Cruel Bonds

by Ivy Davis

I was locked away in a tower.
Until he saved me. Or so I thought…

Maxim Baranov is a Bratva biker.
He’s also the man who saved me from the lighthouse I was forced to grow up in.
But Maxim isn’t my savior.
He’s a dangerous man with a dangerous life.
It’s one I’m not prepared for.
Multiple men want me.
But Maxim is the only one I can trust.
And yet, how can I trust a man who is just as bad as the enemy?
My body awakens when I’m around Maxim.
I desire him.
But does he desire me?
I was an innocent girl before he found me.
But with Maxim, I become a woman.
I yearn for our love.
But can it withstand the turmoil coming for it?
If not, I’ll be lost without him.

Cruel Bonds is the third book in a four book series but can be read as a standalone and has a guaranteed happy ending and NO cliffhangers.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2025

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might want to make sure to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love along the way. Luna is sweet, lived her life locked away not sure why but she has in a lighthouse taken care of by one person all her life who intends to claim her on her 18th b-day until she is rescued by the bratva bikers who came to steal a golden statue and they take her from the prison she has lived in all her life promising to keep her safe. Maxim sexy as all get out bratva biker isn’t a man you want on your radar he isn’t a nice man, dangerous, ruthless on a good day, deadly every day, he takes on the job of retrieving a gold statue but gets something much more beautiful and learning that she has been trapped there her whole life just burns him up. He knows giving her, her freedom has put a target on their heads but he doesn’t care protecting his girl has become number one priority especially against the person who imprisoned trying to get her back, along with the person who had them get the statue and she is his responsibility but he is trying to be a good man but the more time he spends with her the more his heart gets involved but with betrayal , danger around every corner, his girl who is excited about to be free yet feels safe with only her brute of a man, where are they headed, will they get their happiness somewhere along the way?

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruel Bonds by Ivy Davis is a scorching, high-stakes romance that pulls you in with its intoxicating mix of danger, passion, and a heroine learning to survive in a brutal world. If you love Bratva bikers, forbidden desire, and the thin line between savior and captor, this book will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Locked away in a lighthouse her entire life, the heroine thinks she’s finally free when Maxim Baranov, a powerful Bratva biker, rescues her. But Maxim is no prince charming—he’s dangerous, possessive, and a man who walks the line between protector and villain. Multiple men want her, but Maxim is the only one she might be able to trust. As she awakens to her own desires and the shadows of the world Maxim drags her into, she has to ask herself—does love have a place in this ruthless life, or will it all come crashing down?

The chemistry between Maxim and the heroine is intense. He’s raw, dominant, and teetering on the edge of redemption, while she’s trying to figure out where she fits in a world she never chose. The push and pull between them is electric, the stakes are high, and the emotions run deep. Ivy Davis delivers a dark romance that burns with tension, obsession, and the kind of love that feels inevitable.

If you love mafia/biker romance with morally gray heroes, sizzling heat, and a heroine discovering her strength, Cruel Bonds will have you completely hooked. Prepare for a ride full of passion, betrayal, and love that refuses to be tamed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Dark, intense, and utterly addictive!.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Cruel Bonds expecting a gritty MC/Mafia romance, but what I got was so much more. Luna’s story immediately pulled me in—raised in total isolation, locked away in a lighthouse, and controlled by a faceless "God" who planned to claim her on her 18th birthday? The eerie, almost fairytale-like setup had me hooked from the start. And then Maxim crashes into her life, completely changing everything.

Maxim is the perfect mix of rough and protective—he’s used to handling danger, but Luna forces him to slow down and be patient in a way he’s not used to. I loved watching their dynamic unfold. He tries so hard to keep her at arm’s length, but Luna’s innocence and quiet strength make it impossible for him to stay away. Their relationship builds slowly, which I appreciated, because Luna has so much to learn about the outside world. And of course, danger follows them both—Luna’s captor isn’t willing to let her go, and Maxim’s world isn’t exactly a safe haven either.

The mix of action, tension, and emotion kept me glued to the pages, and the added layer of Luna learning how to stand up for herself was so satisfying. Rosie, the club bartender, was such a great addition too—I loved seeing another strong woman in Luna’s corner.

And that ending? Definitely left me wanting more. If you love MC and Mafia romance with protective heroes, high-stakes danger, and a heroine who finds her strength, Cruel Bonds is definitely worth the read!

[Kass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cruel Bonds is a MC/Mafia crossover story and is the story of Luna and Maxim. Luna has lived her entire life that she remembers, locked in a lighthouse and "God" takes care of her and will claim Luna on her 18th birthday. Maxim is the President of The Knights motorcycle club, with close ties to the Bratva and was been hired to retrieve a statue from a Lighthouse. But when Maxim and his club members arrive, they find Luna locked in the Lighthouse. Maxim rescues Luna from her prison and makes a promise to keep her safe.

As Luna acclimates to life outside the lighthouse, the MC clubhouse isn't a place that is as safe as Maxim would like it to be. The person who imprisoned Luna wants her back and the person who hired the MC to retrieve her also wants to possess Luna and it is up to Maxim to stop that from happening while trying to be a good man and not fall for the young woman he rescued.

Danger and betrayal make for an interesting storyline and we get to see Luna blossom under Maxim's care as well as see Maxim fight for what he wants.

There is a major plot point that was not resolved as the end of the book and looks to be a cliffhanger of sorts to the next book in the series.

Overall it was a good book and a relatively quick read (couple of hours). I would recommend it for anyone looking for a light MC/Mafia romance.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd story in the Sins of the Bratva Series where Maxim finds his MC hired to retrieve an item and when they go to retrieve it, it’s a sheltered beautiful untouched by society woman, Luna. To most you would never come across a person who has been locked in a lighthouse since they have memories so when Maxine gives Luna a choice she gets on his motorcycle to freedom. Maxim is true to his promise to protect Luna and help her adjust and learn how to become comfortable living with others. Luna encounters men who want to hurt her and take from her but Maxim steps in their way with negative after facts. It wonderful to see Maxim’s patience with Luna and once they admit their feelings for one another do they have strength to fight! When trouble comes their way from more than one enemy Maxim’s partners Nik and Dimitri step up and Maxim finds himself in a position to make a decision that will change many lives! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coastie Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! Buckle up because this one will keep you on your toes in this retelling of Rapunzel (although with a little more spice, danger and danger). Maxim is sent to a lighthouse to retrieve a treasure for Jack. Although when he gets to the lighthouse, he finds out the treasure is Luna, a young, naïve woman who has been locked in the lighthouse her whole life by “God”. Maxim rescues Luna and takes her back to his club. He declares her off limits and one of his members has an issue with that. With Luna being so naïve, she has no filter and asks all kinds of questions. Meanwhile, “God” is looking for Luna and is very upset that someone took her from him. Luna has 3 men vying for her attention – Jack, “God” and Maxim. She only feels safe with Maxim and things heat up between them.

With everyone looking for Luna, will Maxim be able to protect her and what will happen when Maxim’s crew gets killed? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a young woman who is a kidnap victim is saved by a biker and his men. It also talks about the biker and his business partners having problems with a pscho who one of his business partners knows.
Thoughout the story the biker and the youg woman faces lies and with the biker also betrayal. During their time together they get closer and soon the two fall for each other even though the biker tries to stop hid feeling for her.
At the end the biker and the business partners have to make a big decision about the pscho who is going after them. They also have to also make the decition to keep the people they love alive.
The biker and the young woman come together. The couple are happy and in love.
Amazing character, a great page turner as well as easy to read which has drama, suspense, intrigue, thrill, action and sweet steamy romance with a happily ever after ending.

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

[Michelle Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was just doing a job that he was paid for, little did he know what the real item he was sent to get was. She was locked up in that lighthouse and had never met anyone else. He tried to push her away and keep her at an arms length. She had feelings for him and didn't understand why he kept pushing her away. She knew she had so much to learn but she trusted him and thought he was her person. He wanted to do everything in his power to find her family and keep her safe. The problem with that is that he had other things that the club was dealing with that was just as dangerous as keeping her safe. The things that they have to endure are scary and a bit crazy. I would love to see what happens next for them.

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

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luna has been a captive in a lighthouse since she was a small child, so young that she didn't remember her life previous to her confinement. Her sustenance comes from a man she never sees, whom she only knows by the name God. In fact, she never sees anyone. When she turns 18, he announces that he is coming to finally fully 'claim' her. Luckily she is rescued by biker Maxim and then the process begins of learning to function as an adult in the outside world.

This MC romance has action, danger, treachery, as well as caring, compassion, and love. Luna is innocent and this makes her a target of several men who want to capture and sully her, including her original captor. With the help of Maxim and motorcycle club bartender Rosie, Luna has protection and learns to stand up for herself.

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

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading about Maxim, the President of the Knights MC in the previous 2 books and have been anxiously awaiting his story. his was so much better than I could have anticipated. It's a fairytale "princess" meets rough MC biker. Maxim stumbles upon a woman named "Luna" who has been kept locked in a lighthouse her entire life by a man who she was told to call "God". One the day "God" was supposed to come and take her innocence; Maxim finds her and rescues her from captivity. Her introduction to the "real world" is well written and I immediately fell in love with Luna and hoped that this was the woman meant for Maxim. An entire roller coaster of ups and down, dangerous men hunting both Luna and Maxim.

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

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this series of books. I love the alpha males, who are brought to heel by a woman. They tell themselves they are doing the right thing, they are making the women safe but unknowingly they open their hearts to love.

This time Maxim comes to Luna's aid when he realises what his 'job' entails. This puts a target on Luna's back as there are now a few people after her. At the same time with dealing with innocent, beautiful, Luna, Maxim together with Dimitri and Nik are trying to track down Anton; Nik's ex-partner who is a thorn in their side.

The story is fast paced, action packed and very enjoyable. Cant wait for Katya's story.

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

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

TROPES:
~mafia/MC
~fairytale retelling
~forced proximity
~hero rescues heroine

Maxim is in the MC and mafia. He comes across the heroine who has been held captive all of her life. He rescues her and takes her to his clubhouse. He's attracted to her, but it takes a while for him to act on it. The heroine is SUPER innocent and has to be taught so many different things.

It was a solid read, a bit boring in places tbh. I only gave it three stars because the hero's ex hook-up becomes the heroine's close friend. She never finds out that they used to hook up. Blegh.

SAFETY:
Virgin/manwhore/celibate: virgin heroine, manwhore hero
OM/OW: OW/OM
Cheating/sharing: none
HEA?: yes

My bookshelves may contain spoilers.

[Carol Brannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxim is a biker that has ties to two Bratva Mafia men. He run a biker club that pertners with these two men to run the city. Maxim get paid to do an odd job, but turns out it has to do with humantrafficking, the one thing these men don't involve themselves in. So instead he vows to protect the girl.
This being the third book I was kinda hoping for more action then the last two. While they are all at peace with each other we all know peace doesn't last long.
I love the way Ivy Davis writes. Her books always make you feel like you are right there along with the characters. You could feel teh character developement and are rooting for the FMCand MMC to win!.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of this story is intriguing: a woman who grew up in isolation as a prisoner in a lighthouse is rescued by a biker. And the story delivers. Maxim is a man of caring and integrity and Luna is without guile and learns to stand up for herself. There’s a Bratva subplot that involves a devil’s bargain and a lot of things going boom. All in all an intriguing and enjoyable read.
Triggers- attempted SA, violence, language, captivity, grooming.
Tropes- Rapunzel, Rescue Romance, He Ain’t Heavy- He’s My Bratva, Innocents Abroad, Instalove, Damsel in Distress.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sins of the Bratva is a great series and this is the third part. We are taken along in the story of Luna and Maxim, he is the President of his MC and saves her one day from the lighthouse where she has been locked up for years. A beautiful age difference story between a tough biker and a young woman their story contains tension, action, violence, danger. sadness and kidnappings, murder, kidnappings and enough steam and heat between them. I enjoyed their story and was glued to my book from the beginning.




I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K. Smock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This is the third book in this series and does not disappoint. There is Maxim, who is the president of the Knights motorcycle club and is loyal to his brothers. Then there is Luna, who was kidnapped when she was four and grew up in a lighthouse by herself. Maxim saves her from the captor, and Maxim has to save her multiple times. He and his business partners are also dealing with Anton, who wants to take their businesses. It's a lively story with tons of moving parts. Enjoy!

I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book.

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

Luna is an innocent who has been held in a lighthouse all her life with no one around her. She only knows one person who calls himself God. When Maxim and his men find her instead of the statue, they were sent to find he knows something is off. Connecting with Luna will start their exploration that is filled with self-discovery along with twists and turns that will have Luna and Maxim in for an unforgettable ride. Will it lead them along the road to happiness.

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

[Vickie Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series. I tried to finish in one sitting, but had to be an adult so I wasn't able to.

Luna is an innocent girl in always of life. She has been held captive in a lighthouse all of her life. She had never seen another person until Maxim arrived looking for a statue and found her.

How much will Luna be kidnapped? How will Maxim feel when he finds out she was taken from him? What does he do to Jasper for his participation in the abduction? What happens to Jack and Ed? Will he allow himself to love Luna and give her a HEA? Let's finish reading to find out!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book of the Sins of the Bratva series written by Ivy Davus. This book is about Maxim, the MC President and Luna, an 18 year old female that is rescued from a lighthouse. This book is filled with kidnapping, innocence, death, being held against one's will, murder, hostage situations and much more.

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

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if this is intentional or not but it kind of came off like a fairy tale retelling. Luna I've been a captive in a light Tower. When Maxim and his crew come to the light Tower to steal a statue they stumble upon her. He rescues her. Intern attraction but she's so naive that it takes a while. I felt like it dragged on some areas.

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

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third installment in the Sins of the Bratva series, it's a well written and entertaining read. I really enjoyed Luna and Maxim's story. The suspense and twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Highly recommend it and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxim became Lunas savior from the isolated world she grew up in, only knowing the voice of one man who called himself God and kept her locked up in a lighthouse for his own self. But how can Maxim keep her safe when she's so innocent to the world and when there are men after her. Well written engaging slow burning innocence, protection, action and more! A great addition to the series

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Sins Of The Bratva series is a bit different. This story is intense, emotional, dramatic and intriguing. Luna has lived her entire life in the lighthouse, never having ever seen another human being. Maxim is her salvation. He becomes her bright spot in an otherwise dark situation. It's one of those stories that evoked some deep emotions for Luna and her situation.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

You need to get this bad boy dark mafia romance book and start reading it now. Luna's story might break your heart at everything she has to go through, but Maxim is going to help her, or is he? This book has lots of ups and downs, twists and turns that makes this one fantastic 10-star book to read by Ivy.

[Teresa R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocence Craved
Luna has been locked in a lighthouse her whole life to keep her innocent for her captor. But someone else craves her innocence and pays Maxim to steal “a statue”. Once Maxim sees her though he’ll do everything in his power to keep her safe from everyone. Even himself. But Luna knows what she wants now, and it’s Maxim!

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxim is "hired" to retrieve a "statue" from a lighthouse, but what he and his guys find is an innocent lonely women. He realizes very quickly that there is a lot more going on then he was told about. Now he is making it his mission to keep her safe.

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

[Joy Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first page! Getting to read about Maxim and Luna had me not wanting to put down the book. Another great story from Ivy Davis and the Sins of the Bratva series!.

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

[Phyllis Wolford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it hits the all the spots that you want in a book. The characters are complete opposites, but they make it works and even incorporates other characters from the previous books. This is worth the time to read it.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and dangerous read with Luna, finding herself rescued by bratva biker and MC club president Maxim. Steamy, spicy and protective too.

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

[Gaynor Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark fairytale

Luna is imprisoned by a lunatic with evil intentions, but Maxim is the hero of the day. They will fight sexual prexators, friends turned foe and their feelings. Age gap, violence, Mafia, bikers and more.