Zinovy: Ghost Born MC

by Layne Daniels

Zinovy Bayev knows his role in life. Avtoritet to Anatoly Balakin, the Pakhan of the Bratva’s West Coast organization, he does what must be done to protect the family. The Vor.

Until Petal St. Clare innocently finds her way into the crosshairs of a task his Pakhan has set him to accomplish. Until he has the unrelenting need to uncover her secret fears and sorrows, to banish them from her soft green eyes.

Now, obsession with her controls every breath he takes. He’ll stop at nothing to claim her for his own. To show her that under his care and control, she’ll never have to fear anything or anyone again.

The question is, can she accept being the starring role in his obsession?

***
Characters in this book are featured in the Ghost Born MC series by T.O. Smith and Layne Daniels. Zinovy Bayev is introduced in FAME by Layne Daniels. This book can be read as a standalone.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. It had a different vibe than what I expected from this author but I liked it. Zinovy and Petal had a strong connection and I liked their dynamic.

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

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Savage’s Frozen Heart -
Zinovy’s life was all about the Bratva, so he couldn’t understand why he felt an inexplicable pull towards Petal, that bordered on obsession. When Petal claimed the phone she found on the floor after realising it had been returned to factory settings, she never expected it would be the catalyst to change her life. When Petal found herself in a dangerous situation, Zinovy grabbed the opportunity to get close to her by bringing her home, so she could have a better life than she was living.

Spending time together brought them closer, which led to Petal finding out about Zinovy’s life, but the chemistry and growing attraction between them made it difficult for her to walk away. Petal realised Zinovy wasn’t going to cross the boundaries of their relationship without her agreement, so she grabbed to opportunity to make her fantasies a reality. Zinovy knew Petal was his forever partner, so he introduced her to his Bratva family, so they could have a chance at having the future they both deserved.

This is a fast paced Bratva romance story, that had plenty to keep me totally engrossed from the beginning until the end and also entertained. You will definitely enjoy reading this thrilling page turner just as much as I did and be happy to recommend it to all your friends. This author is new to me, but I must say it’s been a real pleasure reading the book.

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

[SammyJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. From living in a storage unit to living in a mansion! He falls 1st is one of my favourite tropes and he does fall 1st and hard. I like that he "stalks" her initially and keeps her safe. The coat and gloves he leaves her at her place of work because the temperature dropped i thought was so cute.

Petals has obviously had a tough life and Zinovy wants to make her life easier whilst owning her body and soul. Given her ex I get why she is reluctant when she initially encounters Zinovy.

I feel this book would have benefited from being longer as more detail would have come from Petals and Zinovy's pasts and their relationship would of developed better it felt a little rushed for me but I did eat up every word and I will be reading the next book in the series once it is available.

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

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

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Petal and Zinovy seem an unlikely pairing, but she’s caught his attention and he’s smitten! Their story is best appreciated by reading the Ghost Born MC series! She’s had a rough life and he wants her to have everything that his possessive little heart can provide! I love their encounters, his obsession, and her personality when she’s trying to understand him. It’s crazy fun, brutal at times, and emotionally charged, but a great addition to the series!!.

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

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second he sees her he is intrigued. What is the little beauty doing living in a storage unit? He becomes fascinated with her and soon realizes that she is his. He is going to bide his time and wait until he can claim her and keep her forever. She is used to taking care of herself. She knows not to trust anyone, but when things get dangerous at work and he saves her, she doesn't know what to make of him. And when he tells her that she is his, will be his wife, she wonders if he might be a little crazy. But he is making her feel things she thought she forgot, including what safe feels like. He might be crazy, but he seems to be crazy for her. There is some humor in his obsession, he is completely OTT for her and ready to make her his in every way. She is a little more reluctant, but it is hard to keep your walls up when a hot hunk of man wants to slay all your demons and love bomb you. Sinful, sweet, and a happily ever after.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zinovy’s obsession with Petal is both poetic and visceral, and I’m here for it. Petal is a very clever woman with a knack for survival who is living in a storage unit illegally. Zinovy sees her in the course of his duties to the Bratva and she’s it for him. It’s funny, the things that would be red flags in real life are sexy here: stalking/protectiveness, touch her and Unalive, obsession. He even buys a house for her so she doesn’t have to live in the storage unit. It all sounds sketchy in real life, but in this book, d@mn, it’s hot. So is Zinovy in that I-could-unalive- you- if-you- were-worth-the-effort kind of way. And so is the sexytime; Zinovy is very gifted in the bedroom. A page turner, this book is overall quite entertaining.

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

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a part of the 31 Days of Trick or Treat: Biker & Mobster series and focuses on Zinovy and Petal. Zinovy has devoted his life to Balakin’s Vor and his bratva family. He always had a single purpose in life until he met Petal and discovered a new obsession. He becomes her stalker and her ultimate protector. Petal has been working herself to the ground trying to survive and make something her life different from the life she was living. Zinovy is instantly obsessed with her and does absolutely everything that he can to make sure she is taken care of and protected. This was a great story and a great addition to the series.

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

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bratva Beast's Boo is part of the multi author collaboration of 31 Days of Trick or Treat Bikers and Mobsters. It's my first read by this author and from start to finish I love every second of it!
Petal St. Claire is a tough cookie! Taking her life into her own hands and living on her own terms, she works hard and does what she has to do to survive.
Zinovy Bayez is a force to be reckoned with and he's either her salvation or her demise. This story is a great addition to this fantastic series and this new to me author is a great find!

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zinovy lives for the Bratva and everything he does is for the family and the Pakhan. That is until he sees Petal and she becomes his obsession and he stalks her. When he realizes what she is going through, he wants to lay the world at her feet. Petal's life is like that of any abused woman, who has managed to escape her tormentor, and still struggles to survive without money or choices. I loved the strength she had to keep going. This is a good story of courage and survival when it comes to Petal and I liked she had a HEA.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zinovy Bayev is an Avtoritet in the Vor. He comes across Petal, when she finds the tossed phone of a man he is looking to track down. He becomes obsessed with her, he finds she is staying in storage unit, he buys the place to ensure she has a place to stay. He is waiting for the opportunity to make her his.

This is a great addition to this series, it is related to the Ghost Born MC series, written by this author and TO Smith.

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

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Petal has had a rough life and is trying to rebuild. She’s a phoenix rising and by chance caught the eye of another man. Zinovy is part of the Bratva but she’s become his whole world. It’s a slow build that lets you explore each character and in turn makes their joining that much sweeter. It’s a dark-ish love story with so much heat and love you won’t be able to put it down. Love this book and how it ties into the Ghost Born MC world too.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Zinovy meets Petal he becomes obsessed with her and is determined to make her his. Petal lived a rough life, but meeting Zinovy changed everything for her. She goes from living in a storage unit to living in a mansion and having more than she could have ever imagined. This is a well written, Mafia romance between two characters that come from different worlds. The Bratva Beast's Boo is a great addition to the multi-author 31 Days of Trick or Treat: Biker and Mobster series. I look forward to reading the rest of the books. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! The characters were compelling, complicated and complex. The plot was intriguing, exciting and well executed. World building was very impressive and expertly drawn. Highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zinovy life is the bratva but when Petal comes in the crosshairs of his task he becomes obsessed, and when he learns what shes been going through he vows to be the light and protector she needs. Well written steamy obsessive fast paced read

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced story that pulls us into the lives of Zinovy and Petal. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with danger, obsession, secrets and steam.

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

[Michelle Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

These characters are one of a kind and this book was a page turner. The things they all go thru is something else. I would love to see what the future holds all of them.

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

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the bratva beast’s boo which was Zinovy and Petal’s story. It was an engaging read. I received an early copy. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's a Goner

Zinovy (Sin) Bayev goes from zero to way over-the-#@%&ing-top when he encounters Petal (little bird) St. Clare. While he does do some extreme things, you'll have to read to see, I love how utterly protective he is - even before they share a kiss. Does he go too far? Yes, of course, he does, but Petal finding her footing and voice may have needed it to surface.

Nothing about his appearance seems welcoming, yet a part of me feels as if I’m meant to crawl into his lap and curl into him.
-- Petal St. Clare

What happens with her ex is scary and heartbreaking, but seeing her slowly rise from the ashes like a phoenix has me cheering for her. The people she chooses to surround herself with prove to be worth letting in. I absolutely love this!

The crossover with the Ghost Born MC doesn't require prior reading.

H = 30; h = 22-23