Pecados del Crepúsculo (La Bratva Kulikov nº 1)

Kulikov Bratva #1

by Naomi West

¿Qué hay peor que una cita a ciegas sorpresa?
Descubrir que tu cita es un jefe de la mafia...
Y acabar embarazada de él.

Mi mejor amiga me engañó.
En lugar de tomar unas copas con las chicas, estoy en este bar para encontrarme con una cita a ciegas.
—¡Es simpático, normal y guapo! —promete.
Solo una de las tres es correcta.

Yakov Kulikov es guapísimo y diez veces más peligroso.
Saltan chispas, pero esto no es como en las películas.
Es una pena de prisión.

Resulta que el Sr. Alto, Oscuro y Melancólico está al mando de la Bratva Kulikov.
Y, ahora que he captado su atención, insiste en que necesito su “protección”.
Ser secuestrada por un atractivo jefe de la el sueño de la mayoría de las chicas, ¿correcto?

Incorrecto.

La mansión de Yakov es más bien una jaula dorada.
Este príncipe manchado de sangre me llama su pequeña luz, pero aquí solo veo oscuridad.

Ya sería bastante malo si solo tuviera que preocuparme por mí misma.
Pero, después de una noche de arruinarme para todos los demás hombres....
También tengo que pensar en el bebé de Yakov.

PECADOS AL CREPÚSCULO es el Libro 1 del dúo de la Bratva Kulikov. La historia continúa en el Libro 2, LÁGRIMAS DEL CREPÚSCULO.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Romance, Dark Romance, Contemporary, Dark, M F Romance, Forced Proximity

562 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2025

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Kulikov Bratva series so 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. Sometimes our friends get us in more trouble than a little, but Luna is a sweetheart her best friend sets her up on a blind date arriving she sits at the wrong table thinking he is her blind date but actually he is the pakhan of the Kulikove Bratva although she doesn’t realize who he is and assumes he is the blind date her friend set up. Yukov sexy as all get out Kulikov pakhan while out a young lady shows up asking if he was her blind date of course immediately drawn to her he agrees he is her date and being the pakhan sends her real blind date packing. The magnetic pull between them is instant, it is intense something he has never felt and walking away isn’t an option but also choice is taken a way when he gets a threat against her so protecting has come his number priority but what does she think about who he really is, will she give her best friend a piece of her mind…well hang on because we pick it up in book two where are they headed?

[Hazel Gower · Rating 4 out of 5]

fillers

This book wasn’t for me. Now this is just my opinion, but it was so unnecessary drawn out. Truthfully, I got board and read 30% and then skipped to 80% and don’t feel like a missed much.
It got four stars instead of less as the writing is really good, but an amazing writer can only do boring for so long.
Will I try this author again? Yes, but not her duet books.

[Ashkenia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too long

H: Yakov Kulikov (head of the mafia)
h: Luna McCarthy
Luna was tricked in going to a blind date by her best friend (who clearly doesn't know her at all). In the restaurant she meets Yakov, thinking he is her blind date. They get into conversation and then he gets a call where he needs to leave and takes Luna with him. She left willingly after meeting a complete stranger. Luna has no common sense and is pretty much a doormat who gets easily manipulated by anyone that she talks to. This story was long for no reason at all. 544 pages of pure nothing. We got to see his brother who is his 2nd, his sister, the help and Luna's best friend.. everyone else that gets a page in this book ends up dead. We don't know any other enforcement in this Bratva team. Towards the end Yakov has this great idea to go against the other bratva main guy to kill him at his club premiere. Only him and his brother.. no one else, okay nothing wrong with that.. which means the mansion should have been SUPER protected, impenetrable NOPE they were able to get in and shoot the sister and take Luna with them. So dumb that you are this big mafia person and yet it is so easy to infiltrate your mansion. This is book 1 and I'm going to pass on book 2. I'm not interested in reading more abt this story.  
           

[Sandra R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written mafia romance. Lots of steamy romance scenes between our Russian hero and the innocent woman he's protecting. I liked their initial relationship, but the story felt very drawn out with not a great deal happening. (Some readers love that though.)

It is part one of a duet and ends in a cliffhanger. Both parts are available in KU.

[Lauren Bain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book! You're welcome.

This was my first Naomi West book and holy hell was it a doozy! Absolutely LOVED everything about this book. I. Ate. It. Up. Straight on to book 2!

[~Jennifer~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This has so many moments where you’re like right… I mean who goes out in a gun fight without a gun. This ends on a cliff hanger, which I will read the next book to find the conclusion ( even though curiosity killed the cat and all that).

[Rose]

DNF, the heroine is very shallow and no chemistry with the hero.

[Keiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A Kindle?” I blurt. “My card is attached to the account. Buy whatever books you want.” My eyes go wide. “The five most romantic words ever spoken. You have no idea the kind of damage I could do.”

Need I say more? Hehe

After being set up on a blind date by her friend Luna sits down with a guy she assumes is her date...but no he's actually the don of a bratva and is very, very dangerous.

Sadly, I think I was more in love with the synopsis than the actual story because this particular story just did not land for me and felt painfully slow before anything dealing with the plot really took off...at least in my opinion.

I wish I could say more but even the characters didn't feel as fleshed out as her previous books.

Naomi West makes some of the BEST mafia romances and I will forever swear by this statement.
Now that I have deemed her as one of my favorites of this genre I've become too familiar with her writing style which may have been why this particular book was not hitting all of the right spots for me.

I'm rating this 2.5 but raising to 3. I liked it and I know I will be back to read the second part of this duet just not yet.

[Clau · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book starts with Luna being cheated into a blind date in a russian restaurant. Her best friend Kayla (I hated her) set her up with someone "talk, dark and handsome", and so Luna ends up walking to the handsome stranger sitting by himself. Only he is not her date (who shows up about an hour late), but a dangerous mafia boss called Yakob Kulikov.
After their date, Yakob asks her to go with him to his house (she, of course, doesn't realize that it's not much of a choice, because Yakob wasn't going to take no for an answer) and they spend the night together. The next day, Yakob informs Luna that she can't leave: she is in danger (but he doesn't tell her why or what kind of danger it is).
Luna becomes a prisoner in Yakob's house: she is not allowed to leave or call her friend. She is isolated, and therefore, desperate for Yakob's attention.

I honestly don't see how this could be a love story. I hated how much of a doormat Luna was, and how controlling Yakob was.

[carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...

I couldn't finish. I hate when women are thick headed and don't listen to reason. The whole "you kidnapped me" when she came willingly is annoying.

[lia (taylor’s version 🪩) · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3⭐️) “Just me and my baby in the darkness.”

could’ve been one book nd 100 pages shorter if the characters used common sense 🧍‍♀️

i fear i will be reading the next one tho.

[Kelsey Townend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little mafia read

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twilight Sins

Naomi West writes an excellent mafia romance story. This is the second series of hers hat I've purchased and enjoyed.

[Liz k · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it in one sitting, definitely kept me hooked but it is too long. The whole 450 plus pages are about Luna being kept in the mansion for her safety. Not a lot happens but it is still ridiculous in parts, she whoops through his office, phones the worst friend in the world who set her up with a nightmare blind date and mainly accepts her position. The worst was how she and the sister just happen to go clubbing and no one stops them, honestly. I skimmed over bits but now have to read book two because it ends on a cliffhanger. This should have been just one book, would have been 5 stars if it was

[Tori-Jayne Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the FIRST book in the series following Luna and Yakov, coming before TWILIGHT TEARS. The story follows on from what happens when a blind date goes wrong with a Mafia Pakhan who has a price on his head…..

Now for my opinion - There were a number of moments during this read where I questioned what exactly this girl was thinking… like the moment in a horror movie when the girl has the open door or the stairs and she decides to hide upstairs in a bath tub instead of running to freedom…. But once you get past that, the book as a whole is really a good read. I honestly would have had it done sooner had it not been for life commitments. I loved the banter! The writing style is amazing and I have definitely stumbled across an author I would like to read again. I just wish Luna had some more brain cells. But I guess when there’s a rich hot guy stood in front of you, logic does become a little sparse.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twilight Sins is book one of the Kulikov Bratva duet. The story continues in Book 2, Twilight Tears. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating and ends on a mind-blowing cliffhanger. A brilliantly crafted story with complex individuals and a twisty storyline that grabs you by the throat from the start and keeps you riveted and on the edge of your seat and turning the pages with it's pulse-pounding action, secrecy, mystery, and twists and turns. A dark, gripping, thrilling, and delicious read. An addicting and unputdownable story. A smoldering and illicit love story, the romantic suspense was nail-biting. The sexual tension and intrigue was palpable. Embrace your darkness. Hotness abound in this addictive nail-biting, suspenseful very dark romance and I am here for it and love it. Experience the undeniable chemistry and sizzling tension between Yakov and Luna in this heart-stirring story.
A dark mafia romance, action and adventure romance, contemporary romance, organize crime story, romantic suspense story, secret baby story, women crime fiction romance, billionaire romance, general romance, fake marriage story, mistaken identity romance, Bratva romance, age gap trope story, polar opposite attracts story with deep dark secrets, scorching hot passion, lust-at-first-sight, danger, violence, drama, darkness, madness, surprises, fear, revelations, death, retaliation, betrayal, humor, revenge, enemies, acceptance, survival, deception, kidnapping, murder, lies, bloodshed, touch-her-and-die, attack, threats, obsession, family issues, possessiveness, forgiveness, anger, angst, captivity, forced proximity, insta-lust, mob war, friendship, loss, grief, rivalry retaliation, hurt, pain, human, banter and love.
Luna best friend Kayla thought that she was lonely because she doesn't go anywhere and all she does is sits and home watching reality t.v. Kayla believes her isn't quite yet a couch potato but a couch French fry. In past Kayla had sets up Luna on a blind date, but it was the blind date from hell the guy was thirty-three years old and shared a bed with his grandmother. Kayla text Luna and tells her that she may of set her up on a surprise blind date. Luna was upset with her friend and wanted to kill her. She pulls a bait-and-switch on Luna because she tells her that she and a couple of their mutual friends were meeting up for drinks at a cool bar attached to a Russian restaurant downtown and insisted that she and wear the cute little black dress that she has. Luna arrived at the The White Bear but there was no Kayla in sight. As if she were spying on her somewhere in the proximity of the bar, because it was precisely when she received a text saying "Don't hate, but"..
Luna was livid and called her as soon as she saw the message. She told her that she specifically told her not to do that anymore because it was giving her ulcer. Luna last boyfriend had done a number on her, he snuffed the light eyes and Kayla just wanted to see her best friend happy again. Luna had just been hibernating from the world trying to heal her wounds. Kayla tells her that she should open up again and not be closed off. She agrees to meet the guy, Kayla tells her that he was tall, dark and handsome and that he would be waiting for her in the restaurant next to the bar. His name is Sergey. As she peeped through window she noticed that the restaurant was filled with happy people except for one man who sits alone and was frowning. She was immediately drawn to to him there was a melancholy on his face that reaches out and poke at the bruised parts of her heart. Yakov Kulikov, Pakhan of the Kulikov Bratva sits in The White Bear riddled with grief, rage, and lust. Yakov was waiting for his little brother Nikandr. The bar holds a place of significance to him he had been going there from a little boy, his dad, mom, sister and brother all went there with his dad and that's where he lost his his dad who was gunned down by the Gustav Bratva. Luna went up to Yakov table a babbling mess because of her anxiety, Yakov was just about to tell her to fuck off when he hears her said blind date. He then realized that she thought he was her blind date.
He decided to play along and tells her to sit down. He didn't tell her that he wasn't her date nor did he give her his name. He believes that she can help take off the memory of his loss unlike the vodka. Looking at him she can tell that he screams wealthy, arrogant and will break her heart and forget she ever exist. The more they talked he finds himself intrigued by her. Luna and Yakov was having fun flirting about blind dates until he received a call and went outside to take. While she was sitting there going over there conversation a pasty, greasy blob comes a sit where Yakov Mr. Smooth and Charming was sitting. The guy was scowling at her and was mad that she ordered without him. She was confused and was wondering what was going on when he tells her that he was Sergey Smirnov her date, this when Yakov comes back she asked him who the hell he was if this is Sergey.
As it turns out the real Sergey was a drunken asshole who remains her of of her ex-boyfriend Benjy who was abusive, when Sergey tried to accost her Yakov was there and step in he had take him outside. Luna was upset at Yakov for lying to her but he never lied she assumed that he was Sergey and he just went with it. But angrier she get it only captivate him more and laugh. Anytime any member of the Kulikov goes to The White Bear it is known all over. Yakov no longer was upset by his brother not showing up because he was having fun with Luna. Nikandr was somewhere close by watching Yakov and Luna interaction. He calls Yakov and tells him that he should leave now because he spotted four guys from the Gustev Bratva about a block away in a car and that something was about to jump off. He tells him that he should take Luna too because she was now in danger after the scene that he created with Sergey. Yakov and the Gustev Bratva are at war after leader killed his dad. He later got revenge by killing him and now his son Akim Gustev wants revenge. Yakov wasn't planning on taking Luna back to his house but now that he had put her in danger he doesn't have a choice.
Yakov has never taken a woman to bed ever. He was looking for a distraction as mourn the his father's death anniversary and Luna was providing a good distraction until the Gustev Bratva poked their heads out of their rat hole and then everything spiraled out of control. He knows Nikandr will want to know everything about what happened with him skipping out on their father's anniversary and ditching him. Yakov and Luna had sex which had him feeling all types of emotions. He thought that he could just have her for a night and everything will be okay. But when Nikandr tells him that he has to come up with a solution for protecting her against Akim he decided that he was going to keep her at his house until everything blow over with Akim. The next morning Luna came downstairs ready to do the walk of shame and thank Yakov for the night, but as she tried to leave he tells her that she wasn't going anywhere and that she was staying the indefinitely because she was in danger. He was so cold, distant, and horrible that he made her cry. Yakov knew that Akim was after her because of him and he followed his unch to her apartment and there was a one of Akim soldier waiting for her with orders to kill her. Will Luna and Yakov have a relationship with each other being that she's stuck at his house?

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

[Sara Mcfadden · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh

This just didn’t do it for me. I didn’t like the main characters. Or the plot. But I know others will dig it

[Carole Hancock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable

Luna is an unbelievable female character. She is an easi!y manipulated one dimensional character. Yakov is the uncharacteristic Bratva pakhan. The violence he dishes out in unparalleled. Nothing original about the plot. I have read a plethora of Mafia and Bratva books and this one is not different or new. Repetitive, boring conversations, thoughts, language and sex scenes.

[Samantha Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it hard to get into the story

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 31% FMC irritated me

[Elicia Meairs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

"Twilight Sins" by Naomi West is a riveting tale of unexpected love, danger, and secrets within the shadowy underworld of the Kulikov Bratva. When a blind date turns into a life-altering encounter with Yakov Kulikov, a dangerous mob boss, sparks fly, and their tumultuous journey begins. Caught in a web of intrigue and desire, the protagonist navigates the treacherous landscape of the Bratva while grappling with her newfound connection to Yakov and the unexpected pregnancy that binds them together.

Character Development:

Naomi West crafts complex and compelling characters that resonate with authenticity and depth. The protagonist's journey from unsuspecting victim to empowered mother is a testament to her resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Yakov Kulikov emerges as a brooding and enigmatic figure, his layers gradually peeled away to reveal a man haunted by his past and torn between duty and desire. Their evolving relationship is fraught with tension and passion, underscoring the complexities of love in the midst of danger and uncertainty.

Themes and Atmosphere:

"Twilight Sins" explores themes of power, loyalty, and sacrifice against the backdrop of the criminal underworld. Naomi West creates a rich and atmospheric setting, immersing readers in the gritty and dangerous world of the Kulikov Bratva. The palpable sense of danger and intrigue heightens the suspense, while the simmering romance between the protagonists adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. Themes of redemption and forgiveness underscore the characters' struggles, offering a poignant exploration of love's transformative power.

Plot and Pacing:

The plot of "Twilight Sins" unfolds with intensity and suspense, drawing readers into a gripping tale of love and survival amidst the machinations of the Bratva. Naomi West expertly weaves together elements of romance, suspense, and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns. The pacing is brisk and engaging, propelling the story forward while allowing moments of quiet reflection and emotional depth. However, certain plot developments may feel predictable or formulaic, detracting slightly from the novel's overall impact.

Conclusion:

"Twilight Sins: Book 1 of Kulikov Bratva Duet" offers a captivating and immersive reading experience that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. With its compelling characters, evocative setting, and gripping narrative, Naomi West delivers a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end. While the novel may adhere to certain genre conventions, its exploration of complex themes and relationships elevates it above typical romance fare. "Twilight Sins" sets the stage for an electrifying duet, promising further intrigue and passion in the tumultuous world of the Kulikov Bratva.

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

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luna is ready to kill her best friend for making her come out and then for making her wait for her to show up but then she gets a text from her that wants her to make her besties death slow and painful. She set her up on another blind date, why can't she see that she has horrible taste I mean one of the last one's was thirty, yet he shared a bed with his grandma. Trying to keep her cool she looks in the restaurant widow trying to find the loser that matches the description she's getting when her eyes lock with a pair of green ones attached to a man who looks powerful dangerous but also burdened with life and sad. She agrees to her besties set up making her way to the man who gave her a bolt of lightning with one look what follows is a perfect meet-cute full of chemistry and witty banter. Until her real date shows up looking a smelling like the loser the was expecting when he won't take no for an answer the man she comes to know as Yakov kicks him to the curb and much to her reluctance wins her over so much that she goes home with him to a night full of fiery chemistry. The next morning and what comes after are not what Luna signed up for at all. Yakov couldn't help himself there was something about Luna that intrigued him regardless of his personal rules he thought one dinner couldn't hurt. How wrong Yakov was he should know as pakhan anybody close to him could get hurt he just didn't think a dinner could put Luna in danger now much to his frustration he is stuck with her until he can eliminate his enemy. As the days go by it's clear to see Yakov and Luna might have more than just chemistry together. This book was one of the better mafia books I've read even with some predictable things I love the characters and the banter between them. Would recommend for the banter and spice alone.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

OMG what the heck did I just read?

Ok, I can admit that I get irritated with the way many authors, particularly female, write FMC’s that are simply not bright, that act like toddlers on pixie stixs and Red Bull who haven’t slept in days and have the maturity level equal to such. I don’t get it. I know they are trying to create this drama and these situations for their stories. But characters that are TSTL aren’t necessary to do that. As is clear in many books by many good authors.

That said, without a doubt the FMC in this one is literally the furthest from intelligent compared to any other in any book that I’ve aver read. And I read a whole lot. Like 100’s books every year per my kindle tracker.

She is not only that dim, but the most pathetic behaving character as well. You can’t even feel sorry for her. She has the emotional intelligence of a 10 year old at most. She’s stalker level obsessed, with serious attachment issues. She doesn’t understand no or personal space or privacy. She’s just so desperate for attention. I can’t even…ugh.

I keep wondering if maybe the author is playing up the dumb blonde stereotype. Given that it mentions that she’s a curvy blonde multiple times.

This one is truly TSTL. And I find myself at the end of this one wishing she wouldn’t. Of course that won’t happen. It will be a very predictable second book with the same plot line as every other similar to this. I don’t plan to read the next one. I just can’t take any more of her.

[Libby Sterba · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok so this book def had a slow ass beginning. luna gets set up on a blind date and she thinks she knows whose she’s meeting so she walks over and starts talking to him. turns out it’s not actually whose she’s suppose to meet it’s yakov whose the mob boss. they hit it off and having a good time but then a rival mob is watching them so they think luna is important to him so he makes a quick decision and brings her home to keep her safe. he ends up forcing her to stay at his house for months and she ends up falling for him shocker and getting pregnant. yakov doesn’t say the same thing back and tbh isn’t very sweet to her so not really a fan but his teenage sister comes to stay with them and her and luna kinda hit it off. his sister convinces luna to go clubbing but then shit get bad and yakov blames luna for this so they get into this huge fight and he ignores her for a week and this is when she finds out she’s pregnant. at the end of this book the rival mob plans an attack while yakov and his brother r out trynna kill the other mob boss and they shoot his sister (but she makes it and will be ok) and kidnap luna. yakov and his brother try to save luna but his brother ends up getting shot in the chest and pretty sure he dies and yakov is trynna find luna but she’s still lost and now is alone and pregnant with the rival mob boss so we shall see how this second book goes

[Linda Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Yakov Kulikov and Luna McCarthy. Yakov is the pakhan of the Kulikov Bratva. He is just sitting in the restaurant where his father was killed waiting for his brother when he feels someone watching him. He looks up and out the window to see a beautiful woman. Luna has been setup on a blind date by her best friend Kayla. Luna peeks in the window of the restaurant and sees who she thinks is Sergey. Luna decides to go in to meet her blind date Sergey. Luna sits with Yakov who is shocked that Luna believes he is there on a blind date. Yakov orders one of everything on the menu because Luna has never had Russian food. While they are waiting Yakov gets phone call and excuses himself. Sergey shows an hour later for his blind date and Luna realizes that he is definitely someone Kayla would like, sloppy drunk and greasy. Yakov comes back from his phone call right when Sergey tries to grab Luna. Yakov takes Sergey outside. Yakov decides that Luna needs protection. Yakov and Luna have an intense, hot, breathtaking relationship. Will Yakov and Luna be able to find a way to be together?
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Booksprout.

Fabulous Kulikov Bratva Book 1!

[Carley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where have I been?

This is my first time with the author and idk why.. the banter between these 2 characters had me cackling. There was so many good one liners in this book I'm pretty sure I've highlighted the whole thing lol.

Luna is 24 and the epitome of a home body. Her friend kayla.. bless her heart.. is just a terrible friend because she sets luna up on a surprise blind date. When luna gets to the bar this is when Kayla tells her about it and luna trying to be brave she decides to go for it. She introduces herself to who she thinks is Sergey her blind date but the gentleman she's sitting across from isn't her date but Yakov waiting for his brother but he decides to play and have a date with the only woman who's ever intrigued him. Yakov gets a call from his brother that he's being watched and needs to get out of the bar asap and takes luna with him... if she knew she'd never step foot out of his house I don't think she would have willingly gone into the lions den.. the story unfolds with her now in danger because of Yakov. Will she find a way out of the house or will she find a way into Yakovs heart?

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book in the Kulikov Bratva series featuring Yakov and Luna's deliciously dark page-turning mafia romance. Luna is set up on a blind date by her best-friend but everything goes awry when Luna sits down at the wrong table. Luna sits down at Yakov's table assuming that he's her blind date she even asks him if he's her date. Yakov who is the Pakhan of the Kulikov Bratva and is captivated by the beautiful young woman agrees that he's her date. Their connection is instant and the chemistry between them is electric and it's not something that Yakov has ever felt before so he can't walk away from it. Things change when Yakov receives a threat against Luna so keeping her safe becomes his number one priority. Can Luna accept Yakov for who he really is the Pakhan of the Kulikov Bratva? You really need to read this deliciously dark page-turning mafia romance full of betrayal, darkness, death, forgiveness, love, secrets and violence to see what happens even though it does end on an insane cliffhanger!! I would recommend reading this book!.

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

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary dark mafia romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is engulfed by darkness, danger, violence, and grit, and characters that are brooding, exuding power and danger, violence, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with twilight sins, the Kulikov Bratva Duet, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice that has delicious feelings that get readers hearts pumping and their toes curling, romantic suspense, women's crime fiction, action and adventure, fake marriage, secret babies, shadows in the corner are creeping closer and closer, drama, heartfelt emotions, darkness, danger, violence, and grit, looked in a cell with a monster at the door and above nowhere in sight, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with twilight sins and explicit romance that is sure to transport readers into an exhilarating world that is dangerous and unforgettable.

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

[Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

“You were the first drop of sunshine I’d seen in five @$!#ing years.”

🖤 First person dual POV
🖤 First in a duet
🖤 Russian mafia boss
🖤 Mistaken identity > ONS > captive to keep her safe (or is it to keep her close? 😏)
🖤 Protective MMC
🖤 Insta-chemistry
🖤 He’s never let himself get close to a woman before
🖤 Her last relationship was toxic & verbally abusive
🖤 Strong family ties
🖤 Spicey 🔥
🖤 There’s someone trying to kill them — will Yakov regret not telling Luna everything?

⚠️ Violence/gun violence (explicit), medical trauma (explicit), death of a parent (past), death (explicit), sexual assault (moderate), kidnapping, pregnancy, torture (explicit), toxic relationship.

• Some inconsistencies — e.g. the sister can’t fight off a civilian earlier, then is revealed to have had martial arts training.
• The last few chapters feel rushed.

SPOILERS:
• Where is the Bratva? Yakov is riding solo (or with just Nik) for a great deal of the book and both seem incompetent at this job. They couldn’t spot an obvious trap or an obvious detour to switch vehicles, and everyone in their Bratva/family keeps dying, but they continue to run into situations sans backup. What?

[Donna reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely intriguing and intense mafia romance. Yakov and Luna story is very fascinating, passionate and entertaining.
A blind date that turns into something Luna never thought would happen to her.
The chemistry between Yakov and Luna is off the charts HOT !!!
These characters are so very interesting, alluring and wonderfully flirtatious.
Yakov is the dominant, protective and possessive book boyfriend we all love and enjoy. Luna is the sassy and endearing. The situation in which she finds herself in with Yakov seems to have given her what’s been missing in her life, the need to be wanted and cared for and also family. Although her relationship with Yakov is unconventional the bond she’s forming with Yakov and his family has given her purpose and friendships.
An array of FEELS will be felt throughout this book and that makes it so exciting.
However, danger is still lurking and as Yakov and Luna are developing feelings things start to get very turbulent.
So get lost in this riveting, exhilarating and enticing mafia romance, I know I did and I loved every moment of it.