Ehhh… it was not great. Not terrible, but certainly not good. The kind of book that I am happy to finish, but not because I’m particularly invested in the story. I’ve seen this book on the bestseller list for months and months, so it felt like it was finally time to jump in. I’m a sucker for a good mafia romance, especially a dark”ish” one like this. And I love a marriage of convenience/arranged marriage, so it sounded right up my alley. I was especially intrigued by the fact that our heroine hasn’t spoken a word in six months, and that most people believe she no longer can. Unfortunately, that was such a minimal part of the story (and was resolved so quickly) that the lust overtook everything else. I felt like this couple barely knew each other by the end, and anything between them was lust-focused and the product of our antihero’s domineering personality. So I didn’t love it, didn’t hate it, but I’d try another book from the series.
The story follows Conner (28), a man who agrees to get married in order to strengthen some mafia connections (I’m being vague because I barely remember the details, lol). Conner is immediately drawn to one woman from the list of options, and when he discovers that she no longer speaks after an accident, he kind of loves the idea of a silent wife who will never nag him. But when Conner meets Noemi (20) in person, he realizes there’s more to the story – and he’s interested in finding out the details. Noemi knows better than to be drawn to a man like her father, but there’s something about Conner that gets her all hot and bothered. As the two approach the date of their wedding and continue to harbor their own secrets, things get messier than expected.
I was actually one of the first people to read Ramsower’s debut, and I remember thinking that I’d come back to her writing once she’d gotten a few more books under her belt. I kinda feel the same way now, lol. There’s definitely potential there, and there was a lot of good stuff going on. I liked that Conner was so solely focused on Noemi from the moment he met her, I liked that there was some suspense but it didn’t overtake the love story, and I liked some of the other characters. I was a little uncomfy about the age gap (28/20), mostly because of the experience gap and how Noemi was so sheltered and Conner was so controlling. She wasn’t a total doormat, but absolutely could’ve had more of a backbone. Conner was also a little too bloodthirsty for me, and I wish they had more of an equal partnership. I’ve read plenty of mafia romances where that was the case, and I’d have liked to have seen that here as well. And the component that I was most intrigued by – Noemi’s silence – was resolved SO quickly and so easily. Didn’t love that. There was ultimately so much potential to the story, and I feel like a lot of it went unfulfilled. Kinda meh for me.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TPGZmm
Audio Note:
The audio was pretty good! I’ve never listened to either narrator before, but they both did a good job. Kai Kennicott’s voice was very easy to listen to, and I enjoyed her performance. Wen Ross did just fine – his voice is a little nasally for me, but no major complaints. I’d happily listen to either narrator again. As to the runtime (9 hours), it was ideal for bingeing… though that’s not what I did. I listened to an hour here or there and then kept coming back to it, JUST interested enough not to DNF. It’s not super spicy or anything, but I’d call it lusty throughout. Probably fine for the office other than a few quick scenes. The audio wasn’t a bad way to experience the story.
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/41RWM64
Blurb:
Conner
They thought she was unsuitable as a bride because she was mute.
I thought that made her perfect.
Silent. Invisible.
I could pretend she didn’t even exist.
Noemi
I’ve been promised to the Irish.
My father will kill me if I refuse, just like he killed my mother six months ago.
His merciless ambitions stole the light from her eyes and silenced me in the process.
I haven’t spoken a word since her death.
That didn’t stop Conner Reid from choosing me to be his bride.
He threatens my composure and intoxicates my senses.
He represents everything I hate in this world yet summons my darkest cravings.
I can’t escape him.
The worst part is, I’m not sure I want to.
Because my life is in danger, and Conner may be the only man who can save me.
*Silent Vows is the breathtaking first installment in The Byrne Brothers series. It’s a stand-alone mafia arranged marriage romance, complete with a happily ever after and no cliffhangers. A dark romance with adult themes, Silent Vows may not be suitable for sensitive audiences.
A Note from the Author: While Noemi may be a silent virgin bride, don’t expect meekness. She is bold, fiercely loyal, and one of the few people unafraid of Conner Byrne. These two are electric, and I ADORE them! For those of you who are new to me, I write what I’d call “mafia lite.” My heroes are hardened criminals with soft spots for their heroines. There may be violence and cruelty in my books, but never between the main characters. Enjoy!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TPGZmm
About the Author:
Jill is a Texan, born and raised. She manages the hectic social calendars for her three active children and occasionally spends an evening with her dashing husband. Aside from being an author and a mom, she’s a travel junkie and loves to read when she is not lost in her own stories.
With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.
Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jillramsowerauthor/
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Check out her website: https://www.jillramsower.com/
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