Doctor Kal Anderson works for Rafe and the mob. He is cold with very few emotions, however his experience with Rafe’s daughter changes him. When Elena is to marry another mob member, Kal works it out that he will marry her himself. After the vows, he drugs her and takes her to his island home. Kal has led a rough life, never having a father around and losing his mother to cancer. When Rafe and his wife show him affection, he is willing to do what they want. I enjoyed the complicated relationship Kal and his wife have. Both have suffered from family. I liked the way they managed to communicate and support each other. The violence was a bit overdone and the footnotes in the book disrupted the story, adding nothing.

Promises and Pomegranates is a book that combines some of my favorite elements, mafia, dark romance, and a little Greek mythology, since it is a retelling of Hades and Persephone. So it has all the points that I love it.
To begin with, although the book includes the mafia, the main plot is the romance between the protagonists, a dark romance with a lot of spicy, so before starting, you must read the warnings. The relationship between the two protagonists is loaded with a lot of tension and with the double pov, you notice this tension even more from both perspectives. Also, the relationship wants to make you remember Hades and Persephone, which I loved.
Also, I want to emphasize that this book is a dark romance with a lot of spice, so if you don't like the genre, do not read the book. But, if that's not your case, you will love it.
Yes, the book indeed, disappointed me a little because I expected there to be more mafia plot, but the little that is will keep you attentive the entire time and wanting to know what will happen next, I have to admit that I had not read any of the author's books, but after this one, I want to read them all. In conclusion, if you like the mafia, and dark romance, and want a spicy book, you need to read it. Because of all of that, I give the book 3,5 /5 stars.
I will post it on my social media tomorrow, on Instagram. And I will post some videos on TikTok.

This is a solid Hades and Persephone retelling. It’s farm, it’s steamy, it’s emotional. It kept me engaged throughout the whole adventure and interested enough to want to know where the rest of the characters are in the aftermath.

"You. Make. Me. Feel. Alive" - Kallum

Promises and Pomegranates is a mafia dark romance loosely based on the story of Persephone and Hades in Greek mythology. Kallum Anderson is a doctor but dabbles in darkness as a Mafia fixer/executioner. Elena Ricci is the first-born daughter of the Mafia Don Rafael Ricci and his wife Carmen Ricci. The story begins on the day of Elena's wedding to another man she's been betrothed to practically since birth. However, in a stroke of twisted fate, Kal is able to convince Rafael to allow him to marry Elena instead. Once the two are forcefully married and Kal abducts Elena and whisks her off to his secret hideaway, the story gains its driving force from that point on.

Kallum is a tortured soul. He is very possessive (I enjoy seeing this trait in MCs) and jealous. He carries A LOT of baggage and trauma. He's carried them so long, they are etched in his DNA. Elena, at first, is timid, pliant and eager to please. She blossoms (get it?) into a confident, self-assured, passionate woman while married to Kal. The smut in this book was SPICY! The flirtatious banter between the two was adorable.

There are some MAJOR Trigger Warnings that should be made known before reading this book. Some gory scenes were a bit hard to get through (of course, dark romance), however, if you're not turned off by gory kinks, and blood, the story is worth the read.

Reading the author's note at the beginning of this novel was helpful in appreciating the character and plot development. Understanding that the characters are loosely based on the story of Hades and Persephone, permitted me to understanding the characters on a deeper level. I enjoyed seeing the parallels and contrasts the two stories shared.

All in all, I give this 4 stars. The plot and characters kept me engaged, the nod to Greek mythology, and the unique way in which the villain gets the girl, the healing and the HEA they need and deserve made reading this book that much sweeter. I'm excited to read the rest of the series!

4/5 Stars

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for providing me with an arc.

Hades and Persephone inspired books are some of my favorites and I loved this take on it. I want to reread the new version but wanted to write up a review finally since I have read it and I will update it after my reread. This was one of my first dark romances and I absolutely loved it. Sav R Miller's writing is addictive and she handles really hard topics very well. I adored the characters and I can't wait to continue the series actually. This was one of the first Hades & Persephone retellings I read and it was one of the ones that made me continue to seek them out. I really recommend this one and I am excited to finally continue the series soon.

This is honestly one of my favorite books and I'm thrilled it's being put out for mass market audiences.

Kal is totally unhinged but I love it. The story of Kal and Elena is a wild ride but it's one that I can't get enough of. While this isn't the darkest romance out there, it's a great stepping stone if you're someone who's new to the sub genre. That means be sure to check the trigger warnings associated with this book. It's a great take on Hades & Persephone but with the added twist of the mafia plus a ton of spice. If mafia books aren't normally your thing, I still recommend giving this one a try, as it's not super heavy on the mafia.

Dr Kal thought that he was cold and emotionless until he falls for his mafia's boss's daughter. He forces her into marriage.....

Very dark and twisted. Terrific tension... great steamy scenes.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.