrangement with Ava’s father to marry her sister. Gasps. Nick maneuvers his deal to marry Ava instead, because he cannot stop thinking about their night months ago. Ava wants to please her father and make up for her past mistakes. Nick becomes protective of Ava as he should. Ends on a cliffhanger but it was good.

I absolutely loved this book! Ties That Bind Us delivered everything I want in a dark romance, enemies to lovers, mafia family drama, an arranged marriage, and all the spice you could ask for. The chemistry between Ava and Nick was off the charts, and their strong, stubborn personalities clashing made for some seriously addictive banter. Every scene between them crackled with tension, heat, and emotional depth. If you love high-stakes romance with unforgettable characters and a plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish, this one’s a must-read.

This one was giving Wattpad in the best and worst ways. The drama? Absolutely there. The mafia tropes? Fully checked. It had that fast-burn, chaotic energy that reminded me of stories I’d binge at 2am when I was 16 and living for forbidden love.

Ava and Nick had chemistry, but some of the plot points felt a little rushed or underdeveloped, like it leaned hard into the aesthetic without always grounding it. Still, it was fun and steamy, and I’d probably read book two just to see how wild it gets.

I needed a change of pace, and this book was just the ticket! A modern day Romeo and Juliet mafia romance with a forced marriage? Sign me up for more! Nick Caponelli, though a soon-to-be crime boss, is literally the cinnamon roll MMC with touch her and die vibes. Ava is a strong, yet vulnerable FMC that I really identified with on account of her awful father. Loyalties will be tested - will they fight for one another in the end? You will have to see for yourself. Highly recommend this fun mafia romance, with a hint of spice.