Bound by Deception

Lords of The Commission - New York #2

by Stephanie Amaral

Francesca

While men made war, women were expected to keep the peace.

I had loved a man before. I swore that would never happen again.

So marrying for the sake of the family wasn’t the worst thing.

That’s what I thought.

I was a mafia princess afterall and serving as a trading item was my only role in this world ruled by men.

But the man waiting for me at the altar, wasn’t the one who my uncle had given me to.

Matteo Battaglia would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, and that seat in The Commission would be his even if my life and my heart was the demanded sacrifice.

He needed to marry to finally take his place. I was the last piece to his ascension.

Bound by Deception is the first book in a duet, written in dual POV with open door steamy scenes. The completed duet can be read as an interconnected stand-alone romance novel that ends with a guaranteed HEA. Please be warned that the first part of the duet ends on a brutal cliffhanger.

For the complete experience please be sure to read the second book of the duet Torn by Honor.

This is the second book in the Lords Of The Commission – New York series and it’s a lighter shade of Mafia romance, featuring forced marriage and enemies to lovers tropes amongst others. There are dark subjects throughout, but it can’t be considered an overly dark story. Content warnings do still apply.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Romance, Forced Proximity

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2024

About the author

Hi. I'm Stephanie, big dreamer and self-confessed accidental writer. This corner of the internet is where my big dreams and my “accident” meet.
Welcome!
What started as a way to push my boundaries and keep myself busy, turned into something I never expected when I clicked on a button with the word “publish”.
Fast-forward a year and I have three books to my name: Beyond Temptation, Beyond Deception and Beyond Redemption.
The Beyond Series.

For news and exclusive content, sign-up for my newsletter:

https://www.stephanie-amaral.com/

I promise not to spam.

Love
S.

Reviews

[SazziesWorld · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ARC~
Oh my lord… well… that… that was next level! The tension throughout the book for many different reasons will keep you glued to the pages. Emotions are up and down and the gasps and the screams. It is a journey! Another fantastic book by @stephanieamaralauthor it is a joy to be on your ARC team again. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Amber Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the most part, but there were times when both of the main characters were behaving so immaturely that I had to make a conscious effort to continue with the book. It was also a bit insta~lovey for my tastes,but I think the author pulled through in the end.

[Katie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

My god that was- I am speechless to say the least.

Now let’s try and put me feelings into words. First and foremost I absolutely ADORED this book🖤

Francesca is an absolute Queen and I instantly clicked with her. I adored that she wouldn’t bow under Matt, normally FMCs in mafia romances and fragile and weak and yes while I also enjoy those books, nothing beats a strong heroine who can hold her own and that is exactly who Fran is💅

Matt, Matt, Matt, I am just as head over heels for him as Fran to be honest. He is your typical mafioso who worships the ground his woman walks on. I mean this man was a goner from the first meeting, he knew Fran was meant to be his and “volunteering” to take his brothers place to marry her- yep we all see you Matt you ain’t fooling no one😮‍💨 Also the possessiveness god had me absolutely swooning.

“I swear to God, Francesca, right here at this altar, that if another man so much as grazes your skin, I will not only hunt him down, but I’ll deliver you every single fucking finger he used to touch you. Don’t make me explain what I’ll do to any fucker who dares to kiss you. Tu sei mia.” You are mine.

Fran and Matts chemistry as a couple is absolutely off the charts, and those spicy moments- yep you’ll most certainly need a cold shower after👀

I do want to keep this review spoiler free but this book is action packed, the plot twists and the spice I was absolutely HOOKED and honestly couldnt put it down and that cliffhanger???? I need book two like yesterday 😫

Thank you so much to the author for providing this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

[Smut Cartel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had loved a man before. I swore that would never happen again.

I will forever love the strong female character that is fierce, independent and not to be messed with, and that is the beautiful and fiery Francesca. Matt.... how could you not fall in love with him... as complex as his character is so perfectly written, his love for Francesca runs deep.
Put them together and you have the most intense passionate chemistry build up ever!

This book does end on one hell of a cliffhanger, so beware of that!

Tropes:
- Mafia Romance
- Dual POV
- Touch her and die vibes
- He falls first

[Savanna Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most anticipated books to read this year, and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! When we neared the end of Savage Temptation, I was begging for more and to read all about Matteo! Book #2 DELIVERED! You learn all about his past and all about the beautiful Francesca. They may start off rough and tough but by the end you can’t help but melt as you watch their relationship flourish! The drama, spice and suspense were all absolutely incredible! But just as you think all is well, you get your heart RIPPED OUT!

Such an amazing read, I highly recommend reading both titles! 5/5 Stars 😍😍😍

[Madara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 ⭐️

Possessive misogyny without a plot

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbroken and Obsessed!! If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel fall in love with the MMC and then rip your heart out all in one then you’ve found the perfect book!!

I am absolutely obsessed with these characters and the dynamics between them!

Francesca is a mafia Queen! She doesn’t care what she is supposed to do she is a strong independent woman and she makes sure her voice is heard!

Matt is seriously the most sweet and caring man but that is all buried beneath years of training and being told that Mafia men can’t show their emotion. It makes them weak is all he knows, but Francesca is his biggest weakness of all! He’s possessive and in charge and I LOVE IT! 🙌🏻

I love the plot and inner dialogue that we get from this book as well! It’s all very well put together and keeps me reading and wanting more! The spice is on point 🤌🏼 as well! A cold shower will definitely be needed! 😉

Now the ending…💔😭 no spoilers here so you better go find out! 😉

[Noriboo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciate about the writing of this author is how the plot and character development are so well done. Yes, there's spice. But the spice we get is there to serve the story. I wasn't too sure about my feelings about Matteo after reading Savage Temptation, but he's such a lovely, morally grey cinnamon roll. Francesca's inner dialogue made me laugh out loud several times. The way these characters are written, I can only love them.

And the ending, oh my! I anxiously awaiting the next instalment.

[EllieReadsSpicy · Rating 4 out of 5]

WTF……..First let’s start with I LOVE Matt he gives off half Dark God half Golden retriever energy but only for his wife !

I really enjoyed reading this book as part of the ARC team. The way the last chapter puts you in a choke hold is crazy

[Bethany Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a classic Sunday film vibe. It ticks all the boxes for a Mafia Romance and you can’t help but be team Matt from the start.

Their arranged marriage certainly goes through its fair share of challenges, but it frames their relationship perfectly.

Do not be fooled, your heart will be stomped on at times, but for love from a man like Matt, it is worth it. I certainly wouldn’t mind him taking me to Cuba.

So so so happy to be on the ARC team again!!

[ReadingWithNikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC REVIEW*** ***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

Trigger Warnings
*Cliffhanger ending
*Sexual Assault
*Death
*Organized Crime


OMG!!!! Stephanie Amaral- WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO US!?!?!? LOL. Regardless of the cliffhanger ending, this was a fantastic book. This is the second book in the Lords of The Commission series, but the first in a duet.

Matt and Francesca are amazing characters in this book! Matt definitely gives off Alphahole vibes when it comes to his life, but he also does so the ones he loves are safe. He has a touch her and d!e mentality when it comes to Francesca. While he arranged their marriage under false pretenses, he had good intention and ended up finding more of what he wanted and loving her. It seems as he was scared to lose her if he admitted he loved her and he really wanted the marriage when he realized he did love her and should have done it the right way.

My favorite interaction with them is “It will be hell.” “Then let’s burn together.”


PS I have to go back now and read Savage Temptation : A Forced Proximity Italian Mafia Romance

Spice – 5/5 🌶️
Story - 5/5 ⭐️
Characters - 5/5 ⭐️

#ARC #ItalianMafiaRomance #ArrangedMarriage #TouchHerAndD!e #EnemiesToLovers #DarkRomance

[Katie (Katie's Corner Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🍁 | 1.75🌶️

I have mixed feelings about his book. On one hand I liked it, but on the other its as if it had a much bigger potential which was not fully explored, granted its a book one in a duet so we have book two to look forward to and maybe this one was more focused on the relationship between Matt and Francesca and the next one will be on them working towards making their mafia great.

Both Matteo (I hate calling him Matt, A cost costa made man is not a Matt but Matteo) and Francesca were good characters but they had all the qualities to be even more badass.. Like Francesca in the beginning of the book is badass it was clear that she was thriving as a mafia but then when she married Matteo not once did they have a conversation that she'd want to help or do something with her life. Granted she acquired a stalker but come on I was waiting for that conversation! Now, Matteo in parts he was a great character and then sometimes he was acting like a man-child. The man was obsessed with his wife and when something was not gong his way he was sulking like a toddler. But it was absolutely epic to read when his control was snapping and he would ravish Francesca!!

Overall I liked the book and can't wait for the next one, because the suspense is there and now that Matteo & Francesca are on the same page with their feelings they just need to take over the world!!!

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to love the fmc when she was introduced to us in savag temptation. She is strong, knows her own mind, and will stand up to the best of them. The perfect wife for a mafia Don.

The chemistry between the mmc and the fmc was on fire from the moment they met. And the spice was explosive.

I have to say the way Stephanie built up our love for all the characters over 2 books just to rip our hearts out was both cruel and brilliant. She has us all a mess of emotions with no clue who we are grieving for. All I know is that I felt the pain and grief the characters were feeling, and I need that next book like I need air.

[Eden Huntsman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars mafia romance

Arranged marriage to your enemy and in a world where a female is treated like an item instead of a person. This story was definitely interesting and had food moments between characters. I just feel like it was lacking the plot department. Like I needed more from the mystery writer and it to have that a bigger deal. Not a bad read at all just felt like the next book is going to be better due to what things were left at. I just wish this book had more to it that made it heart dancing and stressful a little. Yes spice is great and miscommunication trope is there but it felt a little incomplete.

[Danielle Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

I’ve only recently gotten into mafia romances and of the ones I’ve read, this is my favorite. The FMC is strong, outspoken, independent, and ruthless. She’s fighting the misogyny of mafia life while simultaneously falling in love with the man she swore she would hate. Matteo is unlike other MMCs in that he falls first but accepts that she may never fall for him. The chemistry between Francesca and Matteo is electric and you watch them fall in love and it’s heartbreaking and beautiful. I love the possessiveness that they both have for each other. There is a twist that l was not expecting and the ending had me SCREAMING AND CRYING, an emotion I did not expect to feel from a mafia romance. This is a must read.

[Sara Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop What You’re Doing and READ THIS BOOK

I’m gutted. I’m in love. I’m angry. I’m 🥵🥵. This book is everything. It has the angst, the SPICE, the edge of your seat excitement and emotions, the yummy yummy dirty talk, in English and Italian. 😏🤤 Read the trigger warnings! It ends on a cliff dive (not even an hanger just a straight gut wrenching dive). I need the next one immediately, Stephanie! I can’t believe you did this to me but oh thank goodness you did this to me. 😆❤️

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved! Cannot wait for part 2! Highly recommend ♡♡♡

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg so good so spicy and angsty Matt and Francesca want each other but it takes alot to break down there walls I loved reading about them end of chapter 34 broke me that twist I wasn't expecting

[Ayesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 80% last month and the rest last night, so I really don’t remember what happened.

[Halie DeMasi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
But I gotta say… mafia romances do it for me 🤪

[Elena]

DNF 57%

[jasmine · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf at 43%
yeah no this was instant love and i hated it. he caller her KITTEN im sorry but that’s a HARD no.

[Georgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SHOOK at how amazing this book is and how easy it was to fall in love with Matt (hello new book boyfriend 😍) the turns this book took would keep any reader wanting more .... Stephanie, you've done it again! Roll on book 3 because I am in a chokehold at that ending!!!

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have read Matt and Francesca’s story, of course my heart was destroyed with the cliffhanger and I’ll be needing to read the next book because their chemistry was off the charts! All that love and hate going on, hot!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I was lucky to be selected for the ARC read and could not stop reading it, even at 2:30am!
Matt and Francesca are 🔥 The spice 🥵 and that damn cliffhanger!! I can’t…

Everyone should absolutely read this book in The Lords of The Commission - New York series, as well as the first book Savage Temptation and the novella Dust to Don

[Abigail Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC - please make sure to read savage temptation before this book. omg this book had me laughing out loud, literally in tears. It took me on such an emotional ride. Well done Steph on another fabulous book, but the ending… WHYYYYYYYY! I am traumatised, and now I’m waiting not so patiently for the next in the series. Steph has become my favourite write of this year. I need answers Steph 😂

[amanda williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg omg omg the tears I just cried at the end. I can’t believe how it ended. I can’t wait for the next book. Ms. Stephanie has did it again. She has written another masterpiece. This truly is a world that you can immerse yourself in. I love the characters.

[Wendy.simmons64yahoo.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the arc for bond by deception. So far I think this one is my favorite out the series. But that cliffhanger really got me. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨️
♡Must read immediately☆☆
I'm still in complete shock over that ending!!! Omg that was wild! I am so excited for the next book!!! This story was a big emotional roller-coaster! Stephanie has a way of writing that instantly grabs the readers attention, and I love that! Honestly, this just might be the best mafia romance I've read so far🙌🙌

[Sarah C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sooo good, well written and it takes you on a rollercoaster 🫶
The spice in this book is spicing 😏
Can't wait for the next book, cause the end had me shaking!