Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I was new to Jessica Ames and I now know I need to go back and read more. This book was everything I hoped it would be. Steamy and sexy as well as a page turner! Will be looking forward to more from this author

Wow!
This was my first Jessica Ames book, and I was absolutely blown away! I love her writing style; it pulled me in from the first page, and didn’t let up. Actually, still hasn’t let up! I’m dying for another book. I need more of these characters! I absolutely love Sariah. Her story was so engrossing, and the way that Luke and her interacted was so intriguing. Reading this and watching them come together was EVERYTHING y’all!
Highly recommend this if you enjoy:
✨ Mafia Romance
✨ Dark Romance
✨ Arranged Marriage trope
✨ Happily ever afters
✨ Sibling bonds
✨ Steamy reads
✨ loss of virginity trope

Can’t wait to see what else Jessica Ames has for us in the Fraser Crime Syndicate series!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "FRACTURED VOWS" This was my first book by Jessica Ames she did a fantastic job writing this story full of action, steam, drama arranged marriage, an addicting read for sure.
I loved Luke & Sarah's wild ride of a journey from beginning to end I loved how she went against her father, she was strong something that could cause her death going against him no matter what, when Luke finds out who she really is he'll do anything to keep her safe even if it means his own death.
I definitely recommend to get this amazing excellent well written story the first in the Fraser Syndicate Series it won't disappoint so well worth the read the characters were well developed & pulled you right into all the intense drama.
I'm so looking forward to the next book in this amazing series
"THE TIE THAT BINDS" to see what happens next in this Mafia Drama.

3.75stars--FRACTURED VOWS is the first instalment in Jessica Ames’ contemporary, adult FRASER CRIME SYNDICATE dark, erotic, criminal underworld series, a spin off from the author’s UNTAMED SONS MC series. This is twenty-two year old Lucas Fraser, and eighteen year old Sariah ‘Alice’ Easton’s story line.


WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including graphic violence, torture and strong language, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.


Told from dual first person perspectives (Sariah and Lucas) FRACTURED VOWS follows the forbidden romance and relationship between twenty-two year old Lucas Fraser, and eighteen year old Sariah ‘Alice’ Easton. Sariah Easton’s father Declan has sold his daughter to the highest bidder in a effort to merge two of the most powerful families but the intended groom is almost three times her age and is determined to take total control of Sariah body and soul. Hoping to experience a little bit of life and love before heading down the aisle, Sariah, calling herself Alice, spends a couple of nights with a man she meets at a local bar, a man who stirs something deep within our story line heroine but our couple are completely unaware of one another’s true identities, something that may have forewarned of trouble to come. Enter Lucas Fraser, heir to the Fraser Crime Syndicate, and the man with whom Sariah will fall in love. Forced by his mother to stop the arranged marriage of Declan’s daughter Sariah, and thusly the merger of two powerful families, Lucas quickly discovers that the woman he abducts is the woman who has starred in his fantasies and dreams. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Lucas and Sariah, and the potential fall-out as Sariah’s abduction is about to start a war in the criminal underworld.


There is a fight for power between the various MCs, and the three main crime families of London (Frasers, Eastons, and Adams), and in this, the marriage of Sariah Easton to Jeremiah Adams is about to solidify her father’s place at the top but all is not well in Sariah’s relationship with Declan Easton, and our heroine is constantly aware that she is nothing more than a pawn in her father’s quest for control. Lucas Fraser is only twenty-two and never had plans to settle down but trying to avoid another family from taking control, Lucas is ‘forced’ to kidnap and marry the daughter of a rival, the woman with whom he will fall in love.


The relationship between Lucas and Sariah is one of immediate attraction but is predicated upon secrets and lies. Neither one is aware of the other’s true identity, and thusly their connections to the world in which they both belong.Never expecting to fall in love, Sariah wants one final tryst before her life spirals out of control. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word used liberally (21 times) throughout the story line premise. I am not a prude, and I expect the word in both MC and Mafia type story lines but I felt it was overused in this particular story.


The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic, destructive and strong. We are introduced to Lucas’s brothers Kane, and Zeke (Bailey/Untamed Sons MC 7), as well as their sister Aurelia, and their parents Anthony and Charlotte Fraser; Sariah’s father Declan Easton; Jeremiah Adams, as well as several security and personal body guards.


FRACTURED VOWS is a story of dysfunctional family relationships, brotherhood and blood; a fight for power and control; betrayal, vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, edgy and dramatic; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are broken, desperate, and energetic.


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☆☆☆☆☆
Fractured Vows was an entertaining, thrilling and heated ride from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this dark, mafia read. This is the first book in the New Fraser Syndicate series and what an exciting beginning to a series!
Sariah Easton is a mafia princess in London. She has a hateful and abusive father who could care less that he’s arranged for her to marry a man old enough to be her grandfather. Not only is he more than twice her age but his nickname in London's criminal underworld is “The Butcher". At their first meeting, he all but promises her a painful, nightmare for their wedding night. As a virgin, she’s determined to take some control over her life and get rid of said virginity before he can keep his vile promises. After sneaking out of her prison and making it to a club called Tease, she meets sexy and possibly dangerous Luke. She gives him a fake name and after handing over her v-card, she’s shocked when he wants to see her again. As her wedding date nears, she focuses on her stolen moments with Luke. Lukas' parents lead the Fraser Syndicate and they are making plans of their own that include kidnapping The Butcher's fiancée on the day of the wedding. What happens when their secrets are exposed? More scenes filled with heat and action scenes galore?!
It was impossible to put this book down for even a minute. Lukas was incredibly HOT and I loved how sweet and caring he was with Sariah. He, his brothers and baby sister may utterly despise their parents but they loved and supported each other and I was so envious. I stayed perched on the edge of my seat, anxious to see who would still be alive and whole by the end. Lucas is welcome in my bed any day or night. I’m so glad I caught one of Jessica Ames’ series at the beginning and I’m looking forward to following along as each book is released. I highly recommend this story to all dark romance or mafia readers. This is my honest opinion, freely given.

2.5 stars

This story follows several mafia families as they fight for territory in London. In order to secure an alliance, Suriah's father is forcing her to marry a vile man, who is old enough to be her father. In order to have a small taste of freedom before her life turns into a complete nightmare, Sariah plans to have a night with a man of her choosing, when Lucus comes to her rescue. Luke is a Fraser, one of the infamous crime families in London, who happens to be out and letting off a little steam, when his eyes land on a beautiful girl wearing a sundress in a seedy dark club and the wolves start to circle because she definitely does not belong in a place like this, and they know it. The plan was only one night, but as things unfold their futures become entangled.
This book is a dark romance, it has a number of content warnings, please check them before reading. It is a dual perspective story from Lucus and Sariah narrative. It was a really fast read, not a lot of depth or buildup of the relationship. It was pretty insta love, with a marriage of convenience trope. It is spicy and the scenes were written ok, and we moved through them pretty quickly. Aside from that, there was a lot of action, high stakes situations and near-death experiences. There are a number of graphic and gory bits that happen frequently, and they are very detailed, so just be aware.
Lucus used a nickname for Sariah, which is fine, but it ended up being used way too much. I got really tired and a bit annoyed at how often it came up. Other than that, it was ok, a lot happening, and I liked the story line, but everything was over really quickly.
If you are looking for a fast paced, action-packed story with a whirlwind romance, it could be something you might want to check out but for me it was just fine but did not blow me way.
Trigger warnings: gore, domestic abuse, torture, drug use
I received this advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

This book has it all! A chance meeting, stolen bride, mob families, spice, love, and it is all wrapped together in a book that keeps you guessing.

I absolutely loved this book. The tension held my attention and I flew through this book. The spice was on point too! I loved Sariah and how her character grew. Sariah started out as a timid, caged girl and grew into a woman who speaks her mind and is able to strive towards her goals. The way Lucas and Sariah play off each other right from the start of the book is just perfect!

I’m looking forward to the books to come within this Syndicate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this eARC.

WOW! As soon as I started reading the first few paragraphs of this amazing story, I was utterly and completely hooked. This new author to me weaved a story filled with intense betrayal, pain, violence and so much emotional turmoil that I was just blown away by it all. Sariah’s story kept me riveted to my seat, gripping my kindle tightly, and gasping at every turn of the page.

Sariah is a caterpillar who slowly starts to evolve throughout the story into a beautiful butterfly. She starts out so innocent and naive but with such fierce determination to try to control parts of her life that will soon be taken away from her. She is trapped in her life due to unfortunate circumstances and it just broke my heart.

The first time Sariah and Lucas’ eyes meet you could feel the intensity of their attraction to one another. You just knew these two would be explosive together and burn everything down around them. It was definitely toe curling and panty exploding at times!

Really well written story with such phenomenal characters that you can’t help but fall in love with (some you hope get taken out) and with a storyline that is filled with angst, drama, danger, violence, passion and love.

I love this story so much and I can’t wait for the next book in this amazing series.

She was promised to a monster but was determined to have her fist experience be of her choosing. Sariah has never had a choice in anything to do with her life. After tragically losing her mother due a dangerous secret, Sariah is raised by a man that has no affection for her and only kept her to use as tool for himself and for power within his territory.

Lucas Fraser is no stranger to arranged marriages or women, but when he meets a sexy, innocent looking woman at the club he can’t deny the interest he has for her. He expects it to be a one night and done, but he can’t seem to get her out of his head and since he doesn’t know who she is, he has no way of finding other than return to the club and hope she returns as well.

The Fraser’s are a powerful family and what they want they get. The kids were raised to rule, and do as they are told by their parents, thus making them all despise their parents and hating to have to do their bidding. When Lucas’s parents want to gain more power and find out that another mafia family is looking to gain power by marrying into a gang to gain strength and hopefully overpower the Fraser’s. When the Fraser’s decided to derail their plans Lucas and Sariah find themselves in a no-win situation, or do they? I love this story and this author. I was introduced to Lucas and the Fraser’s in the Untamed Son’s series, and I love that series as well. The Fraser’s are a dangerous crime family and will go to any extent to keep their power and territory. I give this book a 5-star review and can’t wait for more of the Fraser’s Crime Syndicate.

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: kidnapped at the alter
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥
Triggers: assault

Sariah is trapped. Engaged to man more than twice her age, she knows he's going to hurt her. So this mafia princess decides she's going to take (minimal) control over her body and give herself to someone of her choosing, rather than be a virgin on her wedding night. She's immediately attracted to Luke, a stranger in a nightclub and he turns out to be everything she could have wished for. Nothing surprises her more when she's kidnapped on the way to her wedding and forced to marry someone from an opposing family... especially when it turns out to be her mystery man.

I just really loved this story! It's not a complicated read and it doesn't have a bunch of angst - just a nice story with a bunch of action that leaves you feeling good when you're done. I loved how they didn't try to fight or deny their attraction for each other and were willing to believe in one another from the start. I can't wait for the next book!

Fractured Vows is the first book in the Fraser Crime Syndicate by Jessica Ames. It is a standalone and the series is in the same world as her Untamed Sons series. The story is told in first person, from dual perspective.

ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
Fractured Vows is your average, gritty, erotic mafia romance. The main female character, Sariah is raised my a power hungry mafia father who abuses her and is trying to marry her off to a man twice her age. Luke is from a very powerful mafia family. A chance encounter in a club brings them together. Literally. She goes to the club to find a man to take her virginity because her soon to be husband will destroy her, or so she says. Enter Luke. They sleep together and then he's drawn to her like a drug. His family decides to kidnap the soon to be wife to strengthen two mafia families. Luke kidnaps Sariah but doesn't know it's actually her until they're standing at the alter to wed.
I felt like the kidnapping to marry Sariah was a bit too much. They wanted a war and they didn't care. This was just an okay read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of Fractured Vows!!

If you like angsty dark mafia stories then this is the story for you. There me nothing wrong with the story, I just don’t enjoy the damsel in distress troupe, but this was an enjoyable read. I would read more by this author.

Fireworks and Rainbows - That is what Sariah is expecting, but definitely not Lucas. Another intense story and I'd love to strangle the villain(s) just as the story begins. The Fraser family is not a good family, but they are much better than most. The intensity between Sariah and Lucas is hot, the connection is there, but they are not being truthful with each other. I was cheering for the two of them right from the start, it was just a matter of figuring out how they were going to make it happen. Loved the journey that the author wove and I was sucked in right from page one. Highly recommend this book and this series. I can't wait for Kane's book!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Holy moly, what a fantastic story! This book takes you on an adventure that has you wanting to claw out the eyes of certain characters in the protection of the main character, that’s how strongly you feel about things and how absorbed you get in the storyline.

Sariah was one sweet young girl who knows what it’s like to suffer in silence. She had an inner strength though that is great to witness, even if at times it didn’t always pan out for her. I thoroughly enjoyed her character and her determination to take as much control of her life as possible.

Lucas was the youngest son of a mob boss and as such grew up trained to be a family soldier in their London criminal world. I loved his strong sense of family with his closeness and love for his two brothers and sister. He was fierce when needed but could be gentle too. Together, Sariah and Luke were a sexy, passionate couple but so much more.

This story had loads of drama and action, yes, there were warnings so take note but the scenes aren’t too detailed, they are written very well with enough information to paint a clear image but not make you run for the hills… too much. 😆

I definitely will be reading more in this series and totally recommend it.

Sick violence! This is a fast paced crime romance set in London with criminal organizations vying for supremacy through forced marriage and brutal violence. I like the take on these organizations aka firms like Italian mafias but they’re all British. The Frasers are one of the groups headed by the father but really ruled by a scheming mother. They have three sons and a daughter that are expected to support the family in every way so when mom decides to steal a bride to disrupt the plans of their enemies youngest son, Lucas is chosen as the groom. He’s full of vengeance, brutality and ready to deal out pain to keep his family safe. Brother Kane is the same or worse. On the flip side, Sariah is controlled by her evil father and is forced to marry to join forces against enemies. Her life is full of pain and misery. I like her choice to force an issue prior to her marriage that leads to a chance encounter with the sexy Luke. Their connection is instant and chemistry is sizzling. The stolen bride starts a war that both Luke and Sariah are caught up in. There’s treachery that leads to danger for Sariah and the Fraser daughter, Aurelia and those hunky lead the charge to save them. The violence is harsh and the romance is hot in this quick, easy read. This author’s storytelling is thrilling and her characters are compelling as these criminals fight to retain power and the lovers fight to stay together. I look forward to more of this series. Worth the read!

** Arc received in exchange for an honest review **

***3,5 estrelas***

[...]

Mesmo após o encontro deles, o casamento arranjado de Sariah ainda está de pé e até o dia do casamento ela imagina que está indo viver seu pior pesadelo, só que no caminho ela é sequestrada para casar com outra pessoa, e para surpresa tanto de Luke quanto de Sariah é o casamento deles.

A atração entre o casal é imediata e desde a primeira troca de olhares entre eles você já sente a tensão sexual, mesmo que isso não demore muito para evoluir já que Sariah quer perder a virgindade, a tensão sexual entre eles prevalece a cada encontro, até mesmo após o casamento.

O livro vai muito além do romance e antes mesmo do "roubo" da noiva a gente já tinha cenas de violências explicitas mas a relação entre Sariah e Luke só trouxe uma guerra para as famílias, o que tornou a leitura ainda mais fluída por causa de cada cena de tensão e suspense.

Luke é o verdadeiro boy cadelinha que vai lutar contra tudo e todos pela Sariah, e não só por ela mas também por sua família, principalmente pelos seus irmãos.

A autora tem uma escrita fluída e por mais que em alguns momentos eu tenha sentido que faltou um pouco de mais profundidade, tanto em algumas cenas quanto dos personagens, ainda foi uma leitura fluída e que me prendeu do começo ao fim, me deixando curiosa para o próximo livro.


Resenha Completa no blog https://malucaspor-romances.blogspot.com/2022/01/resenha-fractured-vows-fraser-crime.html

This is a mafia and dark romance. I knew this when reading this via netgalley. It goes without saying mafia and dark romance books to be well, dark, and heavy on topics such as violence, murder, and some skirt around issues of consent, abduction, power, control and ownership.

Sariah is a young woman promised in marriage to a much older man. Her father (who is not her father which we know at the beginning) doesn't value her other than to progress his control and business dealings and partnerships. Before Sariah is married, she wants to experience passion and a good time, knowing her innocence is one of the main bargaining tools her father has used to negotiate her betrothal. She meets Luke (and gives him a fake name) and she more than enjoys his ..... company. Their meeting is intense, and he can't think of anything but her.

Luke is actually Lucas Fraser, one of the main players in a rival group jockeying for power and control over Sariah's father's and Sariah's betrothed business interests. Lucas and his brothers plan to abduct Sariah on her wedding day, so it's quite the shock for both of them when they come face to face under the circumstances, and they know each others' true identities. Before meeting Sariah Lucas was committed to the marriage being "real" (I struggled big time with that, given the circumstances, he hated Sariah's father ... it just doesn't make sense) and is moreso once he sees her. There's then a situation placing Sariah and Lucas' sister at risk.

This was a sound foundation for the rest of this series. I think I'm looking forward to a book about Lucas' sister as she seems like a real firecracker. I can feel a bit meh about the violence in these and the ownership, but try to balance these with the intensity of the main characters' relationships. Some times it works, sometimes not - Lucas was a goner early and was clear about his feelings for Sariah, which made this story a good one.

Sariah/Alice Easton is forced to marry the head of one of UK’s crime syndicates and thus establish alliances between syndicates. A man who could be her grandfather and whose reputation for violence against women precedes him, terrifies the young woman who has just turned eighteen. Therefore, she has decided to lose her virginity on her own terms. She thus meets Lucas “Luke” Fraser, but neither reveals their true identities.

The alliance Sariah’s father wants to make worries Lucas’s parents, so the wedding must be avoided at all costs. And it’s then that they end up kidnapping Sariah to marry her to Lucas. Sariah and Luke’s surprise when their true identities come to light is off the charts…

Despite the fact that you could feel sometimes disconnected from the romantic part of the book, its reading is quick and smooth, which gives the story more appeal. Ms. Ames’ writing is very good and she shows full control of the world that she has created. Likewise, it’s nice to see a heroine who has gone through what Sariah has suffered to have her long-awaited happy ending.

FULL REVIEW IN MY BLOG:
https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com/2022/01/20/review-fractured-vows-jessica-ames-fraser-crime-syndicate-1/

◆ ARC given by the author and The Next Step PR via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Hands down my favorite book by Jessica Ames so far!!! I had no idea this is what we could get from a Fraser novel but now I’m dying for the rest!

Sariah is a pretty toy inside a gilded cage being controlled by her father. She has no freedom. No control. She is determined there is one thing that is only hers to give and no one else will take that from her. She is going to give it freely before she is sentenced to a life of horror.

Lucas is the man to unknowningly give Sariah what she needs. He doesn’t know her real name or anything f of substance to tell him who she is. His mystery woman is all he can think of when he is at the alter to meet a bride that wasn’t expecting him to be the groom.

Lucas and Sariah’s story will grip you and you won’t be able to let go. I dare you to read this book and be able to put it down before it ends. Their love and devotion is epic!

Fractured vows by Jessica Ames.
Fraser Crime Syndicate Book 1.
Sariah

4 weeks, 28 days, 672 hours—that’s all I have left until my fate is sealed.
I am promised to a monster. A man twice my age. He plans to keep me like a pretty doll, making me move to whatever whims he has.
Trapped, all my choices are taken away apart from one.
A handsome stranger. He tells me his name is Lucas and for one night I'm able to leave my cursed future behind. The pull to Lucas is unexplainable and undeniable. One thing is certain—I have to find a way out of this arranged marriage. I have to claim my life back. And Lucas might be the key.

Lucas
Sariah has secrets. I can see it in her eyes. There's a sadness that swirls within them, a fear of what we're doing. I want to know who put that look on her face and protect her from it. I will burn the world to ashes to keep her safe.
But when the truth is revealed, and I learn she is being forced to wed a man who has a reputation darker than my own, I realise how much danger Sariah is in. I'm not sure the might of the Fraser crime family will be enough to save her life.
Or mine.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Sariah and Lucas. Great story. Can't wait for the next book in this series. 5*.