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Marital Privileges #1
Doctored Vows
The Ivanov family exudes wealth and power, so when its founder shows up on the surgical roster of a third-year resident, even with me not laying eyes on her previously, I’m thrust under their spotlight.
Her son’s, to be precise.
Maksim Ivanov is a walking red flag. He oozes confidence, and appears to have never been told no, but despite our differences, sparks ignite the moment we trade sultry glances.
The tension is white hot. I’ve never experienced such an immediate mutual connection. But as quickly as his mother was placed under my care, she is removed.
I assume her discharge will be the last I’ll hear from the mysterious family, so I struggle to hold back my delight when I bump into Maksim weeks later.
He’s darker than the man I’d met previously. More unhinged. But I am still drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
Regretfully, he tries to make it seem as if the sparks are one sided.
He pushes me away as often than he draws me in, so you can picture my shock when I wake up after a night out drinking, wearing his ring.
I wanted to make him jealous.
I became his wife instead.
It could be mistaken as magical… until more than just the people I placed between us start showing up dead.
Her son’s, to be precise.
Maksim Ivanov is a walking red flag. He oozes confidence, and appears to have never been told no, but despite our differences, sparks ignite the moment we trade sultry glances.
The tension is white hot. I’ve never experienced such an immediate mutual connection. But as quickly as his mother was placed under my care, she is removed.
I assume her discharge will be the last I’ll hear from the mysterious family, so I struggle to hold back my delight when I bump into Maksim weeks later.
He’s darker than the man I’d met previously. More unhinged. But I am still drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
Regretfully, he tries to make it seem as if the sparks are one sided.
He pushes me away as often than he draws me in, so you can picture my shock when I wake up after a night out drinking, wearing his ring.
I wanted to make him jealous.
I became his wife instead.
It could be mistaken as magical… until more than just the people I placed between us start showing up dead.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2024
2732 people are currently reading
3120 people want to read
About the author
Shandi Boyes
96 books2,197 followersShandi Boyes is a USA Today Bestselling Author who was an avid reader for many years before she discovered the love of writing in February 2016. Her first penned novel 'Perception of Life’ is a new adult rockstar romance that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat until the very last word.
In September 2016, her focus shifted to hot alpha men in steamy contemporary reads that sizzle off the pages. Shandi’s novel ‘Enigma of Life’ is an award-winning story on an FBI agent and the subject she was assigned to investigate. Her men are swoon-worthy, devoted, and alpha; and her heroines are strong-willed, determined, and loveable. You should start her stories first thing in the morning, or you may not sleep.
You will laugh and you will cry, but Shandi's characters will stay with you for a lifetime!
Join my newsletter: subscribepage.com/authorshandi
SERIES ORDER:
Perception of Life (Noah and Emily #1)
Reality of Life (conclusion of Noah's story #2)
Fight of Life (Jacob's story - standalone #3)
Player of Life (Nick & Jenny - standalone #4)
Beats of Life (Slater's story - standalone #5)
Enigma:
Enigma of Life (Isaac #1) - ** FREE **
Unraveling an Enigma (Isaac #2)
Enigma: The Mystery Unmasked (Isaac #3)
Enigma: The Final Chapter (conclusion of Isaac's story #4)
Beneath the Secrets (Hugo #1)
Beneath the Sheets (Hugo #2)
Spy Thy Neighbor (Hunter's Story)
The Opposite Effect
I Married a Mob Boss
Second Shot
Bound:
Chains
Links
Bound
Restrained
Russian Mob Chronicles:
Nikolai: A Mafia Prince Romance
Nikolai: Taking Back What's Mine
Nikolai: What's Left of Me
You will laugh and you will cry, but my characters will stay with you forever!
I love writing and reading. They are both my passion. My genre is generally set to new adult and contemporary, with a few twists thrown in.
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Author-Shand...
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01D8C13WU
Enjoy reading!
In September 2016, her focus shifted to hot alpha men in steamy contemporary reads that sizzle off the pages. Shandi’s novel ‘Enigma of Life’ is an award-winning story on an FBI agent and the subject she was assigned to investigate. Her men are swoon-worthy, devoted, and alpha; and her heroines are strong-willed, determined, and loveable. You should start her stories first thing in the morning, or you may not sleep.
You will laugh and you will cry, but Shandi's characters will stay with you for a lifetime!
Join my newsletter: subscribepage.com/authorshandi
SERIES ORDER:
Perception of Life (Noah and Emily #1)
Reality of Life (conclusion of Noah's story #2)
Fight of Life (Jacob's story - standalone #3)
Player of Life (Nick & Jenny - standalone #4)
Beats of Life (Slater's story - standalone #5)
Enigma:
Enigma of Life (Isaac #1) - ** FREE **
Unraveling an Enigma (Isaac #2)
Enigma: The Mystery Unmasked (Isaac #3)
Enigma: The Final Chapter (conclusion of Isaac's story #4)
Beneath the Secrets (Hugo #1)
Beneath the Sheets (Hugo #2)
Spy Thy Neighbor (Hunter's Story)
The Opposite Effect
I Married a Mob Boss
Second Shot
Bound:
Chains
Links
Bound
Restrained
Russian Mob Chronicles:
Nikolai: A Mafia Prince Romance
Nikolai: Taking Back What's Mine
Nikolai: What's Left of Me
You will laugh and you will cry, but my characters will stay with you forever!
I love writing and reading. They are both my passion. My genre is generally set to new adult and contemporary, with a few twists thrown in.
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Author-Shand...
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01D8C13WU
Enjoy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
August 7, 2024
Dnf 56%
This has so many of my favorite tropes but mannnnn was this kind of difficult to read?
Idk if I’m not as smart as I think I am but there was so many spots in the book where I’m like “wait…what just happened?” Or “where did this character come from” or “who even said that”
Like there is something wrong with the flow of this book. Some parts are rushed and people are introduced like mid conversation with other characters. It’s hard to follow
This has so many of my favorite tropes but mannnnn was this kind of difficult to read?
Idk if I’m not as smart as I think I am but there was so many spots in the book where I’m like “wait…what just happened?” Or “where did this character come from” or “who even said that”
Like there is something wrong with the flow of this book. Some parts are rushed and people are introduced like mid conversation with other characters. It’s hard to follow
August 12, 2024
This book was a mess in my opinion. I did see the authors note that she tried to write this from a dual POV but it just didn't work. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this book desperately needed to be dual POV because throughout the book, there were many, MANY, moments when nothing made sense. Had there been Maksim's POV, things out have made a lot more sense. That being said, the over all story line did not catch my attention, and Maksim and Nikita lacked chemistry after their very first interaction. We went from a patient with B12 deficiency, to laced food from a food bank, and a black market organ buying ring. It sounds as convoluted as it looks and the story did not flow at all. Also, Maksim calling Nikita "Doc" all the time was cringe inducing. Once in a while, to teaser her, fine. But that is literally all he called her throughout the book. There was only one point, 75% into the book, he says her name. This book dragged on for 4 days but I was committed to finishing it. This book was not for me at all. Too many holes in the plot and a lot of major points were just glossed over making the story so poorly played out.
August 14, 2024
DNF
Zoya is insufferable.
And so many questions.
Does it take place in Russia? Or no? I don’t know. And if it is Russia and the FMC is Russian…why can’t she speak it?
The topsy turvy “plotting” left out important details that made reading this trying to decipher hieroglyphics.
The relationships exist without a line of explanation. And it’s too convoluted to bother unraveling which is a shame cuz the premise and blurb intrigued but the pages did not deliver.
Zoya is insufferable.
And so many questions.
Does it take place in Russia? Or no? I don’t know. And if it is Russia and the FMC is Russian…why can’t she speak it?
The topsy turvy “plotting” left out important details that made reading this trying to decipher hieroglyphics.
The relationships exist without a line of explanation. And it’s too convoluted to bother unraveling which is a shame cuz the premise and blurb intrigued but the pages did not deliver.
September 18, 2024
Okay the first third of this book is absolutely whack. There is so much of the plot that doesn't make sense. It's like the author knew the whole story but only put half of it down on the page for the readers to know. Or half the information was supposed to be from the guy's POV and she just chose not to include those chapters at the expense of a coherent plot.
There are so many instances where characters just deliver information that comes out of nowhere, and there is no sensible way for them to have the info (this may be because there is crossover with some of the author's previous books that I am unaware of, but since this story is marketed as standalone, I shouldn't need to read the other books for this one to make sense).
There are instances where information changes (i.e referring to someone with a new last name) and it takes paragraphs/pages before any kind of explanation is provided to the reader. And because the MC POV doesn't acknowledge confusion about the new info, it feels like I as the reader was swimming through a world of confusion, and being low-key gaslit by the text.
There are instances where plot things happen that don't make sense, that don't get explained for pages/chapters/the entire book. As an example: when boyfriend spontaneously appeared in a locked room with one entrance that our MC has locked and watched. Are there secret passages? Is he an X-Man? A ghost? I don't know because the MC POV certainly didn't care to ask--it would have interrupted the plot. It made the story feel very fake and unrealistic, because I cannot imagine a person who is startled by someone sneaking up behind them not immediately questioning how they got there. (For those of you wondering, it is explained later that he scaled a 90 story building and came in through a balcony that I don't remember being referenced prior to him sneaking into the room).
This book, more than most, really just wanted readers to pay attention to the romance plot and nothing else. And like, I get it, but also if you want me to believe this is a love story that takes place in some semblance of reality, you need your characters to act and feel like real people. You can't hide info from your readers to the point that it creates genuine confusion (vs. Intentional confusion, which is used to create mystery and suspense, but is more about leading the reader on the journey to the reveal rather than leaving them confused the whole time). Your world plot points still have to make sense in order for the romance to feel real.
There are still elements to this story that I am wholly confused by. The love interest's reasons for wanting to marry our MC still are not clear to me. It was for an alibi, but not really. It was for her alibi, but not really. He thought she was a murderer, but not really. Her friend said he needed to get married for an inheritance?? But that may have been a lie, and we still aren't sure how Aleena even knew Maksim to begin with? (If this is a callback that can only be understood by reading this author's previous books, that means this book should not be labeled as standalone). He knew she had been drugged, but proceeded to marry her anyway and claim that she was of sound mind. Bro, you knew she had been slipped Ketamine. You saved her from being assaulted. But sure, sound mind. Her friends let her get married even though the entire situation was whack--and if it's because they were scared of the mob boss, they certainly didn't act that way. They thought Maksim had rainbows and puppies shooting out of his eyeballs for the rest of the novel, and proceeded to tell the MC that she should just shack up and not look a gift horse in the mouth.
Wild.
Also, some of the syntax got wonky. There were sentences that weren't technically run-on, but they were so wordy that I would get lost in the sauce trying to figure out what they meant. Some of the sentences were just strange arrangements of words, and that made it difficult to read/visualize through as well.
I've read good reviews about this author's work previously, but this is the first of her novels I've picked up, so I'm not sure if these are usual issues with her stories, or if its just this one.
There are so many instances where characters just deliver information that comes out of nowhere, and there is no sensible way for them to have the info (this may be because there is crossover with some of the author's previous books that I am unaware of, but since this story is marketed as standalone, I shouldn't need to read the other books for this one to make sense).
There are instances where information changes (i.e referring to someone with a new last name) and it takes paragraphs/pages before any kind of explanation is provided to the reader. And because the MC POV doesn't acknowledge confusion about the new info, it feels like I as the reader was swimming through a world of confusion, and being low-key gaslit by the text.
There are instances where plot things happen that don't make sense, that don't get explained for pages/chapters/the entire book. As an example: when boyfriend spontaneously appeared in a locked room with one entrance that our MC has locked and watched. Are there secret passages? Is he an X-Man? A ghost? I don't know because the MC POV certainly didn't care to ask--it would have interrupted the plot. It made the story feel very fake and unrealistic, because I cannot imagine a person who is startled by someone sneaking up behind them not immediately questioning how they got there. (For those of you wondering, it is explained later that he scaled a 90 story building and came in through a balcony that I don't remember being referenced prior to him sneaking into the room).
This book, more than most, really just wanted readers to pay attention to the romance plot and nothing else. And like, I get it, but also if you want me to believe this is a love story that takes place in some semblance of reality, you need your characters to act and feel like real people. You can't hide info from your readers to the point that it creates genuine confusion (vs. Intentional confusion, which is used to create mystery and suspense, but is more about leading the reader on the journey to the reveal rather than leaving them confused the whole time). Your world plot points still have to make sense in order for the romance to feel real.
There are still elements to this story that I am wholly confused by. The love interest's reasons for wanting to marry our MC still are not clear to me. It was for an alibi, but not really. It was for her alibi, but not really. He thought she was a murderer, but not really. Her friend said he needed to get married for an inheritance?? But that may have been a lie, and we still aren't sure how Aleena even knew Maksim to begin with? (If this is a callback that can only be understood by reading this author's previous books, that means this book should not be labeled as standalone). He knew she had been drugged, but proceeded to marry her anyway and claim that she was of sound mind. Bro, you knew she had been slipped Ketamine. You saved her from being assaulted. But sure, sound mind. Her friends let her get married even though the entire situation was whack--and if it's because they were scared of the mob boss, they certainly didn't act that way. They thought Maksim had rainbows and puppies shooting out of his eyeballs for the rest of the novel, and proceeded to tell the MC that she should just shack up and not look a gift horse in the mouth.
Wild.
Also, some of the syntax got wonky. There were sentences that weren't technically run-on, but they were so wordy that I would get lost in the sauce trying to figure out what they meant. Some of the sentences were just strange arrangements of words, and that made it difficult to read/visualize through as well.
I've read good reviews about this author's work previously, but this is the first of her novels I've picked up, so I'm not sure if these are usual issues with her stories, or if its just this one.
October 27, 2024
Expected it would be better than it was
Another misleading insta ad that made me want to read the book after some spicy lines.
I read 27 chapters and skipped to the last two.
First 50% of the book were so chaotic (wanted to DNF it at 37%) and characters there were kinda immature. I got lost a couple of times but still managed 🤷🏼♀️
After Nikita got drugged and had a wedding - it would be nice to actually read about it. Also, the main characters right after started acting like F.ing rabbits 🤦🏼♀️
Spice was good tho.
Another misleading insta ad that made me want to read the book after some spicy lines.
I read 27 chapters and skipped to the last two.
First 50% of the book were so chaotic (wanted to DNF it at 37%) and characters there were kinda immature. I got lost a couple of times but still managed 🤷🏼♀️
After Nikita got drugged and had a wedding - it would be nice to actually read about it. Also, the main characters right after started acting like F.ing rabbits 🤦🏼♀️
Spice was good tho.
November 29, 2024
“I’ll burn down the entire world and everyone in it before I will ever give this up. I won’t let anyone take this from me.”
Was Maksim super possessive and obsessed. Yes. Is that why we read mafia romances. Also, yes. The amounts of times this man growled “my wife” was actually too many but not my biggest ick. I actually found that a little endearing. My ick, an ick I didn’t even know I had was Anyways, the story itself was a little weird She’s an up and coming surgeon and the bad guys set her up. But I also have so many questions about this. In the big scheme of things it makes sense. Like I understood what was going on but it was so far fetched and soooo dramatic. But and it’s a big BUT I read for fun not because something makes sense. So it was fine.
I know this review is all over the place. It’s just an all over the place kind of book. The one thing that was sure was that Nikita and Maksim were meant to be together. And it’s always nice to read about a man that is willing to burn down the world for his woman.
Was Maksim super possessive and obsessed. Yes. Is that why we read mafia romances. Also, yes. The amounts of times this man growled “my wife” was actually too many but not my biggest ick. I actually found that a little endearing. My ick, an ick I didn’t even know I had was Anyways, the story itself was a little weird She’s an up and coming surgeon and the bad guys set her up. But I also have so many questions about this. In the big scheme of things it makes sense. Like I understood what was going on but it was so far fetched and soooo dramatic. But and it’s a big BUT I read for fun not because something makes sense. So it was fine.
I know this review is all over the place. It’s just an all over the place kind of book. The one thing that was sure was that Nikita and Maksim were meant to be together. And it’s always nice to read about a man that is willing to burn down the world for his woman.
February 1, 2025
This is easily one of the worst if not *the* worst book I have ever read in my entire life
June 18, 2024
Maksim is one sexy MF, the love story between Maksim and Nikita is an instant connection smoking hot chemistry,
the story is a whirlwind of emotions, love, anger, Maksim is in the mafia however this is not a dark heavy mafia book like some of Shandi other books. We get some side of the mafia world however the story is much about the love story and something going on behide Nikita back that I will not spoil however the storyline is very intriguing. There are also some side characters who I would love to find out more about.
Highly recommended
the story is a whirlwind of emotions, love, anger, Maksim is in the mafia however this is not a dark heavy mafia book like some of Shandi other books. We get some side of the mafia world however the story is much about the love story and something going on behide Nikita back that I will not spoil however the storyline is very intriguing. There are also some side characters who I would love to find out more about.
Highly recommended
November 14, 2024
Like others have said, this book was difficult to read and not because of the topic. The story itself was ok, but the writing was odd and hard to follow. There were grammatical errors, weird segues, people popping in and out of existence, and I honestly don't know if the author knows what rueful means. All in all, it needed a better proofread.
January 16, 2025
DNF 40%, so glad Goodreads validated my feelings of “what the fuck is going on?”
This book jumped around so much I’m surprised I even made it that far.
This book jumped around so much I’m surprised I even made it that far.
August 20, 2024
Well this was more enjoyable than I was expecting. In the interest of transparency, it took me a little bit to get into the story. I don’t know if it was just me or if it was the writing, but the beginning chapters felt a bit rocky to me.
Once Maksim and Nikita are… together.. things really slid into place for me. I enjoyed their chemistry, and even some of their banter. I appreciate a grouchy MMC who is tough and scary to everyone else but HER, and Maksim definitely fits that mold. His wooing of her in his own unique ways was really sweet, and I enjoyed Nikita’s transition from self-conscious into someone who basks in the admiration of her man.
This had me looking forward to reading more chapters when I got home from work , so the anticipation together with the spicy scenes/ chemistry and banter gets 5 stars from me.
Once Maksim and Nikita are… together.. things really slid into place for me. I enjoyed their chemistry, and even some of their banter. I appreciate a grouchy MMC who is tough and scary to everyone else but HER, and Maksim definitely fits that mold. His wooing of her in his own unique ways was really sweet, and I enjoyed Nikita’s transition from self-conscious into someone who basks in the admiration of her man.
This had me looking forward to reading more chapters when I got home from work , so the anticipation together with the spicy scenes/ chemistry and banter gets 5 stars from me.
August 3, 2024
3.5.
I feel like some parts were missing or rather there were parts that were glossed over.
Nevertheless I liked the book.
I feel like some parts were missing or rather there were parts that were glossed over.
Nevertheless I liked the book.
December 11, 2024
DNF @43% honestly I’m so confused. What even
December 23, 2024
Doctored Vows by Shandi Boyes
Format: ALC Audiobook 🎧
Narrators: Artemis Jones and J. Tipstone
Genre: Mafia Romance
⚠️ Check TW’s before reading ⚠️
✨ ALC Audio Review ✨
I tend to give vague reviews and this one will be no different. The synopsis for this book checked off several of my “likes” when picking my next read. Mafia Romance, Possessive MC, She’s Mine, Touch Her and ☠️, etc., however I struggled at the beginning of this one. I really like the ‘Marriage of Convenience’ trope, and this one had a secret throughout the entire book that kept me just intrigued enough, but even still, it was difficult to get into. I have never listened to a book where the narrator changed her accent based off if she was narrating/ inner monologue or speaking an actual part (if that makes sense). Our FMC had an inner monologue with an American accent however when she spoke out loud she was British. This took me a while to get used to however once I actually became interested in the actual storyline I didn’t even pay attention to the change anymore (about halfway through). Seems like a while and honestly it might be; however the last half of the book was actually pretty interesting. Several twists and uncovering moments.
In the end, I felt like there was so much missing from the story or just not explained well. Is there supposed to be a part two? I still have so many questions.
I ended up rating this a 3 star… for the ending and all the twisting and somewhat turns in the last few chapters.
Format: ALC Audiobook 🎧
Narrators: Artemis Jones and J. Tipstone
Genre: Mafia Romance
⚠️ Check TW’s before reading ⚠️
✨ ALC Audio Review ✨
I tend to give vague reviews and this one will be no different. The synopsis for this book checked off several of my “likes” when picking my next read. Mafia Romance, Possessive MC, She’s Mine, Touch Her and ☠️, etc., however I struggled at the beginning of this one. I really like the ‘Marriage of Convenience’ trope, and this one had a secret throughout the entire book that kept me just intrigued enough, but even still, it was difficult to get into. I have never listened to a book where the narrator changed her accent based off if she was narrating/ inner monologue or speaking an actual part (if that makes sense). Our FMC had an inner monologue with an American accent however when she spoke out loud she was British. This took me a while to get used to however once I actually became interested in the actual storyline I didn’t even pay attention to the change anymore (about halfway through). Seems like a while and honestly it might be; however the last half of the book was actually pretty interesting. Several twists and uncovering moments.
In the end, I felt like there was so much missing from the story or just not explained well. Is there supposed to be a part two? I still have so many questions.
I ended up rating this a 3 star… for the ending and all the twisting and somewhat turns in the last few chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2024
3.25 stars for the novel.
I received an ALC from BNA for an honest review.
Narrators: Artemis Jones & J Tipstones
This is my first novel by Shandi Boyes but not my first mafia romance. The story started strong. I loved our FMC and all she stood for. I thought her character was fascinating and had me cheering her on. Despite her upbringing and day-to-day challenges, I felt her character was relatable but strong. I loved seeing her being a badass doctor in her third year and just being a Meredith Grey who can also simp for a hot guy in the hospital. I was intrigued by her first encounters with our MMC and felt that overall their chemistry was great. I had some issues with the plot regarding her parents and his mafia side of the story - which both frustrated me and also had me going back and re-reading things. I would have to say that the first 60% of the book was really enjoyable but the ending felt a little all over the place for me and took away from what I loved about the first half of the book. It was still a good read and I am interested enough to continue with the next book in the series.
The narrations were great. Our novel was from our FMC POV, so J Tipstone only did dialogue and no POV but he still settled into the voice/role great. I do find it odd sometimes when a narrator uses less of an accent for their POV, but when they speak in the novel - they have an accent - so that was one thing I am on the fence about. It's not bad, and I can see the benefit of it, I am just not sure if I love it.
Overall, if you like instalove, touch her and die, mafia romance with a silly best friend - this could be a great read for you!
I received an ALC from BNA for an honest review.
Narrators: Artemis Jones & J Tipstones
This is my first novel by Shandi Boyes but not my first mafia romance. The story started strong. I loved our FMC and all she stood for. I thought her character was fascinating and had me cheering her on. Despite her upbringing and day-to-day challenges, I felt her character was relatable but strong. I loved seeing her being a badass doctor in her third year and just being a Meredith Grey who can also simp for a hot guy in the hospital. I was intrigued by her first encounters with our MMC and felt that overall their chemistry was great. I had some issues with the plot regarding her parents and his mafia side of the story - which both frustrated me and also had me going back and re-reading things. I would have to say that the first 60% of the book was really enjoyable but the ending felt a little all over the place for me and took away from what I loved about the first half of the book. It was still a good read and I am interested enough to continue with the next book in the series.
The narrations were great. Our novel was from our FMC POV, so J Tipstone only did dialogue and no POV but he still settled into the voice/role great. I do find it odd sometimes when a narrator uses less of an accent for their POV, but when they speak in the novel - they have an accent - so that was one thing I am on the fence about. It's not bad, and I can see the benefit of it, I am just not sure if I love it.
Overall, if you like instalove, touch her and die, mafia romance with a silly best friend - this could be a great read for you!
October 18, 2024
Doctored Vows offers an intriguing premise in the mafia genre, but it feels more like a rough draft than a polished narrative. Nikita, a third-year medical resident, uncovers inconsistencies in a patient’s chart and insists on taking blood samples. This leads her to meet Maksim, the patient’s son, resulting in an unexpected Vegas wedding—except she doesn’t remember it.
Unfortunately, the story is riddled with confusion. Maksim and Nikita lack chemistry after their initial interaction, and the plot jumps from a B12 deficiency to food laced from a food bank and a black market organ ring. It’s as complex and difficult to follow as it sounds, and the narrative doesn’t flow smoothly. Additionally, Maksim’s constant use of “Doc” for Nikita was cringeworthy; a playful nickname now and then would have worked, but it felt overdone. He only uses her name once, 75% into the book, which further distanced their connection. The ending also ended up being flat when Maksim admitted he knew the blame on Nikita having her signature over his mother's chart was falsified. Yet, he continued to "hate her".
Unfortunately, the story is riddled with confusion. Maksim and Nikita lack chemistry after their initial interaction, and the plot jumps from a B12 deficiency to food laced from a food bank and a black market organ ring. It’s as complex and difficult to follow as it sounds, and the narrative doesn’t flow smoothly. Additionally, Maksim’s constant use of “Doc” for Nikita was cringeworthy; a playful nickname now and then would have worked, but it felt overdone. He only uses her name once, 75% into the book, which further distanced their connection. The ending also ended up being flat when Maksim admitted he knew the blame on Nikita having her signature over his mother's chart was falsified. Yet, he continued to "hate her".
September 29, 2025
Dreadfully written book, it just didn't flow and felt like the author had a random brain dump many times, without fully explaining the plot. e.g. the hen weekend for zoya's sister. Randomly they enter a bikini competition Zoya wins but disappears for hours nobody knows where but the brides fiancee was there also and disappears before his fiancee sees him, then when Zoya returns there is some random chat about men/brothers so I assume Zoya is having an affair with her future BIL? Then there is some rant about how Zoya upgraded flights/accommodation for her sisters hen night to make it special, but I think her 20k winnings (bikini comp) is then given to Maksim to cover this expense, then Zoya is suddenly working for him? The whole premise behind the story is not delivered well at all. It just needs to flow and be fully explained and completed, but this author seems to introduce numerous threads but doesn't see them through to conclusion, thats the only way I can explain this very oddly/badly written book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2024
Hot!
This was an awesome story! You get all the feels! I personally think this
Author is a. Genius. She gets you the first page and then you can't stop until the epilogue.
Nikeeta and Maksim have more chemistry than an actual laboratory. The storyline was intriguing, showcasing the difference between the wealthy and the people with little or no insurance. Also how greed can take over if your not keeping an eye on things. Its also about love, devotion, loss and closure. I absolutely loved this story
This was an awesome story! You get all the feels! I personally think this
Author is a. Genius. She gets you the first page and then you can't stop until the epilogue.
Nikeeta and Maksim have more chemistry than an actual laboratory. The storyline was intriguing, showcasing the difference between the wealthy and the people with little or no insurance. Also how greed can take over if your not keeping an eye on things. Its also about love, devotion, loss and closure. I absolutely loved this story
January 1, 2025
Doctored Vows
If you think you got it. Just wait. You don't. Another i want these people as freinds. Flawed but still wonderful.
A chance meeting of our MC hes strong and cocktail and likes his own flesh he writes it into fake contracts. She? Shes the Dr thats still trying to get through the politics and late nights.
They meet with him being unclothed adoring his lovely appendage. He can't get her out of his mind or hands.
Then twists and turns. Danger and unalivement.
5 stars. Big smile
If you think you got it. Just wait. You don't. Another i want these people as freinds. Flawed but still wonderful.
A chance meeting of our MC hes strong and cocktail and likes his own flesh he writes it into fake contracts. She? Shes the Dr thats still trying to get through the politics and late nights.
They meet with him being unclothed adoring his lovely appendage. He can't get her out of his mind or hands.
Then twists and turns. Danger and unalivement.
5 stars. Big smile
dnf
August 9, 2025Dnf at 30%
I started the serie from book 3 deceitful vows which is Adrik and Zoya's book
I liked maksim and Nikita enough so i was like let's read it
But boy i could NOT read this, it's so difficult to read
Again the writing is a mess im always confused about where they are and who is talking and the change of scenes
As a mafia book where the mafia part revolves around the mmc i think having his pov was essential but unfortunately this book lacked it, having only nikita's pov made it even more confusing
I started the serie from book 3 deceitful vows which is Adrik and Zoya's book
I liked maksim and Nikita enough so i was like let's read it
But boy i could NOT read this, it's so difficult to read
Again the writing is a mess im always confused about where they are and who is talking and the change of scenes
As a mafia book where the mafia part revolves around the mmc i think having his pov was essential but unfortunately this book lacked it, having only nikita's pov made it even more confusing
December 16, 2024
a lot missing
It’s a good storyline, but throughout the entire book I just kept feeling like there was so much missing. Not just like storyline, but also like information and there was a lot happening. A lot of of people involved with not a lot of set up or explanations.
And I really would’ve liked to have more information on the MMC‘s obsession or why he married her how he met her all of that. Author just kind of skipped over some of the most important parts of a story
It’s a good storyline, but throughout the entire book I just kept feeling like there was so much missing. Not just like storyline, but also like information and there was a lot happening. A lot of of people involved with not a lot of set up or explanations.
And I really would’ve liked to have more information on the MMC‘s obsession or why he married her how he met her all of that. Author just kind of skipped over some of the most important parts of a story
March 19, 2025
Enjoyed this one! I really want to get more into Russian mafia lol(I’m Russian)
It was cute I loved how obsessed he was and can’t wait to read more of Russian mafia books.
I feel this book is on the lighter side of dark romance
It was cute I loved how obsessed he was and can’t wait to read more of Russian mafia books.
I feel this book is on the lighter side of dark romance
May 4, 2025
The plot was nice but the execution was not! It got messy, chaotic and confusing many times. The writing could have been better which would have improved this book so much.
However, I still liked the main characters and the thought behind the story.
However, I still liked the main characters and the thought behind the story.
March 25, 2025
Loved this book. It was great 😊
March 26, 2025
This would have been so much better if it was told in duel POV.
November 9, 2024
This book had so much potential to be great, however the writing just didn’t do it justice. There was so many parts I was confused as to who was speaking or how they got there. I had to go back and reread and it still didn’t help me understand. The characters and the story could have been amazing though. The head over heels touch her and die vibes from Maksim were to die for and his “need” to sleep inside her was a nice touch. Nikita though was stubborn so very stubborn it was annoying. I also really hated that Maksim referred to her as “Doc” that’s not endearing in any way.
Spice: ****
Spice: ****
dnf
November 2, 2024I feel like this book is what you’d get if you said AI, write a mafia book with a doctor and a … blah blah. It has the weirdest reading style ever- like two characters are talking and then a third says something - when did they join the conversation? And it happens with an elevator person- it’s so hinky and weird in style. Like what is even going on? The best friend is on the run with money? The sister didn’t invite the sister but did and her fiancé left or what? It’s all a mess!
October 22, 2024
something was missing for me in this one. I didn't connect with the story or characters that well.
October 18, 2024
This book was a bit all over the place. Multiple times I was lost at what just happened. Wish I would have DNF but I was committed to completing it for some reason. I was hopeful for this book and it had potential but was not it for me.
October 19, 2024
Read up to 38% and then came to goodreads to see if I was missing something. Nope. Won’t be reading any more of this book.
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