Fierce Pursuit

Ivanov Crime Family #4

by Zoe Blake

I'm the only one standing between her and those who want her dead.

I was married to her sister—a woman who died in the crossfire of my Russian mafia world.

To her, I'm nothing but a monster with blood-stained hands.

She doesn't see they're the same hands keeping her alive.

She's fled from me repeatedly, each escape bringing her closer to the enemies hunting us both.

The hatred burning in her eyes only matches the forbidden heat igniting between us.

The rival bratva won't stop until she's eliminated.

My solution? Make her mine—a marriage placing her untouchably under my protection.

She fights me at every turn, fierce and beautiful in her rage, blaming me for her sister's death and her shattered life—she can never learn the truth.

As danger closes in, I'm torn between my vow to protect her and the desperate hunger that consumes me whenever she's near.

When an ambush leaves her bleeding in my arms, everything changes.

This marriage isn't negotiable anymore.

She'll wear my ring and bear my name.

She'll be mine, even if I have to break her to keep her.

Step into the dark and dangerous world of the Ivanov men—where power is absolute, loyalty is lethal, and love is the ultimate risk. The Ivanov Crime Family returns with four scorching new books, introducing the next generation of Russian Konstantine, Artem, Pavel, and Roman.

Buckle up, because this ride is darker, deadlier, and far more addictive than before.
Are you ready? Scroll up and one click now.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Dark, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Audiobook, Adult

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2025

About the author

Zoe 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

Reviews

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍. 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒇--𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏.

Marina is a runner, and for good reason, she blames Kostya for her sister's death.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆, 𝒎𝒐𝒚 𝒛𝒂𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒌, 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 🍆?

I've read a lot of Zoe's books, and I loved Marina. She was different from most of her MFCs and had major trust issues, but can you blame her?! 

She found new ways to escape him, and she knew it would piss him off, and she didn't care one bit. Lol, I loved her sassy, feisty side.

Kostya was deeply obsessed with Marina. He was consumed by the need to keep her safe, and she knew how to make him completely unhinged and feral for her.

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒅, 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔.

I loved how persistent he was. He never gave up, and oh boy, did he love the chase. When he caught her, he knew she'd enjoy his punishments. 😈

Br33ding is one of my favorite tropes, and Zoe did it so well 😏
He had one goal: filling her up and getting her 🤰 .

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆? 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆.

Zoe loves to keep us on edge, teasing us with the next book. I can't wait to read Twisted Proposal.

[Kate V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marina is on the run after her sister who was married to Kostya is murdered when she takes something that doesn’t belong to her. On her dying breath, she asks Kostya to protect Marina. Despite their marriage being nothing but a contract, Kostya has always been attracted to the beautiful Marina and goes after her. Marina is hard to catch and fights tooth and nail to get away from him but he won’t back down. She will be his and eventually she’ll have to give into the attraction she feels as well.

“I wanted you,” I said. “You wanted me too. So I took you.”

This was past paced, suspenseful, steamy and full of Zoe’s signature flare. Marina and Kostya were a delicious push and pull and I can’t wait for what’s next.

“Are you going to be good for me?” I all but growled in her ear.

“No,” she said, breath shuddering through her.

“You should be,” I said. “Good girls get rewarded, and I promise you, I will give you a reward far better than anything in those naughty books you read.”

ARC provided for an honest review.

[Soft Nectarine ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is the forbidden fruit & his taboo fantasy girl. She is his SISTER-IN-LAW and he will stop at nothing to protect possess her 🖤🩶

Marina is a girl on a run. Running from her dead sister, the Russian mafia, and a persistent brother-in-law with an obsessive glint in his eyes. THE ULTIMATE CAT & MOUSE GAME! Every time Kostya thinks he’s caught her Marina sneaks away until punishments stack up and Marina has to pay the bill with interests…

🐈‍⬛ mafia enforcer falls for a regular girl

🐭 belt spanking is his favourite method of interrogation

🐈‍⬛ FORBIDDEN ROMANCE with dub consent

🐭 she continuously runs & evades him, which of course infuriates him to no end

This story fits seamlessly into the Ivanov series! Obviously, much DARKER themes with dub/non con & mafia plotline but the extra layer of taboo in-law relationship definitely added the KICK 🌶️ It took Marina awhile to get over the shame associated with their relationship….the delicious punishments definitely helped!

While I enjoyed a different plot pace I didn’t really connect with Marina. I feel like I don’t know her enough to forgive her character flaws. Her miscommunication and senseless stubbornness got to me and I was hoping she would connect with our Ivaov girls more.

ott protective mmc
independent fmc
fmc on the run
spanking/belting
non/dub con! (not lite at all)
body betrayal
miscommunication
no OW mentions!
HEA

Thank you to Zoe Blake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even a dead-end job at a hole-in-the-wall diner wasn’t enough to keep Konatantine Ivanov from tracking down his sister-in-law, Marina. Little rabbit refused to make things easy for him, however.

Fierce Pursuit has Zoe’s trademark bratva alphahole in, well, fierce pursuit of his love. Marina was a stubborn force and gave as good as she got, never backing down.

Love being back in the Ivanov’s world and am looking forward to Artem’s story!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️ 1/2
Range of Emotions: 😬😝🥵🫣😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Suspense

✨ Tropes: Arranged/Forced Marriage, Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, FMC in Danger, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Miscommunication
 
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, OTT Jealous/Possessive, Virgin FMC

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Body Betrayal, Bondage/Restraints, Breeding, Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Finger Licking Good Impact Play, Spanking, V Blood 👅

⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.

🚩 Safety Squad: Unalìvíng, Vìolençė and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Fierce Pursuit is part of the Ivanov Crime Family series, but can be read as a standalone. 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.

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but I wish I could like it more. also i wish he didnt fuck her sister.. it was mentioned and he was always thinking about Marina not the dead sister when she was alive. then why marry her in the first place? for what taboo? anywho.

Marina is on the run from her ex brother in law, who she thinks is out to kill her for what her sister did, aka his dead wife. But it's all wrong he's trying to protect her but she's stubborn and doesn't listen and runs from him not once not twice but few times it got annoying at how easy it was for her to get away. it just felt like a pattern over and over again. the chemistry was hot between them.

my other problem. idk why, but why did the guys feel tension between the cousins 😕 the guys in the family never felt off. so im a little worried about the other family members who are getting books. 🤔


Saftey-it mentioned he and the sister did have sex but nothing else. I wish they didn't double-dip.

No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, Drama, sexy times, virgin gal no manwhore

Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶


Slowinsta
Age gap
Push away from h
Violence
Spankings
Praise kink
Humiliation
Anal
Dubcon
No condom
Hea
Epilogue

[Eunoia]

"It didn’t matter that every time I had taken a woman to my bed, I had wished it was her."

.. .........!?!? 🤦🏻‍♀️ 🙃🫠 and she is a v :/

[Vashti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden.
Taboo.
Unrequited love.
Russian Bratva.
Touch her and die !
This is the 4th entry into author Zoe Blake's Ivanov series
and what a ride this took me on!
This is the Russian branch of the Ivanov family and Kostya and Marina's story.
This was a 5 star read for me solely based on my enjoyment of these characters and story.
I enjoyed seeing past characters from other books as it gives a glimpse of their lives post HEA.
Full Disclosure....
In no way was my rating and review affected in recieving this ARC.
Many thanks to the author,Zoe Blake, for the opportunity to ARC read this.
I am looking forward to the next installment of this series based on the teaser last pages.

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: br33ding, heroine in peril
Angst: 😱😱1/2
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Zoe totally hit it out of the park with this 4th installment of the Ivanov Crime Family! It just checked so many of my boxes:

✅ br33ding schmink
✅ somno
✅ taboo (her sister's ex!)
✅ mutual pining
✅ she pulls a runner

Fierce Pursuit is fast paced with a great storyline and tons of action. The heroine is fierce and will 👏🏼 not 👏🏼 go 👏🏼 quietly. Marina is a fighter and despite her feelings for Kostya, she doesn't let him push her around. The chemistry between them is practically tangible and the smexy times nearly lit my Kindle on fire, lol. Fierce Pursuit is the best of everything I love about Zoe Blake's books. A great read and the teaser for the next book made me super excited for what's to come!

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finished it. Hated it.

Could have looked over the fact he was married to her sister since it was an arrangement and in name only and not a real marriage since he’s been obsessed with Marina since he first saw her. But we have this lovely insight at 12% about the fmc.

“It didn’t matter that every time I had taken a woman to my bed, I had wished it was her.”

There’s no OW drama or other mentions of anyone else in the rest of the book but this ruined his supposed obsession with her for me if he can be with anyone else after meeting her and wanting her.

[Cristina]

It didn’t work out for me. Was it necessary to point out the H had slept with OW while thinking of the h? Yes, he acts ‘obsessed’ but it wouldn’t have hurt to stay celibate.

[What Helen Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. 3.5 on the spice scale.

It was such a treat to return to the Ivanov Crime family and reconnect with characters from both this series and Ruthless Obsession. Zoe Blake has a knack for crafting thrilling stories of women on the run and the relentless, fiercely protective Russian mafia heroes chasing them.

This time, we follow Kostya and Marina in a whirlwind of danger, misunderstandings, and undeniable chemistry.

Marina, on the run after her sister’s death, believes Kostya is out to harm her, but in reality, he’s determined to protect her from a dangerous rival. Their cat-and-mouse chase across the country is packed with tension, passion, and plenty of twists.

As always, Zoe Blake's writing is addictive, and this book had me smiling and kicking my feet with glee at every turn. It’s a fast-paced, guilty pleasure read that delivers exactly what you’d hope for in a Zoe Blake romance. I can’t wait to read more in this series.

[Maegen Eckstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe Blake has done it again. I was hooked from chapter 1. The way her characters are. The story line everything. That's why Zoe Blake is my favorite author.

[Lyla Nadeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ nothing pulls you out of a reading slump quite like Zoe Blake!!! Her writing is fast passed, dark, intense, spicy and easy to read. I don’t find myself bored or that something is dragging. It pulls you in for one wild right from start to finish and this man is do wrong but so so right! If you like mafia, ruthless, possessive, protective men that are all rough but just the right amount of deep love where they’d do anything for you than read about Kon and Marina! He made a promise to his dead wife to keep her little sister safe and he will stop at nothing despite her being off limits.

[Jamie (greeneyed_booklover) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. Steamy! Oh my gosh, this book was so fun! I think Marina is my new favorite FMC. Her smart mouth and IDGAF mentality is everything. Poor Kostya (Konstantine)...I don't think he truly knew how spicy Marina actually is. These two characters fed off each other beautifully, and their banter was so f*cking hilarious. Fierce Pursuit has some serious spice, action, amazing dialog, and...oh yeah...spice. Read it!

[Jaz k · Rating 1 out of 5]

“It didn’t matter that every time I had taken a woman to my bed, I had wished it was her.”

Of course she’s a virgin

[morebooks_toread · Rating 5 out of 5]

The banter and the drama was amazing! Each books in the series has their own unique moments and this one is no different.

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I found out I was on Zoe’s ARC team, it was the happiest day ever! Then, when I received the first book, it was absolutely spectacular.

This is the fourth book in the Ivanov series, and although Gregor is my favorite, all of Zoe’s men are chef’s kiss! Konstantine is no exception, and the story is pure fire! Who doesn’t love a fierce alpha male who will do anything for his woman and her safety? 🔥💖

I didn't put the book down until I finished it. It's absolutely insane! Thank you, Zoe, for the amazing experience you give with each of your books!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am so sick of heroines that want the guy and pine for him I want her to have just met him or for her to actually hate him not pine for him for years then pretend to hate him but still be going on and on about how hot he is uggg

[Kylie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can’t resist diving into the world of the Ivanov Brtava Family! These books are simply a work of perfectly crafted toe curling GOODNESS. This author is who introduced me to this trope- and my God I’ve been obsessed ever since. These men are simply irresistible… if you can look past their danger, possessiveness, and obsessive behaviors … it just makes them more endearing.
I loved Marina and Kostya! No matter how much she tries to deny him, the two of them are like moth to a fire. Marina tries to resist him like her life depends on it, but her efforts are futile. These two were everything !
Pure 🔥.
I loved every page of Kostya’s deviant crazy behavior - these men are out of control for their women.
Absolutely loved and devoured this!
5 ⭐️

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis of the book covers around 70% of the story... that being said, I feel a little disappointed, maybe I expected more. Not my favorite book by Zoe Blake, but still it was fast-paced to read.

[Francheska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbidden love
Bratva
Br33ding
Kidnapping

Marina was Kostya’s sister in law while his wife was alive .. but he only had eyes for her .. his wife constantly stepped outside their marriage so while he never acted on his impulses his wife had multiple affairs …. One of those cost her her life … Marina runs when her sister is k1lled . From NY to Chicago !

She is finally HIS , even though she runs from him a few times during the book he always finds her . In order for her to have adequate protection she must become HIS WIFE !! But not if she has anything to say about it !!!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, where to begin... This was REALLY really good, my new favourite from zoe blake!
Once I started, there was no way I could put this down!

Action packed and well paced, I could feel the tension roll right off the page with the back and forth between them. Absolutely FIRE!
First of all, Marina; what was there not to love about her? Feisty and gutsy whilst keeping Kostya on his toes, foiling the steam and possessive alphaness, but when Kostya did show his gentle side near the end; oh my goodness secret teddy bear.

Fierce Pursuit is the fourth book in the Ivanov crime family series, with some characters appearing from the Ruthless Obsession series.
Can't wait for Artem & Viktoria's book next!

[Rosalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series. I do have to say for those who are reading the reviews ; the H doesn’t have sex with the h’s sister while married to her. It’s confirmed in this book. Put some on highlights.

The good: the push and pull is always great. This author writes addicting books.

It follows a very similar recipe and sometimes I want something different to happen but doesn’t , either way, if I’m in the mood for these kind of books, I am!

My one issue / confusion in this book is that he never tells her that. We see Marina struggling with Kostya , feeling guilty of being with him cause her sister (now dead) was his wife.

And the book ends with her accepting it and falling in love and she never finds out he didn’t sleep with her. It felt so bizarre to me that he never told her such an important detail which would alleviate a lot of her guilt. She knows their marriage was business sort of arrangement and that her sister was always cheating but he never says “we did not have sex ever”

Idk if this was an oversight or intentional? Any ideas?

Other things is; the ending of them having their HEA… I sometimes feel like this series is so focused on the chase and the sex and the HEA is rushed without full conversations happening.

He shows up after she runs away and says he wants to learn how to make her happy so she chooses him and then HEA. They never said I love you to each other … they both thought it but they never said it to each other… was so rushed. In fact he says this then she says it’s our third date you know what they say … and they go to sex (off page) and then epilogue and the next couple’s book.

It’s a shame that we never got them to say I love you and he never told her he’s not been sexual with her sister.

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Tropes : mafia romance, in love with brother/sister in law, J/P H, touch her and 💀
Ending : HFN
Triggers : violence, 💀 of loved ones, kidnapping, gore, attempted SA
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : OW (dead h’s sis)
Celibate while separated: yes
Intimacy details: virgin h, no condom, slight breeding kink, rough sex, oral, anal, spanking, hair pulling, slight breath play
Standalone/Series : part of an interconnected series

Hero : Konstantine Ivanov (30s)
Heroine: Marina Ivanov (20s)

I enjoyed this but the thing about H married to h’s sis was yuck. Thankfully they never slept together, buuttt he still slept with other women while married to the sis and he said he was thinking about Marina while having sex with them which was super yuck.

Thankfully I managed to tuned it out so it didn’t bother me much. Other than that the book was pretty good. Didn’t like how the drama happened tho. I get it Marina wanted her independence and ability to choose but she got body betraying syndrome like many other heroines.

Then she ran away and forgave the guy ‘easily’ and the sudden realization of the love she felt for him. I didn’t like how he never said the words and how demanding he was.

It might be a me thing because I was reading this whole I was in my period and I got annoyed pretty easily so everything annoyed me lol. Whateverrrr. Might check out the next book.

[R Rais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how to put the main characters in a word. Perhaps... More mature??

Marina is a -live in the moment- kinda girl. That makes her alive but also reckless. She know how to survive on her own, but barely. Makes her unpredictable for Kostya the hunter.

While Kostya, he is arrogant like every Ivanov men. Dominant to the point controlling everything. But, for the first time from Ivanov men, I see Kostya willing to bend for her. To admit he's wrong to push and push. I like that.

Overall, I like it. The segs scenes was good, like always with Zoe. What makes them sexy for me was the chemistry between the main characters, not really the deed. Love the chemistry between Marina and Kostya.

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fierce Pursuit” is the story of Marina and Kostya.

Hero was married to the heroine’s sister, who is murdered. The heroine blames the hero and goes on a run. The book begins at the end of his pursuit, when after the long chase he finally catches the heroine. However their cat and mouse game is only just starting..

Most of the book is the heroine escaping and the hero going behind her to protect her. There’s lots of hot sexual tension and scenes, drama and a sort of grovel filled happy ending which was a bit abrupt.

If you despise sister to sister trope, this is a book to avoid but it’s obvious the hero was smitten with one while married to another.

Unsafe
3.5/5

[Elsa Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll buy and read anything Zoe writes.
I've been following Zoe for a long time and I love her style of writing.
The new Ivanov book, so much drama, danger and stubbornes.. I loved it and read this book in one sitting cause once I started it I couldn't put it down it's just that good. I ate it and left no crumbs I won't spoil it, you must read it. Heck read all of her books, she is such a great writer!
Zoe thank you for sending me this ARC, I was so happy to see that I finally made it into Zoe's ARC team!! Thank you!!!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

There’s just something about a Zoe Blake book that just always hits the right spots.
✅ bratva
✅ sisters ex husband
✅ Ott possessive obsessive alpha male
✅ stubborn feisty fmc
✅ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I felt the chemistry in this one! Quick, fun read that was hard to put down. I enjoyed reading about the fmc’s antics and the lengths she would go to get her way.
As always, another 5⭐️ read by Zoe. Can’t wait for the next!

[Chantel Bays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I think this book went more in depth of the MMC than the other books. It showed Kostya had more to him than just strong arming Marina. He truly wanted to make her happy. I loved how it showed his insecurities as well as his overbearing caveman side. I loved the direction Zoe Blake is taking the Ivanov family. Can’t wait for Artem’s book!!

[Paige IRB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll never tire of Zoe Blake’s Alphaholes

Zoe Blake can write an alphahole who someone is just swoony for his love. This book is no exception. The plot the pace the spice. 10/10 never misses the mark. The toxicity omggg it was everything. Cannot wait for the next book. Literally dying for it.