Ravage

by Michelle St. James

Roman Kalashnik is determined to seize his abusive father’s criminal empire.

The coup requires a foolproof plan and razor-sharp focus. Now if only he could stop thinking about the beautiful barista with burgundy hair and eyes the color of the Aegean Sea.

Ruby Bishop was only eight when her mother was killed by a stray bullet in a mob hit.

Now her only goal is to build a safe, controlled world for her daughter.

Then Roman sees Ruby’s ex raising his hand to her and Roman’s infamous temper roars to the surface, setting in motion a string of events that demolishes their carefully constructed lives.

At first, Ruby is grateful to the gorgeous, enigmatic man risking everything to protect her. But when she finds out he’s a member of the Russian mafia , she’s forced to choose between two equally dangerous worlds — and begins to realize her only chance at safety may lie with the most dangerous man of all.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark, Dark Romance, Romance, Amazon, Age Gap Romance

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2023

About the author

Michelle St. James is a Southern California expat now living in New York's Hudson Valley.

She is the critically acclaimed author of over fifty published novels and seven novellas. Her first series (under her not-so-secret real name) received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist and was one of Booklist's Top Ten Debut novels. Her work has also been an Indie Next selection and has appeared on prestigious lists such as the Lonestar List, New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age, and Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best. Her books have been published in over thirty countries and translated into over twenty languages.

Michelle lives in a converted barn with a leaking roof, a 70-pound puppy, and three perpetually annoyed cats. She spends her free time doing yoga, watching Love Island UK, and anxiously awaiting the next season of Ozark and the Great British Baking Show.

Reviews

[Ophelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished it and Im so distraught at the fact that I didnt realize this was a series and not a standalone. And it ended on a CLIFFHANGER?? I never read unfinished series for this very reason but I literally did no research this time :'((

That aside.. I actually really enjoyed this book. It felt real and meaningful in a way mafia romance usually doesn't. Like the city felt real and their relationship felt real and I just loved them so much. Roman, Ruby and Olivia deserve the world! And so does Max!!

My only issue was some glaring loopholes... Not even in the inner workings of the mafia, I dont care about that, but in basic timeline and continuity things that really took me out of the story. Mainly the timeline of her getting the flowers and texting him about it and then going to the ER, for her it was all the same day but for him it was in two different days.
And also her last name. It says she's Kate Bishop and her mom was Angela Bishop (which makes sense, she's divorced and went back to her maiden name) but then her ex is refered to as Adam Bishop... And I don't believe for a second that this control freak cocky abusive asshole would have taken her last name. AGAIN this are small issues, but they really take you out of the story for no reason as they can be easily solved.


I'm gonna go sulk now and inpatiently way for the next book in the series ❤️

[Nicole Mcclain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Roman and Ruby! Their chemistry is off the charts hot! It’s a very classic formula that I love to read…the bad boy falls for the good girl, has a mysterious job that can put her in danger. But this book draws you in, example being I read this in one night. Couldn’t put the book down! It gave me all the feels and more!
Roman is looking to take over his Father’s empire. Ruby just wants to provide for her daughter and escape the relationship of her past. An unfortunate situation brings them closer and those sparks ignite. But life comes at them and well…the books leaves off at that.
I can’t wait for the next installment and recommend to anyone who is a fan of the darker side of romance and Michelle!

*I voluntarily accepted an advanced reader copy for my honest review*

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for Ravage ( Ruthless Empire Book 1) by Michele St James

This author always does a great job with her mafia writing and Ravage is no exception! A fast paced page turner with amazing characters great chemistry and plenty of twists and turns.

The cover and book blurb got my attention. Great visual of Roman. The chemistry between Roman and Ruby is off the charts. I just felt the push / pull and angst for Ruby when faced with a difficult life changing decision as Roman represents a lifestyle she hates and also fears getting involved in !

What a great read ! Highly recommend and can’t wait for Book 2!

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What have I just read! This is a fantastic read with so much going on. Ruby’s had a tough marriage and her ex is a cop who thinks he’s above the law. Roman intervenes and that’s where there story starts. I can’t wait to read the next book, I need it in my life now!

[Donna reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY ENGAGING!!!
❤️‍🔥This book is REMARKABLE!! Roman and Ruby’s story is so very consuming.
❤️‍🔥This book is so very inviting, enticing and entertaining, from start to finish.

The chemistry between Roman and Ruby is so delightful and passionate.
Roman is the type of book boyfriend we all love to fall for. Dominant, Dangerous and DELICIOUS!! 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Beyond the romantic aspects of this story I really enjoy the relationships between Ruby and her daughter, and her family.

I like Roman discovering what a nurturing, caring and loving person Ruby is, and how he worships her. His kindness towards Olivia is so endearing.

So if your looking for a book that will have you escaping into a powerful, suspenseful and intriguing Bratva mafia world, you will thoroughly enjoy all that and more .
Be warned, Michelle has left us with a very interesting cliffhanger.
I am hooked and look forward to reading Rage!

Congratulations Michelle🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻Roman and Ruby’s story is captivating, gripping and alluring🌶️❤️‍🔥

[Samantha (Millennial Life Crisis Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait for more – what a cliffhanger! While I wasn’t sure going into the book, by the end I was completely hooked and on the edge of my seat wanting more! Roman is planning a takeover of his ruthless father who is ruining the pakhan with his plans of bringing it back to life. He meets Ruby, an employee at a local coffee shop, and finds out that she is the ex-wife of a policeman who is abusive to her, regardless of their divorce. While Roman knows he shouldn’t pursue her, between her lack of knowledge of who he is and the impending takeover, he can’t help himself, especially when he witnesses the abuse firsthand that Ruby deals with, and he decides to give in and get to know her. This story is slightly different than typical ones from Michelle, as we also get a little bit of a POV from Ruby’s ex-husband, and the cliffhanger at the end of this book had me on the edge of my seat truly wanting more!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Sandy Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

DYNAMITE!!!! This book is the perfect mob book. Intense and Sizzling! It has every single thing you could want in a romantic mobster book. Roman Kalashnik is the tall, unbelievably handsome Russian mobster and also son of the pakhan. He's planning a takeover and getting rid of his father (either dear old dad steps down or dear old dad is taken down). Ruby is the beautiful barista with a young daughter and an ex-husband who happens to be a policeman and who also happens to be abusive and hit Ruby enough that she is always flinching. There are loads of stuff going on. When Ruby and Roman finally meet, she is clueless about some history with Roman and the mob and her connection. All I can say is I cannot wait for the next book in this series. You will love this book and be mesmerized with Roman and Ruby. Don't miss it!

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwrenching, tense, & mouthwatering!
Noooo! You can't leave it there! I hate being on the edge of my seat and I hate having to wait for what will feel like forever until we get part two! I love Roman and Ruby and Olivia too much!
Roman is a ruthless son of a bratva pahkan hell-bent on taking over. But it's easy to forget that when he meets Ruby, a single mom working as a barista trying to keep ends meeting for her and her adorable daughter. Their time spent together is normal, loving, peaceful. Everything he isn't.
Ruby is just getting out an abusive marriage and is so hesitant. Her ex unfortunately is a cop and can intervene in the stupidest of ways.
Holy damn this is tense! I know the rest of this new trilogy is going to be amazing but I'll be feeling so restless until I get to the bottom of this craziness!
I can't wait for part two of this Ruthless Empire series, Rage!

[Mandy Petty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟
i didn't realize this book wasn't a standalone and that it would end on a cliffhanger when i started it😕 i honestly really liked this book and the whole plot but wasn't a fan of it written in third person. like it was written in third person in different character chapters and instead of just having roman and ruby we also got third person pov from adam and then randomly olivia? Like, huh? there were also quite a few spelling errors and loopholes in the book. also, why were SO MANY names thrown out? i couldn't remember who half the characters were whenever they were brought up. if you decide to read this book, make sure you have all 3 from the series!

i did love the beauty and the beast references tho🤗❤️ and the cliffhanger was really intense.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING: This book contains a domestic abuse subplot that some readers may find disturbing. For those who choose to continue, you won’t be disappointed!

Roman was a sub character in the Savage Empire Series and I couldn’t wait for his own story. The wait was so worth it. Did you ever wonder if things happen for a reason? Without what happened in Roman’s and Ruby’s pasts, would they ever have met and experienced this amazing connection?

This book pulls you into their story from the very first chapter and you won’t be able to put the book down! The book ends on a cliffhanger and I for one cannot wait for the 2nd book in this intriguing series!

[Geneva Perilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does anyone have scissors? Because these strings around my heart for Roman and Ruby are killing me! Ravage had me head over heels for Roman and Ruby from the first chapter! There’s nothing I love more than a bad boy with a weak spot for his woman and child. I know Ruby and Olivia aren’t his yet but I have no doubt they will be. We just have to get her a- hole of an ex out of the picture. Ugh I wanted to jump into the book and punch Adam every time he popped up! How could he be so awful to such a sweet women, and for him to think she still belonged to him UGH! Anyways I can’t wait to keep reading and find out what happens to and between Roman and Ruby because I know it’s going to be good 😉!

[Susana Soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman's story was one I've been looking forward to for a while now, and Michelle St. James did NOT disappoint!! The flow of the plot was so perfect, with the right amount of scheming up to a coup and the sweetest amount of romance along the way. I love this genre of story, but this book in particular really hit the spot. Ruby and her daughter were such sweethearts, and I'm so happy to see them thrive, but I was also thrilled to watch them navigate the dramas of their wild life... Ravage is a great read, and I 100% recommend it to anyone ready to dive into a new story!! I can't wait to find out what happens next!

[Sally C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby, recently divorced, single mother and barista at a coffee shop is trying to build a new life away from her abusive past, but sometimes she still must fight for her freedom and sometimes one gets rescued by a handsome stranger. More than a friendship is starting to blossom between Roman and Ruby, but Ruby’s ex does not like it. While Roman is seeing more of Ruby, he is also planning to take the leadership of the New York Russian bratva from his father. The storyline of Ravage has a slow start, but then near the end many things happen at once and then ends in a bang! Great start to a series but ends in a cliff-hanger. Cannot wait to see what happens next!

[J. Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book quickly. It showed two different types of Loving. There was the relationship between Adam and Ruby. The kind that one person is controlling and uses force to get his way. He is always sorry, but luckily she sees it for what it is and divorce him to save herself and Olivia,her daughter. The other was with Roman, who treated her with respect and showed her and Olivia what a real man was like. Unfortunately, he has a secret that he is afraid to share with her. He knows that it will probably bring their relationship to an end.

[Andrea Gugliotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ravage is the 1st book in the Russian Mafia Series. Roman & Ruby are one hot couple but when Ruby finds out a secret of Romans past that he didn’t tell her & Ruby ex husband is threatening to take custody of their 5yr old daughter things take a turn. Romans plan to make his father step down takes a turn and Ruby might pay the price.
This book has a lot of twist & turns . Of course there is a cliffhanger so We can’t wait for the 2nd book Rage! You won’t be disappointed in reading this series.

[Cathy Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ravage is the 1st book in Michlle St. James’ Russian Mafia Series.
Roman shows Ruby how she should be treated after she left her now ex husband but things then take a turn. Ruby finds out that Roman is hiding something and it could be something big enough to destroy the relationship they have been building.
I absolutely love reading Michelle St. James’ books and if you haven’t read any yet, here is a good place to start!

[D Sav · Rating 5 out of 5]

First part of Roman and Ruby's story.
Roman is Russian bratva who plans to over throw his father's regime and take over.
Ruby is a divorced mum whose ex policeman husband used to and is still abusive to her.
Adam, the ex, is not prepared to let her go though, even if they are divorced.
As always great start to a mafia trilogy ending in a cliffhanger.

[Lupe Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

One hot mobster!

From beginning to end !
This booked kept me reading, rooting for them both and that ending!
I'm going to be having a book hangover for a while.
Michelle St James outdid herself.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was kinda dumb. The dialogue felt hella stilted. I don’t understand why Ruby let her abusive ex-husband anywhere near her or her child. Skimmed a lot of this. And the math was not mathing where their ages were concerned. I don’t think I’ll be reading the next one.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are mistakes in this book name mistakes to bad a am not reading book 2 weary disopointed

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the plot just not a personal fan of it written in third person

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has everything..intrigue, danger, violence, abuse and a growing attraction between Roman and Ruby! Great start to this series!

[Sharon Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow!

Roman sounds just like a real hero for Ruby to depend on but then her ex husband Adam had to go & ruin it!

[Melly Gem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still a bit confused.
Firstly, I am really annoyed. This is a 3-part story (not finished), and I had no idea until I was like 80% in, and I realised there was no way this was going to wrap up in the remaining pages.
Second.. the sequel has only been released on Kindle so far, with no paperback date (sooooo annoying, don't release 1 way, then change that's rude)
Thirdly, the way this was written 🤔🤔🤔 I haven't seen this before.. its third-person pov but in character chapters.
It was so bizarre.
So, each character got a narrator 😳
And I honestly did not need pov chapters for arsehole Adam or olivia randomly.. the author should have just done third-person pov the entire book.. very strange.
Due to the cliffhanger, I do need to see how this ends.. because despite all the above, I did really like the relationship that was being built between Ruby, Roman, and olivia. It was a nice twist to see a bratva 2nd in command, find a relationship outside the circle but not treat her like a possession and change her life to suit his.
I hope this doesn't get entirely lost in future books, and Adam gets a very satisfying end 😈

[Shaunette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman can't get the sexy curvaceous barista off his mind but he knows it's not smart to get close to someone outside of his world. Ruby is a divorced single mom with a crazy ex and all that she wants is a safe simple life for her and her daughter.

Roman and Ruby are so hot for each other and they have insane chemistry but their lives are comp!icated. Roman is slowly moving chess pieces into place to replace his father as mob boss. Ruby's ex is a psycho who's a cop and he's determined to get her back despite their recent divorce so things could really get volatile.

Son of the NY Russian mob boss, a sexy curvaceous single mom with an abusive psycho ex who's lost touch with reality and what do we get? Untold complications that could ultimatelly lead to deadly consequences. Things are about to get dangerous, dark and deadly with Ruby and her baby girl caught in the middle but Roman is quite deadly himself so it’s going to be war. Another hit Michelle and I can't wait for the continuation.

[Jill Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware potential spoilers ahead: Another amazing mafia/bratva book from this particular author. The character development is always so deep in these books and Ravage was no exception. Ruby was in a past abusive relationship with her ex-husband, police officer Adam. Roman is the son of the pakan of New York, who also abused him as a child. Ruby shares a child with Adam which causes him to still be in the picture and still controlling and abusive. Roman is in the midst of starting a coup against his father. They are in the middle of a perfect storm. It was so well written and ends with a cliffhanger that will move into the next book. I can not even wait for the next volume of the series.
Sent from my iPhone

[Dawn Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot alpha male with mafia ties, divorced single mom with ex-husband issues.What more can you want? In Ravage, we meet Roman, who is infatuated with Rudy, a single mom who is dealing with an abusive ex. He's fighting with the need to be with her, and the need to stay away as he starts a war within the Russian mafia, in order to keep her safe.
This book was hot and steamy, and I can't wait to see where this series will take is!

[Mrs H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eagerly awaited since reading the excerpt, this book exceeded my expectations so much that I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Ruby and Roman’s story is intensely hot and the suspense is palpable. Their unfinished story has left me on tenterhooks, wondering what will happen with their nascent relationship, Ruby’s ex-husband and Roman’s future with the New York Bratva…

[Ariadna Brons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read it. I id enjoy it but it was a bit slow going when i was at 50% of the book i went through it fast. I enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.

[Marti Jentis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman is determined to overthrow his father. Ruby is a divorced, single mother trying to do what is best for her daughter Can their budding relationship survive the obstacles facing them??