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Thorns of Omertà #2

Thorns of Love

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A Complete Duet - The story of Tatiana Nikolaev!

My husband.
His secrets.
Our tragedy.


I thought I knew him. I didn’t. I thought he was trustworthy. He wasn’t.

But nothing in this world is as it seems.

I caught the attention of the most notorious man in the underworld.

Konstantin wasn’t the type to be ignored. He commanded his criminal empire with an iron fist but he had secrets of his own.

But I was Tatiana Nikolaev. I’d never bend to a man’s will or be used as a pawn. Not again.

The moment I tempted the fates and played with fire, life spiraled out of control.

My only way of survival was to trust again.

But could I?

*This book is part of a complete duet.*

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2023

624 people are currently reading
2845 people want to read

About the author

Eva Winners

57 books4,052 followers
Eva released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.

She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails or exploring the beaches.

Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.

Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you'll never want to leave.

Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!

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5 stars
2,543 (44%)
4 stars
2,023 (35%)
3 stars
941 (16%)
2 stars
183 (3%)
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46 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 475 reviews
Profile Image for Carla .
1,656 reviews532 followers
April 6, 2023
3,5.
The female character was annoying as f**k. 🤦🏻‍♀️
I think this book should be only about Konstantin, I’m kidding 😬.
This series was good and I really look forward to read about another characters .
It’s worth the reading.
Profile Image for Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth).
2,246 reviews1,529 followers
March 25, 2023
Fantastic conclusion!

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: amnesia, captive
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Let me say up front that I normally hate duets. I feel like they disrupt the story flow and are typically packed with extraneous filler scenes to add length, but forgoing substance. That was NOT the case here. The second book was definitely necessary and packed full of tons of action, hot smexy, and twists and turns to the end! Definitely kept me gripped and totally laid the foundation for what's sure to be a fantastic new series. So many breadcrumbs of what's to come - I loved it!
Profile Image for NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}.
1,554 reviews82 followers
March 29, 2023
***4,25 "You've always been mine!!!" stars***



"Boys grow up to become men.
They come back to find you, and suddenly, the hunter becomes the hunted."


Oh how much I love this duet!!!
It was intriguing, dark, thrilling with many twist plots and a main couple that was pure fire!!!
The story picked up exactly where it left us in the first part and I was excited to uncover every little secret that existed in here and Eva gave me an incredible ride full of lust that took shape in the form of love!!!
Illias was supposed to be the villain, but for me was simply a man that could do anything in the name of love!!! And he did so many things in here!!! Things that infuriated Tatiana, but which were necessary for these two to find their way to each other...

"I will ruin you, Tatiana. Break you. Then put you back together."

I really loved the way these two were together, even though Tatiana was fighting it so hard...
Illias gave her something she was craving and that nobody had given her and even though, she couldn't place their familiarity, there were many things that she had to uncover... Not only for her late husband Adrian, but for Illias as well... cause this man had managed to crawl under her skin and to take residence in there...
But as the secrets are unraveling, Tatiana's heart have the ability to break for good... Will Illias give her strength or will he become her greatest weakness???

"Enemy. He's the enemy. It was what I needed to remember."

I loved how dynamic and determined Tatiana was, even though her stubborness was landing her in trouble all the time.... But she was a true queen and she needed a king by her side who suited her!!!
She had suffered in Adrian's hands and I hated that she couldn't recognized the signs...
As for Illias??? This man was so swoonworthy even though ruthless and dangerous!!! He knew what he wanted from the very first moment and he had bidden his time for so long and now, he was ready to strike and take what was always his!!!
These two were having many unresolved issues between them, but the ride to solve them was so delicious!!!

"It was time to make Tatiana Nikolaev remember who she belong to."

And of course, for once again, Eva gifted us with cameos from favorite old characters and she made us crave new stories that have already picked up our interest in here!!!
Oh, how I am craving all these stories that I know Eva has in store for us!!!
Her words are like a drug to me and her mafia world is sooo addictive!!!
I just need more and more and more....

"My love knows no boundaries..."

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
Profile Image for  tortured reader  ࣪ ִֶָ ⋆.
247 reviews37 followers
April 15, 2024
ARC ESPINAS DE AMOR 💌 gracias @sirenaaudiobooks


en este libro seguimos a Tatiana y a Illias en la segunda parte.

la pluma de Eva Winners es adictiva y nunca falla porque la forma en la que sentí la obsesión de Illias hacía Tatiana, me sentía como tercera rueda leyendo como su pasión traspasaba las páginas 🤭


en este libro tenemos un PLOT que me dejó anonada, probablemente habían mil señales que no lo dice pero aún así quedé bastante impresionada que fuera verdad 😩🖤


el final es perfecto para ellos y solo quiero decir que la familia Nikolaev es mi favorita, amé la interacción de todos los hermanos pero Sasha 🛐, te amo mi psicópata favorito


lean esta bilogia, no se arrepentirán, porque la van a devorar de lo atrapados que los dejará 💌
Profile Image for Alexandraa XX.
703 reviews779 followers
March 30, 2023
The heroine in this book is annoying, childish and idiotically stupid😓💩 Okay the second book. While I’m happy to read the second book in a very short time it was released, still the beginning of the second book is annoying to me. To me! Why? Because it start with the heroine pushing the hero again and being childish. I love a stubborn woman because i am myself a stubborn person, but this heroine is whole another level stupidity. And seriously author, stop writing a stupid heroine character. We readers like myself need a smart stubborn woman, not a childish and stupid woman like this heroine right here😤😤 I WILL EXPLAIN WHY AND WHAT HAPPENED ON THIS SECOND BOOK. MY REVIEW WILL BE LONG SO BARE WITH ME😌😌



SPOILER ALERT 🚨 🚨



Please read my review on the first book because THIS RIGHT HERE is my second review about the second book. Read that and come back here so you won’t be confused🤣


“My obsession with Tatiana made me blind.”


I’m gonna start of with this⬇️

WHAT I DON’T LIKE ABOUT THIS SECOND BOOK:
1. The beginning of the book start with the heroine is having flashback from her past. And her past with her late husband. And it shows how they have s3x in the car…. I know the husband is dead, but do you have to put that in author? I know that’s the point of the story or the memory from her past, but only just say they have s3x would be good. Not put the whole detailed of it🥵🥵🥵 I have to read that sh*t that is so freakin annoying.
2. THE BEGINNING of the book start with the heroine yet again, PUSHING THE HERO AGAIN AND AGAIN. Even when she already know that she’s pregnant with his baby, she push him again and again for stupid reasons. (In the end of the first book) The stupid heroine, She saw a video on his phone about him killing someone and just push him away for that. The hero want to explain the whole story, but the heroine refuses and just pushing him away way too much…. Like how stupid can you be? And the heroine knows the hero is the baby daddy but she yet always pushing him away even more after she saw the video. LIKE B*TCH YOUR BROTHERS KILLS TOO AND YOO JUDGE THE HERO FOR DOING SO AND NOT EVEN ASKING THE FULL STORY? 🤯🤬🫣 THE SELFISH STUPID HEROINE IS SO FREAKIN ANNOYING. I WANT THE HERO FOR MYSELF AND NOT FOR HER CAUSE HOW IDIOTIC SHE IS🥵
3. The heroine always. I MEAN ALWAYS. She always have these stupid scenarios on her head about the hero and her feelings about the hero. Like when she saw the video, she didn’t even asked the full story behind it while the hero is waiting next to her to explained the full story. When the heroine said no to marry the hero, the heroine said that she thought the hero wants to used her because of her mafia family so it wasn’t true love. LIKE B*TCH🥵 HOW MANY TIMES THE HERO HAVE TO CONFIRM AND CONFESS HIS FEELINGS!!! WHEN HE ALWAYS DO THAT TOO MANY TIMES HOW HIS FEELINGS ABOUT YOU IS REAL AND REAL LOVE!!!!! See what i mean? She have these stupid thoughts about the hero without even be smart enough to see what is really going on. Because when the book begins, it shows how STUPID THE HEROINE REALLY IS 🤮💩💀💩 THE MOST IDIOTIC HEROINE CHARACTER EVER💩💩 you can read that the hero always threatens the heroine about killing her family when in reality he knows himself he will never ever do that. he only do that because the heroine is stupid and always pushing him away. so he do that to make her do what he says. and what he says and ask is not something bad, IT’S SOMETHING GOOD. But the heroine have a shit brain that’s why her brain always works so stupid and ERROR 🥵😡🤬🤮💩
4. When the heroine and hero finally got married and were having a honeymoon, in the morning the heroine listened the hero talked to his friend about the heroine. Nothing bad really but it’s a mystery that made the heroine mad. I get why she’s mad, but at least be wise for fvcking once and just asked the goddamn hero about it before you go badshit crazy💩🤮 The heroine’s mind went stupid again, she didn’t asked and just assume something. While the hero is THERE for her to asked what his friend is talking about. She even locked herself in her room for a while like a little child and give the hero silent treatment when her escape plan didn’t worked out. Like even when they already got married, the heroine is still like the first book. IDIOTIC 🤮💩 I hate reading her POV. Too childish, too stupid and too annoying. I hate everything about this heroine 💀😖😓🫠
5. It was so funny when the hero said: “I’d been in love with this woman for almost a decade. It wasn’t lust. It was love. Devotion.” Yeah but you left her be with her husband and didn’t actually pursue her 😂 the hero pursue her when he found out that her husband have been doing very bad things 🤣


This second book is actually better than the first book. This second book has more romance, chemistry and great grown adult conversations between the couple. The first book is actually gave me more a headache than this second book. So I love the second book far more better obviously! The second book is More about the truth, the plot twist is quite interesting and mysterious, and more about the new characters that about to happened in the future new series I presume 🤩 The whole mystery about their romance is about to be revealed on this second book like wow!!!! 🤩



“I had given her time to heal after the accident. I pledged for her. I understood the risks. I understood the danger. Did I care? No, I didn't. The Omertà had my oath, but she had my heart. It was about her life and our child’s. I had let her go once, this time nothing would save her from me. We were two souls that stupidly passed each other, multiple times, only to end up here. Or rather, where we’d soon be. In my kingdom. In my country. In my home. In my bed. Exactly where she should have been all along. She had been mine for almost a decade, but fate pulled us apart. Now, it was me who controlled our destiny. It was time to make Tatiana Nikolaev remember who she belonged to.”

🥺💙💙




‼️‼️‼️TRIGGERS: Kidnapping, killing, torturing, death, mafia, drugs, alcohol, force marriage, deception, human trafficking, hospital and bad past tragic life.

‼️‼️‼️PLEASE READ MY REVIEW ABOUT THE FIRST BOOK FIRST. I ALREADY WRITE THE SAFETY ABOUT THE BOOK IN THAT REVIEW.

‼️‼️‼️No cheating, no separation ever again as they were finally together and officially married. NO DRAMA WITH OW. Only with OM… All the drama is not annoying and not too much… And most of the drama is about themselves and about the mafia enemies.

‼️‼️‼️Finally we get to see and understand why the hero can’t get the heroine ASAP after they have one night stand. He wants her to be happy but also because of his past with his parents that’s too tragic for him, he didn’t pursue her like he wanted to. But still, for seven years you waited? I love the hero. But for seven years, author you’re cruel for doing that. That’s too long🥵 It’s so unfair…

“I thought you were happy,” I murmured. “Not a day went by where you didn’t cross my mind since the moment I spotted you at that party. Then when I finally learned your identity, Adrian snatched you away from me. You looked so fucking happy, so goddamn in love that I convinced myself you were better off. But make no mistake, Tatiana, I would have ended him a long time ago if I’d known who he was. If I knew his intentions weren’t pure.”

‼️‼️‼️MANY JEALOUS SCENES FROM THE HERO. And little very from the heroine…

“Let another man touch you and I will destroy him. Once I’m done with him, there won’t be a trace of his line left on Earth.”

‼️‼️‼️DUAL POV

‼️‼️‼️SO…. THE HERO said that he has been obsessed and wanting the heroine for seven to eight years right. And I was so curious, does he celibate during those years or have s3x with another woman? Because the previous book, LUCA AND SASHA definitely have s3x with someone else when they weren’t official with their heroine at the time. SO THAT’S WHY i was curious about this hero right here. Is he the same or what? THE HERO SAID THIS THO:

“You better not have used them on anyone else,”
“Nobody else, outside my family, has ever been here,” he admitted, never ceasing his movements. “I’ve thought about nobody else since I got that note asking me to pleasure you. Since I fucked you in the gazebo. You’ve had me since the first moment I saw you, Tatiana. I needed you like a rose needs its thorns. I’ve been obsessed with you.”

He said thought of nobody. But didn’t say “didn’t touch anybody”. So body and mind is different okay! SO WHAT IT IS AUTHOR?! 😓😓😓 BE FREAKIN SPECIFIC!!!!!

“My mind was on my wife. I ached for her, my balls turning blue, demanding her pussy. But she was still healing and I couldn’t be that bastard. So I jacked off a lot since the stabbing, thinking about her. God knew I’d had enough practice with it over the last several years.”

‼���‼️‼️THE HEROINE finally apologize to the hero in the end about her being stubbornly stupid and dumb about pushing him away in the beginning. But SHE APOLOGIZED to him in the end tho, better late than never huh😑

‼️‼️‼️Because I’m a huge fan of the family tree of the characters, that also kept me going to read till the end. My favorite character is ALEXEI because he is the heroine’s big brother.

‼️‼️‼️THE HERO kept the note from the heroine when she gave him the night they first have s3x at the famous gazebo🥺🥺💙💙💙

“All these years, he saved the note. A shiver snaked down my spine as the memories of that night came rushing in. The scent. The consumption. The words.”

“Yet, I didn’t regret a single moment that led me to this. To here. Because I got my wife. And our babies grew in her belly. I’d dig my own grave, over and over again, if it meant their safety. I’d do it all over again if it meant having her.”

‼️‼️‼️IT HAS scenes with the heroine spending great time with the hero’s little sister. I was hoping it was the hero actually to spend great time with the heroine like quality time, dinner date. But no. The couple mostly focused on arguing because the heroine is so freakin stupid, and the couple mostly focused on the problem with the enemy. Which is sucks. I want to read their dinner date and them getting to know each other, like what’s your favorite color ect. In the end tho they have a dinner date for the heroine’s birthday in Eiffel Tower, but still it was short and not too much of communication talking. Just s3x all over again🥵

‼️‼️‼️LOCATION: Philippines, New Orleans and Russia.

‼️‼️‼️GREAT AND VERY HOT SMUT SCENES EVER…. Seriously their s3x scenes are the best ever 😏😏😜🔥🔥🤩

‼️‼️‼️THE HEROINE’S big brother is so cute to her 🥺 Especially Vasili…. the way they love and take care of her is just so freakin adorable!!!

‼️‼️‼️HAPPY ENDING.

Three years later…. Married obviously, and have kids…

‼️‼️‼️I hope the author can make the second generation book, the now characters kids. But please no manwhor3 and wanting for years but have to wait for stupid reason. Let that be in the old books but please NO IN THE FUTURE. That burns my eyes and gave me a headache so bad. Try a virgin hero for once! And stop with the too much of pushing away that also is SUPER ANNOYING.











👉🏽👉🏽👉🏽Thank you so much for reading my review❤️ For you who loves my review and follow it, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I did not get paid or be told to do a review on a book. I’m here just to write review about a book so i can remember it. Its my honest opinion😚 I didn’t know at first people will find me and follow me and trust me to be honest, I was surprised myself to look at the notifications from people who reach out to me😆 So everything i write down here on a review is based on my personal opinion and based on my true writing. I DID NOT COPY SOMEONE’S REVIEW OR WRITING SKILL because at first when i was using this app for one year i didn’t know how to scroll down on a book and see the reviews from others😂😅🤣 I know, silly me but hey I finally learned my lesson 😛😛😛 Thats why when people assume i copy someone’s review i was like what? Because at first i didn’t know how to use this app properly and i didn’t know how to open someone’s review because for a year i never follow someone or add friends or someone😂😂😂🤣 (I’m laughing so hard) 🤪 AND I NEVER COPY SOMEONE’S REVIEW EVER. IF I WRITE SOMETHING WRONG OR DOESN’T MAKE SENSE PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND BE NICE OKAY. 👈🏽👈🏽👈🏽✋🏽✋🏽 IF YOU'RE BEING MEAN AND NEGATIVE ALREADY WITH A WARNING AND NOT BEING WISE TO ME, I WILL NOT ENTIRELY READ YOUR COMMENT AND REMOVE YOU EASILY AND FAST. I DO NOT TOLERATE NEGATIVE COMMENT SO KNOW YOUR PLACE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I’m writing my disclaimer again here cause many negative people still don't get it or still be stupid enough not to understand my POV when I already write it so many times before. So here I am writing it again to you beautifuls human being😁😁 WHEN YOU READ MY LONG OR SHORT REVIEW, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT WHAT I LIKE ABOUT A STORY AND CHARACTERS RIGHT... IF YOU DON'T KNOW THEN HERE IT IS: I LIKE A BOOK WITH VERY POSSESSIVE PROTECTIVE ALPHA MALE, NO CHEATING, AND PLEASE NO MANWHOR3, NO MANY PUSHING AWAY, NO DOORMAT HEROINES, NO MANY OW DRAMA, NO S3X SCENE WITH SOMEONE ELSE. AND SAFE ALL THE WAY AND A HAPPY ENDING. Something that I don't like it very much if the hero or heroine have a crazy fvcked up personality and likes. Example: killing someone and let the heroine watch it all and push the heroine to lick all the blood of his victim and made her have to eat the meat of humans. and fvcks many woman in front of the heroine while telling her he loves her. I DON'T LIKE THAT TYPE OF SH*T AT ALL. That's just who I am, that's what I like and I don't like on a book. Maybe you love that, but I don't. We humans are different, we think very differently from one another. You have your likes and I have mine, you have your opinions and I have mine of my own. You think it's stupid of me to love such a book or to not love a book or to hate it whatever lol, I think it's bad you think that way cause I respect people's opinions cause I know for a fact we have our differences. YOU AND ME ARE DIFFERENT FOR PETE'S SAKE. I even have my own friends or people I follow here that shows how much they don't like the book I like, I never even give them a long comment or short Comment. Cause I respect their opinions. I don't like to give people I hard time here cause life itself is already hard enough. I do respect your opinion if you say my review is bad or whatever negative things about it, but in the end of the day I will not changed my mind about what book I dislike and how my thoughts about it. You can't tell me what to do. You can give me advice but it's me who decided to know what's right for me, this is my life and not yours. Read that again. Don’t assume things about me that is not even real, just don’t. cause when you do you’re more small minded for sure. You're thinking why I'm telling you all of this when you already know? Is because you still hating on my opinions and don't understand my POV and don't respect my POV. You think i like writing this disclaimer when obviously you're an adult already? no i personally think this is unnecessary... but because there are people out there who still don't get it *rolling my eyes*. Hopefully they or the people who read this disclaimer can use a beautiful thing called a brain:) AND WHEN YOU READ MY REVIEW, READ IT VERY CLEARLY TO SEE IF I FINISHED THE BOOK OR NOT. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. AND YES ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE. BUT IF YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M WRITING, THEN IT MEANS YOU UNDERSTAND IT ENOUGH. I DO NOT TOLERATE BULLYING, NEGATIVE COMMENTS AND MEAN WORDS. PLEASE USE A WISE WORDS SO WE DON'T ATTACK EACH OTHER. SIMPLY, I DON’T LIKE TO HAVE AN ARGUMENT WITH STRANGERS LIKE YOU CAUSE I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO😚 BUT IF YOU STILL WANT TO BE AMBER HEARD KARENS THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND MY DISCLAIMER AFTER I JUST WRITE IT DOWN, THEN GO ENJOY YOUR DAY AND GO AWAY. IT'S VERY EASY FOR A HUMAN COULD DO YA KNOW. IF YOU STILL HERE HATING ME OR ANNOYED WITH ME, THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM. NOT ME PROBLEM. HASHTAGS BURN😂😂 DON'T TAKE THINGS TOO PERSONALLY ON ONLINE CAUSE WE ALL A STRANGERS, WE NEVER EVER MEET. WE'RE ADULTS HERE SO LETS BE WISER. LAST, I BLOCK NEGATIVE PEOPLE! SO GET WELL SOON TO THE HATERS. HOPEFULLY YOUR HEART AND MIND WILL BE MORE POSITIVE 🙏🙏🙏 AND THIS DISCLAIMER MAY SEEMS LIKE TOO HARSH ON YOU BUT HEY I DON'T LIKE TO SUGAR COATED THINGS. I LIKE TO SAY TO THE POINT WITH MY UNDERSTANDING AND MY OWN THOUGHTS, CAUSE THAT'S HOW HUMANS ARE. WE ARE DIFFERENT REMEMBER👍 HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!!
Profile Image for Jo Bennesch.
372 reviews35 followers
January 14, 2025
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶

Wow. Que excelente conclusión para esta historia. Creo que de todos los libros de la autora, las historias de los hermanos Nicolaiev son mis favoritas, (Vasili es el mas flojo).

En esta segunda parte, la historia de Tatiana e Illias se completa. Los cabos sueltos se atan y queda abierta la puerta a los demás libros de los capos de la omertá.

Todo es más intenso. El romance, el spicy y la acción. Me encantó. Definitivamente quiero leer más heroínas como Tatiana.

Lo recomiendo mucho.
Profile Image for Lisbeth .
5,818 reviews
April 1, 2024
La historia es muy buena y está construida con bastantes detalles. El suspenso, la acción y los giros en la trama me mantuvieron enganchada hasta el final. Este libro logra un equilibrio entre la dura vida de la mafia con un romance sensual. Eva sabe cómo llevar a sus personajes al límite sin perderlos en una oscuridad irredimible. Amé a Ilias y Tatiana como personajes. Su conexión era única, tan pura y real. El momento en que finalmente admitieron sus sentimientos el uno por el otro fue perfecto.

Ilias es un mafioso hábil y decidido que trabaja duro para lograr sus objetivos y que no deja que nada se interponga en su camino. Es estoico, frío y difícil de entender al principio, pero a medida que avanza la historia, su personaje evoluciona y te enamoras de él.

Tatiana tiene mucha valentía y fiereza en ella. Es una mujer inspiradora, resistente e identificable. Demostró que todos estaban equivocados y luchó con uñas y dientes por su felices para siempre.

La historia fluyó excelentemente, se sintió desarrollada y tuvo una progresión gradual desde el dolor y el sufrimiento hasta la sanación por parte de ambos personajes principales. Después de los engaños, las mentiras y traiciones, Ilias y Tatiana obtienen el final feliz por el que lucharon y que tanto anhelaron.
Profile Image for Ceacea.
207 reviews19 followers
August 8, 2025
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
⭐️ 4/5
🌶 3/5
🧠5/10 (Large cast of characters in this duet. Lots of connections and betrayals throughout generations to parse out)
Noteworthy: Book 2 of a completed duet. Available on KU. Mafia themed. Content warnings.

I do love a good duet, especially in this genre. It tends to give us just the right amount of development, story, drama, and a lengthy end game. Bonus kudos for the 2 time jump epilogues. What a treat! I will say if there is a such thing as a mafia comfort read, this would be it. It hits all the tropes you want in a darker, possessive story but isn't over the top dark. Piecing together the mystery was really fun. I loved that aspect of this duet. Were lots of the plot points predictable? If you read this genre, absolutely. But it's perfect for what it's supposed to be. This is my first book by the author, so I had no idea there was an entire universe out there. I will be adding more to my TBR for when I'm in the mood for this genre. My biggest complaint is the word 'sardonic' being used no less than 50 times in this duet. At one point, I started rolling my eyes when it was on back to back pages. We got a couple of synonyms here and there, but the overuse was prevalent. That's a forgivable sin to me.

I really did grow to like the FMC Tatiana much more in book 2. In book 1, it seemed like she was brave, but mostly because she was so protected that she'd never known real fear. In book 2, that doesn't feel like the case. She matured a bit as it went along and got smarter. It made her so much more likable. The MMC Ilias was also better in this one. His personality shined through more, and I actually believed him when he made grand proclamations. We got a little more show where in book 1 we got a lot of tell from him. This lended so much to me investing in the story as a whole.

All in all, I would say if you like mafia romances, you should give this one a shot. I think, in the very least, you will appreciate the (cozy??? 😂) vibes you get with the tropes.
Profile Image for Mayuri.
140 reviews8 followers
December 28, 2024
the whole plot for me was DADDY ILLIAS KONSTANTIN.

Profile Image for Philippa - (The British Bibliophile).
Author 4 books40 followers
March 24, 2023
'A conclusion to a duet like no other. Be prepared to kneel at the book that heralds the title of 'Queen of Twists & Turns'. Eva Winners is the Queen of her mafia romance realm. - The British Bibliophile

Thank you to Eva Winners for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and leave an honest review, as part of her ARC team.

The Thorns of Omertà series when first pitched to us by Eva Winners was immediately one that I knew was one to watch. I say that frequently when reviewing her work because, well, it's true. She gives us nothing less than material we can both take our time absorbing as much as we can have the option to devour it. I didn't think I could be any more impressed with her mafia romance/dark romance than I was with her Belles & Mobsters series, but I was happily proven wrong here.

If at this point you haven't read Thorns of Love, halt what thou is doing and grab a copy to read immediately! What happens within the confines of this novel reflects and continues on from what happens in there and there's so much that happens within this book, there's no time for catch-up. Believe me, it's worth your time & investment to get to this stage so, hop on it! If you've read book one, please proceed through the rest of my review and have a good time :)

Thorns of Love immediately follows on from Thorns of Lust because as we all know, it's all about the lust then born of that is the love. Smart move on Eva's part naming these two as she has, in the order that she has. THAT ending to Thorns of Lust would make me want to carry on the series immediately, asap, and any other way of saying straight away. Much to the delight of readers and yet another smart move from Eva, she has chosen to release these books--this duet--from this series a day after each other. Readers can hop from one to another without a painful wait. Round of applause for you, Ms Winners.

As I touched upon in my review for Thorns of Lust, there is literally everything and its mother in this get. And that's just touching upon it with the lightest possible way. Time and care has gone into this duet to give us something going way over the line of a knockout, it's bordering on legendary in the book world in my opinion. I have my favourite books when it comes to Eva, but if I were to recommend starter reads to novice readers new to Eva, this would be it. I can just tell that this duet--and series as a whole--will be someone's favourite from her, and I cannot wait for readers to pick them up and be sucked into this sinfully dark, yet beautiful world. You won't be going back to plain vanilla romance after coming over to the dark side, dear readers.

Dark is only one of the things that Thorns of Love is. There are two sides to a coin, after all. Where there is darkness, there is also light. That's one of the things that I have taken away after reading this book. As dark as the underworld is and everything that is naturally attracted to and comes with it, there is light behind it. Sometimes people have to work harder and longer to achieve the light, a happily ever after, but it's there. Tatiana for all intents and purposes is Illias' light. His luna. His moon. The moon can sometimes shine as bright if not brighter than the sun, and she is the light that will pull Illias away from the thorns and onto soft, sweet-smelling rose petals with his luna.

Only...the dark doesn't want to let go of Illias so easily.

Eva has long-since mastered the unexpected, the twists and turns, now she is also the mistress of the 'expect the unexpected'. There was a lot that surprised me in this duet, a lot that I didn't see coming but by a long shot in Thorns of Love, a lot that had me gaping at the pages as I read with my mouth wide-open. It's been a little over a month--almost two--since I've had the pleasure of reading a book that caught me so off-guard I barely got up before I was knocked flat back on my...well...you know, but this read did it! I LOVED Thorns of Love, the characters in it and the storyline crafted by a one-of-a-kind human with a talent that should be bottled.

Though at the moment it's only set to be a three book series, including the duet within the series, I'm secretly hoping and crossing my fingers for more Thorns of Omertà because as we all know, when one mobster is cut down--or steps into the shadows--there's another to take his/her place. Who knows, someone could grow up in this world and be thornier than ever. Nothing is impossible.

Rewards are born from the fruits of labour, and the rewards are aplenty here with this duet. I think we should all stand up after reading them and give Ms Winners a much deserved round of applause.

Five stars!
Profile Image for Jen ♥.
1,741 reviews961 followers
March 31, 2023
I really had high hopes for this second book, but it didn't deliver 😩 Now that the story is finished, I can honestly say this doesn't have to be a duet. The story plot overall can be put into one book, maybe it would be like 400-500 pages.

There were so many spicy scenes in this one. If some of them were removed to lessen the word count, then the first and this book can be combined into one. Frankly speaking I think around 50% of the book is smut and some of them were just repetitive and got boring along the way.

The plot twist isn't shocking, kinda predicted it while reading. There are some hints given at the start and from the first book.

I'm pissed that they never find the witch woman, maybe it'll happen it the succeeding book.

Anyway, I really liked Ms. Winners writing style and some of her works. If I want a mafia romance she's my go to author. Sadly to say this duet just didn't work out for me. But I'm still looking forward reading her future releases.

P.S. I'm conflicted about the next book (Enrico & Isla). I know that's age-gap but like how huge the gap will be? She's 23 and it was said that Enrico is older than her brother (41). Probably a bit concerning to me if the gap is 25+ 😬

Profile Image for Mandyloves2read.
1,763 reviews173 followers
March 26, 2023
It’s official this duet is my favorite from this author so far ! This duet was amazing! So good I cried I laughed I Swooned throughout this story it definitely had me up in all my feels I loved Konstantin he was just what are girl Tatiana needed it was always meant to be him I loved his devotion of love for Tatiana he never gave up on her his love was a force this couple is one of my favorites from this author and I’m so glad we got their story! I can’t wait for what’s next in this amazing new series!
Profile Image for Jessica.
382 reviews102 followers
March 28, 2023
"I played with the devil and the result was a fairytale."


I finished 2 whole books in record time.
THEY WERE SO GOOD!

Now, did I wish the Illias would have toned it down with the whole moya luna/Queen thing? Yes.
Would I have preferred he not spew poetic mush every few paragraphs? Yes.

BUT...all of that is forgotten when you get pages of steaminess and bloody action. And by bloody, I don't mean the British expression. I mean scenes coming straight out of those action movies my dad loves to watch. Fights, kidnapping, plot twists, blood thirsty messes, all the making of good ole mafia cinematic story.

Teasers - Thorns of Love - Tatiana

"His gaze burned hot. Obsessive. Possessive. Madness. Those were the three words I'd use to describe my husband. And all of it was aimed at me."


Teasers - Thorns of Love - Illias

Book 1: ✔️
Book 2: ✔️
Next book: NEED NOW!

The little parts that we got of Isla in the book made me think OH, I'm gonna like this little sister as well. She's hiding that feistiness. I can only image what her sassiness will bring to her story.

"An awkward heartbeat, then I burst into a fit of giggles. I laughed so hard that my eyes stung with tears. Illias had no f*cking idea who his sister was. I bet underneath that innocent face and shimmering emerald gaze, she was a downright freak."

“'When a body is chopped up into pieces, can you identify its DNA?' Isla broke the silence. She said it as if she were asking if aspirin was better than ibuprofen. All the Nikolaev eyes as well as my own shifted to my sister. I thought Alexei’s mouth might have parted in shock before he shut it. Probably mine too."

"Isla danced seductively, her eyes flickering to Enrico Marchetti. He was stoic but the way his eyes burned on Isla and the murderous looks he sent the other men in the room betrayed him."


Thank goodness Isla and Enrico's story is the next book. Is it July yet?!?!?!
Profile Image for Katelynn.
968 reviews30 followers
March 15, 2023
I stayed up way too late starting and finishing this book, which in my mind is one of the best compliments you can give to a book! Without giving away too many spoilers, Tatiana is trying to piece together fragmented memories of her past with her deceased husband Adrian and seems to run into more questions than answers. Konstantin may want forever, but she doesn't, despite new updates in their relationship. Meanwhile, like a good pakhan, he refuses to let her slip through his fingers a second time, but he also must get answers for the omerta group. There are many secrets entwined with danger, and one last really big surprise for our main characters if they want a chance at surviving together.

Konstantin was every bit as magnificent as the first book! Still swoony in his undying love for Tatiana and just as obsessed as ever. Tatiana for her part really shows her Nikolev blood, facing her questions head on and doing what's necessary to get them. She's definitely not okay with being a passenger in her future. The steam is so well done as always. It's pretty much given in Eva Winners books. But it was a joy to see Tatiana let Konstantin in past her high walls. I was definitely surprised by the twists this book took, though I did guess one. I think the thing I struggled with the most in this one, was the first chapter to book 3 in this series with a new couple and realizing it will be released in July! How am I supposed to wait with that ending for that long, and it's a pairing? I'm soooooo excited for little cliffhanger aside. I loved this book, am thrilled for this series and always think of Eva's books as some of my favorite mafia series!
Profile Image for Travelogged Blogs.
1,549 reviews128 followers
March 31, 2023
“I loved you from the moment I saw that sparkle in your eyes and became obsessed.”

I was so invested into this book from the very first page till the last. Tatiana & Illias finally were tied down together forever. There were some twists that were predictable and some which were not. Still, the book had me on the edge of my seat, eager to know what would happen next. Tatiana was impulsive and stubborn but it didn't make me love her any less. Illias was smitten and could go to any lengths to keep her safe. The love Illias had for Tatiana was pure and all consuming, it was nice to finally see Tatiana reciprocate it too. The epilogue was so adorable and contained a perfect HEA! The crumbs of the next book and some new characters give us a glimpse of what's to come next and I am definitely excited to read the books that Eva will be releasing henceforward!
Profile Image for Sundy Tr..
247 reviews10 followers
April 16, 2025
Part 2. It started off with too much smut and I got bored. It also continued that way. 🫤 They have chemistry, sure, but it wasn’t enough to keep my interest.
After a while the rhythm slowed down significantly and the plot felt dragging. We got the answers we wanted but it took way too long. And because of that, there were quite a few repetitions.
I liked both MCs but I expected different reactions from Tatiana in a couple of occasions. Ilias was cool and loving, but I would be happier if he, like the other MCs in the universe, had one single logical reason why he became obsessed with her. 🤷‍♀️

And I was quite annoyed that the MMC’s chapter didn’t have his first name.

-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Overall: 3.25/5 ⭐️ for me.
Profile Image for My_book_obsession25.
712 reviews38 followers
March 23, 2023
This is the second book in the Thorns of Omerta series, and definitely is getting better and better!!

Tatiana story continues in this book to ,and she is definitely having progress in unwrapping the fog in her mind.
The secrets little by little are unfolds, and the the truth are showing her that so far she was loving the devil himself.
Ilias Konstantin,that I still get to call him only Konstantin, because my brother name is Ilias to lol 😅is having no problem to be with her ,no matter what ,and how she always fight him in every possible way.
Some twist have be happened ,that I was not ready for them in the end ,but all was good of course because Tatiana definitely get her miracle in double quality.
In the story was mentioned so many new characters that I get definitely curious about,and can't wait to find more about them. And the snippet that Eva left me with for the next couple absolutely left me speshles,and can't freaking wait till 6th July!!!
Profile Image for FS Meurinne.
Author 2 books134 followers
March 24, 2023
This book is the second in the series and is just as thrilling as the first, with unexpected twists and excellent pacing. The story continues following Tatiana, who is trying to uncover the truth about her late husband Adrian, and Konstantin, who is obsessed with her and won't let her go. The flashbacks clarify the plot, and character development is well done. The book explores familial bonds and dynamics, and secondary storylines set up nicely for the next books in the series. However, the book contains triggering and graphic content, including violence and kidnapping. Despite this, the sizzling love story, friendships, family interactions, and diverse settings are captivating.
Profile Image for Ashley Carr, LSoR.
4,990 reviews62 followers
March 24, 2023
I’m so glad this author broke this up into a duet. Tatiana and Konstantin are not in for an easy ride. She is still trying to piece together, the events of her former husband’s death due to her amnesia. Konstantin has been waiting in the wings, knowing he was going to get the girl. Enemies are waiting just around the corner to put a spike in their plans. More secrets are revealed (I know- what now) and loyalties are tested. Konstantin will protect Tatiana with his dying breath, but will she go willingly?
Profile Image for BookKraves.
491 reviews100 followers
March 25, 2023
Phenomenal

This book is such a surprise. I thought book 1 was great, but I was not prepared for the Holla Stella badness of book 2. Whoever said falling in love is easy didn't know what they were talking about. Tatiana and Konstantin's situation is not only complex, but it's also downright complicated.
The twist and turns book 2 takes you on are unparalleled. The secrets, lies, betrayal, and revenge....
I highly recommend reading this duet.
Profile Image for ♡︎ Kesa Subban ♡︎.
886 reviews56 followers
March 22, 2023
卂᥅ᥴ 尺ꫀꪜﺃꫀ᭙
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - Konstantin
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - Tatiana
4 ℒℴ𝓋ℯ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐵𝑦 𝐸𝑣𝑎 𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠

Gosh, this book had so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Loved how everything came together, but something definitely was missing in this book. The h, where I loved her character in the first book, she honestly got on my nerves in this one.
19 reviews
November 18, 2023
Okay but...

This duet was decent, the story and characters were fine. Just please...please, please, please stop using the word "sardonic". It's on every other page. Plenty of other words to use.
Profile Image for Arantxa.
76 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2023
No hay mejor final para esta historia enamorada de los dos de principio a fin. Un libro que tiene todo lo posible
Profile Image for Yohana Tellez.
1,052 reviews102 followers
April 19, 2024
Que final 😍

Wow que libro, aquí pasan tantas cosas, empezamos con el acercamiento entre Illias y Tatiana los dos se complementan muy bien y tienen claro que además de toda la atracción que sienten también se empiezan a ver los sentimos, salen varios secretos a la luz, verdades bastante dolorosas y también regresan viejos fantasmas del pasado dándole un giro completo a la historia, es una montaña rusa de emociones, amor, dolor, traición, venganza, lealtad, además que se refuerza más la relación que tiene Tatiana con sus hermanos, conocemos un poco más sobre la vida de Isla la hermana de Illias que ella aunque se ve súper inocente esconde muchas cosas especialmente con el papi sexy de Marchetti tengo muchas ganas de leer su historia, igual que la del principe amargado, un libro muy bueno que resuelve todas las dudas y que te deja con ganas de seguir con la historia de los demás, también enamorada de los personajes especialmente de Illias porque el es un hombre fuerte frío y oscuro cuando lo necesita pero con Tatiana es tan cariñoso y amoroso, cierre perfecto para la historia de ellos dos 💗.

Brújula de libros.
Profile Image for -&#x1d42c;&#x1d41a;&#x1d426;&#x1d426;&#x1d422;.
112 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2025
I didn’t think I could go from 34% into the book to finishing the rest of it in one day but I’m so happy I did.

Illias and Tatiana have my heart. They’re so precious, and their love story was so heartwarming. He literally waited years for her, and backed off when he saw her happy with Adrian. I actually might sob.

Adrian was a son of a bitch the first chapter of the first book. Hated him immediately because he was straight up ignoring his wife when she was giving him information so they could get out of that car crash alive. Genuinely have never read about someone more stupid.

𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 ᥫ᭡

𝐢'𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞. 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭. 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞. 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞. 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧. 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭.

𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬. 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭. 𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲.

𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐢𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐚. 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.

'𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞.'
'𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬. 𝐢'𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐢'𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.'

'𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧.'
'𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐞𝐯 𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧. 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭.'

𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐧, 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.

Yeah, I’m going to sob now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for *CJ*.
5,096 reviews622 followers
December 11, 2025
“Thorns of Love” is the conclusion to Tatiana and Illias’s story.

Loved this story. We see the MCs relationship progress after marriage, and the heroine’s journey to falling in love and discovering truth about their shared past.

I adored everything about it. The hero has been obsessed with the heroine for almost a decade, worshipping the ground she walked on (even when she moved on oblivious)- and he remains devoted to her throughout the story. The heroine too falls madly in love with her man and we see more of her authentic self- a fiercely protective firecracker badass who is mated to the hero in every aspect- I hate doormat heroines and Tatiana was the opposite . The sex scenes are insanely hot, there is lots of angst and demons from past return- however it all ends in a sweet HEA and a heartwarming epilogue.

One of my favorites from now on, excellent book with great writing and engaging plot.

Safe for me
5/5
Profile Image for mary ♡.
221 reviews73 followers
November 25, 2025
the plot twists in this book were literally jaw dropping, I'm so in deep with Eva's universe it’s so addictive

me the last 30% :


Profile Image for Sai.
317 reviews8 followers
March 25, 2023
Eva winners te rezo mujer 🛐🛐
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