Captive Prize

Ivanov Crime Family #7

by Zoe Blake

She stole what belongs to me. Now I'll take everything from her.

A problem I need to fix. A war I need to win. A woman I can't afford to desire.

Her fatal mistake? Taking an Ivanov.

My cousin is missing, his pregnant wife left for dead.

The guilt is a noose around my neck, tightening with every second he's gone.

I was never fully Ivanov—half Russian, half Cuban, never enough.

But this time, I'll prove myself.

I'll infiltrate Los Infidels. Find Pavel. And kidnap the fierce mafia princess responsible.

She fights me with every breath—clawing, cursing, daring me to shatter her completely.

The real problem?

I don't just want to break her. I want to possess her.

Hate bleeds into hunger. Revenge twists into obsession.

Suddenly, our war isn't about family loyalty, it's about dominance.

She won't bow.

I refuse to yield.

One of us must fall.

And I never lose.

The final Ivanov has arrived…and he’s the most dangerous of them all. This is the explosive conclusion to the four-book Ivanov Crime Family expansion—a world where power is deadly, passion is obsession, and once an Ivanov claims you, there’s no way out.

Are you ready for Roman? Scroll up and one click.

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

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 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

[Soft Nectarine ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mafia princess turned ruthless leader avenging her family until she meets an even bigger BOOGEYMAN! 🖤🩸 She is his enemy but he only recognizes her as HIS!

“There was nothing soft & sweet between us. It was fucking war.”

Roman is the black sheep in his mafia family. He is only half Russian (and half cuban ~ DEADLY COMBO!) and he’s always felt like an outsider but now…he also fell for his family’s no. 1 enemy! Mafia sparks fly when when Roman & Zoya collide and fight their way into a chaotic love affair 🖤

Favourite moment: when she taunts & mocks him while he’s interrogating her…and he loses it

I didn’t really connect with this story and it could simply be the case of the moody reader. Both main characters were quite hardheaded and the story felt a little too rushed to really pack a punch. I did really enjoy Zoya’s backstory and her perseverance even when she was at her lowest.

This one felt less dark than the other books in the series maybe because both characters came from the mafia world. I was also missing some more outrageous spice!

3.75 ⭐️

insta love
fierce & sassy fmc
spanking
delicious punishments
kidnapping
chronic illness
found family
HEA

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Roman and Zoyas' story. She is no damsel in distress, which is a fun change of pace from some of our other leading ladies! If you've been looking for a gal that kicks butt and takes names, and a man that knows how handle her, then you will love this one;)

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

We started up right where we left off, which was the cousin being taken by Zoya and Roman seeing her for the first time, and he was already obsessed, hehe. But Ro had a mission: get his cousin back and find out why this woman took him. Zoya is a little different from the other girls; she wants revenge against the family for her brothers and mostly for herself for what she's been through. Girl had goals, and I loved it. She had an army who didn't respect her, and I knew they would turn their back on her.

And Roman, who faked being a soldier to get inside, that was pretty fast and he got his cousin out. I wish it took a little longer, but what can you do? The chemistry between Ro and Zoya was hot; she wasn't afraid of him, she took everything he gave. But she had a little secret that he discovered when he took her captive! Lots of tension between the two and some betrayal hidden.
But they work great with each other. I wish she was a little more pushy, but I think all the women gave in so easily, lol.
Next book is coming, and it's... well, I won't say.

No ow/om drama, no cheating, Secondary charas, drama, sexy times, virgin gal and no manwhore

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Instalove
Praise kink
Degradation
Humiliation
Dubcon-non con
Emotional manipulation
Violence
No condom
Punishments
Spankings
Hea
Epilogue

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Tropes : mafia romance, J/P H, touch her and 💀, kidnapped h, enemies to lovers, huge H x small h, h with disability (blood disorder), forced proximity, divorcee h
Ending : HFN (married with a newborn baby)
Triggers : violence, torture, abuse, mention of attempted SA, murder, gore, kidnapping
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : none
Intimacy details: virgin h, rough sex, bondage, hair pulling, breath play, spanking, anal, oral, no condom
Standalone/Series : part of an interconnected series

Hero : Roman Yegor Ivanov (30s?)
Heroine: Zoya Vladislava Novikova (20s?)

This one was different than the previous books, at least from what I gathered since I didn’t read all the books in this series. Zoya was a badass heroine that was in charge of 2 ish mafia empire? Although her underlings didn’t respect nor fear her and was all in for the money, she managed to handle the business.

She killed her ancient forced husband when she was of barely legal age and he was about to consummated the marriage, then she put her despicable dad into a Russian’s asylum that was told worse than death.

The only thing I didn’t like about this was Zoya’s reason for attacking the Ivanovs. All because of her ‘legacy’ aka money. Ivanov attacked los infideles and her dad’s bratva so all that was left for her were ruins. There were holes in the plot and the timeline was kinda messy, at least for me.

I didn’t read all the books in this series so maybe I was missing stuff but from what I gathered the Ivanov attacked Los Infideles bcs they were attacking one of the Ivanovs’ wives? And egor, the dad was I guess did sth to the Ivanov and they retaliated by killing his sons/ Zoya’s brothers. (I vaguely remember reading one of the books in this series and there were these twins that were mentioned in the book but don’t exactly remember anything else).

Zoya hated her dad and her bros so the reason of the revenge couldn’t be that.

Other than that it was quite nice. There were push and pull between the MCs and Zoya hinted of being infertile and apparently not, just pregnancy for her was very risky. In the end they both just welcomed their son before the next book hero was mentioned.

Got curious about that so I might wait for the book to be released.

[Kate V · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.25 stars!

Captive Prize had me feeling a lot emotionally. More than Zoe’s books usually do which felt strange 😂. I’ll admit I’m usually in it for the bulldozing alpha male and the smut but this one packed a bit of a punch for me. This book starts where the previous book ends with Pavel getting taken by Zoya and Roman going to save him.

But Roman isn’t prepared for his girl. Zoya has clawed her way to the top and I totally felt for this warrior. Life has not been kind to her and she has a big secret. I can’t even be mad at her for being who she is or what she’s had to do. She’s a survivor and a badass. Roman sees the woman behind the mask and he will lay it all on the line to make her his. After all, he is a “you’re mine, the end” Zoe hero.

Roman’s family…the couples from the other books…the men specifically, pissed me the hell off. I got so frustrated with them with their intent for Zoya. Talk about hypocrisy. Like they aren’t wayyyyy worse lol. Anyway, I’m glad that Zoya had Roman in her corner.

“You are my home, my little warrior. My war. My peace. The only damn thing in this world that makes sense to me.”

This had Zoe classic steam but felt almost a bit softer. I don’t know how to explain it. Zoya and Roman were these fierce individuals in life whose shells were impenetrable. But when they were together, their loneliness didn’t feel like a gaping wound and they just fit. The action was great but that ending felt a bit abrupt and concerning 😂😂😂. Looking forward to what Zoe has up her sleeve!

[Michelle C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman & Zoya

I have no idea how Zoe keeps these stories coming but honestly she has outdone herself again. No spoilers, no secrets or whispers of what this book is except WOW. Honestly I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to. Buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life. Enjoy

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite 😍

I absolutely loved this one. My goodness, Roman is so freaking yummy. Zoya is fearless. These two just hit right with me in every way. The ending was perfection.

[Cristina]

Not for me… couldn’t connect with either MC.

[Madle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inhaled this whole thing

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big Zoe Blake fan, and I was really looking forward to this book, especially considering how disappointing the last one was.
I was so excited to have a strong and independent FMC. While I enjoy the usual type of FMC in this series (strong in character but not in resources) the spineless pushover that was Pavel’s love interest left me needing a change.
Besides the glaring plothole that was Zoya wanting revenge on the Ivanovs who killed her brothers that she hated, I enjoyed her badassery. I was expecting a little more from the “Ivanov devil”, honestly if he and Pavel swapped personalities both books would have been vastly improved.
Zoya and Roman fell in love after like 36 hours max together. Okay fine I can suspend my disbelief for the romance novel.
I absolutely LOVED Roman’s anxiety and care for her when she was injured and kidnapped.
Then after she’s captured by the Ivanovs she’s told in order to neutralize her as a threat she can either give up all her money, property, etc to marry Roman and become “A 17th century Russian wife” or she can be killed. Not much of a choice right? But absolutely everything about Zoya’s character thus far would make us thinking she would rather die than be under someone’s thumb again. But after screwing Roman she accepts the deal.
Then she gets lowkey mean girl’d by the other wives because she doesn’t fit in and kind of tried to kill them. Kinda fair. But rather than be like fuck this I’ll do my own thing she just sits there letting herself be ignored. Again, feels like a total personality switch up. Then she changes her mind again about marrying Roman when she realizes she can’t ever give him kids because of her medical condition. So this spurs her to sign over ALL HER MONEY AND PROPERTY ANYWAY and go back to Russia. I mean. I guess she wanted to prove she wasn’t a threat anymore but she didn’t even try to maintain some of her resources???
Then of course in the epilogue she ends up with a miracle baby (obviously). And she is accepted by the other wives. But I just feel like there was so much missed potential. Zoya and Roman could have forged their own path, lived off the compound, even been child free (or not) but after like 15 of these books you don’t want to change it up at all?? Zoya’s personality transplant was just annoying and felt like lazy writing
And don’t even get me started on the secret Ivanov big boss. GIVE ME A BREAK. Just do what Cora Reilly did and write a second book for each couple. I loved seeing those relationship and life progressions. Making up new and unbelievable characters just to keep the series going is lazy.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We pick up right where the Sinister Promise ended. Pavel being taken by a new enemy with striking green eyes. He needs to get back to his wife Aliana. Roman is the cousin they call the devil and the one they call for these things. But Roman is shocked when he sees the woman, Zoya. She isn’t what he expected. She is a warrior and plans to take down the Ivanovs. Zoya’s father was a cruel man. He gave her to a man for money. But we learn how calculating Zoya is even then. The first chapter gets you pumped. I honestly didn’t know what to think with Zoya. She was in a man’s world but she held her own more than anyone. She showed her ice queen side. Once Pavel is rescued, it is time to take reign in the queen.

OMG, this one is so unpredictable. With Pavel getting taken and beaten, then rescued. Zoya showing her cold side and then she almost bests Roman. At every turn we don’t know what to think. Can she be saved? Is Roman going to turn on the family? Then we get a twist. NOW, that becomes a race against the clock. I was in tears more then once reading this one, for both of them. And I was not happy with the way Gregor was handling things. How dare he and Artem just gang up on Roman. I get it their concern but really, these two were no better when it came to the women. I honestly could see this ending badly. Thank goodness Roman had a level head and didn’t beat these two. Things seem to be great then another slap to the face. UGH! Who is Darius? Did Zoe just throw us into a tailspin? Now I need “Cruel Protector.” Reading that part definitely made me say WTF.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕.

Oh, how I loved Zoya. She's no damsel in distress. Zoya was a feisty, strong, badass woman, but my heart broke for her because of everything she’d been through. Every man in her life took advantage of her and tried to break her, but oh, this fierce lady got her revenge by slaying every one of them who wanted to hurt her.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆, 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓. 𝑴𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒓. 𝑴𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆.


Roman definitely met his match. She wasn't like the rest of the Ivanov women. She had claws and fought back hard. She wasn't taking any man's shit lying down, and she fought him every step of the way. She wasn't used to men protecting her and wasn't ready to fall hard for Roman.

The banter was a chef's kiss, and these two, no matter how hard Zoya tried to fight her attraction and feelings, she just couldn’t resist giving in to this possessive, unhinged man.

Now, Zoe, I love that you are giving us more from the Ivanov Crime Family series, but please, all I want is Brutal Heir!!! Please give me the Diamanti Billionaire Dynasty series!!! 🖤

[Bri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read most of Zoe Blake's books and in my personal opinion, this was my least favorite.

I just could not get past the plot hole for Zoya. It just didn't make sense to me that her motive was the fact that the Ivanovs killed her brothers and she wanted payback because of her 'legacy'. She hated her family and even though their deaths resulted in her being put into an arranged marriage with a fossil it doesn't really make sense that the Ivanov family really took the brunt of her vengeance.

I love strong FL and especially ML that can take what they dish out, but I feel like Zoya would have been more rounded out as a character if she were standing on the opposite side of the law of them. Maybe even as an attorney or something.

I think Roman was also wasted potential as well. He didn't feel as intimidating of a character as he was hinted out to be in previous novels. Which makes me sad because they both had such potential as a couple. The spice was good though.

I will still be reading the next installment though.

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

Zoya Novikova is a mafia princess turned queen, fighting for revenge against the Ivanov family, who destroyed her brothers and drove her father insane. When she orchestrates the kidnapping of Pavel Ivanov, it’s meant to be a power move—a strike to show she's a threat, not an afterthought.

But she didn’t count on Roman, the Ivanov enforcer and Pavel’s cousin, who is a lethal force of nature, a man bred for violence and survival. When Pavel is taken, Roman doesn't hesitate, he infiltrates Zoya’s organization (Los Infideles), beats his own cousin to keep his cover and plots to destroy the entire operation from within.

But then things get messy—emotionally and sexually. Their chemistry is undeniable. Roman is intrigued by Zoya's ruthless cunning and icy resolve, while Zoya is drawn to the savage strength and unshakable loyalty buried beneath Roman’s terrifying exterior. What begins as manipulation spirals into something much darker, more intimate, and wildly toxic

And Zoey, you devil, left us hanging again! OMG, can't wait to see where the next story takes us again!

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Captive Prize” is the story of Zoya and Roman.

A true enemies to lovers romance in which the heroine and hero are from opposite ends of the mafia. She abducts his cousin, he is forced to kidnap her back. There is a battle of wills, but he fights for her until the end, and does not give up on her despite opposition from family and friends. She also struggles with an incurable disease, but it doesn’t affect his adoration for her.

This book is light on sex but heavy on emotions. Really enjoyed it.

“You are my family,” he murmured. “You. Not some unborn child. Not some legacy.” My breath hitched. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe him with everything I had, but how? His fingers tightened on the side of my face, his forehead nearly brushing mine. “You are my home, my little warrior. My war. My peace. The only damn thing in this world that makes sense to me.”

Safe
4/5

[What Helen Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars, 3.5 on the spice scale.

After the cliffhanger in Book 6, this final (or is it?) installment picks up right where we left off—with one of the Ivanovs missing and Roman stepping in to track him down. What unfolds is a high-stakes, forbidden romance between Roman and Zoya, a ruthless Russian woman pulling the strings behind the Colombian cartel and the chaos of previous books.

Zoya’s thirst for revenge, her brutal past, and her tenuous grip on power make her a formidable enemy—and an irresistible match for Roman, who’s long felt like the outsider in the Ivanov family due to his illegitimacy and cruel upbringing.

Their dynamic is intense: Roman captures Zoya, determined to break her and uncover her secrets, but instead they fall hard for each other. The Ivanovs rally behind Roman when Zoya’s own men betray her, but they have one condition... marriage of course!

As always, this was a fun action packed mafia romance. I just love the Ivanovs and can't wait to read one more book... because yes, Zoe Blake ended this one on another cliffhanger and we haven't heard the last from this family!

[Lisa Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive Prize is book 7 in the Ivanov Crime Family.
Roman Ivanov is the Ivanov family personal boogeyman. Roman is a cousin, but none of them thinks of him one of them. He knows he has to infiltrate the Los Infideles and recuses cousin, Pavel. But he also captured his prize.
Soya Vladislava Novikova was sold off to a old psychopath, but she knew how to survive. After her dumb brothers were killed, she put her father into a Siberian asylum, and took over. People underestimated her because she’s a woman. Zoya’s men don’t respect her, she thought she bought the Los Infideles loyalty, but she’s wrong.
Roman and Zoya know they’re enemies but can’t fight their attraction.
Can’t wait for Darius Ivanov (the real head of the Ivanov Crime Family’s book.

[Janet R · Rating 5 out of 5]

😍😍😍Roman-The Demon Ivanov

My faves in Zoe Blake’s Russian mafia world are hands down Dimitry, Mikhail, & Roman. Captive Prize, held my attention from word one to the eye raising end with all the brutal, fast paced action, edge of your seat suspense & 🌶️🌶️romance. Roman is a 💯 alpha who fiercely & fearlessly cares for & protects his family & lady love, by any and all means necessary🥹. He is an awesome protector & an avenging angel, so it’s best not to get on his radar😳. Zoya, the MFC matches him well, with her warrior mentality & bravery, making her way in the cutthroat bratva world. It will be interesting to see what Darius Ivanov, the true head of their crime syndicate is like in the next 📕. Happy reading🍷

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one does dark romance Russian mafia like Zoe does. I mean it. She is the queen! One click author everytime. No matter what. Her men are a perfect blend of hard and soft. The women do not submit. They do take it lying down. They fight. They submit in the most perfect way.

There are no words to describe this perfect balance. It's pure perfection. I have been waiting for closure on Pavel for such a long time. Zoe did not dissapoint. Once you dip your toes into Zoe's world of Russian men, you will never turn away.

You don't just read these books, you devour them. You want more. You need more. This is just the way.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive Prize by Zoe Blake is the final story of the Ivanov series!! It is the captivating story of Roman and Zoya. Yowza!!!! What a story!!! She’s the enemy. A mafia princess…one who is now in a world of trouble….Roman is a strong, protective alpha. Can the fierce princess and the protective bratva have any kind of meeting of the minds???

These two are a perfect match!!! Even if they are a bit too intense. There are so many twists and turns…you never know what will happen next!!! I am sad to see this series ending….but, can’t wait to see what this author has coming up next!!! Fantastic, fitting completion!!!

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 Stars.
Look, I'm a huge Zoe Blake fan don't get me wrong. I've just been finding her last few Ivanov releases really lacking everything that I used to enjoy. Zoya and Roman could have been so great, especially considering how Zoya is strong in her own right, but the book was incredibly fast paced that it didn't leave room for the development. And Roman didn't read like "the Ivanov Devil" at all and it was disappointing. Will I read Cruel Protector though? Yes. Yes I will.

[Zelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was more worried about Pavel at the end of book six, it was all about Roman in this book. I loved Zoya’s attempts at strength & courage, and Roman’s appreciation of her fire. Roman, who feels like an outsider, has to choose between his family and his chance at love. He needs both and the resolution of this made me cheer! The medical representation of Zoya’s condition was really interesting & added some extra drama to the story.

[Tonya Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We pick up right where the Sinister Promise ended. Pavel being taken by a new enemy with striking green eyes. He needs to get back to his wife Aliana. Roman is the cousin they call the devil and the one they call for these things. But Roman is shocked when he sees the woman, Zoya. She isn’t what he expected. She is a warrior and plans to take down the Ivanovs. Roman ends up taking Zoya and of course one thing leads to another and they fall in love with each other.

[jamies_bookreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I love Roman, such a hard and broken soul. With loyalty, passion and even a more fierce love for his woman. Even if love is the last thing he is willing to call it. Zoya “little warrior” might be the best nickname of a lover ever. Her wicked spirit and independent soul could not be more perfect for Roman.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME!!!!!

“You are my home, my little warrior. My war. My peace. The only damn thing in this world that makes sense to me.”

I think Zoya and Roman's story is my favorite of the series. Both of them have felt like outsiders and unloved. Who better to love one another than someone who knows what it feels like and is afraid to want more.

[Antoinette Zepeda-Grays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Ivanov's!

This is a great, fast paced book! The Ivanov's death dealer is obsessed with the Ivanov's number one enemy! She's responsible for all the attacks on them and she's currently trying to wreak more havoc! What will become of these two with all odds against them? I strongly recommend you find out!

[Elsa Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭😭😭 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ x 10

Omg.... this book had me at the edge of my sit... couldn't put it down... there was everything..drama...more drama.. and now Darious Ivanov....omfg!!!! What a curve ball did Zoe did on us... I thought this was the last book... NOT!!!!! Another is coming and can't wait to get my hands on it

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

whoa

Roman is a formidable player in this game of cat and mouse. Having captured the woman who had caused so much havoc in his life he falls into lust. Danger and intrigue follow the couple. Lots of smexy times. Really enjoy this series.

[Karen Fleckinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivanov family

I love love this series and some of Zoe's other books. Her Russian men are top notch. I can't wait for the next book. If you haven't read any of her books you are missing out