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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
ARC Review: I LOVED THIS BOOK! I was hooked from the beginning and loved that my two genres of sports romance and mafia romance came into play! I loved Rory and Aiden and their relationship! I am looking forward to the next book and seeing who the love interests are!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My problem with the story was that too many things were happening at the same time and none of them were actually the “main story line” or the must important. Through the book I kept thinking too often “and what happened with…?” some storylines weren’t explored enough or left midway. It felt rushed at times! In terms of spice I must say that I will definitely recommend to someone that’s starting in this subgenre of dark romance + hockey. Because it does have spice, but if you compare it with other dark romances it’s tame and borderline vanilla hahaha. But it was good nonetheless. One thing that I did loved, was the chemistry and the banter between the MCs. They were really cute together and their interactions did let me see and feel the love they have for each others. Rory got me scared for a moment because she was starting to get a little annoying but fortunately everything was better. I would have loved an longer Epilogue because I think the story ended a bit abruptly, so we only got a sneak peek of their near future. The construction of the world was good and presented some characters that for sure we’ll meet again in the future. Personally I want to read the story of Nikolai, I hope he gets one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*ARC review* I was given a free e-book in return for a fair/honest review.
This was a wild ride! The Bratva, the Irish and Italian mobsters clash over territories and power.
I read this in one sitting because I was hooked from the very first page. Rory has my heart. She’s strong and determined but she isn’t in control of her life. Her father is and he’s a cold unforgiving man (boooo bad dad!)
Aidan is a dream come true but Rory’s worst nightmare as he is her father’s enemy. It makes for a gripping tale of survival when these two cross paths and things go awry quickly.
I loved the action and how the stakes got higher as the book progressed (excellent pacing). The ending was great! Overall, I was happy and can’t wait to have a physical copy on my shelf!
This was a wild ride! The Bratva, the Irish and Italian mobsters clash over territories and power.
I read this in one sitting because I was hooked from the very first page. Rory has my heart. She’s strong and determined but she isn’t in control of her life. Her father is and he’s a cold unforgiving man (boooo bad dad!)
Aidan is a dream come true but Rory’s worst nightmare as he is her father’s enemy. It makes for a gripping tale of survival when these two cross paths and things go awry quickly.
I loved the action and how the stakes got higher as the book progressed (excellent pacing). The ending was great! Overall, I was happy and can’t wait to have a physical copy on my shelf!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oh. My. God.
I still struggle to come up with words as to just how much I loved this book. I was initially interested in it due to the hockey x mafia cross over. Let me just say - AJ handled that with ease! Hockey? Mafia? Bikes? ALL. OF. THE. ABOVE. If I could rate more than 5 stars, I would!
We have an MMC who is a pro hockey player...in the Irish mafia. Then we have an Olympic figure skater who maybe happens to be a Bratva princes. Messy, right? But oh so good!
This book was so hard for me to put down. We have enemies to lovers, arranged and marriages of convenience, some kidnapping, violence (but not between MCs)....and maybe some sin bin action ;). This is a slow burn, but its so delicious. The banter and tension between the two MCs is also so so SO....*chef's kiss*. No words. Just love it. I cannot wait to get more of this series!
If quotes get you convinced to read a book, let me just leave you with these two quotes :
I'd be happy to corrupt those white wings of yours. Though I imagine those fallen feathers have already turned black.
You're mine, Rory. My complication, my problem, my angel, mine to protect.
I still struggle to come up with words as to just how much I loved this book. I was initially interested in it due to the hockey x mafia cross over. Let me just say - AJ handled that with ease! Hockey? Mafia? Bikes? ALL. OF. THE. ABOVE. If I could rate more than 5 stars, I would!
We have an MMC who is a pro hockey player...in the Irish mafia. Then we have an Olympic figure skater who maybe happens to be a Bratva princes. Messy, right? But oh so good!
This book was so hard for me to put down. We have enemies to lovers, arranged and marriages of convenience, some kidnapping, violence (but not between MCs)....and maybe some sin bin action ;). This is a slow burn, but its so delicious. The banter and tension between the two MCs is also so so SO....*chef's kiss*. No words. Just love it. I cannot wait to get more of this series!
If quotes get you convinced to read a book, let me just leave you with these two quotes :
I'd be happy to corrupt those white wings of yours. Though I imagine those fallen feathers have already turned black.
You're mine, Rory. My complication, my problem, my angel, mine to protect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A.J. Wilding’s No Promises, No Lies is a gripping debut that masterfully blends dark mafia intrigue with the fast-paced intensity of a hockey romance. From the very first page, this story hooks you with its high-stakes tension, sizzling chemistry, and compelling characters.
Aurora “Rory” Kostalova is a Russian mafia princess who has spent her life on the ice, far removed from her family’s criminal empire. That distance shatters when she is kidnapped as a pawn in a brutal war. Aidan O’Rourke, Irish mob enforcer and hockey star, expects her to break. Instead, she challenges him at every turn, igniting a dangerous attraction neither of them can resist. What starts as a battle of wills soon transforms into a deeply passionate, high-stakes romance filled with betrayal, sacrifice, and undeniable heat.
Wilding delivers a well-paced, immersive story packed with tension, action, and a romance that burns slow before erupting into fiery passion. Rory is a fierce, resilient heroine who refuses to be a victim. She has been shielded from her father’s world, but as a competitive ice skater, she understands discipline, sacrifice, and the pressure of performing on a national stage. That same fire fuels her in captivity. The O’Rourkes have no idea who she is until she offers herself up as a pawn to save a life. Her ferocity earns her the nickname “little lion” from Aidan, and she lives up to it in every way. Her arc doesn’t just stop at survival—she fights for herself and her future, making a lasting impression on readers who, like me, will be rooting for her every step of the way. I could go on and on. I absolutely adored her.
Aidan O’Rourke is the kind of morally gray hero BookTok drools over. While his arc isn’t as steep as I initially expected—he’s not as cold as I anticipated—his transformation from ruthless captor to devoted protector is deeply satisfying. He has every reason to hate Rory’s family, and by extension, Rory herself, but his struggle between duty, vengeance, and undeniable desire creates a push-and-pull dynamic that crackles with intensity. Their chemistry is electric, making the slow burn romance almost unbearable in the best way. While I wouldn’t have minded a few more stolen moments of intimacy before their relationship fully ignites, the payoff is absolutely worth it. (And so was the penalty box... 😏)
With a richly developed world, complex side characters, and a plot that keeps you on edge, No Promises, No Lies is a standout debut. It’s rare for a new author to deliver a first release this polished and compelling, and I am beyond excited to see what A.J. Wilding does next. Authors like her are the reason I started blogging in 2014, and discovering a writer who wields her craft so skillfully, debut or not, deserves recognition. If you love dark romance with mafia politics, enemies-to-lovers heat, and a hero who falls hard, this one belongs on your TBR. I can’t wait to see where Wilding takes this series next!
Story: 4.5⭐
Spice: 3🌶️
Genre:
♥Dark (ish) romance
Tropes:
♥Hockey Romance
♥Mafia Romance
♥Arranged Marriage
♥New Adult
♥Enemies to Lovers
♥Captive Romance
♥"I didn't know where else to go."
♥Slow Burn
Aurora “Rory” Kostalova is a Russian mafia princess who has spent her life on the ice, far removed from her family’s criminal empire. That distance shatters when she is kidnapped as a pawn in a brutal war. Aidan O’Rourke, Irish mob enforcer and hockey star, expects her to break. Instead, she challenges him at every turn, igniting a dangerous attraction neither of them can resist. What starts as a battle of wills soon transforms into a deeply passionate, high-stakes romance filled with betrayal, sacrifice, and undeniable heat.
Wilding delivers a well-paced, immersive story packed with tension, action, and a romance that burns slow before erupting into fiery passion. Rory is a fierce, resilient heroine who refuses to be a victim. She has been shielded from her father’s world, but as a competitive ice skater, she understands discipline, sacrifice, and the pressure of performing on a national stage. That same fire fuels her in captivity. The O’Rourkes have no idea who she is until she offers herself up as a pawn to save a life. Her ferocity earns her the nickname “little lion” from Aidan, and she lives up to it in every way. Her arc doesn’t just stop at survival—she fights for herself and her future, making a lasting impression on readers who, like me, will be rooting for her every step of the way. I could go on and on. I absolutely adored her.
Aidan O’Rourke is the kind of morally gray hero BookTok drools over. While his arc isn’t as steep as I initially expected—he’s not as cold as I anticipated—his transformation from ruthless captor to devoted protector is deeply satisfying. He has every reason to hate Rory’s family, and by extension, Rory herself, but his struggle between duty, vengeance, and undeniable desire creates a push-and-pull dynamic that crackles with intensity. Their chemistry is electric, making the slow burn romance almost unbearable in the best way. While I wouldn’t have minded a few more stolen moments of intimacy before their relationship fully ignites, the payoff is absolutely worth it. (And so was the penalty box... 😏)
With a richly developed world, complex side characters, and a plot that keeps you on edge, No Promises, No Lies is a standout debut. It’s rare for a new author to deliver a first release this polished and compelling, and I am beyond excited to see what A.J. Wilding does next. Authors like her are the reason I started blogging in 2014, and discovering a writer who wields her craft so skillfully, debut or not, deserves recognition. If you love dark romance with mafia politics, enemies-to-lovers heat, and a hero who falls hard, this one belongs on your TBR. I can’t wait to see where Wilding takes this series next!
Story: 4.5⭐
Spice: 3🌶️
Genre:
♥Dark (ish) romance
Tropes:
♥Hockey Romance
♥Mafia Romance
♥Arranged Marriage
♥New Adult
♥Enemies to Lovers
♥Captive Romance
♥"I didn't know where else to go."
♥Slow Burn
dark
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
I savored every bit of this book. It is a phenomenal story, with a love that defies all odds. Aidan and Rory stole my heart with their incredible journey. I loved the dynamics of this storyline, the mafia/hockey component, all the moving pieces. So much intrigue and action. I couldn't of known nor expected that this would turn out the way it did. It exceeded my expectations. And I'd highly recommend reading this.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I absolutely devoured this book. Huge thank you to AJ Wilding for the ARC copy - I really loved this one. I genuinely couldn't put this down. The writing is snappy and includes ALL of the tropes you can imagine wanting, but in a smooth way that makes sense for the characters and the plot. It's SO well done!! Had me kicking my feet and giggling.
If you like:
- mafia romance
- hockey romance
- motorcycle MMC
- "good girl"
- touch her and die
- jealousy
then you absolutely have to read this one!!
If you like:
- mafia romance
- hockey romance
- motorcycle MMC
- "good girl"
- touch her and die
- jealousy
then you absolutely have to read this one!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
No Promises, No Lies by A.J. Wilding is an expertly crafted tale full of angst, suspense, and brewing Mafia wars. From the very first page, it hooks you in, and I found myself devouring every last word of this gripping read.
The author masterfully blends two of my favourite tropes: hockey and the mafia. The story follows Rory, the secret daughter of the Russian Pakhan, who is forced back into her father's life under the promise that she won't have to fulfill any duties as long as she continues her skating career. Skating is Rory's passion, and she is determined to get back to where she was after a tragic accident. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she is kidnapped.
Enter Aiden, a star hockey player and enforcer for the Irish Mafia. Aiden doesn't know who Rory is at first, which makes for some interesting reading as Rory pushes him at every turn. The tension between Aiden and Rory heats up the pages, and their push-and-pull dynamic is extremely entertaining.
The story is fast-paced with a well-developed plot and characters that are easy to like. The never-ending twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, and the suspense is riveting.
Overall, No Promises, No Lies is a thrilling read that combines romance, action, and suspense in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy stories with strong characters, intense emotions, and unexpected twists, this book is definitely for you.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
5-Star Review for No Promises, No Lies by Aj Wilding
No Promises, No Lies was an absolute ride from start to finish! This book had everything I didn’t know I needed—mafia intrigue, hockey action, dark romance, and characters with incredible depth. I couldn’t put it down!
The chemistry between Rory and Aidan was intense and so well done. I loved seeing how their relationship grew and evolved throughout the story, with both characters showing incredible development. Aidan’s transformation, in particular, was really well executed—he goes through such a powerful shift that made him a truly unforgettable character.
The pacing kept me on the edge of my seat, with every twist and turn keeping me hooked. The dark themes added a depth that made this more than just a romance—it was a gripping, emotional journey.
Overall, No Promises, No Lies was an unforgettable read. If you’re looking for a story full of intensity, incredible character growth, and a thrilling romance, this book is for you. I highly recommend it!