Review: To Break a Vow by Ella Laurenti

June 6, 2026

Synopsis:

Their match was meant to serve the Empire. Instead, it may destroy it.

Sabine Almarien has survived on cleverness and careful obscurity. But when a mark said to bind her to a magically perfect match appears on her skin, the Empire forces her into the Season: a cruel marriage mart where blood vows determine magical power.

Worse, that supposedly perfect match is Lord Death himself.

Azrian Vaelros—the Emperor’s ruthless enforcer—has buried one wife already. He has no interest in another blood vow, least of all with a maddening woman who despises everything he represents.

But the Emperor gives him no choice.

To survive the Season, Sabine and Azrian strike a careful bargain: fake a courtship to satisfy imperial scrutiny, while quietly searching for a way out of their arranged marriage. But when other marked couples turn up dead, the two of them are drawn into a shared investigation that binds them closer than either intended. Each truth pulls them deeper into each other’s orbit… and into a conspiracy at the heart of the Empire itself.

As their blood vow approaches, they’ll have to choose: become the perfect weapon the Empire demands, or forge something far more dangerous.

Review:

That was exactly what I needed – without even realising I was looking for it 😊

This book offers a wild mix: Bridgerton vibes, a murder mystery, a government hiding dark secrets, forced marriages, rebels, and an unlikely partnership that somehow works beautifully. It sounds chaotic on paper, but the execution is surprisingly seamless, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
From the moment the main couple meets, there’s an undeniable connection – one neither of them wants to acknowledge. Naturally, they make a pact to avoid each other so no one notices, which immediately had me thinking: this can only go one way. Of course, they keep getting thrown into situations where avoiding each other becomes impossible, forcing them to spend more time together. Their initial dislike fades quickly, and I loved watching that shift unfold.

Both characters are strong, shaped by difficult circumstances and personal trauma, and seeing them help each other grow into better versions of themselves is something I will always devour. The added danger – realising their connection puts them at risk, with others in similar situations being murdered – brings a compelling twist to the story.
I fell for them early on, and the supporting cast added just the right balance of support and tension. The evolving sisterly bond was especially heartbreaking and added emotional weight that raised the stakes even further.

If you’re a fan of slow-burn romance, this is absolutely for you. The progression is so gradual (and, at least to me, obvious), that every tiny step forward feels rewarding – even if it takes forever. And that cliffhanger ending? I’m already desperate to continue the journey.
This book was nearly perfect, and I genuinely hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as I did.

🌙 Recension: To Break a Vow (The Soulmark Cycle #1) by Ella Laurenti
📚 Genre: Romantasy, Fantasy
📅 Release Date: June 17, 2025
📖 Publisher: Umbria Inkworks
📗 available in various formats – included in Kindle Unlimited
📱 Read as: Kindle
💸 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 426
⭐️ 4/5