Code of Silence: A Mafia Romance (The Dark Kingdom)

The story of Luca and Haven is tumultuous, to say the least. High school sweethearts separated by family ties, secrets and things in the dark will always come to light. Luca and Haven have a past filled with heartbreak and betrayal but when a cruel twist of fate brings them together again the path ahead will be anything but easy. Will Luca and Haven find their way back to loving each other before the mafia life can get in the way? Will it end in tragedy when some DEEP and awful secrets are spilled?I wasn't sure what to expect but this gripping and suspenseful book drew me right in. With a plot that is intense and kept me on the edge of my seat, it was a captivating journey. Shantel Tessier is a mastermind when it comes to navigating the complexities of her characters. In a story surrounding the arranged marriage, mafia dealings, and palpable tension, Tessier navigates these tumultuous relationships with ease.

Entertaining! Definitely a fast read! I know MC girls get hate easily and while I don’t want to be one of those I will say that Haven surprised me but not in a good way. Haven our MC asks a lot of questions for someone who knows what her not so good boyfriend does. She knows he’s in deep Mafia stuff and still acts surprised. Like she suddenly forgot all that after college? When she dated him?I gotta say Luca surprised me too not just because he was he was possessive but because he really loved her early on and knew he had to make his own despite being part of a crime family to get his way. Most MC guys fight for the family business and take over. But instead the business with his friends was more important. My favorite character right now is Nite! Hope he gets his own book!

- FMC was so bratty and all over the place, just like the plot. She had no redeeming qualities and in the end I'm so bewildered why MMC loves her. FMC also puts herself in harm's way 2x. Very dumb. Worst kind of heroine imho.- There are scenes where there is no follow up/no point. Example, MMC takes away the FMC's phone cause she said she said she slept with other men (it was a lie). MMC makes a promise that if he discovers shems lying, there will be hell to pay. But he didn't punish her. They just--- left it like that.- After a heavy character introduction, Mateo the brother of MMC doesn't make a reappearance. Luca is running around with the Kings. Same with Luca's dad. Dude was built up as a villain who opposed the marriage between MMC and FMC but he does nothing to break that up.- A lot of the scenes made me go HUHHH?? See below the spoilers line for detailsSPOILERS. SPOILERS. SPOILERS.- FMC suggests to MMC to get married early so they can thwart the plans of the main villain. MMC reveals that they've been married all along. And the planned "wedding" was just going to be a formality. FMC goes ballistic, lashing out at MMC. Why tho? Girl literally suggested to do that a couple of lines ago.- Luca's aunt (A) was a mole against the Biancis and has been sleeping with the main villain. (MV). A confesses to MV that she went to the cops, which prompts MV to abandon her, ABANDON HER, because he knew she was about to be gunned by Biancis. Years later, MUCH LATER, MV starts picking fights with the Biancis and does a revenge plot cause he was mad the Biancis STOLE the aunt from him. Umm, brother literally abandoned her years ago, what?

HOLY BLUE BLAZES!! I have the sudden desire to become the arranged wife of a mafiaoso! Luca is strait up licious!😋 Haven is gorgeous and sassy. But she’s been brewing so much anger at him she remains caught between toeing the line of loathing him and loving him. While he didn’t know whether to make her bend to his will or just bend her over his desk. 😉 Well, I will just let you read how he handled her.This fantastic book packs punch after punch to keep you on the edge wondering what in the world is happening?!?! Really let’s just call this a mix of genres because it has elements of many amazing genres all in one. All of my favorites y’all!! Right here in this perfectly packaged book that you won’t be able to put down until you have devoured every single word!! Shantel Tessier left me sweatin’ it out in Sin City in shock and awe, chapter after chapter! I was blown away, breathless and then hot and fanning myself. In.the.best.flippin.way!!Luca Bianchi was Las Vegas Mafia Royalty, with plans to be the Mafia King one day. Be bigger, greater and more powerful than his father. Haven had always had his heart, but he was forced to make decisions that were difficult to protect those he loved the most in the world. He broke her heart and left her devastated only to return two years later with a plan. He decides that he is going to make her his wife. He wants to ensure that all the plans for the future they talked about when they were in college will be carried out whether she likes it or not. He had his reasons for wanting things this way. I loved, loved, loved Luca’s character. 😍 You know those frustratingly sinful ones you really want to hate, but love em’ anyway? You start out semi-despising them?! That’s him. He is unapologetic for who he is and he’s alpha! He’s dangerous and borderline cruel to Haven at times to punish her for her disobedience and for not just accepting things as he’s said they are going to be. He wants to own her in every way, and he will!Haven’s character is amazing. I love the fight in her and she is gonna fight him every step of the way because of the hurt he caused when he left her. She knows he’s hiding things from her and she also knows he thinks her life could be in jeopardy just by being with him, but she thinks her death warrant was signed anyway when he took her to be his wife. So what’s she got to lose, right? She may know she has no say in what happens to her, but she sure isn’t going to make it easy on him. I loved that she was a kickin’ character and a risk taker and had no problem popping off at the mouth at Luca. She wasn’t going down without a fight. Everyone knows there is only one way out of a Mafia marriage and it ain’t a divorce.*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book, but bought a copy ASAP because I must own it in every format!! My cr8zysockbookblock blog wrap up for this book!⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐️- GAAHHH!! I absolutely couldn’t get enough of the push and pull between these two. It was literally like an explosion went off when these two started throwing down. Add in all the amazing secondary characters and I couldn’t get enough. Shantel gave us just enough backstory on each of these bad boys that I’m dying for their stories. I.Can’t.Wait!BTW I want them all, I’m not choosing so I’m laying it out there now that I’m an unashamed dirty girl and they are all my guys!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥- GAH!! Words are failing me here my friends, which doesn’t happen often. But yeah!! Smokin’!🌪Cliffhanger Warning-No cliffhanger! However, Shantel Tessier has set us up for all the King’s books and I cannot wait!!🔫 Trigger Warning-This book does have some scenes that could be considered triggers for some, but what you would expect from a Mafia Romance. They are fairly graphic. If you have concerns you can PM for more information.

This is my second time reading this series and I’m glad I took the time to reread it. I missed things the 1st time through and now that I know the Kings and the Lords worlds will intersect so many more things make sense. Shantel does not write for the faint of heart but she does write to drawl you in. I love all of her books, the darker side of smut is good for you! There isn’t really any smut in this book but it is definitely a darker book! I recommend reading the whole series. I’m sure glad I am doing the reread!

Absolutely amazing! I can't believe it took me so long to read it. Im totally not disappointed 'cause this book is hot 🥵 ..I mean great! Theres action, suspense, steam of course, hiliarious bff, family secrets and more. Can't wait to read whats next with these Kings.Must read this NowEnjoy 😏

I like it, it was good. Everything could be solved with a little bit of communication of both parts, but it was entertaining! I like it!!

I am a fan of Shantel Tessier's work, but this one feels dragging beyond reasons. To make FMC strong, it made her head-butted and even acting weird at times. Knowing she comes from the mafia and knows the ways of that lifestyle, she still acts immature and is super rigid despite knowing Luca did everything to get married to her. I feel this was forced chemistry.

Good story good read not to spicy but still good all the same, I feel like some parts were rushed but I look forward to reading the next book

Loved this series and all the characters you have to read and see who you fall in love with mine i think is Titan with Bones a close second.