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Ruthless Dynasty #4
Unholy Tsar
Some people are haunted by their past. I’m hunted by mine.
Maksim Smolov wasn’t the monster I was running from. He’s the devil I found.
Those deep brown eyes didn’t even blink. One minute, I’m being chased down a dark alleyway by the nastiest demons from my past; the next, they’re begging for mercy from a man in an expensive suit.
If I had known my savior was the most feared mafia boss in New York, I might not have repaid his kindness with a kiss—a kiss that led to the hottest night of my life—but I did, and that was that.
A week later, I’m back fending for myself. So, when I hear my best friend is taking private self-defense classes, I beg to join her. It seems like a good idea… until I meet our teacher.
My one-night stand.
Turns out, he’s her uncle. Tsar of the American underworld. Maksim Smolov. Just like that, I’m not sure what to be more afraid of.
The demons from my past… or what this devil will do when he finds out about them
.*Unholy Tsar is a standalone Dark Mafia Enemies to Lovers Age Gap Captive Romance with mature themes and a happily ever after. It is the fourth book of the Ruthless Dynasty series.
Maksim Smolov wasn’t the monster I was running from. He’s the devil I found.
Those deep brown eyes didn’t even blink. One minute, I’m being chased down a dark alleyway by the nastiest demons from my past; the next, they’re begging for mercy from a man in an expensive suit.
If I had known my savior was the most feared mafia boss in New York, I might not have repaid his kindness with a kiss—a kiss that led to the hottest night of my life—but I did, and that was that.
A week later, I’m back fending for myself. So, when I hear my best friend is taking private self-defense classes, I beg to join her. It seems like a good idea… until I meet our teacher.
My one-night stand.
Turns out, he’s her uncle. Tsar of the American underworld. Maksim Smolov. Just like that, I’m not sure what to be more afraid of.
The demons from my past… or what this devil will do when he finds out about them
.*Unholy Tsar is a standalone Dark Mafia Enemies to Lovers Age Gap Captive Romance with mature themes and a happily ever after. It is the fourth book of the Ruthless Dynasty series.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2024
792 people are currently reading
4565 people want to read
About the author
Sasha Leone
31 books1,061 followersSasha Leone writes dark, suspenseful romance novels about powerful mafia kings and the women who bring them to their knees. Join my mailing list at https://sasha_leone.ck.page/newslette...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
October 31, 2024
Got this as a break from studying made me wanna study more
September 30, 2024
if I could give it a zero I would. who paid you people to give this book five stars??
November 22, 2024
The inconsistent spelling of these characters names (INCLUDING THE FMC) bothered me so much I forgot what the story was about
January 3, 2025
unfortunately, my initial review was going to say that this book is the least stupid of all the books in this series. the good news is that now i don’t have to bc at ~61% it got so stupid i lost braincells i dont have. idk what the point of cecilia even was, she was literally just there like mould or a fungus. she started off so strong but towards the end she literally did nothing like why the glow down i dont understand 😭😭
August 7, 2024
This whole book was underwhelming. The relationship was kind of boring and the plots were not a priority. Overall, this book lacked depth and the secondary characters were kind of an afterthought.
MFC: Cecilia
MMC: Maksim
MFC: Cecilia
MMC: Maksim
November 11, 2024
Dnf it was horrible it was torture I can’t believe I trusted TikTok 🙃
July 23, 2024
I felt like there were some plot holes and many unanswered questions.
What happened to Dante and the other teams? Why did her ex stand her up at the wedding? How does she have money to get birth control shots, eat, pay for her cell phone with no job? Where was she living in California before she met Bree? Did she move in with her right away? Why would she lie about not seeing her ex since the wedding date? Why would the ex have gone through the trouble of hiding Cecilia's identity while he was trying to find her? How did the woman at the dinner in Russia even know she was some "poor Italian girl?" Why did both groups, Cecilia & Bree, and Maksim both leave the city and travel all the way to the Hamptons for each lesson and use an office/study like area for lessons in defense when later we learn Maksim has a full gym and gun range in his own building?
Cecilia not ever listening when weapons were involved was really irritating as a reader. I don't care for people who don't take guns and knives seriously when holding them. The age gap part ended up being unimportant to anything in the plot.
What happened to Dante and the other teams? Why did her ex stand her up at the wedding? How does she have money to get birth control shots, eat, pay for her cell phone with no job? Where was she living in California before she met Bree? Did she move in with her right away? Why would she lie about not seeing her ex since the wedding date? Why would the ex have gone through the trouble of hiding Cecilia's identity while he was trying to find her? How did the woman at the dinner in Russia even know she was some "poor Italian girl?" Why did both groups, Cecilia & Bree, and Maksim both leave the city and travel all the way to the Hamptons for each lesson and use an office/study like area for lessons in defense when later we learn Maksim has a full gym and gun range in his own building?
Cecilia not ever listening when weapons were involved was really irritating as a reader. I don't care for people who don't take guns and knives seriously when holding them. The age gap part ended up being unimportant to anything in the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2024
IT WAS SO GOOOOOOOD ❤️❤️
January 2, 2026
looking for a mafia vibe book and i found it. had so much fun reading it. giggled and judged the characters...
but i gotta say
WTF?
who let this book even get published? i swear to any praying thing this book was written by AI. i've seen this cliché in AIs before.
where should i even start? countless time of cece getting kidnapped? countless time of Maksim call her "mine"?
what happened to Bree? what happened to Dante? so disappointing
the way Maksim handled her ex it didn't even take a single chapter!! he finished him in two pages like why so quick?
the plot twist? wow i was SHOCKED but STILL it was weak. it was so quick
everything in this book happened so quickly.
its like author wanted to use All Tropes in one book. Grumpy x sunshine. poor girl x rich boy. student x professor and Biker boyfriend? no i refuse Maksim can't just pull a motorcycle from nowhere!
and worst of all SHE USED HIS TOOTHBRUSH??? WHY WE MOVED ON FROM THE FACT SHE USED HIS TOOTHBRUSH?
their love? LOVE? it wasn't even love? it was so sudden with no characters development and cringe quotes like
**DANTE:
She refuses to listen to me! Can I teach her a lesson? I won’t hurt
her—much.
ME:
No. She’s mine.**
WHAT DOES EVEN MEAN SIR? you can't ownership a girl when you guys are not even a thing!!!
yeah the spice and smut was good i agree. the cousins were cool i agree.
yeah Maksim took care of her and i really enjoy reading soothing her after her panic attack. good job pal.
spoilers spoilers in 3....2...1..
the proposal was so good i almost forgot how bad the book is.
i giggled and kick my feets and im not proud of it but i don't also regret it. moment of weakness :D
in general if you are looking for some fun and mafia vibe with literal no story and complete cliché this book is for you
but i gotta say
WTF?
who let this book even get published? i swear to any praying thing this book was written by AI. i've seen this cliché in AIs before.
where should i even start? countless time of cece getting kidnapped? countless time of Maksim call her "mine"?
what happened to Bree? what happened to Dante? so disappointing
the way Maksim handled her ex it didn't even take a single chapter!! he finished him in two pages like why so quick?
the plot twist? wow i was SHOCKED but STILL it was weak. it was so quick
everything in this book happened so quickly.
its like author wanted to use All Tropes in one book. Grumpy x sunshine. poor girl x rich boy. student x professor and Biker boyfriend? no i refuse Maksim can't just pull a motorcycle from nowhere!
and worst of all SHE USED HIS TOOTHBRUSH??? WHY WE MOVED ON FROM THE FACT SHE USED HIS TOOTHBRUSH?
their love? LOVE? it wasn't even love? it was so sudden with no characters development and cringe quotes like
**DANTE:
She refuses to listen to me! Can I teach her a lesson? I won’t hurt
her—much.
ME:
No. She’s mine.**
WHAT DOES EVEN MEAN SIR? you can't ownership a girl when you guys are not even a thing!!!
yeah the spice and smut was good i agree. the cousins were cool i agree.
yeah Maksim took care of her and i really enjoy reading soothing her after her panic attack. good job pal.
spoilers spoilers in 3....2...1..
the proposal was so good i almost forgot how bad the book is.
i giggled and kick my feets and im not proud of it but i don't also regret it. moment of weakness :D
in general if you are looking for some fun and mafia vibe with literal no story and complete cliché this book is for you
April 10, 2025
After trying, and failing, to gather my thoughts I’ve come to the conclusion that this book was weird AF hahahah. The story was a bit far fetched and the characters were just comical, the premise is good and you have some plot twists that makes you doubt everything that happens so that’s good. But the pace is weird! Everyone is a villain, but not really. And poor Dante, the only man that works his ass off the entire book and we didn’t even know if he’s alive or not hahahah justice for him. So, if you want a book that doesn’t make you think too much and just for the mafia vibes with a daddy kink, then go for it! But don’t expect a meaningful story or a good storyline.
September 6, 2025
this wasn't quite was I was looking for/hoping it would be. some of the plot didn't quite make sense & I felt myself growing board towards the end.
did love the age gap, Daddy kink, and steam tho. there were some sweet and spicy scenes.
did love the age gap, Daddy kink, and steam tho. there were some sweet and spicy scenes.
October 9, 2024
really cute!! unrealistic as hell, but I was looking for a good time
November 27, 2024
Don’t judge me… just needed to brain rot for a little while
January 29, 2025
2.5 stars
wanted a fun mafia romance. this wasn't the vibe i was going for :(
wasn't bad, just wasn't my vibe
wanted a fun mafia romance. this wasn't the vibe i was going for :(
wasn't bad, just wasn't my vibe
July 13, 2024
Unholy Tsar is a standalone Dark Mafia Enemies to Lovers Age Gap Captive Romance with mature themes and a happily ever after. It is the fourth book of the Ruthless Dynasty series. This is Maskim and Cecilia story which is told from a dual point of view. It's fast paced, dark and thrilling. An absorbing addicting and unputdownable read. "Wow is all can say about this book, and the whole series." The is well written and the characters are amazing and the emotions are so raw and real. A great story amazing twists and turns that keeps you wanting more. A sexy, sizzling, emotion-filled delight. It completely blew me away. A smoldering and illicit love story, the romantic suspense was nail-biting. The sexual tension and intrigue were palpable. Embrace your darkness. Hotness abound in this addictive, very dark romance. Immerse yourself in world of heart-stirring emotions and cravings as you follow the gripping love story that unfolds within the pages. This demands to be read. It screamed escape from the everyday life and gave me that extra something I was looking for. Giving new meaning to off the charts hot! It's dark. It's dirty. It's complex. And I devoured every single detail of this book.
A gothic romance, dark mafia romance, aged gap trope romance, polar opposite attracts romance, organize crime story, off-limits relationship, taboo romance, forbidden relationship, romantic suspense romance, mafia romance, billionaire romance, touch-her-and-die romance, hate-to-love vibes story, enemies-to-lovers romance, stalker romance, steamy and spicy romance, erotic romance, mystery romance, lust-at-first-sight romance, insta-love romance, insta-everything captive romance with treachery, backstabbing, lies, deception, deep dark hidden secrets, hidden agendas, revelations, betrayal, enemies, fear, angst, anger, darkness, action packed, power and control, tension, emotions, scorching hot passion, danger, guilt, resilience, friendship, loyalty, obsession, possessiveness, stalking, threats, jealousy, guilt, kidnapping, pain, dirty talking, praises, consensual intense rough sex, dominance, submission, manipulation, physical abuse, domestic violence, Ddlg, chaos, bloodshed, trauma, mayhem, pawn, family drama, violence, captivity, acceptance, survival, resilience, alliances and love.
Maskim Smolov a.k.a. America Tsar is a silver fox eligible Russian billionaire and the most feared Don in the Kilpatrick mafia family and Consigliere. He's also the CEO of a Fortune 500 tech company, philanthropist and mafia Don in NewYork. Maskim has had a rough upbringing in Russia and flee for his life to America where he worked hard and caught the eyes of Rian Kilpatrick who took him under his and into his family. He flees a life of poverty, violence and greed. He's handsome, stoic, ruthless, dangerous and powerful. One night Maskim was in his penthouse looking out his window when he noticed a woman running as if someone was chasing her. He decided to go help her after he saw that she ran down the alleyway by his building. He invited her in his penthouse. Cecilia that men was still out there and as a repayment she decided to give him a kiss, a kiss that led to the hottest night of her life with either of them sharing their names. Fast forward the next week Maskim had to give his niece Bree Kilpatrick self defense lessons because one of her cousins got herself kidnapped the year prior.
Bree decided to bring her best Cecilia Lombardi a.k.a.Cece to the classes because she was staying with her at her apartment in New York. When Maskim saw her they were both shocked. He immediately recognized her as the woman he had the fling with a week ago and became suspicious about her being with his niece. He asked her for her name because he didn't trust her and she tells him that she was Cecilia Lombardi and was the daughter of one of Nolan's Don from California. He did a background check and found out that her story was fictitious. She's like a ghost someone is paying the big bucks to make it seems as if Cecilia Bianchi doesn't exist. He planted a bug in Bree's apartment and this is how learn that she was Cecilia Rose Bianchi. Cecilia had been lying to Bree and using her for her security detail from her ex-fiance. She align herself with Bree because she knows that when her past catches up with her that Nolan Kilpatrick security will protect her. Cecilia is twenty-three years old sassy, defiant, challenging, beautiful and fierce. After the lesson he stashed Cecilia in one of his safe house and forbid any contact with his niece until he could figure out who she was. Cecilia was abandoned in front of an orphanage when she was three years old and never had a family. She grew up in the foster care system. She went to a community college where she got a degree in communications and graduate summa cum laude.
Cecilia has been on run for two years from her powerful ex. She's also a criminal. They're attracted to each other and fines that they can't stay away nor keep their hands off each other. She became his Malyshka. His Myshka. She was his obsession. His addiction. When she got kidnapped the first time, he made her tell him everything about what's going on in her life. She was running from her ex-fiance Trey Giroux who was very abusive. Cecilia met Trey when she was seventeen and he was thirty-two and they were together for four years. He was a doctor from a wealthy family. However, he quit his job and went into drug smuggling business because he was broke. She figured out that he had joined an organization that smuggles medicine in from Mexico. He told her that he was helping his patients who couldn't afford it, and she thought that he was a hero so when he asked her to smuggle some she didn't think twice about it. But she got arrested and convicted, he didn't even went to visit her in jail. All through that she still stuck by him because she didn't have any family and his treated her like one. But when he stood her up at the alter she knew that she had to leave. Maskim found him and eradicate him from her life so that she could be free and stop running.
Trey was also linked to some drug Den that had pop-up in his territory that was supplying kids. Cecilia ex's led him on a trail to Russia where he found out that his twin brother Viktor and his big sister who he thought had died in the house fire of their childhood home because of greed and working with the Bratva was actually very much alive, and has been trying to destroy everything that he had built because they thought that he had betrayed them on the night of the fire. Maskim is very protective of his Myshka and never really stray too far from her. So the two plant a trap to get him away so that they could kidnap Cecilia and kill her and make him watch. All hell broke loose and Maskim was also kidnapped and shot. But he was saved by the Kilpatrick family. But he didn't leave unscathed and ended up fighting for his life from the gun shot womb from Viktor. But his woman finished the job and permanently send his brother to hell where he belongs. They got there hard fought HEA once all the enemies were eradicated.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
A gothic romance, dark mafia romance, aged gap trope romance, polar opposite attracts romance, organize crime story, off-limits relationship, taboo romance, forbidden relationship, romantic suspense romance, mafia romance, billionaire romance, touch-her-and-die romance, hate-to-love vibes story, enemies-to-lovers romance, stalker romance, steamy and spicy romance, erotic romance, mystery romance, lust-at-first-sight romance, insta-love romance, insta-everything captive romance with treachery, backstabbing, lies, deception, deep dark hidden secrets, hidden agendas, revelations, betrayal, enemies, fear, angst, anger, darkness, action packed, power and control, tension, emotions, scorching hot passion, danger, guilt, resilience, friendship, loyalty, obsession, possessiveness, stalking, threats, jealousy, guilt, kidnapping, pain, dirty talking, praises, consensual intense rough sex, dominance, submission, manipulation, physical abuse, domestic violence, Ddlg, chaos, bloodshed, trauma, mayhem, pawn, family drama, violence, captivity, acceptance, survival, resilience, alliances and love.
Maskim Smolov a.k.a. America Tsar is a silver fox eligible Russian billionaire and the most feared Don in the Kilpatrick mafia family and Consigliere. He's also the CEO of a Fortune 500 tech company, philanthropist and mafia Don in NewYork. Maskim has had a rough upbringing in Russia and flee for his life to America where he worked hard and caught the eyes of Rian Kilpatrick who took him under his and into his family. He flees a life of poverty, violence and greed. He's handsome, stoic, ruthless, dangerous and powerful. One night Maskim was in his penthouse looking out his window when he noticed a woman running as if someone was chasing her. He decided to go help her after he saw that she ran down the alleyway by his building. He invited her in his penthouse. Cecilia that men was still out there and as a repayment she decided to give him a kiss, a kiss that led to the hottest night of her life with either of them sharing their names. Fast forward the next week Maskim had to give his niece Bree Kilpatrick self defense lessons because one of her cousins got herself kidnapped the year prior.
Bree decided to bring her best Cecilia Lombardi a.k.a.Cece to the classes because she was staying with her at her apartment in New York. When Maskim saw her they were both shocked. He immediately recognized her as the woman he had the fling with a week ago and became suspicious about her being with his niece. He asked her for her name because he didn't trust her and she tells him that she was Cecilia Lombardi and was the daughter of one of Nolan's Don from California. He did a background check and found out that her story was fictitious. She's like a ghost someone is paying the big bucks to make it seems as if Cecilia Bianchi doesn't exist. He planted a bug in Bree's apartment and this is how learn that she was Cecilia Rose Bianchi. Cecilia had been lying to Bree and using her for her security detail from her ex-fiance. She align herself with Bree because she knows that when her past catches up with her that Nolan Kilpatrick security will protect her. Cecilia is twenty-three years old sassy, defiant, challenging, beautiful and fierce. After the lesson he stashed Cecilia in one of his safe house and forbid any contact with his niece until he could figure out who she was. Cecilia was abandoned in front of an orphanage when she was three years old and never had a family. She grew up in the foster care system. She went to a community college where she got a degree in communications and graduate summa cum laude.
Cecilia has been on run for two years from her powerful ex. She's also a criminal. They're attracted to each other and fines that they can't stay away nor keep their hands off each other. She became his Malyshka. His Myshka. She was his obsession. His addiction. When she got kidnapped the first time, he made her tell him everything about what's going on in her life. She was running from her ex-fiance Trey Giroux who was very abusive. Cecilia met Trey when she was seventeen and he was thirty-two and they were together for four years. He was a doctor from a wealthy family. However, he quit his job and went into drug smuggling business because he was broke. She figured out that he had joined an organization that smuggles medicine in from Mexico. He told her that he was helping his patients who couldn't afford it, and she thought that he was a hero so when he asked her to smuggle some she didn't think twice about it. But she got arrested and convicted, he didn't even went to visit her in jail. All through that she still stuck by him because she didn't have any family and his treated her like one. But when he stood her up at the alter she knew that she had to leave. Maskim found him and eradicate him from her life so that she could be free and stop running.
Trey was also linked to some drug Den that had pop-up in his territory that was supplying kids. Cecilia ex's led him on a trail to Russia where he found out that his twin brother Viktor and his big sister who he thought had died in the house fire of their childhood home because of greed and working with the Bratva was actually very much alive, and has been trying to destroy everything that he had built because they thought that he had betrayed them on the night of the fire. Maskim is very protective of his Myshka and never really stray too far from her. So the two plant a trap to get him away so that they could kidnap Cecilia and kill her and make him watch. All hell broke loose and Maskim was also kidnapped and shot. But he was saved by the Kilpatrick family. But he didn't leave unscathed and ended up fighting for his life from the gun shot womb from Viktor. But his woman finished the job and permanently send his brother to hell where he belongs. They got there hard fought HEA once all the enemies were eradicated.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 25, 2025
Unholy Tsar: More Like Unholy Mess”
Listen, I came into this book expecting a dark, dangerous mafia romance with a brooding psycho kingpin and a badass heroine. What I got instead was 50 Shades of Mafia Clichés, featuring Tsar Maksim, the emotionally constipated menace, and Cecilia, Queen of Poor Life Choices. . What I got was a walking red flag wrapped in a leather jacket, an escapee heroine who somehow has the worst luck in existence, and a plot that took itself way too seriously while simultaneously making zero sense.
Maksim Smolov is supposed to be this terrifying, untouchable Tsar of the underworld, but half the time, he’s just standing there in his expensive suit, making vague threats, and acting like Cecilia breathing the wrong way is a personal insult. The man speaks almost exclusively in possessive growls, like:
• “You belong to me.”
• “No one touches what’s mine.”
• “I will kill everyone who looks at you.”
Sir. We just met.
Honestly, Maksim is less of a love interest and more of a walking red flag factory set to maximum production. He’s not just overprotective—he’s downright obsessive to the point where I’m convinced he needs a therapist, a restraining order, and maybe some deep meditation.
Look, I wanted to root for Cecilia. I really did. She’s running from her psychotic ex-fiancé, she’s trying to start fresh, and she’s clearly been through some serious trauma. But this girl could not make a good decision if her life depended on it—which, unfortunately, it does.
Every time she has a chance to escape, stay hidden, or NOT walk directly into danger, she does the exact opposite. At one point, she literally tries to run away from Maksim (smart!), only for him to catch her and immediately declare that she’s his forever (not smart!).
Her response? Not screaming. Not calling 911. Just… falling for him.
The romance in this book is what happens when a man mistakes “stalking” for “flirting” and a woman mistakes “overwhelming possessiveness” for “love.” Maksim doesn’t so much fall in love with Cecilia as he decides that she’s his and refuses to let her leave.
There’s no genuine emotional development, just a lot of intense staring, jealousy-fueled threats, and “I own you” speeches. If you took a shot every time Maksim called Cecilia “mine,” you would not make it past Chapter 10.
So, after surviving kidnapping, attempted murder, and a whole lot of emotionally questionable situations, Cecilia decides to stay with Maksim. Instead of, you know, taking a long vacation, getting therapy, or reconsidering her life choices, she’s just like:
“I guess this is my life now.”
And Maksim? Oh, he’s thrilled. He killed her ex, locked her down, and now she’s officially his personal possession. True love, I guess.
Final Thoughts
✔ What Worked:
• The pacing was fast, so at least the suffering was over quickly.
• If you love mafia men who act like feral wolves in expensive suits, this book delivers.
✖ What Didn’t Work:
• The romance had zero emotional development—just lust, threats, and forced proximity.
• Cecilia’s constant bad decision-making was painful to witness.
• Maksim was one leather jacket away from being a full-blown kidnapper.
Listen, I came into this book expecting a dark, dangerous mafia romance with a brooding psycho kingpin and a badass heroine. What I got instead was 50 Shades of Mafia Clichés, featuring Tsar Maksim, the emotionally constipated menace, and Cecilia, Queen of Poor Life Choices. . What I got was a walking red flag wrapped in a leather jacket, an escapee heroine who somehow has the worst luck in existence, and a plot that took itself way too seriously while simultaneously making zero sense.
Maksim Smolov is supposed to be this terrifying, untouchable Tsar of the underworld, but half the time, he’s just standing there in his expensive suit, making vague threats, and acting like Cecilia breathing the wrong way is a personal insult. The man speaks almost exclusively in possessive growls, like:
• “You belong to me.”
• “No one touches what’s mine.”
• “I will kill everyone who looks at you.”
Sir. We just met.
Honestly, Maksim is less of a love interest and more of a walking red flag factory set to maximum production. He’s not just overprotective—he’s downright obsessive to the point where I’m convinced he needs a therapist, a restraining order, and maybe some deep meditation.
Look, I wanted to root for Cecilia. I really did. She’s running from her psychotic ex-fiancé, she’s trying to start fresh, and she’s clearly been through some serious trauma. But this girl could not make a good decision if her life depended on it—which, unfortunately, it does.
Every time she has a chance to escape, stay hidden, or NOT walk directly into danger, she does the exact opposite. At one point, she literally tries to run away from Maksim (smart!), only for him to catch her and immediately declare that she’s his forever (not smart!).
Her response? Not screaming. Not calling 911. Just… falling for him.
The romance in this book is what happens when a man mistakes “stalking” for “flirting” and a woman mistakes “overwhelming possessiveness” for “love.” Maksim doesn’t so much fall in love with Cecilia as he decides that she’s his and refuses to let her leave.
There’s no genuine emotional development, just a lot of intense staring, jealousy-fueled threats, and “I own you” speeches. If you took a shot every time Maksim called Cecilia “mine,” you would not make it past Chapter 10.
So, after surviving kidnapping, attempted murder, and a whole lot of emotionally questionable situations, Cecilia decides to stay with Maksim. Instead of, you know, taking a long vacation, getting therapy, or reconsidering her life choices, she’s just like:
“I guess this is my life now.”
And Maksim? Oh, he’s thrilled. He killed her ex, locked her down, and now she’s officially his personal possession. True love, I guess.
Final Thoughts
✔ What Worked:
• The pacing was fast, so at least the suffering was over quickly.
• If you love mafia men who act like feral wolves in expensive suits, this book delivers.
✖ What Didn’t Work:
• The romance had zero emotional development—just lust, threats, and forced proximity.
• Cecilia’s constant bad decision-making was painful to witness.
• Maksim was one leather jacket away from being a full-blown kidnapper.
August 4, 2024
Incredibly written story that has suspense, drama, intrigue, thrills, action, and steamy romance with an outstanding happily ever after. Amazing character makes this a great page turner.
A story about two people facing their past and overcoming them together. Throughout this story the two get closer, at first they were just strangers having one night together after the mafia boss helps the younger woman but after she shows up again with the mafia boss’s niece even though the niece is not blood related.
The two have sex throughout the story as well as they get closer.
After the mafia boss finds out about the young woman he helps her overcome her past even going so far as to tend to her past for her.
It was no time after the mafia boss tended to the young woman’s past he took her to where he was from. While they were there he tended to some business since being there had nothing to do about his past but about who was trying to take his and his family’s territories.
The mafia boss found where the people who were trying to take the territory but it was a trap, his men were killed as well as someone who he thought was dead shots him.
While this is going on the younger woman is in the hotel room when she’s taken. The man takes her to the mafia boss’s palace that he owns. She tries to figure out a way to get away from the man, hoping that the mafia boss will come save her before the man kills her.
The mafia boss looks for a way to escape, worried about the younger woman. Soon an explosion and gunfire starts as he notices some of his family is there. They go to get the younger woman and when they get there the mafia boss goes in after the younger woman. The mafia boss gets shot and the younger woman takes the mafia boss’s gun and shoots the man until there are no more rounds left in the gun. The mafia boss’s past is dead now.
The younger woman gets the mafia boss' help as well as tells him that she loves him and he does the same. The family as well as the younger woman gets the mafia boss to the hotel where they have a doctor waiting for them.
The younger woman stays by the mafia boss’s side until one of the family members talks her into taking a shower. After coming back it’s not long before the mafia boss wakes up. The couple tell one another that they love each other. They stay at the hotel until the mafia boss is well enough to fly.
Five months later the couple is in the bed that’s in the mafia boss’s personnel plane about ready to land. Before they get off the plane the mafia boss blindfolds the younger woman and he takes her to the palace where he takes the blind off. The palace has been fixed up. The mafia boss takes the younger woman to the master bedroom to the balcony where a table is set with champagne as well as rose petals. The mafia boss gets on one knee asking the younger woman to marry him and she agrees.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A story about two people facing their past and overcoming them together. Throughout this story the two get closer, at first they were just strangers having one night together after the mafia boss helps the younger woman but after she shows up again with the mafia boss’s niece even though the niece is not blood related.
The two have sex throughout the story as well as they get closer.
After the mafia boss finds out about the young woman he helps her overcome her past even going so far as to tend to her past for her.
It was no time after the mafia boss tended to the young woman’s past he took her to where he was from. While they were there he tended to some business since being there had nothing to do about his past but about who was trying to take his and his family’s territories.
The mafia boss found where the people who were trying to take the territory but it was a trap, his men were killed as well as someone who he thought was dead shots him.
While this is going on the younger woman is in the hotel room when she’s taken. The man takes her to the mafia boss’s palace that he owns. She tries to figure out a way to get away from the man, hoping that the mafia boss will come save her before the man kills her.
The mafia boss looks for a way to escape, worried about the younger woman. Soon an explosion and gunfire starts as he notices some of his family is there. They go to get the younger woman and when they get there the mafia boss goes in after the younger woman. The mafia boss gets shot and the younger woman takes the mafia boss’s gun and shoots the man until there are no more rounds left in the gun. The mafia boss’s past is dead now.
The younger woman gets the mafia boss' help as well as tells him that she loves him and he does the same. The family as well as the younger woman gets the mafia boss to the hotel where they have a doctor waiting for them.
The younger woman stays by the mafia boss’s side until one of the family members talks her into taking a shower. After coming back it’s not long before the mafia boss wakes up. The couple tell one another that they love each other. They stay at the hotel until the mafia boss is well enough to fly.
Five months later the couple is in the bed that’s in the mafia boss’s personnel plane about ready to land. Before they get off the plane the mafia boss blindfolds the younger woman and he takes her to the palace where he takes the blind off. The palace has been fixed up. The mafia boss takes the younger woman to the master bedroom to the balcony where a table is set with champagne as well as rose petals. The mafia boss gets on one knee asking the younger woman to marry him and she agrees.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2024
DNF’ed Page 100
PedophileAlarm🚨/5📚 Vomit/5🌶️
First of all this cover is absolutely ugly!! Should’ve warned me already that this book is about to be trash.
If you want to read a book that hasn’t left its wattpad era, this is the one to go for.
•“I narrow my eyes and take a threatening step forward. She whimpers, and the tip of my cock leaks precum as that sound.” (I’m AFK cause I’m vomiting in the bathroom ewww)
•“A grown fucking man creaming his underwear like a randy teenager.”
Creaming?!? CREAMING?? Let’s go guys I’m back in the bathroom again🤮.
We have a bratty FMC who acts like a teenager and an old ass grandpa who thinks it’s full moon and his alpha form is about to break out.
•“I’ll make you see God—and you’ll spend the rest of your life pleasuring yourself to memories of tonight.”
Nothing has ever made me want to not have sex ever again than this sentence.
I’m not even sure how old the FMC is but seeing that he always calls her (and his niece) “girls” but when he talks about the male species he says “men”, it makes me believe she is actually an underage teenager and bro is a pedophile.
•“First of all, if you GIRLS ever come across a real threat, you go in with this knowledge; you have no chance against any MAN worth his salt.”
•“In any fight with a MAN, you’re overpowered.”
•“I myself don’t fight dirty, but I’m not about to teach the GIRLS to fight fairly.”
and the cherry on top of ‘is this going to be a “romance” book between an underage girl and an old dude?’ is this:
•“but at least they’re not just the helpless kids who walked into the library this morning.”
You can’t tell me we’re actually talking about women in their adult hood when he calls them “kids”.
And now that we have this in our mind, this scene gets really really disgusting:
•”Hell, even that time in the study last week could be excused. I was sexually frustrated, and she was there, provoking me.”
This feels like a pedophile trying to come up with reasons to excuse his behavior. Every interaction of this two was purposely written in a way that makes this feel like we’re reading about a FMC who is underage and molested by a pedophile. Ewww
•“Usually, people piss themselves in terror at the sight of me.”
We can get men written by women and yet this is what said women choose to write. A cocky dude who could be the FMC’s grandpa thinks he is the alpha male of his generation. CRINGE dude.
This book genuinely makes me hate even fictional men.
•“She shrugs again, but this time, her gaze drops to her worn shoes. I take advantage of her distraction, silently circling the alley until she’s backed into the dead end. When she looks up again, her lips part in surprise at how expertly I’ve cornered her.”
I can practically feel how this book robs me of my intelligence. Who writes such dumb stuff.
Tw:
•weird interactions between MMC and FMC
•Kidnapping
•death
•murder
PedophileAlarm🚨/5📚 Vomit/5🌶️
First of all this cover is absolutely ugly!! Should’ve warned me already that this book is about to be trash.
If you want to read a book that hasn’t left its wattpad era, this is the one to go for.
•“I narrow my eyes and take a threatening step forward. She whimpers, and the tip of my cock leaks precum as that sound.” (I’m AFK cause I’m vomiting in the bathroom ewww)
•“A grown fucking man creaming his underwear like a randy teenager.”
Creaming?!? CREAMING?? Let’s go guys I’m back in the bathroom again🤮.
We have a bratty FMC who acts like a teenager and an old ass grandpa who thinks it’s full moon and his alpha form is about to break out.
•“I’ll make you see God—and you’ll spend the rest of your life pleasuring yourself to memories of tonight.”
Nothing has ever made me want to not have sex ever again than this sentence.
I’m not even sure how old the FMC is but seeing that he always calls her (and his niece) “girls” but when he talks about the male species he says “men”, it makes me believe she is actually an underage teenager and bro is a pedophile.
•“First of all, if you GIRLS ever come across a real threat, you go in with this knowledge; you have no chance against any MAN worth his salt.”
•“In any fight with a MAN, you’re overpowered.”
•“I myself don’t fight dirty, but I’m not about to teach the GIRLS to fight fairly.”
and the cherry on top of ‘is this going to be a “romance” book between an underage girl and an old dude?’ is this:
•“but at least they’re not just the helpless kids who walked into the library this morning.”
You can’t tell me we’re actually talking about women in their adult hood when he calls them “kids”.
And now that we have this in our mind, this scene gets really really disgusting:
•”Hell, even that time in the study last week could be excused. I was sexually frustrated, and she was there, provoking me.”
This feels like a pedophile trying to come up with reasons to excuse his behavior. Every interaction of this two was purposely written in a way that makes this feel like we’re reading about a FMC who is underage and molested by a pedophile. Ewww
•“Usually, people piss themselves in terror at the sight of me.”
We can get men written by women and yet this is what said women choose to write. A cocky dude who could be the FMC’s grandpa thinks he is the alpha male of his generation. CRINGE dude.
This book genuinely makes me hate even fictional men.
•“She shrugs again, but this time, her gaze drops to her worn shoes. I take advantage of her distraction, silently circling the alley until she’s backed into the dead end. When she looks up again, her lips part in surprise at how expertly I’ve cornered her.”
I can practically feel how this book robs me of my intelligence. Who writes such dumb stuff.
Tw:
•weird interactions between MMC and FMC
•Kidnapping
•death
•murder
June 23, 2024
Getting tangled with a dangerous and powerful older man just so you can have a saving chance to escape the shadows of your pasts that hunt you.
Poor Cecelia is running from her ex, who's a wealthy man that left her devastated when he left her at the altar.
All she was doing was trying to piece herself back together never expecting herself to be hunted like an animal by the very past she thought she had left behind.
We start off with hot lust and desires as Cece has the hottest and filthy one night stand with a stranger who offers her shelter, unknowingly helping her find safety even if for a single night.
It's obvious from all the secrecy that Cece is running away and hiding from something and although based on semi-lies, Cece's friendship with Bree is a saving grace to her as being friends with the daughter of one of dons and who also has powerful cousins with lots of security, provides a sort of extended blanket of protection to Cece.
The twister happens when Maksim while about to teach defence lessons to his niece, meets her friend and realises there's something about the girl that she'd been trying her best to hide and in a world where one is surrounded by enemies, you can't ever be extra cautious.
When this caution and also a sort of intrigue intermixed with unacknowledged desires, leads to finding more about Cece - Maksim takes that as his excuse for entrapping this hot girl.
I initially didn't like Maksim with the way he treats Cecelia and doesn't bother asking her permission before taking control of everything in her life, but I had to keep reminding myself that, he's not a powerful man for no reason.
He's called the Tsar and being brutal is in his nature as he's built up his empire from scratch all by himself.
So it becomes all the more interesting when such a cold hearted man, the Tsar starts giving into his irresistible urges towards cece and witnessing him slowly start melting for her was definitely hypnotic because once he becomes obsessed with her, all bets are off and all enemies of her need to be quaking in fear of crossing paths with him.
We also get to experience loads of action and some jaw-dropping revelations that left me shocked and especially seeing Maksim do a 180 in feelings towards Cece had me all obsessed.
Bree was an amazing friend to Cece and I felt touched and grateful that poor Cece had someone on her side no matter the circumstances.
I'm also intrigued about the other characters we read about - the cousins and brothers and am looking forward to reading about them too. Loved this one.❤️❤️❤️❤️
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅻🅾🅾🅺 🅵🅾🆁🆆🅰🆁🅳 🆃🅾:
🧨 Bratva Romance
🧨 Age Gap
🧨 Running from dangerous past
🧨 Secrets and Suspense
🧨 Sizzling hot times
🧨 Captivity
🧨 Commanding and Dominating older man
🧨 Found Family
Poor Cecelia is running from her ex, who's a wealthy man that left her devastated when he left her at the altar.
All she was doing was trying to piece herself back together never expecting herself to be hunted like an animal by the very past she thought she had left behind.
We start off with hot lust and desires as Cece has the hottest and filthy one night stand with a stranger who offers her shelter, unknowingly helping her find safety even if for a single night.
It's obvious from all the secrecy that Cece is running away and hiding from something and although based on semi-lies, Cece's friendship with Bree is a saving grace to her as being friends with the daughter of one of dons and who also has powerful cousins with lots of security, provides a sort of extended blanket of protection to Cece.
The twister happens when Maksim while about to teach defence lessons to his niece, meets her friend and realises there's something about the girl that she'd been trying her best to hide and in a world where one is surrounded by enemies, you can't ever be extra cautious.
When this caution and also a sort of intrigue intermixed with unacknowledged desires, leads to finding more about Cece - Maksim takes that as his excuse for entrapping this hot girl.
I initially didn't like Maksim with the way he treats Cecelia and doesn't bother asking her permission before taking control of everything in her life, but I had to keep reminding myself that, he's not a powerful man for no reason.
He's called the Tsar and being brutal is in his nature as he's built up his empire from scratch all by himself.
So it becomes all the more interesting when such a cold hearted man, the Tsar starts giving into his irresistible urges towards cece and witnessing him slowly start melting for her was definitely hypnotic because once he becomes obsessed with her, all bets are off and all enemies of her need to be quaking in fear of crossing paths with him.
We also get to experience loads of action and some jaw-dropping revelations that left me shocked and especially seeing Maksim do a 180 in feelings towards Cece had me all obsessed.
Bree was an amazing friend to Cece and I felt touched and grateful that poor Cece had someone on her side no matter the circumstances.
I'm also intrigued about the other characters we read about - the cousins and brothers and am looking forward to reading about them too. Loved this one.❤️❤️❤️❤️
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅻🅾🅾🅺 🅵🅾🆁🆆🅰🆁🅳 🆃🅾:
🧨 Bratva Romance
🧨 Age Gap
🧨 Running from dangerous past
🧨 Secrets and Suspense
🧨 Sizzling hot times
🧨 Captivity
🧨 Commanding and Dominating older man
🧨 Found Family
November 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞.
Dauuumn,I was so pleasantly surprised by this book.
First and foremost,the smut is spectacular.It just had to be said!!
At the same time,this book features some of my favorite tropes such as:
• 𝐦𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
• 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩
• 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 ☠️
• 𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤 (but the endearment was not used a lot)
• 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Cecilia and Maksim
𝐂𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚(𝟐𝟑): I like her.She’s strong and funny.I do find her a little naive considering everything she did for her ex but her harsh past justifies her need for love.Her love for Maksim was cute but it did get cringe at some point.However,I still like her.
𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐢𝐦(𝟒𝟔?): So this man stared off strong by giving off insane daddy vibes and I instantly loved him for it.He did get a little cringey too towards the end but I still like him.He’s strong,hot and older.He’s also russian,a feared mafia boss and a dirty talker;)I really like him,his love for his found family and for his Cece is so sweet.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: One night Cecilia was being chased in an alley and Maksim saw her from his penthouse and went down and saved her.Then they had a very hot one night stand and a week later they meet again.Apparently Cecelia’s bestie is Maksim’s niece.Maksim was tasked on teaching them self defense and let me tell you,during the lessons the tension between them was hiiigh.Anyways,they tried to fight it but their chemistry was too strong.I like how different and yet how similar they are.They are a very nice couple,and the fact that they’d do anything for each other is so sweet.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
(𝟏) Before Cecilia and Maksim were official,he had her stay in one of his apartments so she’d be safe and he had given her his card.First thing that Cecilia did that I didn’t really like is that she used Maksim’s card to buy expensive stuff and clothes.And not only that but when she wasn’t staying at his apartment anymore she asked him to give her back “her card” that was his…Like I get it that she grew up poor and Maksim’s wealthiness blew her mind but I feel 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝’𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠,𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲.Don’t get me wrong,I love men spending their money on their girls but Cecilia literally took his money and did everything she wanted without even thinking of asking him first.
(𝟐) The fact that 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝.Like up until 60% the tension was so high and their age difference was noticeable but at some point this whole vibe faded.Ah and towards the end they both became extremely cringe.
(𝟑) 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐢𝐦’𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 It was mentioned once that he’s twice Cecilia’s age but like is he exactly 46 or did he mean he’s around his late fourties’…idk.
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 I really liked this book.The tension between Cecilia and Maksim was enough to hook me,and don’t get me started on the smut.Also the plot twist were very interesting and I loved that.There are a few things I didn’t like but all in all it is a great book
𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞.
Dauuumn,I was so pleasantly surprised by this book.
First and foremost,the smut is spectacular.It just had to be said!!
At the same time,this book features some of my favorite tropes such as:
• 𝐦𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
• 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩
• 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 ☠️
• 𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤 (but the endearment was not used a lot)
• 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Cecilia and Maksim
𝐂𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚(𝟐𝟑): I like her.She’s strong and funny.I do find her a little naive considering everything she did for her ex but her harsh past justifies her need for love.Her love for Maksim was cute but it did get cringe at some point.However,I still like her.
𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐢𝐦(𝟒𝟔?): So this man stared off strong by giving off insane daddy vibes and I instantly loved him for it.He did get a little cringey too towards the end but I still like him.He’s strong,hot and older.He’s also russian,a feared mafia boss and a dirty talker;)I really like him,his love for his found family and for his Cece is so sweet.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: One night Cecilia was being chased in an alley and Maksim saw her from his penthouse and went down and saved her.Then they had a very hot one night stand and a week later they meet again.Apparently Cecelia’s bestie is Maksim’s niece.Maksim was tasked on teaching them self defense and let me tell you,during the lessons the tension between them was hiiigh.Anyways,they tried to fight it but their chemistry was too strong.I like how different and yet how similar they are.They are a very nice couple,and the fact that they’d do anything for each other is so sweet.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
(𝟏) Before Cecilia and Maksim were official,he had her stay in one of his apartments so she’d be safe and he had given her his card.First thing that Cecilia did that I didn’t really like is that she used Maksim’s card to buy expensive stuff and clothes.And not only that but when she wasn’t staying at his apartment anymore she asked him to give her back “her card” that was his…Like I get it that she grew up poor and Maksim’s wealthiness blew her mind but I feel 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝’𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠,𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲.Don’t get me wrong,I love men spending their money on their girls but Cecilia literally took his money and did everything she wanted without even thinking of asking him first.
(𝟐) The fact that 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝.Like up until 60% the tension was so high and their age difference was noticeable but at some point this whole vibe faded.Ah and towards the end they both became extremely cringe.
(𝟑) 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐢𝐦’𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 It was mentioned once that he’s twice Cecilia’s age but like is he exactly 46 or did he mean he’s around his late fourties’…idk.
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 I really liked this book.The tension between Cecilia and Maksim was enough to hook me,and don’t get me started on the smut.Also the plot twist were very interesting and I loved that.There are a few things I didn’t like but all in all it is a great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2025
It’s honestly never taken me this long to try to finish a book, and I didn’t even manage to finish it.
I hate to be harsh on books I haven’t even fully read but the 63% of it i did read dragged on forever, I really wanted to enjoy this book. Occasionally I drag myself back to mafia books because for me it’s where my reading obsessions started, but this book really didn’t hit the mark.
It was so repetitive, like it’s was just s*x scene, crying about her ex, s*x scene, crying about how scared she was, s*x scene, saying she wasn’t scared of her ex anymore.
I felt like this author couldn’t decide what FMC they wanted, at some points she was described as this little girl who was terrified and needed saving from the big older mafia guy, but the next minute she was baiting her ex and antagonising her kidnapper? I’d say it’s growth though-out the book but it didn’t even feel like that was the case here, I get these “lessons” are mentioned but she went to like 3 and two of them were just foreplay if anything but now she’s fighting grown men with a knife?
Plus the story outside of the s*x scenes was essentially non-existent. It was just her moaning how constantly scared she was (but wasn’t at the same time? I really don’t know) and then half way through the book it’s like the author remembered this was a mafia book then decided to add some gang rivalry? It just seemed like the story was there to fill between the repetitive s*x scenes.
I wish there was just more to this book, I love when the FMC is happy to be protected by the MMC, and I love s*x scenes with Russian nicknames as much as the next smut reader with an age gap obsession but aside from that the rest of the book ruined it for me.
Maybe it’s just not my cup of tea, and maybe in the future I’ll attempt to finish this book but for right now? I have to stop or it’s going to take me till 2026 to finish it.
I hate to be harsh on books I haven’t even fully read but the 63% of it i did read dragged on forever, I really wanted to enjoy this book. Occasionally I drag myself back to mafia books because for me it’s where my reading obsessions started, but this book really didn’t hit the mark.
It was so repetitive, like it’s was just s*x scene, crying about her ex, s*x scene, crying about how scared she was, s*x scene, saying she wasn’t scared of her ex anymore.
I felt like this author couldn’t decide what FMC they wanted, at some points she was described as this little girl who was terrified and needed saving from the big older mafia guy, but the next minute she was baiting her ex and antagonising her kidnapper? I’d say it’s growth though-out the book but it didn’t even feel like that was the case here, I get these “lessons” are mentioned but she went to like 3 and two of them were just foreplay if anything but now she’s fighting grown men with a knife?
Plus the story outside of the s*x scenes was essentially non-existent. It was just her moaning how constantly scared she was (but wasn’t at the same time? I really don’t know) and then half way through the book it’s like the author remembered this was a mafia book then decided to add some gang rivalry? It just seemed like the story was there to fill between the repetitive s*x scenes.
I wish there was just more to this book, I love when the FMC is happy to be protected by the MMC, and I love s*x scenes with Russian nicknames as much as the next smut reader with an age gap obsession but aside from that the rest of the book ruined it for me.
Maybe it’s just not my cup of tea, and maybe in the future I’ll attempt to finish this book but for right now? I have to stop or it’s going to take me till 2026 to finish it.
March 16, 2025
I'm only giving it two stars because the last two books I read were truly terrible, so this one benefitted from my curse. If I read it after a decent book, I think it'd be a solid 1 star.
The whole thing seemed rushed and naive. And, oh god, so many plot holes and contradictions.
To name a few bits that made me cringe:
FMC's trauma didn't make sense (oh no, he screamed at her and met up with her three times over the years). Also, after making it such a big part of the book, solving said trauma took like one and a half pages. I'm not even kidding. Afterwards, she was all fine and dandy.
She had some weird form of a panic attack when loud sound woke her up (because of trauma), but her favourite movie is about movie dealers, even though that was the occupation of her ex.
Tbh, I don't think the ex was actually chasing her. He didn't seem that interested. FMC thinks she is more worth it than she actually is.
The sibling thing was pointless and just didn't fit in so many ways.
The self defense classes weren't thought through at all - what do you mean they have to read chapter 1, so MMC can fuck FMC? Seemed like a forced way to add teacher-student trope.
Grandpa MMC (was the age even mentioned? I only know he had salt and pepper hair and referred to himself constantly as "randy teenager", so im guessing he's pushing 50) seemed to be just obsessed with her body.
Attention whor-... Annoying FMC in theory was supposed to be badass, but just came out as self-absorbed and mostly rude for no reason.
So either he dies when she's in her 40s or he looks for a younger model with a teenage body. There's no third scenario
I have more complaints, and maybe i should spend more time on this review (qt least maybe proofread it), but honestly, I just want to move on to hopefully better books.
But if I find tiktok account that recommended this book, I'm instantly blocking them.
The whole thing seemed rushed and naive. And, oh god, so many plot holes and contradictions.
To name a few bits that made me cringe:
FMC's trauma didn't make sense (oh no, he screamed at her and met up with her three times over the years). Also, after making it such a big part of the book, solving said trauma took like one and a half pages. I'm not even kidding. Afterwards, she was all fine and dandy.
She had some weird form of a panic attack when loud sound woke her up (because of trauma), but her favourite movie is about movie dealers, even though that was the occupation of her ex.
Tbh, I don't think the ex was actually chasing her. He didn't seem that interested. FMC thinks she is more worth it than she actually is.
The sibling thing was pointless and just didn't fit in so many ways.
The self defense classes weren't thought through at all - what do you mean they have to read chapter 1, so MMC can fuck FMC? Seemed like a forced way to add teacher-student trope.
Grandpa MMC (was the age even mentioned? I only know he had salt and pepper hair and referred to himself constantly as "randy teenager", so im guessing he's pushing 50) seemed to be just obsessed with her body.
Attention whor-... Annoying FMC in theory was supposed to be badass, but just came out as self-absorbed and mostly rude for no reason.
So either he dies when she's in her 40s or he looks for a younger model with a teenage body. There's no third scenario
I have more complaints, and maybe i should spend more time on this review (qt least maybe proofread it), but honestly, I just want to move on to hopefully better books.
But if I find tiktok account that recommended this book, I'm instantly blocking them.
June 26, 2024
Spicy from the first page. Unholy Tsar was a quick read with lots of spice and a little mystery. Cecilia and Maksim can’t help the chemistry that draws them together. She has secrets and he has a past that comes back to haunt him. And who can resist an older mafia man?
Tropes:
Dark Mafia
Enemies to Lovers
Age Gap
Captive
With a little bit of Daddy Dom
Some people are haunted by their past. I’m hunted by mine.
Maksim Smolov wasn’t the monster I was running from. He’s the devil I found.
Those deep brown eyes didn’t even blink. One minute, I’m being chased down a dark alleyway by the nastiest demons from my past; the next, they’re begging for mercy from a man in an expensive suit.
If I had known my savior was the most feared mafia boss in New York, I might not have repaid his kindness with a kiss—a kiss that led to the hottest night of my life—but I did, and that was that.
A week later, I’m back fending for myself. So, when I hear my best friend is taking private self-defense classes, I beg to join her. It seems like a good idea… until I meet our teacher.
My one-night stand.
Turns out, he’s her uncle. Tsar of the American underworld. Maksim Smolov. Just like that, I’m not sure what to be more afraid of:
The demons from my past… or what this devil will do when he finds out about them.
*Unholy Tsar is a standalone Dark Mafia Enemies to Lovers Age Gap Captive Romance with mature themes and a happily ever after. It is the fourth book of the Ruthless Dynasty series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Tropes:
Dark Mafia
Enemies to Lovers
Age Gap
Captive
With a little bit of Daddy Dom
Some people are haunted by their past. I’m hunted by mine.
Maksim Smolov wasn’t the monster I was running from. He’s the devil I found.
Those deep brown eyes didn’t even blink. One minute, I’m being chased down a dark alleyway by the nastiest demons from my past; the next, they’re begging for mercy from a man in an expensive suit.
If I had known my savior was the most feared mafia boss in New York, I might not have repaid his kindness with a kiss—a kiss that led to the hottest night of my life—but I did, and that was that.
A week later, I’m back fending for myself. So, when I hear my best friend is taking private self-defense classes, I beg to join her. It seems like a good idea… until I meet our teacher.
My one-night stand.
Turns out, he’s her uncle. Tsar of the American underworld. Maksim Smolov. Just like that, I’m not sure what to be more afraid of:
The demons from my past… or what this devil will do when he finds out about them.
*Unholy Tsar is a standalone Dark Mafia Enemies to Lovers Age Gap Captive Romance with mature themes and a happily ever after. It is the fourth book of the Ruthless Dynasty series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2024
to far fetched but spice was good
Thoughts: some of the story line was too embellished. Insta love but then they separate after 1 night. She takes 2 self defense lessons and she is a master already. The, I’m not telling to my secret and you’ll have to find out on your own kills me. The ex is made to be a high dr%g lord, but really he is a tweaked out ex doctor.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Plot / Storyline 👩🏻💻: 📑
Heat / Burn (slow / fast): 🐢🐢🐇🐇🐇
Darkness: 🖤
Red Flags: 🚩🚩
Kinks: 🫦
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🫣😑🙂
Ending: 👩🏻❤️👨🏻 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
***spoilers - whole story***
Basically Cecelia is on the run from her ex who we are made to believe is in the mafia and is a bad man. He physically hurt her and he left her at the alter. She is an orphan and has no family, which is all she has wanted. She meets Bree (a mafia princess - with lots of security) and she tells half lies to get her to become her friend so she can use their security.
Bree is taking self defense lessons and brings Cecelia along. Maksim her uncle and a top mafia Don, realizes Cecelia is the girl he had a one night stand with the previous week. He knows something is off and puts her in an apartment away from Bree cause he doesn’t want her mess to touch his niece. Eventually Cecelia is grabbed by her ex’s thugs, but she is able to get away after 2 self defense classes, one was on weapons.
Maksim tries to track her ex, come to find out he is really a low level dealer. Maksim’s twin brother, Viktor, and sister Vera (who were supposed to be dead from a house fire years ago) show up and are trying to take over Maksim’s empire.
Maksim saves the day. HEA
Thoughts: some of the story line was too embellished. Insta love but then they separate after 1 night. She takes 2 self defense lessons and she is a master already. The, I’m not telling to my secret and you’ll have to find out on your own kills me. The ex is made to be a high dr%g lord, but really he is a tweaked out ex doctor.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Plot / Storyline 👩🏻💻: 📑
Heat / Burn (slow / fast): 🐢🐢🐇🐇🐇
Darkness: 🖤
Red Flags: 🚩🚩
Kinks: 🫦
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🫣😑🙂
Ending: 👩🏻❤️👨🏻 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
***spoilers - whole story***
Basically Cecelia is on the run from her ex who we are made to believe is in the mafia and is a bad man. He physically hurt her and he left her at the alter. She is an orphan and has no family, which is all she has wanted. She meets Bree (a mafia princess - with lots of security) and she tells half lies to get her to become her friend so she can use their security.
Bree is taking self defense lessons and brings Cecelia along. Maksim her uncle and a top mafia Don, realizes Cecelia is the girl he had a one night stand with the previous week. He knows something is off and puts her in an apartment away from Bree cause he doesn’t want her mess to touch his niece. Eventually Cecelia is grabbed by her ex’s thugs, but she is able to get away after 2 self defense classes, one was on weapons.
Maksim tries to track her ex, come to find out he is really a low level dealer. Maksim’s twin brother, Viktor, and sister Vera (who were supposed to be dead from a house fire years ago) show up and are trying to take over Maksim’s empire.
Maksim saves the day. HEA
July 4, 2024
Maksim Smolov is a powerful man, he is consigliere to the king of one of the most powerful mafia syndicates, the Kilpatrick’s, as well as being a very powerful Don in the family.
One night while looking out at his kingdom he notices a woman that looks to be running for her life, curiosity got the best of him when he goes to investigate and ends up spending the night with the mystery woman.
A few days later Maksim is to start lessons of self defence with his niece, to his surprise her friend is also there to partake in the lessons. Her friend, Cecilia, just so happens to be the mystery woman from the week before. While schooling his shocked features, Maksim vows to find out all there is to know about Cecilia.
Her best friend’s Uncle, the man she slept with last week, he now stands infront of Cece. Terrified he will get too close, find out her secrets, Cece tries her best to build her walls. Keep him out. But when her past comes for her she knows her only chance to survive is with Maksim, learning all he has to teach her. Maybe he has more to teach her than just self defence.
Age gap, mafia, marshmallow of a man. Was a good read, my first issues, how old is Maksim?? Did I miss his age, I figure Cece is about 23-24,ages from the book, but I didn’t see a mention of Maksim, just old man jokes. While I like Cece she flips a lot, she’s strong and confident but then women talking shit about her makes her crumble.
Would recommend 😊
One night while looking out at his kingdom he notices a woman that looks to be running for her life, curiosity got the best of him when he goes to investigate and ends up spending the night with the mystery woman.
A few days later Maksim is to start lessons of self defence with his niece, to his surprise her friend is also there to partake in the lessons. Her friend, Cecilia, just so happens to be the mystery woman from the week before. While schooling his shocked features, Maksim vows to find out all there is to know about Cecilia.
Her best friend’s Uncle, the man she slept with last week, he now stands infront of Cece. Terrified he will get too close, find out her secrets, Cece tries her best to build her walls. Keep him out. But when her past comes for her she knows her only chance to survive is with Maksim, learning all he has to teach her. Maybe he has more to teach her than just self defence.
Age gap, mafia, marshmallow of a man. Was a good read, my first issues, how old is Maksim?? Did I miss his age, I figure Cece is about 23-24,ages from the book, but I didn’t see a mention of Maksim, just old man jokes. While I like Cece she flips a lot, she’s strong and confident but then women talking shit about her makes her crumble.
Would recommend 😊
June 27, 2024
Cecelia has been on the run from her ex for 2 years when she — literally — runs into mafia boss Maksim (the Tsar of America as he’s known). They share a no-name home-night stand only to unintentionally be reunited a week later when Cecelia turns up for a self-defense class with his niece Bree. They’re surprised to see each other and Maksim can tell she’s hiding something. When the truth finally comes out, Maksim stashes Cecelia in a safe house, but try as they might, they can’t seem to stay away from each other. He slays her dragons and she calms his demons. When they face the ultimate battle, will they be able to save each other?
I’ve read several of Sasha’s books and enjoyed them all. I hadn’t read any in this series yet, so I have some catching up to do. Fortunately, you don’t need to have read the previous books to understand this one. I loved Cecelia and Maksim together. The way she would challenge him and how crazy she drove him. The way she made him softer. The way he made her feel safe. The way he was always, always there for her. Their fiery passion ❤️🔥. Sasha knows how to bring the heat and the heart with her books.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve read several of Sasha’s books and enjoyed them all. I hadn’t read any in this series yet, so I have some catching up to do. Fortunately, you don’t need to have read the previous books to understand this one. I loved Cecelia and Maksim together. The way she would challenge him and how crazy she drove him. The way she made him softer. The way he made her feel safe. The way he was always, always there for her. Their fiery passion ❤️🔥. Sasha knows how to bring the heat and the heart with her books.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 27, 2024
It all starts with one night and no names
Unholy Tsar is the fourth book in the Ruthless Dynasty series. This is the story of Cecelia and Maksim. She has been the run from her ex-fiance, who is dangerous, for the last two years. But she is feisty, smart, a sexy minx and more. Maksim is the Tsar of the Bratva is the US, so the head of the heads. He is older, dangerous, commanding, powerful, and able to save a damsel in distress without breaking a sweat. When Cecelia literally runs into Maksim and he saves her from a situation they end up having a toe-curling one night stand without exchanging names. One week later and they run into each other again, only this time in very different circumstances. Maksim is sure that Cecelia is hiding something and he does not believe in coincidences, so he is wary of her and what her intentions are. When Cecelia's secrets are finally found out Maksim decides to keep her safe and protected. He also has a hard time keeping away from the sexy minx who lights his desires on fire and quivers at his very touch. Let the games begin for these two as they play their hands and other parts to an unholy HEA.....always the best kind!
Unholy Tsar is the fourth book in the Ruthless Dynasty series. This is the story of Cecelia and Maksim. She has been the run from her ex-fiance, who is dangerous, for the last two years. But she is feisty, smart, a sexy minx and more. Maksim is the Tsar of the Bratva is the US, so the head of the heads. He is older, dangerous, commanding, powerful, and able to save a damsel in distress without breaking a sweat. When Cecelia literally runs into Maksim and he saves her from a situation they end up having a toe-curling one night stand without exchanging names. One week later and they run into each other again, only this time in very different circumstances. Maksim is sure that Cecelia is hiding something and he does not believe in coincidences, so he is wary of her and what her intentions are. When Cecelia's secrets are finally found out Maksim decides to keep her safe and protected. He also has a hard time keeping away from the sexy minx who lights his desires on fire and quivers at his very touch. Let the games begin for these two as they play their hands and other parts to an unholy HEA.....always the best kind!
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