Predator's Bait

by Sophia Verity

“You’re perfect. I’ve always wanted a good girl.”

Konstantin Vicious found me at my most vulnerable.
Waiting for a savior to come in and solve my broken life filled with abuse and no escape from my cage.
Tino took me for a fool.
Because while I told him every one of my dirty little secrets, he kept his skeletons in the closet.
He gave me a fairytale week with no promises after that, precisely what I wanted…
But when he disappeared, he left me to pick up the pieces. And soon, I found out the truth.
He was not the man he said he was.
He was a predator, and I was his bait.

Reader, do you like it toxic? This book is full of spice, steam, and darkness. TW: cheating.

Predator’s Bait is the free prequel to the Vicious Bratva dark romance series. These books are not standalone.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Novella, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Abuse

77 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2023

About the author

Sophia Verity likes to torture people she’s met in real life through their book versions. She lives for toxic love and irresistible, broken characters who are drawn to one another like magnets.

Sophia lives in a picturesque, small town with her family. Sometimes her wanderlust takes her across the globe, but she always returns to a happy home. She believes toxic love should stay in books unless you’re in love with Nate from Euphoria, which is totally understandable because so is Sophia.

Who can resist a bad boy and a shocking gun scene? ;)

Reviews

[Abstract ♥ Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS



Star Rating : 4.5 / 5 Stars

Cliffhanger : Yes

Hero : Konstantine

Pace of the story : Moderate

Overall Opinion :
Konstantin is driving me crazy lmao. When I read the blurb for this book, my angst and dark romance loving heart leaped out and begged me to read this one 😂 even though this is a prequel novella , I just had to know what is going on and needed that angst and pain!!

Isabella always serves the best dark romance and her heroes are pretty much the darkest ones I have ever read. They have this edge to them which makes them sometimes unforgivable but so freaking alluring ❤️😂 and I am one of those who digs this lmao so she is my go to author for all time. I can never tire of reading her books!!

This book is very first glimpse of the amazing success this series is going to have. Even though it's a prequel novella, I am losing my mind here for the series!! Isabella give it to us fast 🤯🤯🥹🥹🥺🥺

Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!

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[Christina Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, Sexy, and Forbidden

Bella Rose runs away fromJax, her abusive boyfriend, and goes and sees her friend Amelia. She goes on a dating app, and meets Konstantin who she is very attracted to and he’s very dominant. She gives him all her secrets and he gives nothing but his name. Will Konstantin be the answer for Bella or will his secrets bring her down? Great characters and storyline highly recommended. Awesome Book. This is a short, dark, and spicy book. Read your trigger warnings.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predators Bait

This was a very interesting beginning to a new series! I cannot wait to see what is going to happen next!

(the only thing I didn't like, or I would have given it five stars, was I'd be reading a paragraph and the next paragraph would be an entire time jump from the first. It had no warning of a change, which was four weeks later at one point. I kept getting confused with it. Oh well, I still liked it enough to look past that.)

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (6/26/2023)! 🎁

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a prequel that a debut author has written in preparation for the first book to come out. It follows Bella and Konstantin which will lead into the full-length novel coming soon. As it’s only 106 pages there is only so much you can fit in. It has dark themes and content so please look into triggers. I do have themes and tropes listed below to give you a bit of an idea of what you are getting into.

For me, I was hooked from the first chapter. I enjoyed the storyline and where it was going. There were also some jaw-dropping moments in this as well. As it's a short novel I felt it was a bit fast-paced and I wanted the bits in between as it jumped around. I couldn’t wrap my head around Bella’s boyfriend who is toxic and overbearing but let her go off for four weeks. Then Bella went back for just a day to be turned around again which also I found difficult to understand. I just wanted to know what happened in the gaps in the story.

I’m very intrigued to see what the first full-length novel will bring to this series. Enjoyable read just wanted a bit more.

If you love:

🔹Debut Author
🔹Short Prequel
🔹Forbidden
🔹Toxic Relationship
🔹Fast Paced
🔹Dark Spice

Genre/Type: Dark Romance 18+
APK: Kindle Read
Pages: 106 Pages
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Prequel To Start Off The Vicious Bratva Series
Tropes or Themes: Mafia, DV, Cheating, Heavy Alcohol Use, Drug Use, Toxic Relationship, injury and blood.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Scribd | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Predator’s Bait is the debut book from author Sophia Verity.
This prequel novella from Bratva Vicious series gives us an introduction to the story of Bella Rose Hutchins and Konstantin ‘Tiny’ Vicious through the telling of their dual POVs.

It may have been a short, quick pace read, given that it was a novella.
And yet it still delivered enough of a narrative that lay down the foundation to what is the beginning of Bella and Konstantin’s story.
Predator's Bait had you gripped all throughout from the intense and high emotions, major conflict given the drama that occurred. All whilst building up the suspense surrounding Bella and Konstantin due to the building of their relation. Amongst all that was going on in their lives, presented through their inner monologue within their perspective chapters.

Honestly with the amount of depth and detail that Sophia Verity provided in the prequel Predator’s Bait, it was no surprise she had you hooked, line and sinker.
Ultimately craving so much more when it comes Bella and Konstantin’s, particularly with that cliffhanger ending.
The anticipation for the next book is all too real, with having me on the edge of my seat for its release date to come.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[RomanceReader1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

***𝓣𝓦: 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰

𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑎𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦. 𝐼𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒗𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔.

𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑩𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆.... 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑦𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡.....

𝑲𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑟..
𝐻𝑒'𝑠 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 (𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑑) 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠!! 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝐼 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡......

𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐽𝑎𝑥 𝑜𝑟 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑙. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑜𝑥𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑎? 𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙, 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟.... 𝑦𝑒𝑡.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely short, even for a prequel in my opinion. I would have liked some more details and to draw it out a bit more. But it was intriguing, it caught my interest, and has me curious for future books.

[Drasevia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read some f*cked up sh*t before and I loved it. Dark romance is usually my cup of tea. 😈 But this? This was just unnecessary and unjustified violent behavior by abusive manipulative narcissistic men. They weren't psychopaths, murderers or demons, no, nothing like that! Just incredibly arrogant assh*les and that’s my biggest problem with this book. 2/10.

[Stephanie Le · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 75%
It was only 77 pages which I thought I can finish but it honestly wasn’t worth it. Nothing made sense. I get it’s a prequel but I’ve read other prequels that were more captivating and at least made sense than this.

[audiobook_chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Prequel

A quick dark Mafia romance read I can’t wait for more of Tino and Bella Rose in book two .

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Predator’s Bait completely consumed me—dark, twisted, and deliciously messed up in all the best ways. Sophia Verity knows exactly how to sink her claws into you and refuse to let go. The story was intense, disturbing, and so addictive, I didn’t even realize how fast I was flying through the pages until I hit that ending… and then I screamed.

Because let’s talk about that disrespectful, soul-crushing cliffhanger. I was on the edge of my seat, fully invested, only to have the book yanked out from under me with NO next one in sight... The betrayal?? Personal. Sophia, I just want to talk...

If you love dark, unhinged stories that take you on a ride and then leave you absolutely wrecked, Predator’s Bait is a must-read. Just prepare yourself, because that ending will have you crashing out!!

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

Predator's Bait by Sophia Verity is a dark contemporary romance novella that weaves a compelling yet unsettling tale. It follows the story of a young woman, caught in a cycle of abuse and longing for escape, who meets Konstantin Vicious, a man who appears to be her savior but hides his true nature. What begins as a fairytale week quickly turns into a harrowing realization that she is not just his interest but his prey.

The protagonist’s journey is both captivating and chilling. Verity effectively portrays her vulnerability and the intoxicating thrill of her relationship with Tino, drawing readers into the depths of her emotional turmoil. As the story unfolds, the suspense builds, and the once enchanting romance morphs into a nightmare, revealing Tino’s true intentions. The gradual unraveling of their relationship keeps you on the edge of your seat, making you question what might come next.

One of the standout elements of Predator's Bait is how it explores the dynamics of power and control within relationships. The way Tino manipulates the FMC is both disturbing and insightful, creating a tense atmosphere that lingers throughout the novella. The quote, “That was his mission in life; to keep me caged, locked away from other people, and to ensure that no one ever interacted with me,” encapsulates the oppressive reality she faces, emphasizing the chilling stakes of her predicament.

While I appreciated the intriguing premise and Verity's skillful writing, there was a sense that something was missing from the overall execution. The characters’ motivations could have been explored in more depth, leaving me wanting to understand more about their backstories and the complexities of their relationship. The ending also felt somewhat abrupt, suggesting the need for a sequel to fully explore the consequences of their actions and the potential for redemption or further despair.

Despite my critiques, Sophia Verity's writing is polished and engaging, making it a seamless read. The prose flows effortlessly, capturing the emotional weight of the story without any flaws in the execution.

I would recommend Predator's Bait to readers aged 18 and up, particularly those who enjoy dark romances that challenge the norms of love and desire. I see potential in Verity's storytelling, and I would be open to reading more from her in the future.

This novella offers an intense dive into the darker sides of romance, but it may leave some readers feeling as though they need more to fully grasp the characters’ complexities. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

[Jeanne Jabour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Predator’s Bait by Sophia Verity is one dark, delicious, and extremely hot read! It is the Prequel to her new dark romance series: Vicious Bratva. Ms. Verity, an excellent writer, introduces autism as one of the subplots within this novel. She handles this subject with great care and consideration, creating an endearing supporting character who suffers from this illness, as well as a loving mother and her committed friend who fight tooth and nail to obtain the services this blessed child needs so desperately in her life. Having the privilege to know a few such amazing children in my lifetime, Ms. Verity’s portrayal of this character is true to their personalities, presented with great dignity and respect for these children and their families, but most of all is written by a person with a profound understanding of the love, devotion, and effort it takes to be a part of their lives. Although this character’s role in the story is minor, Ms. Verity’s presentation of this child touched me so deeply I felt compelled to comment.
As for the rest of the story, it is sizzling off the pages with the darkness of the two main men involved, both dark, gorgeous, and intense, and both obsessed with the same woman. The two men are nicely juxtaposed against one another, both have private sides they keep well hidden from the public, both determined to control this one woman and prevent her from leaving them or being with anyone else. The story is multi-layered and rich with details about the people and places the protagonists meet along the way and is filled with twists and the unexpected I did not see coming! Most exciting of all is the ending, which turns the tables on the reader to one of the best cliffhangers I have read in ages! Get this Prequel immediately!

[Davia Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything the author warned of...but awful

This book had me speechless. It had me hating the fact at how weak and pathetic Belka Rose was, constantly seeking abuse to make her whole. I thought her leaving her abusive boyfriend was her growing, but she took time to examine herself and why she allowed her boyfriend to degrade her. Next she is on a dating app seeking a thrill, that her boyfriend created in her. Sexual abuse and aggression. Like how desperate can one person be. Then when the dating didn't work, she returned to her boyfriend. The author then fast forward to the POV of the date, only to end with him pulling strings to get her away from her abuser, knowing he himself would abuse her sexually, making her dependent as that was her nature. The book then ends in a cliffhanger as Bella Rose wants the date or she will blackmail him. Clearly, the writing is to get you to continuously buy the follow up books which I won't. Too much of the book had unfulfilled back story. There was no explanation of how this or that came to be. Then there is the fact that a child is involved and you have the mother smoking around an autistic child? It made no sense and has raw as the author wanted this that should never happen. It spoiled the story for me. There was just so many cringe worthy moments. The lead female was weak and unassuming. No character at all. This was just awful.

[Sophia Verity]

♡ Now available as a free download! ♡

✔️ dark romance
✔️ mafia
✔️ age gap (10 years)
✔️ kinky & spicy
✔️ MF with cheating

***

Be ready at 2 pm. I’m finishing work early. I’ll pick you up.
Already? That’s so early!
You have a few hours. Impress me.
Rude! I don’t need to impress you. You need to impress me!
You’re already impressed. Now be a good girl and make sure you look pretty for me.
My bottom lip trembled. He was such an asshole. Why was I even entertaining this? He was another Jax waiting to happen.
You’d better be nicer to me, or I’m not coming.
Hahahaha
I mean it.
Sure, you do. 2 pm, where I dropped you off last time.
Where are we going?
Somewhere I can fuck you.

***

DOWNLOAD HERE: https://geni.us/PredatorsBait

[La'Jacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, definitely Vicious!!!!!

New author, excellent portrayal of toxic and dark interactions.

The characters are not only well written, but the author draws you into a world that is not 9nly toxic but clearly more than three dimensional. The characters are lovaand hatable at the same time while you, as the reader, are trying desperately to turn away from a toxic and dysfunctional beautiful wreckage.

I have to say that I am intrigued by the inclusion of autism...the sheer exhaustive nature of caretaking, absenteeism of a parent and the emotional toll of anyone involved is a perfect description of real7sm at it best...sheer excellence in the portrayal.

I am definitely ready for books 1 & 2. Ms. Veryity!!!!!!

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is the prequel to a new series. The novella begins with Bella being mentally and physically abused by her boyfriend Jax. She leaves her boyfriend and stays wit( a friend and 2 months later she is on a dating app looking for a date. This seemed way too strange and bizarre. I would think she might need some counseling. her abusive boyfriend, and goes and sees her friend Amelia. So Bella meets Konstantin who she is very attracted to and he’s very secretive. He wants to know everything about her but tells very little about himself. I’m very curious on what the series will reveal and explain. This ends on a cliffhanger. This book and I assume the series has trigger warnings please read them.

[Wendy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short Novella that promises to be followed by a great series. Bella has run from and abusive relationship. She agrees to a blind date with Tino, someone she met online. He proves to be protective and controlling at the same time. Then she discovers he has secrets of his own and she runs again. Little does she know Tino didn't find her by accident and he might just be worse than the man she already ran from.
This book lays out an intriguing storyline and promises to hold us in it's grip till the end. I can't wait for what comes next.

[Korina Hornbuckle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of this book is fast paced jumping right into the action. However please be sure you read those trigger warnings and do not take them lightly, this coming from someone who usually likes books with trigger warnings. This is not something a DA survivor with PTSD would want to jump into. I almost DNFed but was able to push through it. However once you get through it the book moves on to better things. This book is beautifully written with very few errors and very captivating, especially for a short read of 77pg. It's also full of spice.

[ChristinaB.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a yes and no for me. I loved the storyline and premise of it, it is deliciously dark and forbidden, but I was not much of a fan throughout this prequel until about chapter 4 when things started to pick up and make a little more sense. I felt it was a bit disjointed here and there in the first few chapters with some inconsistencies and not much depth into what was happening.
But that cliffhanger… might just turn my opinion around!

[Happyscribe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yep. Head hurts but also ready for this series to go dark! That’s what I love about the Bratva stories - they get visceral. After reading this I was OBSESSED with what happens next and what happened in the happy bits in the story and why the timelines jumped around. But I forgive everything if the next book fills in the holes!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susana Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Interesting prequel!

Predator's Bait is Sophia Verity's prequel to her first book that will be coming soon.
A very interesting piece that leaves the reader wanting so much more!
Short and to the point, in what we know so far, Predator's Bait promises criminal underworld, a great deal of emotion, triggers and a very dominant MMC. Let's see what the future reserves for Bella and Konstantin!

[Emeline · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a hilarious read. It was short. Too short. Even for a fast paced book. It also wasn't dark. At all. It's a cheater cheating. That's it. "good girl" is way overused and not even sexy in this book, it's just thrown in there as of to seem it has a use, which is laughable at best. *Cue the eye roll*
And the book name is not even true to the story. I had high hopes, and they were shattered in a laughable way. 😬🙃

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Konstantin and Bella had me glued to the pages. She escapes one bad relationship only to land in another. Konstantin sets Bella up to fall for him and when she finds out he is married and has a child, will she seek her revenge against him not knowing his rank in the Bratva.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A Del Sonno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi I read Predator's Bait
Book 1 of Vicious Bratva by
Sophia Verity
This book is full of spice, steam, and darkness. TW: cheating.
Predator’s Bait is the free prequel to the Vicious Bratva dark romance series.
Explicit
mafia
bratva
russian
possessive
dark romance
gothic.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While intriguing, this Mafia Romance lacks details to add depth to both the storyline and the main characters. It is a very short read, even though it is a prequel. I would read the next book n the series to see if Sophia has corrected these issues. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Terra Drynan-Werder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this one and it was short, but holy cow that cliffhanger might just turn things around for me. The writing was ok for me, but could have been improved with maybe a beta reader who would have noticed some inconsistencies in a couple of scenes. I will give the next book a shot as I love a good dark read.

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my jam

Abusive manipulative men and wishy washy scared abused females. Just seems like a repetitive rut that she has found herself in.
Maybe the next book will be ...."empowering"...
I'll never know.
A
Also not fan of the writing style. It didn't draw me in. Often choppy and incomplete.

[Caroline Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the start of Bella and Konstantin's story. Full of twists, secrets, passion and more. After fleeing from her abusive boyfriend she meets Konstantin on an app... Will she be a good girl?... Can't wait to see what happens next in their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.