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Ivanov Crime Family #6
Sinister Promise
The only thing more dangerous than what she witnessed…is me.
She was supposed to be a problem—one I would deal with, forget, erase.
Instead, she became my obsession.
A hotel maid drowning in her father's debts, working among killers and Bratva bosses, believing silence would keep her safe.
Then she saw something she shouldn't.
She should have run. Should have screamed. Should have begged.
Instead, she held my gaze, defiant and unbroken.
Now, I can't let her go.
The only way to keep her alive is to make her mine—a marriage that will satisfy Bratva law and place her firmly under my control.
What I offer isn't protection…it's possession.
She fights me with every breath, her body betraying her with each trembling response to my touch.
Her eyes promise escape while her pulse races beneath my fingers.
She swears she'll never belong to me, not understanding that her resistance only fuels my determination.
Every whispered threat. Every stolen kiss. Every brutal promise draws her deeper into my world.
Because I don't just want to own her.
I want to break her. Then claim her completely.
And I always get what I want.
Enter the brutal, intoxicating world of the Ivanov Crime Family, where power is seized, love is obsession, and enemies don’t live to tell their stories. Meet the next Konstantine, Artem, Pavel, and Roman. Russian cousins raised in violence, shaped by loyalty, and willing to burn the world down for what’s theirs.
This is just the beginning—four new books, four dangerously irresistible men, and one relentless, dark descent.
Are you ready to surrender? Scroll up and one click now.
She was supposed to be a problem—one I would deal with, forget, erase.
Instead, she became my obsession.
A hotel maid drowning in her father's debts, working among killers and Bratva bosses, believing silence would keep her safe.
Then she saw something she shouldn't.
She should have run. Should have screamed. Should have begged.
Instead, she held my gaze, defiant and unbroken.
Now, I can't let her go.
The only way to keep her alive is to make her mine—a marriage that will satisfy Bratva law and place her firmly under my control.
What I offer isn't protection…it's possession.
She fights me with every breath, her body betraying her with each trembling response to my touch.
Her eyes promise escape while her pulse races beneath my fingers.
She swears she'll never belong to me, not understanding that her resistance only fuels my determination.
Every whispered threat. Every stolen kiss. Every brutal promise draws her deeper into my world.
Because I don't just want to own her.
I want to break her. Then claim her completely.
And I always get what I want.
Enter the brutal, intoxicating world of the Ivanov Crime Family, where power is seized, love is obsession, and enemies don’t live to tell their stories. Meet the next Konstantine, Artem, Pavel, and Roman. Russian cousins raised in violence, shaped by loyalty, and willing to burn the world down for what’s theirs.
This is just the beginning—four new books, four dangerously irresistible men, and one relentless, dark descent.
Are you ready to surrender? Scroll up and one click now.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2025
387 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Blake
92 books3,132 followersZoe Blake is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the romantic suspense saga The Cavalieri Billionaire Legacy inspired by her own heritage as well as her obsession with jewelry, travel, and the salacious gossip of history’s most infamous families.
She delights in writing Dark Romance books filled with overly possessive billionaires, taboo scenes, and unexpected twists. She usually spends her ill-gotten gains on martinis, vacations, and red lipstick.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zoeblakebooks/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zoeblakebooks/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeblakebooks
She delights in writing Dark Romance books filled with overly possessive billionaires, taboo scenes, and unexpected twists. She usually spends her ill-gotten gains on martinis, vacations, and red lipstick.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zoeblakebooks/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zoeblakebooks/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeblakebooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
December 18, 2025
Unintentionally bearing witness to a cold-blooded murder, Alina Russo has put herself in the sights of Pavel Ivanov, the terrifyingly powerful Bratva enforcer.
Brave and tenacious, Alina has been forced to live in poverty to cover her father’s debts. Her resilience a conundrum given her fragility. While Pavel is also unrelenting, he’s also aloof, vicious, and most notably, sadistic.
I wasn’t sure anyone could crack his hardened heart, but Alina was his perfect match.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😳🫣🫠🥵🤯
Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Action, Dark, New Adult,
✨ Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, Forced Marriage, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Kidnapped/Captive, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Rich Boy x Poor Girl, Stalker-ish, Workplace
💫 Microtropes: Antihero, Cat & Mouse, Caveman Carry, “Good Girl”, Growl, Jealous/Possessive, Manipulation, MINE!, Panty Thief, Pet Name, Pregnancy (Minor Storyline), Tattooed MMC, Touch-Her-and-💀, Virgin FMC, Who Hurt You?
💋 Kinks: 🍑, Biting/Marking, Blindfold, Body Betrayal, Bondage/Restraints, Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Handcuffs, Impact Play (Belt), Inanimate Object, Praise, STFUATTDLAGG, Toys as Teammates
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: DubCon, Unalìvíng, Violence and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Sinister Promise is part of the Ivanov Crime Family series and ends on a cliffhanger. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Brave and tenacious, Alina has been forced to live in poverty to cover her father’s debts. Her resilience a conundrum given her fragility. While Pavel is also unrelenting, he’s also aloof, vicious, and most notably, sadistic.
I wasn’t sure anyone could crack his hardened heart, but Alina was his perfect match.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😳🫣🫠🥵🤯
Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Action, Dark, New Adult,
✨ Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, Forced Marriage, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Kidnapped/Captive, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Rich Boy x Poor Girl, Stalker-ish, Workplace
💫 Microtropes: Antihero, Cat & Mouse, Caveman Carry, “Good Girl”, Growl, Jealous/Possessive, Manipulation, MINE!, Panty Thief, Pet Name, Pregnancy (Minor Storyline), Tattooed MMC, Touch-Her-and-💀, Virgin FMC, Who Hurt You?
💋 Kinks: 🍑, Biting/Marking, Blindfold, Body Betrayal, Bondage/Restraints, Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Handcuffs, Impact Play (Belt), Inanimate Object, Praise, STFUATTDLAGG, Toys as Teammates
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: DubCon, Unalìvíng, Violence and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Sinister Promise is part of the Ivanov Crime Family series and ends on a cliffhanger. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
June 20, 2025
Get you a charming mafia asshole who will kidnap you from the strip club AND go shop at JoAnn Fabrics for all your girlie needs 🖤🤫 DARK mafia romance with a unique brand of dub con smuttiness & extra unhinged mafia bad boy!
”She’s made herself prey. Fuck, I loved prey.”
Alina accidentally witnessed a mafia murder and what’s even worse…the killer already knows her name because he’s been stalking her for weeks. Eeeeek!! You better believe Pavel aka Charming Asshole wastes no time to make her HIS by all means necessary. This mafia bad boy loves the chase & is absolutely ruthless when he uses Alina as his personal toy 👀
WHY oh WHY am I addicted to these scary mafia men?! Pavel is undoubtedly unhinged but while he keeps threatening Alina with a quick death…this man is way too obsessed already he just can’t admit it yet.
🖤 fmc loses her virginity TO A WEAPON *yooooo*
🔪 he loves making her beg
🖤 PRAISE & DEGRADATION
🔪 possessive mmc with a capital P
🖤 sensory deprivation hood *I love it when I learn something new*
The pipeline from OBSESSION to UNHINGED LOVE is real for these men! The Ivanov men are experts coaxing out the perfect blend of hatred and reluctant desire from their women 🙌 Pavel & Alina were no different with his arrogant dominance & her natural submissiveness. Pavel is absolutely filthy in his dark desires but would also burn the world down for his woman.
Unmatched DARK SMUT that ticked off all the kinkiest fantasies but still somehow included some romance. There is no doubt that Zoe is the reigning queen of the body betrayal trope. I don’t know if it’s the amazing writing or my own filthy mind but the way I fall for every single of these dark men! GIVE ME 14’EM!!
posessive/jealous mmc
stalking
virgin fmc
praise & degradation
body betrayal
non/dub con
🍑🍑
spanking
dom/sub dynamics
sick bed
cliffhanger (lite)
Thank you to Zoe Blake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
”She’s made herself prey. Fuck, I loved prey.”
Alina accidentally witnessed a mafia murder and what’s even worse…the killer already knows her name because he’s been stalking her for weeks. Eeeeek!! You better believe Pavel aka Charming Asshole wastes no time to make her HIS by all means necessary. This mafia bad boy loves the chase & is absolutely ruthless when he uses Alina as his personal toy 👀
WHY oh WHY am I addicted to these scary mafia men?! Pavel is undoubtedly unhinged but while he keeps threatening Alina with a quick death…this man is way too obsessed already he just can’t admit it yet.
🖤 fmc loses her virginity TO A WEAPON *yooooo*
🔪 he loves making her beg
🖤 PRAISE & DEGRADATION
🔪 possessive mmc with a capital P
🖤 sensory deprivation hood *I love it when I learn something new*
The pipeline from OBSESSION to UNHINGED LOVE is real for these men! The Ivanov men are experts coaxing out the perfect blend of hatred and reluctant desire from their women 🙌 Pavel & Alina were no different with his arrogant dominance & her natural submissiveness. Pavel is absolutely filthy in his dark desires but would also burn the world down for his woman.
Unmatched DARK SMUT that ticked off all the kinkiest fantasies but still somehow included some romance. There is no doubt that Zoe is the reigning queen of the body betrayal trope. I don’t know if it’s the amazing writing or my own filthy mind but the way I fall for every single of these dark men! GIVE ME 14’EM!!
posessive/jealous mmc
stalking
virgin fmc
praise & degradation
body betrayal
non/dub con
🍑🍑
spanking
dom/sub dynamics
sick bed
cliffhanger (lite)
Thank you to Zoe Blake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
June 12, 2025
𝐈'𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞.
Everyone is asking how Zoe could leave us on that cliffhanger.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜💦𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐜😻𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 🍆.
Hello, have you met Zoe? This isn't the first or last brutal cliffhanger, and this is why I love her books. She keeps us on the edge of our seats.
𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫.
She never keeps us waiting for long, so I can't wait until Captive Prize is in my hands! 💋😈
Everyone is asking how Zoe could leave us on that cliffhanger.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜💦𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐜😻𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 🍆.
Hello, have you met Zoe? This isn't the first or last brutal cliffhanger, and this is why I love her books. She keeps us on the edge of our seats.
𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫.
She never keeps us waiting for long, so I can't wait until Captive Prize is in my hands! 💋😈
June 23, 2025
Pavel and Alina's story....ARC review soon.
June 10, 2025
4.75 stars!
Sinister Promise was absolute filthy deliciousness. Alina’s life went sideways when she has to make sacrifices to pay off her father’s debts and protect her grandmother. Those sacrifices places her in the path of deadly and morally grey men, including Pavel. When Alina sees something she shouldn’t, Pavel claims her as his and in true Zoe fashion, there’s NOTHING she can do about it. There’s no escaping her fate and he will extract every ounce of pleasure and pain from her to sate his needs😅🥵.
Pavel noticed Alina without making a move but when she handed herself on a platter to him, it was game over. He may have started out lying to himself that she was a means to an end but Alina smashed those walls around his cold dead heart and she became something so much more to him. Now he had to come to terms with that 😂😂.
Alina was so strong and submissive in a really endearing way. I just really loved her naivety in some things and her weathered heart in others. Timid at times but a tigress when necessary. She took everything Pavel demanded of her in grace and was mostly willing to let him break her.
Pavel was giving Gregor vibes with some extra crazy. I loved him. I loved the progression of how he fell for Alina. I loved when a MMC is so baffled and surprised when he falls for his girl. It’s just amazing. He’s obsessed and all his mine was hot as hell.
This was action packed, completely problematic in terms of consent (not that I’m complaining), steamy steamy and kinky. But it was also really sweet and heart warming at times. Zoe balanced darkness with real loving chemistry and I was hooked.
But that cliffhanger? Zoe, why?! That was dirty😂😂. As always, I just love these mafia worlds Zoe creates with unhinged heroes and the women they would burn the world for.
ARC provided for an honest review.
Sinister Promise was absolute filthy deliciousness. Alina’s life went sideways when she has to make sacrifices to pay off her father’s debts and protect her grandmother. Those sacrifices places her in the path of deadly and morally grey men, including Pavel. When Alina sees something she shouldn’t, Pavel claims her as his and in true Zoe fashion, there’s NOTHING she can do about it. There’s no escaping her fate and he will extract every ounce of pleasure and pain from her to sate his needs😅🥵.
"That's right, fuck this gun, pretend it's my cock pushing deep inside you."
Pavel noticed Alina without making a move but when she handed herself on a platter to him, it was game over. He may have started out lying to himself that she was a means to an end but Alina smashed those walls around his cold dead heart and she became something so much more to him. Now he had to come to terms with that 😂😂.
“I should've said something to show her I may be a monster, but I was her monster. That I had become obsessed with earning one of her elusive smiles. That the idea of her carrying my child, of capturing even a piece of what my brothers and cousins had, filled me with something unfamiliar. Hope.
Alina was so strong and submissive in a really endearing way. I just really loved her naivety in some things and her weathered heart in others. Timid at times but a tigress when necessary. She took everything Pavel demanded of her in grace and was mostly willing to let him break her.
"Baby, you are just like me. You may think you can dance in the gray and not get dirty, but by the time I am done with you, you're never going to want to see the sunlight again."
Pavel was giving Gregor vibes with some extra crazy. I loved him. I loved the progression of how he fell for Alina. I loved when a MMC is so baffled and surprised when he falls for his girl. It’s just amazing. He’s obsessed and all his mine was hot as hell.
"Admit that you want to be mine. Mine to keep, mine to play with and mine to protect. Admit that I was the first man to fuck this pretty little face, this tight little cunt, and this perfect little ass. Tell me I was the first man, and that you want me to be the last."
This was action packed, completely problematic in terms of consent (not that I’m complaining), steamy steamy and kinky. But it was also really sweet and heart warming at times. Zoe balanced darkness with real loving chemistry and I was hooked.
But that cliffhanger? Zoe, why?! That was dirty😂😂. As always, I just love these mafia worlds Zoe creates with unhinged heroes and the women they would burn the world for.
ARC provided for an honest review.
June 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Poor Alina she saw something she wasn't supposed to see but even before that she caught the eyes of Pavel. But he was buying his time watching from afar not doing anything until his kitten catches him in the act of killing someone. And he chases he loves the cat-mouse game. Alina does not think he wants to kill her. The relationship is very Push/pull between them. And Pavel comes to his feelings that he really likes Alina and wants her for his own. A Pet when he handcuffs her to his bed. But those lust feelings turn into love. Since he's seeing how all his cousins are with their wives.
Like all Zoe books, you'll love them me. And the friendships with each other. The girl gang was nice but idk i wish Zoe showed more of them bonding.
We have drama and some new bad guys. And a cliffhanger!! We get Roman next
No ow/om drama, no cheating, Drama, sexy times, virgin gal no manwhore
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
Pinning
Violence
Murder
Punishment
No condom
Praise kink
Tiny Dom/sub undertones
Anal play/sex
Heaish
Cliffhang
Poor Alina she saw something she wasn't supposed to see but even before that she caught the eyes of Pavel. But he was buying his time watching from afar not doing anything until his kitten catches him in the act of killing someone. And he chases he loves the cat-mouse game. Alina does not think he wants to kill her. The relationship is very Push/pull between them. And Pavel comes to his feelings that he really likes Alina and wants her for his own. A Pet when he handcuffs her to his bed. But those lust feelings turn into love. Since he's seeing how all his cousins are with their wives.
Like all Zoe books, you'll love them me. And the friendships with each other. The girl gang was nice but idk i wish Zoe showed more of them bonding.
We have drama and some new bad guys. And a cliffhanger!! We get Roman next
No ow/om drama, no cheating, Drama, sexy times, virgin gal no manwhore
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
Pinning
Violence
Murder
Punishment
No condom
Praise kink
Tiny Dom/sub undertones
Anal play/sex
Heaish
Cliffhang
June 22, 2025
I love obsessed and deranged heroes. 🙈🤣
June 10, 2025
Ugh that ending!!!!! No spoilers promise but damn I needed more! I loved this book and although he was a little much with his punishments I expected nothing less from Zoe!!! She knows how to make ruthless take multiple forms and I love it!!!
July 9, 2025
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: mafia, captive
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
What a great addition to the series! Very fast paced with a lovely heroine who has gotten in completely over her head and an over the top hero that you can't help but to fall for, lol. As always with a Zoe Blake read, you can expect super hot smexy times that nearly set my kindle on fire! The last book in the series just can't come soon enough!
Trope: mafia, captive
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
What a great addition to the series! Very fast paced with a lovely heroine who has gotten in completely over her head and an over the top hero that you can't help but to fall for, lol. As always with a Zoe Blake read, you can expect super hot smexy times that nearly set my kindle on fire! The last book in the series just can't come soon enough!
June 28, 2025
Trying to better myself by reading less trash books but damn does this hit the spot. It’s like smoking a drunk cig, you know it’s wrong but it feels so right.
July 13, 2025
2.5 Stars
It’s an okay, very steamy read with a morally grey H. The reason it didn’t get more stars is due to the lack of romance.
It’s an okay, very steamy read with a morally grey H. The reason it didn’t get more stars is due to the lack of romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
Disturbing
This was not one of Zoe Blake's best books. There was too much sexual violence of a innocent virgin heroin. It was not intimacy or Romance it was rapish. Even when he realized he forced sex on a virgin he had no remorse. It left me feeling upset and angry. He beat her with a belt put a bag over her head left her handcuffed to a bed all night then forced sexual behavior (bj) on her and took her virginity roughly. I understand these are mafia books and they have a pushy alpha male but the fact that there was no remorse even after he realized his mistake he still continued abuse. Then of course there's the fact that this innocent virgin and heroin found out she loves to be abused, seriously! A little realistic reactions would help the book . On top of that it's a cliffhanger.
This was not one of Zoe Blake's best books. There was too much sexual violence of a innocent virgin heroin. It was not intimacy or Romance it was rapish. Even when he realized he forced sex on a virgin he had no remorse. It left me feeling upset and angry. He beat her with a belt put a bag over her head left her handcuffed to a bed all night then forced sexual behavior (bj) on her and took her virginity roughly. I understand these are mafia books and they have a pushy alpha male but the fact that there was no remorse even after he realized his mistake he still continued abuse. Then of course there's the fact that this innocent virgin and heroin found out she loves to be abused, seriously! A little realistic reactions would help the book . On top of that it's a cliffhanger.
June 11, 2025
Ahhh Zoe it’s hard not to fall for every hero you make especially someone as dark as Pavel who look at Alina and wanted her for himself.
Recent college dropout Alina is barely scraping by with two jobs to cover a debt. One job of hers is a night shift cleaner and she sees something she wasn’t supposed to.
In order to keep her safe Pavel wants to make her his because no one touches a made man’s wife.
Let me tell you that ending was cruel but I can’t wait for the next one!
Dark romance
Mafia romance
Jealous/Possessive hero
Dubcon
Thank you for the arc!
Recent college dropout Alina is barely scraping by with two jobs to cover a debt. One job of hers is a night shift cleaner and she sees something she wasn’t supposed to.
In order to keep her safe Pavel wants to make her his because no one touches a made man’s wife.
Let me tell you that ending was cruel but I can’t wait for the next one!
Dark romance
Mafia romance
Jealous/Possessive hero
Dubcon
Thank you for the arc!
June 10, 2025
Possibly my favorite Zoe blake book to date!! I've been a die hard Vaska girl since I started reading these books. But PAVEL?! oh my lordy, he might be tied for favorite!🫣 sweet and spicy, its got it all. The ending had me biting my nails, and acting like Ron Burghundy screaming and crying about being in a glass case of emotion😫🤬
June 12, 2025
When zoe said Pavel gonna be the most unhinged from the other Ivanov, you better believe her.
I mean, i never meet someone who throw around death threats and enjoy the reaction the woman he obsessed with-give him. And his obsession wasnt love. Its pure his fun of having new toy! So yeah, Pavel was not in my list of husband material.
Now Alina. Alina's respond to him, i wonder if thats because shes a virgin. What if shes an experience women qho know what normal sexual relation ship to all domineering full of kink like with Pavel? All hard edges.
I have to say, for me Alina wasnt giving me much as lead female charachter. So it was Pavel slow change that does me.
How he put her above anything else.
How he take pleasure revenge on anyone hurting her.
How he feel fear and uncertaint for how he feel slowly for her.
Those are his redeeming quality i love.
And another difference with Pavel?
The cliffy ending.... Urgh i hate cliffy ending
I mean, i never meet someone who throw around death threats and enjoy the reaction the woman he obsessed with-give him. And his obsession wasnt love. Its pure his fun of having new toy! So yeah, Pavel was not in my list of husband material.
Now Alina. Alina's respond to him, i wonder if thats because shes a virgin. What if shes an experience women qho know what normal sexual relation ship to all domineering full of kink like with Pavel? All hard edges.
I have to say, for me Alina wasnt giving me much as lead female charachter. So it was Pavel slow change that does me.
How he put her above anything else.
How he take pleasure revenge on anyone hurting her.
How he feel fear and uncertaint for how he feel slowly for her.
Those are his redeeming quality i love.
And another difference with Pavel?
The cliffy ending.... Urgh i hate cliffy ending
June 20, 2025
This may have replaced the first book as my favorite in the series so far - at the very least they are tied.
I LOVED Alina and Pavel.
I needed a good unhinged hero and Pavel definitely did not disappoint. I mean, some of those scenes had me questioning my moral compass cause damn that man is cruel, so why do I desperately need more of them?
Pavel was possesive, obsessed, and protective. I loved his cat and mouse (maybe more hyena and kitten?) games with her.
Alina was smart, selfless, and his perfect match.
10/10 - if you love Zoe's other books you will not be disappointed. If you love unhinged heroes in your dark romances with a side of organized crime and power dynamics, you also won't disappointed.
I LOVED Alina and Pavel.
I needed a good unhinged hero and Pavel definitely did not disappoint. I mean, some of those scenes had me questioning my moral compass cause damn that man is cruel, so why do I desperately need more of them?
Pavel was possesive, obsessed, and protective. I loved his cat and mouse (maybe more hyena and kitten?) games with her.
Alina was smart, selfless, and his perfect match.
10/10 - if you love Zoe's other books you will not be disappointed. If you love unhinged heroes in your dark romances with a side of organized crime and power dynamics, you also won't disappointed.
July 22, 2025
4 stars
Tropes : mafia romance, J/P H, touch her and 💀, kidnapped h, rich guy x poor girl, huge H x small h, forced marriage
Ending : cliffhanger (pregnant h)
Triggers : violence, torture, kidnapping, murder
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : none (but H was a jealous guy)
Intimacy details: virgin h, con-noncon, oral, anal, rough sex, hair pulling, no condom, slight bondage, slight breeding kink
Standalone/Series : part of an interconnected series
Hero : Pavel Ivanov (30s)
Heroine: Alina Russo/Ivanov (20s)
I actually enjoyed this but wishing it was a duet at least since it ended in cliffhanger but well, it was good enough I guess.
Would love to see more about Pavel reaction throughout Alina’s pregnancy, how possessive and protective he was.
It was nice to see some cute scenes between the MCs, the soft side of Pavel towards Alina and her grandma and how both MCs had ‘real bonding’ moments other than the physical side of intimacy that was no doubt spectacular.
Tropes : mafia romance, J/P H, touch her and 💀, kidnapped h, rich guy x poor girl, huge H x small h, forced marriage
Ending : cliffhanger (pregnant h)
Triggers : violence, torture, kidnapping, murder
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : none (but H was a jealous guy)
Intimacy details: virgin h, con-noncon, oral, anal, rough sex, hair pulling, no condom, slight bondage, slight breeding kink
Standalone/Series : part of an interconnected series
Hero : Pavel Ivanov (30s)
Heroine: Alina Russo/Ivanov (20s)
I actually enjoyed this but wishing it was a duet at least since it ended in cliffhanger but well, it was good enough I guess.
Would love to see more about Pavel reaction throughout Alina’s pregnancy, how possessive and protective he was.
It was nice to see some cute scenes between the MCs, the soft side of Pavel towards Alina and her grandma and how both MCs had ‘real bonding’ moments other than the physical side of intimacy that was no doubt spectacular.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2025
4.5 stars, 4 on the spice scale.
Zoe Blake promised that Pavel would be her most unhinged hero yet and for her, that's a bold statement! Did he live up to his reputation? Yes, for the most part, but I was prepared for him to be worse (not sure what that says about me)! He's every bit as stubborn, possessive, dominant, and obsessive as her signature leading men. And while he definitely did push the envelope, he didn't go so far that I couldn't enjoy every unrelenting second of this book! It had all the hallmarks of a classic Zoe Blake read: dark, fast-paced, twistedly sexy, and completely addictive.
Alina, juggling multiple jobs to pay off her father’s debts and care for her grandmother, stumbles into Pavel’s world when she witnesses him casually committing a crime. From there, the intensity never lets up—kidnappings, threats, attempted escapes, and plenty of steamy (and often wild) encounters. Pavel stalks, captures, and isolates her, but also takes care of her, moving her grandmother into better care and ultimately proposing marriage. As always, the author balances brutality with tenderness, and somehow makes it work.
In summary, this was another thoroughly entertaining read, and exactly what I came for. Bring on Roman’s book—I’m ready!
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
Zoe Blake promised that Pavel would be her most unhinged hero yet and for her, that's a bold statement! Did he live up to his reputation? Yes, for the most part, but I was prepared for him to be worse (not sure what that says about me)! He's every bit as stubborn, possessive, dominant, and obsessive as her signature leading men. And while he definitely did push the envelope, he didn't go so far that I couldn't enjoy every unrelenting second of this book! It had all the hallmarks of a classic Zoe Blake read: dark, fast-paced, twistedly sexy, and completely addictive.
Alina, juggling multiple jobs to pay off her father’s debts and care for her grandmother, stumbles into Pavel’s world when she witnesses him casually committing a crime. From there, the intensity never lets up—kidnappings, threats, attempted escapes, and plenty of steamy (and often wild) encounters. Pavel stalks, captures, and isolates her, but also takes care of her, moving her grandmother into better care and ultimately proposing marriage. As always, the author balances brutality with tenderness, and somehow makes it work.
In summary, this was another thoroughly entertaining read, and exactly what I came for. Bring on Roman’s book—I’m ready!
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
June 13, 2025
If you love holding your breath due to the action, the suspense, and of course the steal your soul spice, then clutch those pearls now!! Zoe Blake once again brings the Russian mafia family front and center with perfection!! The attention to detail coupled with the familiar bantor and surroundings bringing the series together is spectacular! Can not wait for the next part of this amazing series: hands down my favorite
June 14, 2025
Pavel Ivanov… brutal , possessive and my new jailer ! After she is stuck at the wrong place at the wrong time she is taken by him . Kept as a pretty bird in a cage . Alina has no idea that this man is going to become her EVERYTHING ! But what happened when tragedy strikes !!
Zoe Blake literally never disappoints but this partial cliffhanger had me SCREAMING ! I need the next book like yesterday!
Bratva romance
V FMC
AGE GAP
KIDNAPPING
DUB CON
Zoe Blake literally never disappoints but this partial cliffhanger had me SCREAMING ! I need the next book like yesterday!
Bratva romance
V FMC
AGE GAP
KIDNAPPING
DUB CON
June 25, 2025
Pavel and Alina start off pretty intense...witnessing Pavel kill an enemy of the Ivanova family, Alina is given an ultimatum that she can't refuse, and things get pretty crazy from there.
I love a strong FMC who gives as good as she gets (which was Alina through and through), and I appreciate Zoe writing her female leads this way.
I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read book 7.
This book does end on a cliffhanger.
I love a strong FMC who gives as good as she gets (which was Alina through and through), and I appreciate Zoe writing her female leads this way.
I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read book 7.
This book does end on a cliffhanger.
June 14, 2025
Tattooed, alpha, possessive, obsessive mmc? Yes please!
I just love Zoe’s books- they never fail to bust me out of a slump.
✅ forced marriage
✅ bratva
✅ spicy times! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✅ tons of triggers- I have none so I gobbled this up!
✅ well written
Ends on a very steep cliff- can’t wait for the next one!
I just love Zoe’s books- they never fail to bust me out of a slump.
✅ forced marriage
✅ bratva
✅ spicy times! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✅ tons of triggers- I have none so I gobbled this up!
✅ well written
Ends on a very steep cliff- can’t wait for the next one!
July 11, 2025
I was in the mood for some OTT mafia and while this started strong it fizzled pretty fast and so much detail was just glossed over. The sex scenes were even half assed. Loads of telling instead of showing and then of course the giant to be continued at the end with no closure.
I knew that these books were a rolling story going in but I just didn't feel any pull to want to see what happens to them in the next book.
I knew that these books were a rolling story going in but I just didn't feel any pull to want to see what happens to them in the next book.
June 22, 2025
Zoe never let's us down. This book was the most unhinged yet and I loved every minute of it. If you love a strong alpha male who knows what he wants and takes it then Pavel is your man. The spice was off the charts with this one. ♡♡♡♡
July 8, 2025
Entertaining Book!
A well written mafia themed book that is easy to read and that includes a dominant alpha male MMC and a fierce / submissive FMC. Even though I enjoyed it, there is nothing really outstanding about this book that differentiates it from other mafia books. Please be warned, this is a dark read that includes non-con and dub-con scenes. Please note, it ends on a cliffhanger. Enjoy!
A well written mafia themed book that is easy to read and that includes a dominant alpha male MMC and a fierce / submissive FMC. Even though I enjoyed it, there is nothing really outstanding about this book that differentiates it from other mafia books. Please be warned, this is a dark read that includes non-con and dub-con scenes. Please note, it ends on a cliffhanger. Enjoy!
June 12, 2025
Love this series and this one was just as good as the others! The scene with all the guys in the craft store cracked me up and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
June 29, 2025
4.3 stars.
Uhhhhhh. Excuse me??!? WHAT?
That is not how an interconnected standalone is supposed to end. What the actual fuck.
I was just starting to like that fucker!😑
Uhhhhhh. Excuse me??!? WHAT?
That is not how an interconnected standalone is supposed to end. What the actual fuck.
I was just starting to like that fucker!😑
June 11, 2025
Truly amazing! Pavel was slightly unhinged but who would expect less from Zoe Blake? This might be my favorite so far but I can’t wait for the next book!
June 17, 2025
Alina and Pavel... OMG!!! I think this was the best book of the series so far. Pavel is a different breed of man. I really don't want to say too much about this book, but you've definitely got to read it. Just be warned that Zoe leaves us hanging at the end. I cannot wait until the next book.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 15, 2025
⭐️ I’m sorry but no way in hell can you call this con-noncon, not even dubcon — this was downright noncon. Hard no!
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