Ten years ago, Nisha Jackson survived her serial killer husband but lost something precious during her escape. Since then, she’s built a successful life for herself. She has a beautiful home, a grumpy cat, beloved friends, and a career that brings her joy.
There’s only one thing she wants to complete her life—Anton Vasiliev.
Infamous for his loyalty to the mafia family he serves, Ten, as he’s known in Houston’s criminal underworld, is big, battle-hardened, and alpha to the core. He’s the sort of man Nisha should shy away from, but he makes her ache with unfulfilled desire.
When her sadistic ex-husband escapes his prison transport, Nisha runs straight into Ten’s powerful, protective embrace. He vows to keep her safe—and in the process, she’ll discover what it means to be loved and worshipped as the curvy goddess she is.
As for her ex? Well, she’s not the scared shell of a woman she was when he tried to kill her. She’s reclaimed her power—and she has a score to settle.
When I’m not chasing after my wild preschooler, I like to write super sexy romances and scorching hot erotica. I live in Texas with a husband who could easily snag a job as an extra on History Channel’s new Viking series, a sweet but rowdy three-year-old with Tetralogy of Fallot, and Bosley, our Great Dane with major mommy issues.
I also have another dirty-book writing alter ego, Lolita Lopez, who writes deliciously steamy tales for Ellora’s Cave, Forever Yours/Grand Central, Mischief/Harper Collins UK, Siren Publishing and Cleis Press.
Whew!!!!! This was a veryyyyyyyyyyyyyy intense story but love always prevails!!!!
Before I start my review one of the things I really appreciated was the trigger warning before you even started to read the story and also the phone number and text number for women wanting to escape Domestic Violence.
Nisha Jackson is a hairstylist and part owner of Allure Hair Salon with Holly (Kostya: A Mafia Cleaner) and Savannah (She doesn't have a story of her own yet but I suspect it will be coming), is a survivor of not only deadly domestic violence but also groomed by a predator (it is the same person).
Fast forward to Anton "Ten" Vasiliev is the bodyguard to Vivian and her son Levi (Nikolai's wife and baby boy). After getting out of prison for protecting the Bratva, Nikolai hires him to protect his family. Secretly Ten has been in love with Nisha since first laying eyes on her 2 years prior when he accompanies Vivian to get her hair done and whenever he goes he can't help that his eyes follow her everywhere.
Nisha Jackson lives with her grumpy cat Wilford, has great friends, and lives a quiet life. She only dates men who are safe, she isn't interested in another relationship or sex, especially after the hell she has been through in her life. But there is something about Ten that makes her sneak glances at him when he comes to the salon and dare I say dream of what a real, safe, and secure love feels like.
But all of that is interrupted when her serial killer ex-husband who is on death row escapes prison and comes after her. Ten springs into action because he will not allow any harm to come to Nisha especially since he knows in his heart that she is the one for him.
Anyone who tries to come against the Family and those whom they love will not have any idea of the earth they will scorch as others try to come against their own.
Now please understand that this is a very heavy book, The scenes of violence had my mind reeling but again I do appreciate the trigger warnings that were stated at the beginning of the book. In Ivan 2 there were dark and heavy scenes as well, so be prepared.
Now with each book that author Roxie Rivera writes, there appears someone that you want to know more about and for me, that would be Ilya because I was like who is he and where did he come from LOL!!!
MyAnton aka Ten and heroine Nisha were a flawed couple (as all of Rivera's couples are) but as a RR fan, I rooted for them because they were a perfect couple together. I always enjoy how RR incorporates her past characters into the storyline but it's time for the seasoned characters ( Kostya and Arytom) to have their happily ever afters with their lady loves too! (hint-hint )
Great book...of course! Ms. Rivera wrote another banger! I can definitely appreciate the fact that this author writing include several different nationalities. I remember when Ten was introduced in Nikolai 2, knowing that he liked BBW's is what sold the story for me! I'm good that Nisha, not Ten, killed Kiki. It's always nice to see character from other novels and get a brief update on their lives.
This one was a bit brutal to read due to what happened to Nisha at the start and in flashbacks. I hated that she had to go through that! I'm glad that both she and Ten finally took that chance on each other. It should have been smooth sailing, but her ex has to show back up causing major chaos, leaving everyone running to make sure they were safe. It took most of the book and people were hurt bad, but by the end Nisha and Ten can now live in peace and be happy!
After years of waiting I was excited to read Ten's book and while it didn't disappoint, I wish there was more.
Ten and Nisha have been dancing around each other for years now. The timing is finally right for them to come together. Unforunately, her past threatens their budding relationship. Once they take care of her past once and for all, they'll be free to live there lives and maybe get their HEA.
The story had great bones. Nisha's crazy ex has escaped prison and is coming for her. Of course, Ten will never let anything happen to her. The passion between them is there and boy is it hot. Getting to understand what Nisha was like when she was young, what she went through, and who she is now was thorough and you can really see how and why she made the choices she did. Her back story and even Ten's gave you a good sense of the characters and how we've seen them in previous books. (Although, Nisha's ex and his perverted behavior and serial killer status isn't alluded to in the previous stories.)
What I didn't like is some of the more detailed parts of the story that were unexplained. Who was the sniper? There really isn't any more revealed about how Suzanne and Chelle were doing after their ordeal. How was Kostya's place infiltrated? Who hired mercenaries to grab Nisha so expertly from Kostya's safe house? Who are the financers of the films? How did Ten and the gang find Nisha? I had so many questions left unaswered. When I got to the last chapter, I was surprised it was ending so quickly. The story was so "unfinished" to me. It's possible that these issues may be cleared up in another story, but I was left feeling that many parts of the story were "left up in the air".
Overall, I was happy that Ten got his story. I missed hearing about the other couples, but I can see where they may not have been integral to this story (but given Ivan's connection to Ten, it would have been nice to see him and Erin included). I can't wait to see if Boychenko will get a story and if he will be as capable following in Kostya's shoes.
2.5 stars. This book had a lot of potential. However it opened a lot of questions and didn’t provide many answers. I have waited for Anton’s story since Nikolai’s book. I’m left feeling wanting after finishing this book. The author did an excellent job in addressing Nisha’s past and I like her character.
Similar to my challenges with Kostya’s story there was so much lead up on these male lead characters in prior books and it felt under delivered. I would have rather spent more time reading about Anton’s past and more relationship development with Nisha than more drama with her ex husband. I assume more will about this story will play out in Artyom & Chess’s story but honestly it’s just frustrating. The detail and development in Rivera’s earlier books in this series vs these outer circle characters feels very surface. I want just as much backstory in Anton’s story as we got with Nikolai, Ivan, Dmitri, etc. Where was the time devoted to Nickel Jackson? We got a few pages about Nisha’s uncle and the Jackson family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Absolutely loved Ten. I have been waiting for his story since Nikolai 2 was released. I am so happy Ten finally got his HEA. I love this series. Rivera does not disappoint, I always figured Ten would end up with Nisha after he first seen her. Pick a comfy chair or sofa or bed, your favorite beverage and curl up and read TEN! You will not be disappointed!! Happy Reading 📚
I missed reading about this protecting Russian alpha males. Ten and Mishas’s story was absolutely amazing, that you should read if haven’t read this whole series.
I've been waiting on Ten's book every since he was introduced in Bianca and Sergei's book. Glad he was paid with a strong yet vernable woman like Nisha.
I waited awhile to read a story about Anton Vasiliev, and Roxie did not disappoint. Ever since I read about Ten in one of her previous books, I knew his story would be a good one.
Nisha and Ten did that "will they, or won't they" dance and flirting with each other for a couple of years before the opportunity came where Anton had to protect Nisha from her psychopathic ex-husband. He was so cute in his wanting of Nisha. He thought that he was too rough for a wonderful woman like Nisha. There was no way she'd want an ex-con who iS also a Bratva made man like him. Nisha, on the other hand, had sworn off of bad guys since going through what she did with her ex Niki. But there was just something about Ten she could not explain to herself. With Vivian playing matchmaker and the mystery behind Niki and his criminal cohorts and their deadly drama, Ten and Nisha can finally work towards their HEA without the threat of Niki.
I enjoyed reading this story. It kept me engaged from beginning to end. I hope Roxie writes part 2 about this couple. They were so good together.
I feel like I went into this book a little too blind and didn’t realize it was part of an interconnected series which is something I’m very picky about. I don’t like being info dumped about side characters and the things that happened in their respective books, to me it really takes away from the main couple who I’m trying to connect with. But this also felt like I started this book thinking I missed out on a few chapters bc were sort of just plopped into this world and again info dumped on all these side characters. I normally don’t mind insta love/lust but with this is just really did nothing for me. And is it just me or is there really no description of what these characters looked like? We get a very basic description of Nisha but I feel like I never really got a grasp on what Anton looked like besides being really tall and having scars on his face 🤷🏻♀️
This was such a good story of survival and finding love and your champion. The fact that Ten and Nisha have been flirting with one another for two years means romance was definitely in the air. I loved the fact that Ten didn't hesitate when it came to telling Nisha that he wanted her and a family. This was story with some very dark and scary things that you cringe from what you know is true and can happen. The writer handles the subjects with so much class that you cheer when Nisha wins her battle and gets justice for all of those who lose themselves to this kinda of nightmare. I would have to have gotten an epilogue and a glance at some old friends.
What a horrible experience that Nisha had growing up, being used, groomed, and abused. No love or guidance from family and not being protected at all. She came out of this strong but still scared mentally. Meeting Anton (Ten) has awakened her physical libido and love blooming. So her ex-husband has escaped prison and leaving a trail of death behind and is coming for her, Ten is ensuring he is protected by him, but he can't keep her hidden, and Nisha is taken. The whole Bratva is looking to find Kiki to keep Nisha safe and to ensure he doesn't kill anymore. Nikolai and Vivian with their son Lev make a few appearance in Ten story, good to capture where they are and back story of ladies in the salon Allure.
I've been so disappointed in her recent books. They just seem like a cash grab at this point. Trying to input as many buzz words and drama to appease her audience. It isnt working. I've read every book, novella and listened to every audiobook, stayed up to date when she was on her hiatuses, anxiously awaited and preordered every new release, but it took me months after this book released to actually pick it up because of my disappointment with Danila. I dont know that I'll read the next one. No matter what, she's lost a loyal fan.
I dont care what your politics are but I dont want to read about the real world when I pick up a fiction.
I’ve pretty much loved all of the books in this series and this was no exception. I feel like there was a lot more action in this one and I thought the serial killer aspect was interesting and different from the other books .
I don’t know why people are giving it bad reviews based on the transgender part of the story, but it was mentioned a handful of times and was a critical part to the motivations of the protagonist. It had nothing to do with politics or such nonsense as some of the reviews have said.
I really like the book. It does seem like it moved kind of fast, but I like the fact that it wasn’t Ten who solved her problem. It was Nisha gaining her independence and taking the power that someone else took back from her. I would’ve gave the book 5 stars, but there was a lot of loose ends that I felt like could’ve been tied up and it might be tied up in another book, but it just felt like some understanding would have come out with more details. Overall, a good book!!!
I was so happy to read Ten and Nisha’s story. Nisha is a strong woman who has experienced terrible abuse and loss like so many of us. She hasn’t let it make her bitter. Ten also has his scares but he loves Nisha. They finally get together but then Nisha’s past comes back. Together with the help of the fabulous Kostya and Nickolai, justice is finally served and they are both free to live the lives they deserve. Thank you, Roxie for these amazing Russian men!
I 😍all of Roxie Rivera’s Russian mafia protector 📚especially Sergei & Bianca’s 🔥🥵IR romance, so naturally I had to buy myself Ten’s 📕 as a 🎄🎁🤗I’m so glad I did!!! Anton ,( Ten) & Nisha are perfectly matched& I 🙌🏽 for their hard fought HEA! Heed the ✍🏼TWs as Nisha’s ex is evil personified & some parts of the book were truly sad to read 🥲I do wish there was an epilogue , that would have been the Chef’s💋 Happy Reading🍷
Unfortunately I won’t be reading this author again. I enjoyed the first books in this series but she has gotten gradually more woke in her writing. This book was full on woke with its transgender nonsense. NO MAN CAN BECOME A WOMEN!! She destroyed a character that had been developed well in Ten by making him some total wussy and turning Nisha into some obese abused women. HORRIBLE book!
This was one of those stories you just couldn’t stop reading! These two have been through a lot, and each new revelation tells how hard their lives have been. Rather than be jaded though, they survived and healed. Getting to their HEA wasn’t easy, there was so much that kept popping up to thwart and derail them. They didn’t give up, they persevered, and they found their way to having a future together <3
This one had me crying my eyes out what poor Nisha went through and no one there to help her, I'm sure if Ten was able he would have killed that piece of garbage with brutality, all of them would have saved her. A sweet HEA curious who's going to be next, Gabe, Eric, or maybe Iylba who knows it's going to be great.
I love all of Roxie's books but Ten and Nisha are my favorite.. I was sucked in, I love how Nisha became the strong woman she is after all the horrible things that happened in her past. Ten had a different side you didn't see ..this book has a dark side and touches on domestic violence,among other stuff. Very well written
Ten is an ex con on parole who works as Vivian bodyguard. But he's love is in trouble when her serial killer ex husband escape custody. The chase is on in this latest book. It's been a while since I got back in this series but still an exciting 📚 read. Nice too catch up with some of the characters.
This story was fantastic. It would have been even better if there was more content. I felt this was a bit short. I wanted to know more about how they found out where Nisha was taken, but also who were the highly trained men that took her. Overall, a very good and interesting story.
My question is is this the last book in this series? I think authors loose readers when they take so long between books ,which is sad. I'm also happy with this book because she isn't "thin" and not much over 5 feet. I think beauty lies with the beholder and the "formula" that most writers use needs to change to what real people look like
I like Ten and Nisha. Good to see Eric gain; need Billie story I’m sure it will be interesting. Anyway, Nisha uncle should have done better especially for the kind of person he is. I also feel like Kiki got the easy way in the end, I didn’t like that at all, should have been more.
Ok....I loved the concept of the story.Even with the triggers. My mistake was reading this as a standalone. You could read it as one, but it's better to read the series. I loved the characters, Nisha and Anton (Ten). Especially that they were both TALL and thick! 🥰 I didn't always connect with the characters but I liked where it was going.