Paraíso Cruel

Oryolov Bratva #1

by Nicole Fox

¿Qué es más vergonzoso que llamar a alguien por accidente?
Llamar a tu jefe por accidente...
Y dejar un sucio mensaje de voz cuando estás, eh... “pensando” en él.

Trabajar como asistente personal de Ruslan Oryolov es infernal.
Después de un largo día atendiendo todos los caprichos del multimillonario, necesito aliviar el estrés.
Así que, cuando llego a casa esa noche, es exactamente lo que hago.

El problema es que sigo pensando en el idiota que me está arruinando la vida.
Eso está bien, porque de todos los pecados de Ruslan, ser guapo puede ser el más peligroso.
Esta noche, fantasear con él es justo lo que necesito para llevarme al límite.

Pero, cuando miro mi teléfono, aplastado a mi lado,
Ahí está.
Un mensaje de voz de 7 minutos y 32 segundos...
Enviado a Ruslan Oryolov.

Entro en pánico y tiro el teléfono al otro lado de la habitación.
Pero no se puede deshacer el daño provocado por mi muy eufórico orgasmo.

¿Qué puedo hacer?
Mi plan era evitarlo y hacer como si no hubiera pasado nada.
Además, nadie tan ocupado revisa sus mensajes de voz, ¿verdad?

Pero cuando él programa una reunión a solas conmigo por exactamente 7 minutos y 32 segundos, una cosa es
Él.
Escuchó.
Todo.

PARAÍSO CRUEL es el primer libro del dúo de la Bratva Oryolov. La historia de Ruslan y Emma concluye en el segundo libro, PROMESA CRUEL.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Dark, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Workplace Romance

580 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2024

About the author

Nicole Fox writes smart, sexy mafia romance novels. She is a crazy cat lady in her late 30s with a coffee addiction, an overactive imagination, and a husband who somehow puts up with her impulsive need to keep buying new plants for their house.

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Reviews

[Rayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a lot of unbelievable aspects. How did she leave a nearly 8 minute long voicemail on accident? How did Ben manage to use her card to spend 20 grand? Especially when’s it’s all she had, how was he authorized to do that? This was all just in the beginning too, it got more absurd as it went on.

The characters were all way OTT. Anything bad a character could ever do was shoved into Ben. Abusive, drunk, horrible to his kids, doesn’t work, steals Emma’s money, and all of this was to an extreme. There wasn’t any logic behind the things he did, he just did them to push the plot along. Then there’s Ruslin who was just a terrible person. He was so disrespectful and just awful. That’s all on him, but I also can’t stand when the FMC is a compete doormat that just takes it all. He could step on her hand and she’d say thank you. He also came onto Emma way too quickly. One page he barely acknowledges her existence and the next he can’t stand the thought of her with someone else and is calling her his. Talk about whiplash. Oh and we can’t forget how the other women are all super fake, plastic, horrible human beings that have no character traits besides being shallow and wanting Ruslin.

In saying all that, there was an odd addicting part of this book. I read the entire thing and I will be jumping into the next one. But, I really don’t understand the high rating. Please someone tell me what I’m missing from this book because even if it had some entertaining parts, I just can’t see how it has a 4.5+ rating.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.
Several times I found myself pondering are people this stupid, but then I’m the one reading this guff. Then it ended on a cliffhanger, the next part is available on ku so on I go. Dear me.

[Nunu · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know the feeling when you intrigue your boss and find yourself in a sex contract with him?
Yeah happens to everyone girl

3☆
3🌶

• contract sex
• boss x secretary
•single mom ( I wish I could punch the dad)
•bratva


The description of this book made me howl with laughter, so i gave it a shot.

Honestly, I thought this would be a 'meh' read , but this pleasantly surprised me!

Fmc is a single mom to her sisters 3 adorable kids. Their dad is still around, but there is a reason I called her a single mom. I despise their dad. Absolutely horrendous, weak peace of shit. He deserves to fall down the stairs and break every bone in his body. He is lost due to passing of his wife but GOD DAMN you do not treat your children that way 😭 I'm fuming.

Fmc accidentally butt dials her boss, sends him a voice message of her very audibly masturbating.. and the best part.. she is calling HIS name outloud.
This intrigues our very rich, hot billionaire boss and he decides to offer a contract to her.
Spend some quality time with him few days a week 🍆🍆 and she gets paid more.
What can a broke girl really do?

Mmc is not only a billionaire boss, he belongs to bratva so it has a hint of dark ish theme. He is a grump , but he is such a good dad. I was melting whenever he interacted with the kids. Man is everything 😭 but he is mentally broken, scared of love. Doesn't want to admit the obvious. But actions tell everything boy, you can't fool me 😭😩

This was so ridiculous it was good.
The children stole the show...they were everything. So sweet and understanding. My heart aches for them and I just want them to be happy , they deserve all the stars 😭❤️

The plot surprisingly deepens and the bratva comes along more at the end, even if it's predictable it's amusing. This ends in a gliffhanger and has a sequel. So I guess I'm off to read that now. I need to see my kids happy 😤

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough!! This book held my interest with the two leads Emma and Ruslan ... (boss and secretary). I felt the suspense and was fully invested in how Emma inherited 3 kids after her sister passed suddenly. She also inherits her loser drunk brother-in-law. 🥴

This book felt more original... Emma struggled with expenses and a horrible boss. The kids pull at your heartstrings 🥹🥹. I loved this book.😫😭😫

**Employee/boss
**Sad start
**Suspense
**Chemistry 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥


Audible purchase 🤗 👏

[Vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a :
- Boss x Employee
- Bachelor x Single parent
- Billionaire x Poor FMC
- Mafia x Normal person (probably not the right term)

It was a solid read, but not a quick read, which I thought it would be. Not complaining though.

👇Spoilers👇

The MMC has a heart of stone initially. Honestly he was a pr1ck through and through, but then he slowly falls in love with the FMc and you realise how loving he can be. He cares for her when she is sick, stops abuse that is happening to her and cares for her kids (who were her sisters kids, but she passed and their dad is awful).

So the premise is that she accidentally send him a voicemail, while she’s having ‘me’ time and thinking about him. He hears and proposes a sex contract, to mutually benefit them both. She is getting additional pay for this part, so I guess it might count as prostitution, but they both want the arrangement.

Needless to say it is very Spice heavy 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Both characters evolve other time. He becomes a better person and learns to love again. While she becomes more confident and less willing to put up with other peoples sh1t.

Time goes on and the MMC is being pressured to produce an heir. So because he’s really likes Emma at this point, he drafts up a pregnancy contract, because he wants her to be his baby mama.

Honestly this threw me for a loop.

1. All she wants to do is protect her kids, so why would she think having a baby with the head of the mafia would be a good idea. Just why.
2. What does his lawyer think about having to draft up all these contracts. If we could have his pov that would be insightful.

Some other stuff occurs and they have a miscommunication. This trope annoys me so much. Just chat it out, but no that doesn’t happen. He won’t hear her out and then essentially kicks her out his apartment and fires her. From work and from being his baby mama.

More plot twists occur from this point and then it ends with a cliffhanger. I am going to read book 2, but I’m not really in a rush to do so. It was a good book still, but I think I have to be in a different mood to read the pregnancy trope in the second book.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

- bratva
- boss x employee
- coworkers with benefits
- billionaire
- single mom (kinda but not)

After accidentally leaving her hard ass of a boss a long voicemail of herself self pleasuring, Emma expects to be fired for moment she walks into work the next day.

Instead her boss offers her a mutually beneficial arrangement, one that would exponentially lighten the burden of taking care of her sister’s children and all her bills… All she has to do is take care of his every need, in and out of the bedroom.

I went into Cruel Paradise expecting some hot boss x employee action, which I was not disappointed there at all, but also got smacked in the face with an emotional storyline, tons of drama, and Bratva politicking! This was so good and I’m dying to see how everything plays out in Cruel Promise after that ending!

[Lori ◡̈ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at page 363 of 528, and it ends in a cliffhanger. But I feel like I’ve read enough and will assume they get their HEA.

This is about a NYC-based stoic Russian Mafia hero, Ruslan, that is the CEO of a security firm. He has some aphrodisiac drug making business on the side that’s almost ready to hit the streets, he has Bratva members that are resentful and jealous that he needs to worry about, and he’s never ever never getting married. He started the story off as a pretty good alphahole, but lost that edge once he bonded with the heroine’s nieces/nephew.

The heroine is a regular (non-mafia) calm, shy yet sassy girl that is currently employed as the hero’s personal assistant, she hates her boss because he is rude and dismissive, her bff sister recently passed away and left 3 young children behind that the heroine is helping to raise since her sister’s husband/the children’s father has spiraled into alcoholism/depression and can’t hold a job. Side note: this heroine has a vein in her forehead that the hero notices bulge 25 different times when she’s stressed. Yes, I counted.

So the set-up to the story is the heroine somehow accidentally records and sends a voicemail to her boss of herself having some very vocal “me” time. Of course, even though she hates him, she had moaned and cried out his name during the recording. So this catches his attention and he gives her two options: To quit, or enter into a very lucrative sex contract. Which she finally agrees to. The agreement is for them to get together twice-a-week.

“I invited you out tonight to lay the ground rules for our arrangement.”
“Okay. Got it. Ground rules.”
“You need money to pay off your debts.” My skin prickles with anxiety, but I don’t bother asking him how he knows that I’m in debt. “And I need a woman who’ll be at my beck and call without expecting me to fulfill her… emotional needs.”

“I mean, you can certainly try not to fall in love with me. I’m warning you though, it’s gonna be tough. I’m a hoot and a half.”
I swear, I almost manage to squeeze a smile out of that stone face.
Almost.
“I wouldn’t worry. There’s zero percent chance of that happening.”

So we see him message her for their first and then second meeting for the first week…. But then the romance plot seemed to be pushed aside, and the focus was on Ruslan meeting the 3 nieces/nephew and bonding with them. They go to school ball games, out for ice cream, etc. Don’t get me wrong, it was touching and showed Ruslan learning to care for others and maybe change his outlook on marriage and kids for himself. But the whole contract wasn’t mentioned again for a long time. I would have loved to have seen the moment in their relationship where Ruslan decided he wanted to see her more than twice a week (because he desired her or needed her) and broke the rules of the contract. Missed opportunity, in my opinion. Instead we suddenly get this (after tons of family nights with the kids):

“Ruslan and I have been sleeping together now for almost five months. Between the hours of nine-to-five, I’m a constant, dripping mess with near-permanent rug burn on my knees. And as if that weren’t enough, twice a week, we leave the office together and go to his penthouse on 48th. He offers me a drink and then he fucks me to within an inch of my life.”

I had no idea they were even meeting up alone and having sex. I also had no idea it had been 5 months already, I would have guessed 2 weeks. Especially since the creepy news reporter got his face bashed in by the hero at the beginning of the story, and by page 360, he shows back up with still having facial bruising. After 5 months? I don’t think so….

Anyway, it wasn’t horrible, it wasn’t fantastic. I definitely won’t read the second book continuing their story. I think the children stole the show for the huge middle chunk, the romance was more dirty narrating than actual romance (see last italics paragraph above), the bad guys were bad/ the creepy were creepy. (the children’s biological father was an ott abusive, foul-mouthed drunk, horrible to his kids, steals Emma’s credit card and maxes them out, refuses to work, all to the extreme. The news reporter Remmy was an ott creepy stalker that didn’t give up.)

[Lover of Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:��📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Cruel Paradise is the first book in the Oryolov Bratva duo series by Nicole Fox. This is a story that I was intrigued by the premise of the blurb. The moment I read the blurb, I knew that I needed to read this book. I really was fascinated and curious about this author. And not going to lie in that the cover was a contributing factor. Its super gorgeous. My general impression is that if you love alpha males, domination in the bedroom, dirty talkin and adorable children charming the socks off of this alpha male, a likeable heroine, then you definitely need to read this one. I was so impressed with the writing and it definitely delivered on all the feels for me on this one.

First Line
"Do I have your full attention, Ms. Carson? "

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Ruslan Oryolov
Bratva boss, devoted to his family, domineering and possessive but craves his own family.

The Heroine: Emma
Hard working, devoted to her two nieces and one nephew after her sister was killed.

Summary
Emma is the personal assistant to Ruslan Oryolov. He is a hard taskmaster and very demanding. What she doesn't plan on is releasing some tension through some sexual satisfaction and with Ruslan being her source of inspiration, only to find out she butt dialed the man and left him a voicemail of the experience. Her embarassment knows no bounds, but when he drafts up a contract for her to be his sexual plaything in return for some financial compensation, she reluctantly agrees. She is barely making it by living in New York City and supporting three children with a pile of debts. She does what she needs to do, but she can't deny the attraction that she holds for him, but betrayal and secrets could tear them apart before their relationship can get off the ground...

What I Loved
So many aspects to this story that I loved. Now its not a perfect story. There will be readers that will not enjoy this book. However, I found this one to be catnip for me. It just worked for me in every way. I just so hooked on the romance, and Ruslan was a sexy alpha dreamboat. I found the heroine to be pretty likeable, she could be a bit naive at times, but you can see how drained she is. The stress is getting to her and I really appreciated that she was written in a way that I could easily relate to her character.

There is so much great sexual tension that builds between our characters. Ruslan has such strong alpha vibes so if you appreciate a sexy alpha male, then you will fall hard for Ruslan. But what intrigued me more was his reaction to the three children, especially Josh. The relationships that he builds with these children was so infectious and I couldn't help but be intrigued by it. It had such an endearing poignant quality to it. Ruslan isn't use to having to use his heart or emotion and faces up to what he has been neglecting in his life since his mother and brother were killed. We really see such growth among the characters here.

What I Struggled With
The ending. While I didn't mind the conflict that arises, how the heroine faces up to the challenge I was a bit disappointed in at times. I won't reveal to much but I just wished she had faced up to it in a different way and been more patient.

Overall View
Cruel Paradise is a sexy romance that has intense emotion and powerful energy. A story with powerful spice and emotion and delivers an intriguing heart.

Favorite Quote(s)
“I chose you for you, Emma Carson. For your character, your compassion, your capacity to love. I chose you because there’s no one else in this whole fucking world I can see myself raising a child with.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary, Dark
Character Types: Mafia, Billionaire, Alpha Male, Single Parent/Guardian
Themes: Office Love, Boss and Employee
Tropes: Rags to Riches

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
Every Kind of Way by H.E.R.

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It's the first thing I pack and the last thing I unpack."

Triggers/ What to expect:
- Contract Sex
- CEO/ Sectary
- 'Single Mum'
- Bratva
- Death of a parent
- Abusive father (if you want to call him that)- Physically and Mentally
- Alcoholic
- Possessive MMC
- Billionaire/Poor
- Miscommunication

Emma is a single parent of her sister's children, even though the dad is still around, literally, he lives with them. Every bad thing you could thing of in a character, that is Ben: Alcoholic, abusive, horrible to his children and Emma, steal money, has no job etc..

After a tough day at work, Emma decides to loss some of her tension by masturbating and happens to imagine and vocalise a certain boss while doing so. While in the moment, Emma accidently butt dials her boss and hears everything all 7 mins 32 seconds.

Next day at work, Emma things she is going to be fired, instead her boss offers her beneficial agreement for both parties, he gets have sex with her at any point of call, as long as the children have some looking after them and Emma's debts disappear and her children will be cared for.

I didn't realise it was a duet or how long the book was going to be. I would have loved the book more if there wasn't Bratva element, It is hinted early on and doesn't come to light until about 80%. I would have liked it just to be about Ruslan becoming a dad to those 3 kids and being with Emma. As I loved his interactions with them, especially Josh. Throughout the book you see Ruslan becoming a better person and allowing people in. The miscommunication trope annoys me, so much. They just need to talk like two adults. But no soon as something happens Ruslan pushes Emma away completely out of his life and not letting her explain anything.
However, don't get me wrong, I was glued to the book and I wanted to know what happens next, the second book is already downloaded onto my kindle.

Favourite Quotes:
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream, and that's practically the same thing."- Unless you are lactose intolerant!!!

"Grief isn't something that just goes away on it's own. It doesn't come with an expiration date."

"Things will get better. They have to. They sure as hell can't get any worse."

"Time is funny like that. It makes things unclear. But trust me: when you least expect it, you'll remember something about her that you've forgotten you know."

"Every fucking soul at this gala is going to know exactly who Emma belongs to."

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long, but oh so good!

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: boss, mafia
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

500+ pages and ends on a cliffy, lol. But I loved it and can't wait to see what's coming! Absolutely beautiful writing with lots of twists and turns. Love the kids in the story and the budding relationship between the MMC and the oldest boy makes you want to shed a tear. Tons of chemistry and hot smexy and a cliffy that leaves your heart pounding.

[Canan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mafya
Patron - Asistan
Anlaşmalı İlişki

Sanki her şey vardı içinde. Çok bayılmadım ama uzun olmasına rağmen sebepsizce hızlı okudum.

[❀ Rose ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

📚 Bratva
📚 FMC is guardian to three kids
📚 Workplace romance
📚 Boss/employee

[Mariami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m surprised...really surprised, because no one talks about these books. It deserves more audience and recognition. I loved everything about this book, and I mean it with all my heart. The thing is, I never wanted this type of relationship. I never considered loving someone, and honestly I don’t know if I am capable of it. I don’t know if someone can handle me.

Emma always cared about everyone. Her sister's children, brother-in-law. She always believed in good and gave people second chances. First, I never understood why she was so patient with Ben. Then I knew why. She worked so hard and gave these children a safe home and family.

Ruslan is something we call a red flag. I also understood him. It's really hard to express emotions when you buried them a long time ago. He needed time to allow himself to live. He needed her as much as she did.

Of course I was angry when he didn’t listen to her. one little conversation could avoid a disaster. But again, it's really hard to let yourself go and trust somebody. I think it's a found family trope. He loved all of them, and this man with kids? Just kill me. It feels really good when, for the first time, someone cares about you and adores you so much.

I don’t know. For someone who never wanted her own family and children… I considered... maybe... in another lifetime... I would find someone like Ruslan and have my happy ending.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 1 in the "Oryolov Bratva" Emma Carson has a lot going on. She is working as Ruslan Oryolov’s personal assistant, and it is the job from hell. She is grieving the death of her sister Sienna, and raising her kids with no help from the kids' father who is a dead beat who is blackmailing her. After a long day she needs a stress relieve and uses her boss as a fantasy only her phone records it on a voicemail to him. I love reading this authors mafia reads. This book had a lot of drama in it. Emma and Ruslan begin hooking up she doesn't know that he is head of the Bratva. Ruslan is a hot sexy alpha male who exudes power he is also closed off and unemotional. Emma develops feelings for him the more they hook up. I did not like her parents they are wealthy, selfish, unavailable parents, who don’t even know their grandchildren’s names. I did think that this book was too long. This book had everything I looked for in a mafia read action and suspense. This book does leave on a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to read the next book. This book was well written and with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Sonia De la rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5
Me encanta estos libros de mafiosos. Creo que mezclan muy bien todos los ingredientes que más disfruto cuando leo una novela. Romance (trama principal), thriller (mafiosos), suspense.

En este caso nuestro mafiosos se esconde tras una máscara de despiadado hombre de negocios, en esta primera parte no se ve tanto su faceta de mafioso.

Por un mensaje, que nunca se tuvo que haberse enviado, nuestra protagonista, Emma, se encuentra firmando un contrato para ser la compañera sexual de su jefe. Nada de sentimientos 2 veces se encuentran en el ático de lujo de él para mantener relaciones y fuera de ahí siguen siendo jefe y empleada.

Sobre el papel parece todo muy sencillo pero la realidad es muy diferente, la vida de Emma es un perpetúo drama. Tiene a su cargo a sus tres sobrinos tras la muerte de su hermana y encima tiene que cargar con el borracho inútil de su cuñado.

Muy pronto Ruslan se ve implicado en el drama de Emma. Se convierte en el "caballero de la brillante armadura" de la pequeña familia de Emma. Él que nunca quiso lazos con nadie, él que no quería hijos se está convirtiendo en una figura paterna para los sobrinos de su empleada/compañera de cama.

Mientras tanto Ruslan esta metido en el lanzamiento de una nueva droga afrodisíaca. Empieza a producirse pequeños inconvenientes que puede destruir ese lanzamiento.

Al final de este libro Ruslan se la va cayendo esa armadura de caballero cuando estalla el conflicto que hace que todo lo que ha empezado a construir con Emma peligre.... no hay que decir que no tarde ni un segundo para empezar con el siguiente. En 2 días me he leído la serie.

[ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so good omg.

thank you to booksprout and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Shivani Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt like a boss and secretary Non disclosure contract kind of book.

Then the three children came in.

Then the way the hero behaves with the heroine and the children. I swear my heart melted into a puddle on the floor.

Such a good man. Not many are like that.

Definitely Ruslan is book boyfriend material.

It was a feel good book till the end when it started turning into an emotional twister.

Am starting the next one .. and tomorrow is a weekday.

This goes on my comfort reads shelf. For sure.

[Deepthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is less of a mafia of other things. Didn't get that element at all until 80%of the book. Very disappointed

If we keep that one aside ,more of a blooming love story which was going well, until the misunderstanding, which I hate very much, climax also not worth much.

Just for some instances and for the kids mainly JOSH are those 3 stars.
Continuing with the 2nd book of this duet.

Tropes:
Boss x secretary
Fucking with benefits sort
Close proximity

Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️
(It's not that great either, it felt repetitive )

[Travelogged Blogs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting and easy to get into but sometimes Emma's actions annoyed me. She had no self respect and what happened towards the end was so bad. I hope she'll grow a backbone in the next book and make Ruslan work for getting her back. Ruslan was such a freaking asshole but when he met the kids, I started to like him more. The side characters weren't that great but the plot was solid enough to keep me hooked. I'm going to read the next book now to find out what happens next.

[Jasea · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 71% 😐
I absolutely HATE dnfing but I could not stand this book. Every single cliche was cliched. The pacing was horrible, and honestly nothing really made sense to me. I gave it a couple chances!

[Eylem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okayy sooo I wasn’t planning to read the second book right away but after that cliffhanger?? Yeah, no way i’m not continuing.

Had to warm up to Ruslan tbh. I didn’t really start liking him until like halfway through. Emma tho?? Such a badass. Sure, she has her submissive moments but she still stands up for herself and i love that. Also the way Ruslan cared about the kids?? Ugh, my heart.

But Ben?? Boy. I HATE him. Like, seriously.

Emma & Ruslan gave me 50 Shades of Grey vibes in the beginning — toxic but kinda addictive?? I’m not usually into toxic stuff but this one was weirdly interesting. And spicy af.

I’m lowkey scared book 2’s gonna be even more toxic… will i still read it? Yeah, probably lol.

[kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia boss is a giant cinnamon roll. Who knew?

[abbie s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great start to an unputdownable mafia duet by Nicole Fox!

After accidentally leaving a voicemail to her boss of her getting off and screaming his name, Emma finds herself having to face her hot boss the next morning about it. Instead of firing her, he offers her a deal that is mutually beneficial. And since Emma is struggling to be the guardian to her deceased sister's 3 kids, she takes the deal. Little did they both know that what it would turn into.

Such a unique start to this duet!! Nicole Fox's men are always hot af and Ruslan is no exception. And seeing the big bad mafia boss be around 3 kids?? *swoon*

Can't wait to see how their story plays out in book 2!

[Erica Paré · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book! As soon as I finished it, I started reading the second to find out what happened as this book ends on a cliffhanger, I was not happy about that haha The characters are so relatable and I could picture this actually being plausible. I was in awe of Emma's strength, patience, and love for her sister/sister's kids. Ruslan is like the stereotypical russian mobster, but dont call him a don lol My most hated character, although I feel he was written spot on, was Ben. The hated, lazy, bad parent, and alcoholic brother in law. There is so much push and pull in this story and I actually felt pain for Emma as she has been faced with so many challenges and heartbreak in her life. I do not want to give anything away but I will say THIS IS A MUST READ SERIES!!!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite from Nicole Fox thus far. I really like Emma. She made me laugh so many times and broke my heart as well. I definitely can relate to her in so many levels.

Ruslan reminds me of the Grinch. He wants to hate the world but he secretly has a heart. But he also doesn't want anyone to know or even admit he has one. The fact this man constantly thought about those 3 kids so much says it all.

[Fernanda Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gusto, la verdad es que la forma de escribir de la autora es asombrosa, es pulcra y sobre todo, atrapante.
Hubo ocaciones en que si giraba los ojos ante la forma de este fulano de tratar a nuestra protagonista, pero al menos, al inicio de la firmada del contrato, yo lo pasaba, decía “Bueno, el fue claro, ella es la que se está haciendo ilusiones sola”
Pero si que llegue a un punto donde la protagonista me frustraba. Se llenaba la boca de que ella por sus sobrinos hacía todo y aun sabiendo que el padre no hacía absolutamente nada, lo tenía ahí, por que era su papá, pero de verdad que en ninguno mundo es correcto que niños estén expuesto a una persona alcohólica violenta, sin contar más quejas constantes de la gastadora de dinero. Mami, no es tu esposo, déjalo y ya, mete luego luego el juicio con pruebas de lo incompetente que es, ¿para que te esperas a que en una borrachera pueda matarte a ti o a los niños?
También tengo un tema con la edad de Josh (el hermano mayor) por que es un niño de 8 años y se que lo quieren hacer ver como muy maduro para su edad y no se la verdad si la autora tenga hijos, pero yo tengo un hijo de esa edad y de verdad que no son así 😩 el niño tiene un actuar de un niño de más de 10 año, una capacidad de razonamiento que pese a su trauma, les juro que no es normal. El como aborda las situaciones, no siento que esté bien y sinceramente me parece un tema delicado los que se tocan en el libro y a los que expone al niño, que si, que yo se que es ficticio, pero de igual forma no me parece correcto.
En fin, fue agradable de leer, lo termine bastante rápido.

[Serialbookstarter:Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma is helping to raise her deceased sisters three children. She gets a job as Ruslan’s PA. It begins as a sort of grumpy boss office romance. Emma’s brother in
Law lives with her and the children. He’s become an addict. This book like the other duet I read by this author starts out like a rom Com and morphs into a mafia romance. The H offers the h a F buddy contract after she accidentally leaves him a sexy voicemail. She needs the money because the BIL stole all her savings and she’s been providing for the children.Things heat up between the H and h. He also really connects with the kids. When Emma finds out Ruslan is the Bratva’s Pakhan things head south and the book ends on a cliffhanger.

[Craving Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The CONTRACT, OH HOW I LOVE CONTRACTS

Emma honestly I love her from the beginning, I liked how strong she was and how she speaked her mind but then hated how she lets her brother in law control her life and kids, THANK GOD FOR RUSLAN

Honestly, I absolutely loved how he cared about the kids from the very first moment that he met them. It was so sweet. And then the sex contract and the VOICEMAIL 😱 it was hilarious. I love this book and love Nicole fox she always has me in my seat screaming

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic start to this duet. I believe this is my first story by this author but I am a fan. It's well balanced between the relationship aspect, Emma's family problems, and Ruslan's Bratva activities to make this a really busy story. Also, the drama....goddamn endless for Emma but oh man Ruslan... he's definitely going on my top shelf hahaha.

[Eduarda Ugarte · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 estrellas.

No me gusto nada. No llega a ser horroroso pero es fome. Abandonado en el cap 43, no me atrajo para nada el prota principal.