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Ruthless Obsession #7
Sweet Severity
Had she crashed into any other man's car, she could have walked away—but she hit mine.
Upon seeing the bruises on her wrist, I struggled to contain my rage.
Despite her objections, I refused to allow her to leave.
Whoever hurt this innocent beauty would pay dearly.
As a Russian Mafia crime boss who owns Chicago's most elite gambling club, I have very creative and painful methods of exacting revenge.
She seems too young and naive to be out on her own in such a dangerous world.
Needing a nanny, I decided to claim her for the role.
She might resist my severe, domineering discipline, but I won't give her a choice in the matter.
She needs a protector, and I'd be damned if it were anyone but me.
Resisting the urge to claim her will test all my restraint.
It's a battle I'm bound to lose.
With each day, my obsession and jealousy intensify.
It's only a matter of time before my control snaps...and I make her mine.
Mine.
Sweet Severity continues the steamy, enemies to lovers' drama featuring the domineering Russian Mafia men of Zoe's Ruthless Obsession series. Scroll up and one click now.
Publisher's Note: This is the seventh novel, and part of a new trilogy, in Zoe Blake's Ruthless Obsession series.
Upon seeing the bruises on her wrist, I struggled to contain my rage.
Despite her objections, I refused to allow her to leave.
Whoever hurt this innocent beauty would pay dearly.
As a Russian Mafia crime boss who owns Chicago's most elite gambling club, I have very creative and painful methods of exacting revenge.
She seems too young and naive to be out on her own in such a dangerous world.
Needing a nanny, I decided to claim her for the role.
She might resist my severe, domineering discipline, but I won't give her a choice in the matter.
She needs a protector, and I'd be damned if it were anyone but me.
Resisting the urge to claim her will test all my restraint.
It's a battle I'm bound to lose.
With each day, my obsession and jealousy intensify.
It's only a matter of time before my control snaps...and I make her mine.
Mine.
Sweet Severity continues the steamy, enemies to lovers' drama featuring the domineering Russian Mafia men of Zoe's Ruthless Obsession series. Scroll up and one click now.
Publisher's Note: This is the seventh novel, and part of a new trilogy, in Zoe Blake's Ruthless Obsession series.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2024
806 people are currently reading
1189 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Blake
88 books3,121 followersZoe Blake is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the romantic suspense saga The Cavalieri Billionaire Legacy inspired by her own heritage as well as her obsession with jewelry, travel, and the salacious gossip of history’s most infamous families.
She delights in writing Dark Romance books filled with overly possessive billionaires, taboo scenes, and unexpected twists. She usually spends her ill-gotten gains on martinis, vacations, and red lipstick.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zoeblakebooks/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zoeblakebooks/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeblakebooks
She delights in writing Dark Romance books filled with overly possessive billionaires, taboo scenes, and unexpected twists. She usually spends her ill-gotten gains on martinis, vacations, and red lipstick.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zoeblakebooks/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zoeblakebooks/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeblakebooks
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February 27, 2024
A patch of ice caused Phoebe Brauer to lose control of her brother’s car. Seeing the car slide straight toward Lake Michigan, Macarius Miloslavsky makes a split second decision that changes the trajectory of their lives.
“𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨.”
Mac is *chef’s kiss* perfection! He’s growly and dominant, a caretaker and a bulldozer. I love when MMC’s are truly attuned with their women and know what they need before they do. Mac sees BeBe, all of her and helps her to see that it’s okay to trust.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶🩶🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩😬🥵🫣😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark(ish)
✨ Tropes: Age Gap (?), Blackmail, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, Kidnap/Captive, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Bulldozer, Pet Name, Tattooed MMC, Virgin FMC
💋 Kinks: 🍑, 🐓 Pacifier, Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Spanking, Toys
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: Domestic Abușė (Not by MMC, Off-Page, Past), DubCon, Unalìvíng, Vìolençė, and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Sweet Severity is part of the Ruthless Obsession series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
“𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨.”
Mac is *chef’s kiss* perfection! He’s growly and dominant, a caretaker and a bulldozer. I love when MMC’s are truly attuned with their women and know what they need before they do. Mac sees BeBe, all of her and helps her to see that it’s okay to trust.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶🩶🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩😬🥵🫣😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark(ish)
✨ Tropes: Age Gap (?), Blackmail, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, Kidnap/Captive, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Bulldozer, Pet Name, Tattooed MMC, Virgin FMC
💋 Kinks: 🍑, 🐓 Pacifier, Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Spanking, Toys
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: Domestic Abușė (Not by MMC, Off-Page, Past), DubCon, Unalìvíng, Vìolençė, and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Sweet Severity is part of the Ruthless Obsession series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
February 18, 2024
When you crash your car into a handsome giant & he grabs you out of your car saying “finders keepers” 🥵 WISH I COULD RELATE!!
Our girl Phoebe is already down bad when she crashes her car into the scary mafia dude Macarius. It goes from bad to worse when she accidentally uncovers guns in the front seat…double oppsie!! AND THIS MAN!!! This mafia daddy then decides to create blackmail by filming her going downtown 🍆 and thus begins the filthy corruption of Miss Bebe. This scene lives rent free in my mind! One for all dark non/dub con readers out there. Prepare to be scandalized!!
“She looked so adorable as she pleaded for her life.”
Mac (walking red flag but we love him)
🚩fiercely protective
🚩 tattooed giant
🚩 single dad to a baby nephew (yall are NOT ready for this!!)
🚩 daddy tendencies
🚩 ass man 🍑 (ohh my god!!)
Bebe
🦢 bird in captivity
🦢 the sweetest girl but highly distrustful
🦢 too sheltered for her own good
This was a real ghost pepper spice for me 🌶️ and I mean that in the best way possible! Besides the obviously super smutty scenes the relationship dynamic added to the dirty talk. Mac with his mafia daddy vibes slowly corrupting Bebe with filthy praise. The praise!! The way it had me salivating 😮💨
“Yes, I was going to enjoy corrupting her. Her inexperience made even the tamest of dirty talk seem filthy as fuck, and I was here for it.”
“What can I say, baby? That’s the problem with waiting on boys. You risk crossing paths with a man.”
“A younger man would not understand my baby doll’s need to feel sheltered and kept while still left unrestrained.”
I don’t know what it is about Zoe’s writing but she walks that tight rope of non con & dark romance like an Olympic gymnast. Mac’s fierce protectiveness and Bebe’s desire to submit were an elixir to my very soul. Please never stop writing these!!
age gap!!
virgin fmc
spanking
lots and lots of 🍑
praise kink!!
non con encounters
🍆 warming
who hurt you?
found family
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Our girl Phoebe is already down bad when she crashes her car into the scary mafia dude Macarius. It goes from bad to worse when she accidentally uncovers guns in the front seat…double oppsie!! AND THIS MAN!!! This mafia daddy then decides to create blackmail by filming her going downtown 🍆 and thus begins the filthy corruption of Miss Bebe. This scene lives rent free in my mind! One for all dark non/dub con readers out there. Prepare to be scandalized!!
“She looked so adorable as she pleaded for her life.”
Mac (walking red flag but we love him)
🚩fiercely protective
🚩 tattooed giant
🚩 single dad to a baby nephew (yall are NOT ready for this!!)
🚩 daddy tendencies
🚩 ass man 🍑 (ohh my god!!)
Bebe
🦢 bird in captivity
🦢 the sweetest girl but highly distrustful
🦢 too sheltered for her own good
This was a real ghost pepper spice for me 🌶️ and I mean that in the best way possible! Besides the obviously super smutty scenes the relationship dynamic added to the dirty talk. Mac with his mafia daddy vibes slowly corrupting Bebe with filthy praise. The praise!! The way it had me salivating 😮💨
“Yes, I was going to enjoy corrupting her. Her inexperience made even the tamest of dirty talk seem filthy as fuck, and I was here for it.”
“What can I say, baby? That’s the problem with waiting on boys. You risk crossing paths with a man.”
“A younger man would not understand my baby doll’s need to feel sheltered and kept while still left unrestrained.”
I don’t know what it is about Zoe’s writing but she walks that tight rope of non con & dark romance like an Olympic gymnast. Mac’s fierce protectiveness and Bebe’s desire to submit were an elixir to my very soul. Please never stop writing these!!
age gap!!
virgin fmc
spanking
lots and lots of 🍑
praise kink!!
non con encounters
🍆 warming
who hurt you?
found family
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 5, 2024
2.5 ⭐
I don't know, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. I had fun reading the book prior, but this one not so much.
Mac was way too controlling and domineering, not in a hot or sexy way. I feel like Phoebe's life and everything that she's going to do in the future would have to be approved by him first. And she won't be able to do or try things that she wants if he doesn't give his go signal.
She had escaped an abusive and controlling brother, only to end up with someone who would control her just the same. Granted, Mac's control apparently seems to come from a place where he needs to protect her, but somehow, the way he does it never feels any different from Phoebe's brother. I would say he's not that abusive, but he still manhandles her a lot. I feel so uneasy about the way he always dragged her by her hair. In my head, I see this as a physical assault, and sometimes the scenario makes it look that way (it doesn't always happen during sexy times).
And Phoebe/Bebe doesn't have any personality. Aside from being homeschooled and abused by her brother, she was clueless about life. Maybe it's because she was locked up for a very long time. 🤷♀️ I don't know what to expect from her character, honestly. I was curious, though, like, would she be strong and hold her ground? Or would she have a great character arc or something? Or would she become weak and helpless for the rest of her life? She said she likes being taken care of and being loved, so I guess Mac's way of dealing with her is just what she really craves. 🤷♀️
As for the romance, this was insta-lust, and I think the timeline was like two weeks. How they fell in love, I'll never understand. I mean, they gave their own reasons why, but I was still confused if I ever truly saw and felt those reasons. Also, I didn't feel an emotional connection between them. Lust, though? Very much through the roof. I tried to see from their perspective why, within a few short days, they felt like they'd found their perfect match, and I came up with nothing. I still don't get it, even after finishing the story. 😅
Anyhoo, while I didn't fully enjoy this, I still think other readers will find this more up their alley.
Book info:
- Age gap (22,40s)
- Abuse (Physical)
- No cheating, opd, breakup
- Virgin h, No info on H (but got the hoe vibes)
- Spanking
- Noncon / Dubcon
- Captive-ish romance
- Single guardian - Nanny
- Violence
- HFN (in a relationship?? it's not clear if they're engaged, Mac just stated they're gonna get married) 🤷♀️
I don't know, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. I had fun reading the book prior, but this one not so much.
Mac was way too controlling and domineering, not in a hot or sexy way. I feel like Phoebe's life and everything that she's going to do in the future would have to be approved by him first. And she won't be able to do or try things that she wants if he doesn't give his go signal.
She had escaped an abusive and controlling brother, only to end up with someone who would control her just the same. Granted, Mac's control apparently seems to come from a place where he needs to protect her, but somehow, the way he does it never feels any different from Phoebe's brother. I would say he's not that abusive, but he still manhandles her a lot. I feel so uneasy about the way he always dragged her by her hair. In my head, I see this as a physical assault, and sometimes the scenario makes it look that way (it doesn't always happen during sexy times).
And Phoebe/Bebe doesn't have any personality. Aside from being homeschooled and abused by her brother, she was clueless about life. Maybe it's because she was locked up for a very long time. 🤷♀️ I don't know what to expect from her character, honestly. I was curious, though, like, would she be strong and hold her ground? Or would she have a great character arc or something? Or would she become weak and helpless for the rest of her life? She said she likes being taken care of and being loved, so I guess Mac's way of dealing with her is just what she really craves. 🤷♀️
As for the romance, this was insta-lust, and I think the timeline was like two weeks. How they fell in love, I'll never understand. I mean, they gave their own reasons why, but I was still confused if I ever truly saw and felt those reasons. Also, I didn't feel an emotional connection between them. Lust, though? Very much through the roof. I tried to see from their perspective why, within a few short days, they felt like they'd found their perfect match, and I came up with nothing. I still don't get it, even after finishing the story. 😅
Anyhoo, while I didn't fully enjoy this, I still think other readers will find this more up their alley.
Book info:
- Age gap (22,40s)
- Abuse (Physical)
- No cheating, opd, breakup
- Virgin h, No info on H (but got the hoe vibes)
- Spanking
- Noncon / Dubcon
- Captive-ish romance
- Single guardian - Nanny
- Violence
- HFN (in a relationship?? it's not clear if they're engaged, Mac just stated they're gonna get married) 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2024
✨4
🌶️3
📖~394 pages
📚Interconnected series with different main couples
🎬Dark cotemporary romance
❓Would I Recommend? Yes
✏️Review:
EASILY MY FAVORITE OF THE SERIES!
Sweet Severity by Zoe Blake is a dark contemporary BDSM romance and Book 7 of the Ruthless Obsession series, where domineering Russian mafia men fall for their unprepared women left and right, one after the other.
This book features FMC Phoebe ‘Bebe’, a sheltered young woman living under the thumb of her older brother after their parents’ deaths, a brother who is cruel, abusive, and in control of her inheritance. The MMC is Macarius ‘Mac’, a Russian mafia man with a new purpose in life: protecting this innocent woman – and making her his.
What to expect/Tropes:
🧩 Cinderella-style sheltered FMC x Russian mafia crime boss MMC
🧩 ‘Single dad’ MMC (MMC is guardian to his grandnephew) x nanny FMC
🧩 Tattooed MMC
🧩 Meet-crash
🧩 Age gap (FMC is 22, not sure if MMC age is ever written, but definitely older)
🧩 Dual FMC and MMC POV
🧩 Push/pull dynamics (MMC is all in first)
The story starts with Phoebe spinning out on the ice and crashing her car into Mac’s car, totaling both their vehicles. It’s nearly 100k worth of damage, particularly to Mac’s car, and when Phoebe can’t front the money, Mac sets into motion a different way of having her pay him back. Different ways, beginning right then and there. But the temporary proposal is set in stone when Mac discovers the living conditions Phoebe suffers under her brother. So, he claims Phoebe to fill the nanny role for his grandnephew and sets on also convincing her that he’s her lifelong protector.
I must give a shoutout to GR friend Isabella. R because I read their review on this one and they were TOTALLY spot on with this sentiment, quoting their review, “Would it be safe to say that Sweet Severity is the gentlest edition to this series? … there was patience and sweetness around this Russian courtship.” (Read their full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
I couldn’t agree more! This one felt more toned down than the others, in a really, really good way. It kept up the dominant MMC and kinky spice readers of this series love, but it also complemented it with some actual romantic and emotional development. Mac was pretty patient compared to the other MMCs of this series, softer almost? But not soft at all. Just soft with the FMC. I guess what I’m trying to say is that while this book followed the basic mold their series has set up thus far, it also introduced some dynastism back to the series. And because some of the OTT things were toned down, almost everything in the book felt better. I don’t think the spice suffered at all, it had some of my favorite spicy scenes of the series.
Spice:
🔥BDSM
🔥Dubcon
🔥Spanking
🔥Virgin FMC
🔥Toy use
🔥🍑 stuff
🔥Aftercare, 🍆 warming
In terms of safety, I wouldn’t say I can call out anything related to romance in terms of OW. There’s a vague sense that Mac was noncommittal about women before, but Phoebe became his the minute he set eyes on her. And Pheobe is a virgin up until Mac, so no OM drama either.
Safety:
🚩 Technically Mac has Phoebe kidnapped in his penthouse most of the book
🚩 Past violence against the FMC, general story violence (not against either MC)
🚩 No OM/OW drama
To end this review, let me talk about some of the quibbles I had with Sweet Severity. There was one main factor that kept me from rating this higher and rounding this up to 5 stars. I think this is the closest book in the series to 5 stars for me, for sure. There was also one super tiny complaint I had.
Quibbles:
⛔️ Phoebe’s pushback against Mac lasted so long, that the switch to falling in love felt too sudden
I think this book may have been the longest of the series, and it didn’t need to be this long, especially because it feels like the only reason it lasted this long was because Phoebe kept pushing away with “No don’t!” waaaaaaaay too long. After a while if you just have push with no pull or relenting, it gets dry. I understand that this element mostly goes hand and hand with dubcon, but when it continues over the course of the story and the end is in sight and the FMC still seems as against it as she was at the start, when I turn the page and see a sudden “Wait am I in love with him?” revelation it doesn’t really inspire confidence for me. The continued defiance just simply stretched too long for me in this one. I think if the FMC’s narrative was tweaked a little, and also had her less naïve and gullible (at times TSTL) related to the brother, this book would’ve been 4.5 stars and I would’ve rounded to 5.
⛔️ WHY DIDN’T MAC EVER TELL PHOEBE HE DELIBERATELY PUT HIS CAR IN HER PATH AND SHE DIDN’T ‘CRASH’ INTO HIM
This is such a tiny complaint, but WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY this girl really thought the entire time she truly would’ve owed him 100k and it was her fault. Legend says she still thinks it to this day.
🔮
Symbol Key
✨= star level, 🌶️= spice level, 📖= total pages (usually on my iPhone screen), 📚= series or standalone, 🎬= genre, 🧩= tropes/elements, 🚩= potential safety/triggers, 🔥= spice/kink elements, ⛔️= quibbles/complaints, 🔮= ending
🌶️3
📖~394 pages
📚Interconnected series with different main couples
🎬Dark cotemporary romance
❓Would I Recommend? Yes
✏️Review:
EASILY MY FAVORITE OF THE SERIES!
Sweet Severity by Zoe Blake is a dark contemporary BDSM romance and Book 7 of the Ruthless Obsession series, where domineering Russian mafia men fall for their unprepared women left and right, one after the other.
This book features FMC Phoebe ‘Bebe’, a sheltered young woman living under the thumb of her older brother after their parents’ deaths, a brother who is cruel, abusive, and in control of her inheritance. The MMC is Macarius ‘Mac’, a Russian mafia man with a new purpose in life: protecting this innocent woman – and making her his.
What to expect/Tropes:
🧩 Cinderella-style sheltered FMC x Russian mafia crime boss MMC
🧩 ‘Single dad’ MMC (MMC is guardian to his grandnephew) x nanny FMC
🧩 Tattooed MMC
🧩 Meet-crash
🧩 Age gap (FMC is 22, not sure if MMC age is ever written, but definitely older)
🧩 Dual FMC and MMC POV
🧩 Push/pull dynamics (MMC is all in first)
The story starts with Phoebe spinning out on the ice and crashing her car into Mac’s car, totaling both their vehicles. It’s nearly 100k worth of damage, particularly to Mac’s car, and when Phoebe can’t front the money, Mac sets into motion a different way of having her pay him back. Different ways, beginning right then and there. But the temporary proposal is set in stone when Mac discovers the living conditions Phoebe suffers under her brother. So, he claims Phoebe to fill the nanny role for his grandnephew and sets on also convincing her that he’s her lifelong protector.
I must give a shoutout to GR friend Isabella. R because I read their review on this one and they were TOTALLY spot on with this sentiment, quoting their review, “Would it be safe to say that Sweet Severity is the gentlest edition to this series? … there was patience and sweetness around this Russian courtship.” (Read their full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
I couldn’t agree more! This one felt more toned down than the others, in a really, really good way. It kept up the dominant MMC and kinky spice readers of this series love, but it also complemented it with some actual romantic and emotional development. Mac was pretty patient compared to the other MMCs of this series, softer almost? But not soft at all. Just soft with the FMC. I guess what I’m trying to say is that while this book followed the basic mold their series has set up thus far, it also introduced some dynastism back to the series. And because some of the OTT things were toned down, almost everything in the book felt better. I don’t think the spice suffered at all, it had some of my favorite spicy scenes of the series.
Spice:
🔥BDSM
🔥Dubcon
🔥Spanking
🔥Virgin FMC
🔥Toy use
🔥🍑 stuff
🔥Aftercare, 🍆 warming
In terms of safety, I wouldn’t say I can call out anything related to romance in terms of OW. There’s a vague sense that Mac was noncommittal about women before, but Phoebe became his the minute he set eyes on her. And Pheobe is a virgin up until Mac, so no OM drama either.
Safety:
🚩 Technically Mac has Phoebe kidnapped in his penthouse most of the book
🚩 Past violence against the FMC, general story violence (not against either MC)
🚩 No OM/OW drama
To end this review, let me talk about some of the quibbles I had with Sweet Severity. There was one main factor that kept me from rating this higher and rounding this up to 5 stars. I think this is the closest book in the series to 5 stars for me, for sure. There was also one super tiny complaint I had.
Quibbles:
⛔️ Phoebe’s pushback against Mac lasted so long, that the switch to falling in love felt too sudden
I think this book may have been the longest of the series, and it didn’t need to be this long, especially because it feels like the only reason it lasted this long was because Phoebe kept pushing away with “No don’t!” waaaaaaaay too long. After a while if you just have push with no pull or relenting, it gets dry. I understand that this element mostly goes hand and hand with dubcon, but when it continues over the course of the story and the end is in sight and the FMC still seems as against it as she was at the start, when I turn the page and see a sudden “Wait am I in love with him?” revelation it doesn’t really inspire confidence for me. The continued defiance just simply stretched too long for me in this one. I think if the FMC’s narrative was tweaked a little, and also had her less naïve and gullible (at times TSTL) related to the brother, this book would’ve been 4.5 stars and I would’ve rounded to 5.
⛔️ WHY DIDN’T MAC EVER TELL PHOEBE HE DELIBERATELY PUT HIS CAR IN HER PATH AND SHE DIDN’T ‘CRASH’ INTO HIM
This is such a tiny complaint, but WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY this girl really thought the entire time she truly would’ve owed him 100k and it was her fault. Legend says she still thinks it to this day.
🔮
Symbol Key
✨= star level, 🌶️= spice level, 📖= total pages (usually on my iPhone screen), 📚= series or standalone, 🎬= genre, 🧩= tropes/elements, 🚩= potential safety/triggers, 🔥= spice/kink elements, ⛔️= quibbles/complaints, 🔮= ending
February 29, 2024
Ahhhh, I love reading Zoe's books, and I ate this up!!
We met Macarius in the last book, and we know he now had custody of his nephew child. And before all that, he meets Phoebe when she hits ice and hits his car. She's already freaking out about the car since it's her brothers car, and he's a jerk huge. He already smitten and sorta blackmail her into taking a "nanny" job and stay with him because he's seen the burise on her arms and already doesn't like her brother. From there on out it's a push/pull away from Phoebe since she always felt no one wants her no one should care about her which broke my heart and pushed Mac away and told him treat her like a employee not a whore. There are some nanny scenes that I love she wasn't always being a nanny, lol.
But also, THE spice that we got, hehe, I do love when Zoe does her punishments. They are super 💦💦💦
As for Mac, my man was dealing with his own feelings and his job with the guys, which I love getting the bromance is on point with these guys. Same for the past woman. I wish we had more time with the woman. Then the drama with her family. 🙄 men, they can't just tell the girl their feelings lol and expect them to know, lol.
We also got a hint on the next couple! And I'm so wondering about the girl.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, secondary character, Drama, sexy times, virgin gal and no manwhore
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
Age gap
22h/40sH
Push away from h
Mentions of abuse
Violence
Spankings
Tiny Humiliation
Praise kink
Anal play
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
We met Macarius in the last book, and we know he now had custody of his nephew child. And before all that, he meets Phoebe when she hits ice and hits his car. She's already freaking out about the car since it's her brothers car, and he's a jerk huge. He already smitten and sorta blackmail her into taking a "nanny" job and stay with him because he's seen the burise on her arms and already doesn't like her brother. From there on out it's a push/pull away from Phoebe since she always felt no one wants her no one should care about her which broke my heart and pushed Mac away and told him treat her like a employee not a whore. There are some nanny scenes that I love she wasn't always being a nanny, lol.
But also, THE spice that we got, hehe, I do love when Zoe does her punishments. They are super 💦💦💦
As for Mac, my man was dealing with his own feelings and his job with the guys, which I love getting the bromance is on point with these guys. Same for the past woman. I wish we had more time with the woman. Then the drama with her family. 🙄 men, they can't just tell the girl their feelings lol and expect them to know, lol.
We also got a hint on the next couple! And I'm so wondering about the girl.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, secondary character, Drama, sexy times, virgin gal and no manwhore
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
Age gap
22h/40sH
Push away from h
Mentions of abuse
Violence
Spankings
Tiny Humiliation
Praise kink
Anal play
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
April 26, 2025
While I did enjoy this story, I also feel like it wasn’t much different from the other six preceding books.
March 4, 2024
4 - 4.25 stars!
Sweet Severity is the seventh book in the Ruthless Obsession series and features Macarius (Mac) and Phoebe (Bebe). Mac's life has changed drastically since taking custody of his nephew while also being part of the Russian mafia. Phoebe lives a sad life at the hands of her horrible brother but her life gets turned upside down when she wrecks her car into Mac's $100,000 dollar car. As soon as Mac sees his Bebe, her fate is sealed. Obviously.
Phoebe has a lot of emotional baggage and wants to firmly place Mac in the friend zone but in true Zoe Blake fashion, her alpha males won't take no for an answer and he sets out to prove to her how good they will be.
Sweet Severity was softer than the other books in this series in terms of Mac bulldozing his way into Bebe's life but their love and affection was written with so much care. I hurt for Bebe and what she has experienced and I loved Mac for being her safe space and her rock. Bebe's back and forth bugged me a little but I also understood why she was the way she was. Zoe never fails in making drool worthy alpha males and vulnerable yet tenacious heroines.
Sexy, kinky and smutty I loved this. The plot was entertaining and their HEA was well deserved.
Sweet Severity is the seventh book in the Ruthless Obsession series and features Macarius (Mac) and Phoebe (Bebe). Mac's life has changed drastically since taking custody of his nephew while also being part of the Russian mafia. Phoebe lives a sad life at the hands of her horrible brother but her life gets turned upside down when she wrecks her car into Mac's $100,000 dollar car. As soon as Mac sees his Bebe, her fate is sealed. Obviously.
"Never ignore fate. There was a specific set of random acts that brought this precious little doll into my life for a reason. She was mine now. Pure and simple."
Phoebe has a lot of emotional baggage and wants to firmly place Mac in the friend zone but in true Zoe Blake fashion, her alpha males won't take no for an answer and he sets out to prove to her how good they will be.
“Why are you being so nice to me? You’re just a stranger. There has to be a reason. You have to want something.”
His emerald gaze crystallized as the corner of his mouth lifted. “I do. You.”
Sweet Severity was softer than the other books in this series in terms of Mac bulldozing his way into Bebe's life but their love and affection was written with so much care. I hurt for Bebe and what she has experienced and I loved Mac for being her safe space and her rock. Bebe's back and forth bugged me a little but I also understood why she was the way she was. Zoe never fails in making drool worthy alpha males and vulnerable yet tenacious heroines.
“I’m asking because I have become obsessed with the idea of being the only man to have ever touched and kissed your skin. I’m asking because the possibility of there being another man walking this earth who has laid eyes on the pussy I now consider mine fills me with such unholy rage I would cross continents just to have the pleasure of ripping his jugular out with my bare hands.”
Sexy, kinky and smutty I loved this. The plot was entertaining and their HEA was well deserved.
February 19, 2024
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: captive
Angst: 😱😱1/2
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
"𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦."
Sweet Severity is EVERYTHING I love about Zoe Blake's books and definitely going in my best of 2024 pile! I'm not even a huge fan of the damsel in distress/broken heroine trope, but Phoebe totally won me over. Phoebe was trapped and ran roughshod by her family when she literally runs into Mac with her brother's car. Mac is a protector by nature and can immediately tell she is not being cared for properly. Girlfriend literally stood no chance against him once he decides to "keep her" for himself and his young nephew he's raising.
"𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 ... 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘙𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘢𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴." 🤣🤣
I absolutely loved the story. Sweet Severity manages to be both super sweet and spicy hot while having ton of laugh out loud moments. If completely over the top heroes are your perfect escape, you definitely are going to want to check out this latest Ruthless Obsession installment. You won't be disappointed!
Trope: captive
Angst: 😱😱1/2
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
"𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦."
Sweet Severity is EVERYTHING I love about Zoe Blake's books and definitely going in my best of 2024 pile! I'm not even a huge fan of the damsel in distress/broken heroine trope, but Phoebe totally won me over. Phoebe was trapped and ran roughshod by her family when she literally runs into Mac with her brother's car. Mac is a protector by nature and can immediately tell she is not being cared for properly. Girlfriend literally stood no chance against him once he decides to "keep her" for himself and his young nephew he's raising.
"𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 ... 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘙𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘢𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴." 🤣🤣
I absolutely loved the story. Sweet Severity manages to be both super sweet and spicy hot while having ton of laugh out loud moments. If completely over the top heroes are your perfect escape, you definitely are going to want to check out this latest Ruthless Obsession installment. You won't be disappointed!
October 26, 2024
4.5 Bebe Stars
Phoebe and Mac's story... was very enjoyable. I somewhat missed reading about those mean, Russian dudes... A little dose of Cinderella and it was perfect!
Phoebe and Mac's story... was very enjoyable. I somewhat missed reading about those mean, Russian dudes... A little dose of Cinderella and it was perfect!
February 18, 2024
A R C review
Love the damsel in distress books! she's living with an abusive brother who stole her inheritance when her parents died and is sleeping next to a washer and dryer combo because she doesn't deserve a room of her own in her brothers house.
She car crashes into macs SUV and he decides he found her so he'll keep her. He sees bruises from her brothers treatment of her and that solidifies his decision. Meanehile, she's crying and telling him he's a stranger so they can just exchange insurance and phone numbers 😂
Kind of a non-conny scene where he records her succcking his 🌭 and then blackmails her with it.
Its a Zoe Blake so don't go clutching pearls when the back door front door and other top floor door action happens!
Love the damsel in distress books! she's living with an abusive brother who stole her inheritance when her parents died and is sleeping next to a washer and dryer combo because she doesn't deserve a room of her own in her brothers house.
She car crashes into macs SUV and he decides he found her so he'll keep her. He sees bruises from her brothers treatment of her and that solidifies his decision. Meanehile, she's crying and telling him he's a stranger so they can just exchange insurance and phone numbers 😂
Kind of a non-conny scene where he records her succcking his 🌭 and then blackmails her with it.
Its a Zoe Blake so don't go clutching pearls when the back door front door and other top floor door action happens!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2024
I’m weak for Zoe Blake’s fictional men. These Russians are crazy for their women and I might be more obsessed with this series than they are of their women. And that says a lot.
A loose Cinderella re-telling, Phoebe (or Bebe) has been abused and confined to her home by her wicked brother and his wife for years. Rarely going out, when she does, she crashes right into a Russian mobster… Macarius Stephanovich Miloslavsky.. or just Mac.
“Poor little thing. She was Red Riding Hood, skipping through the woods, because no one taught her to be aware of wolves.”
Like all these crazy Russians, when they see a woman that peaks their interest and 🍆, she’s done. She’s officially his. Forever.
And that’s exactly what happens to Bebe. Spanked, F’d, and loved into submission, Mac plays the hero and gets her out from under her brothers abuse, hired her to help with his nephew he has custody of, and eventually submits and falls in love.
“ I am the only man who is powerful enough to capture you, while leaving your cage door open. “
🔥🔥🔥🔥
A loose Cinderella re-telling, Phoebe (or Bebe) has been abused and confined to her home by her wicked brother and his wife for years. Rarely going out, when she does, she crashes right into a Russian mobster… Macarius Stephanovich Miloslavsky.. or just Mac.
“Poor little thing. She was Red Riding Hood, skipping through the woods, because no one taught her to be aware of wolves.”
Like all these crazy Russians, when they see a woman that peaks their interest and 🍆, she’s done. She’s officially his. Forever.
And that’s exactly what happens to Bebe. Spanked, F’d, and loved into submission, Mac plays the hero and gets her out from under her brothers abuse, hired her to help with his nephew he has custody of, and eventually submits and falls in love.
“ I am the only man who is powerful enough to capture you, while leaving your cage door open. “
🔥🔥🔥🔥
dnf
July 2, 2025”I disagree and since I’m the man, I win.” What in the Andrew Tate is this bs
March 25, 2024
4.4 stars.
February 21, 2024
Yes! Yes! Yes!!!! Mac is unbelievably sexy, dominate and 100% all Russian Man!!! I love Mac and Phoebe aka Bebe. She thinks she's worthless because of her jealous abusive older brother. Mac takes it upon himself to make sure Bebe knows that's not true after she slides into his very expensive vehicle. Can not wait for Var's book.
February 18, 2024
Perfect quick spicy read!!
What’s not to love??
✅ obsessive possessive hero
✅ damsel in distress
✅ well done spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✅ cameos of previous characters- so fun to see them again
This scratched the itch I didn’t even know I had. Love how hard and fast Zoe’s men fall for their ladies, and it’s always so fun to read how the fmcs try their best to escape but ultimately they find their HEA.
Probably some triggers in this one- I’m desensitized so I devoured this one with zero complaints!
What’s not to love??
✅ obsessive possessive hero
✅ damsel in distress
✅ well done spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✅ cameos of previous characters- so fun to see them again
This scratched the itch I didn’t even know I had. Love how hard and fast Zoe’s men fall for their ladies, and it’s always so fun to read how the fmcs try their best to escape but ultimately they find their HEA.
Probably some triggers in this one- I’m desensitized so I devoured this one with zero complaints!
February 25, 2024
***I received an A-R-С of this book***
That being said I only accept А-R-Сs from my “One Click Authors” and anyone who knows me or has listened to our podcast knows I’m a HUGE Zoe Blake fan!
🖤 Mafia
🖤 Age gap
🖤 Alpha Hero
🖤 Virgin Heroine
🖤 Dub-Cоn/Non-Соn
🖤 Forced(ish) ВJ
🖤 🍑 stuff (with lube!!!)
🖤 Spanky times
🖤 Light Daddy Кinк
🖤 Touch her and 💀
🖤 Jealous/Possesive Hero
🖤 Mine
🖤 Light Kidnapping
🖤 Spicy Video Blacкmail
🖤 Insta Lust/Love
This is my favorite Zoe Blake series, what can I say I guess the spanку, jealous/possessive, forceful, don’t take no for an answer Russians just do it for me. And surprise, surprise (not!)… this book DELIVERED!
The hero, Mac, was the tall, dark and just the right amount of brutish I needed to scratch that one “monkey brian” spot of my book brain while my feminist brain took a well deserved siesta. He imprinted on our heroine, Phoebe the minute she (literally) crashed into his life and we were off to the races!
Speaking of the heroine, Phoebe just may take my number 2 favorite heroine spot (after Mary - Sweet Savagery). I loved the humor and self deprecative and not that she brought to the story. Her overactive imagination made reading her POV extra fun and entertaining. Much like the other heroines in this series she gives as good as she gets and tries her damndest to escape her light kidnapping situation, but alas she is defeated and becomes a “nanny with benefits”.
Anyone who is uncomfortable with non-con/dub-соn should steer clear of Zoe’s writing but specifically this series right and book as it has a pretty intense forсеd ВJ scene right in the beginning where Mac video tapes Phoebe in the act for romance reasons and then uses it as black mail to make her his nanny with benefits.
Overall the book is great! I was a little concerned for Zoe’s well being as the heroine didn’t loose her V-Card until 86% into the book and Mac was uncharacteristically restrained compared to some of the other heroes in the series. However there were plenty of other spicy activities that kept them busy don’t go thinking this was a “clean” romance.
If you like Zoe’s books and enjoy the previous spanкy books you should definitely enjoy this one as well. A+ Zoe, well done and thank you for the lube 😜!
That being said I only accept А-R-Сs from my “One Click Authors” and anyone who knows me or has listened to our podcast knows I’m a HUGE Zoe Blake fan!
🖤 Mafia
🖤 Age gap
🖤 Alpha Hero
🖤 Virgin Heroine
🖤 Dub-Cоn/Non-Соn
🖤 Forced(ish) ВJ
🖤 🍑 stuff (with lube!!!)
🖤 Spanky times
🖤 Light Daddy Кinк
🖤 Touch her and 💀
🖤 Jealous/Possesive Hero
🖤 Mine
🖤 Light Kidnapping
🖤 Spicy Video Blacкmail
🖤 Insta Lust/Love
This is my favorite Zoe Blake series, what can I say I guess the spanку, jealous/possessive, forceful, don’t take no for an answer Russians just do it for me. And surprise, surprise (not!)… this book DELIVERED!
The hero, Mac, was the tall, dark and just the right amount of brutish I needed to scratch that one “monkey brian” spot of my book brain while my feminist brain took a well deserved siesta. He imprinted on our heroine, Phoebe the minute she (literally) crashed into his life and we were off to the races!
Speaking of the heroine, Phoebe just may take my number 2 favorite heroine spot (after Mary - Sweet Savagery). I loved the humor and self deprecative and not that she brought to the story. Her overactive imagination made reading her POV extra fun and entertaining. Much like the other heroines in this series she gives as good as she gets and tries her damndest to escape her light kidnapping situation, but alas she is defeated and becomes a “nanny with benefits”.
Anyone who is uncomfortable with non-con/dub-соn should steer clear of Zoe’s writing but specifically this series right and book as it has a pretty intense forсеd ВJ scene right in the beginning where Mac video tapes Phoebe in the act for romance reasons and then uses it as black mail to make her his nanny with benefits.
Overall the book is great! I was a little concerned for Zoe’s well being as the heroine didn’t loose her V-Card until 86% into the book and Mac was uncharacteristically restrained compared to some of the other heroes in the series. However there were plenty of other spicy activities that kept them busy don’t go thinking this was a “clean” romance.
If you like Zoe’s books and enjoy the previous spanкy books you should definitely enjoy this one as well. A+ Zoe, well done and thank you for the lube 😜!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2024
When Phoebe crashes her car into Macarius’s Range Rover, she has no idea how her life is about to change. Mac is part of the Russian mafia and decides to take Phoebe home - she’ll make an excellent nanny and maybe more. Little does Phoebe know that even if she tries to leave, Mac will always get her back.
If you’re a fan of Zoe Blake’s Ruthless Obsession series, then you know you’re in for a treat with Sweet Severity. The characters are amazing, the plot is fun, and the world building is excellent. I love the clash of Phoebe and Mac’s worlds - he’s a billionaire used to luxury while she’s used to the bare basics because of the way her life has been. It’s a true Cinderella story. In true Zoe Blake fashion, Sweet Severity has plenty of humor, interesting Russian culture, and steamy scenes. It was also fun to follow up with some of the characters from previous books.
You’ll love Sweet Severity! Read it and let me know what you think - I’d love to discuss!
If you’re a fan of Zoe Blake’s Ruthless Obsession series, then you know you’re in for a treat with Sweet Severity. The characters are amazing, the plot is fun, and the world building is excellent. I love the clash of Phoebe and Mac’s worlds - he’s a billionaire used to luxury while she’s used to the bare basics because of the way her life has been. It’s a true Cinderella story. In true Zoe Blake fashion, Sweet Severity has plenty of humor, interesting Russian culture, and steamy scenes. It was also fun to follow up with some of the characters from previous books.
You’ll love Sweet Severity! Read it and let me know what you think - I’d love to discuss!
February 18, 2024
ARC review
Another hot and spicy book from Zoe.
Ever since I saw this book cover(wink) and the blurb, I’ve been waiting for its release.
Phoebe is innocent and has been abused for a long time, she thinks herself unworthy. Upon the crash, Mac instantly knows the girl is what he wants and take her home. Daddy Mac is so hot not just because the big scary muscular inked look, he also took care of what hurts Phoebe and try to spoil her rotten. Oh man, who can resist Daddy Mac!
I love all the Russian mob boss that Zoe created. They are excessively possessive, protective and deeply love their woman till death. How fast they fall for their woman and knowing the woman is for their life is unbelievably attractive. Although sometimes their punishment can get a bit over the top(wink).
Let those alpha Russian man keep coming, please!
Another hot and spicy book from Zoe.
Ever since I saw this book cover(wink) and the blurb, I’ve been waiting for its release.
Phoebe is innocent and has been abused for a long time, she thinks herself unworthy. Upon the crash, Mac instantly knows the girl is what he wants and take her home. Daddy Mac is so hot not just because the big scary muscular inked look, he also took care of what hurts Phoebe and try to spoil her rotten. Oh man, who can resist Daddy Mac!
I love all the Russian mob boss that Zoe created. They are excessively possessive, protective and deeply love their woman till death. How fast they fall for their woman and knowing the woman is for their life is unbelievably attractive. Although sometimes their punishment can get a bit over the top(wink).
Let those alpha Russian man keep coming, please!
February 18, 2024
Sweet Severity is written in the same style as the rest is the series. You have Phoebe who crashes her car into Mac. When he sees bruises on her he realizes she needs him and you know when Zoe’s men decide a woman belongs to them there is no telling then no. I love the protective, possessive, and ridiculous huge Russian men. They are arms dealers and criminals but their women are always well taken care of and loved.
I love everything about the big overbearing possessive men in this series and Mac was no exception. The next book is Var’s. I can’t wait to see what happens.
I love everything about the big overbearing possessive men in this series and Mac was no exception. The next book is Var’s. I can’t wait to see what happens.
March 19, 2024
1⭐
go on, nothin' to see here...
go on, nothin' to see here...
February 28, 2024
my favourite
I think this might be my favourite in the series. My only wish was that the epilogue was about Bebe and Mac like a couple of years in future.
I think this might be my favourite in the series. My only wish was that the epilogue was about Bebe and Mac like a couple of years in future.
February 21, 2024
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hotness 🥵🥵🥵🥵
Super OTT jp H
Kidnap?
Non con/ dubcon
Russian mafia
Virgin h
Age gap
Wow Zoe done it again I swear every book by her is just amazing.
Another amazing book to this amazing series.
I absolutely love Mac and his crazy possessive ways like all her Russian men Mac is crazy OTT jp. Touch her and 💀
He’s very protective of her from the start.
Fast burn. Phoebe is very sheltered and a virgin even at 22 years old she’s been mentally and physically used as a punch bag by her older brother after her parents died he took her in for her money and never fail to blame everything on her.
Honestly all in all I loved every second of this book and am definitely going to go reread all this series I again from the start.
Hotness 🥵🥵🥵🥵
Super OTT jp H
Kidnap?
Non con/ dubcon
Russian mafia
Virgin h
Age gap
Wow Zoe done it again I swear every book by her is just amazing.
Another amazing book to this amazing series.
I absolutely love Mac and his crazy possessive ways like all her Russian men Mac is crazy OTT jp. Touch her and 💀
He’s very protective of her from the start.
Fast burn. Phoebe is very sheltered and a virgin even at 22 years old she’s been mentally and physically used as a punch bag by her older brother after her parents died he took her in for her money and never fail to blame everything on her.
Honestly all in all I loved every second of this book and am definitely going to go reread all this series I again from the start.
March 14, 2024
4 stars
Tropes : kidnapped h, mafia romance, possessive H, tortured h, age gap
Ending : HFN
Triggers : death, gore, abuse
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : none
Kink: virgin h, rough sex, anal, oral, sex toy, spanking, hair pulling, dubcon, no condoms, slight breeding
Hero : Macarius ‘Mac’ Miloslavsky
Heroine: Pheobe ‘Bebe’ Brauer
The H was possessive of the h since the very beginning. Bebe kept fighting him until the very end and it was quite entertaining.
Idk how much their age gap is, maybe 10ish years. The steamy scene was 😱☠️💯👌🏻. Got bdsm vibe to it.
I would love for them to get married and have a baby on their own but I’ll just accept their pseudo kinda engagement and for them to adopt baby Stephan.
Tropes : kidnapped h, mafia romance, possessive H, tortured h, age gap
Ending : HFN
Triggers : death, gore, abuse
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : none
Kink: virgin h, rough sex, anal, oral, sex toy, spanking, hair pulling, dubcon, no condoms, slight breeding
Hero : Macarius ‘Mac’ Miloslavsky
Heroine: Pheobe ‘Bebe’ Brauer
The H was possessive of the h since the very beginning. Bebe kept fighting him until the very end and it was quite entertaining.
Idk how much their age gap is, maybe 10ish years. The steamy scene was 😱☠️💯👌🏻. Got bdsm vibe to it.
I would love for them to get married and have a baby on their own but I’ll just accept their pseudo kinda engagement and for them to adopt baby Stephan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2024
No one is shocked that the latest Russian mafia man Zoe Blake has introduced to us is a swoon worthy speciman. After all, she has proven time and again that no one writes a Russian mafia anti-hero quite like Zoe Blake. (However, any writers who are reading this, please feel free to write lots and lots of mafia romance - not fussy about their demographics - because everyone needs practice. And my TBR isn't long enough 😏🙄. Totally not self-serving at all. Nope, not me. I'm just offering a helpful hand)
I just lost the plot for a moment, didn't I?
Anyway.
So, I am obviously a fan of this series. When I say I'm a fan, I mean I have rankings for best FMC, best MMC, best overall, best schmexy time .... And in one fell swoop, Zoe destroyed my hard work. I've always been a Mary fan. I love the quirky, rockabilly style that she wears so incredibly well. So when I say that Phoebe knocked Mary off her pedestal, know that I never actually thought that she'd been shot down, but Phoebe is ... she's something else. I have sat here, laughing like a total loon as I read because she is hysterical. One of a kind. I love that more than halfway into the book, she's still clueless and confused about what's happening. Her inner monologue is a riot, but having your entire life shift from one extreme to the other will do that to a girl. Phoebe's 22 years have not prepared her for a man like Mac.
As for Mac, he is a very fine example of a Russian mafia boss. He ticks every box - Tall, dark, and handsome? ✔️ Singularly and completely focused on the woman he's decided to keep? ✔️ Over the top jealous/obsessive/possessiveness? ✔️ Being utterly ridiculous without realizing it because he is being so totally sincere? ✔️ A dom¡nat¡ng daddy who left me with a need to freshen up and find dry 🩲s? ✔️
However, nowhere in this book is it ever even insinuated that either Mac or Phoebe has a Daddy k¡nk, but the Daddy-vibes he gives off are strong.
I think this is something important to note about Sweet Severity. Know going into this one that it is written a bit differently than previous books in this series. It is NOT a fast burn. There's foreplay throughout the book, but the bed doesn't actually start rocking until the last 20% of the book. Does anyone know Zoe's doppelganger password?
The relationship between Mac and his Phoebe feels different from past books as well. She doesn't come to terms with it until almost the end of the book. So, the smexual style is more like hate smex all the time, and it gets somewhat brutal at times.
However, ladies (and probably more than just a few gentlemen), I am here to tell you that Zoe Blake has finally done it. She has used her wordsmithing talents for evil in Sweet Severity. My proof? A hot Russian mafia boss who is wearing nothing but grey sweatpants WHILE holding a baby? I don't even have ovaries anymore, but I could feel phantom explosions at that moment.
Finally, if you have triggers ... this one pushes more than a few buttons, so be aware. If you're familiar with Zoe's other books, you have a good idea of what to expect. If this is your first introduction to Zoe, here is a partial list of TWs: v¡○lence, profanity, DV (not between MCs), non-smexy dĕgradat¡on (not between MCs) ... um ... what are those Amazon approved lines again, cause this is the big red button? Oh, yeah, *ahem* explicit scenes of a smexical nature? Some smexy acts may be of a dubious or non-consensual nature ...
I just lost the plot for a moment, didn't I?
Anyway.
So, I am obviously a fan of this series. When I say I'm a fan, I mean I have rankings for best FMC, best MMC, best overall, best schmexy time .... And in one fell swoop, Zoe destroyed my hard work. I've always been a Mary fan. I love the quirky, rockabilly style that she wears so incredibly well. So when I say that Phoebe knocked Mary off her pedestal, know that I never actually thought that she'd been shot down, but Phoebe is ... she's something else. I have sat here, laughing like a total loon as I read because she is hysterical. One of a kind. I love that more than halfway into the book, she's still clueless and confused about what's happening. Her inner monologue is a riot, but having your entire life shift from one extreme to the other will do that to a girl. Phoebe's 22 years have not prepared her for a man like Mac.
As for Mac, he is a very fine example of a Russian mafia boss. He ticks every box - Tall, dark, and handsome? ✔️ Singularly and completely focused on the woman he's decided to keep? ✔️ Over the top jealous/obsessive/possessiveness? ✔️ Being utterly ridiculous without realizing it because he is being so totally sincere? ✔️ A dom¡nat¡ng daddy who left me with a need to freshen up and find dry 🩲s? ✔️
However, nowhere in this book is it ever even insinuated that either Mac or Phoebe has a Daddy k¡nk, but the Daddy-vibes he gives off are strong.
I think this is something important to note about Sweet Severity. Know going into this one that it is written a bit differently than previous books in this series. It is NOT a fast burn. There's foreplay throughout the book, but the bed doesn't actually start rocking until the last 20% of the book. Does anyone know Zoe's doppelganger password?
The relationship between Mac and his Phoebe feels different from past books as well. She doesn't come to terms with it until almost the end of the book. So, the smexual style is more like hate smex all the time, and it gets somewhat brutal at times.
However, ladies (and probably more than just a few gentlemen), I am here to tell you that Zoe Blake has finally done it. She has used her wordsmithing talents for evil in Sweet Severity. My proof? A hot Russian mafia boss who is wearing nothing but grey sweatpants WHILE holding a baby? I don't even have ovaries anymore, but I could feel phantom explosions at that moment.
Finally, if you have triggers ... this one pushes more than a few buttons, so be aware. If you're familiar with Zoe's other books, you have a good idea of what to expect. If this is your first introduction to Zoe, here is a partial list of TWs: v¡○lence, profanity, DV (not between MCs), non-smexy dĕgradat¡on (not between MCs) ... um ... what are those Amazon approved lines again, cause this is the big red button? Oh, yeah, *ahem* explicit scenes of a smexical nature? Some smexy acts may be of a dubious or non-consensual nature ...
March 21, 2024
Worst one IMO. Probably going to stop here..
This series has ALOT of noncon/dubcon. But I think this was just straight SA. I don't like Mac, and I especially don't like that he removed Phoebe from one prison to his home (another prison). The only difference is that Mac doesn't verbally abuse her, and her brother didn't mol3st her. But Mac sure does.
Not a single time when they had s3x on page was it consensual. The times it would have been were recalled, so you have zero experience with them having consensual s3xual experiences. I've read all the other books so I'm familiar with how brutish the men can be but other than the first book, I've felt they had a good balance between those types of scenes and the women's freedom. That was completely missing from this story.
Additionally, I HATED IT that Pheobe has to take care of a kid that isn't hers just because Mac decided to take care of his nephews kid. Like, what a way to pawn off that responsibility to her. Typical useless men. 😒 all under the guise of "he needs a mother." Like, cool, how about you pick someone who hasn't been raising a shitty kid (her brothers son) for 7 years. Mac was EXACTLY like her brother, and I won't budge in that. I'm probably done with this series after this. It just grossed me out.
This series has ALOT of noncon/dubcon. But I think this was just straight SA. I don't like Mac, and I especially don't like that he removed Phoebe from one prison to his home (another prison). The only difference is that Mac doesn't verbally abuse her, and her brother didn't mol3st her. But Mac sure does.
Not a single time when they had s3x on page was it consensual. The times it would have been were recalled, so you have zero experience with them having consensual s3xual experiences. I've read all the other books so I'm familiar with how brutish the men can be but other than the first book, I've felt they had a good balance between those types of scenes and the women's freedom. That was completely missing from this story.
Additionally, I HATED IT that Pheobe has to take care of a kid that isn't hers just because Mac decided to take care of his nephews kid. Like, what a way to pawn off that responsibility to her. Typical useless men. 😒 all under the guise of "he needs a mother." Like, cool, how about you pick someone who hasn't been raising a shitty kid (her brothers son) for 7 years. Mac was EXACTLY like her brother, and I won't budge in that. I'm probably done with this series after this. It just grossed me out.
February 19, 2024
Well, I wish Zoe Blake put out books of the Russian m@£ia like every month or something. I just can’t have enough! I have read every single book in the Ruthless Obsession series and I am just not done yet. Her dub-cons are just at that line where you wish for and dream about and never on the cr33py side. To be honest, I wouldn’t even mind reading the cr33py ones as well, especially if they’re written by Blake. I guess I am a little disturbed myself in terms of my fiction choices. Sweet Severity was just as delicious and tempting as the rest and now I am single-mindedly obsessed with Var’s book, Sweet Animosity which I hope to get my grabby hands on as soon as it’s out.
February 29, 2024
Mixed emotions
I keep going back to a scene in the book where the mmc Var makes a statement to the heroine Phoebe that he wasn't going to traumatize further ( due to her being mistreated by her brother), but when you read this book that's all he basically did. Yea you see him make attempts to try to care for her, but its overshadowed by what he done in the past and continued doing further in the book. I do not know why, but out of all the books in the series this one just didn't sit right with me.
I keep going back to a scene in the book where the mmc Var makes a statement to the heroine Phoebe that he wasn't going to traumatize further ( due to her being mistreated by her brother), but when you read this book that's all he basically did. Yea you see him make attempts to try to care for her, but its overshadowed by what he done in the past and continued doing further in the book. I do not know why, but out of all the books in the series this one just didn't sit right with me.
Read
November 22, 2025DNF at 20%
after awhile finally got a book that utterly disgusted me!!
I don't get how can they glorify visible assault and abuse in the name of Romance!!
The girl got an abusive brother then ended up in the lap of another behemoth who loves to torture her for his pleasure!!
That Forced Blow-job scene?
God I almost threw up 🤢.
They just met accidentally and he got a boner at knowing she is a Virgin, despite of being a Whore Himself ?!? Com'on man 👹... And after that blackmailing her to give him a Bj by telling her if she doesn't do it he will KILL her?!
Nah Man!!
You are supposed to be an MMC but your works are nothing different than a Creepy Old Hag we see in real life.??
Is this supposed to be Romantic?
Why because He has got a Big Body with a Coke Can dick and bEaUtIfUl EmErAlD eyes!?
Respectfully FUCK OFF!
I AIN'T GOT NO TIME TO DEAL WITH THESE NEANDERTHALS IN FICTION TOO.
LET THE MEMORIES OF THIS HORRIFIC READ BE GONE FROM MY HEAD!
AMEN🙏
after awhile finally got a book that utterly disgusted me!!
I don't get how can they glorify visible assault and abuse in the name of Romance!!
The girl got an abusive brother then ended up in the lap of another behemoth who loves to torture her for his pleasure!!
That Forced Blow-job scene?
God I almost threw up 🤢.
They just met accidentally and he got a boner at knowing she is a Virgin, despite of being a Whore Himself ?!? Com'on man 👹... And after that blackmailing her to give him a Bj by telling her if she doesn't do it he will KILL her?!
Nah Man!!
You are supposed to be an MMC but your works are nothing different than a Creepy Old Hag we see in real life.??
Is this supposed to be Romantic?
Why because He has got a Big Body with a Coke Can dick and bEaUtIfUl EmErAlD eyes!?
Respectfully FUCK OFF!
I AIN'T GOT NO TIME TO DEAL WITH THESE NEANDERTHALS IN FICTION TOO.
LET THE MEMORIES OF THIS HORRIFIC READ BE GONE FROM MY HEAD!
AMEN🙏
February 18, 2024
I will never not love a book in this series! Every book makes me fall more in love with this series! This if Mac and Phoebe’s story. He is obsessed and ruthless in his efforts to keep her even trying to make her his nanny and she fights him every single step of the way! This book had me feeling all the things! I giggled at their spice and banter, I gasped at what GARBAGE her brother was, I laughed at how ridiculous Mac’s actions were. His Russian nicknames make me melt! And just when I thought no one could top Ivan and his trunk he mentions something toward the end and I could not stop laughing! I loved the over top but loving and caring aspects of her MMCs and I really felt for the FMC. I CAN NOT WAIT for the next book! Incredible job as always by Zoe Blake!
February 27, 2024
This is the seventh book in the Sweet Obsession series and if you’ve read the rest, you know what you’re in for! Phoebe is the inexperienced 22 year old who, while driving her brother’s car, sideswipes a vehicle. Too bad it belongs to a giant Russian guy who recognises she’s not being cared for properly & decides to fix that. I love these strong, protective—even from her own family—indulgent men, and to top it off, Mac is a caring father. Such a great story with some action, visits by other beloved characters, and steamy. It’s a fast-paced story that draws you in and keeps going until the last page.
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