My bratva bodyguard forced me to marry him. Will my husband steal my innocence and my heart?
Arman Nechayev. My brother's closest friend. Cruel and beautiful, with dark eyes and an even darker heart. A possessive, ruthless protector with a past as scarred as his face.
When he rescues me from danger yet again, he sees his chance. Before I know it, he’s forcing his ring onto my finger.
His obsession runs deep. I hate him for using me, yet despite my fury, my body aches for his touch.
When destructive forces reach into our lives, Arman swears he’ll burn the world for me.
Love is dangerous in our world.
But if our marriage is just a game, why does it feel like we’re playing for keeps?
Stolen Beauty is book three of the Angels & Brutes series. You do not have to read books one and two to enjoy this story, but it will enhance the experience.
The book contains strong sexual content from the start and throughout. Some scenes and depictions may be disturbing to some readers. Please check the trigger warnings at the start of the book for details.
🖤 Arranged/Forced Mariage 🖤 Friends to Enemies to Lovers 🖤 Bodyguard 🖤 He Falls First 🖤 Touch Her and D!e 🖤 Age Gap 🖤 Who Hurt You? 🖤 Soft Dom MMC 🖤 V!rgin FMC
Stolen Beauty is the third book in the Angels and Brutes Series by Cara Bianchi. This is the story of Liliana (MFC) and Arman’s (MMC) story. Arman is Liliana bodyguard and her protector. He has been protecting her since she was 6-years old when he confronted her father and got stab by him for protecting her. Liliana has very little confidence because of her father and is very scared to let her voice be heard. However, Arman not only loves her he supports her dreams from afar. After an issue with a mafia enemy, Arman goes to Liliana’s brother Vlad (who is the head of the family) and suggests an arranged marriage. Vlad agrees to Arman – with one exception it would be a fake marriage. Arman agrees to that condition – however he is fighting himself because he has a deep desire for Liliana. Liliana is attracted and wants Arman. She has doubts about why he is doing this ….but when Liliana moves in with Arman after the engagement all BETS ARE OFF. Their chemistry together is 🔥🔥🔥 . Even Vlad’s wife Morgana knows that Arman is in love with Liliana. Their story continues evolves and Vlad becomes aware of Arman true feelings for his sister. However, there is danger happening and unknown secrets that is putting Liliana, Vlad and Arman in harms way. I really enjoyed this book and the entire series.
Stolen Beauty was everything I hoped it would be! With each sibling having a book in this series I became so invested with the Kislev family. In Savage Beauty I found myself wanting such a great love story for Lily, and when it was announced that Stolen Beauty would be about her and Arman I couldn’t wait. This is a story of overcoming our fears, having confidence in ourselves and allowing someone to love us when we may not think we deserve it. Arman was the perfect man for Lily, they compliment each other so well and I loved watching their relationship grow. A definite read for anyone that loves possessive alpha, touch her and die but also will worship you at your feet vibes. HEA ending.
It took a little bit for things to get spicy, but dang, when it did get spicy it got hot! Arman & Liliana were really great together. I loved watching Arman trying to pretend his feelings for Lilyana & the marriage was only a ploy, but behind closed doors he was totally in love w/her. He was the best w/her. The way he supported her & encouraged her was what she needed to gain the confidence she lacked & overcome her fears. Watching Lilyana grow throughout the book was amazing. This was another great read f/Cara! The chemistry & spice were hot, the action was good & the betrayal & secrets were shocking!
Loved this story and the characters will stay forever in your heart! Arman has been Liliana's bodyguard since his release from prison. He will do everything and anything to keep her safe but also he's determined for her to see her worth. He knows how talented and beautiful she is but her father has suppressed everything good in her by treating her so terribly. Vlad is still protecting her but he doesn't see her true worth like Arman does! When he asked Vlad for permission to marry Liliana he is determined to show his new wife just how amazing she truly is!!
Liliana has been enamored by Arman and he makes her feel like a different person. He empowers her and trust her...he is everything she wants and more! Now that he's her husband she can't get enough of him. He is all consuming and she can't get enough. Their love and dedication for each other is beyond beautiful. You will devour their story and want more....their love is epic and unforgettable. It's a wild ride to their HEA but the journey is worth it. Happy Reading!!
I'm a sucker for the bodyguard genre, especially this one. Protector that falls first. Back story of Arman and Lily. Twist and turns, I didn't see coming. Also, getting to see the other characters from this series was awesome. This was my favorite of the series. Check trigger warnings New kinks (for me🤣) Dirty talking/ teach her moments.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cara did it again!!! I keep thinking “this is my favorite” and then she writes again. I’ve loved Lili the entire series but she came alive in this one. I love seeing someone (real or fictional) rise above their disabilities.
This is book 3 in the Angels and Brutes series. If you’re familiar with Cara Bianchi and have read the previous two books in this series, then as a reader, you already know what to expect when it comes to her style of writing.
Our MMC Arman is a bodyguard. His job is to protect our FMC Liliana. He has been protecting her since she was 6 years old. Arman will go to lengths to protect Liliana from harm, and that includes putting himself in harms way when he comes face to face with her father.
Because of her father, Liliana has very little confidence in herself, and for self - preservation does not let her voice be heard, fearing reprisal at her father’s hands. But unbeknownst to Liliana, she has fierce support in Arman, who not only supports her dreams but also loves her from afar.
Being part of a mafia family isn’t without its issues when an enemy comes knocking on their door. To keep Liliana safe, Arman proposes to Lilian’s brother an arranged marriage, which is agreed upon by all parties involved, the only concession is that this arranged marriage would be a facade, but Arman is conflicted, because his feelings for Liliana run deep, he is fighting his desire for her and it won’t be long before he takes what he wants.
Because Liliana herself has feelings for Arman, beyond attraction, she wants him, but she has doubts, and those doubts are alleviated when she moves in with him after the engagement, because now that Arman has her, there’s nothing keeping him from claiming what’s his, Liliana, because there chemistry ignites a flame so bright, it consumes them whole.
If arranged/ forced marriage, friends to enemies to lover, bodyguard, he falls first, touch her and die vibes, age-gap, who hurt you vibes, dominance and virgin FMC is your things then this story is definitely for you.
Highly recommend both the author and the book.
I received an ARC. Therefore, I am submitting a voluntary review.
Stolen Beauty was predominantly the love story of Lily and Arman, the mafia princess and her bodyguard, which would have been enough for me as I loved their relationship, but the author very cleverly added a sideline story based around corruption within the mafia, which added some drama and danger. As a child, Lily was both physically and emotionally abused by her father, who portrayed her as broken and worthless, and so she grew up believing that. She struggles with social anxiety, panic attacks, and sensory issues and has been told she isn't worthy of love. So when her bodyguard and brother's best friend Arman steps forward to marry her, she assumes it's purely so he can further his career within the mafia, and honestly, that hurts her. The author wrote Lily's thoughts and feelings beautifully, really showcasing her insecurities as she struggles to believe someone could want her. However, Arman is amazing, and despite a few teething issues, he soon shows her and everyone else that he genuinely loves her and is attracted to her. Arman has his own past traumas, including the disappearance of his mother when he was younger, his father's death, and his going to prison for a crime he didn't commit in order to protect Vlad, Lily's brother. These won't seem important to begin with and just seem like part of his character; however, they are very cleverly linked to the story, and some amazing twists and turns come about that blow everything we thought we knew about his past out of the water. They are a passionate duo, and despite Lily's early innocence and timidity, we soon see her take her place as Arman's queen, a position she most definitely deserves. Expect sweet and tender moments with some super hot spice as Arman's dominance breaks through and Lily's confidence grows.
This is Vlad and Sasha's little sister's book. Lilyana was the daughter their father never wanted. She had an accident when she was a child that left her with some brain damage that manifested into aphasia and a dislike of loud places and crowds. Arman is Vlad's right hand man and Lily's bodyguard. Arman decides to marry Lilyana to keep the rest of the bratva off their backs about her being unwed and vulnerable. The couple has been secretly pining for each other for years. Lily doesn't think Arman's feelings are genuine at first. They go round and round about it being a marriage in name only. Vlad even got on my nerves with his distrust of Arman's intentions. I mean... you've known him for years, agreed to let him marry your sister, and NOW you decide he's untrustworthy. Come on, Vladi!
A lot of stuff goes down between the Kislevs and the Italians over Lily. Arman protects her and enlists the help of his hacker friend Timur. Timur sends Arman all kinds of evidence against the Morettis. Everything seems cut and dry. But is it? This book has it all. The past comes back to haunt Arman, betrayal hangs in the air between friends, and Lily tries her best to cope with her life as a married woman to a man she thinks doesn't love her. And don't get me started on the spicy bits. Soooo hot!
The conflict at the end was explosive! I picked up on who the villain was fairly early on but didn't realize the connection ran that deep. Arman is A++ book boyfriend material and would go to the end of the earth for his tsvetok.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Part of the Angels & Brutes series each can be read as standalone connecting via the brotherhood so make sure to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love along the way. Lilyana little sister to her Vlad, she wasn’t wanted by their father since she was a mistake that shouldn’t have happen that is how he treated her but when she was in an accident it left her with some issues she can’t be around crows or loud noises/places due to aphasia, and yet the bratva brotherhood demands her be married so to keep her safe one of their men offers to marry her. Arman sexy as all get out right-hand to his boss Vlad, he is Lily’s bodyguard, and he decides to marry Lily to ensure her safety but also has always had deep buried feelings. Lily doesn’t think Arman has real for her thinking he married her out of pity and marriage in name only but the attraction is there but will Lily ever she that he loves her, will he be able to prove it to her as well as her family, will they work together against their enemies, and can Lily find something more than the accident that changed her life with a man who loves her?
Having reached the conclusion of the series, I must express that this installment has secured a place among my top five Mafia series that I have had the pleasure of reading. This particular book offers a compelling blend of angst, witty exchanges, romance, and a touch of spice. Moreover, it promises an emotionally engaging experience that will undoubtedly keep readers captivated. The narrative centers around the characters of Lilyana and Arman.
It is unfortunate that Lilyana has experienced a tragic accident resulting in a brain injury, as well as anxiety and panic attacks. Having been told throughout her life that she is not lovable and lacks intelligence, she now faces the challenges of adulthood. Given her vulnerability and the attention she receives from others, she has been placed in an arranged marriage with her bodyguard for her protection.
Arman serves as a bodyguard, but he is not just any individual in that role; he is specifically Lilyana's protector. Having been associated with the Bratva for many years, and having grown up alongside the Pakhan, Arman is prepared to undertake any necessary measures to ensure Lilyana's safety, even if it means marrying her and potentially risking his heart.
This is the third book in the world of Angels and Brutes by Cara Bianchi and it lived up to my expectations and a bit more! I think that this book, though, has become my favorite of the three!
Lilyana, absolutely beautiful name by the way, has always struggled in the family. Suffering an accident in childhood, with an abusive father, and being the only girl in a Bratva family really brings out a lot of weaknesses for Lilyana. Yet, the one man who truly sees her for who she is and the strength within her, just so happens to be her bodyguard.
Arman has officially become my favorite man in this world. He is the absolute definition of “touch her and ☠️” vibes. He would do anything for Lilyana and he has proved it so many times. His love for her shines so bright that Lili’s family knows that she is in the safest hands possible.
If you are looking for a mafia romance with an age gap and soooo much more, then this is your book. Honestly, this is your author! Cara has a way with this world that sucks me right in and I can never put her books down!
~ This is like the best book so far from this series that I personally have enjoyed… This is book 3 from the Angels & Brutes series and can be read as a standalone but it's better off if you read the other two books to know who all these characters are and how they are all connected. This is a Dark Mafia Romance with some touch her and d!3 vibes. Lilyanna is a Brava princess… been protected and hidden all her life and when the world finally knew about her… well let’s just say… They wanted to mistreat this wonderful person. Arman has always been Lilyanna’s protector, but she never really saw it like that!!! So he offered a proposal to her brother… in order to protect her… he will need to marry her!!!! This is where it felt forced but also it was an arranged marriage… The storyline, the plot is just so good… that this book kept me wanting to know what will happen… will she finally overcome her fear. Will she finally be happy? It’s just pure perfection!!!! Go check this series out!!!
Tropes: Virgin FMC Age-gap Bodyguard love Brava Princess Forced Marriage Enemies to Lovers Touch her and die
Cara Bianchi has only gone and smashed it out the park again!! Arman has had his troubles and just as he’s moved on, finally claiming the woman he’s adored from afar the past comes back to haunt him. Lily is the sweetest soul who has been through trauma and not had it easy. Her accident has left her with many obstacles to overcome and she certainly thinks less of herself because of it. It was heartbreaking to read at times but I loved how much Arman adored Lily even with her struggles and quirks. He didn’t try to change her but embraced her completely giving her everything she needed. Swoon! Their chemistry was pure spice. They complimented each other perfectly and Arman was the alpha I hoped he’d be and more. There was lots of drama, mystery and suspense weaved throughout an utterly captivating storyline as well as lots of appearances from other characters in previous books. I was here for it all and I bloomin loved it! Amazing!
There is a trigger warning at the start of the book leads you to believe it’s has certain troupes depicted but they really are ideas at best. The idea of the story is good mostly, although there are plot holes and the depth is sorely lacking with grammar and spelling mistakes along the way. The idea of a magic princess Fmc with a brain Injury and her bodyguard in an arranged married is what got me in the end and I’m sure some will enjoy it but it just didn’t hit the right marks for me.
I never really like writing reviews on books that just didn’t tick the boxes but I felt the need for this one considering people had given it a pile of 5 star reviews on kindle as well. Sadly this is just not anywhere near that level, I read various differing genres and am well into the 200-300 books a year category so I have set things I check before I read as I also don’t like to DNF a book but this book was close to that level.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mafia-themed romance novel, which encapsulated everything I seek in a story! The narrative revolves around Lilyana, a mafia princess disfavored by her father. His harsh treatment and a traumatic childhood incident leaving her with a fear of noise and crowds, render her exceedingly fragile. Enter Arman, Lilyana's steadfast bodyguard and defender, who truly appreciates her essence. In a daring move to safeguard her, he proposes marriage, presenting it as a sham arrangement in name only. Despite their attempts to deny their mutual attraction, it isn't long before their passion ignites.
Arman's character is exceptionally protective and intensely possessive about Lilyana, ready to go to any lengths to shield her and manifest his devotion. Total swoon!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: this mafia series is like nothing out there. It has twists and turns and plots that are dynamic that build that make you feel connected the whole way through. Both these characters aren’t new to us. We knew Arman and Lilyana from the previous books as step siblings almost. Arman was an adopted brother kinda and older than Lilyana and her twin and has known her since childhood and was her bodyguard for her whole adult life. Again, while the romance between them isn’t necessarily unique, bodyguard turn arranged marriage for protection then forced proximity, the behind the scenes plotting and action is. I didn’t necessarily love Lilyana’s back and forth on her ‘he loves me, he loves me not’ but seeing as she has a traumatic brain injury as a child, the portrayal of her struggling to read the social cues and decipher what was genuine vs a facade seemed to fit her character. The taboo element was also a nice addition and even though we didn’t get any bread crumbs for the last brothers book, I’m hoping it will be the bang we need to end this series.
Absolutely amazing book. This one is a page turner and kept me going. The love and devotion Arman has for Lilyana is so powerful and possessive. Every minute you spend away from me feels like I’m bleeding out. I’d crawl naked over broken glass if it made you smile. How did you not notice I was fucking dying? You’ve been killing me slowly for years. You’re my queen, my everything. I’m your keeper, your protector but also your slave. I’d die for you without a second’s hesitation. Everything I am, everything I have it’s all yours. You’ll fall in love with Arman and his possessiveness. The twist with evil psycho Timur was a surprise.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked this story, but there were a few things that annoyed me. One: In all the books it made a point to say Armon could find information anywhere, that he was freaky good at it. In his book, her found no info till the end when he got all the info/pics of her grandmother and mom. Two: When Oleg called Sasha, he automatically believed Armon shot Vlad, so did Lily, everyone! Then once he was almost killed twice and he woke up in the hospital, everything was A-Ok, no sense of betrayal that they believed the accusations right away, no questi0ns ask? Other than those two things, the story was great, happy balances of romance, suspense, violence and smut. Everything you look for in a Mafia book.
This is Book 3 of Angels and Brutes It is a stand-alone. I was simply engrossed in this book from the first chapter. I loved Arman so much, the way he treated Lily endeared him to me and everything he went through for her only made me love him more. And Lily was such a brave strong character, her anxiety etc only made her stronger to me. Look for some action, deceit, Mafia type relationships/politics, delicious steam and one possessive, OTT male lead and a HEA that made me cry with it's perfection and sweetness. I highly recommend reading this one!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Stolen Beauty is Lilyana, the Kislev Bratva Princess and Arman Nechayev, Lilyana's bodyguards story. This story is completely consuming and perfect in every way.
"It’s the Devil who deals in temptation. If he sent her to bring about my downfall, I’ll go to Hell with a smile."
Lilyana isn't your typical Mafia Princess. She has troubles that you usually don't find in these perfect girls that are groomed from birth for arranged marriages. Arman, oh my gosh, we all need an Arman. He finds Lili beautiful and perfect in every way. This is a great story to accompany the Angels And Brutes series.
I adored this book. Arman and Lili’s story had me laughing one minute and holding back tears the next. I really related to Lili and her past with her dad so watching her go from a sheltered girl to a fearless woman was empowering and moving. Arman finally embracing his found family was my favorite tho. Overall an amazing story from start to finish and the spice was 🥵🥵!! I’m a sucker for BDSM and all the good stuff and this book definitely did not disappoint.
Arman has had feeling for Lilyana for a long time. Its his job to protect her as her bodyguard and as an honorary member of their family and when she's in danger and needs to marry he's ready to be the one. Her brothers aren't sure about it, but they want to keep her safe. Lilyana has feelings for Arman as well, but never thought her dreams would play out this way. This book is really good! Cara knows how to write aa amazing story that'll grab you from beginning to end.
Arman has been the personal bodyguard for Lilyana and have been fighting his attraction to her. While Lilyana has been trying to live her life but she knew she would never be normal. In order to protect her, Arman must marry her. The plot had some twists and it was good. Lilyana's character had some moments where she was too much. Overall, it was good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love Cara Bianchi’s writing. Stolen Beauty took me on a rollercoaster of emotion and the twist were unexpected. Lilyana always so guarded and protected, little did she know that the one doing the protecting was the one who loved her most. Arman would have stayed as just the body guard if life didn’t give him the opportunity to make his move. Thier story wasn’t always easy but it was worth it. Absolutely loved!
5 Stars for Stolen Beauty by Cara Bianchi Angels & Brutes #3
A past as scarred as his face is Arman our MMC. Arman is over the top protective and possessive of Lily. This is an arranged marriage situation -feelings of love in mafia relationships are a curse because it’s dangerous…
Stolen Beauty is a well written read - loved it !
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.