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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 14,366 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
    323 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 13, 2020
  5. Grade level
    12 and up
  6. File size
    2.1 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. 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 1,566 Kindle readers
  2. She gives me a soft smile. “Luca was always supposed to be where you were.”
    Highlighted by 1,239 Kindle readers
  3. I lied to her. It’s easy to feed someone lies when you know they’re starving.
    Highlighted by 1,127 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 (January 13, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 13, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 323 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1659848288
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 14,366 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
14,366 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this mafia romance for its excellent twists and turns, with one review noting its multi-layered narrative structure. The book features well-developed characters, with one customer highlighting the emotional connection between them, and maintains a fast pace that keeps readers engaged. They appreciate the spicy mafia elements, particularly Luca and Haven's chemistry, and find the storyline captivating from the first page. However, the pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it engaging while others note it starts slow, and several customers mention issues with unclear explanations and descriptions.

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230 customers mention "Story quality"222 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it astonishing and well-liked, with one customer noting it has many layers.

"...I am not going to spoil it, but it is ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY PERFECT! This book is Pure Pleasure. Dirty. Decadent. Devine. Provocative...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book! I wanted to read this because I loved Ritual and wanted to try something new! I was not disappointed...." Read more

"good book but really expected more at the ending.. i’m sure it will be in one of the next books" Read more

"...You will never be able to put the pieces together! Great read!!" Read more

167 customers mention "Suspenseful"132 positive35 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful, praising its mafia romance plot with excellent twists and turns, and one customer describes it as a swirling maelstrom of betrayals and double-crosses.

"...You feel every ounce of pain, every slice of betrayal, secrets, lies, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next...." Read more

"...Luca was 🥵 and I love the actually plot and twist and turns in the story. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series...." Read more

"If you are looking for a good plot mafia romance this is your book...." 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

65 customers mention "Character development"53 positive12 negative

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

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

"...I really loved all the characters in this book and can't wait to read more about them." Read more

51 customers mention "Writing quality"47 positive4 negative

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

"...Shantel has a way with words that keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you like mafia, romance, and suspense this is a must read for you!" 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

"Loved this book it was a quick read for me" Read more

"Entertaining! Definitely a fast read!..." Read more

30 customers mention "Spice level"22 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the spice level of the book, particularly appreciating Luca and Haven's chemistry, with one customer describing him as a delicious dominating alpha.

"...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

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

"...Spicy parts are limited with not much description. Cute vanilla romance book." Read more

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

25 customers mention "Storyline"25 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, finding it engaging from the first page, with one customer noting how it builds anticipation from book to book.

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

"...Other than that, the storyline was great and I NEED Nites book! That man is a man of few words but dang I can’t wait to have a book about him!!..." Read more

"...But it did keep me on my toes, and I finished it in one sitting!! So that's got to count for something, yea?" Read more

"The story was short and sweet. Had a few curve balls and things happening that you have no idea about...." Read more

32 customers mention "Pacing"18 positive14 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some saying it kept them on their toes and others noting it started off slow.

"...Code of silence was a great book." 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

"...Nite is the major story you want from this book. Silent and deadly is what all of us book girls need to wet our curiosity...." Read more

"...Will they be able to rekindle their love? Slower read for me. Could have used some more mafia action for my liking...." Read more

26 customers mention "Description"5 positive21 negative

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

"...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

"...Spicy parts are limited with not much description. Cute vanilla romance book." Read more

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

Code of Lifelessness
3 out of 5 stars
Code of Lifelessness
⭐️⭐️.7️⃣5️⃣ The writing is good, at least. This makes the 2nd Shantel Tessier book I've been thoroughly disappointed in. There's no way around it, so I'll just say it... this book bored me out of my ever-lovin mind. So many words and hardly a shred of excitement. It's basic and dull. Man, I hate that it turned out to be a dud. The fmc is like a petulant child with too few braincells. The mmc is just a big pile of macho - lacking charisma. And that book cover, 🙅‍♀️. Nope! I love me a good ole hot man cover, but he does nothing for me. He almost looks like he's on the spectrum. I made it about 65% of the way through (page 235 of 312 pages) before I had to skim read the rest. I'm ticked off at myself for not throwing in the towel sooner so I could've already moved onto something else. It was just so darn lifeless!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Beauty95
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awe-inspiring!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    OMG! To say I love this story is an understatement! I am not going to spoil it, but it is ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY PERFECT! This book is Pure Pleasure. Dirty. Decadent. Devine. Provocative. Scintillating—sums up this book. This dark suspenseful Mafia romance is sexy, appealing, engaging, and awe-inspiring. It oozes with lust, desire, murder, mystery, and danger and drags you deep into its darkness, intrigue and suspense that is all rolled up into one deliciously dark and twisted package. I wasn’t expecting the turn this story took; it has quite an unexpected revelation that may leave you flabbergasted but it is jaw-dropping good! The author effortlessly transported me to the turbulent and violent life of the Mafia world (Bianchi family). Luca Bianchi is an enigma of a man who is the heir to Las Vegas Italian-American Mafia and he is very handsome, sexy, ruthless, cold-hearted, arrogant, dominant, violent, sweetly, contrite, and a notorious boss that no one says no to him and mess over any of his family and gets away with it! Luca can be the man of your dreams and nightmares all at once if he is crossed. The turbulent mystery of what happened two years ago when Luca left Haven to prove his worth and loyalty to his father to take over the Mafia business brings out the beast in Luca when he encounters his prey—Haven again. Luca is also best friends with the Dark Kings (Bones, Grave, Titan, and Cross). Haven soon starts to show Luciu what she is made of—she is a force to be reckoned with, but she is also the kind of woman Luca would go to war for and discard all the rules. Their contest of wills never waivers with their love/hate relationship. You feel every ounce of pain, every slice of betrayal, secrets, lies, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next. The darkness inherited in the characters will make you afraid to turn the pages, but the sexiness of it all will assure that you do. As the secrets unfold, the masks that they hold in place slips off notwithstanding being tortured and broken—they seemed perfect for each other… until they weren’t. What happens next? Well, read this amazing story and find out—you won’t regret it! Shantel Tessier manages to weave dark and twisted plots centered on romantic ideas with artfully developed main and secondary characters. This is a MUST READ!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 ⭐️
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book! I wanted to read this because I loved Ritual and wanted to try something new! I was not disappointed. I 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. 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. Luca was 🥵 and I love the actually plot and twist and turns in the story. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cheyenne
    3.0 out of 5 stars good book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    good book but really expected more at the ending.. i’m sure it will be in one of the next books
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  • kakyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Twists and turns!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    So glad I read it! Not my usual reading but with every chapter I have to say kept me on edge! You will never be able to put the pieces together! Great read!!
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  • SGriff
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read!!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the story line of Luca and Haven, although her character got on my nerves sometimes. She was so stubborn sometimes that put her in stupid positions. Outside of that I think it was an overall good read.
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  • Wendy@Cr8zysockbookblock
    5.0 out of 5 stars I was instantly addicted!! Bring me all the King’s ASAP🖤💗🖤💗
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    HOLY BLUE BLAZES!! I have the sudden desire to become the arranged wife of a mafiaoso! Luca is strait up licious!😋 Haven is gorgeous and sassy. But she’s been brewing so much anger at him she remains caught between toeing the line of loathing him and loving him. While he didn’t know whether to make her bend to his will or just bend her over his desk. 😉 Well, I will just let you read how he handled her.

    This fantastic book packs punch after punch to keep you on the edge wondering what in the world is happening?!?! Really let’s just call this a mix of genres because it has elements of many amazing genres all in one. All of my favorites y’all!! Right here in this perfectly packaged book that you won’t be able to put down until you have devoured every single word!! Shantel Tessier left me sweatin’ it out in Sin City in shock and awe, chapter after chapter! I was blown away, breathless and then hot and fanning myself. In.the.best.flippin.way!!

    Luca Bianchi was Las Vegas Mafia Royalty, with plans to be the Mafia King one day. Be bigger, greater and more powerful than his father. Haven had always had his heart, but he was forced to make decisions that were difficult to protect those he loved the most in the world. He broke her heart and left her devastated only to return two years later with a plan. He decides that he is going to make her his wife. He wants to ensure that all the plans for the future they talked about when they were in college will be carried out whether she likes it or not. He had his reasons for wanting things this way. I loved, loved, loved Luca’s character. 😍 You know those frustratingly sinful ones you really want to hate, but love em’ anyway? You start out semi-despising them?! That’s him. He is unapologetic for who he is and he’s alpha! He’s dangerous and borderline cruel to Haven at times to punish her for her disobedience and for not just accepting things as he’s said they are going to be. He wants to own her in every way, and he will!

    Haven’s character is amazing. I love the fight in her and she is gonna fight him every step of the way because of the hurt he caused when he left her. She knows he’s hiding things from her and she also knows he thinks her life could be in jeopardy just by being with him, but she thinks her death warrant was signed anyway when he took her to be his wife. So what’s she got to lose, right? She may know she has no say in what happens to her, but she sure isn’t going to make it easy on him. 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. Everyone knows there is only one way out of a Mafia marriage and it ain’t a divorce.

    *I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book, but bought a copy ASAP because I must own it in every format!!

    My cr8zysockbookblock blog wrap up for this book!
    ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐️- GAAHHH!! I absolutely couldn’t get enough of the push and pull between these two. It was literally like an explosion went off when these two started throwing down. Add in all the amazing secondary characters and I couldn’t get enough. Shantel gave us just enough backstory on each of these bad boys that I’m dying for their stories. I.Can’t.Wait!
    BTW I want them all, I’m not choosing so I’m laying it out there now that I’m an unashamed dirty girl and they are all my guys!
    🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥- GAH!! Words are failing me here my friends, which doesn’t happen often. But yeah!! Smokin’!
    🌪Cliffhanger Warning-No cliffhanger! However, Shantel Tessier has set us up for all the King’s books and I cannot wait!!
    🔫 Trigger Warning-This book does have some scenes that could be considered triggers for some, but what you would expect from a Mafia Romance. They are fairly graphic. If you have concerns you can PM for more information.
    102 people found this helpful
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  • B3
    3.0 out of 5 stars 3/10 Spice
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    If you are looking for a good plot mafia romance this is your book.
    If you are looking for an extra spicy mafia romance this is not the book for you. Spicy parts are limited with not much description.
    Cute vanilla romance book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Terry Wilson / BOOKNERD_24_7
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mafia must read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was a reread for me but I loved it all the same today as I did the 1st time read it. Shantel has a way with words that keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you like mafia, romance, and suspense this is a must read for you!
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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
    Verified 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
    Verified 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
    Verified 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.
    Report
  • Kathryn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Drama, and spice
    Reviewed in Australia on February 3, 2025
    Verified 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
  • Kristina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it 😍
    Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely amazing! I can't believe it took me so long to read it. Im totally not disappointed 'cause this book is hot 🥵 ..I mean great! Theres action, suspense, steam of course, hiliarious bff, family secrets and more. Can't wait to read whats next with these Kings.
    Must read this Now
    Enjoy 😏
    Report

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