Dangerous and feared. Those words describe my future husband. Who just so happens to also be my ex-boyfriend. It’s complicated. Two years ago, he broke my heart when he left me to do his father’s bidding. After months of crying, I finally accepted he was gone and wasn’t going to look back. That maybe he’d never loved me at all. I never wanted to see Luca again. Now a cruel twist of fate has … cruel twist of fate has signed me over to him in a heartless deal. I’m his. He thinks he did me a favor, but I feel like I’ve been given a death sentence. He doesn’t want to get married because he still loves me. No, he did it for money. More power.
I’m going to be a mafia wife. And there’s only one way out of it. Death.
But as it turns out, someone else doesn’t want me to marry the ruthless Luca Bianchi. And if he has his way, I’ll see that early grave.
Due to mature content and themes this book is recommended for readers aged eighteen and over. Code of Silence is an arranged marriage and a complete standalone. This novel may contain triggers.
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Holy cannoli did Shantel knock this one down! Haven always wanted to marry her college sweetheart until something happened but when he shows back up after 2 years and her father and him come up with this insane idea for them to get married will she get over herself being angry at the boy? Whew this is a must read! If you like 2nd chance love and mafia romance pick this one up!
I love everything about this book! I lov Haven, she’s smart, strong and you can’t help but fall in love with her. Luca is the son of a mafia boss, he knows what he wants and will do anything to get it. He is all Alpha Male and secretive but also very easy to love as a reader. It’s very well written and I can’t wait to read more about the Kings.
Shantel did wrote an intense Mafia Romance. The hardcore life was ruthless, cruel and I felt like watching the live version of the GodFather.
Luca Bianchi was an Alpha dominant character with an evil dirty mouth. I didnt expect it to be light and the book kept me interested with so many twist and turn. I wish that Haven was a stronger-will woman. Overall this love story was entertaining and I have enjoyed it 🙂
Holy hell!! This story has mafia families, arranged marriage, crime, second chance, and love. I was completely captivated from the start, and I can say Code of Silence is going to blow your mind. Luca and Haven were amazing characters. I liked the secondary characters too. I can’t wait for their stories to come especially Nite’s.
4 Mafia Crowns
I absolutely love Mafia stories I am all about the dirty gritty drama that comes with them. And Shantel is a master at writing thoroughly addictive reads that you can’t help but fall in love with. Having said that, this book was a quick easy read, I blew through it in a couple hours and I was entertained but it was just lacking a little bit in the development for me.
We meet Luca and Haven immediately, they are together from the start of the story, and they have known each other their whole lives pretty much. But even with that history you don’t really feel the connection between them. I wanted to feel their kinship jump off the pages and slap me in the face! I wanted it to burn from the pages so fiercely you can’t deny what is between them.
And I am all about a strong assertive woman who doesn’t take crap from anyone. Haven for me lacked that strength, she just kind of went with it and didn’t really fight back. She would kind of start too and then it would fizzle. I want to see her push back, I wanted to see her stand up to Luca and be his equal in measure, and it just didn’t feel that way for me.
Luca is dark and demanding, I loved that about him. He’s grown up in the Mafia, so he has expectations thrust on him from the word go. Very early on in his life his father makes it abundantly clear that he will kill anyone including family once you’ve lost your importance, so he works tirelessly to never become expendable. Luca’s Alpha ways are incredibly sexy, but also the way he handles Haven, his overtly possessive side towards her is HOT!!! You can tell he cares; I just wish I could feel a little bit more of that come from the story.
Shantel is amazing at crafting these worlds that you just lose yourself in. Even though there were some facets of this story that I wish had a little bit more to them, I really enjoyed it. As I said before, I blew through this in a couple hours and honestly, I can’t wait for the rest of the stories in this series. I love Shantel’s words, her writing style is enticing and keeps you hooked, I will greedily read any and all that come my way.
ARC provided for a honest review.
Dark, twisted, sexy, intense. I was caught between needing to know what happens and not wanting it to end!
One dark super steamy second chance romance coming up!
Born in an American-Italia mafia family, Luca Bianchi knows what he will be when he grow up.
Violence is in his blood. Death is the only way out of the family. The Code of Silence is gold. Love is a weakness for a man in his position.
And as a man born and build to be the next head of the family, Luca will do anything as prove of his worth and loyalty to the family.
That’s include leaving Haven behind.
Haven know from the first time she lay eyes on Luca how dangerous that man is and the Bianchi family. But she wants him. It was love. It was passionate mind blowing I will leave everything just for you kinda love. But when Luca lied and abandoned her just like that, her world crumble. And now when finally Haven could start living, Luca come back. But not for her love. Luca come back to buy her and bind her in a marriage contract.
Now now now like I said on the start of my review, Code of Silence is a dark super steamy second chance romance.
Shantel doesn’t hold back with Luca. This man is bad. He lied. He killed. He tortured. He plan and executed them.
Luca is every word of dangerous.
But man oh man is it so wrong that I love his evil darkness?????
The way he manhandled Haven… Hotdngit! For the love of all dominant anti-hero in the world! Luca makes me hot and bothered when he manhandled Haven.
OK honestly there’s times I agree with Haven to kick his fine behind for the way he treat her. For the way every male in this book treat Haven really. It’s like every male in this book is so Alpha, they won’t share anything with their woman and just growling their orders and demand to be done with out question. I mean, seriously you guys!!!
But, there’s also times I wanna smack Haven on the head for being so stupid reckless! Stop being drama Queen and be smart!
Maybe it’s the Italian blood in this men. Maybe it’s their dominant side.
Maybe they are just a-hole for how they treat their woman as their Queen to be put on pedestal but not as partner to share on anything.
Anyway, overall for Code of Silence :
Luca’s darkness and dominant a-hole makes me hot and bothered – 5
Haven’s bit naive, sometime reckless but definitly loyal and passionate – 4,5
Fast pace of the story – 4,5
Perfect mix of darkness, bit of angst and drama – 4,5 star
The Dark Kings as supporting characters – 4,5
The story plot (since it’s little bit kinda predictable on Luca’s excuse for leaving Haven but didn’t see it coming from Haven’s secret) – 4,5
And the last but definitly one of the most important in romance, chemistry and their dirty hot filthy angry steamy scenes – 5 freakin!
This book sucked me In and had me on edge. The twists and turns were placed perfectly .It wasn’t easy to predict what would come next. All in all I loved Haven and Lucas story another grand slam Shantel. Brilliant and bold,dark and twisty and just the right amount of angst.
***ARC generously provided by author/publisher for an honest review.***
Storyline: 5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Heat Factor: 5 stars
Overall Rating: 5 stars
“This isn’t a marriage. It’s a contract signed in blood.”
Code of Silence is an all new standalone from the fabulous Shantel Tessier. A mafia/arranged marriage romance this story packs a punch in action, hot alpha males and chemistry. Luca Bianchi will ruin you…in the best way possible!
Haven Knowles seemingly has it all… except her heart… that was taken from her after the one man she loved left her behind without a word 2 years ago.
Force to endure the grueling heartbreak, Haven soon moves on trying to live as normal a life as possible without the one person she loved most, Luca Bianchi.
Until he returns… for her. Gone is the man she knew, he’s now someone different: cold, cruel and determined. The mafia life has infiltrated into his soul and left a dark and possessive man in its wake and he’s got demands… to make her his bride.
Luca is the ultimate Alpha Male. Haven is a very strong female. Their chemistry is off the charts!
This story is fan-freaking-tastic!!! It’s everything we love about Shantel and her writing. She masterfully creates this world that ensnares readers from the first page and keeps them intrigued throughout. She continues to elevate her characters with each book! This book had some hot alpha men and I’m telling you…. You’ll wanna meet them!
If you are a fan of the mafia/arranged marriage genre and enjoy a good story, then you must read this book. Code of Silence will not disappoint!
5 stars!
Sweet baby jeebus. This book. Where do I start? I am not a fan of mafia romance at all, it’s just never been my thing. This book very well might change that. Shantel Tessier has a way of creating characters that should make you hate them and instead you fall in love with them. The worlds she creates you want to be a part of. Like always she makes you want more and more. This book is dark, gritty, and sexy. A for sure page turner.
Holly H-E-Double hockey sticks……I’m still trying to process what I just read. Shantel that mind of yours is out of this world. Luca, and Haven might have crept above Cole, and Austin (I know hard to say). Luca-the Mafia, Haven-His. This book was so good, and I strongly suggest reading. I caught myself saying WTF, and also tearing up a bit for Haven. Read. AND I can’t wait for more to come!!!
If you love Mafia romances with a second chance at a happily ever after, then Code of Silence is DEFINITELY for you. It’s intense, it’s dark, it’s raw feelings, and amazing supporting characters.
Born to the Don of the Italian-American Mafia outfit in Las Vegas, Luca Bianchi has known what the expectations of his life are from a very young age. But the one thing that he had for himself was Haven Knowles. The love that Haven has for Luca is soul deep, it’s passionate and all encompassing. She knows who he is, who his father is. It doesn’t matter to her though because all she wants is Luca, to keep him safe. But Luca knows his familial obligations come first and he has to do the last thing he’s ever wanted to do… break Haven’s heart.
Years later, just as Haven is finally starting to move on from the heartbreak left in Luca’s wake, he’s back and he’s come for his bride. But this isn’t the same Luca she knew; this one is dark, possessive, demanding, and cruel. He’s the shot caller now. But Haven won’t back down, she refuses to be a pawn in the games of men.
There are plenty of layers to this story, plenty of secrets that are buried deep. The twists and turns are never ending and when the truths finally come to light, you’re left reeling. Code of Silence has everything you want from a mafia romance, from power plays to acts of violence to money making to acts of deception. You’ll become so engrossed in this story that you won’t be able to put it down. Have I mentioned the steam, yet? Scorching hot. Luca and Haven will set your Kindle on fire with their messy, wild chemistry.
I loved Luca and Haven’s story. It was intense and chaotic, but also emotional and passionate. Their love held so strongly for the other, even if they didn’t want to admit it or fought against it. It also has a wonderful cast of supporting characters too; Nite and Mia, Jasmine, and those delicious Dark Kings. I cannot wait to experience the Kingdom in all its glory or to see what happens during the Silent Nite.
Shantel Tessier killed it with Code of Silence, but it’s not like there was ever any doubt. A one-click author, she always brings her A game when delivering us dark tales with even darker alphas and their women. She gives us the angst, the emotion, and the darkness we crave and does so in spectacular fashion.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
3.5 stars!
Shantel Tessier writes addicting stories. For that reason I was excited to read Code of Silence. Everyone knows mafia is my crack. But this story was a little bit of a mixed bag for me as I did not really feel Luca and Haven’s connection.
I enjoyed the story but I enjoy sassy heroines more. It felt like Haven kind of rolled with the life changes that were being made for her and cried vs. fighting back more and getting hers. I am the #1 lover of bully romances and alphahole heroes but what I love more than anything is sassy, strong and assertive heroines. I didn’t find that here, unfortunately.
Don’t get me wrong. This was a good story, but I would have loved more character development where I could have seen and felt more of a connection from them as a whole while also marveling at Haven’s strength and badassery – A Queen to Luca’s King. 3.5 stars! ~Ratula
Code of Silence by Shantel Tessier is a twisted and intense mafia romance filled with violent emotions, breathtaking suspense and fascinating characters. The mesmerizing words filled the story with unthinkable twists, soul deep feelings and raw passion. A brilliantly crafted, mindblowingly dark and gritty mafia romance!
Haven and Luca has been soul mates since very early in their lives. But young love is not always enough. Luca Bianchi is the son of most feared mafia in Las Vegas and he has to fulfill certain expectations. Even it means breaking Haven’s heart into tiny pieces. Now years later he is back. And he is no longer the guy Haven once loved. He is dark, twisted, volatile, cruel, arrogant and hurtful without remorse. And Haven has been sold to him by her father. What will happen next? Is Luca really the monster or does he have secrets? Will Haven find out some ground-breaking truths about her own life?
This story has secrets and twists in every freaking chapter. I was literally holding my breath in anticipation of next shocking revelation. The author expertly depicts the horrors and explosive details of blood stained Mafia world. Where money, power, corruption, crime and kill-or-die games play out everyday. And it runs parallel with the tension filled story of Haven and Luca. Luca is the guy you would want to love, hate, kill, kiss, own and to be owned by at the same time. And Haven is his perfect partner. She has nerves of steel and compassionate heart. Life is throwing so many unexpected challenges at her and she is facing them boldly. She is a flawed, impassioned, beautiful, sassy and all over amazing woman. Their chemistry is scorching hot. They love like they are trying to kill each other with the intensity. It’s not pretty or perfect. It is chaotic. It is messed up. It is dirty, heartbreaking, bone deep and defying everything. It is aggresive, savage and sometimes bordering on downright vicious hate. And this kind of angsty darkness is something Shantel Tessier can do best and makes you crave more.
Code of Silence by Shantel Tessier was pure perfection. The scintillating tension between Haven and Luca kept me glued to the pages along with the nail biting suspense of Mafia power plays! A must read romance of 2020.
Received ARC for Honest review
Code of Silence introduces us to Luca and Haven, two souls destined to be together despite the obstacles they have to go through. Years go by before Luca returns to claim what’s always belonged to him – Haven. Haven has moved on from Luca’s disappearance & has no intention of getting tangled up in his web of lies once again. Unfortunately for Haven, her father just sold her to Luca to be his wife. And so begins the tug of war, push and pull of Luca and Haven. Both strong-willed and stubborn, secrets are kept from each other until they can no longer stay hidden. Haven is going to find out the lengths Luca will go through to keep her safe.
Another fantastic, amazing read from this author! If you’ve read her other books, you will not be disappointed with this one! Known for adding elements of surprises and twists no one sees coming, Shantel continues this tradition with the start of this dark & gripping new mafia series. Anxiously waiting for the next book!
What a fantastic new age mafia romance! Shantel has created a whole new world I just can’t wait for! What an amazing start to what I’m sure will be an awesome series!!
I love a good Shantel Tessier book. Make it dark, mafia, with a bit of second chance and you’ve already sold me on it. Code of Silence, we got Luca and Haven. College couple goals, but then POOF, Luca leaves her high and dry. You know, mafia stuff. All the angst and questions. Then BAM a number of years later, he shows up buying her from her daddy. Marriage, not by choice.
We watch them fight, argue, come together. I mean, come together yo, my palms were sweaty, my kindle was on fiyya. The story was a twisted web of what had actually happened. Your questions are answered by the end.
It’s dark at times. Off the sheets sexy. The connection is real.
Code of Silence twas a good time, perfect for fans of Tessiers previous work.
Haven Knowle’s former ex-boyfriend is now the man she is sold to and forced to marry. She never wanted to see him again after breaking up two years prior. Too bad she has no say in the matter. Luca Bianchi is a part of the Italian American Mafia. He is a ruthless man that gets what he wants and what he wants is Haven. With enemies all round them can they finally put their past behind them and form a united front? I enjoyed this mafia romantic suspense. This is the first book I’ve read from this author. This goes from past to present to fill in what happened in those two years apart. If you like a alpha mobster with a heart with a side of suspense and a few twists then this is for you. Told in dual POV
Another fantastic book from Shantel. I loved this second chance, mafia romance. It had a perfect blend of sweet and gritty and the characters were awesome. Her storylines are always intriguing and this one was no exception. She’s started a great new world for a series and I loved the King brothers and look so forward to reading their books. It is a perfect standalone book leaving room for more with such fantastic characters to work with.
When Shantel drops a new book onto my Kindle, my heart skips a beat because it knows that greatness is coming. This was my first real mafia read. I have read a couple that I refer to as mafia-lite but I knew I would be getting the whole show here. And Shantel didn’t waste anytime. She was all, oh your comfort zone is over there? That’s cute.. now come over here with me on this side of the line. And I went…. and I never wanna go back to that comfort zone again.
ARC kindly provided. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Code of Silence is a total stand alone and hooked isn’t even a strong enough adjective to describe how quickly and fully I was sucked into this story. From the first page throughout the prologue.. it’s a running start and things never dull. You have Luca and Haven. Haven has always loved Luca.. and Haven has just been sold to Luca for the purpose of marriage. And that’s all you’re getting from me. I knew the very broad overview of what this book was. Arranged marriage and mafia… that was all I wanted to know. I think it’s best to just jump in and let this story take you away.
While this book is a standalone, you meet a lot characters and if you aren’t familiar with Shantel Tessier then let me inform you. She has a new series of standalone books coming very very soon and you meet those characters here. I am salivating because I am so amped for it now. Now… I was already amped for it. Literally read one page of this when I asked the question of what would be released next. I’m not greedy, you’re greedy.
Seriously though, I discovered Shantel through her Dare series and it is next level phenomenal so I couldn’t wait to see what she did with this trope. As predicted, she blew it out of the water. If you’ve read her before then you already know you need to pick this up and if you haven’t read her before then Code of Silence is a very great place to start before you inevitably go back to binge all of her other books. I think I’ve been clear but just in case I haven’t… READ THIS BOOK!Shantel Tessier