Book Reviews/ November 4, 2022June 12, 2023

Shattered Vows by Shain Rose Book Review

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Blurb

I’ve traded my hand in marriage for six months to save my city.

To Sebastian Armanelli:
Most powerful man in the city…
And the hottest one-night stand of my life.

My new husband promises to be a gentleman by day and play his part. But in the dark of night he’s commanding, ruthless.

And possessive.

I’m starting to feel he can’t share what’s his.
And that now includes me… his lawfully wedded wife.

USA Today Bestselling Author, Shain Rose delivers a standalone arranged marriage romance where a grumpy mafia boss will wed a free-spirited surf girl and make sparks fly.

Triggers

Shain Rose provides some trigger warnings on her website for her books so I’ve included them here in addition to any other sensitive content I observed:

Alcohol
Childhood Trauma
Death of a Loved One
Murder
Profanity
Steamy Sexual Scenes
Violence

Ratings

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There are possible **SPOILERS** beyond this point!

Overall Rating

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Omgoodness there are puppies and protective sexy men! Need I say more?!

This book was entertaining and I really liked seeing these two main characters learn to trust each other and themselves to make an uncomfortable situation work! A Mafia boss who lives in a suit is paired up with a surfer who lives in a bikini. Secrets of their past haunt them as they try to honor Morina’s grandmother’s last will and testament. Choices must be made for the better of Morina’s town. They butt heads and both are stubborn to a fault but there is no denying the chemistry these two share! They were explosive together and sparks definitely flew!

There are many, many sweet moments between the two main characters but there were many moments I wanted to throw my kindle at their stubbornness! Rose has no problem making you ruminate in your own desires for an HEA! I found myself rooting for both characters to be honest with themselves and shedding a tear when they would fight.

I am happy they get together but I wanted like 2-3 more chapters before that epic epilogue! The story really builds but it almost just drops you at the climax. Falling was quick and painless but I would have loved to just have more before Sebastian and Morina’s ending.

I have read Shain Rose’s backlist up to this book and I feel like I was able to enjoy this book in a way someone who hasn’t could. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because it made the story so rich for me but I do wonder how other readers who are starting with this story would feel.

Spice Rating

4/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶

This is a spicy AF book! It’s dispersed but there are flames coming out of this book lol

Main Characters

Female Main Character

Morina Bailey

Morina is described as having deep blue eyes, hella curves and messy long wavy hair. She is usually in something baggy over a small bikini. She’s quite stubborn and compulsive though she is extremely nurturing and trusting. She is extremely easy going, not committing to anyone or anything besides surfing and her beliefs about astrology and crystals. She’s often quiet and observing or throwing a fit of some kind. She’s a lil brat and I kind of love her for it!

She offers Bastian the ability to be something other than the Boss. Everyone acknowledges his power but not the human underneath. Morina accepts and cherishes his true personality and sees past his cool façade that he puts on for everyone else. She gives him a true separation from his work and makes him be present with her. Morina’s trusting nature opens Bastian’s eyes. She shows him that he can be loved and it be real.

She is very different from the FMC’s I’ve read from Shain Rose. She actually flinched at Katie and I could not stop giggling at how different they are! I didn’t dislike Morina but I definitely prefer to read tougher ladies! But I knew Bastian needed someone softer after things did not work out with Katie!

Male Main Character

Sebastian “Bastian” Amanelli

Bastian is the BOSS! He’s described as having dark hair and dark eyes plus he’s ripped under that suit he lives in. He is accommodating and often a peacemaker. His ability to seperate emotion from business has made him very successful with his Empire. He is Self-aware. Strong. Bossy. Compassionate and Understanding. He very protective of Morina but also possessive! Even in his frustration, he never failed to care for her. He shows her commitment and consistency. She wants that more than any money or houses or cars!

I think her and Bastian work because of these qualities. He offers her the stability she never had for her mercurial ways. He also has no problem taking control over any situation. He prefers to have control anyway. Though he originally feels that he is taking advantage by doing so, Morina wants Bastian to do what he’s good at, which is making business decisions and just deciding things in general. Morina needed someone who would take care of everything so that she could just continue going with the flow! Bastian finally feels seen with her. She never gave up trying to see past his “suit” and he would never stop caring for and protecting her.