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Marble Scars

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An awkward accident with my depilator.
Witnessed by a dangerous man I should have no business with.
Never a better time to get pregnant, right?

To be fair, a lot more had happened before that last part.
Like the fact that I got kidnapped.
By the most ruthless Bratva enforcer alive.
Who also just happens to be the hottest man alive.

But there’s a lot more to Timur Yakov than those two things.
Sure, he’s a 6.4-foot mass of broody arrogance.
Sure, his gaze could pierce through ice and his body deserves a standing ovulation.
Excuse me… ovation!

But Timur is haunted by demons.
Demons that could easily crush me and tear my heart to shreds.
And one passionate night is all it takes to release them.

That’s how I end up running for my life, with remnants of my past burning behind me.
That’s how I end up entangled in scars and muscles, in an endless whirlwind of mind-numbing ecstasy.
And eventually, that’s how I end up with a positive pregnancy test in my hand.

But in all of that, I must learn a terrifying lesson:
“Blurred are the lines between pain and pleasure.”


Welcome to Yakov Bratva!
Marble Scars is a Russian dark mafia romance and it is the first book in the Yakov Bratva duo.
For the best experience, read the books in order.
Enjoy! xoxo

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

2516 people are currently reading
416 people want to read

About the author

Lisa Lovell

64 books219 followers
Hopeless romantic.
Bestselling author (still can't get over this one).
Dark Mafia Romance enthusiast with a vivid fantasy and an urge to write and share her own stories. :-)
Sign up to her mailing list and get a free novella: https://BookHip.com/QANJJGW

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5 stars
581 (47%)
4 stars
321 (26%)
3 stars
193 (15%)
2 stars
87 (7%)
1 star
39 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Jill Haworth.
1,031 reviews25 followers
November 6, 2023
Kayla is a dancer at a strip club. Living through the foster system after drugged up parents were out of her life, she never had much of a start in life. With some foster homes having handsy men, the only thing that gave her any peace was dancing. Unfortunately she caught the eye of Vasiliy Koslov. He’s the cruel, twisted leader of his bratva. Women are for his sick and twisted pleasure. When he’s had enough of them, he either sells them at auctions, traffics them with others or sends them to his brothels.
Kayla is sent to live with Timur Yakov, an ex-enforcer that he is blackmailing to do his bidding by kidnapping his six year old daughter Nika. Timur is to get Kayla ‘prepped and ready’ for Vasiliy.
All of her dancing accessories, eyelashes, hair extensions, nails etc. are stripped away until she is a natural beauty again. She is the sort of woman that is to Timur’s taste, so Vasiliy uses her as a test to see if he can truly trust Timur.
Kayla fights everything, every step of the way. Timur doesn’t tell her about why he’s doing Vasiliy’s bidding for him, but he finds himself falling for this feisty, strong willed and beautiful fighter. They’ve both had difficult lives and this crazy situation has forced them together and together they fall.
They try to get away from an attack but when Timur is terribly wounded and Kayla is taken by Vasiliy’s men, is all lost….
This was a really good start to the duet. It’s dark as Kayla is stripped of everything but her heart and mind. She finds herself falling for Timur who becomes her protector. It’s his natural instinct and Kayla amazes him. He hates Vasiliy as much as she does. But there are forces working against them at all times. Who can be trusted…Superb.
Profile Image for Anika.
667 reviews5 followers
November 2, 2023
"Marble Scars: A Russian Mafia Romance (Yakov Bratva Book 1)" by Lisa Lovell is a captivating and thrilling dark mafia romance that kicks off the Yakov Bratva series. This story is a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with suspense, scorching moments, and a narrative that grips your attention from the very start.

The story revolves around a chance encounter that leads to a life-changing series of events. Our heroine finds herself in the presence of the ruthless Bratva enforcer, Timur Yakov. He's a brooding and enigmatic figure with a haunting past. Despite the danger that surrounds him, there's an undeniable magnetism that draws our characters together.

As the story unfolds, secrets and demons are revealed, threatening to shatter the fragile bond between them. The passionate night they share has consequences that set off a chain of events, leaving our heroine running for her life.

Lisa Lovell skillfully navigates the blurred lines between pain and pleasure, creating a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. "Marble Scars" is an intense and gripping start to the Yakov Bratva duo, offering a dark mafia romance that leaves you craving more.

If you're a fan of suspenseful and passionate romance with complex characters, "Marble Scars" is a must-read. Lisa Lovell delivers a story that leaves a lasting impression and keeps you eager for the next installment in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Karen Nastasio.
2,661 reviews19 followers
November 7, 2023
Wow what a great start to a new series, it’s a little dark and some intense scenes but overall I loved it. Kayla Hastings is a stripper but not by choice and having a horrible childhood and being placed in foster care she has always looked after herself. On her way home she is kidnapped by Karl and Hugo and taken to a mansion where she is told she is now the property of Vasiliy Yakovich who seen her stripping in the club and wanted her as his new sex slave and what he wants he gets and she will be groomed and trained to please him and that’s where Giselle comes in because she is one of his slaves. Farrell Blackwood lives at the mansion and is in charge and oversees her training but what he didn’t expect was to be so attracted to her natural beauty and now knows why she was chosen. Farrell can’t seem to stay away from her and he crosses the line and she becomes more to him than he lets on but he must stick to the plan if he wants his daughter Lily back safe and sound. There is so much more going on in this book and it has a cliffhanger at the end which drives me crazy but totally worth it. And now it’s been revamped and and names changed is still just as good.
Profile Image for Bonny Read.
523 reviews15 followers
April 12, 2024
This is book #1 of a duet and ends in a cliff hanger. Book #2 is Marble Sins and is already out so no waiting, which is a good thing since it's a doozy of a cliff hanger.

Loved both main characters. She, Kayla, is a down-on-her-luck, barely making it young woman. She's never had an easy life and has been on her own from a young age. With little, or no formal, education, she makes ends meet by stripping at a club where the girls are protected and aren't forced to do anything they don't want to. He, Timur, works for a sleazy Bratva Pakhan who deals in human trafficking. But there is more to Timur than what you first see. He has a history that bears weight on his actions. When our girl captures the interest of the sleazy, devil Pakhan, who has more than one motive when he has her kidnapped and taken to the H to train for him, both their lives are going to change drastically.

Lots of hidden motives and questionable characters all make for a fairly fast paced, action filled story. But be warned...you should buy book 2 as well because you don't want to be left hanging. 4 stars.
Profile Image for Darcy.
2,159 reviews25 followers
November 2, 2023
Oh this story. It is gripping and absolutely amazing. It has darker moments but it definitely pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I loved Timur and how protective and strong he is. He is an amazing MMC. He is one of the ones that you absolutely cannot help but fall in love with. You can feel the struggle that Timur has as he deals with the hand that he has been dealt. Kayla Is this strong and feisty lady that shows so much resilience throughout the entire situation she has been thrust into. I love how she fights back in situations and that certainly adds to the story. Together they have amazing chemistry that is felt throughout the story. The story is extremely well written and developed. It is a little quicker read but no less intense. It pulls you in and keeps you glued to it as journey alongside these two amazing characters. We get to the end and oh my goodness such a huge cliffhanger. I am super excited to see what happens next. Definitely a must read.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews71 followers
October 31, 2023
💣💣ONE ENTHRALLING THRILL💣💣
Busting bundles Burt! Lisa doesn't hold back with this hot little firecracker, tipping the scale and breaking the rules, jetting this jewel into overdrive with a life-altering culmination. Stumbling through a minefield chocked-full of spellbinding drama, gripping intrigue, chilling danger and electrifying suspense. Tempting, tangled and tightly entwined, baring the vexing quirks and defying bents, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never envisioned. The raw magnetism, undeniable attraction and sizzling chemistry collides with such ferocity and zeal, luring you deeper until you feel the electrifying hum running rampant through your veins. Remarkable job Lisa, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
2,151 reviews7 followers
November 7, 2023
Kayla Hastings was leaving the club where she works as an exotic dancer. She is kidnapped. Kayla has no family left and grew up in foster care for the most part. The only person that will miss her is her roommate, but the kidnappers sent a text telling her that Kayla was okay.

Timur Yakov kidnapped Kayla for Kasyanenko Vasiliy Koslov. Vasiliy is holding someone’s safety over Timur’s head to keep him in line. Timur is to get Kayla “ready” to be handed over to Vasiliy to be his next plaything. Kayla is worried because she finds Timur good looking and she gets all hot and bothered when he’s around.

Will Timur hand Kayla over to Vasiliy? Can Timur keep everyone in his life safe?

Loved that I was kept guessing the whole time.
Profile Image for Diana The Moon.
295 reviews4 followers
November 13, 2023
I love Russian mafia novels when they give sweet Russian nicknames to their loved ones! So cute.
This is the story of enforcer Timur and exotic dancer Kayla.
Kayla is kidnapped for Bratva and Timur finds a bit of himself in her. He is very possesive which I love this in alpha males. She is not scary little damsel in distress which I loved.
Females usually scared little flowers in these type of novels but Kayla is badass. She know what she wants and she will get it.
I think they are perfect for each other.
Only thing that I dropped the star for is, I wished the “falling in love” part to be tiny bit longer. This was a short book and thats why it was a bit rushed in some places.
Its dual POV.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
1,304 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2023
This is the first book in the Yakov series, and it does not disappoint. Kayla is kidnapped because Vasiliy decided he wanted her and tasks Timur with getting her ready for him. She cannot believe what has happened to her and is rather strong willed against it. The attraction though between Kayla and Timur is very strong and leads Timur down a path that is very dangerous for the both of them. Some good twists and turns in this story. Kayla is much stronger than she knows and won't let them break her. Looking forward to seeing what happens.

I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for Kim.
156 reviews5 followers
November 7, 2023
I love both of these characters, and the Bratva surroundings are just catnip for this reader!

Timur is sort of a reluctant bad guy (he does have standards), and early on, we find out that he is as unhappy over Kayla's kidnapping as she is. Both forced into terrible circumstances (the very worst) against their will, they cannot resist each other, so get ready for a crazy, steamy ride.

Lisa Lovell has done what she does best, so enjoy the danger and heat up to the very end, which admittedly is a cliffhanger, and then get ready for Volume 2!
293 reviews
March 3, 2024
So good!….4.5 Stars!

A story of Kayla, a young and beautiful exotic dancer who caught the attention of a Russian sex trafficker. He commanded Timur Yakov, his employee, whose 6 yr old daughter is in his custody and threatened her life if he will not comply to kidnap Kayla because he wants her as his sex slave. He commissioned Timur to get her ready within a week but they both fall for each other and tried to run away. Can’t wait for the next book for the conclusion. It’s riveting and suspenseful. I love it.
1,473 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2025
Truth

Thus reads as a period piece story. The things both had to go through. Being kidnapped and expecting to be forced into sex slavery, she was not expecting anyone to help her. He was being blackmailed to retrieve her and to prepare her for her new life. Turns out, this is not what he wanted to do. This started their journey of happiness, hurt and sorrow.

I hard time getting into this story. I didn't feel the strength in either of these characters. I couldn't feel this story as a bratva book.
Profile Image for Mom2three.
2,030 reviews16 followers
November 6, 2023
This story starts out intense and carries that intensity until the very end. It's a mafia romance and it's loaded with delicious steamy scenes. I quickly connected with Kayla, but Timur surprised me. There are some places where I predicted how he would act, but not all, and I loved that. The danger, plot twists, and needing to know what happens next kept me up late into the night and had me immediately jumping into the next book.
Profile Image for Jess.
1,092 reviews22 followers
January 16, 2024
Characters = 4/5
Plot = 5/5
Romance = 3/5
Hotness = 4/5
Mystery = 4/5
Action =  5/5
Drama = 5/5
Darkness = 3/5
Humor = 0/5
Stars =  5 ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Cliffhanger = yes
Would I recommend this book = Yes
Would I read future books by this author = Yes

Loving this duet so far. Great characters and plot. A stockholm-ish spicy thriller. I was on the edge of my seat at the end too. I cannot wait to finish this one up.

First book by this author, and it will not be my last.
Profile Image for Jennifer Lovins.
1,059 reviews4 followers
February 16, 2024
intense

Warning: if you don’t like kidnapping or possible human trafficking. Don’t read this book.

Heart pounding read. Kayla was just getting of work when she is kidnapped. Then learns that she is to be prepared for a new master. She fights. Then the one she is staying with changes the rules. Can they survive to have a future? Will it before they have a chance? Come on in and find out. This will end with a cliffhanger.
7 reviews
April 17, 2024
good read but…. (spoilers)

This does NOT start out or even really resemble the book’s description. She gets kidnapped by Timur’s men on the order of Timur’s boss, not meets Timur while getting waxed. So I feel like that was a bit misleading.

Also the pregnancy alluded to in the description is no where confirmed in this book at all.

Other than that it was a good read overall with a killer cliffhanger. Looking forward to the conclusion in the second book.
2,716 reviews33 followers
November 3, 2023
This was really great. A familiar story though but not sure where from.
Kayla is kidnapped and groomed to be given to a sadistic man but Timor Yakov the man holding her has other plans.
Load of suspense and drama but the steam and romance take over. The chemistry between Kayla and Timor is strong and very steamy.
Well done, great characters and an interesting plot. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
13.4k reviews155 followers
November 12, 2023
Timur and Kayla brings this story to life with her feistiness and bravado. She is kidnapped against her will, and it starts their road. Will it lead them to happiness. It is a well written story along with dynamic characters that had me all caught up in their drama. I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Theresa.
298 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2024
Story is amazing

Luckily I already downloaded the next book because this has been an amazing ride so far. Perfect mix of Maria business and romance with tons of emotion and all the connection you expect to feel in any truly well crafted story. This is my first book by Ms Lovell and will be reading much more if this is any indication of her skill.
Profile Image for Sophia Ramos.
241 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2024
🔥❤so Amazing!!!!!!

Tamir🔥❤!! Omg! What a mafia hottie!😘🔥❤!!!! What a amazing love mafia read!!! I loved every single page of this incredible book the book had some amazing🌶🔥❤steamy hot sex scenes!! I'm looking forward for reading book number two! Which I'm reading right now after posting this review!
Profile Image for Misty Schott.
4,225 reviews35 followers
March 12, 2025
Timur is just doing what he has to do to get his daughter back.

This is the first book in the Yakov Bratva duet so be prepared for a cliffhanger ending. Kayla gets abducted and is being trained by Timur to be obedient so he can send her to her new master. Only problem is Timur is not happy about the job and is only trying to get his daughter back.
Profile Image for Kat.
670 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2025
How in the world does this have so many high star reviews??? Did we read the same book??
It was just bad, the plot, the dialog, the characters were all bad. Also ends in a stupid cliffhanger, just another book that was split into multiple parts and called books in a series to make more money.

Narration of MMC was not great.
Profile Image for Genoveva.
1,517 reviews12 followers
October 28, 2023
Please check all CW and TW before diving into this one. Omg Kayla what has she gotten herself into. As she gets ready to be given to a man that saw her and became obsessed with her there is Timur. An absolute brute until he is not 😉. But that ending!!!! Running to book 2 now.
195 reviews
November 11, 2023
Kayla is targeted by a mob boss who wants her for his personal use before putting her up for auction. She is taken to Timur Yakov to be "prepared" for the mob boss. Unbeknownst to either party the mob boss has ulterior motives. Timur Yakov is the mob bosses right hand man. He really doesn't want to be involved in this part of the boss's business but has no choice due to the mob boss has something he wants back. Has Timur "prepares" Kayla, he trys to stay away from her. It is a test of wills and both end up on the losing end because they start to fall for each other. Timur's boss isn't happy that Kayla isn't "ready" for him and he wants her now. Timur has fallen for her and doesn't want to see Kayla to "disappear" once his boss is done. Timur knows that he is putting his daughter's life at risk but he also doesn't want to lose Kayla either. Has Timur continues to keep Kayla from a worse fate, things spin more out of control. There are twists and turns that leave you wondering what is going to happen next.
Profile Image for Nerdy Norie.
561 reviews6 followers
November 6, 2023
Can we discuss how amazing Timur and Kayla are! I love these little longer than novella not quite novel books that are packed with everything you want. Love story that we know we shouldn't be rooting for but can't get enough of! It's so good! And book 2 didn't disappoint either...
587 reviews
November 7, 2023
LGJ

To not only fall in love with the captor but to also be carrying his child. An adventure like no other. This story kept me in suspense and on edge to the very last page. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out
Profile Image for Karen Lovvorn.
2,105 reviews12 followers
November 15, 2023
He’d taken it too far…

He’d stripped them both. Broken every rule for her. Still there’s so much more to explore. She’d taken everything he’d thrown at her. Can they survive ? He doesn’t think so.
265 reviews4 followers
November 20, 2023
Not as expected

The opening story line is that tired, used up kidnapping where she grabbed after work, thrown in the car trunk. The most used words in the three chapters I read are oh crap and oh sh#t. Trailer trash dialogue..I'm done with this book.
Profile Image for Jodie.
256 reviews
November 25, 2023
marble scars

The storyline is well written , the characters are very well executed and the chemistry between the main characters is really interesting and a great couple !moving on to the next book. Great writing. Keep up the great work
498 reviews
January 6, 2024
Yakov and his dancer

Wow this story was very emotional and such a roller coaster of a book. I’m very excited to start the second book. I love both characters and the way the story plays out in my mind!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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