⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ broken vows was such a fun read! the plot was interesting and kept me gripped all the way through- i loved seeing the mystery play out and who was the great mastermind behind the hit..
it was a little bit predictable but I didn’t sign myself up for a crime novel!
.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ riona & raylan had bumpy ride but I loved reading about it- i loves the gradual move form hate/ dislike to their unconventional friendship into the realtionship they ended the book with ! it was so fun to see how everything played out.. especially with the ranch!

this book was overall a fun read - ⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
‘thank you netGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review’

“There are the parts that are the same and the parts that fill the holes in each other. You don’t know what’s missing inside you until you find it in someone else.”

“Broken Vow” by Sophie Lark is a mystery romance about Riona and Raylan. Riona, determined to succeed in her family’s business, is thrown into danger when she is almost killed. Raylan, the bodyguard hired to keep Riona safe, is known for being a soldier and rancher with plenty of his own demons. When Riona life continuously in danger Raylan has a lot of work to do.

I thought it was a good book. I didn’t love the mafia aspect of it, but I ended up liking the ranch/country aspect to Raylan’s family’s parts. For me the first part of the book was a bit boring until they left the city and then it picked up. I wish there were more details and show more about Riona’s family because I didn’t feel much of a connection to it like I did with Raylan’s family history. And that was my favorite part of the book, Raylan’s life story and how it was built in the book was the best part of the book and it kept me glued in. I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars.

-Mafia
-Cowboy
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Enemies to Lovers
-Bodyguard
-Trauma (there were some flashbacks to spousal abuse, etc.)
-Assassin

3.5 -⭐⭐⭐💫

"I don't want to trap you. I want to unleash you. I want to set you free. I want to show you what you really are..."

Broken Vow is the firth novel in the adult contemporary mafia romance series, Brutal Birthright. Each book is a standalone couple but are set in an interconnected world so i do recommend reading them in order if you want to appreciate the nods and connections. In this novel we follow Riona and Raylan. Riona is a lawyer working in her family business; the legitimate side that is. When she discovers a hitman has been hired to kill her she is left without a clue why. Her brother reaches out to an old military buddy to guard her in the meantime as they seek to unravel who is behind this bounty. Raylan loves a challenge, both in work and romance. He remembers his first encounter with Riona and never forgot about her. This is his chance to prove himself. As the danger rises these two must find steady ground to navigate to stay safe to find the perpetrator...and also decide if their hearts need protecting in the mix.

Okay I will say this book had a rougher start for me but by the 40% mark I was sucked in.

Riona is a fierce woman seeking to gain partnership at her work. She refuses to let nepotism be the reason she moves up the chain, even though her uncle is her boss. I loved her tenacity and how she refused to let fear stop her from uncovering the truth. At the same time she is also rational and recognizes her own limit. I will say when it comes to romance she can be a little slow but boy does she shine alongside Raylan.

Raylan is a gruff but sweet character. His past is the kind of troubled we all love in our male main protagonists and the added element of being a rancher makes this such fun. The dedication and care this man has won me over.

In terms of spice I would place this book at a 2.5 spicy pepper out of 5 spicy pepper. It is more slow burn so expect more spice in the second half but when it start there are quite a few moments of it and they were very well done. It does have elements of domination so please keep that in mind. I felt the passion and tension built in the romance earlier on made these moments perfect. I will also add this romance does have a bit of miscommunication as pertaining to the small town rancher and the big city girl trope but I felt the banter really helped invest me. I was rooting for these two once I saw the signs.

Now, the book is extremely slow to get started for me. Yes there is the big attempt on her life but I think it took me some time to really figure out what was going on. Once the characters started building intention and have a goal I felt things got back on track for me and I loved it going into the second half. The cosiness of the ranch, the mystery of who is out to end Riona, and the amazing dynamic of Raylan's family had me along for the ride. The story is traditional for romance but the vibes and character really helped keep me interest and following along. Also, as someone who had read the previous book there was something extra special that had me smiling. The ending works so well with tying up the story but there is still more threads for the world to continue.

Overall this book ended on a strong note and I am really loving this series. It has just a touch of mafia that means these characters have no qualms against action but with the sweetest banter and romance to keep you going. I will definitely pick

Wow this was incredible! I have been looking towards their story after their interaction in Bloody Heart. Seeing Riona open herself to feeling emotions was really eye opening. You can tell she feels deeply but has no idea how to express herself. Raylan really complements Riona so well. Probably favorite couple from the series!

I am new to both the author, Sophie Lark, and this series, which caused me quite a bit of character confusion at the start, since this is the first time I've encountered any of these characters. I'll have to admit also, that I disliked the heroine, Riona, from the start, since she was portrayed as a buttoned up attorney at the Irish mob family law firm, and she was all business, formal and cold, but by the end of the novel, thanks to excellent character development by the author, I both understood and liked her, and I really loved the hero, Raylan, which is why this novel gets 4 stars from this reader.

While I generally avoid books about mob families, no matter if their Irsh, Italian or Russian, most of the nefarious things they do are not not what his novel is about.

Riona usually ends her obsessively long days at the law office (she's hoping to be made a partner), when she gets to her posh condo, she heads up to the top of the building to swim, for exercise and relaxation. The last thing she expected was that there was a killer waiting underwater to drown her. She manages to escape, but when she reports this to her family, they discover that someone has ordered a hit on her. They hire a bodyguard, Raylan, who has served in the military, and although from the beginning they strike sparks off one another, as Riona ignores him, there's a slow building attraction betweeen the two of them. When someone sets fire to her condo while she's inside it, Raylan gets her to the safety of his family ranch, which is where their relationship begins to really thaw.

To tell you more would spoil it for you, so I'll just say that if you're a fan of taut romantic suspense, and surprising endings, I think you're going to enjoy this novel as much as I did.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

My favourite out of the series so far! This was enjoyable strictly because of the mc, he had sunshine energy I loved everything about him. The book’s pace however needed work. Overall, I enjoyed it even though I’m not crazy about mafia romance stories!

BOOK: BROKEN VOWS- 3.5 stars
AUTHOR: SOPHIE LARK
PUB DATE: 08 DEC 2023
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼
REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼
THINGS I LIKED
1. The relationship and chemistry between Riona and Raylan
2. Raylan's family
3. The suspense
4. Differences between Riona and Raylan
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
1. Riona's mafia family. I would have liked the book better if there had no been any mafia characters. There was no mention in the synopsis too.
2. Raylan's name
3. Riona's legal judgement(sometimes)
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼
This book was okay and you can read it if you don't mind mafia characters

“𝐈’𝐝 𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐑𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚. 𝐈’𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.”

The mafia romance Broken Vow by Sophie Lark centers on the relationship between lawyer Riona Griffin and bodyguard Raylan Boone.

Because of the characters and tropes, I was really looking forward to this, but it did not measure up to my expectations. There were times when I was relishing every second that Raylan and Riona spent together, but then everything would return to normal.

In the end, while everything was happening, I was also a little confused. And I'm still not exactly sure what happened, but at least they caught the culprit.

Having said that, I did enjoy Raylan's fixation and his fierce protection of Riona. He was also the "sunshine" of the relationship, which was EVERYTHING.

Ultimately, the only enjoyable parts of this novel were the ones in which Riona and Raylan were intimate or when they had their adorable moments.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and to the author, Sophie Lark, for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Grumpy/sunshine, bodyguard, cowboy romance... Phew! This caught me off guard with how fun it was. Loved the time at the ranch and Raylan breaking through Riona 's ice queen persona.

Riona & Raylan were explosive together! I genuinely have enjoyed some books in the series and I've found that the writing and plot get better in every new book. Riona as a character was very strong and I really admired her. Raylan was smart, charming and witty and I loved them both as main characters! I just loved the tension and chemistry between them. I'm always up for a good bodyguard romance and this one did not disappoint!


Thank you Netgalley for providing me the ARC in exchange of an honest review

✨ARC Review✨
📖: Broken Vow
🖋️: Sophie Lark
⭐️: 5 of 5
🌶️: 5 of 5
💬: “I don’t want to trap you. I want to unleash you. I want to set you free. I want to show you what you really are…”

⚠️: Please check the warnings as this book may not be suitable for all readers. As always, protect your mental health.💛

Tropes, Topics & Themes:
✨Mafia family
✨Bodyguard romance
✨Small town
✨Enemies to lovers

The books in this series just keep getting better and better!🔥 I’m so glad that I’ve got a chance to read most of them so far. Sophie Lark has easily become a favorite author of mine.

Riona is strong-willed, independent, and never wants to get married. When she gets attacked, Dante and her brothers agree that Raylan is the best bodyguard for her.

Raylan is not only a soldier and is determined to protect those that he cares about. He’s also a southern rancher with a family secret.

“Sorry, darlin’. I’m your bodyguard. That means anywhere you go, I go, too.”

While Riona is sick Raylan follows her around everywhere. Danger lurks, secrets unravel, and loyalty is tested.

Will Riona figure out who’s after her? Can Raylan move on from his past?

“I’m the one who introduced you two. I had to do it twice. Because you hated Raylan the first time.”
Dante is one of my favorite characters! I need to read his story one of these days. I love how all the characters are connected in this whole series so we can see them again.

The attraction and slow burn between Riona and Raylan were off the charts!

“Only good girls get to come.”
“Say you’re my girl.”
“Mine to protect?”
“Mine to ride?”

Thank you, Sophie Lark, Sourcebooks Bloom Books, and Netgalley for this EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram @Alexandriavwilliams_ shortly.

After reading the book I found out that this is actually a series but you can absolutely read this as a standalone!
If you like the tropes that go in the direction of mafia, bodyguards and cowboys this book is for you.
I definitely enjoyed the read overall, even though it was predictable every now and then. But these romance books usually are and I'm here for it!

This is the fifth book in the Brutal Birthright Series and even though I had only read the first one, it was easy to follow. So it can also be read as a standalone. It’s a bodyguard, mafia princess, cowboy book that isn’t your classical mafia romance. While of course it has some mafia-style action - Riona‘s life is threatened by an unknown enemy and Raylan is her bodyguard - it is mostly about Riona coming to terms with her feelings for Raylan and the possibility of letting someone else into her life.

The ending felt a bit rushed and predictable but I overall enjoyed reading it.

I knew as soon as I met Raylan that he would be a great match for Riona, and boy, was I right. I loved this story, and seeing other characters from the previous books come into this one as well was the icing on the cake.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy.

4/5 ⭐
2/5 🌶️
4/5 🎧

I'm loving my re-read/listen of the Brutal Birthright series. Brutal Vow was fantastic again, I love watching these frenemies become lovers. Seeing Riona open up and learn what love is always melts my heart, she's so insistent love isn't for her but she falls so hard for Raylan. I love Raylan's almost one sided banter with Riona, she often ignores him and he just keeps going. His tenacity was hilarious and so sweet.

I loved the twist and mystery in this one. My first read I didn't see it coming and this second time I was bouncing on my toes waiting for the hammer to drop.

The audio was great. I especially loved Raylan's narration, that southern accent was dreamy.

Riona Griffin works for the family law firm. She is up for a promotion, and she has one person as competition. She goes home one night and is attacked in the apartment building swimming pool. Riona family is mafia, so she has her family for help. They bring in Raylan a friend of the family. They seem to strike sparks off each other. After another attack he takes her to his home in Tennesse. Can Riona let Raylan take care of her like she needs to be taken care of.

4.5⭐, 2.5🌶️

This book is SO much more different than the rest of the series and that ays so much since the start of the series is amazing, and this book is even better! I loved the excitement of Raylan and Riona hiding away, and the cowboy/ small town vibes we get! I've learned I love the ice queen FMC's and Riona was totally included in that grouping (you could consider this black cat x golden retriever vibes).

So happy for Sophie Lark and all her books in this series getting their traditional publishing's! She's an amazing indie author and I'm so happy for her getting more recognition!

Tropes:
🤎Bodyguard Romance
🤎Romantic Suspense
🤎Small Town Romance
🤎Character Series

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for an eARC of Broken Vow, by Sophie LArk. This is my honest review!

I have high expectations of Sophie Lark in this series, and it always delivers! Through the series Riona has been a background character and I have been waiting to read her unique story. She is smart career driven and completely loyal to her family. An unknown assailant tries to murder her and Raylan comes into be her body guard. Normally I do not like this trope but since the series has been so good I knew I would like it. It has all the twists and turns expected and really delivers on a great story. Raylan was recently introduced in Dante's book and he complements Riona in such a great way. I love the originality of the series and how well all the stories flow together. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Broken Vow" by Sophie Lark is a captivating blend of romance and suspense, set against the backdrop of a gripping thriller. The story centers around Riona Griffin, a fiercely independent and determined woman, and Raylan Boone, a charming southern rancher and soldier hired to be her bodyguard. Their story unfolds in the shadow of danger, as Riona becomes the target of a skilled assassin.

Lark's writing is engaging and fast-paced, successfully weaving together elements of romance, danger, and character development. Riona’s character stands out with her intelligence and strong will, a woman who is adamant about carving her own path in life. Her initial disdain for Raylan’s protection adds a layer of tension and chemistry to their interactions.

Raylan, as Riona's bodyguard, is a well-crafted character, blending southern charm with a soldier's protectiveness. His determination to keep Riona safe, even against her wishes, drives the narrative forward. The dynamic between Riona and Raylan evolves beautifully, moving from mutual annoyance to undeniable attraction and deeper emotional connection.

The suspense element of the story is well-executed, with the constant threat of an assassin keeping the stakes high. Lark skillfully balances the growing romance between Riona and Raylan with the tension of the looming danger, making for an enthralling read.

However, readers looking for a pure romance might find the thriller aspects of the story overwhelming. Similarly, those seeking an out-and-out thriller may find the romance elements too dominant. The novel straddles these genres, which might not appeal to purists of either.

Content warnings for themes of violence, danger, and romantic tension are appropriate. "Broken Vow" will appeal most to readers who enjoy a mixture of romance and suspense, particularly those who appreciate strong, independent female protagonists and protective male leads.

In conclusion, "Broken Vow" by Sophie Lark is an exhilarating and romantic thriller that offers a compelling mix of danger, attraction, and emotional depth. Its blend of suspense and romance makes it a highly engaging read for fans of both genres.

Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice- 🌶️🌶️

This is the book in the series I’ve felt the most connected to the FMC. She’s a fiery redhead that’s very headstrong and stubborn. I can’t describe how much I’ve been enjoying this series! A lot of the times I have to take breaks in between books in a series because they all feel so similar, but Sophie Lark does a great job making them all unique! This is a bodyguard romance where he falls first. Broken Vow gives you the best of both worlds. It has small town and mafia vibes.