Reign of Four

Baranova Bratva #2

by Misti Wilds

I never wanted to take a life. Now, I have no choice.

People say that showing mercy makes you strong, but I know otherwise. Mercy only brings pain. It shows that you’re weak—that others can touch you without consequence.

I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. Someone I once loved is threatening my men's lives and tearing mine apart. They think they can control me, but I'm not the same woman they remember.

I gave mercy once. I won't make that mistake again.


Reign of Four is book two of a reverse harem, Russian mafia dark romance duet, which immediately follows the events of book one, Rule of Three. You must read book one before reading book two. Please check my website for TWs.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Mafia Romance, Dark, Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2024

About the author

Misti Wilds is a lover of all things romance, especially when the spice is habanero hot and the men are morally gray and dangerous. She devours angst like her favorite M&M cookies--all at once with no regrets. When she isn't writing why choose romance, she can be found floating in the lake with her favorite sun hat or playing video games while surrounded by Squishmallows. She lives in Southern USA with her number one fans (an adoring husband and two precious pups).

Reviews

[Ilya Kristensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm glad this was only two books long, i couldn't do a third one

[Spooky Mess Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm within the shadows now, the part I was never meant to see, the throne high over my head and out of reach. If my men clawed their way out of the shadows to claim the throne, it's about time I learned to do the same."

Valentina is ready to put the past behind her and take what the future is meant to be. She is not going to sit idly by any longer and watch people take what they think she owes them. She is not just a woman who is going to give her body, mind, and power up just to be wed to some useless man. She wants her men, and her power. She is going to learn how to take the throne that is rightfully hers, not give it to whoever marries her.

This sequel to Rule of Three picks up right after the very emotional cliffhanger and carries on seamlessly. No recap or reread necessary of the first book in my personal opinion, but if that's your way of doing things - have at it!

Valentinas men swoop in and are ready to get her back from Liam without any hesitation, but of course it's not that simple. Is it ever? And of course she starts to think that maybe they're not going to come because everybody has turned on her and it would just be easier for them to leave her to the wolves. But they do come, they would never leave the woman that they love. They are a bit hesitant to her wanting to claim her power for herself, but when she explains that she wants to do it with them by her side - they come around to the idea. But of course they're going to come around to the idea, because she is made for her. She is their everything, and they are her everything. Mikhail, Ezra, and Andrei are truly her missing pieces. They help her find her power and her confidence and bring her into her full power as a woman. They make her soft and powerful all at the same time. I love all of the differences that these men have and the ways that they compliment her as a woman, and in their relationship.

The spice sure didn't fail me either in this book. Wheeewwww. I thought I needed to go sit in front of a fan while I was reading some of these scenes in this book. I mean... taking a break during an all out combat scene just to get it on? That sounds like our main characters in this series, if I may say so myself.

Thank you Misti for giving me the chance to read this as an ARC just like Rule of Three.

[Cécile Smits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valentina may have been taken and forced into a marriage she didn’t want,but that doesn’t mean she accepted any of the things that were done to her…
She really grew into the queen she was meant to be al along!
Reign of Four became exactly that….a reign of four people.


Valentina did everything she could to learn her enemies’ plans before her men found her.
She played “Liam” enough to gain enough freedom around the house to search for evidence.
She also drew loyalty from people around her that could help her.
Including her guard,Riot….who turned out to be the older halfbrother of…..Rage,Rebel and Ruin,Thanatos!

And her men did everything but burn down the city to find her!
Starting with locking down the church,and finding the traitors amongst the guests.
(I dó hope Celia wil learn to accept Rage,Rebel and Ruin’s véry good reasons for eliminating those….)
Their search for Valentina turned up empty though…..until Thanatos found them on Valentina’s orders.
Thát’s where things turned for the better,and they were finally able to make plans to save their queen.
Even if it killed them….

But what about Valentina’s b**ch of a grandmother and “Liam”aka Donovan?
They wouldn’t allow anyone to take away the power they thought they’d get with Valentina as their captive,now would they?
How far were they prepared to go?

Reign of Four showed a lot of growth for Valentina and her men,they gave eachother strenght,trust and love…..lots of love….in delicious detail.
Making them unstoppable for anyone that tried to get in their way.
The future for the Baranova Bratva looked bright for the first time when they finally had eachother back.
I loved every second of their journey towards a well deserved happy after,and i can’t wait to hear more of this world!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reign of four was an amazing read. These men have my heart. This was a great Russian mafia romance. I feel like reading Mafia books can always be a hit or miss for me, but Misti Wilds' writing style will have you hooked. I loved every minute of it. Misti Wilds does not disappoint. Her plots are wonderfully written, and her characters are great. You can't help but fall in love with these men. I definitely recommend reading this series!


Tropes:
Mafia romance
Why choose
Kidnapping
Touch her & ☠️
HEA

[Ivelisse✨📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4

While I did love the first half of this book, once it hit the 60%ish mark, I was like WTF 😂

They are literally trying to escape and they stop… to bang. While there is a literal shoot out happening on the other side of the door. I laughed out loud at that part, which I am sure was not the intended purpose 😅

It felt like the last 40% of the book just existed to add spice with minimal plot to it, which is okay for some, but it’s the reason I don’t enjoy reading RH books the majority of the time. I need some really good plot with my spice! It was still a good read and there was a HEA which I liked!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Moe Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This book felt more rounded than Book 1. It was nice to see Valentina come into herself with the help of her men. Though she is hesitant that they will come save her from Liam as she didn't exactly display the best attitude in Book 1, they come through because they are all each other's missing pieces.

Ezra definitely is my favourite just because of how protective he is and I love his monologues when interacting with Valentina. Mikhail was monopolised a lot of the time, which I didn't overly enjoy as a RH need equal time for all love connections.

The spice didn't disappoint, but at times felt like it was filling plot as the latter part of the book felt more rushed.

Thank you again for Misti and BookSirens to allow me to read this advanced copy for a voluntary review!

[T.P.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, so Valentina did embrace her heritage as she did not sit quietly and wait to be rescued. She may have been a Mafia Princess, but now she is a Queen.
Mikhail here shows more emotion and despite his unhinged ways, she genuinely loves the FMC. Andrei and Ezra were grand from the start.
Again, there were some bizarre decisions and explanations given, which did not make much sense to me and most of all, I wanted more clarity about Valentina's mother. What actually happened to her?
All in all, quick mafia read.

[Lemon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: 3.5/5 • Smut: 4/5 ———-> Picking up where book 1 left off. The guys are on the hunt to find valentina from her psycho ex boyfriend. The psycho ex that her grandmother groomed to take over as pakhan.


We do get our saving graces. And that is the peak of the drama. It happens early. The rest of the read is inner turmoil on whether or not valentina wants a baby and whether or not she’d be a good mom.


Well, then it happens. She gets pregnant. And they all lived happily ever after. Literally. That’s the ending. Very anticlimactic. Sweet, but kind of dull.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I devoured it. The smut was on point and fit in so well with the story. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emma (emjbookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reign of Four

This is book 2 in the Baranova Bratva series, You must read Rule of Three before diving into this otherwise it may not make sense.

Valentina is back with her three men Ezra, Mikhail and Andrei. We pick up where Rule of Three left off. This book is filled with action, drama, angst and oh my lots of spice. Each of these men compliment Valentina in different ways and we find out how far they will go to keep her in their lives. This book was darker than the first and I loved every minute of it.

[Danni Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
Reign of Four by Misti Wilds
Book two of the Baranova Bratva

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

🥀Dark Russian Mafia Romance
🥀Why Choose
🥀Morally Grey
🥀A Tattooed MMC
🥀Possessiveness
🥀HEA
🥀Touch her and ☠️

I mean when Misti says Russian Mafia Romance she was NOT kidding, when I think Russian Bratva this series is EXACTLY what I want and more, it has the right about of spiciness, it has secrets and lies unfolding (some that you would never see coming!) The why choose is delicious 🤤 because who wouldn't want 3 steamy men protecting you to to the ends of the earth right?! Each of them bring something different to the table for the FMC Valentina, a love that she never thought possible just as she teaches them love that they never thought possible and that they do in fact deserve to be loved.
I could talk about this book and the first all day but I refuse to spoil this amazing series for everyone else.

I absolutely LOVED this book! And devoured book one and two in literally two days! I highly recommend reading the first book Rule Of Three before this one so that this one makes sense but I guarantee it is worth it! Rule of Three is available on KU.

Reign of Four is available for pre-order on Misti's website (mistiwilds.com) along with Amazon
Release day is 19th of August 🖤

[Christie Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reign of Four by Misti Wilds (audiobook)

MMCs - Andrei, Mikhail, and Ezra
FMC - Valentina

🔪RH romance - MFMM
🖤Russian mafia
🔪bodyguard
🖤forced marriage

audiobook review:
Valentina (Kai Kennicott) MMCs (Wen Ross)
OMG! I absolutely LOVE these two and especially whenever they narrate together. They are truly perfect. I love that they narrated this mafia duet. Wen is amazing as the MMCs! These two narrators are top notch and have amazing talent.
This is the second book in this duet. Reign of Four picks up where Rule of Three left off. The last book ended on an emotional cliffhanger. The guys are on the hunt to find Valentina from her psycho ex boyfriend. The psycho ex that her grandmother groomed to take over as Pakhan. The story went by quickly but it rounded it out.
This book was FULL of smut 🫣🥹

[Daira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quería darle un mayor puntaje porque está un poco mejor que el primer libro pero hay ciertos topicos que no me gustó para nada como los trato la autora.
El spice esta buenísimo pero la trama hace aguas.

[jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed both these books, I love how valentina grows and how her men are soft for just her ❤️

[Brooke]

DNF at 9%

I didn’t love the first, but thought I’ll continue one. I just found myself not caring and the writing isn’t the best.

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest I liked this more than Reign of three. I loved the men in Three but Valentina annoyed me a bit. I’m aware it’s frowned upon upon to say it serves you right but when Valentina was kidnapped at the end of the last book I totally thought it was her own fault for not letting Ezra and Mikhail kill Liam outside the club. As for that gran she was an old witch I really didn’t like her from the start. Which I suppose was the point.

I liked her in this one. She had a little more fire. Yeah she’s still not keen on the killing but she’s getting there. As much as I like Mikhail I did find his character a bit much at times. She supposed to be with them equally but he seems to dominate her time it might have been because he hasn’t known her long as Ezra and Andrei but I wanted him to tone it down just a little bit.

Ezra was my favourite in both books. I love his protectiveness. His whole inner monologue about babies I thought was cute. I loved that he actually seemed the most excited of the three at the prospect of being a father.

I do wish it was a little longer. It was lots of adult time 🌶️, big news. The end. I just felt was missing a little something. Now granted we are getting Celia’s book so we might get a little character crossover but I just personally would have liked a little more on the big news.

I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy thanks to booksiren.

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another part of the magnificently written story about a Bratva princess and the three men that she loves and also loves her. During this part of the story you find the three men trying to get their woman back from the stalker who took her as well as her grandmother. The Bratva princess is also trying to find her way back to her three men as well doing everything she can to find a way to get home to them.
Along the way the men tend to many things such as traitors, orphans being used as soldiers, and finding where the Bratva princess is at. The Bratva princess sends help in the form of a bodyguard to help them find her, one of her men knew the bodyguard so they got the information from him and had him help get the Bratva princess back.
The three men get to her even though one gets hurt doing the final altercation with the stalker, they all survive even though the stalker and her grandmother didn’t.
Before they leave to go to a safehouse the one gets medical attention. At the safehouse they stay for a while having sex alot but the Bratva princess doesn’t know if she wants children or not but after talking to her men she gives in.
During the rest of the story the Bratva princess marries all three men. She becomes the Bratva Queen but not like the ones that her grandmother and mother was, she helps decide what will happen in the Bratva as well as their city. During this time she learns the business of the Brratva, the money and holdings of the Bratva, and even Russian so she can better communicate with the Bratva as well as some of the people in the city
The Bratva Queen has what she hopes is good needs for her three husbands and once they find out they are happy. They are all in love and can’t wait for what the future holds.
After this one of the husbands goes to see his sister only to find brothers at her home. The husband hasn’t heard from his sister in a long while but the brothers won’t let him in to see his sister, he’s furious.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kori Lynex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

"𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑟" by Misti Wilds is an intense, dark mafia romance that picks up where "𝑅𝑢𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒" left off, diving deeper into the complex relationships and high-stakes power struggles within the Baranova Bratva world. The story explores the protagonist’s internal journey, as she grapples with the harsh reality that mercy can be perceived as weakness in the dangerous world of organized crime.

The plot is filled with tension and suspense, keeping readers engaged as the stakes continue to rise. Wilds does an excellent job of balancing action with emotional depth, particularly in the protagonist’s evolving relationships with the men around her. The reverse harem dynamic adds intrigue, though at times it feels repetitive in its portrayal. The romance takes a backseat to the protagonist's growth, making her journey of self-discovery the central focus.

Themes of power, control, and personal transformation are woven throughout the story, giving it emotional depth and making it a compelling read for fans of dark romance. The narrative explores familiar mafia tropes—protective partners, enemies turned lovers, and dangerous alliances—while adding layers of complexity that elevate the traditional genre conventions. However, the darker elements of the story may not be for everyone, particularly those looking for a lighter romance.

Misti Wilds’ writing is atmospheric and gripping, capturing the gritty world of the mafia while still providing moments of introspection. While there are some predictable elements in the relationships, the fast-paced nature of the plot ensures that the story remains captivating throughout.

Overall, "𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑟" is a strong follow-up in the 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒗𝒂 series, offering a thrilling mix of action, romance, and emotional growth. While it may not appeal to all readers due to its darker themes, fans of dark mafia romance and reverse harem will likely find this book hard to put down.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reign of Four picks up right where Rule of Three left us dangling with that cliffhanger. This book had just as much action and suspense as the first, but we also get to see these four settle into their new lives as a unit.

I am in awe of Valentina. In the first book, she is still grappling with the role of the mafia princess she was raised to be. She was told to be docile, agreeable and to never voice her own opinions. But in the five years since she left Andrei at the altar, she’s changed. She’s grown a backbone. This is where the second book picks up. Valentina is smart and fierce. She knows that she is the true heir to the Baranova Bratva and if she had the right “parts”, she would be pakhan. She takes this realization and turns into the devious queen she needs to be. And it’s awesome to watch the growth!

Andrei, Mikhail and Ezra are devastated when they realize that not only is Valentina is gone, but who was behind her kidnapping. These three men are ruthless and will stop at nothing in their quest to get their queen back.

The dynamic with this group is perfect! I love how each man offers something different for Valentina. Ezra is her safety, Mikhail pushes her boundaries and Andrei is her strength. And Valentina is their everything.

I really enjoyed this duet. It had all the things that I love in a book. The characters were captivating and the story line was compelling. I was so happy to see Valentina and her men get their long overdue happily ever after. While Reign of Four ties up this story line, there are a few things still left up in the air. I hope we get a bonus epilogue for this group in the future. I can’t wait for Celia’s book. Her novella was so good!

Thank you to Misti Wilds and Booksprout for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest opinion of this book and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 definitely needs to be read before this one. This picks up where Rule of Three left off and the continuing story of Valentina and her men was so great! Her finally finding the strength and confidence to take over the spot she was born to fill was great to read. Of course like in book 1 she has the love and support from each of her men. I think that the Liam storyline got wrapped up too quick and too easy. I would have loved for Valentina to actually get her counts in. The back half of the book makes up for that though, with the cozy domestic atmosphere the four started living in. I love the bond that Valentina has with Mikhail's sister and it continues in book 2. I do really need an Ezra of my own!!! 🔥❤️🥰 I can't wait to read about what ever's going on with Mikhail's sister Celia!

"Her huge, doe eyes glitter stealing whatever’s left of my heart that doesn’t already belong to her. I lift her on her tiptoes to kiss her deep, groaning as every scattered piece of my heart slots into place now that she’s where she belongs."❤️🥰
“You are safe, no matter how far apart our hearts.”🥰🥰🥰
“I can not exist without you.”🥰
“But you will love and protect them fiercer than anyone. How could I not want them to have a father like that? How could I not want you?”🥹🥰☺️❤️
"I can have everything I’ve ever wanted, all thanks to my queen. It’s a debt I will repay for the rest of my life."❤️🥰☺️
“I will do anything for you, lisichka (little fox).”❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
"I look up at my mountain, overwhelmed with emotion. I’m so glad that he’s here with me. That he’s healing. That he’s mine." 🥰🥰❤️❤️☺️☺️❤️❤️🥰🥰
"My husband. My guardian. My love."❤️🥰☺️❤️

I am leaving my honest review for a complimentary copy of this book via the author.

[Nanii’s Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reign of Four (Baranova Bratva #2)
by Misti Wilds

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⇝ ★★★★☆

🦋 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞s 🦋
“Count your tears for me, love, and I’ll make the bastard pay for each and every one, I promise.” - Mikhail

“Valentina tastes like the last ray of sunlight before night falls—a gift from today, and a promise for tomorrow. I swipe my tongue into her mouth, eager for more of her warmth.”

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 ↴
💀 Stalking
🔪 Age Gap
💀 Kidnapping
🔪 Why Choose
💀 Found Family
🔪 Hurt/Comfort
💀 Russian Mafia
🔪 Family Secrets
💀 Forced Proximity
🔪 Forced Marriage
💀 Touch Her and Die

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ↴
FINALLY Valentina is taking full control and advantage of her power as the Baranova Princess. Liam didn’t suffer as much as I wanted him to and neither did Valentina’s grandmother but the boys kept their promise and found her in seven days, granted that they didn’t really find her and she got someone to find them for her. Loved every bit of this book and the spice was great. Finished it in a matter of hours. My favorite of the boys was Mikhail, such a clingy one but it was cute. Now that epilogue… I need Celia’s book ASAP. I need to know who those brothers are in her home and why they won’t let her brother see her unless she specifically asked them to keep him away.

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲? ⇝ Yes

🫧 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫 🫧
This is an Advanced Reader copy. Although this book was given to me as an ARC my thoughts are my own.

🫧 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 📖

[Brownshugar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrei, Valentina, Ezra,& Mikhail
Reign of Four is the epic conclusion to Valentina's story! Despite being forced into a marriage she didn't want, Valentina refuses to be broken. She grows into a powerful queen, gathering intel, and building alliances, including with her guard, Riot.
Meanwhile, her men are on a mission to find her, leaving no stone unturned! They lock down the church, expose traitors, and finally, Thanatos finds them on Valentina's orders.
This book is all about growth, strength, trust, and love! Valentina and her men are unstoppable, and their love story is deliciously detailed.
The future of the Baranova Bratva has never looked brighter! I'm obsessed with this world and can't wait for more!
.
What You'd Find
🖤Dark Mafia Romance
🖤Why Choose Romance
🖤Touch Her You ☠️
🖤Age Gap
🖤Curvy FMC
🖤Kidnapping
🖤Forced Proximity
Favourite Quote/ Scene 🖤“There are few things in life I treasure, Valentina, but you are one of them. The most important one. And the things I treasure, I take care of.” He leans in close and sighs against my lips. “Let me take care of your demons, malyshka, so that you only have room for me.”
🖤“I cannot make promise of future,” he rasps, sucking a bruise onto my neck, “I cannot speak pretty lies, Valentina. My life is Bratva. I live for princess. I die for queen. Title does not matter, I do not exist without her.” He lifts his hooded eyes to mine, his words soft and slow. “I can not exist without you.”

[Cin Pell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the series: Rule of Three must be read before as it leaves you on a cliffhanger that continues on in Reign of Four. The author wraps you in the web of intrigue, passion, action and heartache in the first book leaving you wanting answers and more! Well she does not disappoint in this second book! Wow! What a wonder storyteller Misti Wilds is!

Valentina, Andrei, Ezra and Mikhail each have a difficult journey to got through to finally find a HEA of their choosing. Valentina must face betrayal, heartache, brutal realities and her characters grows from shy and complacent to strong willed, driven and sure of what she wants. Andrei must realize the woman he loves is no longer an innocent young girl, but a woman who can stand by him as strong as he is and shine. Ezra finally realizes he is worthy of what he never knew he wanted and all with the woman he’s never been able to want or have. Mikhail must admits he is vulnerabilities and embrace his strengths. All four work together to build their own path to a family they never dreamt of having.

This book will keep you wrapped in its clutches until the end. Reverse HR, Russian Mafia, arranged marriage, spice, action throughout, betrayal, family secrets, found family, multiple POV, second chance!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Destiny Griego · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a follow up to rule of 3 this book brought EXACTLY what I needed.Im a big dark romance ,mafia lover so this book was just up my alley. I am always a sucker for a good why choose and omggggg this is it what I needed like a breath of air. The spice omggggg was it spicy Valentina and her men can’t keep their hands off eachother. I also reallllyyyyt loved how she has a relationship with each man and there are scenes of her enjoying company alone with each man. It showed the differences between each relationship and their foundations as well as provided a feel that this book was more than just smut. It’s very plot heavy as well. While you may be here for Valentina to be gettin it on (oh she does trust me there’s plenty of that) she also is a badass who doesn’t sit around and wait for a man (or men) to save her she’s strong,capable and knows what she wants and doesn’t let ANYONE disrespect or harm her. This girl was truly a curvy badass queen that I loveddd.The plot twists,the mafia war for title of pakhan all of it was amazing. I also really love reading books that include different langue’s and cultures mixed into tropes I love and this one DELIVERED all of that! If u like a well written Russian Mafia book that’s a why choose nd heavy on plot your in the right place read this one! But don’t forget to read rule of three or you ultimately will be sooooo lost here. Happy reading 🥰

[Readernerd57_book_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for free and this is my honest review.
5⭐ 3❤️ 5🌶️
I loved this book. I was a perfect dark mafia to get me out of a slump. This is part two of a duet in the Baranova bratva series, reading part one is necessary. I loved the first book and this book I think was just perfect. It had the perfect ending for our characters and I was just so happy with it.
This book starts off exactly where book one ends with Valintina kidnapped and tied up in a basement somewhere. Whit that being said, tgis book is quite a bit darker then the first, I recommend checking triggers before reading. It is much darker and much spicier as well. We get more group adult activities in tgis book and it was so good.
I loved the FMC's character arc in this book. I loved seeing her grow into this mafia Queen and accepting that yeah she can do things better then how they got handled in the past, but also isn't afraid of issuing a kill order.
I also love how the MMC's love her gentleness but are also totally there with her spilling blood.
I loved the story and the relationships between all the main characters. I loved the writing style and for me the vibes were vibeing and I really enjoyed reading this book and all the smut in it.
If your looking for something a little dark and a lot spicy I recommend this series.

[Dionne Muller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misti Wilds' "Reign of Four," the second instalment in the Baranova Bratva series, picks up the narrative thread with Valentina facing a critical juncture.

Characters from her past now threaten the men she holds dear and seek to manipulate her for their own gain. The mercy she extended previously is now replaced by a steely determination to protect her chosen family and assert her dominance.

While the narrative promises the transformation of a princess into a queen, the execution leaves something to be desired. Although Valentina showcases moments of strength and undeniable power, the reader craves a more substantial portrayal of her actively taking control and leading the Bratva.

The storyline feels somewhat underdeveloped, lacking the intricate details necessary to fully immerse the reader in Valentina's strategic decisions and leadership initiatives. A prime example of this is the abrupt shift in her dynamic with Riot; the transformation lacks the necessary context and explanation, leaving the reader questioning the motivations and circumstances that drove the change.

Overall, "Reign of Four" provides an engaging continuation of Valentina's journey, but the narrative's thinness and lack of detailed exploration prevent it from fully realizing its potential as a story of a woman embracing her power and seizing her rightful place at the helm

[Dominique Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Misti Wilds’ Reign of Four is a masterful blend of fantasy and political intrigue, set in a world where power is both a gift and a curse. This novel dives deep into the complexities of a divided kingdom ruled by four monarchs, each wielding an element as their birthright. Wilds crafts a narrative that is as much about the strength of the human spirit as it is about the dark allure of power.

Reign of Four is a novel that will appeal to fans of epic fantasy and political drama alike. Misti Wilds has crafted a story that is both grand in scope and intimate in its character exploration. It’s a tale of power, sacrifice, and the complexities of ruling in a world where the elements themselves are a source of conflict. A must-read for anyone who enjoys a richly woven narrative with complex characters and a world that feels both fantastical and real.

In short, Reign of Four is not just a story; it’s an experience—a thrilling ride through a kingdom where the balance of power is as delicate as the elements themselves. Wilds’ debut is a triumph, leaving readers eager for more from this promising new voice in fantasy fiction.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[addictedtodarkromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picked up right where Book 1 left off.

Valentina is a strong, resilient character in this book, taking charge and rising up in her role in the Bratva. The guys are just as possessive and protective as they were in the last book and would do anything for her.

There were lots of surprising twists which brought more mystery and suspense into the story! I loved each guy brought something different to the relationship. The chemistry was high and spice was steamy!

I'm really glad I picked up this duet!

Overall: 4.25 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice/Heat Intensity: 4 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Valentina, Andrei, Ezra and Mikhail
Darkness: out of 5 🖤🖤
Type of book: Fast Burn, RH, Duel 1st Multiple POV
Reading Order: Books need to be read in order
Title: Baranova Bratva Series- Reign of Four: Book 2 of 2
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA


*OTT Possessive, dominant, fiercely loyal and protective MMCs
*Eyes only for her
*No cheating or sharing


⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some - Please check the TW/CW before reading! 18+

*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Booksbystarlightandshadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similarly to book one, my favourite aspect of the book was seeing Valentina thrive as a Mafia Queen in her own right rather than waiting to be saved and I would have loved to have seen more of this. I really enjoyed the mafia plot in this series however I was a little disappointed that the major points were all resolved by the 60% mark. I thought Liam was really well written and I wish he'd been in it for longer; he was toxic but I liked the comparison between him and the typical mafia morally grey anti-hero. The MMCs have a lot going on but Mikhail seemed to be the focus in this one followed by Ezra. Andrei had a pretty big part in book one but I did find myself looking for more scenes with him as he was definitely my favourite after storming the compound! I would have also happily added Riot to the group but I'm hoping we may see some of him in Celia's book.

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

[The_Book_Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-PoV
*Mafia
*Arranged Marriage
*Second Chance
*Family Secrets
*Established Harem (3)
*Mid Burn
*2/2
Queen Takes All!
A great follow up and ending to that first book. It starts immediately in the aftermath of the cliffhanger and you start to see Valentina realise she’s got her own destiny to forge! She definitely takes the bull by the horns in the midst of her enemies and plays her role to perfection to claim her own 👑 ☺️ her men definitely soften in this book and become slightly more open to admitting their feelings first her, especially after the actions they took to save her 😍 I enjoyed the fact she takes her own revenge and doesn’t rely on her Bratva boys 😄 Valentina toughens up in this one and shows women aren’t just pawns or collateral, it was good how this came to a head when they begin to consider their future 🙈 strong HEA for Valentine Ezra Andrei and Mikhail so good I read it in one day! Plus a great link to Cecilia’s story … looking forward to that one!