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Shantel Tessier
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Code of Silence: A Mafia Romance (The Dark Kingdom Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Shantel Tessier (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 15,603 ratings
AN AMAZON TOP 80 BESTSELLER

#1 BESTSELLER IN ORGANIZED CRIME

Dangerous and feared.

Those words describe my future husband. Who just so happens to also be my ex-boyfriend.

It’s complicated. Two years ago, he broke my heart when he left me to do his father’s bidding. After months of crying, I finally accepted he was gone and wasn’t going to look back. That maybe he’d never loved me at all. I never wanted to see Luca again.

Now a cruel twist of fate has signed me over to him in a heartless deal. I’m his. He thinks he did me a favor, but I feel like I’ve been given a death sentence. He doesn't want to get married because he still loves me. No, he did it for money. More power.

I’m going to be a mafia wife. And there’s only one way out of it. Death.

But as it turns out, someone else doesn’t want me to marry the ruthless Luca Bianchi. And if he has his way, I’ll see that early grave.

Due to mature content and themes this book is recommended for readers aged eighteen and over. Code of Silence is an arranged marriage and a complete standalone. This novel may contain triggers.
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    The Dark Kingdom
  2. Print length
    247 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 13, 2020
  6. Grade level
    12 and up
  7. File size
    2.1 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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  1. Another lie. I haven’t been with anyone else since her. And it’s going to stay that way.
    Highlighted by 1,707 Kindle readers
  2. She gives me a soft smile. “Luca was always supposed to be where you were.”
    Highlighted by 1,352 Kindle readers
  3. I lied to her. It’s easy to feed someone lies when you know they’re starving.
    Highlighted by 1,246 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

  • "Deliciously dark and devious. This book is one of Shantel's finest works yet. Nite is mine!" - Author CoraLee June
  • "The writing was flawless, the story flowed smoothly and for someone who loves mafia romance, this one was bloody magnificent." - Bookish.owl26!
  • "My favorite Shantel book to date. A riveting story." - Author MA Foster
  • "A Mafia masterpiece that leaves you wanting a King of your own." - Author C.M. Radcliff
  • "HOLY HOTNESS!!!! Code of Silence is everything a mafia book should be! The men in this book are dark and twisted. These guys OWN what they are and make no apologies. I freaking love that."- The Masque Reader
  • "OMFG!!!! This book was so damn good!!!!!!! Luca and Haven my goodness!!! Typical Shantel to have you trying to figure what's next and with no clue on how things will turn out and it was just perfect!!!!!!!"- Tania's Book Blog
  • "Code of Silence is darker than her earlier work, but I love how Shantel makes you fall for the 'bad' guys."- Rita
  • "I've loved everything I've read from Shantel Tessier, and Code of Silence was no exception. And Mafia romance? Sign me up!"-Author Becca Steele
  • "What a freaking book! Shantel Tessier has done it again! Her mind is a wonderfully scary place I want to live inside. Code of Silence is absolutely flawless, and phenomenal!"- Ashley Estep The Art of Reading

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083C3VKPW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 13, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 247 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 12 and up
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ The Dark Kingdom
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 15,603 ratings

About the author

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Shantel Tessier

Shantel Tessier

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Shantel is a USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author. Who lives in Oklahoma with her high school sweetheart, who is a wonderful, supportive husband. She loves to spend time cuddled up on the couch with a good book.

She considers herself extremely lucky to get to do what she loves while wearing pajamas. Going to concerts and the movies are just a few of her favorite things to do. Although she has a passion to write, her family is most important to her. She loves spending evenings at home with her family, watching Netflix.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
15,603 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this Mafia romance for its thought-out plot twists, unique story, and engaging narration. The writing is slick and fast-paced, with customers noting it had them hooked from beginning to end. They appreciate the dark tone that leads into the world of the dark kingdom. The character development receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting the amazing emotional connection between the characters. While some customers love the spice level, others find it lacking, and several mention the explanations were cut short and the book felt incomplete.

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Story qualitySuspensefulCharacter developmentWriting qualityPacingDark toneSpice levelDescription
235 customers mention "Story quality"227 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it astonishing with a plot and idea they like, and one customer mentions it keeps them reading.

"...This is Book 1 in The Dark Kingdom Series This was such a good book! Shantel is always writing bangers! In this book you meet Luca and Haven...." Read more

"...Their arranged marriage set the perfect stage for drama, passion, and unexpected vulnerability...." Read more

"...The plot is intriguing enough to read on. Not this authors best writing. Also the ending felt unfinished. Epilogues didn’t help much." Read more

"...This book is not as dark as those but still a great story to me. Luca learns at a young age to never let anyone stand in his way...." Read more

162 customers mention "Suspenseful"133 positive29 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful, praising its Mafia-style love story with many twists and turns, thrilling action, and swirling maelstrom of betrayals and double-crosses.

"...I can’t recommend this book enough especially if you love a good mafia romance! #..." Read more

"...you love mafia romances with high stakes, spicy scenes, and emotionally scarred lovers, Code of Silence is a must-read...." Read more

"...Great twists and turns. This is not the first time I have read this author, and she did not disappoint. (Read the LORDS series first, lol)...." Read more

"...If you love a good dark mafia romance with a forced marriage trope & a second chance at love this is the book for you!~..." Read more

64 customers mention "Character development"52 positive12 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one noting the amazing emotional connection between them and another highlighting the strong heroine.

"...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...." Read more

"...But overall I loved the spice, the characters were all likable and you it really gives you enough to want to read each of their stories...." Read more

"...I listened to this book this time around. I absolutely loved the narration for these characters! They bring the dark and raw elements to life." Read more

"...and twisted plots centered on romantic ideas with artfully developed main and secondary characters. This is a MUST READ!" Read more

54 customers mention "Writing quality"49 positive5 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as slick and easy to read, with a fast-paced story.

"...This was such a good book! Shantel is always writing bangers! In this book you meet Luca and Haven...." Read more

"...The narration for this book was great! Code of Silence was the perfect start to the Dark Kingdom world I know I will get stuck in!..." Read more

"...It was a quick and easy read with how fast the story moved along. Haven and Luca are perfect for each other...." Read more

"...Overall this was a good story, well written, with well developed characters, and a surprising twist towards the end...." Read more

46 customers mention "Pacing"36 positive10 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging, with several mentioning they were hooked from beginning to end, while one customer notes how the story builds anticipation from book to book.

"...This book keeps you hooked from the beginning! I can’t recommend this book enough especially if you love a good mafia romance! #..." Read more

"Shantel Tessier does it again Code of Silence is a gripping dive into the ruthless world of the mafia, wrapped in a second-chance romance that kept..." Read more

"...This dark suspenseful Mafia romance is sexy, appealing, engaging, and awe-inspiring...." Read more

"I did enjoy this book. It just takes a while to get started. Then it seems like it justs ends. I dunno maybe I just missed something" Read more

40 customers mention "Dark tone"31 positive9 negative

Customers appreciate the dark tone of the book, describing it as a journey into the world of the dark kingdom, with one customer noting how it drags readers deep into its darkness.

"...Still, the plot twists, dark themes, and sizzling romance more than made up for it...." Read more

"...Code of Silence is such an amazing beginning to the Dark Kings. This book is a dark mafia romance that follows Luca and Haven...." Read more

"...I was not disappointed. I loved how dark the novel was but the FMC was a little naive and slightly frustrating...." Read more

"...They are fairly graphic. If you have concerns you can PM for more information...." Read more

32 customers mention "Spice level"21 positive11 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the spice level in the book, with some loving it while others find it lacking.

"...Luca is strait up licious!😋 Haven is gorgeous and sassy...." Read more

"...She just wouldn’t listen. Not much spice in this book you do have a couple of spicy times but that’s it. The plot is intriguing enough to read on...." Read more

"...But overall I loved the spice, the characters were all likable and you it really gives you enough to want to read each of their stories...." Read more

"...’re coming here from ‘The Lords’ series, it’s not THAT 🌶️, but it does have spice...." Read more

28 customers mention "Description"7 positive21 negative

Customers find the book's descriptions unsatisfactory, noting that the explanations are cut short and nothing is descriptive, making the story feel incomplete and confusing.

"...There are scenes where there is no follow up/no point...." Read more

"...loved how dark the novel was but the FMC was a little naive and slightly frustrating. Also the amount of times she said “Luca..” was a bit much...." Read more

"...dark suspenseful Mafia romance is sexy, appealing, engaging, and awe-inspiring...." Read more

"...My only complaint is that too many secrets were kept from the h for too long, particularly when there was no reason for keeping some of them...." Read more

Something about mafia men
5 out of 5 stars
Something about mafia men
There’s just something about Mafia men that makes me….. Maybe it’s the alpha male stereotype or it could just be the “touch her & d%e” vibes they give off. The Bianchi Family, head Family of the Italian Mafia that controls the country. While Papa Bianchi is in New York, his oldest son Luca rules Las Vegas. . Growing up in the Mafia Luca learned at an early age how important the code of silence is. Watching his Father eliminate anyone who even thought of talking to anyone outside the Family. Trained for this life since birth Luca knows there is no escape other than death. When his girlfriend Haven begs him to run away with her so they can live a life free from the Mafia instead of him going to Italy as his Father has commanded he agrees…….then leaves her behind…. Haven is devastated with Luca leaving her & vows to never forgive him. Easier said than done when she finds out that she’s part of a “business deal” between her Father and the Bianchi’s meaning….she has to marry Luca Bianchi….. LOVED the start to this series! This is definitely a bit more “tame” than the L.O.R.D.S. series and not quite as dark but it’s Shantel so it’s still pretty dark. As always check trigger warnings before reading.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Morgan
    5.0 out of 5 stars SUCH A GOOD MAFIA ROMANCE!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Code Of Silence by @shantel_tessierauthor
    This is Book 1 in The Dark Kingdom Series
    This was such a good book! Shantel is always writing bangers! In this book you meet Luca and Haven. They have a complicated “I Hate You” but really “I Love You” relationship in the beginning. They both have always been in love with each other. People and family get involved and make Luca leave for a while. One thing about Luca is he will always protect his Haven because nobody else can have her. Haven learns some hard truths about the life she thought she would be living. This book keeps you hooked from the beginning! I can’t recommend this book enough especially if you love a good mafia romance!

    #codeofsilence #shanteltessier #darkkingdom #bones #graves #cross #titan #mafia #darkromance #bookrecommendations #bookreview #ku #kindle #kindleunlimited #kindleunlimitedromance #read
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kellie Grande
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dark, Seductive, and full of emotional tension!!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Shantel Tessier does it again Code of Silence is a gripping dive into the ruthless world of the mafia, wrapped in a second-chance romance that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The chemistry between Luca and Haven is electric—equal parts tender and volatile—which made their push-and-pull dynamic all the more addictive. I loved how Tessier built up the tension and blurred the lines between love and power.

    Luca is the definition of a dangerous anti-hero—possessive, intense, and deeply flawed—but it’s impossible not to root for him. Haven, on the other hand, is strong in her own way, trying to protect herself while navigating the chaos that comes with being tied to a mafia family. Their arranged marriage set the perfect stage for drama, passion, and unexpected vulnerability.

    I knocked off one star only because at times, I wanted a bit more depth in Haven’s choices and a few scenes felt rushed when I wanted them to breathe. Still, the plot twists, dark themes, and sizzling romance more than made up for it.

    If you love mafia romances with high stakes, spicy scenes, and emotionally scarred lovers, Code of Silence is a must-read. I’m excited to continue the Dark Kingdom series!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Meh
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    FMC for a lack of better words was an idiot. Couldn’t stand her. She was whiny. She kept meeting random people being oblivious to the MMCs mafia ties? Like girl you talk about this man’s mafia ties and how scary it is but then put yourself in dangerous situations over and over again? It was annoying. Liked the MMC he did a lot to be with the FMC. I get he lied to her in their past but he had a very good reason. She just wouldn’t listen. Not much spice in this book you do have a couple of spicy times but that’s it. The plot is intriguing enough to read on. Not this authors best writing. Also the ending felt unfinished. Epilogues didn’t help much.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Ashley C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Second Chances are not always what they seem
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

    I am not normally into second-chance stories, but I do love a good mafia story. Great twists and turns. This is not the first time I have read this author, and she did not disappoint. (Read the LORDS series first, lol). This book is not as dark as those but still a great story to me.

    Luca learns at a young age to never let anyone stand in his way. Haven lost her virginity to Luca and loved him with all her heart. She begged him to run away with her, and he lied and said he would. Years later, he is back, and now they are to wed after he bought her from her father. And she is pissed.

    But as time goes on, she learns that not everything is what it seems with her life and the deal he made with her dad.

    #mafia #mafiaromance #darkkingdom #shanteltessier #codeofsilence #romance #secondchance
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  • Summer
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Start!!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    ~Review🎧~
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐
    🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

    ~Code Of Silence~The Dark Kingdom Book 1~Shantelle Tessier~

    ~Duet Narration~Gideon Frost & Alexis Paige~

    “That’s the scary thing about love; it blurs the lines of right and wrong.”

    ~I am so happy that I finally started this series after becoming obsessed with the Lords this is exactly what I needed! The narration for this book was great! Code of Silence was the perfect start to the Dark Kingdom world I know I will get stuck in! Code of Silence is a dark mafia romance that follows Luca & Haven & their twisted path to the love they both deserve. If you love a good dark mafia romance with a forced marriage trope & a second chance at love this is the book for you!~

    ~As Always Happy Reading~
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  • Nacho Mamma
    5.0 out of 5 stars Childhood sweethearts, Mafia style
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    These two are a delight. I just wish this book was longer. I had to start the Dark Kingdom series after the Lords hooked me in. It is not spicy like the Lords, but that's ok. It has got the violence and drama with romance. It's a good read. Hope to hear more about the couples as the series continues.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Luisa Andrade
    5.0 out of 5 stars good
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 26, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    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!!
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  • Khushali Gajjar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining read with dark aspects & lots of action!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    SPOILERS AHEAD **dark kingdom**

    Luca left Haven 2 years ago after lying to her about running away. When he returns & their families sign a contract for the marriage, Haven is understandably against it as she sees what Luca did as a betrayal. What follows is a timeline of what happened while they were apart and the present day as Haven accepts her fate as a mafia wife.

    I just finished reading Code of Silence having started yesterday, I do love mafia romances! First thing, my brain the entire time is like “are they going to do it yet?” Oh wait no, they’re just talking. 😂 especially after reading the Lords series where they do it at every possible moment, but the book kept me entertained & I love all the flashbacks which gave me their backstory plus that of the other characters too. I love Luca & Haven & hope to see them in other books in the series
    I am curious by Nite and Emilee’s story too! It definitely had more dark action than pure smut but I love it as that part of the story definitely kept me reading on!
    And Shantel always manages to add in twists unexpectedly which just make the story that much more perfect!
    Report
  • Dipika Singh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mafiosi Romance - 👍🏻
    Reviewed in India on May 11, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    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.
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  • Theughost
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book review
    Reviewed in Sweden on June 7, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book! Ahhhh, I loved it! After reading the lords series I just had to get something more to read from Shantel and it did not disappoint! A bit less spicy than the lords series but it was still AMAZING!
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  • Kathryn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Drama, and spice
    Reviewed in Australia on February 3, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was the novel that kept on giving. Arranged marriage isnt a favorite from the mafia troup, but this was arrange marriage with a twist. The suspense and drama kept me guessing, and I couldn't put it down. I love that when Shantel writes mafia, its actually mafia not just mafia adjacent. You get the gore, the combat, and the spice we have come to expect.
    Report

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