Sinful Lies

Koslov Bratva #2

by Kira Cole, Callie Stevens

Als mein Chef anfängt, mich auf einer Firmenfeier zu belästigen, tue ich das Einzige, was mir einfällt; Ich gebe vor, der arrogante Bratva-Pakhan Dimitri sei mein Freund.
Es funktioniert. Für eine Weile.
Dann schlägt Dimitri vor, wir sollten einen Schritt weiter gehen und ›heiraten‹.
Mein Chef lässt mich in Ruhe,Dimitri hat einen Ausweg aus der arrangierten Ehe mit der Tochter des rivalisierenden Mafiabosses Massimo.
Eine Win-Win-Situation.
Außer, dass die Heirat Giovanni nicht abschreckt.
Wenn überhaupt, macht es ihn noch entschlossener, mich zu belästigen.
Es ist nicht das erste Mal, dass er zu weit geht.
Beim letzten Mal hatte ich nicht so viel Glück.
Niemand weiß von dieser Nacht, und ich habe vor, dass das so bleibt.
Mich in Dimitri zu verlieben war nicht Teil des Plans.
Schwanger zu werden auch nicht.
Gerade als ich denke, es könnte nicht schlimmer werden, findet Massimo heraus, dass unsere Beziehung gefakt ist.
Jetzt sinnt er auf Rache.
Anscheinend bin ich diejenige, die ins Visier geraten ist.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Fake Dating, Crime, Marriage Of Convenience

310 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2024

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 Star - DNF @ 52% (skimmed to the end)

I told myself not to read the next book. Did I listen? Of course I didn't fucking listen. 🙃

Well, as expected I didn't like this book. In fact, I found myself very bored by it. I likely wouldn't have bothered as long as I did with it if I hadn't picked it up so late at night.

I knew from book one that I didn't care much for Bianca's bestie Zara. And I still stand by that.

I think my biggest issue with this book was that the Zara we met in book one felt like an entirely different Zara than the one we get to know in this book.

Zara in book one came across as this very confident, take no shit, independent and sassy type. After all she was supposedly so badass that she climbed over barbwire fences and snuck into Alexei's secure property without detection just for her best friend. However, in this book she comes off as this frightened, meek and traumatized woman.

It was very confusing for me tbh. Especially because said trauma that was the cause for her fear and panic attacks happened 3 or more years ago. So, it's not like it happened after Bianca's book to change things for Zara. In fact, to my knowledge not even Bianca knew of her sexual assault. It just didn't make sense that she acted entirely different than she did in all her appearances in book one.

Aside from that glaring issue I also found it super frustrating listening to Zara go on about how frightened she was of Giovanni. Why? Because she refused to remove herself from an obvious toxic and unsafe environment. She point blank tells us the reader, multiple times, that she refuses to "let him win" by quitting her job or going to HR. That she'd worked too hard to get where she was at. Um, yeah girl was a paralegal. So, I don't see how she couldn't find another job.

And while yes I understood the pride that provoked that sort of response from her I also didn't agree with it. Zara was terrified of that man and she continued to place herself in his presence and allow him to harass her daily and intimidate her for the sake of her job. And she excused most of it by allowing herself to delusionally believe he'd eventually give up, especially once she married Dimitri. And what an absolute joke that was.

So, all in all this was really boring and poorly thought out. Book one, I'll grudgingly admit was much better. This book was a mess and painfully predictable.

Lastly, in the opening chapters when Dimitri played the part of Zara's fake boyfriend for the first time in front of Giovanni after the interaction is over he tries arguing with Zara about giving her a ride home which she says no to. Afterwards he watches her walk off conflicted over his feelings about her and then goes in search of another drink. The problem here was that he stood there with Zara and spoke of taking her home to bed. To my knowledge Giovanni went back to the party sooooo why would Dimitri go back to the same party looking for a drink if he was going home with his "girlfriend" hmm? 😒

[Amanda Blanche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mafia, marriage of convenience, accidental pregnancy tropes. It was nice to see Zara and Dimitri get their story after having them introduced in book 1. Zara’s background is heart wrenching, and I like how strong she is despite that vulnerability. Dimitri is the perfect combo of cocky and caring. All in all a good book. It was just missing some depth for me, and I found it was a little anticlimactic.

[Camii · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Le demostraré que confiar en mí fue la mejor elección que pudo haber hecho. Esta mujer se ha convertido en mi vida"

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Este libro me gusto mil veces mas que el anterior. La historia de Zara y Dimitri es de matrimonio arreglado de mutuo acuerdo donde ellos deciden unir sus vidas para que ella deje de ser acosada por su jefe y el evite casarse con una mujer que no ama.

Zara me hizo sentir triste muchas veces porque era horrible lo que le pasaba en su vida y mucho mas que se sintiera culpable por lo que le pasó 💔... Ella fue acosada, manipulada y abusada por su jefe quien además de ser un enfermo logro que ella se sintiera culpable y guardara silencio pensando que nunca nadie le creería y se aprovecho de su estatus logrando que sienta miedo de perder el trabajo y carrera por la que tanto lucho todos estos años.

Dimitri me gusto mucho hubo pequeñas cosas que me disgustaron y fue como ✨BUSCA TERAPIA✨ pero el se daba cuenta cuando hacía algo mal y se disculpaba y buscaba la manera de compensarlo. El fue muy lindo con Zara, al principio pensé que iba a ser mas complicado que se enamore porque el dijo "no poder comprometerse en una relación", cosa que quedo en el olvido al poco tiempo de su matrimonio, el era muy lindo con ella y la paciencia y amor que tuvo cuando le contó de su abuso fue algo muy lindo, esa preocupación era genuina porque el se sintió culpable al no ser tan cuidadoso y no darse cuenta el daño que le hicieron.

Ame los apodos y todo de su relación, el final es todo lo que esta bien ♥️

[Chosen Sunset☀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sinful Lies Book 2

Zara, Dimitri

I really like this book I just got annoyed of Zara she was so strong in book one & so weak in her own book I get her story, but her complaining, overthinking of their relationship & the news was annoying. Also, was pretty similar to book one with the pregnancy & kidnapping under book 3 looks similar also so I’m officially done with the series unfortunately 👎🏻 I really wanted to keep going but I don’t think it’s worth it.


Zara’s boss won’t leave her alone & makes her feel very uncomfortable. She sees D at a work event & she tells us as much as she’d like to hookup with him she can’t because he’s a player & she won’t get hurt by someone like him again. Her boss is creepy he grabs her super hard she tells him her bf wouldn’t like him holding her & he says tells her good thing her bf isn’t there & he doesn’t need to know. She sees D coming to her w/ angry eyes he sees what’s going on she goes to him & feels safe she tells him to at along he does & grabs her butt on purpose. Her boss is shocked & they turn to introduce Dimitri to Gio.

Dimitri is happy to play along being her fake bf. He tells us he won’t allow himself to fall for anyone because he’s seen what it can do to you in this lifestyle he saw his brother’s wife get taken from him he doesn’t want to go through that.

Baby Leo is now five months. Dimitri goes over his brother says one man in the mafia is going to ask him to marry his daughter. He doesn’t want to he needs to get away out. He hears the girls talking she tells Bianca maybe I should have said Dimitri was my husband not my bf. He gets the idea to pretend with her so he won’t have to get married.

Her boss is making it worse now not any better that she’s said she has a bf. He goes to her a runs the idea by her they get engaged & married so he won’t have to marry that girl & she’ll have the protection of his families name her boss would be stupid to mess with her knowing who his family is. They meet again she says they’re going to start acting like a couple to actually be able to convince people.

He hosts a family dinner at the pent house. He proposes to her in front of everyone. Alexei is suspicious he tells her him & Bianca will throw them a big dream wedding on him he wants her to break & say it’s a lie. She remembers she made a promise so she goes with it even though she wanted a small wedding.

After they go to meet her parents she tells him there’s one detail she’s scared of. Her dad is a cop & tells him to lie about his last name. She says he’s the perfect man to bring home he’s a gentleman her mom loves him.

They go wedding dress shopping she has panic attacks & she finally breaks & tells her sister everything is fake she tells her about her boss harassing her.

It’s the wedding day. He can’t get Zara out of his head since the day he kissed her he’s fantasized about her way more times than he’d like to admit. The thought of her becoming his wife has him hard. He gets a call his dad did have an affair. Zara walks down the aisle he thinks she’s so beautiful. It’s an arrangement but he cares about her especially after looking after her in the hospital. He will do everything to keep her safe.

Zara tells him he’s had a face ever since she put the ring on his finger she asks if he regrets what they did. He says of course not he pulls her to him & says he definitely doesn’t regret kissing her in front of everyone.

She takes him to the honeymoon suite she says nothing will happen they go upstairs he kisses her he feels on her & she freaks out on the inside thinking of her boss but he body wants to give into Dimriti. She tells us the last time a man touched her she was left broken but she doesn’t want that to be the last memory so she gives him & tells him she wants him Dimitri is full of lust whenever he sees her in all white lingerie. He goes down on her & f’s her with his tongue she cums, they kiss then she tells him to f her, they cum together & he says that was amazing. He grabs her to cuddle & sleep he sleeps she starts to panic she doesn’t want him to see her trauma she stays awake staring at the ceiling. She says she knew that having sex would trigger the memories. She freaks out she goes to throw up & tells herself she has to leave so he won’t see her.

He wakes up excited to be next to her, but he realizes she’s not there. He rushes to see her she is he thinks that maybe she got kidnapped and he freaks out but then he sees her he’s upset, but if she doesn’t want to have sex, they’ll keep it as arrangement marriage later that night she goes to his pals. He gives her a tour and he tells her that it’s ok. They can keep it without sex. She’s in there with her. She starts to panic and she leaves before he could see her face.

The next day she starts work and her boss at her ring, he doesn’t care that she’s married. Her boss has her go into his office and do file work, which he could do at her desk, but he wants her to do it there he starts talking about them together, and he says to be married, but it gives him pride that he got to be in her type P first before her husband. He says her husband doesn’t need to know then he grabs her d she runs out of his office she says she needs to get out of here. She gets a flash back of Gio pinning her in place. She goes home whenever Dimitri arrives he gets them dinner he notices something wrong & asks her about her day she tells him Gio likes the idea of her being married & hasn’t stopped bothering her.

Dimitri goes to Gio’s house to threatens him & beats him up & tells him to stay away from his wife if he doesn’t stay away he’ll put a bullet in his head.

Zara goes back to work & Gio has left her alone the whole week so far she is happy & thinks maybe it is over. She stays at work late since she had taken acouple of days off. He texts her he’s picking her up in an hour for dinner & her dumb butt turns off her phone she finishes and just needs to drop them off on Gio’s desk sure enough he’s still there in his office he says it needs to be redone & she isn’t leaving till she finishes it. She tells him no he gets angry & he stands up she goes to walk away he follows & he slams his door closed he presses himself to her he tells her he thinks she needs a lesson on respecting authority & he tries to take advantage of her body he tells for him to stop & Dimitri walks him & throws Gio off her. He points his gun to shoot him but she doesn’t want him to do it here because there’s so many cameras he’ll never get away with it. He knocks Gio out & Dimitri walks to her & holds her reassuring her she’s safe with him. He & his brother beat Gio barely but don’t kill him. He goes back home washes up then goes to see Zara she hugs him he reassures her. He gets on her bed & pats it for her to come to him he doesn’t think she’s going to come but she does & tucks herself into him. He pulls her even tighter to him. She asks him if he’ll stay with her till she falls asleep he says he has all the time. They talk he asks if she’s ever been in love she says no & he gets relieved from her answer. He tells her most people think he’s a playboy that doesn’t care but deep down he’s always wanted what he parents had. She asked his ever having serious relationship. He said he said he was in love and she was everything she asks what happened he says his parents were killed & he pushed her away. He says later she got into a car accident & he blamed himself for years. Zara kisses him then he kisses back deeper. She pulls back & has tear in her eyes he says they can stop he doesn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable he doesn’t understand whenever she says she wants him more than anything he says you can tell me anything she says there’s something he should know she tells him she was SA three years ago & has had a hard time being intimate, he realizes that’s why she ran away after the wedding night & he feels like a big jerk. He says she doesn’t have to do anything they can take their time she says she really wants to try so he tells her to get on her back. She tells us she’s relieved telling him but couldn’t tell him it was Gio that did it to her.

He goes down & fingers her he tell her tonight is not about him it’s about her & he’s going to make her cum so much & till she falls asleep. Whenever she wakes up the next morning, she doesn’t feel him next to her. She goes to see if he’s there in the house, but he’s already left to get her breakfast but whenever she tries, she gets really nauseous and wants to throw up. She goes into his office because she sees it a little open and she starts looking at his family pictures whenever he comes into the door and he yells at her. What is she doing in his office? She tells him she was just looking at the pictures and heels at her to get the F out And she shocked at the way he’s being ugly. She tries to apologize & he screams at her to get out she turns away to her room crying & locks her door. She’s beyond shocked & scared of him.

He knows he shattered her trust & progress they’ve made. Seeing her look at his family photos was too much especially with the info of his dad cheating on his mom. His father’s infidelity has him questioning himself if he can be a good husband or not. He get a call from his private investigator. The private investigator tells him that the mistress had a baby not long after the affair. The baby was a boy but was born stillborn.

He goes to try to talk to her whenever he opens her door she’s asleep so he shuts her blinds and presses the softest kiss to her forehead and says sorry. He knows that she will not forgive him easily the first night. The woman focused on her wishes back last night. He books out a an extravagant restaurant. He orders her a big thing of roses and flowers to be sent to the house with an extravagant dress she sees it. She says she shouldn’t have gone into his office. It’s part of her fault she gets ready. He takes her out whenever she sees a restaurant filled with hundred of frozen flowers. She says he shouldn’t have. He says he would book out every restaurant if that meant her forgiving him, she said she said she shouldn’t. He tells her he was out of order. They have a good time together at the dinner. They go home & go at it like more rough he tells her to tell him if it’s too much.

The next morning he leaves her in Rose on the pillow and whenever she goes to smell it she gets really nauseous and wants to throw out. She thinks it’s because she’s going back to the office today. Text her once she works in the office to call him if she needs anything and she’s so glad that they made things up. Whenever she goes to work she wants to throw up again but she’s thinking it’s just nerves. She finally snaps and realizes it’s been 5 weeks since the wedding she’s two weeks late! He knows she’s sick wants her to go to the doctor but she keeps saying no.

She finally went to the doctor while on lunch. Gio is back at work but leaves her alone. Whenever she leaves she gets the call from the doctor she is pregnant. She calls Bianca to go over she tells Bianca. She tells her & Bianca is excited. A couple days were by Bianca ask her if she has told him she says no and then she says she doesn’t even know if he loves her and she’s falling for him. This wasn’t a part of the plan and then she’s in shock because she realizes what happened, but she just said Bianca says what?? They say this over the phone.

She gets a nightmare flashback of Gio assaulting her. She wakes up not being able to breathe Dimitri holds her & reassures her it was just a dream. She finally tells him the truth about Gio hurting her she says she was an intern whenever he did it. He holds her till she stops crying. She tells him he had her go to his house to finish a project he offered her a drink she shouldn’t have gone he drugged her & SA her.

Dimitri is so pissed. He thinks all the stress is taking a huge toll on her body getting her sick. He’s mad that he’s not walk away. He’s upset that she couldn’t trust him enough to tell him the truth about wants to prove to her that she could trust him with anything and he’ll be there for her and he says he is completely utterly in love with her and has been for awhile. He calls his brother to meet him at Gio’s house to hurt him.

She still hasn’t told him about the baby and she wants to every time she tries to nothing comes out of her mouth and she’s scared that he wanted and she’s scared because she’s fallen so in love with him, but she says tonight she has to tell him. She plans a nice dinner and decorates the house at home for whenever he comes home. She’ll finally tell him she goes to take a shower and it’s all dolled up while wants to whenever she’s in the shower. She hears her phone but there he is he has the phone in her hand. She steps out and she asked him what’s wrong. He asked her this and he looks really mad he holds her phone out to him she sees the calendar alert for her ultrasound appointment. He throws her phone on the counter & asks her why she has an appointment. He looks at her he finally yells fuck & slams his hand on the counter she calls out for him but he won’t look at her. She says this can be a good thing if we can just talk about it he tells her he has nothing to say and walks away! He slams his office door. She’s heartbroken thinking he doesn’t want the baby. She says I guess it was all too good to be true.

He starts to think & is pissed at his reaction. He throws open his door & goes to her on the rr floor he keeps telling her sorry & says he just needs time. She tells him how she planned a whole evening & wanted it to be special. He feels like an ass he tells her it’s all going to be ok. He says he needs to go to his office to clear his head then they’ll talk. He tells us he wants to give her the reaction she wants but he really doesn’t know what he thinks. He finally answers his brother’s call he tells him the child survived they have a half brother out there in the world. He says it can be used against them if someone else finds out. They need to find out who he is before someone else finds out.

He goes downstairs to talk to Zara. He asked her how long has she known she says a week he says I want to know why you thought you couldn’t tell me she says because I didn’t want to lose you. I’m starting to fall for you, but she can tell he doesn’t feel the same way about her. He says is that what you think? She says a baby changes things he didn’t sign up for this she thought he’d want a divorce. He says are you kidding me do you truly believe that’s what I’d want? She says she’s so sorry she’ll get her things she’s starts to cry he tells us like hell he’ll turn his back on the one thing in his life that matters he walks to her & he says I guess I haven’t shown you a good job on how I feel because I’m so freaking in love with you! He tells her she’s all he thinks about & all he wants she asks about the baby he says I’m all in!

They go to the doctor appointment together and are excited. The doctor tells them that they’re having twins!

They’re happy & in love. She’s working super late & whenever walking out to go home someone captures her. She thinks Gio kidnapped her as pay back. The girl that he was supposed to marry father is the one who kidnapped her. He says Dimitri has to pay she says he loves her the guy slaps her super hard he says he heard her words from her own mouth & he says Gio planted a bug under her desk for protection against Demitri. He tells her Demitri will marry his daughter & she will help him! He will torture her and have him watch till he marries his daughter. She tells us she won’t survive this but Demitri will survive he will hate to marry that girl but he’ll survive. He tells her after this is over he’ll kill her quickly.

He knows something’s wrong. He calls the office her coworker answers she says she’s been gone he calls his brother his brother tells him to go to the family pent house where the brother are. They see she was taken & try to do what they can to find her.
She throw up he takes her to the rr she gets sharp pains she feels down & sees blood she knows that’s not a good sign. The guy thinks it’s just her period she finally tells him she’s pregnant. He locks her back up. She continues to bleed a lot. He comes in & says a man is coming in to check on her baby. The doctor says it was heavy spotting nothing more but she needs to get rest the man tells him he’s done here & to get out.

They come to a deal the girl will marry the next brother in line. They’ll work together to take down the other guy. The guy tells him about Gio Dimitri tells him what he did to Zara. Zara finally arrives he rushes to her & kisses her. He sees the blood she tells him they called a doctor but she says something still doesn’t feel right he carries her to get her to the car to take her to the hospital. The babies are ok.

He goes to finally kill Gio.

He proposes again.

Epilogue: Seven months later the babies have already arrived they have been back home for 48 hours. They’re all a big happy family.

[Севдалина · Rating 5 out of 5]

Димитрий Козлов (около 30) и Зара Мълинс (24)

📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣

Зара пази болезнена тайна. Преди 3 години е била изнасилена и от страх не е казла на никой. И макар кошмарите да я измъчват всяка нощ, тя успява да се бори с демоните си, до деня в конйто насилника й се появява на новата й работа, и сега той й е шеф. Зара се ужасява да е близо до него, но и не иска да напусне работа, доставяйки му удоволствието да съсипе отново живота й. Затова, в опит да го накара да спре да я преследва, тя моли за помощ Димитрий Козлов, който да се предтави за нейно гадже. Когато това обаче не спира новият й шеф да търси постоянно компанията й, Зара осъзнава, че може би трябват по-крути мерки. Какво по-добро от това да сключи фиктивен брак с Димитрий и да получи закришата на мафията?

От мига в който зърва най-добрата приятелка на снаха си, Димитрий е запленен от Зара, и няма абсолютно нищо против да се преструва на нейно гадже, за да може Зара да се оттърве от вниманието на мъж, от който очевидно я е страх. Скоро след това, Димитрий научава, че без знанието му, брат му е оредил годежа му за Лусия, дъщеря на друг мафиотски бос в града. Чувайки, че Зара все още има проблеми с шефа си, той решава да предложи сделка, от която и двамата ще имат изгода. Брак, който ще предложи на Зара закрилата на фамилията му, и който ще го измъкне от уреденият годеж. Няма какво да се обърка нали? Освен може би, че и двамата ще открият любов, която никига не са очаквали.

Книжката ми хареса много повече от първата. Димитрий беше страхотен герой, обожавам колко нежен беше със Зара и в същото време същински ангел на отнъщението към насилника й. Зара беше силна героиня изтърпяла много. Фактът, че можеше да се отпусне с Димитрий, да се чувства в безопасност и обградена със смях и любов, беше много сладък. Двамата израснаха много в книгата и се радвам супер много, че намериха щастието заедно, че лошия си получи заслуженото и имахме страхотен край на книгата. Макар книгите да са самостоятелни имаме една второстепенна история. В първа книга научихме, че смъртта на родителите им, изглежда е причинена от друг руски палан, с чиято съпруга бащата на братята е имал извънбрачна връзка. В тази книга стана ясно, че не само това, ами и от връзката баща им има друг син. Изглежда тази история ще продължи да се развива и в следващите книги. Ще е интересно.

💫Обобщение: 💫

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙 Отново страхотно аудио в ДУЕТ озвучено от Джеймс Касиди и Блеър Тачър

🔢 Част от поредица ли е?
Втора книга от поредицата "Козлов Братва".

📚 Колко завладяваща е историята?
Много интересна, действието се развива бързо.

💪 Главният герой:Димитрий
Вторият по големина брат в Козлов Братва. Силен. Забавен. Безжалостен. Закрилнически настроен. Темпераментен. Галантен. Сладък. Грижовен. Оказва се, че е бил влюбен в Зара от първата им среща.

🎀 Главната героиня: Зара
Асистент в адвокатска кантора. Умна. Силна. Смела. Забавна. Любвеобилна. Изстрадала е много, но е крила болката си под безгрижна маска. Няма нищо общо с веселата купонджийка от книга 1.

🫣 Има ли проблем с друг мъж или жена?
Не

🤬 Има ли изневяра?
Не

😏 Колко опит имат героите?
Димитрий е бивш плейбой. За Зара се споменава само, че преди 3 години е изнасилена и от тогава не е могла да бъде интимна с мъж.

😔/😁 Настроение по време на книгата?
🥺😃😏🤔🥰🫣😍💖

🥵 Колко горещи са секси сцените?
🌶🌶🌶🌶 Много горещи + 👅Орално

💔 Разделят ли се героите за определен период от време?
Не.

😍 Има ли щастлив край?
О да ❣️

⚠️ Списък с предупреждения:

💢Психическа травма след изнасилване на главната героиня
💥Сексуален тормоз на работното място
👰‍♀️Фалшив брак
💀Насилие над трети лица
☠️Смърт на трети лица
🤰Неочаквана бременност
⛓️Отвличане


⬅️ Предишна книга? ⬅️
"Sinful Oats"

➡️ Следваща книга? ➡️
"Sinful Wrath"

[Sally Jask-eh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dimitri and Zara’s story was great. I am listening to audiobook. Narration is soooo entertaining. Plot is gangsta fluff but I gladly trade rational realistic storyline for these bratva guys with tatted biceps. Always so protective and willing to share their physical talents. Occasionally wish they would dial back the emotionally charged mandrama. But the narrator in this series has a fabulous angry mobster growl.

[Ivana Carreon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okey, esto ya va mejorando.

[Veronica Lucka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly better than the first book, but that’s not saying much.

[Tanvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Listened to the audiobook within a day!!!
Okayish for a one time read’

[Klaasje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Als luister boek, en gewoon erg vermakelijk.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good for most of it up until the crisis point. Then it became stupid and unbelievable. So stupid bc the Mmc s angry reactions were so immature and dumb and two seconds later he was sorry and unbelievable on the fmc s part bc everyone knew he was in love with her but her?

Generally I enjoyed it.

[Ermani · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars easy and fun read

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinful Lies is the second book of the Kolslov Bratva series. Each book in this series features a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but for better understanding of the world, you might want to read Book 1 first. No cheating and Happily Ever After guaranteed. They're characters from the previous book making appearances that enhances the story. A brilliantly crafted story with two flawed individuals and a twisty and fascinating storyline that grabs the reader attention from the start and keeps you spellingbound and on the edge of your seat with it's pulse-pounding action, high-octane adventures, secrecy, suspense and mystery. An unputdownable and addicting read. Hang on to your kindle and brace yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride of emotions, tension and cravings. Compelling. Dark. Captivating. Dangerous. Decadent. You'll need a cool glass of water because the HEAT. This book demands to be read and screamed escape from the everyday life and gave that something extra that I was looking for. A fast paced, dark, twisted and thrilling read.
A kidnapping thriller, women's crime fiction story, organize crime thriller story, action & adventure romance, contemporary romance, dark mafia romance, billionaire romance, touch-her-and-die romance, protective hero romance, protector story, Bratva story, forced proximity story, marriage-that-started-on-contract romance, marriage-of-convenience story, unexpected pregnancy story, fake marriage romance, off-limits relationship, stalker story, polar opposite attracts story, lust-at-first-sight story, forbidden relationship, age gap trope story, he-falls-first story, insta-love romance, insta-everything story with violence, danger, deep dark hidden secrets, pain and trauma, sexual assault, lies, deception, hope, steam, darkness, madness, angst, anger, survival, resilience, rivalry, friendship, loyalty, hatred, possessiveness, obsession, family, murder, harassment, bloodshed, threats, attacks, grief, passion, enemies, love, drama, passion, kidnap, betrayal, enemies, healing, revenge, heartbreak, forgiveness, acceptance, twists and turns, revelations, retaliation, happiness, intimidation, stalking and fear.
Zara Mullens a.k.a pcholka is spunky, smart, beautiful successful curvy paralegal girl who has experience a horrific life experience when she younger and interning at a firm. She trusted the wrong man who she thought was a nice person because he never gave her any reasons to doubt him otherwise. This experience has change her whole life in how she trust and view men and relationships. Zara her boss as worked her into the ground for the past few weeks getting everything ready for the new senior partners joining the firm at Spencer & Meyers. She should be happy that the firm is doing good and bringing in new partners. But how could she be happy when one of the new partners is reason for the nightmares that still have her waking up drenched in sweat most nights. Giovanni Saccone had sexually assaulted her years ago when she was an intern, and it seems life he's trying to do it again and pick where he left off. The firm was throwing a welcome party for all the new partners and they did not spare any cost from the hotel to the liquor. Every where that she goes his eyes follow her every where that she goes. He has been making sexual indigenous and harassing her all night which makes her uncomfortable and her skin crawl.
Dimitri Koslov is her best friend Bianca brother-in-law who is totally off-limits. He's handsome, sexy and a total playboy. When Giovanni grabbed her arm and wouldn't get go, she was scared and about to go in panic mode. Although she was hiding from Dimitri earlier she further searching for him to save her from Giovanni. The only way that she could think of getting away from him was to ask Dimitri to pretend to be her boyfriend. He was all too happy to oblige if it means that he getting his hands on Zara Mullens. Zara was a firecracker, with flowing blonde hair with brightest green eyes and curves to die for. From the moment that he saw her at the family's home he knew that she would give him a run for his money with their brief exchange. She shot him down and would barely give him the time of the day and he have been addicted ever since. Dimitri doesn't do relationships or fall in love because he knows that being linked to the Koslov's is no better than a death sentence. This is why he keeps his heart under lock and key and only indulges in meaningless one night stands and casual sex.
Dimitri thought that by him playing Zara's fake boyfriend that it would get him off her back. But as soon as he saw her at his brother's house he could tell that something was wrong. She had all these dark circles under her eyes and her shoulders was slump, she was no longer the fiery girl that he had met a year. Dimitri brother Alexei, the Pakhan called him over for a meeting. He tells him that their rival Don Massimo Conti has a daughter name Lucia. Alexei heard a rumor that Massimo was planning on asking Dimitri to marry his daughter in order to diffuse the escalating war between the two families. But Dimitri wasn't having none of it because of his stands on marriage. Alexei tells him that they all had to make sacrifice for the family, but that was a sacrifice that Dimitri wasn't willing to make. He didn't wanted to insult to Don by outright refusing to marry his daughter and know that he had to come up with a plan. When he overheard Bianca and Zara talking about her boss Giovanni still harassing her and she could not do anything about and that he was obsessed with her. Giovanni didn't respect the fact that she had a boyfriend possibly because it was too disposable, and if she had said that Dimitri was her husband maybe he would've backed off; immediately Dimitri had an idea of getting out of his arranged marriage with Lucia if he fake marry to Zara which was a win win for both of them.
Bianca wants Zara to quit her job but she doesn't understand that it would not help because she had quit her other job before and he found her again. By her having someone it had only made the situation worse and a bigger challenge for Giovanni. He has been relentless calling her in his office multiple times a day for mundane tasks to watch her perform them. Dimitri made the proposition of marriage to Zara and this way it buys not only his protection but his family's protection as well. She agreed but on the condition that they had a small wedding. They went back to the honeymoon suite where they made passionate love. Zara is very attracted to Dimitri she wanted to make love to her husband to change the memory of her last experience of Giovanni touching her body. However, it didn't work because the nightmares came back in the darkness. Giovanni was the one who took her virginity. He wouldn't stop until he gets what he wanted at any means necessary.
And now that she's married he believes that it's only a facade and he still wants her. Dimitri threatened him which didn't work. He was waiting to take her to dinner when he came to her office to find Giovanni attempting to rape her. He and his brother Mikhail took him to their torture chamber warehouse where he slice him and beat him to a pulp for staying away from his wife. Zara and Dimitri continue to get to know each other and she realized that he's not like the playboy persona that he portrayed that he's actually caring and takes care of what is his. They started on a fake relationship and it turned to love as the spend more time to get know each other. Will Dimitri fix the problem of Giovanni for good and he's no longer a threat for Zara? Will Massimo realize that their marriage is fake? Will they get their HEA?

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

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m going to give it a 3.5 because giving it a 4 is too high but it is definitely better than the first book so I can’t rate it just a 3 either. Zara feels like a completely different person than she was in Sinful Oath, in the first book she has a badass independent vibe seeing as she can literally sneak past Alexei’s high tech security and she’s constantly acting sassy towards Dimitri but in Sinful Oath she comes off as very scared and traumatised, I feel like it would make sense for her to be this way with Giovanni coming back into her life and the reason we didn’t get to see her like this in book one is because Bianca doesn’t know about the rape so she wouldn’t have seen that side of her and also because Giovanni wasn’t in her life at the time but she gives off this scared, push-over vibe with Dimitri too which wasn’t how they interacted in the first book at all. I just feel like Zara and Dimitri had their own differing personalities from Bianca and Alexei in the first book but by the second they kind of morphed into them. Dimitri especially is pretty much a carbon copy of Alexei, just a little less controlling and Zara likes to make out like he had this whole big playboy persona that he was really just faking to reveal he was a big softy, but in reality we only saw him around other girls like once and it’s just in passing, from the first chapter onwards he is literally just a hopeless romantic, so there was literally no playboy persona, he just isn’t a playboy. I also felt like the plot of this book was far too similar to that of Sinful Oath making it very predictable. I mean, the only real difference is that Zara chose to marry Dimitri, she actually has a hobby outside of their marriage that Dimitri doesn’t have to encourage her to do and she has to deal with trauma from being sexually assaulted. Otherwise, there is still an initially loveless marriage that results in an accidental pregnancy from the very first time they have ever had sex which I’m sorry but is a very rare occurrence, I mean the fact that both Bianca and Zara just happened to be ovulating and neither of them bother to use birth control on the very first time they have sex with their man and it results in a pregnancy is crazy, there’s also a kidnapping in the first trimester of the pregnancy and both have bad morning sickness being the reason they suspect they’re pregnant and be the only pregnancy symptom we get to see them experience, that and being horny and then pretty much as soon as they’re rescued from being kidnapped the entire pregnancy is skipped over and the babies are born. I have to admit though, the pacing of Zara and Dimitri falling for each other was a little bit more gradual than the pacing of Alexei and Bianca but I do think that that was kind of ruined when Dimitri admits he was in love with her since the moment he met her. Dimitri’s reaction to her being pregnant also just doesn’t make sense to me either because he’s angry for what? Like yes he’s scared he’s gonna turn out like he’s father but he seems to get over that within like twenty minutes and that’s not exactly something to bed mad at her for? he also just immediately is really really happy she’s pregnant after having that huge reaction for no reason?? Just a bit weird to me.

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my boss starts harassing me at a work function, I do the only thing I can think of; I pretend cocky bratva pakhan Dimitri is my boyfriend.

It works. For a little while. Then Dimitri suggests we take it one step further and ‘get married’. My boss gets off my back, Dimitri has an out of the arranged marriage with rival mafia boss, Massimo’s, daughter. It’s a win, win.

Except getting married does nothing to scare off Giovanni. If anything, it’s made him more determined to harass me. This isn’t the first time he’s taken things too far. Last time, I wasn’t so lucky.

Nobody knows about that night, and I intend to keep it that way. Falling in love with Dimitri wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was getting pregnant.

Just when I think things can’t get worse, Massimo finds out our relationship is fake. Now he’s out for revenge. Apparently, I���m the one in the firing line.

“Sinful Lies” is the second instalment in the
“Koslov Bratva Series.” It is a captivating Russian mafia romance featuring a marriage of convenience for both Dimitri and Zara. Very quickly their marriage of convenience gets complicated by their feelings towards each other and a surprise pregnancy. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. The twists and turns in this story will leave you breathless, with the promises of a thrilling ride!

“The girl is a firecracker, with flowing, blonde hair, curves to die for, and the brightest green eyes. The second I saw her I knew she would give me a run for my money, and I wasn’t wrong.

The first time we met at my family’s home in Forest Hills, she shot me down and would barely give me the time of day.

And I’ve been addicted ever since.”

This is suppose to be a business arrangement …. but the walls start to crumble. Can Dimitri dare to believe in “happily ever after” with Zara? Can this fake marriage be more? These questions will keep you hooked and unable to put the book down! I know I couldn’t ….

The story is full of passion, intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, power, control, twists and turns around every corner - most of all love ♥️ There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! The book goes through moments of the thoughts or possibilities that it could happen to, to extreme violence to the most beautiful tender moments! I’m very happily hooked! I did not want it to end! From page to page, chapter to chapter, I could not put it down - you will metaphorically be on the edge of your chair! Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[Petra Škobalj · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Fierce, Fast, and Addictively Dark

Sinful Lies turns up the heat and the danger in the second installment of the Koslov Bratva series, delivering another wild, pulse-pounding ride through the mafia underworld. While you can read it as a standalone, picking up Book 1 first definitely makes the world richer—especially with familiar faces popping back up in ways that deepen the emotional stakes.

This book hooks you fast. Zara Mullens is instantly compelling—smart, curvy, determined, and still fighting the shadows of a traumatic past that refuses to let her breathe. Giovanni Saccone, the man who once assaulted her, is now her new senior partner at the firm, and the terror and suffocating harassment he brings back into her life gives the story a sharp, visceral edge.

Enter Dimitri Koslov: dangerous, charming, the family playboy who swore he’d never be anyone’s husband. He’s supposed to be off-limits, but when Zara begs him to pretend to be her boyfriend to escape Giovanni’s grip, something shifts. Their chemistry is instant, electric, and messy in the best way. And when a fake dating ruse spirals into a fake marriage that solves both of their problems, things get deliciously complicated.

What follows is a cocktail of forced proximity, escalating danger, mafia politics, obsession, trauma, and a protective hero who slides from “I don’t do relationships” straight into “touch her and die” territory. Dimitri and Zara’s dynamic hits hard—equal parts tense, tender, and scorching. There’s vulnerability, healing, and a slow peeling-back of two very wounded people learning to trust again.

This book is packed with action: stalking, attempted assault, mafia rivalries, revenge, bloodshed, and twist after twist. It’s dark, decadent, dramatic, and absolutely unputdownable. While some moments lean into heavy trauma and graphic tension, the story balances it with heart, loyalty, and a romance that burns its way into something real.

The only reason it’s not a five-star for me is because the pacing is sometimes so intense that certain emotional beats rush by faster than they deserve. But honestly? The gripping plot, the heat level, and Zara and Dimitri’s explosive chemistry make it a ride worth taking.

If you love dark mafia romance with protective heroes, dangerous villains, fake marriages, and high-stakes emotional turmoil, Sinful Lies absolutely delivers. A sizzling, addictive follow-up that leaves you hungry for more of the Koslov family chaos.

[Roxana Lozano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has it good parts and annoying parts. I hate the fact that Zara refuses to remove her self from a job where she had to work with her abuser. I think she is just making her trauma worse and is not helping her mentally staying in a situation because of her pride.
Also hate the part where Massimo takes Zara and there is no retaliation from the Russian family. He puts Zara in a stressful situation and Alexei does nothing. If it would have been Bianca his wife he would have at least punch Massimo in the face. But it looks like Alexei is scared of Massimo. Don’t care for a weak pakham when the book is about the bratva.

Zara and Dimitri decided to get married to help each other. They both need an out from the predicament they’re in. Zara’s new boss is a partner at the firm she works at and they have past. It seems he abused her when she was an intern. Dimitri has been informed by Alexei that he will be asked by Massimo Conti boss of another crime family for a marriage alliance. Massimo wants Dimitri to marry his daughter to end the feud between the families. Zara refuses to leave her job because she has worked hard to get where she is at and also it would give her boss the upper hand of wining. Dimitri doesn’t want to get married so a fake marriage will get him out of marriage with the mafia princess. Zara thinks that getting married will deter her boss from making sexual comments to her but it doesn’t. He continues and she keeps having mental/panic attacks. Even after Dimitri threatens her boss up he still keeps going after Zara. Zara finds out she is pregnant, Dimitri panics for a few hours then gets his shit together and goes to the ultrasound appointment with Zara. He then finds out Zara was raped by her boss when she was an intern at another firm. Dimitri then takes her boss and tortures his for days. Massimo finds out the marriage was an agreement between Zara and Dimitri so he kidnaps Zara to force Dimitri to marry his daughter. But Massimo was not expecting for Zara to be pregnant and for DimiDimitri to still refuse the marriage alliance because he is in love with Zara. So Massimo decides that another Koslov brother would do. So Mikhail decides he would marry Massimo’s daughter. Zara has a boy and a girl. The Koslov family keeps growing.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Koslov Bratva series series hang on and you might want to make sure to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified possessive, oh so gorgeous, brooding all three makings of a story consisting with the three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, darkness, secrets revealed, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love somewhere along the way! These brothers are who you want in your corner should anything happen, or you are in need of protection 😊. Zara is sweet when needed strong with what she has had to deal with her best friend married into the mafia to the older Koslov brother so she what the Bratva can do to innocent but when she finds herself in trouble the younger Koslov brother protects her keeping her safe and that was the first time the second time, he is her boyfriend to keep her bullies away. Dimitri sexy as all get out younger Koslov brother just like his older brother, he isn’t a man you want your radar, he is dangerous, ruthless, on a good day, deadly every day, and when his brother’s wife best friends need a protector of course he steps in. Dimitri is expected to get marry for an alliance, but he isn’t ready to marry so decides to fake a marriage with Zara so they can gain the power but the more the two of them spend time with/around each other the closer they grow, the lines between fake and real begin to blur but he was warned not to lie to her but of course he didn’t lie but didn’t tell her the whole story when their secrets come to light will he be able to keep her safe, will they be honest with each other about their feelings because their lives may depend on it, will they trust each other believing they are stronger together than apart, and can they find happiness somewhere in the not real or pretending to be fake?

[rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚠️ spoilers ahead ⚠️

damn..the trauma hits home.

i could go on for hours on how beautiful this book was. everything that zara went through was a literal page from my life.

going through something like that changes you. it changes the way you see yourself, society, people, etc.. you can’t see people the same way as you use to. one day you’re minding your own business, and the next you’re always watching and wondering how you got yourself into that situation. how you could have done more. how you could have gotten away..but you were stuck.

there’s always that fear that you’ll never move on and that you’ll be stuck in a constant loop of what happened to you. some days you’re able to get out of the loops and some days you’re just there. you’ll always have those days where you feel guilty. the fear and anxiety never stops. there’s always that lingering feeling that one day you’ll run into them. and i swear there hasn’t been a single day where i haven’t thought about that.

i loved how gentle dimitri was. oh he always made sure zara was okay. even when she knew she wasn’t, he knew.

their marriage wasn’t fake. they were meant to find each other..one way or another.

he saved her from being locked in an endless loop of fear.
he showed her that there are good men out there.
he helped her out of her darkness.
he showed her the light when she couldn’t find it.

i will never get over this book. it was seriously so beautiful. i wish i read it sooner. idk reading this helped me in a sense. yeah..i know it isn’t real but it’s the hidden messages that help the most. i was sobbing at one point bc i seriously haven’t read anything (so far) that made me feel…safe? i’m not sure what word to use.

[Amie Kieffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Shortage of Action in this Suspenseful Romance!

Kira Cole and Callie Stevens have continued their Koslov Bratva Series with a fabulous Book 2!
While this story continues from the first book in this series, I believe it could be read as a stand-alone but it'll be much more enjoyable to read Sinful Oath first.
Book 1, Sinful Oath, follows Bianca Bellucci and Alexei Koslov.
Book 2, this story is about Zara Mullens, Bianca's best friend from college who's like family to her, and Dimitri Koslov, Alexei's younger brother. Everyone thinks Dmitri is a playboy and never serious, so when Zara instantly catches his eye in Book 1, no one thinks much of it.
No one is aware of the nightmares that plague Zara, not even Bianca. She hasn't told anyone what keeps her from restful sleep and free from the fear that leaves her on edge daily. The story opens with a work party for the law firm where Zara is a paralegal. Unfortunately for her, her new boss, Giovanni is also there. When Dmitri shows up unexpectedly, Zara sees it as an opportunity and a way out when her boss keeps making her uncomfortable and blurts out that Dmitri is her boyfriend. Dmitri is happy to play along as this may help him out of an arranged marriage he wants no part of. From here on out it just gets more interesting... I loved this book. The complicated lives of all the characters, the danger, romance, twists and turns, steamy moments, and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat and totally engrossed--didn't want to put it down!.

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

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of the Koslov Bratva but can be read as a stand alone. I would suggest reading them in order because the first book was about Alexi and his wife Bianca and they are significant players in this story, so you will have a better experience knowing their history. Zara has been working steadily at her job and just found out that Giovanni, a man that assaulted her has just been promoted at her job, not only that he is showing an interest in her again. She impulsively claims Dimitri as her boyfriend at a company event to keep him away. Dimitri is too happy to play along, he has had a soft spot for Zara since he first laid eyes on her (Koslov Bratva Book 1). Not only can he help her out but there is pressure for him to marry in an arranged marriage, so he suggests an alliance to protect them both. It becomes clear that they both are interested in more than a pretend relationship. They have strong chemistry and it ignites in some very spicy scenes. The character development is very good in this one, showing her vulnerabilities as an assault survivor and what she goes through in the aftermath. He was raised to be a tough man, but for her he is a softy. He shows his soft side only for his wife. There is some mafia family drama in addition to the work drama that weaves into the story. They get their HEA and celebrate in a sweet epilogue. This is a great story, I am looking forward to the next one!.

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

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinful Lies is a fantastic fake marriage, Russian Mafia romance story. Sinful Lies is the second story in the Koslov Bratva series. Sinful Lies is the story of Dimitri and Zara. Zara is being harassed by her boss at a work function and she decides to used Dimitri to pretend that he’s her boyfriend. Dimitri is the pakhan of a Bratva family. And before long Dimitri tells Zara they should take their fake relationship to another level, meaning that they should get married. Zara’s life is put in danger because of a man named Giovanni. Dimitri will do what he has to keep her safe. Before Zara knows it, she’s fallen in love with Dimitri and she finds out that she’s pregnant with his baby. Now this is all the details I’m going to reveal about this book because I don’t want to completely spoil the book for future readers. However, I would most certainly give this book as a recommendation for anyone who enjoys reading a good mafia romance story. Sinful Lies is beautifully written, well-balanced with romance and action, and this book is perfectly executed by author Kira Cole. I found this book to be both suspenseful and a definite page-turner of a book. I thought Dimitri to be the typical egotistical bratva male, and Zara, I felt sorry for her because of the harassment by her boss and Giovanni. I’m looking forward to reading more books by author Kira Cole.

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

[MARISKA POTGIETER · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖤🔥 Sinful Lies
Koslov Bratva, Book 2
⭐️ Rating: 3/5
🌶️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
💘 Tropes:
• Arranged marriage
• He falls first
• Protective Bratva husband
• Family loyalty

⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
• Kidnapping
• Violence / mafia conflict
• Threats / coercion

Sinful Lies was a good read, but definitely followed the familiar rhythm of book one — maybe a little too familiar 👀. Still, there were parts that absolutely pulled me in.
Zara is… well… the classic mafia-romance heroine 😅
Whiney, oblivious, and occasionally making decisions that make you want to shout “girl PLEASE” 🤣
But honestly? If these women were actually logical, smart, and cautious, we wouldn’t get half the chaos, kidnapping twists, or dramatic rescues that give mafia romance its spice.
Dimitri, on the other hand, was the real heart of this book.
It was obvious he didn’t marry her just to escape Massimo’s daughter — he has been in love with her for a long time. He cares for her deeply, waits on her hand and foot, and makes sure she has everything she needs. His love isn’t subtle… at all. In fact, Zara should have noticed. The man was basically glowing with devotion 😭

Their love story is sweet, tender at times, and full of tension, but the plot closely mirrors book one — and I’d love to see the series mix things up a little more moving forward.

Still, a solid arranged-marriage Bratva romance with emotion, danger, and spice to keep the pages turning 💋🖤

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd story in the Koslov Bratva Series. The Koslov brothers do not disappoint when they find the women who own their hearts and everything they’d do to keep them safe and protected! Zara is best friends with Bianca, who’s married to Dimitri’s older brother and experiences 1st hand what the Bratva can do to innocent lives. Dimitri is the one who rescues her in the 1st story and knows she’s off limits. When Zara finds herself in a horrible situation Dimitri comes to protect her by being her boyfriend to keep her tormentor away. Dimitri is then expected to marry for an alliance and his way of getting out is by fake marrying Zara giving them power over those out to control their decisions. When Zara and Dimitri find themselves getting closer and genuinely caring for one another Zara believes her past is unforgivable and pushes Dimitri away. The only problem with that is he keeps his presence with Zara earning her trust and heart. Dimitri and his brothers will stop at nothing to protect what is theirs and when his lies catch up with Zara she’s left heartbroken with the possibility that she’s never told Dimitri her true feelings for him and loving him. When vengeance is served you they find hope for their future! I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Piu Sarkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

This book was a really enjoyable read, even if a few plot points were a bit predictable. I loved how Zara and Dimitri’s story unfolded. Zara is a strong, smart, and relatable heroine, and her vulnerabilities—especially as an assault survivor—made her journey feel authentic. Dimitri is the classic tough Bratva man, but the way he softens for her and shows his caring side was honestly heart-melting. Their chemistry was electric, and the fake-dating-turned-real dynamic made the romance feel so satisfying and well-earned.

The story balanced romance, mafia family drama, and workplace tension perfectly, giving it depth beyond just the love story. I especially appreciated seeing the characters grow—Zara becoming more confident and Dimitri letting down his walls for her. The spicy scenes were hot without overshadowing the emotional core of their story.

The HEA and sweet epilogue wrapped everything up beautifully, leaving me excited for the next book in the series. Definitely a must-read for fans of mafia romance with strong character development and sizzling chemistry.

P.S. I read this book back in February but I didn't have Goodreads back then.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Koslov Bratva series, featuring Zara and Dimitri
It has a lot of twists, secrets, bad memories, danger, retributions, romance and surprises that kept me hooked from the very first page!
Zara is a para legal who has a new senior partner who is someone from her past that is harassing her, she grabs Dimitri at a company event where her boss is bothering her and introduces him as her boyfriend, he goes along with it. Dimitri’s older brother Alexei who is head of the bratva tells Dimitri that he must marry a daughter of a rival family, this is the last thing he wants to do, he suggests a fake marriage to Zara, this helps both their situations.
I loved reading this book and how Zara and Dimitri’s relationship went from a super, hot steamy sexual one night only, then a repeat do real feelings develop, do they get their happy ever after like his brother and wife.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book via BookSprout and I am writing this review voluntarily

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

*********Trigger Warning*********

This is the second book in the Koslov Bratva series. Ever since finishing the first book, I couldn’t wait to see if things would develop between Dimitri and Zara.

In this book we learn more about Zara, including a horrific assault that she still struggles with. I was honestly shocked to learn about this. Zara had always seemed more on the carefree side. We also get more acquainted with Dimitri and more about their family history that was touched on in the first book.

I loved how Dimitri cared for Zara, even before he realized he was falling for her. Despite coming off as a playboy in the first book, in this one he was clearly a caring man who was willing to do whatever it took to keep Zara safe and help her feel safe. He did have a couple of Jekyl and Hyde moments, but he course corrected very quickly.

I’m even more curious now about the developing situation regarding Ivanov, and can’t wait to see what happens with Mikhail!!.

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

[Becky Dreyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinful Lies is the second book in the Koslov Bratva series. This is a dark mafia arranged marriage romance. Zara is all too familiar with the Koslov's as her best friend is married to one. So when Dimitri comes to her rescue at a work party, so hopes her work troubles will come to an end. Unfortunately that is not the case as they just intensify. Dimitri finds himself in a situation that he refuses to accept, no matter if it's in the best interest of his family or not. Upon realizing that Zara's situation has gotten worse, he makes a deal with her that will benefit them both, they just have to play their parts and make everyone else believe them. Enjoy the ups, downs, sass, banter and emotional trials throughout this journey of Zara and Dimitri's. Great addition to the series and I can't wait to see what comes next!!!.

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

[Catherine Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kira Cole has continued the animosity between Zara and Dimitri Koslov. We were introduced to them in the first book involving Bianca and Alexei Koslov.
Zara is being harassed by a predator; Dimitri is being forced into an arranged marriage. They decided to become engaged and "fake" marry to thwart Zara's predator and avoid Dimitri's marriage.
Their relationship develops with numerous bumps in the road. Zara is still being harassed despite their engagement by her predator when Dimitri decides to step in to "persuade" him to stop.
This couple goes through so much in their relationship which develops into a true love match.
The plot is very well crafted, and the characters are totally believable. Their relationship ultimately is put the to test when Zara is kidnapped.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I read it in two binge reading stints!
I look forward to the next book in this series.

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

[Coastie Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being harassed at work by her boss Giovanni, Zara tells him she has a boyfriend, Dimitri (who happens to be part of Koslov Bratva). But that doesn’t steer him away from keeping his thoughts and advances to himself. Dimitri has had his eyes on Zara since he first met her and will do anything he can to help her and keep her safe. Dimitri is also in a predicament as his brother, Alexei, has promised him to another for an alliance. They come up with a plan to have a “fake” marriage thinking this will solve all their problems.

But when feelings come into play, will it continue to be a fake marriage, or will Zara and Dimitri be able to stay together. When secrets are revealed and Giovanni ups his game, will Zara be safe?

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