SASSY'S REVIEW
❖The story begins with Chloe locking up the bistro late at night, already uneasy because she knows someone has been watching her. Then it takes us back several months, to her relationship with Vince, a possessive mafia boss whose attention can feel exciting—until real danger makes Chloe question where fantasy ends and trauma begins.
Chloe was the character I connected with most. She has a dark side she’s still trying to understand, but she also wants to feel safe, be independent, and make her own choices. I liked that the story takes her feelings seriously when things get frightening instead of treating it all like part of the game.
Vince is dangerous, possessive, and comfortable being the monster in Chloe’s story. He can be protective, but that doesn’t erase how controlling he is. Their chemistry is strong, and the dual POV shows how differently they see their relationship. That push and pull kept me interested, but I wanted Vince to take more responsibility for his actions.
The pacing kept me turning pages, though Chloe and Vince sometimes fell into the same cycle of jealousy, provocation, control, and making up. After the darker events, I wanted more room for Chloe to process what she’d been through and for their relationship to develop beyond that familiar pattern. The mafia setting adds danger and atmosphere, but I also wanted to see more of Vince’s world outside his relationship with Chloe.
The spice is frequent and explicit, and it’s a big part of the story—five peppers from me. Please check the content warnings before reading. The book includes consensual non-consent and dubious-consent themes, degradation and humiliation, possessive and controlling behavior, stalking and surveillance, kidnapping and captivity, sexual-assault themes and threats of sexual violence, human trafficking references, drug and alcohol use, torture, graphic violence and gore, and murder.
WOULD I RECOMMEND BROKEN TIES? Yes, for readers who enjoy very dark mafia romance, possessive and morally dangerous characters, intense power dynamics, and explicit spice. The relationship is messy and the subject matter is heavy, so this won’t be for everyone. I’d recommend checking the content warnings first.
MY FINAL VERDICT: Broken Ties gave me the darkness, obsession, chemistry, and heat I expected, and Chloe’s struggle with her darker side added more depth to the relationship. I stayed hooked, but I wanted more accountability from Vince, more time for Chloe to recover, and more breathing room in their emotional development. A deeper look at the mafia world would have added to the story, too. Those are the things that kept it from being a five-star read for me.
NOTE: This review reflects the ARC I received directly from the author and read as of September 27, 2026, and may not reflect any revisions, corrections, or updates made to subsequent editions.
Final Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (5/5)