Claimed by Rage

Brutal Beauty #1

by Misti Wilds

I thought I was falling for three dangerous men, but in the end, I only fall for their lies.

After a heartbreaking divorce, a sudden invitation to the most exclusive night club in the city becomes the fresh start I need to get back on my feet. But what begins as a fun diversion quickly forces me to my knees for three wicked brothers.

The eldest brother Rage controls the club with an iron fist--the same one he uses to enforce bratva law. Rebel is the troublemaker--stealing secrets is only fun when you get caught, and mine are his new addiction. Ruin hides behind a mask, bringing death to everyone but me.

First they claim my body, then my entire life. But I have dreams these mafia enforcers can't fulfill no matter what they promise. If I'm not careful, they'll drag me into their darkness and make it feel like home. I can't stop fighting or I'll drown in their desires.

Because life with these brothers could be good--if I'm willing to give up everything in return.


Claimed by Rage is book one of Celia Monrovia's reverse harem romance. It ends on a cliffhanger that leads directly into book two, Tempted to Rebel. HEA is guaranteed by the end of book three. ♥️

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Dark, Mafia Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2025

About the author

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

Reviews

[Cécile Smits · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Brutal Beauty,i couldn’t wait to hear more about Celia,Rage,Rebel and Ruin.
And the ARC of Claimed by Rage gave me what i craved….right up until that cliffhanger,damnit!
What these brothers will do to get their woman,unhinged as they all may be,is simply everything they can.
And even though they’re all unhinged,each man brings something different.
Question is,can they convince Celia to choose them?
Rage is the most dominant of the three,and even though she hates to admit it,she loves what he does to her.
His name fits him like a glove,and anyone that comes near HIS woman,will feel it for a long time….if they’re lucky.
Rebel may seem to be the funloving man,but at the same time,he gets too close for comfort.
Don’t be fooled by his facade,though….he’s just as tough as his brothers.
And Ruin….he may be the youngest,but there’s a darkness within him that i can’t help but wonder where it came from.
Celia is the only woman that can bring the light he needs so badly.

Celia has gone through a lot,but she survived somehow.
Taking another chance on love is not what she plans to risk,but these three won’t give up that easily.
And after finding out her deepest wish,the one thing she’s always longed for,they’re going to make sure she’ll get it.
All Rage has to do,is find a way to show her they’re meant to be together.
And there were moments where i thought he was getting there…..until he blew it!
That last revelation,just after they made good progress,spoiled everything,and even though they’re getting her back where she belongs,i’m not sure they’re going to be able to fix it anytime soon…

What i need now,is Tempted to Rebel…and i need it badly!
Because i’m afraid that what they’re planning isn’t going to help,at all!!

[Melissa Khang · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started out great but somewhere after the first few chapters, I got a bit turned around. As the story continues, there is high steam but the plot doesn't really evolve until almost the end of the book. After 66% into the book, I realized that you need to read the prequel in order to understand this first book in the story. I knew I was missing something when I continued to finish the book. I began to really dislike the FMC and how she keeps going back and forth. I loved the eldest brother's POV and he was spot on. I loved him more for it and he was 10000% in everything he said. I hope the next books help to redeem the FMC for me. I loved the men and how the author portrays them.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lives up to its name. Rage’s story is heartbreaking yet common in the Bratva. Forced to grow up and do what he’s told. While raising his younger brothers. As adults they more live up to the Bratva expectations. Rage is quieter than his brothers but way more intimidating. Celia is the catalyst for Rage. She is everything he wants in a woman. Careful what you wish for she may be than you can handle on your own. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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

Claimed by Rage

Celia received an exclusive invitation to the most sought-after event in the city and when she arrived she gave her body to three masked men Rage, Rebel and Ruin. Celia thought she was having one night of passion but it turned into a lifetime deal with three dangerous devils who do not want to let her go.

I really enjoyed this book, Watching Celia struggle with what she thinks a perfect life should be Vs what can make her happy.
Rage, Rebel and Ruin want it all, her imperfections, pain, sorrow and to show her she is worthy of real love and a family.

This trilogy is a why choose, Russian Mafia romance with a cliffhanger. The plot was well written and I feel invested in these characters and cannot wait to find out more about the brothers back story.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claimed by Rage
Baranova Bravata book 1
Misti Wilds
Stars:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Cliffhanger
My review may contain spoilers
Read trigger warnings!!!!!

Tropes/tags:
Mafia
Dark romance
Rh
Brother in harem
Stalker
OTT JP
Masked men
Dubcon
Breeding

Celia Monrovia
Rage
Rebel
Ruin

Three stalker brothers are ready to claim Celia but she has other plans. Celia is determined to fight back with everything she has.

[Vix · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ arc review

soooo… apparently there is a prequel to which i didn’t get my hands on (my bad) and it probs clears up a lot of questions i had from the beginning of the book

having said that, i was perfectly fine and it didn’t make my reading experience a bad one… quite the contrary — i loved this book (but read the goddamn prequel)

the bigger plot is not shown as much yet…it’s mainly about celia and the men and how their relationship kinda evolves from their first encounter… they are ott possessive and jealous (especially rage) but they want to worship the ground she walks on even if she’s not ready for it

rage is domineering but loves hard
rebel is fun and dedicated to her
ruin is a mistery which is what i love and favor so he’s def my fave from the three

i liked the writing style the author has (my first time reading her work)! it flows, the characters have chemistry and the story nor the relationships feel dragged… you wanna keep reading to see what will happen and the smut is GREAT.

there isn’t much of a cliffie but it does set the tone for the next book… celia will have to deal with it lol

also, if you’re not a fan of breeding, pregnancy, noncon and dubcon this is not the book for you! if you are, def give this a shot!

[theswooncollector · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rage likes to taste me. Rebel likes to touch me. Ruin likes to watch me.

I have conflicting feelings about this book. I don't know why I expected this book to be smooth sailing after reading the prequel novella, but that was my mistake.

He may act like an animal, but I’m the bitch in heat who likes it. And he fucking knows it.

Celia Monrovia - She's trying to resist being claimed by the brothers because she (rightfully) doubts their intentions. As far as she knew, she had only met them at the club, and so it was hard for her to grasp that the guys were all in. Her lack of control over the situation doesn't help. They may say they want her, but it doesn't feel like they care about what she wants. I felt the same way tbh, but I trusted that things would get better.

“I need you, Celia. Body. Mind. Soul. All of you. Because you’re perfect. I know you don’t believe me, but I promise, you are. For me, for my brothers, for the bratva. Perfect.

You have a gentle heart. You don’t like bloodshed. You’re all sappy and in love with love⁠. It gives me hope that you could ever love a man as dark and twisted as me. As my brothers. You may have rejected the bratva, but it runs through your veins stronger than you realize. Otherwise, you would have crumbled by now.

If I do my job right, you’ll want to marry me. Not because I force you to, but because… you want to.”

Rage - He's a difficult man to like. He doesn't know how to treat Celia properly yet. He's rough with her, controlling, and yet deep inside, he's just yearning for her to want him/them in return. I am not okay with what he did at the club in this book, and I'm really glad that Celia fought back with teeth (literally).

Even this part is foreign: the sweet welcome home. My heart aches for the little things it’s missed from my marriage—things that I haven’t lost, but things that I never had. This is one of them.

Rebel - I loved that Rebel recognizes how much Celia needs some gentleness. Out of the three, he's the one who's sweet on her, there to greet her when she comes home, not pushy, and generally more of a boyfriend material. His goal is to make her life lighter, and I appreciate that, especially in contrast to how Rage has been acting.

Rebel may search my house for answers, but Ruin searches my body, piecing me together like a puzzle, each orgasm a mere flip of a piece to reveal the picture hidden underneath.

Ruin - Okay don't hate me but I am a sucker for the tortured/broken MMCs. Like Celia, I have the urge to comfort him even though he's a little scary and a lot unhinged. He has his own connection and understanding with Celia that's low-key but no less strong than the others'.

Now, there’s another surprise in this book that I did not see coming. I admit, I squealed out loud when this scene came on like holy sh-t, are you kidding me? I thought three brothers were already a lot to handle, but the author apparently didn’t think so. The fourth guy is an a-hole in this book, but he has his own appeal. I just really hope he gets better in the next book.

😍 WHAT I LOVED

✅ Rage may try to act like he controls everything, but Celia’s got him by the balls
✅ Sweet moments from Rebel
✅ That night at the apartment, after the club display
✅ The group chat lol
✅ Rage’s breeding kink

🙅🏻‍♀️ WHAT I DIDN’T LOVE

❎ Rage’s highhandedness – some groveling would be nice (aka necessary) in the next book.
❎ The last part made me angry that I almost gave this book a 3-star rating. I’ve calmed down since, though.

✍🏻 RATINGS

SWOON SCORE: 💘💘💘 Cute Enough to Keep
DID I SHIP THEM? 🙂 Took Me a While
SPICE LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Hot and Explicit
EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN
— Laughed? 🙂 A Little
— Cried? 😌 Emotional but Fine

Would I Recommend to Fellow Swoon Collectors?
✅ Yes, but only if you can stand imperfect a-holes who don’t know how to show their love yet!


~ Thank you to BookSirens and the author for this review copy! I received this for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily. ~

[Layna Leighann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia Princess??

I think I missed the veeeery beginning of this situation as it took me some time to catch up with the plot line. All I'm saying is that if I was Celia, I would have ran. Sorry, not sorry. I don't know enough about the brothers to think they actually want to love her instead of keeping her as a possession.

But you know me, going into the next book bc I NEED to know what they will do going forward and how Celia is going to handle this situation. I need her to fight or flight. Just pick one, ma'am!

[Lydia Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not romantic at heart but I loved it. It has lots of angst and characters who don’t know how to deal with there emotions. Celia fights with what her body, heart, and brain constantly. Rage is well has lots of rage and let’s anger control all his emotions. Ruin is mysterious and I excited to see why he is the way he is. And Rebel is your nosey golfer retriever of the book. Even though he’s more of a pitbull. The angst and emotions throughout the characters are so complex but so good. The spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️I’m excited to see how it goes after leaving on the cliffhanger.

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

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every single toxic part of Rage and no one can change my mind.

[Rian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't go into this if you want something super romantic and cute, but DO read this if you are in the more darker and dubious kind of romance, because it was a good book.

A lot happened, which was great, because there was not one boring moment. There was lots of action, some fun moments and -of course- spicy stuff. The characters were also interesting, both the main girl and the love interests. I can't wait to learn even more about them in the future.

I also liked how it was written, the style was very smooth and easy to read. It was a great book to disconnect from the real world for a bit.

I got this book as an ARC, so I want to thank the author. I had lots of fun reading it. I'm leaving this review completely voluntarily!


If you like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.

[Nimi (Warner's Wife ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OHHHHHH MY SHAYLAAAAAAAAAAAAA😭🖤😭🖤😭🖤😭

An Addictive, Angsty Masterpiece

I ATE THIS UP. I INHALED IT. This book delivered on the angst I’ve been craving but never quite found in books. Unlike the usual RH PLOT , This one had active jealousy, raw tension, and actual fear that the FMC wouldn’t choose one of them over the others. The possessiveness? The territorial energy? The sharp edges to their devotion? PERFECTION.it was everything I’ve wanted but never received before.

The connections weren’t just different; they were volatile, messy, and real. The emotional stakes were HIGH, and every moment of restraint, every flicker of uncertainty, made it even betterrrrrrrrr..

Now, why isn’t this a full 5 stars? Because THAT ONE EVENT AT THE END iykiyk . It was so senseless, so ridiculous i think she just overreacted ..
Also, do NOT skip the prequel before jumping into this one. You need that foundation to understand the background of the story and the level of obsession these characters have. Otherwise, some of the choices and dynamics won’t hit as hard.

Overall? I’m OBSESSED and desperately need book 2.

[Danni Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claimed by Rage
Brutal Beauty book 1
By Misti Wilds

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

🖤 A Dark Mafia Romance
🥀 Why Choose
🖤 A Masked MMC
🥀 A Golden Retriever MMC
🖤 A Broody DOM MMC
🥀 Broken but feisty FMC


If you haven't met Rage, Rebel and Ruin yet 😍🤤 you NEED this book in your life!

This incredible Dark why choose Mafia follows the story of Celia (the FMC) a Bratva divorcee who had a night to remember in an special club which has lead to her ending with three brothers in her life whether she wants them there or not 😉😆 she has one for the mornings who turns up at her boutique for his breakfast 🤤 and one turn up at night at her home 😉 and then the final brother is a ma$ked wild card who shows up whenever he feels like it watching her like she is the best show in the world 👀

You see they are all equally p0sessive and 0bsessed and that one night of fun she had with them? She had made them a promise whether she had meant to or not, and now? Now they are here to make she she keeps her promise 😍🫠🤤

This book is Spicy, it's got the plot twists, it has the incredible characters, the bratva, I mean come on 😍

Claimed by Rage releases January 14th 😘🖤

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bratva through and through

Celia grew up in the bratva but chose to marry outside and turn away from them. When her husband cheated on her she had to make a new life plan. She's working in fashion and being stalked by three brothers. 

Rage, Rebel, and Ruin are also part of the bratva. They have decided that Celia will be theirs. 

This book mostly focuses on the disaster that is Rage. Can these two stop butting heads long enough to give in to the chemistry? All three men want her but they have to make her see that she belongs with them. Can they get through all the BS and find common ground?

This book is very interesting. I have so many questions and can't wait to see what happens next. With that ending I know it's going to be quite the ordeal.

Rebel is such a golden retriever and I'm very interested in seeing what happens next.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book as I could not put it down. Talk about Rage, Rebel and Ruin being the ultimate guys! They rule with an iron fist but love deeply in their own ways. Celia knows life and the Bratva and really wants nothing to do with it. Until a masked night at club Midnight places her in Rage, Rebel and Ruins path. Nothing will ever be the same. They want to own her body, mind and soul. Give her evening she ever needs or wants and will share her. Celia has other ideas and tries her best to ignore the advances of these three sexy beast. I am counting the seconds until book two comes out. Lots of steam, and character building is only getting better as the story goes on. Note ends in a cliffy so be prepared.

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

[OneShelfIsNeverEnough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following her divorce Celia spends a wild night with Bratva soldiers Rage, Rebel and Ruin. She sees it as a one off because if anyone knew the things she did on the dance floor of that exclusive club she'd never show her face again. The brothers have other ideas, particularly the oldest brother Rage. They come to an agreement between themselves that they want to keep her and Rage is obsessed with claiming her for good. Although Celia likes all the brothers for different reasons she knows theres no future where this can become reality. Rage has no intention of there being any other outcome. The story is rough, dark and dirty and features some extreme scenes and will not be for everyone so be sure you check the trigger warnings

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up in the Bratva lifestyle Celia marries an outsider but it isn’t her HEA. After divorcing her cheating husband and spending her marriage supporting his dreams. She finally decides to live her life and accepts an invitation to an exclusive nightclub and meets three dangerous brothers for a night of fun. Only it’s not for one night because now the brothers want more. Wanting to stay away from the Bratva life but conflicted with her own feelings for the brothers. Can she find peace in having both her own wants in life and them? Claimed by Rage follows the eldest brother’s need to dominate and own every part of Celia. It’s a fun and quick read that keeps you wanting more! Can’t wait for book 2 and 3 to continue the story of this why choose mafia dark romance.

[Sarah Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a mafia romance in a while and this was really enjoyable so I know I’m gonna have to read the whole series. Hard life eh?

It’s a why choose and revolves around Celia who has grown up in the mafia. She gets a mysterious invite to the dirtiest, darkest club in the city called Midnight by three Bratva brothers. Rage (has a temper hence the name), Rebel (energetic and mischievous) and Ruin (mysterious and silent) claim her as theirs but she’s having none of it. Even though they are slowly growing on her she is adamant to stay in control of her life.

It is definitely a page turner with suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat and information and secrets that I can’t wait to find out. The way the book finishes, well …. it will make you want more.

I received an arc of this book and this is my voluntary review.

[Kayla Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I was shocked by start of the book! 🌶🌶🌶 i was so sure i was going to love the 4th brother but he sure proved me wrong...maybe in the next book.
Ruin with his quiet and disturbed mind is my favorite type of book character.
Rebel is a comfort and funny, he is the smartest choice.
Rage...living up to his name for sure. Middle name must be obsessive. 🤣 he feels so much and i hope the 2nd book with bring peace and closure for them all

[Kamila Mykhailiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

I read this book in one sitting and I couldn’t get enough, I loved every second of it. The chemistry and passion between Celia and Rage, Rebel and Ruin was undeniable and sizzling. They were made for her

Overall I loved this book very much. If you’re looking for a reverse harem, MMMF romance then you’re going to love it.

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I read an earlier version of this and loved it, but I have to say, this final version is just amazing. There's a short prequel you really should read first, Brutal Beauty. Then dive into this dark, dangerous underworld. The main character obviously has a rich backstory barely glimpsed here. But her enigmatic interactions with a masked trio of dangerous men, have her leaning into the dark!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a great read, a strong fmc, three obsessed brothers, plus a background of violence and threats. I loved that Celia was older than most fmc’s and knew her own mind, had a career and a life. The was the brothers just muscled their way into her life was scary hot! Red flags ahoy! There’s also so much more, old and new threats to the brothers and to Celia. The ending isn’t a cliffhanger but more of an omfg, with a strong hit of are they really going to do this? Excellent!

[Chante Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts with a bang, with lots of fireworks.

Celia, after a nasty end to her marriage gets invited to club midnight, where she meets and grabs the attention of three mafia brothers, Rage Rebel and Ruin.

Celia has no intention of being trapped within the bravata world, not after all she has expierenced. But the brothers have other ideas. She fights tooth and nail to be free while simultaneously being drawn to Rages possessive firey nature, Rebels giddy sweet possessiveness and Rivals quiet obsession.

(check your triggers).

Once I picked this book up I was hooked, I love the characters and their energy and banter. the spice is 5 out of 5 and starts hot and heavy..

This is worth the read 😁

[DarcieReadsALot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me constantly contradicting my own feelings. One one hand, I'm a feminist, but on the other I'm a hopeless romantic. Claimed by Rage had me fighting for and against both sides interchangeably throughout. The multiple POV really allows you to see the desires and motivations of each character and when they clash, which is often, you get a ton of drama and angst.

Prepare yourself for a fast-paced Bratva mafia romance that starts off pretty rocky with three broken, obsessive, controlling, and possessive MMCs and one damaged, fiercely independent, but indecisive FMC. Claimed by Rage has high spice but it's predominantly dubcon, and IMO, a little heavy on the dub. The way this book ends makes me nervous for the second book in the series!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love Misti’s books! I was so excited to see Rage, Rebel, Ruin, and Celia’s relationship develop after that exciting beginning in the prequel and this didn’t disappoint! These 3 are morally black, but they’d do anything for Celia which is what any woman would want! I like seeing how each one goes about trying to win her over based on their personality because these 3 brothers are about as different as the come so it adds dimension to it. As always Misti comes with the spice that will have you thinking about this book long after you’re done with it. Can’t wait to see what happens in book 2!!

Thank you to Misti and Booksirens for the ARC!!

[Gemma Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cliff hanger still has me raging.

This book follows on a side quest from rule of three, reign of four, and you have a cheeky lil intro novella getting you all HOT AND HEAVY for book with a plot twist to come rip your heart out.

Celia is so raw and open and misunderstood and she’s ‘claimed’ by lunatic brothers with 0 communication skills… she has a stalker also well like 4 maybe 5 by the end but ye it’s all fun and games till you end up in a cage, unless you like pet play then it really is fun and games.

I am foaming at the mouth for book two in this series because my brain is SCREAMING to know all the things.

[Alexis Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good read for being mafia. I enjoyed watching our girl fight against the things she wasn’t sure about and seeing the men go crazy over her in their own ways. I loved all of the angst, betrayals, banter, spice, mafia stuff. The obsession the men have with her is everything and honestly can’t wait for the next book

[⋅˚₊‧ ୨bree୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I’m just too down bad…but Ceila, girl, why are we running away from these men. I wanted to love her but she just kept annoying me. I also was a little put off by some of the things the men did but I’m still down bad 🙈🧎🏻‍♀️🧎🏻‍♀️🧎🏻‍♀️… anyways!!! I will be violently waiting for the next book and hoping Ceila comes to her senses.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was (chef’s kiss). While the MMCs are rough, gruff, demanding, and even infuriating at times, their passion and obsession are absolutely mouthwatering. Meanwhile, the FMC isn’t a sweet damsel in distress, but instead a strong, fiery, world changer of a woman battling with her own personal demons. This book was addicting and I cannot wait for the next one to find out how everything comes together - or falls apart.

[Jazmyne Janai · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!! So good! The way I read this book in one sitting and couldn’t stop! Celia is really just as crazy as Rage and I think they are really made for each other. I think Rage really just wants to be loved and chosen first so every time she pulls back it makes him crazy, but maybe just maybe she does it on purpose. I can’t wait to get more of Ruin and Rebel. I need to know Ruin’s story and want to see more of Rebel’s sweet side. Celia’s crazy ending in this story really shocked me and I can’t wait to read the next one to see what happens.