Captured by the Bratva

The Valkov Bratva #3

by Ava Gray

He took me as his hostage. Now I'm falling for my silver fox captor.

I'm a single mother with everything to lose.
My daughter is my whole world.
I'd do anything to protect her.

But him?

Ivan Valkov. The Bratva's most lethal enforcer.
Dangerous. Commanding. Irresistibly mature.
He kidnapped me to get to my father.
When he discovered my secrets, I expected brutality.
Instead, this silver-streaked warrior became our shield.

Now we're in his fortress. Under his protection. In his bed.
My daughter's giggles fill his dark world with light.
But shadows are closing in. A sinister plot that threatens to destroy us all.

He thinks I'll run from him.
He's wrong.

Someone's watching. Waiting. Ready to strike.
My corrupt father. The rival mafia. A ghost from my past who won't stay dead.
The truth could tear us apart... or get us killed.
Because Ivan's given me something I never thought I'd find again.

A chance to trust.

In his world, love is a weapon.
And for my family, I'll pull the trigger.

Captured by the Bratva is a gripping, emotional mafia romance featuring a silver fox protective hero, a fierce young single mother with deadly secrets, and enough white-knuckle suspense to keep you breathless until the final page. Content advisory for mature themes.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2025

Reviews

[Roxy King · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rape scene? And you want me to believe he’s the MMC who’s she’s going to fall in love with??

[Rozebudzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Becca and Ivan

Becca is a single mother and struggling artist. Her life and likes are very vanilla. She’s shy, careful and not adventurous. Ivan is dark and dangerous and has kinks. Only a couple of his kinks are revealed but apparently he has many more. He gradually reveals these kinks to Becca and is delighted that she’s more open to being sexually adventurous. He’s very careful introducing her to his kinks. They both have trust issues.

There’s a 13 yr age gap. This is sort of a slow burn where he falls first but keeps denying it. To me, this book felt longer than it actually was. Becca is kinda boring. Her internal dialog is boring. She’s angsty and emotional. Ivan leaves her alone a lot and doesn’t spend much time getting to know her. He also keeps her in the dark about what he’s doing so she’s always worried that he’s about to dump her. I don’t see how they fell in love because he kept trying not to and she took awhile to trust him. Their chemistry just wasn’t there.

As in the two previous books, the FMC goes thru an SA (before she meets Ivan) in this one. Know your triggers.

I didn’t like this one too much. The characters just didn’t seem interesting. And the plot dragged. Like slogging thru quicksand. But I’m looking forward to the last two books in this series, Maxim’s and Dimitri’s stories.

[Haley Durkin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 80%

Thought I could get all the way through this but it appears there is no real solid plot to this. It’s very repetitive in the storyline. Becca first meets Ivan when she is kidnapped and then raped by him. Although she claims it wasn’t, there is a distinctive difference between CNC which is often shown in mafia books and rape. Her previous baby daddy used her for information and raped her when he couldn’t get answers….sounds familiar considering Ivan did the same thing! He kidnapped her and raped her when she wouldn’t give answers all so he could get close to her dad like Dom did and all of a sudden she was ok with it this time. She keeps saying “oh he is the same as Dom” considering he doesn’t care for her art and only talks to her for questioning, it’s so one sided! Then after he sleeps with her again the first question is about her baby daddy and the next chapter in his POV is him wondering what the issue is and why she is pulling back?? Sir I’m going to need you to read the room. How can you make a MMC similar to her villain in the story and just change her view point and think it’s ok.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captured by the Bratva is a gripping, emotional mafia romance and the third book in the Valkov Bratva Series. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhanger and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. A nicely written story with complex individuals and a twisty storyline that captures the reader attention from the start and keeps you riveted and on the edge of your seat and turning the pages with it's pulse-pounding suspense, high-octane action, non-stop adventures and twists and turns. A fast paced, dark and thrilling read. Hang on to your kindle and brace yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride of tension and emotions as we follow along as these two characters fall in love. An unputdownable and addictive read.
Romance collections & anthologies story, action & adventure romance, aged gap trope story, taboo romance, forbidden romance, off-limits romance, single mom story, silver fox protective hero story, organize crime story, romantic suspense story, lust-at-first-sight story, protector romance, dark mafia hero story, secret baby story, touch-her-and-die romance, contemporary romance, captor-captive romance, damsel-in-distress story, forced proximity romance with kidnapping, secrets, threats, passion, enemies, violence, danger, drama, attack, lies, deception, steam, darkness, madness, revelations, power and control, dominance, submission, BDSM, dirty talking, Non-Con, consensual intense rough sex, suspense, anger, angst, fear, pawn, love, blackmail, obsession, possessiveness, corruption and more.
Becca has had a rough upbringing that's riddle with physical and verbal abuse. She's now a single mother and her father Murphy is a corrupted cop that she has stay far away from. She even has very nasty ex that she doesn't want anything to do with nor wants him in her child's life. As a single mother she had everything to lose and her daughter is her entire world and she would do anything to protect her. Ivan Valkov, is the Valkov Bratva most lethal enforcer and is after her father who's after the Valkov family and is after power. He's powerful, dangerous and vicious. Murphy had been using is daughter as a pawn her entire life and she was tired of it.
When Ivan learn that Murphy has a daughter he took her as his hostage hoping that with him having his daughter he could luring the corrupted cop out into the open. Her father called her one day asking her to do him a favor but she quickly shut that down and tell him no. But when she refuses to play is game he informed her that if she doesn't do the favor which was to go to a BDSM sex club that he would tell her ex-boyfriend Dom Rossini that she had a daughter for him and was keeping it a secret.
In fear she decided to go to club to deliver the envelope he wanted her to deliver. She got the shock of her life when she got there and found that it was a sex club and it was there that she was abducted by Ivan and taken to his mansion fortress, his under his protection. He then take her daughter as well before her father's hired hingemen could get to her little girl. Now her daughter's giggles fill his dark world with light. As they spend more time together they started to catch feelings and now she's in his bed. But they're shadows that are closing in all around them. A sinister plot threatens to destroy them all. Someone is watching. Waiting. Ready to strike. It could be her corrupt father, the rival mafia, or a ghost from her past who won't stay dead. But Ivan has given her something that she never thought that she could find again, a chance at trust and for that she would pull the trigger for her family. I will leave you here for now. Will Ivan and Becca get their HEA? Will he take care of her past and her father so that he can no longer hold her secret over her head?

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

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivan and Becca’s story is intense, steamy and compelling. He is formidable, deadly and intense. Used to being an enforcer for the Bratva, and enjoying life on the darker side, including sex, Ivan is very much a loner. One would never expect that he had a soft side or that he was capable of tenderness and showing affection, but Becca and her daughter bring these qualities out. Ivan was on a mission to find and eliminate her father when he kidnapped her and her infant daughter, mistakenly believing her father would do anything to save his daughter and granddaughter. Becca s not the weak woman he thought her to be. She is stubborn, determined to defy him, keep her secrets and protect her daughter. Ivan finds himself unable to resist the fiery beauty who isn’t afraid of him or her sweet, innocent baby daughter. This self proclaimed eternal bachelor finds that he wants to lock Becca and her daughter up and claim them for himself. Ivan never thought any woman would accept him as his, dark soul and all, but Becca does. His possessive and protective instincts have one goal….eliminating any threat to Becca and little Emily, including both of their fathers who consider them to be nothing but pawns in their schemes.

I absolutely melted when Ivan interacted with little Emily. A big, gruff and deadly guy who can tenderly hold a teething baby and rock e her to sleep….utterly swoon-worthy! I loved Becca’s stubborness, her bravery and her determination to hold her own against her father, and Ivan. She has had to do so much on her own, including protecting herself and her baby from the man who dared to call himself her father. Becca and Ivan are a great match.

I won’t hesitate to recommend this compelling book.

[Shelley Drinkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the ballot bratva series and focuses on Ivan and Becca’s story, which doesn’t disappoint!

TW includes mention of SA resulting in pregnancy.

Ivan kidnaps Becca to force her father out of hiding - the corrupt cop Murphy who we meet in the previous books. Becca tries to keep as much distance from her father as possible, sick of being emotionally abused by him and being used as a pawn in his illicit schemes as a dirty copper. Becca just wants to live her life with her infant daughter free from the men who seek to manipulate and control her. Sparks fly between Ivan and Becca, and Ivan’s stony hard exterior starts to crack the more time he spends with the mother and daughter duo. With both of them trying to fight their increasing attraction to each other Becca’s life is at risk when she’s abducted by a rival mafia don, who just so happened to be the man who assaulted her and fathered her daughter.

I really enjoyed this book, seeing how the hard icy persona of the bratva boy is thawed and broken down by the unexpected woman and daughter he intended to use to draw out his enemy and discovering the life he thought was never going to be his is right there waiting for him. Another fabulous instalment in the series from Ava!.

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

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd story in The Valkov Bratva Series where we find Ivan tasked with finding a way to deal with taking care of Murphy a dirty cop who’s is after their family. When Ivan kidnaps his daughter, Becca hoping to drag him out of hiding only finds a beautiful woman with a secret he under covers and ends up getting her infant daughter before the hired men of her father has taken her. Becca knows that her father’s corrupt actions have caused her current situation but having disowned him Becca’s not able to give them any information. When sparks ignite between Ivan and Becca we get to see Ivan a disciplined Bratva man start to see himself in love with a chance for a family! Ivan shows such tenderness towards this little girl and learns what love can do for him. With Becca’s past coming at her she’s just trying to keep her daughter safe and away from him as Becca was assaulted and raising her daughter without her father holding her secret over her and now she’s able to stand up to him with Ivan’s support. The cruel darkness they are forced into shows Becca what Ivan is capable to keep her safe and his! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Single Mom Becca is unlucky in that she has a horrible father and has had a hard life. Now that she is a single mother she is trying even harder to stay out of sight of her father and his dirty dealings. When her father calls asking her to do him a favor she flatly refuses but when he threatens to tell the father of her child about their daughter she starts to feel real fear. Meanwhile Ivan is determined to eliminate Becca’s father. So when he learns she exists he decides to kidnap her so he can make her father come out of hiding. Little does he know that Becca’s father only cares about himself and he definitely doesn’t care enough try to save her. What follows is Ivan trying to bend Becca to his will and trying to fall for his captive.

I liked this book overall, this entire series has some issues with consent that are cringy. It never gets easier to read. I received an ARC and since the author doesn’t seem to have a website I am unsure where you would find trigger warnings but just know that there are instances that include sex without any implied consent. The characters explain it away after the fact but it’s still there and it happens in every book in this series. I liked the story and the relationship that Ivan develops with Becca and her daughter. I liked this book a lot, except the consent issues. Worth a read if you can look past it.

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

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivan needed to take care of Bratva business. He needed to find a crooked cop and find out who he was working for. After he had done that he then needed to kill him. Becca wasn’t involved in her father, Steven’s business. She also didn’t know where he was. Of course Ivan didn’t know that till he kidnapped Becca and interrogated her. Becca didn’t have any information for Ivan until she told him about Emily. Emily was her daughter and her father had tried to kidnap her and use her in his plan. Ivan had become intrigued by Becca. When he saw her with Emily he became more intrigued. He never thought he would have someone he cared about. Someone he would want to protect. “Becca hadn’t been a pawn or a hostage for a long while. Instead, she was the perfect woman for me, accepting my darkness and wanting me regardless. No, not accepting, but embracing and welcoming.”
Love is a powerful emotion - it can make even a man of the Bratva melt a little.! The main characters - one is bold, daring, dark and dangerous. The other inexperienced, unsure, a novice when it comes to men. Will they be able to help each other and become free to love? Amazingly good read! I loved the characters and the storyline!.

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

[Candace Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ 𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛𝚜 ✨

𝚃𝚒𝚝𝚕𝚎/𝙰𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛:

Captured By The Bratva - Ava Gray

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐:

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

𝙼𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜:

- Ivan
- Becca

𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:

“They fight hard. They work hard. And they love hard. From what I’ve seen, you are more than enough of a woman to make Ivan Valkov proud.”

"We were different. But maybe she could be the yin to my yang and complete me like no other."

"I would not let her down. With all the weapons in here, all the anger directed every which way, I would not fail her."

𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜:

Becca is kidnapped to get to her father but it doesn't work, but what does work is the king falling himself.

𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:

This story was more plot based than romance. It had a lot going on. It was a good story though. Becca was a struggling single mother who just wanted to protect her daughter. In walks in is Ivan who falls first for her. It was a light slow burn.

𝚃𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚜:

• Bratva
• Single mom
• He falls first
• Secret baby
• Hea

𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎:

🌶️🌶️/5

𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐:

No Time To Die - Billie Eilish

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca life has been of been one of being of pain by the those who were supposed to protect and care.
Ivan has stepped up in the family business. He finds he is dealing with Murphy a dirty cop, who is after his family. He kidnaps his daughter Becca.
Ivan tasked with finding a way to deal with taking care of Murphy a dirty cop Becca knows it is because of her father's corruption, has made her been kidnapped by Ivan. The sparks fly between Ivan and Becca. Between the discipline Ivan finds he needs to give Becca he also finds himself falling for her. years ago we get to see Ivan a disciplined Bratva man start to see himself in love Becca was assaulted and is raising her daughter, with the love and support of Ivan she is able to come out of the darkness of her father and have the find the family both want.

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

[Patricia Ausmus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca's dad is a corrupt cop who is in cahoots with a Mafia Don. When that man shows an interest in Becca's art and takes her to Italy to meet other artists she thinks she has made it. But he doesn't show any more interest in her. But when she overhears a phone conversation between him and her dad she tells him she wants to leave. He rapes her and sends her on her way. And she writes them both off. Especially when she realizes she's pregnant.
Ivan is the enforcer for the Bratva with his brother as the Pakhan. And he needs to take out the corrupt cop that is trying to take them down. So he figures if they take his daughter then he will come out of hiding. But he was wrong. And the more he gets to know her and her daughter, the more he feels his life is changing.

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

[Kazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read in this series but have read other books by this author. I loved those books and this didn't disappoint me either. Even though this was book 3 I didn't feel I was starting halfway through and was missing out. Yes I missed the stories of the other characters but they fitted in this book perfectly. This book was well written and it had a great flow to it. I found it was an easy read and that the characters were good and strong. I loved the journey they both took in this book and how they grew together. Making them stronger as a couple. Becca and Ivan are perfect for each other, the characters were well thought out and this author has written this book perfectly. Recommend.

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

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captured by the Bratva is the 3rd book in The Valkov Bratva series and it's the first book that I've read in it. After reading it I will definitely be getting my hands on the others in the future. Crooked cop - Murphy is on Bratva - Ivan's radar and as a consequence his daughter - Becca is caught in the middle of it all. Making her and her daughter - Emily hostages as well as bargaining chips to use for Ivan to get his hands on her father. Only Becca is completely innocent in it all and has been near enough used by everyone that's come into her life. Dark in places. I loved the enemies to lovers Becca and Ivan were in this book. They kept me glued to this book from start to finish. Loved It.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story kept me entertained all the way through. Becca was kidnapped by the Bratva as they wanted to find her father (to kill him). Ivan was very attracted to her and then found out she had a little daughter (Emily). When they got her when someone else tried to kidnap her, he was thoroughly enchanted and she liked to be with him too.
There was alot of drama in the story that had the main characters confused about their feelings for each other, but when Becca's life was endangered, ivan couldn't deny it any more.

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

[Jarylynn Schlegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series and this book did not disappoint. Ivan is the next brother’s story and oh how he falls. He is assigned to take care of a dirty cop after his Bratva and decides one way to get to him is to kidnap the cops daughter, Becca. What he didn’t realize is that she has a child and he needed to get Emily to have them both under his roof. Only issue is someone else got to the baby first and now he needed to save her. Great story and can not wait to see what’s in store fir the next book.

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

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captured by the Bratva by Ava Gray is the story of Ivan and Becca. He’s a devout member of the Bratva and has been enlisted to bring a man out of hiding. Ivan takes the man’s daughter, Becca to pull him out. When he interrogates her, she gives up nothing…and he knows she’s hiding something…when he finds out what it is….everything changes!!

I really embraced this story and the characters. Ivan was tough, dominant, uncaring, and would do anything for his Bratva. Becca is devoted, loving, and hugely protective of those she loves. When these two meet, it’s a collision of epic proportions! Couldn’t get enough of this story!

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivan could never see himself settling down with one woman like his brother but that all changes when he captures Becca, an enemy's daughter. But is not alone, she has a baby girl, Emily that is ten months old. Ivan finds himself falling for both females.

Becca's father is a lousy human being and has never done anything for her. His business associate, assaulted her and gave her their daughter, who he knows nothing about.

Ivan will have to find both men and keep his girls safe. This is not for the faint of heart, it is on the dark side, interaction between the main character and Becca's past.

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

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

I was so sucked in by this story I had to by it. There was plenty of action, suspense, trauma, danger, twist, deceit, turmoil, kidnapping, betrayal, secrets, lies, anger,fears, struggles, abuse, enemies, threats, violence, torture, single mother, a club bdsm, Surrender, passion, lust, spicy, pleasure , dark romance, Mafia, Bratva. Ivan was sent Becca and unbeknownst to her she was sent there, Ivan is keeping her now she is worried about custody. Her father is a Dirty Cop and his enemies will take her just to get to the father.

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

[Crystal M Parrelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I normally love Ava Gray books. And besides the rape scenes in the beginning of the book from the MMC with the FMC. It’s a good book. This should have been stated before I started reading g the book as a warning. I really didn’t like when the FMC tried convincing herself that because she got wet it was totally ok. Like what?! After this it was hard to get into the book. I did finish it and the rest was good. So now that you’re warned you can go into this book with a better headspace. If there had been a warning before I read the book I would have given 4 stars.

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

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sucks you in and doesn't let you go

Captured by the Bratva is the third book in The Valkov Bratva series. After reading the previous book in the series I thought I knew what to expect. But this this book it is so much more of all of the yummy and lava hot sexiness. It all starts with the amazing cover, I mean look at that and tell me your panties aren't damp! But the story is a swirling mix of darkness, danger, bratva, violence, romance, spicy passion, enemies, and a lot more. Let's just say that you are sucked into the story from the start and want more when you reach the end.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third Brother also a charm

The Valkov brothers continue to have a grip on me. Per usual I question their actions but always get pulled in to see the story unfolding.

Becca can’t seem to get a break from adversity. Ivan stepping up to be the man she needed in her life really sways the view on this unconventional relationships beginning.

My disappointment was how quickly this story ended. I’m hoping there is a quick pickup on these two in the next book. Ready and impatiently waiting for the next brother.

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

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brother meets his forever woman in the continuation of this series. In this one Ivan is the star and kidnaps Becca to hopefully find her hiding dad. But things do not go exactly as planned and get a fun, steamy, drama filled story and a bit of a mystery too. I enjoyed it and it had me laughing at times, especially at Ivan as I watched him fall. Becca was fun too. Plus get to see more of the brothers so that is always good. A fun steamy bratva mafia story. And the ending made me laugh too.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving this Bratva family. The guys are supposed to be this big bad that don’t do love, but they are really teddy bears that absolutely fall first. Throw in a sweet little baby girl and Ivan never had a prayer. A kidnapping/hostage, an instant connection, a club, a rescue, and a family.
On top of that, Becca found her footing and was being used and abused anymore.
Love this world!
Also, really love the cover! HOT!!.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivan and Becca. Hes a Bratva Enforcer. Shes a single mom that will do anything to protect her daughter. He took her a revenge to get to her father but, .... Now he will protect her and her daughter with his life. They both have secrets that will bring them down or pull them closer as they battle their enimies. You never know what you will do to protect your own so never say never and dont underestimate anyone protecting for love.

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

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic addition to the series. I thoroughly enjoy reading about the gritty, morally grey alpha men in the Valkov Bratva and how these men fall hard and fast for the women in their lives.

Becca is struggling to survive as a single mother of her daughter, Emily when she is kidnapped by Ivan. What follows is a fast paced tale of misunderstandings, power plays, intense sexual tension and danger. Definitely not a book to miss.

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

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment in the Valkov Bratva series is a great read. Ivan is just as charming as his older brothers although he is the dark soul. Becca has been used as a pawn by her corrupt police father and another Mafia boss. Now it's time for Ivan to put her in that position.

When they actually get to know each other the sparks fly, and the best laid plans...

Well worth the read.

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

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written story with captivating characters that drew me into this story as I cheered for Ivan and Becca to get their chance for happiness. They connect when Ivan goes after her father, and she gets caught in the middle of the drama. Will their time together lead them along the road to happiness.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for your next OMG breathtaking and suspenseful mafia romance book. Becca and Ivan will have you covered in that department. If you think you have too many mafia romance reads in your TBR pile your wrong because you still need to add this book to your list. Then begin to read the first 2 books in the Valkov Bratva and this book and you will be thanking me and the author Ava who has written some of the MOST AMAZING romance books ever.

[Linda Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mafia’s forbidden love , A shady father, crooked cop, a drug lord, a brat you have it all, this unbelievable love story is filled with lots of danger, suspense, hot and cold emotions, lots of back and forth, it will make your head spins. You’ll love them, I promised, couldn’t put it down. I highly recommended this book.

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