Review: Bound To His Oath (Mafia Mayhem – The Italian Connection, #1) by Aja Foxx – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Rating: 3.5🌈

I was looking for something quick and different from the fantasy/paranormal fiction I had been reading so far, so I picked up Bound To His Oath (Mafia Mayhem – The Italian Connection, #1) by Aja Foxx.

It was a fun book, definitely a fast read, with a lot of characters and all sorts of other elements, while Foxx sets up the universe for the series.

After reading the story, it seems that we will be following the romances of various mafia bosses and their respective partners, who we already meet here at the end as ‘coupled’.

But it is the story of Nico and Luca that comes first. It is a young love, born in childhood, crushed by the ambitious cruel parents of one man. The background is revealed by the characters as the events unfold.

I’m not sure how logical or even plausible some of these events are, considering the publication date is August 24, 2024. A big deal is made of the fact that gay marriage is legal in Canada (with the couple fleeing to the border), while it is perfectly legal in the US. Also, Luca was wrongfully imprisoned as a minor and his criminally connected family was not informed/involved or retaliated against. That element is not explained enough here.

The couple and their relationship are very romantic. The beginning, the rescue, literally sweeping Nico off his feet in a plane and off to a new home. That they are reunited after years apart, but seemingly fine, felt too “Cinderella”, but in line with the rest of the book.

Of course there is much more. A family of villains, a loving Italian mafia family and a fantastic villa, a veritable treasure chest of superficially designed characters and storylines.

It’s fun without having to get invested in the plot or characters. There just isn’t enough depth or discernible growth in the relationship or events written in to make the characters’ actions feel realistic. Entertaining? Sure. And that’s how I perceived it.

One of the couples who met here and played important roles towards the end is the focus of the next book. It tells the story of how they came together. I expect this is the format for any couple who is considered an established couple here.

Foxx also has a mysterious plot and that is interesting enough to continue reading the series.

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Bound by His Oath (Mafia Mayhem – The Italian Connection)

Summary

“Do you really think I would let you marry someone else? You’ve been mine since I had your first kiss. I just gave you time to grow up.”

~ Nico ~

I was five when we met, twelve when I found out I would love him for the rest of my life. When I turned sixteen, he gave me my first kiss… and my world fell apart. I never believed what people said about him. He wasn’t the bad boy everyone thought he was. I had seen his heart and it was pure gold. I only wished I could have kept it before they took him away from me.

~Luka~

I was ten years old when we met. When I was twelve, I knew I would love him for the rest of my life. When he turned sixteen, I gave him his first kiss… and my world fell apart. I wasn’t the bad boy everyone thought I was, but I refused to show my heart to anyone but him, and they took him from me.

Warning: Homosexual erotic romance. The material in this book contains explicit sexual content intended for mature audiences only. All characters involved are consenting adults over the age of eighteen and willing participants.

• Publication date: August 24, 2024
• Language: English
• Length of print: 170 pages

Published by Scattered thoughts

At 50, I am ruled by my terriers, my gardens, and my projects. A talent for foraging in the woods, making mud pies, and tending to injured worms, insects, and the occasional bird or turtle eventually led me to work for the parks. I was a park naturalist for over 20 years, and observing nature and its cycles still takes up my time. From the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds in the spring to the first calls of snow geese migrating south in the fall, I am enchanted by the seasons. For more about me, see my bio on my blog. View all posts by Scattered Thoughts

Published
September 10, 2024